Last visit was: 19 Nov 2025, 17:06 It is currently 19 Nov 2025, 17:06
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: 778,370
 [46]
9
Kudos
Add Kudos
37
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Most Helpful Reply
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: 778,370
 [16]
5
Kudos
Add Kudos
11
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
General Discussion
User avatar
justbequiet
Joined: 04 Sep 2012
Last visit: 15 Apr 2016
Posts: 89
Own Kudos:
91
 [7]
Given Kudos: 504
Location: Philippines
Concentration: Marketing, Entrepreneurship
Schools: Ross (Michigan) - Class of 2017
GMAT 1: 620 Q48 V27
GMAT 2: 660 Q47 V34
GMAT 3: 700 Q47 V38
GPA: 3.25
WE:Sales (Manufacturing)
Schools: Ross (Michigan) - Class of 2017
GMAT 3: 700 Q47 V38
Posts: 89
Kudos: 91
 [7]
4
Kudos
Add Kudos
3
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
avatar
PareshGmat
Joined: 27 Dec 2012
Last visit: 10 Jul 2016
Posts: 1,534
Own Kudos:
8,102
 [3]
Given Kudos: 193
Status:The Best Or Nothing
Location: India
Concentration: General Management, Technology
WE:Information Technology (Computer Software)
Posts: 1,534
Kudos: 8,102
 [3]
3
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Focusing on denominator of \((\frac{1}{8})^{12}\) to adjust to \(\frac{1}{4}\)

\(8^{12} = 2^{(3*12)} = 2^{36} = 2^{(2*18)} = 4^{18}\)

\((\frac{1}{7})^x * (\frac{1}{4})^{18} = (\frac{1}{7})^{18y} * (\frac{1}{4})^{18y}\)

Equating powers of similar terms:

x = 18y & 18 = 18y

y = 1; x = 18

y-x = 1-18 = -17

Answer = B
User avatar
WoundedTiger
Joined: 25 Apr 2012
Last visit: 25 Sep 2024
Posts: 521
Own Kudos:
2,534
 [3]
Given Kudos: 740
Location: India
GPA: 3.21
WE:Business Development (Other)
Products:
Posts: 521
Kudos: 2,534
 [3]
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
If \(x\) and \(y\) are positive integers and \((\frac{1}{7})^x*(\frac{1}{8})^{12}=(\frac{1}{28})^{18y}\), then what is the value of \(y-x\)?

A. -18
B. -17
C. 1
D. 17
E. 18

Sol: The given expression can be re-written as \((\frac{1}{7})^x * (\frac{1}{2^3})^{12}= (\frac{1}{7})^{18y} *(\frac{1}{2^2})^{18y}\)

Equating powers we get on both sides

x=18y
and 36=36y or y =1
x=18

y-x=-17.

Ans is B
User avatar
Game
Joined: 11 Feb 2014
Last visit: 19 Nov 2014
Posts: 49
Own Kudos:
257
 [2]
Given Kudos: 25
Posts: 49
Kudos: 257
 [2]
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Bunuel

If \(x\) and \(y\) are positive integers and \((\frac{1}{7})^x*(\frac{1}{8})^{12}=(\frac{1}{28})^{18y}\), then what is the value of \(y-x\)?

A. -18
B. -17
C. 1
D. 17
E. 18

Kudos for a correct solution.



\(\frac{1}{7^x}*\frac{1}{8^{12}}=\frac{1}{7^{18y}}*\frac{1}{2^{36y}}\)
\(\frac{1}{7^x}*\frac{1}{2^{36}}=\frac{1}{7^{18y}}*\frac{1}{2^{36y}}\)
y = 1
x=18
y-x = -17
Answer B
User avatar
Abhishek009
User avatar
Board of Directors
Joined: 11 Jun 2011
Last visit: 18 Jul 2025
Posts: 5,934
Own Kudos:
5,328
 [1]
Given Kudos: 463
Status:QA & VA Forum Moderator
Location: India
GPA: 3.5
WE:Business Development (Commercial Banking)
Posts: 5,934
Kudos: 5,328
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Bunuel

If \(x\) and \(y\) are positive integers and \((\frac{1}{7})^x*(\frac{1}{8})^{12}=(\frac{1}{28})^{18y}\), then what is the value of \(y-x\)?

