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If a > 0, is t^a > w^a ?

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Manager
Joined: 31 Jul 2014
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GMAT 1: 630 Q48 V29
If a > 0, is t^a > w^a ? [#permalink]

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06 Sep 2015, 21:23
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95% (hard)

Question Stats:

32% (02:37) correct 68% (01:15) wrong based on 50 sessions

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If a > 0, is $$t^a$$ > $$w^a$$?

(1) t > w
(2) t = 2w
[Reveal] Spoiler: OA

Last edited by ENGRTOMBA2018 on 07 Sep 2015, 08:06, edited 1 time in total.
Formatted the question

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Manager
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Concentration: Marketing, Strategy
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Re: If a > 0, is t^a > w^a ? [#permalink]

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07 Sep 2015, 00:32
This is a typical GMAT type question that you can expect...

For such questions remember to consider:
1. Values <-1
2. -1 < Values < 0
3. 0 < Values < 1
4. 1 < Values
[color=#0000ff]And you will never get such questions wrong !!
[/color]

Option1: The values differ when T,W are +VE and when they are -VE

Option 2: This is a TRAP.
All those who will substitute value of 't' and and cancel out the terms on LHS & RHS - WILL GET THIS WRONG.
You can cancel the terms ONLY if they are positive.

Combinig 1 & 2,
We are left with only +ve values. For which the given equation is always consistent.
Hence C.

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Jamboree GMAT Instructor
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Re: If a > 0, is t^a > w^a ? [#permalink]

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07 Sep 2015, 02:48
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Following property tested:

If x>0, a>b>0, then a^x>b^x

In this question : a = x, t= a, w=b

S1 - No idea about the sigh of t & w - Insufficient

S2 - Again no idea about the sigh of t & w - Insufficient

Combining - (and using another concept - NEVER cancel the variables on both sides of equality/ inequality) the statements - we know t>w and w>0 so, C is the answer.
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Aryama Dutta Saikia
Jamboree Education Pvt. Ltd.

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Manager
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Re: If a > 0, is t^a > w^a ? [#permalink]

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07 Sep 2015, 04:08
Solution:

Statement1 : t > w. We dont know if the numbers are positive or negative . Anyhow lets check both the cases.
If, t = 4 and w = 2. Since a>0, here $$t^{a} > w^{a}$$.
But, if t = -2, w = -4. Then t > w.Then for a=3, $$t^{a} > w^{a}$$ and for a=2, $$t^{a} < w^{a}$$.
Therefore, Insufficient.

Statement2 : t=2w. If t = -4, w = -2. Then t = 2w. Then for a=3, $$t^{a} < w^{a}$$ and for a=2, $$t^{a} > w^{a}$$.
Therefore, Insufficient.

Combined : We know that t and w can only be positive. Therefore, $$t^{a} > w^{a}$$ holds for all possible values.
Sufficient.

Option C

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Math Revolution GMAT Instructor
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If a > 0, is t^a > w^a ? [#permalink]

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07 Sep 2015, 07:22
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Forget conventional ways of solving math questions. In DS, Variable approach is the easiest and quickest way to find the answer without actually solving the problem. Remember equal number of variables and equations ensures a solution.

If a > 0, is t^a > w^a ?

(1) t > w
(2) t = 2w

In the original condition there are 3 variables (a,t,w), and 1 equation (a>0) thus in order to match the number of variables and equations we need 2 equations more. Since there is 1 each i 1) and 2), C is likely the answer. In actual calculation, using both 1) & 2) we get t=2w>w--> w>0, t>0 thus the answer is yes and the conditions are sufficient. therefore the answer is C
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If a > 0, is t^a > w^a ?   [#permalink] 07 Sep 2015, 07:22
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