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23 Sep 2007, 00:40
Kudos
Bookmarks
this question is killing me...
if (2/x) + (3/y) = 4 and xy = 5, then 3x + 2y = ?
a. 1/5
b. 1/4
c. 4/5
d. 4
e. 20
-------
Correct answer is supposedly E. I can't for the life of me figure out how to solve this in less than two minutes.
Every time I work it, I end up with a nasty quadratic that takes forever to factor, or solve with the quad formula.
I'm sure it is in my approach... I'm using substitution
if xy = 5, then x = 5/y, then sub into the first equation...
(2/(5/y)) + (3/y) = 4
(2y/5) + (3/y) = 4
2y + (15/y) = 20
2y^2 + 15 = 20y
2y^2 -20y + 15 = 0
This is where it gets really ugly... Quad formula, nope you have to solve something like the sqrt(280), that takes too long to solve in under two minutes.
Factor quickly? What factors of -30 add up to 15?
I must have done something wrong up to this point. I'm just not sure what it is. Thanks!
Any help, step by step, would be VERY much appreciated! Thanks in advance.
if (2/x) + (3/y) = 4 and xy = 5, then 3x + 2y = ?
a. 1/5
b. 1/4
c. 4/5
d. 4
e. 20
-------
Correct answer is supposedly E. I can't for the life of me figure out how to solve this in less than two minutes.
Every time I work it, I end up with a nasty quadratic that takes forever to factor, or solve with the quad formula.
I'm sure it is in my approach... I'm using substitution
if xy = 5, then x = 5/y, then sub into the first equation...
(2/(5/y)) + (3/y) = 4
(2y/5) + (3/y) = 4
2y + (15/y) = 20
2y^2 + 15 = 20y
2y^2 -20y + 15 = 0
This is where it gets really ugly... Quad formula, nope you have to solve something like the sqrt(280), that takes too long to solve in under two minutes.
Factor quickly? What factors of -30 add up to 15?
I must have done something wrong up to this point. I'm just not sure what it is. Thanks!
Any help, step by step, would be VERY much appreciated! Thanks in advance.
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23 Sep 2007, 00:50
Kudos
Bookmarks
kz
Very common GMAT trick question here. Your used to solving the question by using the ol Two equations two unknowns. This doesn't always work to your advantage on the GMAT.
The question is asking for 3x+2y. So if you can find what 3x+2y = then you know the answer. No need to solve for both X and Y.
here: 2/x+3/y=4 and xy=5. 2/x+3/y=4 (make denom same)
(2y+3x)/xy=4 ---> 2y+3x=4xy ----> xy=5 so---> 2y+3x =4(5)
2y+3x= 20. just change 2y and 3x around and you have:
3x+2y=20.
Ans E.
Remember you don't always have to solve for both X and Y, just 3x + 2y. You must know this concept to do well on the quant section.