A. -18
B. -17
C. 1
D. 17
E. 18

Kudos for a correct solution.


\((\frac{1}{7})^x*(\frac{1}{8})^{12}=(\frac{1}{28})^{18y}\)

Or, \((\frac{1}{7})^x*(\frac{1}{2^3})^{12}=(\frac{1}{2^2*7})^{18y}\)

Or, \((\frac{1}{7})^x*(\frac{1}{2})^{36}=(\frac{1}{2^{36y}*7^{18y}})\)

Now, \(36y = 36\)

So, \(y = 1\) and \(x = 18\)

Or, \(y - x\) = \(1 - 18\)

So, Answer will be (B) \(- 17\)
User avatar
dave13
Joined: 09 Mar 2016
Last visit: 12 Aug 2025
Posts: 1,108
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 3,851
Posts: 1,108
Kudos: 1,113
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Bunuel
SOLUTION

If \(x\) and \(y\) are positive integers and \((\frac{1}{7})^x*(\frac{1}{8})^{12}=(\frac{1}{28})^{18y}\), then what is the value of \(y-x\)?

A. -18
B. -17
C. 1
D. 17
E. 18

\((\frac{1}{7})^x*(\frac{1}{8})^{12}=(\frac{1}{28})^{18y}\);

Cross-multiply: \(28^{18y}=7^x*8^{12}\);

Factorize: \(2^{36y}*7^{18y}=7^x*2^{36}\);

Equate the powers of 2 on both sides: \(36y=36\) --> \(y=1\);

Equate the powers of 7 on both sides: \(18*1=x\) --> \(x=18\);

\(y-x=1-18=-17\).

Answer: B.

Try NEW Exponents and Roots DS question.


Hi pushpitkc

from here \((\frac{1}{7})^x*(\frac{1}{8})^{12}=(\frac{1}{28})^{18y}\);

i get \((\frac{1}{56})^{12+x}=(\frac{1}{28})^{18y}\); after this i get lost, can you please explain how Bunuel arrived at correct answer? :?

thank you :-)
User avatar
pushpitkc
Joined: 26 Feb 2016
Last visit: 19 Feb 2025
Posts: 2,802
Own Kudos:
6,063
 [1]
Given Kudos: 47
Location: India
GPA: 3.12
Posts: 2,802
Kudos: 6,063
 [1]
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
dave13
Bunuel
SOLUTION

If \(x\) and \(y\) are positive integers and \((\frac{1}{7})^x*(\frac{1}{8})^{12}=(\frac{1}{28})^{18y}\), then what is the value of \(y-x\)?

A. -18
B. -17
C. 1
D. 17
E. 18

\((\frac{1}{7})^x*(\frac{1}{8})^{12}=(\frac{1}{28})^{18y}\);

Cross-multiply: \(28^{18y}=7^x*8^{12}\);

Factorize: \(2^{36y}*7^{18y}=7^x*2^{36}\);

Equate the powers of 2 on both sides: \(36y=36\) --> \(y=1\);

Equate the powers of 7 on both sides: \(18*1=x\) --> \(x=18\);

\(y-x=1-18=-17\).

Answer: B.

Try NEW Exponents and Roots DS question.


Hi pushpitkc

from here \((\frac{1}{7})^x*(\frac{1}{8})^{12}=(\frac{1}{28})^{18y}\);

i get \((\frac{1}{56})^{12+x}=(\frac{1}{28})^{18y}\); after this i get lost, can you please explain how Bunuel arrived at correct answer? :?

thank you :-)

Hi dave13

The rule for exponents is \(a^x * a^y = a^{x+y}\)
However, if we have different bases, we cannot add the exponents \(a^x * b^y\) is not equal to \(ab^{x+y}\)
As a result, what you have done is wrong. Bunuel has solved this problem in the easiest possible way.

