Last visit was: 03 Jun 2026, 10:44 It is currently 03 Jun 2026, 10:44
Home
Messages
MBA Fair
Tests
Schools
Events
Close
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Go to My Error Log Learn more
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel
User avatar
bmwhype2
User avatar
Joined: 21 Jan 2007
Last visit: 08 Mar 2010
Posts: 1,333
Own Kudos:
5,578
Given Kudos: 4
Location: New York City
Posts: 1,333
Kudos: 5,578
negative base 30 Sep 2007, 11:35
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
X^2 = X^5 = X^12 means that X is either 0 or 1.

why can't x be negative 1?



Archived Topic
Hi there,
This topic has been closed and archived due to inactivity or violation of community quality standards. No more replies are possible here.
Where to now? Join ongoing discussions on thousands of quality questions in our Quantitative Questions Forum
Still interested in this question? Check out the "Best Topics" block below for a better discussion on this exact question, as well as several more related questions.
Thank you for understanding, and happy exploring!
User avatar
KillerSquirrel
User avatar
Joined: 08 Jun 2005
Last visit: 28 Mar 2009
Posts: 520
Own Kudos:
649
Posts: 520
Kudos: 649
negative base 30 Sep 2007, 11:50
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
bmwhype2
X^2 = X^5 = X^12 means that X is either 0 or 1.

why can't x be negative 1?
Show more


since -1^5 = -1 and -1^2 = 1 not equal !!

:)
User avatar
Juaz
User avatar
Joined: 18 Jul 2006
Last visit: 06 Oct 2008
Posts: 241
Own Kudos:
309
Posts: 241
Kudos: 309
negative base 30 Sep 2007, 11:51
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
bmwhype2
X^2 = X^5 = X^12 means that X is either 0 or 1.

why can't x be negative 1?
Show more

In that case, X^5 will be negative.
User avatar
bmwhype2
User avatar
Joined: 21 Jan 2007
Last visit: 08 Mar 2010
Posts: 1,333
Own Kudos:
5,578
Given Kudos: 4
Location: New York City
Posts: 1,333
Kudos: 5,578
negative base 30 Sep 2007, 13:21
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
KillerSquirrel
bmwhype2
X^2 = X^5 = X^12 means that X is either 0 or 1.

why can't x be negative 1?

since -1^5 = -1 and -1^2 = 1 not equal !!

:)
Show more


thanks killersq. trying to think of an answer from the most technical angle possible.

an exponential expression with an ODD exponent can have a positive or negative base and yields an answer that can be positive or negative.

an exponential expression with an EVEN exponent will "hide" the sign of the base but will always yield a positive answer.

therefore, in our equation, we know that the exponential equation with an even base is positive. in order for the expoential equation with an odd exponent to be equal (same answer and sign) to the one with the even exponent, the exponential equation with an odd exponent must have a base with a sign that makes it positive. therefore, that base must be positive.



Archived Topic
Hi there,
This topic has been closed and archived due to inactivity or violation of community quality standards. No more replies are possible here.
Where to now? Join ongoing discussions on thousands of quality questions in our Quantitative Questions Forum
Still interested in this question? Check out the "Best Topics" block above for a better discussion on this exact question, as well as several more related questions.
Thank you for understanding, and happy exploring!