For all x, the expression x* is defined to be ax + a, where a is......

x* = ax + a = a (x + 1)
2* = ?

Statement 1: 3* = 2
or 3a + a = 2
a = 1/2

Hence 2* = (1/2)*(2 + 1) = 3/2
SUFFICIENT

Statement 2: 5* = 3
Or 5a + a = 3
a = 1/2

Hence 2* = (1/2)*(2 + 1) = 3/2
SUFFICIENT

Correct Option: D

Trying to solve these equations is unnecessary and in 90% of DS questions a waste of time

A) 3a + a = 2

Linear eqn with 1 variable, 1 solution. sufficient

2) 5 a + a = 6

Same reasoning as above

Answer : D

Given
=>x*=ax+a
=>x*=a(x+1)
Therefore
=>2*=a(2+1)
=>2*=3a ----(1)
so if we can find the value of 'a' we can hav the value of 2*

Now
Statement 1 says 3*=2
3*=4a from (1)
=> 4a=2
=> a=2/4=1/2
sufficient

Statement 2 says 5*=3
5*=6a from (1)
=> 6a=3
=> a=3/6=1/2
sufficient

Therefore option 'D'

Thanks

Hi

Correct solution. But when each statement alone is sufficient to answer a question, the answer is D

I guess that was a typo

Hi Aman

Thanks for the correction. Its 'D'

So basically

2^* will be 2a + a => 3a

Now if i can get value of a, i will be good

(1) \(3^* = 2\)
3a + a = 2
a = 1/2

We are good

(2) \(5^* = 3\)

6a = 3
a = 1/2

We are good

Both statements are Sufficient

D

Posted from my mobile device
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\(2^*=a2+a=2a+a;\) We need know the value of \(a\)

(1)\(3^*=a3=+a=3a+a; \ given \ that \ 3a+a=2; 4a=2; a=\frac{1}{2} \ Sufficient\)

(2) \(5^*=53=+a=5a+a; \ given \ that \ 5a+a=3; 6a=3; a=\frac{1}{2} \ Sufficient\)

The answer is \(D\)
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Solution:

Question Stem Analysis:

We need to determine the value of 2* given that x* = ax + a. Therefore, we need to determine the value of a(2) + a = 3a. We see that if we can determine the value of a, then we can determine the value of 2*.

Statement One Alone:

We see that a(3) + a = 2. So we have 4a = 2 or a = ½. Since 2* = 3a, then 2* = 3(½) = 3/2. Statement one alone is sufficient.

Statement Two Alone:

We see that a(5) + a = 3. So we have 6a = 3 or a = ½. Since 2* = 3a, 2* = 3(½) = 3/2. Statement two alone is sufficient.

Answer: D
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