Last visit was: 26 Mar 2025, 10:58 It is currently 26 Mar 2025, 10:58
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
BrentGMATPrepNow
User avatar
Major Poster
Joined: 12 Sep 2015
Last visit: 13 May 2024
Posts: 6,769
Own Kudos:
33,146
 [23]
Given Kudos: 799
Location: Canada
Expert
Expert reply
Posts: 6,769
Kudos: 33,146
 [23]
3
Kudos
Add Kudos
20
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
rahul16singh28
Joined: 31 Jul 2017
Last visit: 09 Jun 2020
Posts: 431
Own Kudos:
485
 [2]
Given Kudos: 752
Location: Malaysia
GPA: 3.95
WE:Consulting (Energy)
Posts: 431
Kudos: 485
 [2]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
PKN
Joined: 01 Oct 2017
Last visit: 22 Jan 2025
Posts: 817
Own Kudos:
1,468
 [3]
Given Kudos: 41
Status:Learning stage
WE:Supply Chain Management (Energy)
Posts: 817
Kudos: 1,468
 [3]
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
varun4s
Joined: 07 Jul 2012
Last visit: 11 Mar 2022
Posts: 280
Own Kudos:
331
 [2]
Given Kudos: 71
Location: India
Concentration: Finance, Accounting
GPA: 3.5
Posts: 280
Kudos: 331
 [2]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
f(2x-1)= f(5); when x=3

Put x=3 in the equation 4\(x^2\) -4x - 8. The answer is 16.

Answer: A.
User avatar
chetan2u
User avatar
GMAT Expert
Joined: 02 Aug 2009
Last visit: 24 Mar 2025
Posts: 11,344
Own Kudos:
39,781
 [3]
Given Kudos: 333
Status:Math and DI Expert
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
Posts: 11,344
Kudos: 39,781
 [3]
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
GMATPrepNow
If f(2x - 1) = 4x² - 4x - 8, then f(5) =

A) 16
B) 18
C) 36
D) 48
E) 72

Another way.. May help in such questions somewhere else..


If you look at the equation, you can easily convert the equation ...
\(f(2x-1)=4x^2-4x-8=4x^2-4x+1-9=(2x-1)^2-9\)
So it can be literally written as \(f(x)=x^2-9\),
So f (5)=5^2-9=25-9=16
avatar
manjot123
Joined: 29 Jul 2018
Last visit: 13 May 2021
Posts: 93
Own Kudos:
22
 [4]
Given Kudos: 187
Concentration: Finance, Statistics
GMAT 1: 620 Q45 V31
GMAT 1: 620 Q45 V31
Posts: 93
Kudos: 22
 [4]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
3
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Equate 2x-1 = 5 you get x=3
Put x=3 36-8-12
16

Posted from my mobile device
User avatar
Princ
Joined: 22 Feb 2018
Last visit: 17 Mar 2025
Posts: 352
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 34
Posts: 352
Kudos: 862
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
OA: A

f(2x - 1) = 4x² - 4x - 8, then f(5) = ?

Trying lengthier method as other methods have been already discussed above

Let \(2x-1 =y ; x =\frac{y+1}{2}\)

\(f(y) = 4(\frac{y+1}{2})^2 -4 (\frac{y+1}{2}) -8 =(y+1)^2-2(y+1)-8 =y^2+1+2y-2y-2-8=y^2-9\)

\(f(y)=y^2-9\)

\(f(5) =5^2-9=25-9=16\)
User avatar
KanishkM
Joined: 09 Mar 2018
Last visit: 18 Dec 2021
Posts: 765
Own Kudos:
485
 [1]
Given Kudos: 123
Location: India
Posts: 765
Kudos: 485
 [1]
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
GMATPrepNow
If f(2x - 1) = 4x² - 4x - 8, then f(5) =

A) 16
B) 18
C) 36
D) 48
E) 72

to find f(5), never go ahead and put the value as 5 in f(2x-1)

Think how can i get a f(5), when i substitute x = 3

f(5) =36 - 20
= 16

A
User avatar
BrentGMATPrepNow
User avatar
Major Poster
Joined: 12 Sep 2015
Last visit: 13 May 2024
Posts: 6,769
Own Kudos:
33,146
 [1]
Given Kudos: 799
Location: Canada
Expert
Expert reply
Posts: 6,769
Kudos: 33,146
 [1]
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
GMATPrepNow
If f(2x - 1) = 4x² - 4x - 8, then f(5) =

A) 16
B) 18
C) 36
D) 48
E) 72

Great responses above!! Here's one more approach:

First notice that 4x² - 4x - 8 looks a lot like (2x - 1)²

(2x - 1)² = (2x - 1)(2x - 1) = 4x² - 4x + 1

Now take: f(2x - 1) = 4x² - 4x - 8
Rewrite as: f(2x - 1) = 4x² - 4x + 1 - 9 = (2x - 1)² - 9
In other words, f(something) =something² - 9

In general, we can write f(x) = x² - 9

We're asked to evaluate f(5)
So f(5) = 5² - 9 = 25 - 9 = 16

Answer: A

Cheers,
Brent
User avatar
bumpbot
User avatar
Non-Human User
Joined: 09 Sep 2013
Last visit: 04 Jan 2021
Posts: 36,711
Own Kudos:
Posts: 36,711
Kudos: 963
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.
Moderators:
Math Expert
100090 posts
PS Forum Moderator
511 posts