Last visit was: 24 Apr 2026, 13:14 It is currently 24 Apr 2026, 13:14
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.
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel
User avatar
tonebeeze
Joined: 19 Nov 2009
Last visit: 15 Jan 2015
Posts: 78
Own Kudos:
3,159
 [21]
Given Kudos: 210
Status:Current MBA Student
Concentration: Finance, General Management
GMAT 1: 720 Q49 V40
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
19
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
Bunuel
User avatar
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Last visit: 24 Apr 2026
Posts: 109,820
Own Kudos:
811,062
 [3]
Given Kudos: 105,873
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 109,820
Kudos: 811,062
 [3]
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
shrouded1
User avatar
Retired Moderator
Joined: 02 Sep 2010
Last visit: 29 Apr 2018
Posts: 608
Own Kudos:
3,231
 [2]
Given Kudos: 25
Location: London
Products:
Posts: 608
Kudos: 3,231
 [2]
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
PadawanOfTheGMAT
Joined: 31 Mar 2010
Last visit: 30 May 2013
Posts: 379
Own Kudos:
72
 [1]
Given Kudos: 26
Location: Europe
Posts: 379
Kudos: 72
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Just see these funny signs (there are many others) as a function, so #p# = f(p) = ap3+ bp – 1

They can use any other sign: xy = x+y
User avatar
blueseas
User avatar
Current Student
Joined: 14 Dec 2012
Last visit: 15 Jan 2019
Posts: 572
Own Kudos:
4,535
 [3]
Given Kudos: 197
Location: India
Concentration: General Management, Operations
GMAT 1: 700 Q50 V34
GPA: 3.6
GMAT 1: 700 Q50 V34
Posts: 572
Kudos: 4,535
 [3]
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Stiv
If \(#p# = ap^3+ bp - 1\)where a and b are constants, and #-5# = 3, what is the value of #5#?
A 5
B 0
C -2
D -3
E -5

#p# = ap^3 + bp - 1

#-5# = 3
putting p = -5 in above equation
-125a -(5b +1) = 3 or
#-5# = (125a+5b+1) = -3
therefore 125a+5b = -4 .....(1

now putting p = 5
#5# = 125 a+5b - 1
using equation 1(125a+5b = -4)
#5# = -4-1 = -5

hence E
avatar
Asifpirlo
Joined: 10 Jul 2013
Last visit: 26 Jan 2014
Posts: 220
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 102
Posts: 220
Kudos: 1,195
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Stiv
If \(#p# = ap^3+ bp - 1\)where a and b are constants, and #-5# = 3, what is the value of #5#?
A 5
B 0
C -2
D -3
E -5

#p# = ap^3+ bp - 1
or , #5# = 125a+ 5b - 1

#-5# = -125a -5b - 1
or, 3 = -125a-5b-1 or, 125a+5b= -4

so #5# = -4 -1 = -5
User avatar
s3fushah
Joined: 13 Oct 2021
Last visit: 23 Sep 2025
Posts: 9
Given Kudos: 501
Location: Germany
Posts: 9
Kudos: 0
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
#-5# => -125a -5b-1 = 3 (I)
#5# => 125a +5b-1= x (II)
I+ II => 0+0-2=3+x => (solve for x) : (-3)
x= -5
User avatar
prfs11
Joined: 07 Jun 2022
Last visit: 01 Feb 2024
Posts: 13
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 164
GMAT 1: 740 Q47 V44
GMAT 1: 740 Q47 V44
Posts: 13
Kudos: 6
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
I think that one can solve this one with fairly straight forward algebra:

#p# = ap^3 + bp - 1
-> #p# = p(p^2 * a + b) - 1
#-5# = -5(25a + b) - 1 = 3 -> 25a + b = (-4/5)

Now substitute that into #5#:
#5# = 5 * (-4/5) - 1 = -4 -1 = -5
User avatar
bumpbot
User avatar
Non-Human User
Joined: 09 Sep 2013
Last visit: 04 Jan 2021
Posts: 38,975
Own Kudos:
Posts: 38,975
Kudos: 1,117
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Automated notice from GMAT Club BumpBot:

A member just gave Kudos to this thread, showing it’s still useful. I’ve bumped it to the top so more people can benefit. Feel free to add your own questions or solutions.

This post was generated automatically.
Moderators:
Math Expert
109820 posts
Tuck School Moderator
853 posts