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# M28-10

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Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Posts: 53795

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16 Sep 2014, 01:28
1
18
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Difficulty:

95% (hard)

Question Stats:

35% (02:11) correct 65% (02:25) wrong based on 131 sessions

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What is the maximum value of $$-3x^2 + 12x -2y^2 - 12y - 39$$ ?

A. $$-39$$
B. $$-9$$
C. $$0$$
D. $$9$$
E. $$39$$

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Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Posts: 53795

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16 Sep 2014, 01:28
Official Solution:

What is the maximum value of $$-3x^2 + 12x -2y^2 - 12y - 39$$ ?

A. $$-39$$
B. $$-9$$
C. $$0$$
D. $$9$$
E. $$39$$

$$-3x^2 + 12x -2y^2 - 12y - 39=-3x^2 + 12x-12-2y^2 - 12y-18-9=$$

$$-3(x^2-4x+4)-2(y^2+6y+9)-9=$$

$$=-3(x-2)^2-2(y+3)^2-9$$.

So, we need to maximize the value of $$-3(x-2)^2-2(y+3)^2-9$$.

Since, the maximum value of $$-3(x-2)^2$$ and $$-2(y+3)^2$$ is zero, then the maximum value of the whole expression is $$0+0-9=-9$$.

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Joined: 17 Sep 2015
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GMAT 1: 760 Q50 V42
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15 Oct 2015, 12:04
3
How did you know to split the -39 into 3 parts: -12, -18, and -9?
Intern
Joined: 05 Aug 2015
Posts: 41

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05 Mar 2016, 18:14
iwantstanford wrote:
How did you know to split the -39 into 3 parts: -12, -18, and -9?

Hi Experts - can you please clarify how to recognize that we need to split -39 to solve?

I'm not sure how to recognize that this is the approach. Also, how do you know what to split -39 into?
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Joined: 20 Mar 2014
Posts: 2624
Concentration: Finance, Strategy
Schools: Kellogg '18 (M)
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05 Mar 2016, 18:37
4
1
happyface101 wrote:
iwantstanford wrote:
How did you know to split the -39 into 3 parts: -12, -18, and -9?

Hi Experts - can you please clarify how to recognize that we need to split -39 to solve?

I'm not sure how to recognize that this is the approach. Also, how do you know what to split -39 into?

The trick with these questions that ask you about max/min of a second degree polynomial is that you will invariably get a value of the form (a$$\pm$$b) wherein, the minimum value of any square = 0. Thus try to create perfect squares out of the given polynomials.

Realize that $$(a\pm b)^2 = a^2 \pm 2*a*b + b^2$$.

Given expression: $$−3x^2+12x−2y^2−12y−39$$ ---> try to create perfect squares :

$$(-3x^2+12x) + (-2y^2-12y)-39 ---> -3 (x^2-4x) -2 (y^2+6y) -39 ----> 3 (x^2-4x+4-4) -2 (y^2+6y+9-9) -39$$

---> $$3 (x^2-4x+4-4) -2 (y^2+6y+9-9) -39$$ ---> $$-3[(x-2)^2-4] -2 [(y+3)^2-9]-39$$ ----> $$-3(x-2)^2+12 -2(y+3)^2+18-39$$

----> $$-3(x-2)^2+12 -2(y+3)^2+18-39$$ --->$$-3(x-2)^2-2(y+3)^2-9$$

As mentioned above, the minimum value of a perfect square = 0 --> to maximize the given expression,

you need to put $$(x-2)^2 =0$$ and$$(y+3)^2=0$$ ---> giving you 0+0-9=-9 as the maximum value.

Any other values of$$(x-3)^2$$ and $$(y+3)^2$$will give you a smaller negative value hence 'minimizing' instead of maximizing the expression.

Hope this helps.
Manager
Joined: 27 Aug 2014
Posts: 73

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14 Mar 2016, 05:03
Bunuel wrote:
Official Solution:

What is the maximum value of $$-3x^2 + 12x -2y^2 - 12y - 39$$ ?

