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(Algebra) Simple question but I am confused.

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by cans » Wed Jun 08, 2011 9:36 pm
(x^2 + 4x + 4) / (x^2 - 4) = 3
(x+2)^2 / [(x-2)*(x+2) ] = 3
x is not equal to -2 (otherwise we will get 0/0)
thus (x+2)/(x-2)=3
solving, x=4
IMO A
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by blaster » Wed Jun 08, 2011 9:36 pm
we can simplify x^2+4x+4 to (x+2)^2

so

(x+2)^2/(x^2-4)=(x+2)^2/(x-2)*(x+2)= 3

after simplifing we get answer 4
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by smackmartine » Wed Jun 08, 2011 9:37 pm
IMO A

(x+2)^2/(x+2)(x-2) =3
(x+2)/(x-2) =3
(x+2)= 3x-6
2x=8
x=4
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by phanideepak » Wed Jun 08, 2011 9:38 pm
(x+2)^2/(x+2)(x-2) = 3

(x+2)/(x-2) = 3

solve for x and answer is 4

Did i miss something?
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by Anurag@Gurome » Wed Jun 08, 2011 9:39 pm
Rezinka wrote:Q
If (x^2 + 4x + 4) / (x^2 - 4) = 3 ; then x =

A. 4
B. 2
C. 0
D. -2
E. -4
(x² + 4x + 4) = (x + 2)²
(x² - 4) = (x - 2)(x + 2)
So, (x² + 4x + 4)/(x² - 4) = (x + 2)²/(x - 2)(x + 2) = (x + 2)/(x - 2)
So, (x + 2)/(x - 2) = 3
x = 2 = 3x - 6
8 = 2x
x = 4

The correct answer is A.
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by Rezinka » Wed Jun 08, 2011 9:40 pm
Yeah.. I had done the same thing. Made a stupid mistake. Silly me!
Actually, I missed that x^2 should not be 4 and not x. So eliminated option A.
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by Blimey72 » Thu Jun 09, 2011 2:30 am
Also try plugging in the ACs. Often the quickest and simplest method.

Can rule out B & D straightaway (as would otherwise be dividing by 0 which is not allowed).
x=0, means the fraction results in -1 (not 3 as needed), so C is out.
Then just plug in 4 or -4 and decide between them. All the numbers are fairly low, so can probably even do the math in your head.
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by [email protected] » Thu Jun 09, 2011 2:39 am
OA iS A...
IT IS TIME TO BEAT THE GMAT

LEARNING, APPLICATION AND TIMING IS THE FACT OF GMAT AND LIFE AS WELL... KEEP PLAYING!!!

Whenever you feel that my post really helped you to learn something new, please press on the 'THANK' button.
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by [email protected] » Thu Jun 09, 2011 2:40 am
OA iS A...
IT IS TIME TO BEAT THE GMAT

LEARNING, APPLICATION AND TIMING IS THE FACT OF GMAT AND LIFE AS WELL... KEEP PLAYING!!!

Whenever you feel that my post really helped you to learn something new, please press on the 'THANK' button.
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by MBA.Aspirant » Thu Jun 09, 2011 8:51 pm
Rezinka wrote:Q
If (x^2 + 4x + 4) / (x^2 - 4) = 3 ; then x =

A. 4
B. 2
C. 0
D. -2
E. -4
What if you solved this way?

(x^2 + 4x + 4) / (x^2 - 4) = 3

x^2 +4x+4 = 3x^2 -12

2x^2 -4x-16=0

x^2 -2x-8=0

(x-4) (x+2)=0

x= 4 or x = -2

how can you choose then? I guess because -2 can't be in the denominator so it's out.
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by smackmartine » Thu Jun 09, 2011 9:43 pm
MBA.Aspirant wrote:
Rezinka wrote:Q
If (x^2 + 4x + 4) / (x^2 - 4) = 3 ; then x =

A. 4
B. 2
C. 0
D. -2
E. -4

What if you solved this way?

(x^2 + 4x + 4) / (x^2 - 4) = 3

x^2 +4x+4 = 3x^2 -12

2x^2 -4x-16=0

x^2 -2x-8=0

(x-4) (x+2)=0

x= 4 or x = -2

how can you choose then? I guess because -2 can't be in the denominator so it's out.
You need not have to stop at this point. In fact you should substitute each value of x into the orignal equation to check its validity.

at x= -2 ,

((-2)^2 + 4x + 4) / ((-2)^2 - 4) = 3 , is undefined as denominator becomes zero. This means x=-2 is not a valid value. Only at x=4 LHS = RHS (left hand side = right hand side)
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by vinayreguri » Sun Jun 12, 2011 5:44 am
Try plugging in Answer choices, Then Ans A
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