Find all School-related info fast with the new School-Specific MBA Forum

 It is currently 28 May 2016, 20:03

### GMAT Club Daily Prep

#### Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

# Events & Promotions

###### Events & Promotions in June
Open Detailed Calendar

# squares and square roots clarification

Author Message
Manager
Joined: 17 Dec 2008
Posts: 177
Followers: 2

Kudos [?]: 96 [0], given: 0

squares and square roots clarification [#permalink]

### Show Tags

28 Jan 2009, 06:47
In GMAT, is $$sqrt(x)$$ always +ve ?
This can get really tricky in some DS questions depending on
the equations, example if we simplify equation and use x instead of
$$sqrt(x)$$ and consider positive/negative numbers - could get

Any suggestions for a clean way to handle this topic is appreciated.
Intern
Joined: 08 Feb 2014
Posts: 10
Followers: 0

Kudos [?]: 25 [2] , given: 2

Re: squares and square roots clarification [#permalink]

### Show Tags

26 Jun 2014, 23:26
2
KUDOS

"In GMAT math, the roots of x are expressed as +\sqrt{x} and -\sqrt{x}

\sqrt{x} itself is ALWAYS positive. I completely understand your logic, but if you don't accept this as a convention, you are bound to either get DS sums wrong or frown on several PS sums.

For example, the solutions for x in the equation x^2 = 25 are x=5 and x=-5.

HOWEVER, if x = 25, then \sqrt{x} = 5. PERIOD. Remember, convention not logic!

Good luck!"
SVP
Joined: 29 Aug 2007
Posts: 2492
Followers: 65

Kudos [?]: 657 [0], given: 19

Re: squares and square roots clarification [#permalink]

### Show Tags

30 Jan 2009, 14:45
ConkergMat wrote:
In GMAT, is $$sqrt(x)$$ always +ve ?
This can get really tricky in some DS questions depending on
the equations, example if we simplify equation and use x instead of
$$sqrt(x)$$ and consider positive/negative numbers - could get

Any suggestions for a clean way to handle this topic is appreciated.

There are many posts that discussed this issue in details.
Try finding some of them and go through them. They would, I believe, clear your doubt.

Refer:
7-t75259
viewtopic.php?t=39533
_________________
Re: squares and square roots clarification   [#permalink] 30 Jan 2009, 14:45
Similar topics Replies Last post
Similar
Topics:
M03 02: Is quadrilateral J a square? 1 27 Oct 2012, 00:46
M01 #35 clarification 2 31 Oct 2010, 12:32
1 Roots GMAT Questions - Square Roots, Cubic Roots Master List 0 09 Jun 2009, 16:29
47 M08 #16 - squares 24 01 Feb 2009, 08:09
11 M18 Q14 needs clarification 22 17 Sep 2008, 14:27
Display posts from previous: Sort by

# squares and square roots clarification

Moderator: Bunuel

 Powered by phpBB © phpBB Group and phpBB SEO Kindly note that the GMAT® test is a registered trademark of the Graduate Management Admission Council®, and this site has neither been reviewed nor endorsed by GMAC®.