Which of the following equations is NOT equivalent to

This topic has expert replies
Legendary Member
Posts: 2499
Joined: Sun Oct 29, 2017 2:04 pm
Followed by:6 members

Timer

00:00

Your Answer

A

B

C

D

E

Global Stats

$$\text{Which of the following equations is NOT equivalent to } 4x^2=y^2-9?$$
$$\text{A. } 4x^2+9=y^2$$
$$\text{B. } 4x^2-y^2=-9$$
$$\text{C. } 4x^2=(y+3)(y-3)$$
$$\text{D. } 2x=y-3$$
$$\text{E. } x^2=\frac{y^2-9}{4}$$
The OA is D.
Source: GMAT Prep
Source: — Problem Solving |

GMAT/MBA Expert

User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 3008
Joined: Mon Aug 22, 2016 6:19 am
Location: Grand Central / New York
Thanked: 470 times
Followed by:34 members

by Jay@ManhattanReview » Thu Sep 27, 2018 10:36 pm
swerve wrote:$$\text{Which of the following equations is NOT equivalent to } 4x^2=y^2-9?$$
$$\text{A. } 4x^2+9=y^2$$
$$\text{B. } 4x^2-y^2=-9$$
$$\text{C. } 4x^2=(y+3)(y-3)$$
$$\text{D. } 2x=y-3$$
$$\text{E. } x^2=\frac{y^2-9}{4}$$
The OA is D.
Source: GMAT Prep
The correct answer is option D: 2x = y - 3

Let's see how:

4x^2 = y^2 - 9

Taking the square root, we get

√(4x^2) = √(y^2 - 9)

2x = √[(y + 3)(y - 3)]

Note that √(y^2 - 9) ≠ y - 3.

The correct answer: D

Hope this helps!

-Jay
_________________
Manhattan Review GMAT Prep

Locations: New York | Vienna | Kuala Lumpur | Sydney | and many more...

Schedule your free consultation with an experienced GMAT Prep Advisor! Click here.

User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 15539
Joined: Tue May 25, 2010 12:04 pm
Location: New York, NY
Thanked: 13060 times
Followed by:1906 members
GMAT Score:790

by GMATGuruNY » Fri Sep 28, 2018 3:19 am
swerve wrote:$$\text{Which of the following equations is NOT equivalent to } 4x^2=y^2-9?$$
$$\text{A. } 4x^2+9=y^2$$
$$\text{B. } 4x^2-y^2=-9$$
$$\text{C. } 4x^2=(y+3)(y-3)$$
$$\text{D. } 2x=y-3$$
$$\text{E. } x^2=\frac{y^2-9}{4}$$
If we plug y=-3 into 4x² = y²-9, we get:
4x² = (-3)² - 9
4x² = 0
x = 0.

Test x=0 and y=-3 in the answer choices.
When the question stem includes the phrase which of the following, the correct answer is likely to be D or E.
D: 2x = y-3
Plugging in x=0 and y=-3, we get:
2*0 = -3-3
0 = -6
Doesn't work.
Thus, D is NOT equivalent to the given equation.

The correct answer is D.
Private tutor exclusively for the GMAT and GRE, with over 20 years of experience.
Followed here and elsewhere by over 1900 test-takers.
I have worked with students based in the US, Australia, Taiwan, China, Tajikistan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia -- a long list of countries.
My students have been admitted to HBS, CBS, Tuck, Yale, Stern, Fuqua -- a long list of top programs.

As a tutor, I don't simply teach you how I would approach problems.
I unlock the best way for YOU to solve problems.

For more information, please email me (Mitch Hunt) at [email protected].
Student Review #1
Student Review #2
Student Review #3

GMAT/MBA Expert

User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 8086
Joined: Sat Apr 25, 2015 10:56 am
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Thanked: 43 times
Followed by:29 members

by Scott@TargetTestPrep » Tue Oct 02, 2018 6:56 pm
swerve wrote:$$\text{Which of the following equations is NOT equivalent to } 4x^2=y^2-9?$$
$$\text{A. } 4x^2+9=y^2$$
$$\text{B. } 4x^2-y^2=-9$$
$$\text{C. } 4x^2=(y+3)(y-3)$$
$$\text{D. } 2x=y-3$$
$$\text{E. } x^2=\frac{y^2-9}{4}$$
The OA is D.
Source: GMAT Prep
Looking at our answer choices, we see that 2x = y - 3 is not equivalent to the given equation. If we were to square both sides of answer choice D, we'd have:

4x^2 = (y - 3)^2 or 4x^2 = y^2 - 6y + 9, which is not equivalent to 4x^2 = y^2 - 9.

Answer: D

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