Value of x

[Carl Incognito]

I just took my 3rd Princeton Review CAT, and got a couple of questions wrong on the math section that were similar in nature. Here's one such question:


What is the value of x?

(1) (x + 2)(x + 3) = 0

(2) x^2 + 5x + 6 = 0


This being a data sufficiency question, I answered D, assuming that x = -3 or x = -2. In my mind, there is more than one answer for x, and each statement above can lead you to that answer. However, the correct answer is E. Is this because for this type of question the expectation is that we are able to find a singular value for x that works? And if that is so, is it the same on the GMAT?

[pemdas]

if the question inquires "what is the value?" - we need to find ONE value.

[Ian Stewart]

Yes, if you are asked for the value of an unknown in DS, you only have enough information if you can find *one* *numerical* value for that unknown. If you get two (or more) solutions, you do not have enough information, and if you can only solve for your unknown in terms of other letters, you do not have enough information.