Last visit was: 19 Nov 2025, 03:56 It is currently 19 Nov 2025, 03:56
Close
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
Your Progress

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
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel
User avatar
Bunuel
User avatar
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Last visit: 19 Nov 2025
Posts: 105,379
Own Kudos:
778,194
 [8]
Given Kudos: 99,977
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 105,379
Kudos: 778,194
 [8]
Kudos
Add Kudos
8
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
CareerGeek
Joined: 20 Jul 2017
Last visit: 19 Nov 2025
Posts: 1,292
Own Kudos:
4,268
 [1]
Given Kudos: 162
Location: India
Concentration: Entrepreneurship, Marketing
GMAT 1: 690 Q51 V30
WE:Education (Education)
GMAT 1: 690 Q51 V30
Posts: 1,292
Kudos: 4,268
 [1]
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
satya2029
Joined: 10 Dec 2017
Last visit: 29 Sep 2025
Posts: 231
Own Kudos:
249
 [2]
Given Kudos: 138
Location: India
Posts: 231
Kudos: 249
 [2]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
philipssonicare
Joined: 15 Feb 2018
Last visit: 22 Nov 2022
Posts: 412
Own Kudos:
431
 [1]
Given Kudos: 2,380
Posts: 412
Kudos: 431
 [1]
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
I eliminated A, C, and D as they are similar to difference of squares.

Tested B and it didn't work. Weak, but gets to the answer E

Dillesh4096

\(\frac{a^4 + 1}{a^2}\)
--> \(a^2 + \frac{1}{a^2}\)
--> \(a^2 + \frac{1}{a^2} + 2*a*\frac{1}{a} - 2*a*\frac{1}{a}\)

I don't understand how I'm meant to see to do this looking at the equation.
User avatar
sanjitscorps18
Joined: 26 Jan 2019
Last visit: 19 Nov 2025
Posts: 637
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 128
Location: India
Schools: IMD'26
Products:
Schools: IMD'26
Posts: 637
Kudos: 623
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
philipssonicare
I eliminated A, C, and D as they are similar to difference of squares.

Tested B and it didn't work. Weak, but gets to the answer E

Dillesh4096

\(\frac{a^4 + 1}{a^2}\)
--> \(a^2 + \frac{1}{a^2}\)
--> \(a^2 + \frac{1}{a^2} + 2*a*\frac{1}{a} - 2*a*\frac{1}{a}\)

I don't understand how I'm meant to see to do this looking at the equation.


You can only if you able to calculate the next steps vaguely in your head before you write it down.
User avatar
bumpbot
User avatar
Non-Human User
Joined: 09 Sep 2013
Last visit: 04 Jan 2021
Posts: 38,583
Own Kudos:
Posts: 38,583
Kudos: 1,079
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Hello from the GMAT Club BumpBot!

Thanks to another GMAT Club member, I have just discovered this valuable topic, yet it had no discussion for over a year. I am now bumping it up - doing my job. I think you may find it valuable (esp those replies with Kudos).

Want to see all other topics I dig out? Follow me (click follow button on profile). You will receive a summary of all topics I bump in your profile area as well as via email.
Moderators:
Math Expert
105379 posts
Tuck School Moderator
805 posts