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from x(x - 1)^2 + 5(x - 1)^2=0

to

(x + 5)(x - 1)^2=0

you simply factor out (x-1)^2 from x(x - 1)^2 + 5(x - 1)^2=0

by penumbra547

Tue Feb 10, 2009 10:22 am
Forum: GMAT Math
Topic: factoring strategies?
Replies: 12
Views: 2433

danaJ,

thank you, for the colorful metaphors! I'll remember to 'shed some weight' and look for "free factors."

i never would have guessed english isn't your first language. where are you from?

by penumbra547

Tue Feb 10, 2009 10:16 am
Forum: GMAT Math
Topic: factoring strategies?
Replies: 12
Views: 2433

you get to (x + 5)(x - 1)^2=0 by factoring out (x-1)^2 from both sides of the equation.

equation=x(x - 1)^2 + 5(x - 1)^2

by penumbra547

Tue Feb 10, 2009 10:08 am
Forum: GMAT Math
Topic: factoring strategies?
Replies: 12
Views: 2433

DanaJ, Thanks for the response. While I arrived at the answer, I'm just curious what made you think to factor out the "x" on the left side of the equation first, versus FOILing out the right side of the equation first? What tipped you off? I believe the same answer is achieved regardless o...

by penumbra547

Tue Feb 10, 2009 9:14 am
Forum: GMAT Math
Topic: factoring strategies?
Replies: 12
Views: 2433

factoring strategies?

hi, besides the hit-and-miss method, how would one know which to factor or distribute in order to solve the following equation: x^3-2x^2+x=-5(x-1)^2 I instinctively try to take care of the (x-1)^2 just because i feel like sometimes there are opportunities to cancel variables out. but other than that...

by penumbra547

Mon Feb 09, 2009 9:20 pm
Forum: GMAT Math
Topic: factoring strategies?
Replies: 12
Views: 2433

Here is a mnemonic I use when comparing areas of similar triangles (Compliments of Eric's flashcards): The ratio of the areas of two similar triangles is the square of the ratio of corresponding lengths. See attached for the formula and solution. This is a simple formula that is much easier to under...

by penumbra547

Mon Feb 09, 2009 5:09 pm
Forum: Data Sufficiency
Topic: tough geom ds
Replies: 4
Views: 1416

gaggleofgirls, thanks for the solution attachment. However, you lost me when you factored out 16 from the numerator. when you factor out 16 from "16 square root 2," only "square root 2" should remain, but you have a "2 sqare root 2" still. typo? or am i not getting some...

by penumbra547

Fri Feb 06, 2009 9:58 am
Forum: Problem Solving
Topic: isosceles triangle
Replies: 5
Views: 1704

I assume you are asking why the answer is (a). if so, here is why. Think of standard deviation(sd) as distance from the mean. So in this case, 2.5 times the sd is 2.5x3=7.5. <=== that's the distance from the mean. therefore, you add and subtract 7.5 to the mean in order to get both extremes. in this...

by penumbra547

Fri Feb 06, 2009 9:29 am
Forum: Problem Solving
Topic: Mean and standard Deviation
Replies: 2
Views: 1232

sorry chap, yes, "C" was a typo. my rationale strictly applies to "D"

by penumbra547

Wed Dec 10, 2008 9:14 am
Forum: Critical Reasoning
Topic: MGMAT - Talent Insourcing
Replies: 8
Views: 1789

IMO, D. To paraphrase the question, of all the answers for the listed questions, which one would best determine if the negative impact of decreased insourcing is really as bad as the author claims. the author claims that decreased insourcing will: 1. Hurt America's competitiveness in basic research ...

by penumbra547

Tue Dec 09, 2008 5:02 pm
Forum: Critical Reasoning
Topic: MGMAT - Talent Insourcing
Replies: 8
Views: 1789

IMO, While I can see "C" as an answer, it mentions that only the BEST available positions require skills not possessed by the vast majority of the unemployed. However, the passage is concerned with jobs that have a "lower" job status classification, pegged at the "family-sup...

by penumbra547

Tue Dec 09, 2008 3:23 pm
Forum: Critical Reasoning
Topic: MGMAT - Boomer Retirement
Replies: 15
Views: 3197

Re: Work problem.

Running at their respective constant rates, machine X takes 2 days longer to produce w widgets than machine Y. At these rates, if the two machines together produce 5/4 w widgets in 3 days, how many days would it take machine X alone to produce 2w widgets? A. 4 B. 6 C. 8 D. 10 E. 12 Y can produce w ...

by penumbra547

Tue Dec 09, 2008 12:17 pm
Forum: Problem Solving
Topic: Work problem.
Replies: 9
Views: 2070

on the same line as logitech, when it comes to big numbers, and since I don't memorize the square root of large numbers, I use a combination of muzali and logitech's methods. for this example, I'd break out your question to: sqrt[(4x4x4x5+4x4x4x4)]=sqrt[(4x4x4x(5+4)] (I factored out 4x4x4) =sqrt[(4....

by penumbra547

Tue Dec 09, 2008 11:52 am
Forum: Problem Solving
Topic: What is the fastest way to solve sqroot of (16)(20)+(8)(32)?
Replies: 3
Views: 1702

Another way to look at SD, thanks to lunarpower(ron), is to remember SD as the distance from the numbers in the set to the mean . So in your question, the mean=6, and the question asks which two additional numbers will result in a SD that's less than d. so looking at the choices A.) -6 and 0, will h...

by penumbra547

Tue Dec 09, 2008 11:07 am
Forum: Problem Solving
Topic: standard deviation
Replies: 3
Views: 1422

kris610 wrote:Factorize 88,000 as 11, 5^3 and 2^6. The purple chip has a value between 5 and 11 and you want an answer of the form n^m, where n is the value of the purple chip.

Split 2^6 in 2^3 and 2^3 you get two purple chips, each with a value of 8.
very well done!

by penumbra547

Tue Dec 09, 2008 10:26 am
Forum: Problem Solving
Topic: Nice question.
Replies: 8
Views: 1728