Check his solution here. If you have any doubts, please share it. I will try to help you :)
User avatar
dave13
Joined: 09 Mar 2016
Last visit: 12 Aug 2025
Posts: 1,108
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 3,851
Posts: 1,108
Kudos: 1,113
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Abhishek009
Bunuel

If \(x\) and \(y\) are positive integers and \((\frac{1}{7})^x*(\frac{1}{8})^{12}=(\frac{1}{28})^{18y}\), then what is the value of \(y-x\)?

A. -18
B. -17
C. 1
D. 17
E. 18

Kudos for a correct solution.


\((\frac{1}{7})^x*(\frac{1}{8})^{12}=(\frac{1}{28})^{18y}\)

Or, \((\frac{1}{7})^x*(\frac{1}{2^3})^{12}=(\frac{1}{2^2*7})^{18y}\)

Or, \((\frac{1}{7})^x*(\frac{1}{2})^{36}=(\frac{1}{2^{36y}*7^{18y}})\)

Now, \(36y = 36\)

So, \(y = 1\) and \(x = 18\)

Or, \(y - x\) = \(1 - 18\)

So, Answer will be (B) \(- 17\)


hey pushpitkc :-)

thanks for the hint, but i stil dont get how from this \((\frac{1}{7})^x*(\frac{1}{2})^{36}=(\frac{1}{2^{36y}*7^{18y}})\)

we get this \(36y = 36\) :?
User avatar
pushpitkc
Joined: 26 Feb 2016
Last visit: 19 Feb 2025
Posts: 2,802
Own Kudos:
6,063
 [3]
Given Kudos: 47
Location: India
GPA: 3.12
Posts: 2,802
Kudos: 6,063
 [3]
Kudos
Add Kudos
2
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
dave13
Abhishek009
Bunuel

If \(x\) and \(y\) are positive integers and \((\frac{1}{7})^x*(\frac{1}{8})^{12}=(\frac{1}{28})^{18y}\), then what is the value of \(y-x\)?

A. -18
B. -17
C. 1
D. 17
E. 18

Kudos for a correct solution.


\((\frac{1}{7})^x*(\frac{1}{8})^{12}=(\frac{1}{28})^{18y}\)

Or, \((\frac{1}{7})^x*(\frac{1}{2^3})^{12}=(\frac{1}{2^2*7})^{18y}\)

Or, \((\frac{1}{7})^x*(\frac{1}{2})^{36}=(\frac{1}{2^{36y}*7^{18y}})\)

Now, \(36y = 36\)

So, \(y = 1\) and \(x = 18\)

Or, \(y - x\) = \(1 - 18\)

So, Answer will be (B) \(- 17\)


hey pushpitkc :-)

thanks for the hint, but i stil dont get how from this \((\frac{1}{7})^x*(\frac{1}{2})^{36}=(\frac{1}{2^{36y}*7^{18y}})\)

we get this \(36y = 36\) :?

Hi dave13

We know that \(1^{anything} = 1\)

\((\frac{1}{7})^x*(\frac{1}{2})^{36}=(\frac{1}{2^{36y}*7^{18y}})\) --> \(\frac{1}{7^x}*\frac{1}{2^{36}}=(\frac{1}{2^{36y}*7^{18y}})\)

Cross-multiplying, we will get \(2^{36y}*7^{18y} = 7^x*2^{36}\)

If we have \(a^x*b^y = a^w*b^z\), x = w and y = z

Applying this learning to the above equation, we will get 36y = 36 | 18y = x

\(y = \frac{36}{36} = 1\)
\(18y = x\) -> \(x = 18\) (because y = 1)

Therefore, the value of the expression y-x is 1-18 = -17(Option B)

Hope this helps you!
User avatar
bumpbot
User avatar
Non-Human User
Joined: 09 Sep 2013
Last visit: 04 Jan 2021
Posts: 38,589
Own Kudos:
Posts: 38,589
Kudos: 1,079
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
105390 posts
Tuck School Moderator
805 posts