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# Is a + a^(-1) > 2?

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Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Posts: 44566
Is a + a^(-1) > 2? [#permalink]

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18 Jun 2015, 03:10
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Question Stats:

43% (01:30) correct 57% (01:12) wrong based on 152 sessions

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Is a + a^(-1) > 2?

(1) a > 0
(2) a < 1

Kudos for a correct solution.
[Reveal] Spoiler: OA

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Re: Is a + a^(-1) > 2? [#permalink]

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18 Jun 2015, 05:23
1
KUDOS
Bunuel wrote:
Is a + a^(-1) > 2?

(1) a > 0
(2) a < 1

Kudos for a correct solution.

a + a^(-1) > 2 <=> a>0 and a is not equal 1

(1) if a = 1: a + a^(-1) = 2
If a=2: a + a^(-1) > 2

Insufficient

(2) a < 1: If 1>a>0: a + a^(-1) > 2
If a<0: a + a^(-1) <2
Insufficient

(1) (2) 0<a<1: a + a^(-1) > 2 => sufficient

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Re: Is a + a^(-1) > 2? [#permalink]

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18 Jun 2015, 07:06
1
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Bunuel wrote:
Is a + a^(-1) > 2?

(1) a > 0
(2) a < 1

Kudos for a correct solution.

Question : Is a + a^(-1) > 2?

Statement 1: a > 0

@a=1, a + a^(-1) = 2 i.e. Answer to the Question is NO
@a=2, a + a^(-1) = 2.5 i.e. Answer to the Question is YES

Hence, NOT SUFFICIENT

Statement 2: a < 1

@a=0.5, a + a^(-1) = 2.5 i.e. Answer to the Question is YES
@a=-1, a + a^(-1) = -2 i.e. Answer to the Question is NO

Hence, NOT SUFFICIENT

Combining the Two statements

a < 1 and a > 0

Now for all values of a, a + a^(-1) will always be greater than 2

CONCEPT-1: The function like a + a^(-1) has the Minimum value 2 for any positive value of a
CONCEPT-2: The function like a + a^(-1) has the Maximum value -2 for any Negative value of a

[Reveal] Spoiler:
C

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Is a + a^(-1) > 2? [#permalink]

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18 Jun 2015, 19:01
1
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Is $$a + \frac{1}{a} -2 > 0$$
$$(\sqrt{a} - \frac{1}{\sqrt{a}}) ^ 2 > 0$$

The above equation fails if we have a = 1. So, B is necessary.
If a < 0 $$\sqrt{a}$$ is a complex number. I don't know if GMAT allows that.

So,
[Reveal] Spoiler:
C

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Re: Is a + a^(-1) > 2? [#permalink]

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18 Jun 2015, 22:39
1
KUDOS
Expert's post
Bunuel wrote:
Is a + a^(-1) > 2?

(1) a > 0
(2) a < 1

Kudos for a correct solution.

Given expression: $$a + \frac{1}{a}$$

If a is negative, the expression becomes negative and hence less than 2.

Assuming a is positive,
Note that the product of the numbers is a*(1/a) = 1. Given a constant product, the sum of two positive numbers is minimum when they are equal. When a = 1/a, a^2 = 1 and hence a = 1
When a = 1, a + 1/a = 2
So minimum value of a + 1/a is 2. For all other positive values of a, the sum will be more than 2.
Both statements together tell us that a is positive and not 1. So in every case, the sum a + 1/a will be greater than 2. Together they are sufficient to answer the question with "Yes".

