Last visit was: 13 Dec 2024, 12:50 It is currently 13 Dec 2024, 12:50
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: 13 Dec 2024
Posts: 97,873
Own Kudos:
685,608
 []
Given Kudos: 88,268
Products:
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 97,873
Kudos: 685,608
 []
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
D3N0
Joined: 21 Jan 2015
Last visit: 13 Dec 2024
Posts: 450
Own Kudos:
372
 []
Given Kudos: 108
Location: India
Concentration: Strategy, Marketing
GMAT 1: 620 Q48 V28
GMAT 2: 690 Q49 V35
WE:Sales (Consumer Packaged Goods)
Products:
GMAT 2: 690 Q49 V35
Posts: 450
Kudos: 372
 []
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
lipsi18
Joined: 26 Dec 2012
Last visit: 30 Nov 2019
Posts: 132
Own Kudos:
54
 []
Given Kudos: 4
Location: United States
Concentration: Technology, Social Entrepreneurship
WE:Information Technology (Computer Software)
Posts: 132
Kudos: 54
 []
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
dav90
Joined: 13 Nov 2014
Last visit: 07 Feb 2016
Posts: 34
Own Kudos:
18
 []
Given Kudos: 105
GMAT 1: 590 Q42 V29
GMAT 2: 630 Q47 V29
GMAT 2: 630 Q47 V29
Posts: 34
Kudos: 18
 []
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
A should be the answer,
Because to prove xa = a, x must be 1,
per 1st statement, x is a prime number and hence x cannot be 1[Remember that 1 is not a prime number], so enough.
per 2nd statement, x may be or may not be 1, hence out.
User avatar
VenoMfTw
Joined: 14 Mar 2014
Last visit: 15 Aug 2019
Posts: 135
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 124
GMAT 1: 710 Q50 V34
GMAT 1: 710 Q50 V34
Posts: 135
Kudos: 456
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Bunuel
If a ≠ 0, does xa = a ?

(1) x is a single digit prime integer

(2) 0 < a < 10

Kudos for a correct solution.

IMO: A

If a ≠ 0, does xa = a ?
xa-a = 0
a(x-1) = 0 since a ≠ 0, the question is asking if x =1 ?

St 1: x is a single digit prime integer

Thus x = {2,3,5,7}
Thus x ≠ 1. Suff

St 2: 0 < a < 10

Gives nothing whether x = 1 or not
Not Suff
User avatar
KS15
Joined: 21 May 2013
Last visit: 25 Jul 2019
Posts: 537
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 608
Posts: 537
Kudos: 244
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Bunuel
If a ≠ 0, does xa = a ?

(1) x is a single digit prime integer

(2) 0 < a < 10

Kudos for a correct solution.

Statement 1: x is a single digit prime number i.e x=2,3,5 or 7
Now, is xa=a? This can only be possible if a=0. But a is not equal to 0(given)
Therefore, xa will never be equal to a. Sufficient
Statement 2: 0<a<10
If a=1,x=1, then xa=a
But if x=0, a=1, then , above equation does not hold true. Insufficient
Answer A
User avatar
Bunuel
User avatar
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Last visit: 13 Dec 2024
Posts: 97,873
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 88,268
Products:
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 97,873
Kudos: 685,608
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Bunuel
If a ≠ 0, does xa = a ?

(1) x is a single digit prime integer

(2) 0 < a < 10

Kudos for a correct solution.

PRINCETON REVIEW OFFICIAL SOLUTION:

The question is equivalent to asking “Does x = 1?” For the first statement, x could be 2, 3, 5 or 7. In each case, given that a ≠ 0, the answer to the question “Does xa = a ?” is ‘no’ so the statement is sufficient. Statement (2) on the other hand is no help – x could be 1 for any number chosen for a or x could be some other number. So, the correct answer to this question is (A).

However, anybody who forget that 1 is not prime, would probably think that the first statement could lead to either a ‘yes’ or a ‘no’ answer to the question. That person would most likely pick (E) as their answer.

The moral to the story is that the GMAT test writers employ very precise language when they write questions. In order to avoid the traps, you need to know the precise definitions of the terms employed and you need to take the time to explore all the possibilities implied by those terms.
User avatar
bumpbot
User avatar
Non-Human User
Joined: 09 Sep 2013
Last visit: 04 Jan 2021
Posts: 35,812
Own Kudos:
Posts: 35,812
Kudos: 929
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.
Moderator:
Math Expert
97873 posts