Bunuel
such that and \(a\&b\#c = c\#b\&a\), where \(a\), \(b\) and \(c\) are distinct positive integers, what is the value of \(4\&5\#4\)?
There's an issue with the wording of the question. On the GMAT, if a question tells you "a, b and c are distinct positive integers", the question means "a, b and c are different fixed positive integers, and we're just not telling you exactly what they're equal to". But if that's what this question means, then there are several possibilities for the operations "&" and "#". For example, "&" can be subtraction, and "#" can be multiplication, if a = 6, b = 3 and c = 2. Then we get 6 - 3*2 = 2*3 - 6, which is true, and then 4&5#4 = 4 - 5*4 = -16.
But I think the question means to say that the relationship a&b#c = c#b&a is true for
any three distinct positive integers a, b and c. Then the operations can't be division or subtraction, because those operations aren't reversible. It can only be that & and # represent addition and multiplication, in one order or the other. Then 4&5#4 = 4*5 + 4 or 4 + 5*4, and either way the answer is 24.