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I think this question is poor.
it is 29 in the question ,but factoring shows 25!!!
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Viktorijakm
I think this question is poor.
it is 29 in the question ,but factoring shows 25!!!

You are wrong.

Did you try to expand (x^2 - 25)(x^2 - 4) = 0? You'll get x^4 - 29x^2 + 100 = 0, which is the same as x^4 = 29x^2 - 100.
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I think this is a high-quality question and I agree with explanation.
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Viktorijakm
I think this question is poor.
it is 29 in the question ,but factoring shows 25!!!

The factoring is correct though, as you are looking for numbers which add to -29 and multiply to 100 respectively.

I think the question is of high quality and similar to stuff I have seen on the GMAC prep tests.
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I think this is a high-quality question.
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I have edited the question and the solution by adding more details to enhance its clarity. I hope it is now easier to understand.
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Bunuel
Official Solution:


If \(x^4 = 29x^2 - 100\), then which of the following is NOT a product of three possible values of \(x\)?

I. -50

II. 25

III. 50


A. \(I\) only
B. \(II\) only
C. \(III\) only
D. \(I\) and \(II\) only
E. \(I\) and \(III\) only


Rearrange and factor for \(x^2\): \((x^2-25)(x^2-4)=0\).

Thus, we find that \(x=5\), \(x=-5\), \(x=2\), or \(x=-2\).

For the given options:

I. \(-50 = 5*(-5)*2\);

III. \(50 = 5*(-5)*(-2)\);

However, 25 cannot be expressed as a product of three of these values. Thus, only 25 is NOT a product of three possible values of \(x\).


Answer: B

Hello could you explain how you get this?
\(x^2\): \((x^2-25)(x^2-4)=0\)
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lnyngayan
Bunuel
Official Solution:


If \(x^4 = 29x^2 - 100\), then which of the following is NOT a product of three possible values of \(x\)?

I. -50

II. 25

III. 50


A. \(I\) only
B. \(II\) only
C. \(III\) only
D. \(I\) and \(II\) only
E. \(I\) and \(III\) only


Rearrange and factor for \(x^2\): \((x^2-25)(x^2-4)=0\).

Thus, we find that \(x=5\), \(x=-5\), \(x=2\), or \(x=-2\).

For the given options:

I. \(-50 = 5*(-5)*2\);

III. \(50 = 5*(-5)*(-2)\);

However, 25 cannot be expressed as a product of three of these values. Thus, only 25 is NOT a product of three possible values of \(x\).


Answer: B

Hello could you explain how you get this?
\(x^2\): \((x^2-25)(x^2-4)=0\)

Re-arranging equation \(x^4 = 29x^2 - 100\) gives:


\(x^4 - 29x^2 + 100=0\)

Now, we can factor the above to get:


\((x^2-25)(x^2-4)=0\).

Factoring Quadratics: https://www.purplemath.com/modules/factquad.htm
Solving Quadratic Equations: https://www.purplemath.com/modules/solvquad.htm

Hope it helps.­
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