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# is there a typo in this Q because it doesnt make any sense!!

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Intern
Joined: 09 Nov 2009
Posts: 20

Kudos [?]: 2 [0], given: 0

is there a typo in this Q because it doesnt make any sense!! [#permalink]

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10 Nov 2009, 06:59
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If x=y≠4 and x=20-y, then$$x^2 - y^2$$ = ?

A- 16
B - 80
C - 144
D - 256
E - 384

The Q doesnt make sense .. if x=y then the result would be 0 ... is there a typo in the problem collection? Correct should be B (according to the book)

Thanks for ur help!

Last edited by elinka on 10 Nov 2009, 07:16, edited 1 time in total.

Kudos [?]: 2 [0], given: 0

VP
Joined: 05 Mar 2008
Posts: 1468

Kudos [?]: 301 [0], given: 31

Re: is there a typo in this Q because it doesnt make any sense!! [#permalink]

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10 Nov 2009, 07:06
If x=y(sign for different from)4 and x=20-y, then x^2 - y^2 = ?

A- 16
B - 80
C - 144
D - 256
E - 384

The Q doesnt make sense .. if x=y then the result would be 0 ... is there a typo in the problem collection? Correct should be B (according to the book)

Thanks for ur help!

If x=y(sign for different from)4

What does that mean?

Kudos [?]: 301 [0], given: 31

VP
Joined: 05 Mar 2008
Posts: 1468

Kudos [?]: 301 [0], given: 31

Re: is there a typo in this Q because it doesnt make any sense!! [#permalink]

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10 Nov 2009, 07:10
If x=y(sign for different from)4 and x=20-y, then x^2 - y^2 = ?

A- 16
B - 80
C - 144
D - 256
E - 384

The Q doesnt make sense .. if x=y then the result would be 0 ... is there a typo in the problem collection? Correct should be B (according to the book)

Thanks for ur help!

the only think i can figure is
x^2 - y^2 = (x+y)(x-y)

x + y = 20
x - y = 4

Kudos [?]: 301 [0], given: 31

Intern
Joined: 09 Nov 2009
Posts: 20

Kudos [?]: 2 [0], given: 0

Re: is there a typo in this Q because it doesnt make any sense!! [#permalink]

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10 Nov 2009, 07:14
it means .. x is equal to y is different from 4 ..... x=y≠4

Kudos [?]: 2 [0], given: 0

Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Posts: 41912

Kudos [?]: 129456 [0], given: 12201

Re: is there a typo in this Q because it doesnt make any sense!! [#permalink]

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10 Nov 2009, 07:20
it means .. x is equal to y is different from 4 ..... x=y≠4

If the correct answer is B (80) then there is a definitely a typo. The stem should state:

x=y+4 , x=20-y, x^2-y^2=?

Then the solution from lagomez is absolutely correct:
x=y+4 --> x-y=4
x=20-y --> x+y=20

x^2-y^2=(x-y)(x+y)=4*20=80.
_________________

Kudos [?]: 129456 [0], given: 12201

Intern
Joined: 09 Nov 2009
Posts: 20

Kudos [?]: 2 [0], given: 0

Re: is there a typo in this Q because it doesnt make any sense!! [#permalink]

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10 Nov 2009, 07:28
thanks, I wasnt sure if there was a catch since the question, in its "correct" form, seems way too simple ...

Kudos [?]: 2 [0], given: 0

Manager
Joined: 23 Jun 2009
Posts: 145

Kudos [?]: 14 [0], given: 9

Re: is there a typo in this Q because it doesnt make any sense!! [#permalink]

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12 Nov 2009, 02:15
Bunuel wrote:
it means .. x is equal to y is different from 4 ..... x=y≠4

If the correct answer is B (80) then there is a definitely a typo. The stem should state:

x=y+4 , x=20-y, x^2-y^2=?

Then the solution from lagomez is absolutely correct:
x=y+4 --> x-y=4
x=20-y --> x+y=20

x^2-y^2=(x-y)(x+y)=4*20=80.

Thanks Bunuel ..you r the best as always

Kudos [?]: 14 [0], given: 9

Re: is there a typo in this Q because it doesnt make any sense!!   [#permalink] 12 Nov 2009, 02:15
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# is there a typo in this Q because it doesnt make any sense!!

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