If x + y is not equal to 0. What is the value of (ax + ay)/(x + y)?
(1) x = 4 and y = 5
(2) a = 6
OA B
Source: GMAT Prep
If x + y is not equal to 0. What is the value of (ax + ay)/(
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Simplifying the question,
(ax + ay)/(x + y) = (a*(x+y))/(x+y)
= a
So, question ask value of a?
1) only x and y values are provided
Insufficient
2) a = 6
Sufficient
Option B is correct
(ax + ay)/(x + y) = (a*(x+y))/(x+y)
= a
So, question ask value of a?
1) only x and y values are provided
Insufficient
2) a = 6
Sufficient
Option B is correct
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Target question: What is the value of (ax + ay)/(x + y)?BTGmoderatorDC wrote:If x + y is not equal to 0. What is the value of (ax + ay)/(x + y)?
(1) x = 4 and y = 5
(2) a = 6
This is a good candidate for rephrasing the target question.
Take the expression: (ax + ay)/(x + y)
Factor the numerator to get: a(x + y)/(x + y)
Simplify the fraction to get: a
Since (ax + ay)/(x + y) = a, we can rephrase the target question...
REPHRASED target question: What is the value of a?
Aside: Here's a video with tips on rephrasing the target question: https://www.gmatprepnow.com/module/gmat- ... cy?id=1100
Now that we've REPHRASED the target question, it should be easy to analyze the two statements.
Statement 1: x = 4 and y = 5
Since we have no information about a, we cannot answer the REPHRASED target question with certainty.
So, statement 1 is NOT SUFFICIENT
Statement 2: a = 6
PERFECT - this is exactly what we need.
Since we can answer the REPHRASED target question with certainty, statement 2 is SUFFICIENT
Answer: B
Cheers,
Brent