A. $$-39$$
B. $$-9$$
C. $$0$$
D. $$9$$
E. $$39$$

$$-3x^2 + 12x -2y^2 - 12y - 39=-3x^2 + 12x-12-2y^2 - 12y-18-9=$$

$$-3(x^2-4x+4)-2(y^2+6y+9)-9=$$

$$=-3(x-2)^2-2(y+3)^2-9$$.

So, we need to maximize the value of $$-3(x-2)^2-2(y+3)^2-9$$.

Since, the maximum value of $$-3(x-2)^2$$ and $$-2(y+3)^2$$ is zero, then the maximum value of the whole expression is $$0+0-9=-9$$.

'Hi
Is there a quick way to find the split?
CEO
Joined: 20 Mar 2014
Posts: 2624
Concentration: Finance, Strategy
Schools: Kellogg '18 (M)
GMAT 1: 750 Q49 V44
GPA: 3.7
WE: Engineering (Aerospace and Defense)

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14 Mar 2016, 05:06
sinhap07 wrote:
Bunuel wrote:
Official Solution:

What is the maximum value of $$-3x^2 + 12x -2y^2 - 12y - 39$$ ?

A. $$-39$$
B. $$-9$$
C. $$0$$
D. $$9$$
E. $$39$$

$$-3x^2 + 12x -2y^2 - 12y - 39=-3x^2 + 12x-12-2y^2 - 12y-18-9=$$

$$-3(x^2-4x+4)-2(y^2+6y+9)-9=$$

$$=-3(x-2)^2-2(y+3)^2-9$$.

So, we need to maximize the value of $$-3(x-2)^2-2(y+3)^2-9$$.

Since, the maximum value of $$-3(x-2)^2$$ and $$-2(y+3)^2$$ is zero, then the maximum value of the whole expression is $$0+0-9=-9$$.

'Hi
Is there a quick way to find the split?

No, there is no "quickest" way than the ones mentioned above. With practice, this should not take you more than 2 minutes.
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Joined: 26 Jan 2016
Posts: 103
Location: United States
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15 Aug 2016, 14:02
I'm confused how you got to this

(−3x 2 +12x)+(−2y 2 −12y)−39−−−>−3(x 2 −4x)−2(y 2 +6y)−39−−−−>3(x 2 −4x+4−4)−2(y 2 +6y+9−9)−39
(−3x2+12x)+(−2y2−12y)−39−−−>−3(x2−4x)−2(y2+6y)−39−−−−>3(x2−4x+4−4)−2(y2+6y+9−9)−3

I see what you factoried out the 2 and the -2, althought I'm not sure why the 2X and -2y were't factored out.

I'm lose how we got from 3(x²-4x) to 3(x²-4x+4-4) (i understand that it is the same thing, but why break it down like that?)

Kind of lost.

Thanks
Current Student
Joined: 23 Nov 2016
Posts: 74
Location: United States (MN)
GMAT 1: 760 Q50 V42
GPA: 3.51

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19 Feb 2017, 15:59
1
Bunuel wrote:
Official Solution:

What is the maximum value of $$-3x^2 + 12x -2y^2 - 12y - 39$$ ?

A. $$-39$$
B. $$-9$$
C. $$0$$
D. $$9$$
E. $$39$$

$$-3x^2 + 12x -2y^2 - 12y - 39=-3x^2 + 12x-12-2y^2 - 12y-18-9=$$

$$-3(x^2-4x+4)-2(y^2+6y+9)-9=$$

$$=-3(x-2)^2-2(y+3)^2-9$$.

So, we need to maximize the value of $$-3(x-2)^2-2(y+3)^2-9$$.

Since, the maximum value of $$-3(x-2)^2$$ and $$-2(y+3)^2$$ is zero, then the maximum value of the whole expression is $$0+0-9=-9$$.

