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Bunuel
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Bunuel
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Senthil7
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Very good question. I made a mistake assuming that a = 2b => a> b without considering b =0
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Hi Bunuel,

Since it is given a & b are positive, how can we assume a=0 from statement 1? (0 is neither -ve nor +ve)

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petal123
Hi Bunuel,

Since it is given a & b are positive, how can we assume a=0 from statement 1? (0 is neither -ve nor +ve)

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We are not given that a and b are positive, we are given that a and b are non-negative. Non-negative, means 0 or positive (so those which are not negative).
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Bunuel
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If \(a\) and \(b\) are non-negative integers, is \(a > b\)?

(1) \(6^a = 36^b\). Simplify: \(6^a = 6^{2b}\). Bases are equal, hence we can equate the powers: \(a=2b\). If \(a=b=0\), then \(a\) is NOT greater than \(b\) but if \(a=2\) and \(b=1\), then \(a\) IS greater than \(b\). Not sufficient.

(2) \(5^a = 35^b\). If both \(a\) and \(b\) are positive integers, then we'd have that \(5^a\) is equal to some multiple of 7 (because 35=5*7), which is not possible since 5 in any positive integer power has only 5's in it. Therefore, both \(a\) and \(b\) must be 0, giving a NO answer to the question whether \(a\) is greater than \(b\). Sufficient,


Answer: B

Hi bunuel,

Not able to understand the statement 2 explaination. Could you explain in simpler words or with some example?

Thanks
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ashikaverma13
Bunuel
Official Solution:


If \(a\) and \(b\) are non-negative integers, is \(a > b\)?

(1) \(6^a = 36^b\). Simplify: \(6^a = 6^{2b}\). Bases are equal, hence we can equate the powers: \(a=2b\). If \(a=b=0\), then \(a\) is NOT greater than \(b\) but if \(a=2\) and \(b=1\), then \(a\) IS greater than \(b\). Not sufficient.

(2) \(5^a = 35^b\). If both \(a\) and \(b\) are positive integers, then we'd have that \(5^a\) is equal to some multiple of 7 (because 35=5*7), which is not possible since 5 in any positive integer power has only 5's in it. Therefore, both \(a\) and \(b\) must be 0, giving a NO answer to the question whether \(a\) is greater than \(b\). Sufficient,


Answer: B

Hi bunuel,

Not able to understand the statement 2 explaination. Could you explain in simpler words or with some example?

Thanks

If a and b are not both 0, then we'd have that {not a multiple of 7} = {a multiple of 7}, which cannot be true, thus both \(a\) and \(b\) must be 0.
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Hi Bunuel,

I worked the second statement out in the following way:

5^a=5^b*7^b

Since exponents with the same bases can be equated...I then got a=b (by equating the exponents of the two 5s)
If a=b, a cannot be greater than b...hence sufficient.

I was still uncomfortable with my working out because I wasn't sure whether ignoring the 7^b was correct...was my approach correct?

Thanks.
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A quick and important tip for such questions!

ALWAYS REMEMBER IN DS questions statement 1 can never contradict statement 2!
So even in case u made mistake of taking a > b from statement 1, while doing statement 2 u realize\(a = b = 0\).
You should immediately stop and check to see why statement 1 and 2 are contradicting.
Probably because u made some mistake.
This simple tip will help u avoid in a lot of DS questions.
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ashikaverma13
Bunuel
Official Solution:


If \(a\) and \(b\) are non-negative integers, is \(a > b\)?

(1) \(6^a = 36^b\). Simplify: \(6^a = 6^{2b}\). Bases are equal, hence we can equate the powers: \(a=2b\). If \(a=b=0\), then \(a\) is NOT greater than \(b\) but if \(a=2\) and \(b=1\), then \(a\) IS greater than \(b\). Not sufficient.

(2) \(5^a = 35^b\). If both \(a\) and \(b\) are positive integers, then we'd have that \(5^a\) is equal to some multiple of 7 (because 35=5*7), which is not possible since 5 in any positive integer power has only 5's in it. Therefore, both \(a\) and \(b\) must be 0, giving a NO answer to the question whether \(a\) is greater than \(b\). Sufficient,


Answer: B

Hi bunuel,

Not able to understand the statement 2 explaination. Could you explain in simpler words or with some example?

Thanks

In order to understand St 2 better, you can consider the following approach

5^a = 35^b
=> 5^a = (7*5)^b = 7^b*5^b

Bring 5^b to LHS

=> 5^(a-b)=7^b

Now, the rule of cyclicity comes handy

No matter what the power of 7, it will never end in units digit being 5.
No matter what the power of 5, it will always end up in units digit being 5.

Hence, for LHS to be equal to RHS, the powers should be 0 so that both LHS = RHS = 1.

Now, a=b=0 therefore, we get a definite ans that a is not greater than b.
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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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Hello Bunuel, can you please share questions similar to this one to practise?
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bhargavchawda04
Hello Bunuel, can you please share questions similar to this one to practise?

Check this one: https://gmatclub.com/forum/m31-200224.html

Hope it helps.
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