Live GMAT classes with Target Test Prep start Nov 21 and Nov 22. First class free.

See classes
Target Test Prep · GMAT

Choose how you want to prepare

Learn live with an expert or move at your own pace. Every option includes the complete TTP study system.

Newsweek Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 winner: Target Test Prep, #1 Test Prep

Target Test Prep was voted #1 Best Test Prep in the 2026 Newsweek Readers’ Choice™ Awards.

★★★★★5.0563 reviews
GMATLiveTeachStarts Nov 22
Josh Braslow, Target Test Prep GMAT expert
LIVE ONLINE CLASSES

Get Ready for GMAT Test Day Faster with Live Online Classes

with Josh Braslow, 20+ years in test prep

Nov 22 · Josh Braslow
Sun · 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM ET
Included
40 hours of live online classes + 6 months of TTP OnDemand
  • Attend the first class for free
  • Every class is recorded, so you never fall behind
View classes & enroll
Limited seats availableTarget Test Prep
EALiveTeachOnDemandStart anytime
EXECUTIVE ASSESSMENT

Target Test Prep EA OnDemand

Self-paced EA prep. Study on your schedule.

EXECUTIVE ASSESSMENT

with

165+ EA score guarantee
$05-day trial no automatic billing
Schedule
Included
40 hours of live online classes plus six months of access to the complete TTP EA OnDemand course.
  • 165+ EA Score Guarantee
  • 4,100+ Quant, Verbal, and Integrated Reasoning practice questions
  • 400+ hours of in-depth video lessons
  • 3,000+ step-by-step video solutions
View EA class & enroll Start free 5-day trial
Limited cohort · enrollment openTrial includes full course accessTarget Test Prep
GMATOnDemandStart anytime
SELF-PACED MASTERCLASS

Target Test Prep GMAT OnDemand

Complete access from day one. Study on your schedule.

715+ score guarantee
$0to start then $127/mo
  • Personalized study plan and analytics
  • Thousands of lessons and practice questions
Start free 5-day trial
Read 563 reviewsTarget Test Prep

Word Problem

Expert replies
Post new topic Post Reply
Subscribe topic
Previous Topic Next Topic
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 190
Joined: Thu Jan 14, 2010 8:29 pm
Thanked: 2 times
by phoenix9801 » Sat May 26, 2012 3:34 am
Can Someone show me how to solve using plugging in numbers not in algebraically. It looks like a GMAT that would be on real test day.

picked 4 and -4 as a plug in number? I? get b and c as an answer. Not sure why. Any ideas.
Also what is the difference between (x^2) vs. (x)^2 ????



Which of the following statements must be true?

Indicate all such statements.

a) (square root(x))^3 = x^-1
b) (x^2) = (x)^2
c) x^-2 = x^2
Top
Join the discussion
Source: — Problem Solving |

GMAT/MBA Expert

User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 3835
Joined: Fri Apr 02, 2010 10:00 pmFollowed by: 523 members
Location: Milpitas, CA
Thanked: 1854 times
GMAT Score:770

by Anurag@Gurome » Sat May 26, 2012 8:48 pm
phoenix9801 wrote:Which of the following statements must be true?

Indicate all such statements.

a) (square root(x))^3 = x^-1
b) (x^2) = (x)^2
c) x^-2 = x^2
Whenever comparison of powers and/or roots of a variable is involved, always check with positive and negative numbers both greater and less than 1 and or -1. (No need to check with negatives when comparing roots).
  • A. Take x = 4 ---> (√4)³ = 8 ≠ 4^(-1) = 1/4 ---> FALSE
    B. x² and (x)² are identical. So this is always TRUE
    C. Take x = 2 --> 2^(-2) = 1/4 ≠ 2² = 4
Only B is true.
Anurag Mairal, Ph.D., MBA
GMAT Expert, Admissions and Career Guidance
Gurome, Inc.
1-800-566-4043 (USA)

Join Our Facebook Groups
GMAT with Gurome
https://www.facebook.com/groups/272466352793633/
Admissions with Gurome
https://www.facebook.com/groups/461459690536574/
Career Advising with Gurome
https://www.facebook.com/groups/360435787349781/
Top
Join the discussion
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 190
Joined: Thu Jan 14, 2010 8:29 pm
Thanked: 2 times

by phoenix9801 » Sat May 26, 2012 9:13 pm
Thank You, but I made typo error on answer choice c it supposed to be less then. SO C) x^-2 < x^2

If I use -4 as plug in. I would get 1/16 < 16 True
If I use 4 as plug in. I would get 1/16 < 16 True

So my argument is then B and C is correct. ????

Anurag@Gurome wrote:
phoenix9801 wrote:Which of the following statements must be true?

Indicate all such statements.

a) (square root(x))^3 = x^-1
b) (x^2) = (x)^2
c) x^-2 = x^2
Whenever comparison of powers and/or roots of a variable is involved, always check with positive and negative numbers both greater and less than 1 and or -1. (No need to check with negatives when comparing roots).
  • A. Take x = 4 ---> (√4)³ = 8 ≠ 4^(-1) = 1/4 ---> FALSE
    B. x² and (x)² are identical. So this is always TRUE
    C. Take x = 2 --> 2^(-2) = 1/4 ≠ 2² = 4
Only B is true.
Top
Join the discussion