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Sub 505 Level|   Algebra|                     
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Given \(b\neq{3}\) , means \(b-3\neq{0}\)

So, \(4+\frac{2}{b} = 0\)

\(b = \frac{-1}{2}\)

Answer = C
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(b - 3)(4 + 2/b) = 0

b = 3 or 2/b = -4

Its given \(b \neq {3}\)

So, 2/b = -4 --> b = -2/4 = -1/2

Answer: C
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This is the Zero Product Property.

It says that, if:

a × b = 0 then a = 0 or b = 0 or both equal zero

So, in \(\left( b-3 \right) \left( 4+\cfrac { 2 }{ b } \right) =0\):

\(b-3=0\) and \(4+\cfrac { 2 }{ b } =0\)

Since \(b\neq 3\) then \(4+\cfrac { 2 }{ b } =0\rightarrow \left( 4+\cfrac { 2 }{ b } =0 \right) b\rightarrow 4b+2=0\rightarrow 4b=-2\rightarrow b=-\cfrac { 2 }{ 4 } \rightarrow b=-\cfrac { 1 }{ 2 }\)
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Bunuel
The Official Guide For GMAT® Quantitative Review, 2ND Edition

If (b-3)(4+2/b) = 0 and b#3, then b=

(A) -8
(B) -2
(C) -1/2
(D) 1/2
(E) 2

We have:

b - 3 = 0

b = 3

Or

4 + 2/b = 0

2/b = -4

2 = -4b

-1/2 = b

Since b ≠ 3, then b must be -1/2.

Answer: C
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Bunuel
The Official Guide For GMAT® Quantitative Review, 2ND Edition

If (b-3)(4+2/b) = 0 and b#3, then b=

(A) -8
(B) -2
(C) -1/2
(D) 1/2
(E) 2

Problem Solving
Question: 5
Category: Algebra Second-degree equations
Page: 62
Difficulty: 500

GMAT Club is introducing a new project: The Official Guide For GMAT® Quantitative Review, 2ND Edition - Quantitative Questions Project

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Given:
1. (b-3)(4+2/b) = 0
2. b#3

Asked: b=?
If \(b \neq 0\)
4+2/b = 0
2/b = -4
b = -2/4 = -1/2 = -0.5

IMO C
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This was an easy one. The only thing one needed to pay attention to was b not equal to zero and 3
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