Last visit was: 20 Apr 2026, 14:07 It is currently 20 Apr 2026, 14:07
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
unraveled
Joined: 07 Mar 2019
Last visit: 10 Apr 2025
Posts: 2,706
Own Kudos:
2,328
 [8]
Given Kudos: 763
Location: India
WE:Sales (Energy)
Posts: 2,706
Kudos: 2,328
 [8]
Kudos
Add Kudos
8
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Most Helpful Reply
User avatar
globaldesi
Joined: 28 Jul 2016
Last visit: 23 Feb 2026
Posts: 1,141
Own Kudos:
1,993
 [5]
Given Kudos: 67
Location: India
Concentration: Finance, Human Resources
Schools: ISB '18 (D)
GPA: 3.97
WE:Project Management (Finance: Investment Banking)
Products:
Schools: ISB '18 (D)
Posts: 1,141
Kudos: 1,993
 [5]
4
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
General Discussion
User avatar
sujoykrdatta
Joined: 26 Jun 2014
Last visit: 14 Apr 2026
Posts: 587
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 14
Status:Mentor & Coach | GMAT Q51 | CAT 99.98
GMAT 1: 740 Q51 V39
Expert
Expert reply
GMAT 1: 740 Q51 V39
Posts: 587
Kudos: 1,191
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
div22c
Joined: 08 Dec 2018
Last visit: 20 Apr 2026
Posts: 2
Given Kudos: 5
Posts: 2
Kudos: 0
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
sujoykrdatta
lnm87
If x, y, P, and Q are positive integers such that x + y = P and \(x^2 = \frac{Q^2}{Y^2}\), then (x-3y)(y+3x) =

A. \(3P^2 - 8Q\)

B. 3PQ-8Q

C. \(3Q^2 - 8Q\)

D. \(3P(√(P^2−4Q)) - 8Q\)

E. \(3P(√(P−2Q)) - 8Q\)


We know that x, y, P and Q are positive, and that:

\(x + y = P\) ... (i)

\(x^2 = \frac{Q^2}{y^2}\)
\(=> xy = Q\) ... (ii)

Thus, we have:

\((x - 3y)(y + 3x)\)
\(= xy + 3x^2 - 3y^2 - 9xy\)
\(= 3(x^2 - y^2) - 8xy\)
\(= 3(x + y)(x - y) - 8xy\)

\(= 3P(x - y) - 8Q\)

Now:
\((x - y)^2 = (x + y)^2 - 4xy = P^2 - 4Q\\
=> (x - y) = \sqrt{(P^2 - 4Q)}\\
\)
Thus: \(3P(x - y) - 8Q\\
= 3P\sqrt{(P^2 - 4Q)} - 8Q\\
\)
Answer D


Alternate approach:

We know that x, y, P and Q are positive, and that:

\(x + y = P\) ... (i)
\(=> xy = Q\) ... (ii)

Let x = 8, y = 2 => P = 10 and Q = 16

Thus:
\((x - 3y)(y + 3x) = 2 * 26 = 52\)

Let us plugin P = 10 and Q = 16 in each option:

A. \(3P^2 - 8Q = 172\) - does not match

B. \(3PQ-8Q = 352\) - does not match

C. \(3Q^2 - 8Q = 640\) - does not match

D. \(3P(√(P^2−4Q)) - 8Q = 52\) - matches

E. \(3P(√(P−2Q)) - 8Q\) => cannot be computed as we have square root of a negative number - does not match


Answer D
Not sure what I am doing wrong. Tried 2 different sets of values for x and y, could not get D as the answer.
Set 1:
x=2, y=3, P=5, Q=6
(x-3y)(y+3x) =(2-9)(3+6) = -63
D. 3P(√(P^2−4Q)) - 8Q = 15(√25-24) - 48 = 15-48 =-33

Set 2:
x=1, y=2, P=3, Q=2
(x-3y)(y+3x) =(1-6)(2+3) = -25
D. 3P(√(P^2−4Q)) - 8Q = 9(√9-8) - 16 = 9-16 =-7

Please help, where am I going wrong?

This Question is Locked Due to Poor Quality
Hi there,
The question you've reached has been archived due to not meeting our community quality standards. No more replies are possible here.
Looking for better-quality questions? Check out the 'Similar Questions' block below for a list of similar but high-quality questions.
Want to join other relevant Problem Solving discussions? Visit our Problem Solving (PS) Forum for the most recent and top-quality discussions.
Thank you for understanding, and happy exploring!
Moderators:
Math Expert
109701 posts
Tuck School Moderator
853 posts