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What is the value of

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by Gmat_mission » Thu May 21, 2020 1:00 am

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What is the value of \(\dfrac{3^{(a+b)^2}}{3^{(a−b)^2}}?\)

(1) \(a + b = 7\)
(2) \(ab = 12\)

[spoiler]OA=B[/spoiler]

Source: Manhattan GMAT
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Source: — Data Sufficiency |

Re: What is the value of

by deloitte247 » Wed May 27, 2020 11:17 pm
$$\left(a+b\right)^2=\left(a+b\right)\ \left(a+b\right)$$
$$=a^2+ab+ab+b^2$$
$$=a^2+b^2+2ab$$
$$AND\ $$
$$\left(a-b\right)^2=\left(a-b\right)\ \left(a-b\right)$$
$$=a^2-ab-ab+b^2$$
$$=a^2+b^2-2ab$$
$$\frac{3^{\left(a+b\right)^2}}{3^{\left(a-b\right)^2}}$$
$$=\frac{3^{a^2+b^2+2ab}}{3^{a^2+b^2-2ab}}$$
$$u\sin g\ division\ law\ of\ indices=>\ \frac{x^y}{x^z}=x^{y-z}$$
$$=>3^{\left(a^2+b^2+2ab\right)-\left(a^2+b^2-2ab\right)}$$
$$=>3^{\left(2ab+2ab\right)}$$
$$=>3^{\left(4ab\right)}$$

Statement 1 => a + b = 7
$$Therefore,\ numerator\ =\ 3^{\left(7\right)^2}=3^{49}$$
But denominator cannot be estimated because a - b is unknown. Hence, the given expression cannot be evaluated and the target question cannot be answered.
Statement 1 is NOT SUFFICIENT


Statement 2 => ab=12
$$From\ the\ question\ stem\ =>3^{4ab}$$
$$where\ ab\ =\ 12$$
$$=>3^{4\cdot12}=3^{48}$$
Statement 2 alone is SUFFICIENT

Answer = B
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