DS with Exponents

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DS with Exponents

by ern5231 » Mon Aug 17, 2009 3:04 pm
What is the value of (x^2a)*(y^3b)?
(1) xy=1
(2) a=b=3

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by jjk » Mon Aug 17, 2009 3:17 pm
E

Statement 1 -- INSUFFICIENT
Although xy = 1, we do not know whether x and y are integers nor whether they are positive. x could be .25 and y could be 4, giving us varied answers. x could also be -.25 and y could be -4. If y is -4 and raised to an odd exponent, the value of x^2b * y^3b will definitely not be 1.

Statement 2 -- INSUFFICIENT
We know nothing about the base values (x and y).

Combined -- INSUFFICIENT
We could end up with any of the following possibilities:

1^6 * 1^9
.5^6 * 2^9
.25^6 * 4^9

Answer is E.

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Re: DS with Exponents

by yezz » Mon Aug 17, 2009 3:32 pm
ern5231 wrote:What is the value of (x^2a)*(y^3b)?
(1) xy=1
(2) a=b=3
xy = 1 either x=y = 1 or -1 or x,y are reciprocals, no idea about a,b...insuff

from2
x,y not known..insuff

both

x^6 * y^9 = (xy)^6 * y^3 = 1*y^3..insuff

E