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Sub 505 Level|   Algebra|                                    
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Walkabout
If s > 0 and \(\sqrt{\frac{r}{s}}=s\), what is r in terms of s ?

(A) 1/s
(B) \(\sqrt{s}\)
(C) \(s\sqrt{s}\)
(D) s^3
(E) s^2-s

To solve, we need to simplify the equation √(r/s) = s.

We first want to eliminate the square root, so we square both sides, obtaining:

(√(r/s))^2 = s^2

r/s = s^2

To isolate r, we multiply the entire equation by s and we get:

r = s^3

The answer is D.
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Walkabout
If s > 0 and \(\sqrt{\frac{r}{s}}=s\), what is r in terms of s ?

(A) 1/s
(B) \(\sqrt{s}\)
(C) \(s\sqrt{s}\)
(D) s^3
(E) s^2-s

An alternate method will be testing the options , except (D) none follows -

\(\sqrt{\frac{s^3}{s}}=\sqrt{s^2}\) = \(s\)
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let's pick smart numbers and solve: let s be 3, then r is 27
if we test the answers D is the only that works
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Walkabout
If s > 0 and \(\sqrt{\frac{r}{s}}=s\), what is r in terms of s ?

(A) 1/s
(B) \(\sqrt{s}\)
(C) \(s\sqrt{s}\)
(D) s^3
(E) s^2-s

Let's test some values that satisfy the given equation √(r/s) = s

For example, r = 125 and s = 5 satisfies the equation √(r/s) = s

What is r in terms of s ?
Check the answer choices to see which one yields 125 when s = 5

(A) 1/5125 ELIMINATE
(B) √5125 ELIMINATE
(C) 55125 ELIMINATE
(D) 5^3 = 125 KEEP!!
(E) 5^2 - 5125 ELIMINATE

Answer:
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Walkabout
If s > 0 and \(\sqrt{\frac{r}{s}}=s\), what is r in terms of s ?

(A) 1/s
(B) \(\sqrt{s}\)
(C) \(s\sqrt{s}\)
(D) s^3
(E) s^2-s

Given: s > 0 and \(\sqrt{\frac{r}{s}}=s\)

Asked: What is r in terms of s ?

\(\sqrt{\frac{r}{s}}=s\)
Squaring both sides
r/s = s^2
r = s^3

IMO D
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While squaring both sides why we did not consider the negative value of r?
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While squaring both sides why we did not consider the negative value of r?

What do you mean by that? How do you think that should have been considered?

Anyway, since s is positive and r/s is under the square root, then r must also be positive, because if r is negative, then r/s would also be negative and even roots (such as the square root) from negative numbers are not defined on the GMAT. All numbers on the GMAT are real numbers by default.
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Solution


Given:
    • s > 0
    • \((\frac{r}{s})^{1/2} = s\)

To find:
    • r in terms of s

Approach and Working Out:
    • \(\frac{r}{s} = s^2\)

Therefore, \(r = s^3\)

Hence, the correct answer is Option D.

Answer: D
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Walkabout
If s > 0 and \(\sqrt{\frac{r}{s}}=s\), what is r in terms of s ?

(A) 1/s
(B) \(\sqrt{s}\)
(C) \(s\sqrt{s}\)
(D) s^3
(E) s^2-s

EducationAisle

we are told that \(s > 0\) but is this information really needed? we are already given that \(\sqrt{\frac{r}{s}}=s\) which means that s is non-zero. Now whether s is -ve or +ve really doesn't matter right
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Hi Hoozan,

Neither undefined numbers (re: dividing by 0) nor imaginary numbers (re: square-root of a negative number) are subjects that are explicitly 'tested' by the GMAT, so including the information here that S > 0 is essentially 'math legalese' to keep a Test-taker from arguing that this question is unfair because an undefined number or imaginary numbers are possible.

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
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