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# If y*(3x - 5)/2 = y and y is different from 0, then x =

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Manager
Joined: 21 Jul 2010
Posts: 55

Kudos [?]: 30 [0], given: 3

If y*(3x - 5)/2 = y and y is different from 0, then x = [#permalink]

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22 Dec 2010, 17:28
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Difficulty:

5% (low)

Question Stats:

81% (00:37) correct 19% (00:38) wrong based on 183 sessions

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If $$y\frac{3x-5}{2}=y$$ and y is different from 0, then $$x=$$

A) $$\frac{2}{3}$$
B) $$\frac{5}{3}$$
C) $$\frac{7}{3}$$
D) 1
E) 4

Reasoning, see the spoiler part:

[Reveal] Spoiler:
I got it wrong because when I did the calculation I swapped y on the right hand side to the left hand side to get $$(3x-5)/2=0$$ and then obviously I got the answer B rather than the OA C. I understand the OA however I would like to ask my silly question, which is why can I not do the way I did it. Is it wrong? It must be but WHY?

OPEN DISCUSSION OF THIS QUESTION IS HERE: if-y-3x-5-2-y-and-y-0-then-x-143491.html
[Reveal] Spoiler: OA

Kudos [?]: 30 [0], given: 3

Current Student
Status: Three Down.
Joined: 09 Jun 2010
Posts: 1914

Kudos [?]: 2227 [1], given: 210

Concentration: General Management, Nonprofit
Re: If y*(3x - 5)/2 = y and y is different from 0, then x = [#permalink]

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22 Dec 2010, 17:39
1
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1
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Burnkeal wrote:
if $$y\frac{3x-5}{2}=y$$ and y is different from 0, then $$x=$$
A) $$\frac{2}{3}$$
B) $$\frac{5}{3}$$
C) $$\frac{7}{3}$$
D) 1
E) 4

Reasoning, see the spoiler part:

[Reveal] Spoiler:
I got it wrong because when I did the calculation I swapped y on the right hand side to the left hand side to get $$(3x-5)/2=0$$ and then obviously I got the answer B rather than the OA C. I understand the OA however I would like to ask my silly question, which is why can I not do the way I did it. Is it wrong? It must be but WHY?

Thank you for enlightening me. I searched for the topic in the forum and I could not find it. Apologise if it has been created in the past.

$$y\frac{3x-5}{2}=y$$

$$y (\frac{3x-5}{2} -1) = 0$$, and hence $$\frac{3x-5}{2} = 1$$ and hence $$x = \frac{7}{3}$$

The mistake you made was equating it to zero. If you cancel y on both sides (which you can, since its not zero), the right hand side will be 1, not 0. Hope its clear.

Kudos [?]: 2227 [1], given: 210

Manager
Joined: 21 Jul 2010
Posts: 55

Kudos [?]: 30 [0], given: 3

Re: If y*(3x - 5)/2 = y and y is different from 0, then x = [#permalink]

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22 Dec 2010, 17:44
haha! I just got it. What a numb! Thanks for that. I just took Y to the other side rather than cancelling it out -____-

Kudos [?]: 30 [0], given: 3

Current Student
Status: Three Down.
Joined: 09 Jun 2010
Posts: 1914

Kudos [?]: 2227 [0], given: 210

Concentration: General Management, Nonprofit
Re: If y*(3x - 5)/2 = y and y is different from 0, then x = [#permalink]

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22 Dec 2010, 17:55
Well, technically, so did I. You just equated the wrong thing to zero

Kudos [?]: 2227 [0], given: 210

Manager
Joined: 05 Oct 2011
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Kudos [?]: 55 [0], given: 62

Re: If y*(3x - 5)/2 = y and y is different from 0, then x = [#permalink]

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18 Nov 2011, 12:59
This Q shows how test makers create all other (wrong) answer choices. Each one is there to catch us for a particular miscalculation.

Kudos [?]: 55 [0], given: 62

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Re: If y*(3x - 5)/2 = y and y is different from 0, then x = [#permalink]

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28 Sep 2015, 01:35
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.
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Re: If y*(3x - 5)/2 = y and y is different from 0, then x = [#permalink]

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28 Sep 2015, 02:57
Expert's post
1
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BOOKMARKED
If $$y(\frac{3x-5}{2}) =y$$ and $$y\neq{0}$$, then x =

(A) 2/3
(B) 5/3
(C) 7/3
(D) 1
(E) 4

Since $$y\neq{0}$$, then we can reduce the equation by it: $$\frac{3x-5}{2}=1$$ --> $$3x-5=2$$ --> $$x=\frac{7}{3}$$.

OPEN DISCUSSION OF THIS QUESTION IS HERE: if-y-3x-5-2-y-and-y-0-then-x-143491.html
_________________

Kudos [?]: 132740 [0], given: 12360

Re: If y*(3x - 5)/2 = y and y is different from 0, then x =   [#permalink] 28 Sep 2015, 02:57
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