Last visit was: 10 Jul 2025, 10:41 It is currently 10 Jul 2025, 10:41
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
kiran120680
User avatar
Moderator - Masters Forum
Joined: 18 Feb 2019
Last visit: 27 Jul 2022
Posts: 707
Own Kudos:
2,503
 [10]
Given Kudos: 276
Location: India
GMAT 1: 460 Q42 V13
GPA: 3.6
GMAT 1: 460 Q42 V13
Posts: 707
Kudos: 2,503
 [10]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
9
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
lucajava
Joined: 21 Feb 2019
Last visit: 18 Jul 2019
Posts: 68
Own Kudos:
336
 [2]
Given Kudos: 66
Location: Italy
Posts: 68
Kudos: 336
 [2]
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
avatar
srini2117
Joined: 21 Jun 2017
Last visit: 30 Aug 2019
Posts: 4
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 4
Posts: 4
Kudos: 1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
daniformic
Joined: 04 May 2020
Last visit: 18 Dec 2024
Posts: 117
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 25
Location: Italy
Schools: IESE'23
Schools: IESE'23
Posts: 117
Kudos: 17
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
S1: 5^(a+b)=125
5^(a+b)=5^3
a+b=3 -> NS

S2: 3^(a/b)=1
We know that 3^0=1, so a/b=0, a*b=0 -> S

Answer -> B
User avatar
BrentGMATPrepNow
User avatar
Major Poster
Joined: 12 Sep 2015
Last visit: 13 May 2024
Posts: 6,756
Own Kudos:
34,049
 [2]
Given Kudos: 799
Location: Canada
Expert
Expert reply
Posts: 6,756
Kudos: 34,049
 [2]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
kiran120680
If a and b are integers, what is the value of ab?

(1) 5^(a+b) = 125

(2) 3^(a/b) = 1
Given: a and b are integers

Target question: What is the value of ab?

Statement 1: 5^(a+b) = 125
Express the right side as follows: 5^(a+b) = 5^3
Since the bases are equal, the exponents must be equal to get: a + b = 3
There are several values of a and b that satisfy statement the condition that a + b = 3. Here are two:
Case a: a = -1 and b = 4. In this case, the answer to the target question is ab = (-1)(4) = -4
Case b: a = 1 and b = 2. In this case, the answer to the target question is ab = (1)(2) = 2
Since we can’t answer the target question with certainty, statement 1 is NOT SUFFICIENT

Statement 2: 3^(a/b) = 1
The only way to express the right side with base 3 is as follows: 3^(a/b) = 3^0
Since the bases are equal, the exponents must be equal to get: a/b = 0
If a/b = 0, then we can't be certain that a = 0
If a = 0, then we can be certain that ab = 0
Since we can answer the target question with certainty, statement 2 is SUFFICIENT

Answer: B

Cheers,
Brent
User avatar
bumpbot
User avatar
Non-Human User
Joined: 09 Sep 2013
Last visit: 04 Jan 2021
Posts: 37,375
Own Kudos:
Posts: 37,375
Kudos: 1,010
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
102621 posts