Tricky functions problem

This topic has expert replies
Source: — Problem Solving |

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 » Tue Mar 08, 2011 3:25 pm
tonebeeze wrote:Please see problem attached.

OA = D

Can someone please show me their work. Thanks!
Let @x = the function.
@x = x+1.

Plug in x = 10.
(@x)² - @(x²)
= (@10)² - @100
= (10+1)² - (100+1)
= 121 - 101
= 20. This is our target.

Now we plug x = 10 into all the answers to see which yields our target of 20.

Only answer choice D works:
2x = 2*10 = 20.

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

User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 543
Joined: Tue Jun 15, 2010 7:01 pm
Thanked: 147 times
Followed by:3 members

by anshumishra » Tue Mar 08, 2011 6:52 pm
tonebeeze wrote:Please see problem attached.

OA = D

Can someone please show me their work. Thanks!
@x = x+1
So, (@x)^2 - @(x^2) = (x+1)^2 - (x^2+1)
= x^2 + 2x + 1 - x^2 - 1
= 2x D
Thanks
Anshu

(Every mistake is a lesson learned )