BREAKING: Target Test Prep releases Brand New 2026 On Demand GMAT prep course

Redeem

Target Test Prep · GMAT

Choose how you want to prepare

Learn live with an expert or move at your own pace. Every option includes the complete TTP study system.

★★★★★5.0559 reviews
GMATLiveTeach 7 seats left
Chris Peckover
NEXT LIVE COHORT

Oct 13 to Jan 7, 2027

with Chris Peckover

Schedule
Tue, Thu · 8:00 to 10:00 PM ET
Included
40 live hours + 6 months of GMAT OnDemand
  • Live instruction and real-time questions
  • Class recordings and assigned practice
View class & enroll
Limited cohort · enrollment openTarget Test Prep
EALiveTeach 5 seats left
Logan Thompson
EXECUTIVE ASSESSMENT

Sep 6 to Dec 6, 2026

with Logan Thompson

Schedule
Sun · 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM ET
Included
40 hours of live online classes plus six months of access to the complete TTP EA OnDemand course.
  • 165+ EA Score Guarantee
  • 4,100+ Quant, Verbal, and Integrated Reasoning practice questions
  • 400+ hours of in-depth video lessons
  • 3,000+ step-by-step video solutions
View EA class & enroll
Limited cohort · enrollment openTarget Test Prep
GMATOnDemand Start anytime
SELF-PACED MASTERCLASS

Target Test Prep GMAT OnDemand

Complete access from day one. Study on your schedule.

715+ score guarantee
$0to start then $127/mo
  • Personalized study plan and analytics
  • Thousands of lessons and practice questions
Start free 5-day trial
Read 559 reviewsTarget Test Prep

Compare the format, schedule, and included access before enrolling. Prices and seat counts shown reflect the supplied offer details.

What is the value of h?

Problem Solving — algebra and arithmetic (GMAT Focus Edition)
Expert replies
Post new topic Post Reply
Previous Topic Next Topic
Legendary Member
Posts: 2276
Joined: Sat Oct 14, 2017 6:10 amFollowed by: 3 members
by VJesus12 » Tue Jul 17, 2018 12:50 am
What is the value of h?

(1) h^2 = 36
(2) h^2 + 12h = -36

The OA is the option B.

Why is the second statements sufficient but the first one isn't? Could anyone give me some help here? Please.
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Source: — Quantitative Reasoning |
Legendary Member
Posts: 2898
Joined: Thu Sep 07, 2017 2:49 pmFollowed by: 5 members
Thanked: 6 times

by Vincen » Tue Jul 17, 2018 1:53 am
Hello Vjesus12.

Let's take a look at your question.

We need to find the value of h.


First statement
(1) h^2 = 36
From here, we can get $$h^2=36\ \ \Rightarrow\ \ h=\pm\ 6.$$ Since we got two different answers, this statement is not sufficient.

Second statement
(2) h^2 + 12h = -36


From the given equation we get $$h^2+12h=-36$$ $$h^2+12h +36=0$$ $$h^2+2\cdot h\cdot6+6^2=0$$ $$\left(h+6\right)^2=0$$ $$h+6=0$$ $$h=-6.$$ Therefore, the value of h is 6. So, this statement is sufficient.

This is why the correct answer is the option B.

I hope this can help you. <i class="em em-smiley"></i>
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY

GMAT/MBA Expert

User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 8188
Joined: Sat Apr 25, 2015 10:56 amFollowed by: 29 members
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Thanked: 43 times

by Scott@TargetTestPrep » Mon Jul 23, 2018 5:30 pm
VJesus12 wrote:What is the value of h?

(1) h^2 = 36
(2) h^2 + 12h = -36
Statement One Alone:

h^2 = 36

If we take the square root of both sides of the equation, we have:

|h| = 6

We see that h can be 6 or -6. Statement one alone is not sufficient.

Statement Two Alone:

h^2 + 12h = -36

If we add 36 to both sides of the equation, we have:

h^2 + 12h + 36 = 0

(h + 6)^2 = 0

h + 6 = 0

h = -6

We see that h = -6. Statement two alone is sufficient.

Answer: B

Scott Woodbury-Stewart
Founder and CEO
[email protected]

Image

See why Target Test Prep is rated 5 out of 5 stars on BEAT the GMAT. Read our reviews

ImageImage
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 1449
Joined: Sat Oct 09, 2010 2:16 pmFollowed by: 33 members
Thanked: 59 times

by fskilnik@GMATH » Mon Aug 27, 2018 1:18 pm
VJesus12 wrote:What is the value of h?

(1) h^2 = 36
(2) h^2 + 12h = -36
? = h

(1) Insufficient: h = 6 or h = -6

(2) There is at least one solution (examiner´s burden when "what is the value..." is at stake), and in a second-degree equation (in the variable-focus) we have at most TWO (real) distinct solutions.
Who gives the number of roots? "Delta"!

Considering h^2 + 12h+36 = 0 , we have Delta = b^2 - 4ac = (12)^2 - 4(1)(36) = 144-144 = 0.

Hence h is unique (two equal real roots for the equation, if you prefer), hence Sufficient.

The above follows the notations and rationale taught in the GMATH method.
Fabio Skilnik :: GMATH method creator ( Math for the GMAT)
English-speakers :: https://www.gmath.net
Portuguese-speakers :: https://www.gmath.com.br
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Post new topic Post Reply
• Page 1 of 1