Bunuel, I'm sure you know this already but for this question a very quick shortcut would be Calculus, although obviously this isn't officially tested on the GMAT. I wanted to ask if you have you ever come across a Max/Min question where Calculus is a bad idea? Just want to make sure I don't fall into a trap, get caught in a problem that eats up a ton of time, etc.
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Posts: 53795

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19 Feb 2017, 22:26
brooklyndude wrote:
Bunuel wrote:
Official Solution:

What is the maximum value of $$-3x^2 + 12x -2y^2 - 12y - 39$$ ?

A. $$-39$$
B. $$-9$$
C. $$0$$
D. $$9$$
E. $$39$$

$$-3x^2 + 12x -2y^2 - 12y - 39=-3x^2 + 12x-12-2y^2 - 12y-18-9=$$

$$-3(x^2-4x+4)-2(y^2+6y+9)-9=$$

$$=-3(x-2)^2-2(y+3)^2-9$$.

So, we need to maximize the value of $$-3(x-2)^2-2(y+3)^2-9$$.

Since, the maximum value of $$-3(x-2)^2$$ and $$-2(y+3)^2$$ is zero, then the maximum value of the whole expression is $$0+0-9=-9$$.

Bunuel, I'm sure you know this already but for this question a very quick shortcut would be Calculus, although obviously this isn't officially tested on the GMAT. I wanted to ask if you have you ever come across a Max/Min question where Calculus is a bad idea? Just want to make sure I don't fall into a trap, get caught in a problem that eats up a ton of time, etc.

You can solve GMAT questions without calculus. So, no need to study it for the purpose of the test. On the other hand if you know that part of marth it won't hurt.
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Joined: 01 Sep 2018
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Location: India
GPA: 4
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22 Oct 2018, 20:50
2
If you are familiar with basic differentiation, it would be very quick.

Solution: Let the given equation be 1.

Step 1.Find differentiation of equ 1 wr.to "X" and equate to "0" (This is the standard rule for a differentiation in order to get maximum value)
Hence, -6x+12=0
therefore x=2

Step 2.Then differentiate the equ 1 wr.to "Y" and equate to "0"
-4y-12=0
therefore y=-3

Step 3.Submit both x=2 and y=-3 in the equ. 1 to get the maximum value.

Differentiation approach can save lot of time while determining the maximum value of an expression.
Manager
Joined: 21 Jun 2017
Posts: 234
Concentration: Finance, Economics
WE: Corporate Finance (Commercial Banking)

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23 Oct 2018, 09:14
to create perfect square u need to add and subtract (-b/2a)^2 in the equation ax^2 + bx + c = 0
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24 Nov 2018, 00:10
1
i solved this question in following way:
to maximize this expression, we need to maximize terms containing 'x', i.e
$$−3x^2+12x$$
and we need to maximize terms containing 'y', i.e
$$−2y^2−12y$$
So,
$$−3x^2+12x$$ will be maximum when x is positive and $$x=2$$.
$$−2y^2−12y$$ will be maximum when y is negative and $$y=-3$$
so by plugging in $$x=2$$ and $$y=-3$$ in given expression we get $$-9$$ and that's the maximum value we can get from this expression.
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Joined: 18 Jul 2018
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08 Mar 2019, 10:17
HasnainAfxal wrote:
i solved this question in following way:
to maximize this expression, we need to maximize terms containing 'x', i.e
$$−3x^2+12x$$
and we need to maximize terms containing 'y', i.e
$$−2y^2−12y$$
So,
$$−3x^2+12x$$ will be maximum when x is positive and $$x=2$$.
$$−2y^2−12y$$ will be maximum when y is negative and $$y=-3$$

so by plugging in $$x=2$$ and $$y=-3$$ in given expression we get $$-9$$ and that's the maximum value we can get from this expression.

Hi
HasnainAfxal

How did you figure out that x = 2 & y = -3?
Did you just randomly plug in some numbers to check which one gives a maximum value?? Or is there some other way to figure out?

Thanks
Re: M28-10   [#permalink] 08 Mar 2019, 10:17
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# M28-10

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