algebra

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Source: — Data Sufficiency |

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by ayushiiitm » Wed Jun 23, 2010 8:31 pm
(a+b)^2=a^2+b^2+2ab

we need to find out a^2+b^2= (a+b)^2-2ab

now from stem 1

we have a+b=4...in sufficient (we need value of ab also)

from stem 2 we have ab = 1 (by taking a on other side) ...........but in 2 we dont know about a+b

together they suffice

a^2+b^2= (a+b)^2-2ab
== 4^2-2*1
== 14


answer C (both necessary)
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by Rahul@gurome » Wed Jun 23, 2010 8:34 pm
(1) is NOT SUFFICIENT as we don't know the value of b.
(2) is NOT SUFFICIENT as we don't know the value of a.
Combining, a = 4 - 1/a or a^2 - 4a + 1 = 0, which is quadratic in a.
a = 2 + √3, 2 - √3 and so b = 1/(2 + √3), 1/(2 - √3)

Putting these values we get the value of a^2+b^2

The correct answer is (C).
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