If 4 is one solution of the equation x^2 + 3x + k = 10, where k is a

Question

If 4 is one solution of the equation x^2 + 3x + k = 10, where k is a constant, what is the other solution?

(A) -7
(B) -4
(C) -3
(D) 1
(E) 6

Bunuel · Accepted Answer

SOLUTION

If 4 is one solution of the equation x^2 + 3x + k = 10, where k is a constant, what is the other solution?

(A) -7
(B) -4
(C) -3
(D) 1
(E) 6

Viete's formula for the roots  x_1  and  x_2  of equation  ax^2+bx+c=0 :  x_1+x_2=-\frac{b}{a}  AND  x_1*x_2=\frac{c}{a} .

Rewrite the equation given:  x^2 + 3x +(k-10) =0 
Thus according to the first property  4+x_2=-\frac{3}{1}  -->  x_2=-7 . As we can see we can find the value of  x_2  even without finding the value of  k .

Answer: A.

dexerash · Answer

Since 4 is one of the solution, so it must satisfy the equation.
Putting 4 as value of x: 4^2 + 3*4 + k = 10 => k =-18
so the equations is 
x^2 + 3x - 28 = 0

Solving this by factorization gives => (x-4)(x+7) = 0
So x = -7 is other solution.

Hence A

BrentGMATPrepNow · Answer

Let's first determine the value of k.

Since x =  4  is a solution to the equation x² + 3x + k = 10, we know that x =  4  SATISFIES the equation. 
That is:  4 ² + 3( 4 ) + k = 10
Evaluate to get: 16 + 12 + k = 10
Solve for k to get: k =  -18

So, the ORIGINAL equation is x² + 3x + ( -18 ) = 10
This is the same as: x² + 3x - 18 = 10
We now need to solve this equation.

First, set it equal to zero: x² + 3x - 28 = 0
Factor: (x + 7)(x - 4) = 0
So, x = -7 or x = 4

We already know that x = 4 is one solution. 
So, the other solution is x = -7

Answer: A

Cheers,
Brent

bhavinshah5685 · Answer

Slove equation by putting x=4 as it is one of the solution.
u gets value of k=-18

now put k=-18 in the equation,u get eqn in the form of ax^2+bx+c=0. Solving it we get x=4 and x=-7

so other solution is -7.

fameatop · Answer

Shortcut for the question-

The sum of roots of a equation is = -b/a = -3
One of the given roots is 4
Thus the other root has to be -7
Check = 4-7 = -3 (confirm)

Thus Answer A

jitgoel · Answer

One sol. of equation is 4. therefor putting this as X in the equation and finout the constant K.
therefore K = -28.
so, equation can be rewritten as (X-4)(X+7) = 0.

other solution is X = -7.
ANswer "A"

Armond · Answer

You don't need to solve for K, we know that 4 is a solution so we already know one of the terms (x-4)(x+......) we also have x2 + 3x + k = 10, -4 + 7=3 so (x-4)(x+7):0 hence x: -7

JeffTargetTestPrep · Answer

The phrase “4 is one solution of the equation” means that one value of x is 4. Thus, we first must plug 4 for x into the given equation to determine the value of k. So we have

4^2 + (3)(4) + k = 10

16 + 12 + k = 10

28 + k = 10

k = -18

Next we plug -18 into the given equation for k and then solve for x.

x^2 + 3x – 18 = 10

x^2 + 3x – 28 = 0

(x+7)(x-4) = 0

x = -7 or x = 4

Thus, -7 is the other solution. Answer A.

Schachfreizeit · Answer

how do I get from x² + 3x - 28 = 0 to (x + 7)(x - 4) = 0 How do you know that x² + 3x - 28=(x + 7)(x - 4) = 0?

egmat · Answer

Hi  Schachfreizeit  
Thanks for your query.

