Hi Everyone,
I came across this question in a Kaplan test
If ab ≠0 and a3b = ab3, then which of the following must be true?
I a = b
II a = -b
III ab = 1
A. None
B. I only
C. III only
D. I and III only
E. I, II, and III
It seems I am making some silly mistake here
Data Sufficiency silly but confusing question
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I assume a3b and ab3 are actually a³b and ab³.meesumkazmi wrote:If ab ≠0 and a3b = ab3, then which of the following must be true?
I a = b
II a = -b
III ab = 1
--> a³b = ab³
--> (a³b - ab³) = 0
--> ab(a² - b²) = 0
--> ab(a - b)(a + b) = 0
As ab ≠0, either (a - b) or (a + b) or both must be equal to zero and ab can have any value.
If, (a - b) = 0, then a = b
If, (a + b) = 0, then a = -b
And if, both of them are equal to zero, then a = b = 0, which is again not possible as ab ≠0
Hence, either a = b or a = -b
Hence, either I or II is true.
But none of them must be true.
The correct answer is A.
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It has to be (A) None
As we are not sure if a = b or a = -b
As we are not sure if a = b or a = -b
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