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• ### $450 Tuition Credit & Official CAT Packs FREE November 15, 2018 November 15, 2018 10:00 PM MST 11:00 PM MST EMPOWERgmat is giving away the complete Official GMAT Exam Pack collection worth$100 with the 3 Month Pack ($299) # if X# = x(x+3), what is the value of X##  new topic post reply Question banks Downloads My Bookmarks Reviews Important topics Author Message TAGS: ### Hide Tags Intern Joined: 13 May 2014 Posts: 23 GMAT Date: 11-01-2014 if X# = x(x+3), what is the value of X## [#permalink] ### Show Tags 12 Jan 2015, 06:55 7 00:00 Difficulty: 35% (medium) Question Stats: 63% (01:23) correct 37% (01:37) wrong based on 185 sessions ### HideShow timer Statistics if X# = x(x+3), what is the value of X## A) x(x+3) B) (x(x+3))^2 C) x(x+3)(x^2+3x+3) D) x(x+3)(x+4x) E) x(x+3)(x+6x) ##### Most Helpful Expert Reply EMPOWERgmat Instructor Status: GMAT Assassin/Co-Founder Affiliations: EMPOWERgmat Joined: 19 Dec 2014 Posts: 12831 Location: United States (CA) GMAT 1: 800 Q51 V49 GRE 1: Q170 V170 Re: if X# = x(x+3), what is the value of X## [#permalink] ### Show Tags 12 Jan 2015, 15:13 2 3 Hi sagarag, This is an example of "Symbolism" question. We're given a symbol, told what it represents mathematically, then asked to perform a calculation with it. Since we're not given any specific values to work with, we can TEST VALUES. We're told that X# = X(X+3) eg 2# = 2(2+3) = 10 We're asked for the value of X##.....notice the second symbol - this means that we have to perform TWO calculations using this Symbol (the RESULT of the first calculation gets put back into the Symbol to get us the second, final result). IF...X = 2 2## = 2(2+3) = 10 10# = 10(10+3) = 130 So we're looking for an answer that = 130 when X = 2 While these answers look "crazy", notice what they ALL have in common....X(X+3)....We do NOT have to do THAT calculation 5 times; we just have to do it ONCE and plug the result into all 5 answers. Answer A: 10 is NOT a match Answer B: 10^2 = 100 is NOT a match Answer C: 10(13) = 130 IS a MATCH Answer D: 10(10) = 100 is NOT a match Answer E: 10(14) = 140 is NOT a match Final Answer: GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made, Rich _________________ 760+: Learn What GMAT Assassins Do to Score at the Highest Levels Contact Rich at: Rich.C@empowergmat.com # Rich Cohen Co-Founder & GMAT Assassin Special Offer: Save$75 + GMAT Club Tests Free
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##### General Discussion
Senior Manager
Joined: 13 Jun 2013
Posts: 276
Re: if X# = x(x+3), what is the value of X##  [#permalink]

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12 Jan 2015, 07:49
sagarag wrote:
if X# = x(x+3), what is the value of X##

A) x(x+3)
B) [x(x+3)]^2
C) x(x+3)(x^2+3x+3)
D) x(x+3)(x+4x)
E) x(x+3)(x+6x)

X# = x(x+3)----------------------------1)

now while computing X## , we will put x(x+3) in place of x in equation 1.

thus,
X## = x(x+3)(x(x+3)+3)
=x(x+3)(x^2+3x+3)

which is option C
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Re: if X# = x(x+3), what is the value of X##  [#permalink]

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12 Jan 2015, 22:47

X# = x(x+3)

To find the value of X##, place x(x+3) in the place of x

$$X## = x(x+3)[x(x+3) + 3] = x(x+3)(x^2 + 3x + 3)$$
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GMAT 1: 490 Q41 V18
GMAT 2: 610 Q45 V28
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Re: if X# = x(x+3), what is the value of X##  [#permalink]

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11 Jul 2016, 01:05
I don't understand the motif of this question. Nowhere does it ask to put x(x+3) in place of x.
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Re: if X# = x(x+3), what is the value of X##  [#permalink]

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11 Jul 2016, 01:07
I don't understand the motif of this question. Nowhere does it ask to put x(x+3) in place of x.

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Re: if X# = x(x+3), what is the value of X##  [#permalink]

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11 Jul 2016, 06:54
1
1

Symbolism questions sometimes ask you to use the given symbol/function more than once. Here, we're asked for the value of X##, which is the same as asking for the value of (X#)#. If you're going to approach this question algebraically, since X# = X(X+3), so you would then have to plug in "X(X+3)" into the symbol again (for the second part of the calculation) to answer the given question. You would likely find TESTing VALUES to be an easier approach.

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

Co-Founder & GMAT Assassin

Special Offer: Save \$75 + GMAT Club Tests Free
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Manager
Joined: 16 Jan 2013
Posts: 84
GMAT 1: 490 Q41 V18
GMAT 2: 610 Q45 V28
GPA: 2.75
Re: if X# = x(x+3), what is the value of X##  [#permalink]

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11 Jul 2016, 07:01
EMPOWERgmatRichC wrote:

Symbolism questions sometimes ask you to use the given symbol/function more than once. Here, we're asked for the value of X##, which is the same as asking for the value of (X#)#. If you're going to approach this question algebraically, since X# = X(X+3), so you would then have to plug in "X(X+3)" into the symbol again (for the second part of the calculation) to answer the given question. You would likely find TESTing VALUES to be an easier approach.

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

I started in the algebraic way and ended up nowhere because I didn't understand what the question was asking. Thank you for making it clear now
+1
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Re: if X# = x(x+3), what is the value of X##  [#permalink]

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08 Sep 2018, 12:04
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Re: if X# = x(x+3), what is the value of X## &nbs [#permalink] 08 Sep 2018, 12:04
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