Last visit was: 18 Nov 2025, 17:38 It is currently 18 Nov 2025, 17:38
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
Bismuth83
User avatar
DI Forum Moderator
Joined: 15 Sep 2024
Last visit: 01 Aug 2025
Posts: 719
Own Kudos:
2,605
 [8]
Given Kudos: 441
Expert
Expert reply
Posts: 719
Kudos: 2,605
 [8]
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
6
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Most Helpful Reply
User avatar
chetan2u
User avatar
GMAT Expert
Joined: 02 Aug 2009
Last visit: 15 Nov 2025
Posts: 11,238
Own Kudos:
43,696
 [5]
Given Kudos: 335
Status:Math and DI Expert
Location: India
Concentration: Human Resources, General Management
GMAT Focus 1: 735 Q90 V89 DI81
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
GMAT Focus 1: 735 Q90 V89 DI81
Posts: 11,238
Kudos: 43,696
 [5]
5
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
General Discussion
User avatar
poojaarora1818
Joined: 30 Jul 2019
Last visit: 18 Nov 2025
Posts: 1,543
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 3,420
Location: India
Concentration: General Management, Economics
GPA: 3
WE:Human Resources (Human Resources)
Products:
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
naveeng15
Joined: 08 Dec 2021
Last visit: 23 Jun 2025
Posts: 71
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 38
Location: India
Concentration: Operations, Leadership
GMAT 1: 610 Q47 V28
WE:Design (Manufacturing)
GMAT 1: 610 Q47 V28
Posts: 71
Kudos: 9
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Use quadratic qns to solve qn
User avatar
Bismuth83
User avatar
DI Forum Moderator
Joined: 15 Sep 2024
Last visit: 01 Aug 2025
Posts: 719
Own Kudos:
2,605
 [1]
Given Kudos: 441
Expert
Expert reply
Posts: 719
Kudos: 2,605
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Bismuth83
Given the equation \(x^2−kx+20=0\), where \(k\) is a constant, which of the following could be corresponding values of integers \(k\) and \(x\)?­

1. We are asked to find what could be k and x in this equation.

2. The first idea is to use the quadratic formula: \(x_{1,2} = \frac{k \pm \sqrt{k^2 - 80}}{2}\).

3. Since the square root takes only nonnegative numbers, \(k^2 - 80 \geq 0 \rightarrow k^2 \geq 80 \rightarrow |k| \geq \sqrt{80}\). Looking at the answer choices, k is whole, so \(|k| \geq \sqrt{81} = 9\). The only possible answer choices are k = -20 and \(\pm\)9.

4. It can also be noticed that \(\sqrt{k^2 - 80}\) must be whole for x to be whole too. \(\pm\)9 work, however, if k = -20 then \(\sqrt{k^2 - 80} = \sqrt{400 - 80} = \sqrt{320} = 8\sqrt{5}\), which isn't whole. So, only \(\pm\)9 could work.

5. Plugging k = -9 gives the roots -5 and -4, while k = 9 gives 5 and 4. Only 4 is a possible x.

6. Our answer will be k = 9 and x = 4.

__________________________________

Another way of excluding all options except k = -20 and \(\pm\)9 is by drawing out the two graphs \(x^2 + 20\) and \(kx\). They should be equal and it's easy to realize that k has to be large (absolute value) for the two graphs to intersect.
User avatar
poojaarora1818
Joined: 30 Jul 2019
Last visit: 18 Nov 2025
Posts: 1,543
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 3,420
Location: India
Concentration: General Management, Economics
GPA: 3
WE:Human Resources (Human Resources)
Products:
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
naveeng15
Use quadratic qns to solve qn
Yes, I knew the quadratic Equations formula to solve this ques but the only problem is that it consumes a lot of time to solve the ques and get to the solution. My apologies. Next, time I will take care of these steps to provide a solution. Thanks for the advice though.
Moderators:
Math Expert
105355 posts
496 posts