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# If a and b are different integers, what is the value of a?

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Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Posts: 42249

Kudos [?]: 132588 [0], given: 12326

If a and b are different integers, what is the value of a? [#permalink]

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25 Sep 2017, 23:42
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45% (medium)

Question Stats:

53% (00:46) correct 48% (00:43) wrong based on 39 sessions

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If a and b are different integers, what is the value of a?

(1) b > 1
(2) a^2 = ab
[Reveal] Spoiler: OA

_________________

Kudos [?]: 132588 [0], given: 12326

Senior Manager
Joined: 02 Jul 2017
Posts: 269

Kudos [?]: 79 [0], given: 65

Location: India
Re: If a and b are different integers, what is the value of a? [#permalink]

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26 Sep 2017, 00:17
If a and b are different integers, what is the value of a?

(1) b > 1
Doesn't give any detail about a
Insufficient

(2) a^2 = ab
=> a^2-ab=0
=>a(a-b)=0
=> either a =0 or a-b=0 => a=b
As given a and b are different integers
a=0
Sufficient

Kudos [?]: 79 [0], given: 65

Intern
Joined: 26 Sep 2017
Posts: 3

Kudos [?]: 0 [0], given: 5

Re: If a and b are different integers, what is the value of a? [#permalink]

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26 Sep 2017, 11:16
If a and b are different integers, what is the value of a?

1. b > 1 - No information on a. Not sufficient.

2. a² = ab
a²/a = b
a = b. However, the value of b is unknown. Not sufficient.

1 + 2 Not sufficient. a=b, b>1. We haven't arrived at a value.

Ans: E.

Kudos [?]: 0 [0], given: 5

Director
Joined: 25 Feb 2013
Posts: 542

Kudos [?]: 246 [0], given: 33

Location: India
Schools: Mannheim"19 (S)
GPA: 3.82
Re: If a and b are different integers, what is the value of a? [#permalink]

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26 Sep 2017, 11:22
Manveetha wrote:
If a and b are different integers, what is the value of a?

1. b > 1 - No information on a. Not sufficient.

2. a² = ab
a²/a = b
a = b. However, the value of b is unknown. Not sufficient.

1 + 2 Not sufficient. a=b, b>1. We haven't arrived at a value.

Ans: E.

Hi Manveetha

For Statement 2 $$a^2=ab$$, you cannot directly divide by a because a=0 is a possibility and it is given in the question that a & b are different numbers. so a=b is not possible.

Hence $$a^2-ab=0$$, or $$a(a-b)=0$$

therefore either a=0 or a-b=0 i.e. a=b (not possible as per question)

Hence a=0

Kudos [?]: 246 [0], given: 33

Re: If a and b are different integers, what is the value of a?   [#permalink] 26 Sep 2017, 11:22
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