After looking at your post, I understand that you are unaware of the concept of solving quadratic equations using the “splitting the X-coefficient" method. Through this response, I’ll first introduce you to this concept, and then you’ll understand exactly what Brent did. 😊

INTRODUCTION TO CONCEPT (Splitting the X-Coefficient) :   
Consider the equation:  x^2 + 5x + 6 = 0 .

Now, how does this method actually work? Let us see how!

Our quadratic equation here is  x^2 + 5x + 6 = 0 . Now, let us go step-by-step to learn this approach.

Step 1:   Express the constant term as a product of two numbers. 
 Note that  there can be multiple ways of doing this. For example, here, the constant term = 6  x^2 + 5x + 6 = 0 ] 
  So, the possible ways of expressing 6 as a product of two numbers are: 
  (1 × 6); (2 × 3); (-1 × –6) and (-2 × –3).      
 
  Step 2:   From the possible pairs of numbers obtained in Step 1, choose the pair whose  sum  equals the coefficient of x. 
Here, coefficient of x = +5  x^2   + 5 x + 6 = 0] 
  Pair 1 is (1, 6):
  1 + 6 = 7 ≠ 5   
 Pair 2 is (2, 3):
  2 + 3 = 5 = 5 (BINGO! No need to check further because no other pair will work. Check for yourself!)    
Only 2 and 3 are possible.

Step 3:   Split the coefficient of x into a sum of two numbers – the exact numbers found in Step 2. 
That is,  x^2 + 5x + 6 = x^2 + 2x + 3x + 6

Step 4:   Take out common factors from the 4 terms obtained in Step 3 – separately from the first two terms and the last two terms. Continue taking common as shown below. 
   x^2 + 2x  +  3x + 6   
 =  x (x + 2)  +  3 (x + 2)  ---    
  = (x + 2) (x + 3)  ----

And that’s it! Now, you can write  x^2 + 5x + 6 = (x + 2) (x + 3) = 0 . 
So, after seeing this explanation, I would suggest you to take a while here and try by yourself to convert x² + 3x – 28 to (x + 7) (x – 4).

I hope you have tried converting the above equation. Let me write the steps for you to verify your calculations.

SOLUTION TO ORIGINAL QUESTION:    
 We have to solve  x^2 + 3x – 28 = 0  . 
 Solution:  
Step 1: Splitting – 28 into a product of two numbers:
 (- 1 × 28); (1 × - 28); (- 2 × 14); (2 × - 14); (- 4 × 7); (4 × - 7). 
Step 2: Choosing the pair whose sum = x-coefficient = 3.
 Only – 4 + 7 gives 3. So, chosen pair is (- 4 × 7). 
Step 3: Rewriting the equation  x^2 + 3x – 28  as  x^2 – 4x + 7x – 28 
Step 4: Taking pair-wise common and then overall common:
  x^2 – 4x + 7x – 28 = x (x – 4) + 7(x – 4) = (x + 7) (x – 4)

And that’s it! This is the entire process. And if you proceed one step further from here, you can easily say that the roots of this equation are –7 and 4.

PRACTICE QUESTIONS:    
Here are a few equations for you to practice. 😊 
1. Solve  x^2 + 10x + 16 = 0 . 
2. Solve  x^2 – 6x + 8 = 0 . 
3. Solve  x^2 + x – 12 = 0 .

Hope this helps!

Best, 
Aditi Gupta 
Quant expert, e-GMAT

totaltestprepNick · Answer

A https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFIzFcoIXWg Nick Slavkovich, GMAT/GRE tutor with 20+ years of experience tutoring@totaltestprep.net

bbedran · Answer

Since we know that one solution (x1) is equal 4, can't I just do it like this?
-X1-X2=b
-4-X2=3
-X2=7
x2=-7

If 4 is one solution of the equation x^2 + 3x + k = 10, where k is a

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards

GMAT Problem Solving (PS) Questions

If 4 is one solution of the equation x^2 + 3x + k = 10, where k is a

Prep Toolkit

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards