[GMAT math practice question]

(Algebra) What is a/ab+a+1 + b/bc+b+1 + c/ca+c+1?

1) abc = 1
2) a, b, and c are integers

=>

Forget conventional ways of solving math questions. For DS problems, the VA (Variable Approach) method is the quickest and easiest way to find the answer without actually solving the problem. Remember that equal numbers of variables and independent equations ensure a solution.
Visit https://www.mathrevolution.com/gmat/lesson for details.

The first step of the VA (Variable Approach) method is to modify the original condition and the question. We then recheck the question. We should simplify conditions if necessary.

Condition 1)
If we have abc = 1, then we have

a/ab+a+1 + ab/a(bc+b+1) + abc/ab(ca+c+1)
= a/ab+a+1 + ab/abc+ab+a + abc/abca+abc+ab
=a/ab+a+1 + ab/ab+a+1 + 1/ab+a+1 (substituting 1 for abc)
=ab+a+1/ab+a+1 = 1.
Since condition 1) yields a unique solution, it is sufficient.

Condition 2)
Since we don’t have any information about a, b and c, it is not sufficient.

Therefore, A is the answer.
Answer: A
_________________

[GMAT math practice question]

(Geometry) We have a square □ABCD, and △AEF is a triangle inscribed in □ABCD. What is the length of BE?

1) □ABCD is a square with AB = 10
2) △AEF is an equilateral triangle.



=>

Forget conventional ways of solving math questions. For DS problems, the VA (Variable Approach) method is the quickest and easiest way to find the answer without actually solving the problem. Remember that equal numbers of variables and independent equations ensure a solution.
Visit https://www.mathrevolution.com/gmat/lesson for details.

Since we have a triangle and a square, we have 3 variables and 1 variable for the triangle and the square, respectively. Since we have 4 variables and 0 equations, E is most likely the answer. So, we should consider conditions 1) & 2) together first. After comparing the number of variables and the number of equations, we can save time by considering conditions 1) & 2) together first.

Conditions 1) & 2)



Assume BE = x (0 < x < 10).
Then we have BE = DF since the triangle AEF is equilateral.
AE^2 = 100 + x^2 = EF^2 = (10 - x)^2 + (10 - x)^2.
Then we have
100 + x^2 = (10 - x)^2 + (10 - x)^2
100 + x^2 = 2(10 – x)^2 (adding like terms)
100 + x^2 = 2(10 – x)(10 – x)
100 + x^2 = 2(100 – 10x – 10x + x^2) (foiling out the brackets)
100 + x^2 = 2x^2 – 40x + 200 (multiplying 2 through the bracket and combining like terms)
x^2 – 40x + 100 = 0 (bringing all terms to one side)
Thus, we have x = 20 ± 10√3. (using the quadratic formula)
But we have x = 20 - 10√3 since 0 < x < 10.

Since both conditions together yield a unique solution, they are sufficient.

Therefore, C is the answer.
Answer: C

In cases where 3 or more additional equations are required, such as for original conditions with “3 variables”, or “4 variables and 1 equation”, or “5 variables and 2 equations”, conditions 1) and 2) usually supply only one additional equation. Therefore, there is an 80% chance that E is the answer, a 15% chance that C is the answer, and a 5% chance that the answer is A, B or D. Since E (i.e. conditions 1) & 2) are NOT sufficient, when taken together) is most likely to be the answer, it is generally most efficient to begin by checking the sufficiency of conditions 1) and 2) when taken together. Obviously, there may be occasions on which the answer is A, B, C, or D.
_________________

[GMAT math practice question]

(Function) What is the value of f(2019)?

1) f(3) = 5
2) f(x+2)=f(x - 1)/f(x + 1)

=>

Forget conventional ways of solving math questions. For DS problems, the VA (Variable Approach) method is the quickest and easiest way to find the answer without actually solving the problem. Remember that equal numbers of variables and independent equations ensure a solution.
Visit https://www.mathrevolution.com/gmat/lesson for details.

The first step of the VA (Variable Approach) method is to modify the original condition and the question. We then recheck the question. We should simplify conditions if necessary.

