Last visit was: 19 Nov 2025, 12:31 It is currently 19 Nov 2025, 12:31
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: 19 Nov 2025
Posts: 105,390
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 99,977
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 105,390
Kudos: 778,341
 [31]
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
28
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Most Helpful Reply
User avatar
chetan2u
User avatar
GMAT Expert
Joined: 02 Aug 2009
Last visit: 15 Nov 2025
Posts: 11,238
Own Kudos:
43,705
 [7]
Given Kudos: 335
Status:Math and DI Expert
Location: India
Concentration: Human Resources, General Management
GMAT Focus 1: 735 Q90 V89 DI81
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
GMAT Focus 1: 735 Q90 V89 DI81
Posts: 11,238
Kudos: 43,705
 [7]
4
Kudos
Add Kudos
3
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
General Discussion
User avatar
SonGoku
Joined: 11 May 2018
Last visit: 25 Dec 2022
Posts: 121
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 287
Products:
Posts: 121
Kudos: 90
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
NandishSS
Joined: 06 Jan 2015
Last visit: 28 Jan 2021
Posts: 720
Own Kudos:
1,721
 [1]
Given Kudos: 579
Location: India
Concentration: Operations, Finance
GPA: 3.35
WE:Information Technology (Computer Software)
Posts: 720
Kudos: 1,721
 [1]
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
chetan2u
If a and b are positive, what is the value of a + b?

(1) (3^a)(3^b) = 81
\((3^a)(3^b) = 81........3^{a+b}=3^4=(-3)^4\)
a+b=4
sufficient

(2) (3^a)(5^b) = 225
\((3^a)(5^b) = 225=3^2*5^2\)
Easy to fall trap of choosing a=b=2. But it is nowhere given that a and b are integers
For each value of a, there will be a value of b to fit in the equation, it may be in decimals or fractions..
Insuff

A

HI chetan2u

Can you please explain this part? Examples pls

Quote:
For each value of a, there will be a value of b to fit in the equation, it may be in decimals or fractions
User avatar
GmatDaddy
User avatar
Retired Moderator
Joined: 11 Aug 2016
Last visit: 29 Jan 2022
Posts: 332
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 97
Products:
Posts: 332
Kudos: 397
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Might sound stupid but chetan2u Can you please explain the part in red with examples ?

We have to compare the indices of similar bases: 3 with 3 and 5 with 5.
IMO a=2 and b=2 is the only solution.
chetan2u
If a and b are positive, what is the value of a + b?

(1) (3^a)(3^b) = 81
\((3^a)(3^b) = 81........3^{a+b}=3^4=(-3)^4\)
a+b=4
sufficient

(2) (3^a)(5^b) = 225
\((3^a)(5^b) = 225=3^2*5^2\)
Easy to fall trap of choosing a=b=2. But it is nowhere given that a and b are integers
For each value of a, there will be a value of b to fit in the equation, it may be in decimals or fractions
..
Insuff

A
User avatar
chetan2u
User avatar
GMAT Expert
Joined: 02 Aug 2009
Last visit: 15 Nov 2025
Posts: 11,238
Own Kudos:
43,705
 [1]
Given Kudos: 335
Status:Math and DI Expert
Location: India
Concentration: Human Resources, General Management
GMAT Focus 1: 735 Q90 V89 DI81
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
GMAT Focus 1: 735 Q90 V89 DI81
Posts: 11,238
Kudos: 43,705
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
GmatDaddy
Might sound stupid but chetan2u Can you please explain the part in red with examples ?

We have to compare the indices of similar bases: 3 with 3 and 5 with 5.
IMO a=2 and b=2 is the only solution.
chetan2u
If a and b are positive, what is the value of a + b?

(1) (3^a)(3^b) = 81
\((3^a)(3^b) = 81........3^{a+b}=3^4=(-3)^4\)
a+b=4
sufficient

(2) (3^a)(5^b) = 225
\((3^a)(5^b) = 225=3^2*5^2\)
Easy to fall trap of choosing a=b=2. But it is nowhere given that a and b are integers
For each value of a, there will be a value of b to fit in the equation, it may be in decimals or fractions
..
Insuff

A


\(3^a5^b=225\).. ofcourse integer values are a=b=2
but say a = 1....\(3^15^b=225.....5^b=75\) so b will be close to 2.68267.... but there will be a specific value where it will be equal to 75
User avatar
GmatDaddy
User avatar
Retired Moderator
Joined: 11 Aug 2016
Last visit: 29 Jan 2022
Posts: 332
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 97
Products:
Posts: 332
Kudos: 397
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Hi chetan2u,

This is the first time I am coming across question that uses such a concept in equating powers. Thanks to you.

Just as a measure of caution, how frequent is such a trick(or this particular concept) on the official questions that you have seen so far.
I was really surprised by the fact that I have never come across such an application of the concept on any question.

chetan2u
GmatDaddy
Might sound stupid but chetan2u Can you please explain the part in red with examples ?

