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# Division by zero

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Manager
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Division by zero [#permalink]  21 Aug 2013, 17:21
Sorry this might sound stupid but I have a question regarding division by zero.

I know division by zero is undefined.

For ex, In DS questions, if its given that x/y > 0. Can we assume that y is not equal to zero?
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Re: Division by zero [#permalink]  21 Aug 2013, 18:40
Sorry this might sound stupid but I have a question regarding division by zero.

I know division by zero is undefined.

For ex, In DS questions, if its given that x/y > 0. Can we assume that y is not equal to zero?

Yes we have to solve it by assuming the same. Or else it will be specifically mentioned in range of y.
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Re: Division by zero [#permalink]  21 Aug 2013, 22:30
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Sorry this might sound stupid but I have a question regarding division by zero.

I know division by zero is undefined.

For ex, In DS questions, if its given that x/y > 0. Can we assume that y is not equal to zero?

IMO if anything is given in denominator such as a/b =>then it means b is not equal to zero.

moreover if the equation is $$y = \sqrt{x}$$
then it means x will always take positive values.
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Manager
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Re: Division by zero [#permalink]  23 Aug 2013, 10:49

Yes, we can assume that y is not equal to zero as denominator cannot be zero.
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Re: Division by zero [#permalink]  27 Aug 2013, 21:10
Expert's post
Sorry this might sound stupid but I have a question regarding division by zero.

I know division by zero is undefined.

For ex, In DS questions, if its given that x/y > 0. Can we assume that y is not equal to zero?

You wouldn't even need to assume. Official questions mention explicitly y/x = ... such that $$x \neq 0$$.
If somewhere it is not mentioned, you can assume it.

Mind you, that means GIVEN yx = x^2 and NOT GIVEN $$x \neq 0$$, you cannot divide both sides by x.
$$yx/x = x^2/x$$ is incorrect.

You must do this: $$yx - x^2 = 0$$
$$x(y - x) = 0$$
$$x = 0$$ or $$y = x$$
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Re: Division by zero [#permalink]  30 Oct 2013, 12:06
Sorry this might sound stupid but I have a question regarding division by zero.

I know division by zero is undefined.

For ex, In DS questions, if its given that x/y > 0. Can we assume that y is not equal to zero?

yeah its an assumption in gmat that the denominator wont be zero ...in cases where there is some equation in the denominator the denominator will be specifically be pointed to a solution which can lead to a zero ..and in the question stem that possibility is generally refuted..
Re: Division by zero   [#permalink] 30 Oct 2013, 12:06
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