Last visit was: 31 Aug 2026, 17:01 It is currently 31 Aug 2026, 17:01
Home
Messages
Tests
Schools
Events
Close
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Go to My Error Log Learn more
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel
User avatar
TargetMBA007
User avatar
Joined: 22 Nov 2019
Last visit: 20 Mar 2026
Posts: 258
Own Kudos:
423
Given Kudos: 215
Schools: Stanford (S)
GPA: 4.0
Schools: Stanford (S)
Posts: 258
Kudos: 423
Utilizing the Discriminant in Data Sufficiency Questions 27 Nov 2023, 21:25
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
I have just discovered the concept and value of being able to calculate the "discriminant", and I am currently looking at ways to cut down the time I spend per question. So I was wondering, what are some effective ways I can use the discriminant and on what sort of Q-Types can it be useful?

For e.g. I thought on some DS Q's, which require complex maths, but need us to go down the rabbit hole, and see how many solutions would an equation give, can it be more productive to calculate the discriminant then to actually solve the equation. I havent played around with this with real questions, but just wanted to see if I am thinking about this correctly.

Bunuel ScottTargetTestPrep KarishmaB - would love your thoughts on this.

Thanks

Archived Topic
Hi there,
This topic has been closed and archived due to inactivity or violation of community quality standards. No more replies are possible here.
Where to now? Join ongoing discussions on thousands of quality questions in our Quantitative Questions Forum
Still interested in this question? Check out the "Best Topics" block below for a better discussion on this exact question, as well as several more related questions.
Thank you for understanding, and happy exploring!
User avatar
KarishmaB
User avatar
Joined: 16 Oct 2010
Last visit: 31 Aug 2026
Posts: 16,630
Own Kudos:
81,087
Given Kudos: 488
Location: Pune, India
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 16,630
Kudos: 81,087
Utilizing the Discriminant in Data Sufficiency Questions 27 Nov 2023, 22:31
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
TargetMBA007
I have just discovered the concept and value of being able to calculate the "discriminant", and I am currently looking at ways to cut down the time I spend per question. So I was wondering, what are some effective ways I can use the discriminant and on what sort of Q-Types can it be useful?

For e.g. I thought on some DS Q's, which require complex maths, but need us to go down the rabbit hole, and see how many solutions would an equation give, can it be more productive to calculate the discriminant then to actually solve the equation. I havent played around with this with real questions, but just wanted to see if I am thinking about this correctly.

Bunuel ScottTargetTestPrep KarishmaB - would love your thoughts on this.

Thanks
Show more

Sure it can be useful to know whether the roots are equal or whether they are real at all (if getting stuck with the factors)!

Archived Topic
Hi there,
This topic has been closed and archived due to inactivity or violation of community quality standards. No more replies are possible here.
Where to now? Join ongoing discussions on thousands of quality questions in our Quantitative Questions Forum
Still interested in this question? Check out the "Best Topics" block above for a better discussion on this exact question, as well as several more related questions.
Thank you for understanding, and happy exploring!