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Get started with Veritas Prep GMAT On Demand for $199 Veritas Prep Reviews GMAT Tutor Joined: 24 Jun 2008 Posts: 1345 Re: Is a + a^(-1) > 2? [#permalink] ### Show Tags 18 Jun 2015, 23:39 1 This post received KUDOS Expert's post Statement 2 is not sufficient, since the answer is 'no' for negative values of a, and 'yes' for all positive values except a=1, as we'll see below. When, using Statement 1 alone, we know a > 0, we can rephrase the question by multiplying by a on both sides; since a > 0, we don't need to be concerned about whether to reverse the inequality: Is a + a^(-1) > 2 ? Is a^2 + 1 > 2a ? Is a^2 - 2a + 1 > 0 ? Is (a - 1)^2 > 0 ? So we've rephrased our question, and it's now easier to see which values of a will make the answer to our question 'yes'. We have a square on the left side of the inequality, so the left side is always positive, except when it is exactly equal to 0. It is only exactly 0 when a = 1, so the answer to our question is 'yes' except if a=1. So we need Statement 2 as well, to rule out the possibility that a=1, and the answer is C. _________________ GMAT Tutor in Toronto If you are looking for online GMAT math tutoring, or if you are interested in buying my advanced Quant books and problem sets, please contact me at ianstewartgmat at gmail.com Current Student Joined: 29 Mar 2015 Posts: 44 Location: United States Re: Is a + a^(-1) > 2? [#permalink] ### Show Tags 18 Jun 2015, 23:58 1 This post received KUDOS Bunuel wrote: Is a + a^(-1) > 2? (1) a > 0 (2) a < 1 Kudos for a correct solution. 1: Insufficient. If a = 1, a+1/a = 2. Otherwise, for all other values of a, a+1/a > 2. 2: Insufficient. If 0 < a < 1, a+1/a > 2. If a<0, a+1/a<0<2. Together it is sufficient. Answer is C. Math Expert Joined: 02 Sep 2009 Posts: 44566 Re: Is a + a^(-1) > 2? [#permalink] ### Show Tags 22 Jun 2015, 05:47 Bunuel wrote: Is a + a^(-1) > 2? (1) a > 0 (2) a < 1 Kudos for a correct solution. MANHATTAN GMAT OFFICIAL SOLUTION: Because there are no constraints on a, we should consider the Standard Number Testing Set of numbers. The inequality can be rephrased as follows: Is a + a^(-1) > 2? --> Is a + 1/a > 2? Combining the two constraints, we have 0 < a < 1. Within the Standard Number Testing Set, only 1/2 is within this range. Also, because the answer to the question is “No” at a = 1 and “Undefined”at a = 0, we should apply the boundary principle—test numbers close to the boundaries of the range. It seems that at the extreme edges, the values are greater than 2, so Statements (1) & (2) appear to be SUFFICIENT. The correct answer is C. [Reveal] Spoiler: Attachment: 2015-06-22_1645.png [ 121.84 KiB | Viewed 1672 times ] Attachment: 2015-06-22_1646.png [ 42.47 KiB | Viewed 1666 times ] _________________ Manager Joined: 14 Jul 2014 Posts: 189 Location: United States Schools: Duke '20 (D) GMAT 1: 600 Q48 V27 GMAT 2: 720 Q50 V37 GPA: 3.2 Re: Is a + a^(-1) > 2? [#permalink] ### Show Tags 01 Dec 2015, 11:36 Ahhh! Missed out on a = 1, presumed a = 1 satisfies the question and picked A. Math Revolution GMAT Instructor Joined: 16 Aug 2015 Posts: 5245 GMAT 1: 800 Q59 V59 GPA: 3.82 Re: Is a + a^(-1) > 2? [#permalink] ### Show Tags 03 Dec 2015, 08:30 Forget conventional ways of solving math questions. In DS, Variable approach is the easiest and quickest way to find the answer without actually solving the problem. Remember equal number of variables and independent equations ensures a solution. Is a + a^(-1) > 2? (1) a > 0 (2) a < 1 We get a^3+a>2a^2?, or a(a^2-2a+1)>0?, or a(a-1)^2>0? and ultimately as a cannot equal 1, whether a>0, if we modify the question. Hence the answer becomes (C) as condition 1 answers the question 'no' if a=1, but 'yes' when a=2, making it insufficient. It needs to work with condition 2, so the answer becomes (C). Once we modify the original condition and the question according to the variable approach method 1, we can solve approximately 30% of DS questions. _________________ MathRevolution: Finish GMAT Quant Section with 10 minutes to spare The one-and-only World’s First Variable Approach for DS and IVY Approach for PS with ease, speed and accuracy. "Only$79 for 3 month Online Course"
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Re: Is a + a^(-1) > 2? [#permalink]

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07 Dec 2015, 09:20
VeritasPrepKarishma wrote:
Bunuel wrote:
Is a + a^(-1) > 2?

(1) a > 0
(2) a < 1

Kudos for a correct solution.

Given expression: $$a + \frac{1}{a}$$

If a is negative, the expression becomes negative and hence less than 2.

Assuming a is positive,
Note that the product of the numbers is a*(1/a) = 1. Given a constant product, the sum of two positive numbers is minimum when they are equal. When a = 1/a, a^2 = 1 and hence a = 1
When a = 1, a + 1/a = 2
So minimum value of a + 1/a is 2. For all other positive values of a, the sum will be more than 2.
Both statements together tell us that a is positive and not 1. So in every case, the sum a + 1/a will be greater than 2. Together they are sufficient to answer the question with "Yes".

HI Karishma
by solving we get
(a-1)^>0 which we need to prove.

now A is in sufficient as A can be 1.
but in B
put any value less than 1 square will make it >0 . Please let me know what m i missing.
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Re: Is a + a^(-1) > 2? [#permalink]

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14 Apr 2016, 18:35
Bunuel wrote:
Is a + a^(-1) > 2?

(1) a > 0
(2) a < 1

Kudos for a correct solution.

i will go with C...
a+1/a>2?
1. a>0. if a=0.1, and 1/a=10 then yes, the result is greater than 2. but if a=1, then 1/a=1. 1+1=2 and the answer to the question is no. A/D out.

2. a<1.
a=0.1 1/a=10 => yes
a=-2. 1/a =-1/2 => -2.5<2 so no.
B is out.

1+2.
0<a<1
so a must be a non-integer between 0 and 1. so always will be >2.
for ex. a=0.1, 1/a=10. yes
a=0.25, 1/a=4, yes.

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Re: Is a + a^(-1) > 2? [#permalink]

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24 Mar 2018, 22:43
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Re: Is a + a^(-1) > 2?   [#permalink] 24 Mar 2018, 22:43
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