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505-555 (Easy)|   Exponents|            
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Bunuel
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If x is a positive integer and w is a negative integer, what is the value of xw?

1) \(x^w = 1/2\)

x is a positive integer means x is a whole number (not a fractional number) that is positive.
W is a negative integer means x is a whole number (not a fractional number) that is negative

so
x has to be 2
w has to be -1

so xw=2*-1 = -2 hence sufficient

2) \(w = -1\)

Does not talk about x, so not sufficient
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(1) \(x^w = \frac{1}{2}= 2^-1, 4^\frac{-1}{2}, 8^\frac{-1}{3}...\)

However, w must be an integer. Therefore, w must be -1. Sufficient.

(2) \(w = -1\)

Tells us nothing about x. Insufficient.

Answer is (A)
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TanayLohia
My OA= A
Statement 2= clearly Insufficient.

Statement one means there is only one value each of x and that satisfy the equation, vis-
x=2
And W=-1

Posted from my mobile device
NO
we can put X=1/4 and W=-1/2 as well .........no unique value
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NarayanaGupta007
TanayLohia
My OA= A
Statement 2= clearly Insufficient.

Statement one means there is only one value each of x and that satisfy the equation, vis-
x=2
And W=-1

Posted from my mobile device
NO
we can put X=1/4 and W=-1/2 as well .........no unique value


EXACTLY. IF WE TAKE X=4 AND W = -2 ; WE GET 1/2; AND XY= -8; THEREFORE NOT UNIQUE SOLUTION. ONLY IF WE CONSIDER THE STATEMENT 2 TOGETHER WILL WE GET A UNIQUE SOLUTION.
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adityavishnu
NarayanaGupta007
TanayLohia
My OA= A
Statement 2= clearly Insufficient.

Statement one means there is only one value each of x and that satisfy the equation, vis-
x=2
And W=-1

Posted from my mobile device
NO
we can put X=1/4 and W=-1/2 as well .........no unique value


EXACTLY. IF WE TAKE X=4 AND W = -2 ; WE GET 1/2; AND XY= -8; THEREFORE NOT UNIQUE SOLUTION. ONLY IF WE CONSIDER THE STATEMENT 2 TOGETHER WILL WE GET A UNIQUE SOLUTION.

adityavishnu

You made a mistake while calculating the value
If x=4 and w=-2
then x^w=1/16, not 1/2.
These 2 value don't satisfy the equation.
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