Since we have many variables to determine the function f(x), E is most likely the answer. So, we should consider conditions 1) & 2) together first. After comparing the number of variables and the number of equations, we can save time by considering conditions 1) & 2) together first.

Conditions 1) & 2)
Since f(3) = 5, we have:
f(5) = (f(3) - 1) / (f(3) + 1)
f(5) = (5 - 1) / (5 + 1)
f(5) = 4/6 = 2/3.

Then we have:
f(7) = (f(5) - 1) / (f(5) + 1)
f(7) = ((2/3) - 1) / ((2/3) + 1)
f(7) = -(1/3) / (5/3) = -(1/5).
We have:
f(9) = (f(7) - 1) / (f(7) + 1)
f(9) = (-(1/5) - 1)/(-(1/5) + 1)
f(9) = -(6/5) / (4/5) = -(3/2).

We have:
f(11) = (f(9) - 1) / (f(9) + 1)
f(11) = (-(3/2) - 1)) / (-(3/2) + 1)
f(11) = -(5/2) / -(1/2) = 5.

Since f(3) = f(11), we have f(8k - 5) = 5.

Then we have:
f(8k-3) = 2/3, f(8k-1) = -(1/5) and f(8k+1) = -(3/2).
f(2007) = f(8*251-1) = -(1/5).

Since both conditions together yield a unique solution, they are sufficient.

Therefore, C is the answer.
Answer: C
_________________

[GMAT math practice question]

(Geometry) We have a right triangle ABC with ∠A = 90, AD = 6 and CD = 8. AD and BC are perpendicular to each other. If x = AC and y = BD, what is the value of xy?



A. 40
B. 42
C. 45
D. 50
E. 56

=>

We have x^2 = 6^2 + 8^2 = 36 + 64 = 100 and x = 10.
Since we have 6^2 = 8y or 8y = 36, we have y = 9/2.

Thus, we have xy = 10*(9/2) = 45.

Therefore, C is the answer.
Answer: C
_________________

[GMAT math practice question]

(Inequalities) What is the value of (x, y) satisfying √x^2+4y, with the integer portion equaling 5.

1) x and y are the numbers of eyes on two dice.
2) x and y are positive integers.

=>

Forget conventional ways of solving math questions. For DS problems, the VA (Variable Approach) method is the quickest and easiest way to find the answer without actually solving the problem. Remember that equal numbers of variables and independent equations ensure a solution.
Visit https://www.mathrevolution.com/gmat/lesson for details.

The first step of the VA (Variable Approach) method is to modify the original condition and the question. We then recheck the question. We should simplify conditions if necessary.

Since the integer part of √x^2+4y, we have
5≤√x^2+4y < 6
=> 25 x^2 + 4y < 36
X = 1, y = 6 and x = 2, y = 6 are possible solutions.

Since both conditions together do not yield a unique solution, they are not sufficient.

Therefore, E is the answer.
Answer: E
_________________

[GMAT math practice question]

(Algebra) a, b, and c are positive integers with abc + 2ab + 2bc + 2ca + 4a + 4b + 4c = 447. What is the value of a + b + c?

A. 17
B. 19
C. 21
D. 23
E. 25

=>

abc + 2ab + 2bc + 2ca + 4a + 4b + 4c + 8 = 455
a(bc + 2b + 2c + 4) + 2(bc + 2b + 2c + 4) = 455 (taking out a common fraction of a from the first 4 terms and a common factor of 2 from the last 4 terms)
= (a + 2)(bc + 2b + 2c + 4) = 455 (taking out a common factor of (bc + 2b + 2c +4))
(a + 2)[b(c + 2) + 2(c + 2)] = 455 (taking out common factors of b and 2)
= (a + 2)(b + 2)(c + 2) = 455 (taking out a common factor of (c + 2))
= 3*5*11.
a, b, and c are interchangeable since the equation (a + 2)(b + 2)(c + 2) = 5*7*13 is symmetric.
Then we have a + b + c = 3 + 5 + 11 = 19.

Therefore, B is the answer.
Answer: B
_________________

[GMAT math practice question]

(Algebra) What is the value of x^2(x - y) + y^2(y - x)?

