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555-605 (Medium)|   Algebra|      
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Bunuel
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If a = 1,248 and b = 1,152, what is the value of (a^2 - b^2)^1/2? 16 Jun 2025, 00:30
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C
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25% (medium)

Question Stats:

86% (02:14) correct 14% (02:37) wrong based on 111 sessions

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If a = 1,248 and b = 1,152, what is the value of \((a^2 - b^2) ^{\frac{1}{2}}\)?

A. 240
B. 360
C. 480
D. 600
E. 720


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C
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ManifestDreamMBA
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If a = 1,248 and b = 1,152, what is the value of (a^2 - b^2)^1/2? 16 Jun 2025, 01:03
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\((a^2 - b^2) ^{\frac{1}{2}}\)
\(((a-b)(a+b)) ^{\frac{1}{2}}\)

a-b = 96
a+b = 2400

\((96*2400) ^{\frac{1}{2}}\)
=480

Bunuel
If a = 1,248 and b = 1,152, what is the value of \((a^2 - b^2) ^{\frac{1}{2}}\)?

A. 240
B. 360
C. 480
D. 600
E. 720


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If a = 1,248 and b = 1,152, what is the value of (a^2 - b^2)^1/2? 16 Jun 2025, 10:54
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Bunuel
If a = 1,248 and b = 1,152, what is the value of \((a^2 - b^2) ^{\frac{1}{2}}\)?

A. 240
B. 360
C. 480
D. 600
E. 720


­

Gentle note to all experts and tutors: Please refrain from replying to this question until the Official Answer (OA) is revealed. Let students attempt to solve it first. You are all welcome to contribute posts after the OA is posted. Thank you all for your cooperation!
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(a^2 - b^2) = (a+b) * (a-b)

a = 1248
b = 1152

(a+b) = 1248+1152 = 2400

(a-b) = 1248 - 1152 = 96

(a^2 - b^2) = (a+b) * (a-b) = 2400*96 = 24*100*24*4

sqrt ( (a^2 - b^2) ) = sqrt ( 24*100*24*4 ) = 24*10*2 = 480

Option C
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If a = 1,248 and b = 1,152, what is the value of (a^2 - b^2)^1/2? 16 Jun 2025, 20:13
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a = 1,248 and b = 1,152
(a+b)=(1248+1152)=2,400
(a-b)=(1248-1152)=96
(a+b)(a-b)= (2400)(96)
sqrt (a^2 - b^2)= sqrt (2^10 * 3^2 * 5^2) =(2^5 * 3 *5)=480

Answer: C
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rohitz98
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GMAT Focus 1: 725 Q81 V88 DI89
GMAT 1: 720 Q49 V60
Schools: ISB '27 '27 EPGP '27
GMAT Focus 1: 725 Q81 V88 DI89
GMAT 1: 720 Q49 V60
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If a = 1,248 and b = 1,152, what is the value of (a^2 - b^2)^1/2? 16 Jun 2025, 22:48
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Given a = 1,248 and b = 1,152,
To find (a^2 - b^2)^1/2

(a^2 - b^2)^1/2 = ( (a+b)x (a-b) )^1/2 ............(1)

(a+b)=(1248+1152)=2,400 = 2^3 x 3^1 x 10^2
(a-b)=(1248-1152)=96 = 3^1 x 2^5

Hence combining and sub in (1)

we get (a^2 - b^2)^1/2 = (2^8 x 3^2 x 10^2)^1/2
Hence solving Ans = 480 (Option C)
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