We have to compare the indices of similar bases: 3 with 3 and 5 with 5.
IMO a=2 and b=2 is the only solution.
chetan2u
If a and b are positive, what is the value of a + b?

(1) (3^a)(3^b) = 81
\((3^a)(3^b) = 81........3^{a+b}=3^4=(-3)^4\)
a+b=4
sufficient

(2) (3^a)(5^b) = 225
\((3^a)(5^b) = 225=3^2*5^2\)
Easy to fall trap of choosing a=b=2. But it is nowhere given that a and b are integers
For each value of a, there will be a value of b to fit in the equation, it may be in decimals or fractions
..
Insuff

A


\(3^a5^b=225\).. ofcourse integer values are a=b=2
but say a = 1....\(3^15^b=225.....5^b=75\) so b will be close to 2.68267.... but there will be a specific value where it will be equal to 75
avatar
Abhinav93
Joined: 15 Aug 2018
Last visit: 28 Jul 2019
Posts: 3
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 2
Posts: 3
Kudos: 1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Hi then why doesn’t this apply to the first statement

Posted from my mobile device
User avatar
SonGoku
Joined: 11 May 2018
Last visit: 25 Dec 2022
Posts: 121
Own Kudos:
90
 [1]
Given Kudos: 287
Products:
Posts: 121
Kudos: 90
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Abhinav93
Hi then why doesn’t this apply to the first statement

Posted from my mobile device


We don’t have individual values to add in statement 1 :

a and b can be of any value but we need a+b as a whole.

IN statement 2 :

We have individual values so if the values are different then the a+b value will be changed based on the individual values

Hope it helps.
User avatar
saurabh9gupta
Joined: 10 Jan 2013
Last visit: 28 Jul 2023
Posts: 264
Own Kudos:
177
 [1]
Given Kudos: 201
Location: India
Concentration: General Management, Strategy
GRE 1: Q163 V155
GPA: 3.95
Products:
GRE 1: Q163 V155
Posts: 264
Kudos: 177
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Bunuel
If a and b are positive, what is the value of a + b?

(1) (3^a)(3^b) = 81
(2) (3^a)(5^b) = 225


Ok so I fell into the trap and picked D

but I haven't seen such kind of questions!

Bunuel.. can you please post your solution?
User avatar
abhinav770
Joined: 10 May 2018
Last visit: 21 Apr 2025
Posts: 102
Own Kudos:
246
 [2]
Given Kudos: 209
Location: India
Concentration: Strategy, General Management
Posts: 102
Kudos: 246
 [2]
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
I believe it is because in one we get the sum directly from the equations but in the other we ought to put in values in a and b to find the sum.

Consider this
In option (B)
If we put a=2; b=2, we get a+b=4 [that is just one of the many cases possible.]
Since statement 2 is an equation of an ellipse, a shape which would have many more points that satisfy its equation, hence B is insufficient.

Abhinav93
Hi then why doesn’t this apply to the first statement

Posted from my mobile device
avatar
Pakshalljain
Joined: 11 Oct 2018
Last visit: 08 Dec 2018
Posts: 1
Own Kudos:
2
 [2]
Given Kudos: 9
Posts: 1
Kudos: 2
 [2]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Given: a and b are positive

To Find: value of a+b


Statement 1: (3^a)(3^b) = 81

=> (3^a)(3^b) = 3^4

=> a+b = 4

Sufficient.

Statement 2: (3^a)(5^b) = 225

=> Since it is not mentioned a and b are integers [if they were integers, then a=2 and b=2; as 225 = (3^2)(5^2)] a and b can take any values. For example, a can be 1.752 and b can 2.225 and thus (3^a)(5^b) will give you 225. Or, a can be 1.575 and b can 2.457 and thus (3^a)(5^b) will be equal to 225.

=> Therefore, a+b can result in multiple values.

Insufficient.

Answer: Only statement 1 is sufficient.
User avatar
roysaurabhkr
Joined: 20 Oct 2017
Last visit: 04 Aug 2020
Posts: 5
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 34
Location: India
Concentration: General Management, Strategy
GPA: 3.22
WE:Operations (Manufacturing)
Posts: 5
Kudos: 14
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Abhinav93
Hi then why doesn’t this apply to the first statement

Posted from my mobile device
Because the decrease in power of one term requires increase in power of other term, making the net sum of power always equal to 4
User avatar
TarPhi
Joined: 24 Sep 2019
Last visit: 18 Mar 2021
Posts: 125
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 171
Location: India
GMAT 1: 710 Q49 V36
Products:
GMAT 1: 710 Q49 V36
Posts: 125
Kudos: 106
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
3*5^2.68260620 = 225.

Check it out!
User avatar
askelan
Joined: 15 Aug 2021
Last visit: 08 Apr 2022
Posts: 13
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 70
Location: United States
Posts: 13
Kudos: 4
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
This question so dirty I had to shower and do my laundry before coming back...
Moderators:
Math Expert
105390 posts
496 posts