1) x + y = 3.
2) xy = 1.

=>

Forget conventional ways of solving math questions. For DS problems, the VA (Variable Approach) method is the quickest and easiest way to find the answer without actually solving the problem. Remember that equal numbers of variables and independent equations ensure a solution.
Visit https://www.mathrevolution.com/gmat/lesson for details.

The first step of the VA (Variable Approach) method is to modify the original condition and the question. We then recheck the question. We should simplify conditions if necessary.

The expression in the question x^2(x - y) + y^2(y - x) is equivalent to (x - y)^2(x + y) for the following reason:
x^2(x - y) + y^2(y - x)
= x^2(x - y) - y^2(x - y) (taking out a common factor of -1 from the second bracket)
= (x - y)(x^2 - y^2) (taking out a common factor of (x – y))
= (x - y)(x - y)(x + y) (factoring (x^2 – y^2) using a difference of squares)
= (x - y)^2(x + y) (putting like terms together)

(x - y)^2
= x^2 - 2xy + y^2 (foiling (x - y)(x – y))
= x^2 + 2xy + y^2 – 4xy (since 2xy – 4xy = -2xy in the previous equation)
= (x + y)^2 – 4xy (factoring x^2 + 2xy + y^2 using trinomial factoring)
= 3^2- 4*1 = 9 – 4 = 5 when we have x + y = 3 and xy = 1 from both conditions 1) & 2).

Then we have (x - y)^2(x + y) = 5*3 = 15.

Therefore, C is the answer.
Answer: C
_________________

[GMAT math practice question]

(Number Properties) What is the sum of all possible solutions of the equation (3^n-9)^3+(9^n-3)^3=(3^n+9^n-12)^3, where n is a positive integer?

A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4
E. 5

=>

Assume a = 3^n - 9 and b = 9^n - 3.

We have the equation a^3 + b^3 = (a + b)^3 or 3ab(a + b) = 0, since (a + b)^3 = a^3 + 3a^2b + 3ab^2 + b^3 = a^3 + b^3 + 3ab(a + b).
Then we have a = 0, b = 0 or a + b = 0.

Case 1: a = 0
Since we have 3^n – 9 = 0, we have n = 2.

Case 2: b = 0
Since we have 9^n – 3 = 0, we have n = ½, which is not a solution, since n is a positive integer.

Case 3: a + b = 0
3^n + 9^n – 12 = 0
=> 9^n + 3^n – 12 = 0
=> 3^2n + 3^n – 12 = 0
=> (3^n - 3)(3^n + 4) = 0
=> 3^n = 3 since 3^n + 4 > 0
=> n = 1

Then, the sum of all solutions is 1 + 2 = 3.

Therefore, C is the answer.
Answer: C
_________________

[GMAT math practice question]

(Algebra) What is the equivalent expression of (1/x+y+z)(1/x+1/y+1/z)(1/xy+yz+zx)(1/xy+1/yz+1/zx)?

A. 1/x+y+z
B. 1/xy+yz+zx
C. 1/xyz
D. (1/xyz)2
E. xy+yz+zx/x+y+z

=>

(1/x+y+z)(1/x+1/y+1/z)(1/xy+yz+zx)(1/xy+1/yz+1/zx)
=(1/x+y+z)(xy+yz+zx/xyz)(1/xy+yz+zx)(x+y+z/xyz)
=(1/xyz)^2

Therefore, D is the answer.
Answer: D
_________________

[GMAT math practice question]

(Geometry) The figure shows a quadrangle ABCD with ∠ADC = 90°, ∠DCB = 90° and AD = 6, AB = 8 and BC = 10. What is the length BD?



A. 2√37
B. 10
C. 3√39
D. 14
E. 5√41

=>



From the above figure, since we have EC = 6, we have BE = 4. Then we use Pythagorean Theorem to solve for AE, giving us AE = √8^2- 4^2 = √64-16 = √48 = 4√3 and AE = DC = 4√3.
Thus, we have x = √10^2+(4√3)^2 = √100+48 = 2√37.

Therefore, A is the answer.
Answer: A
_________________