Last visit was: 23 Apr 2026, 11:13 It is currently 23 Apr 2026, 11:13
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
Bunuel
User avatar
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Last visit: 23 Apr 2026
Posts: 109,783
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 105,853
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 109,783
Kudos: 810,830
 [53]
3
Kudos
Add Kudos
50
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Most Helpful Reply
User avatar
shekyonline
Joined: 10 Apr 2015
Last visit: 30 Dec 2017
Posts: 114
Own Kudos:
99
 [14]
Given Kudos: 35
GPA: 3.31
Posts: 114
Kudos: 99
 [14]
9
Kudos
Add Kudos
5
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
General Discussion
User avatar
mohshu
Joined: 21 Mar 2016
Last visit: 26 Dec 2019
Posts: 410
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 103
Products:
Posts: 410
Kudos: 143
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
attari92
Joined: 25 Apr 2016
Last visit: 28 May 2019
Posts: 56
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 308
Posts: 56
Kudos: 42
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
mohshu
LHS = ( x+3 )^2
RHS is absolute value,,

square both RHS and LHS,, n den factorise.. im stuck then,,,any help plz


(x+3)^2 = |x+3|
if x>=-3
(x+3)^2 = x+3 => x = -3 or -2
if x<-3
(x+3)^2 = -x-3 => x=-4
sum of all the roots of x =-3-2-4=-9
User avatar
sreenu7464
Joined: 19 Mar 2015
Last visit: 04 Jan 2018
Posts: 12
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 1
Location: India
Posts: 12
Kudos: 8
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
What is the sum of all unique solutions for x^2+6x+9=|x+3| ?

A. -12
B. -9
C. -7
D. -5
E. 0

x^2+6x+9= x+3 (Note - considering X+3 non negative only possible if X > -3)
x^2+5x+6= 0 X= -2

x^2+6x+9= -(x+3)
x^2+7x+12= 0 X= -4 or -3

so My answer is B
User avatar
arvind910619
Joined: 20 Dec 2015
Last visit: 18 Oct 2024
Posts: 814
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 755
Status:Learning
Location: India
Concentration: Operations, Marketing
GMAT 1: 670 Q48 V36
GRE 1: Q157 V157
GPA: 3.4
WE:Engineering (Manufacturing)
Products:
GMAT 1: 670 Q48 V36
GRE 1: Q157 V157
Posts: 814
Kudos: 615
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
IMO B
As LHS has inequality we have to take both positive and negative signs for LHS.
Solving for that we will get sum of -9
avatar
maxbm10
Joined: 28 Feb 2017
Last visit: 27 Dec 2020
Posts: 3
Given Kudos: 3
Posts: 3
Kudos: 0
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Bunuel
What is the sum of all unique solutions for \(x^2+6x+9=|x+3|\) ?

A. -12
B. -9
C. -7
D. -5
E. 0


Here is my approach
Eq. 1
x^2+6x+9 = x + 3
x^2+5x+6 = 0
(x+3)(x+2)=0
x1 = -3 x2=-2

Eq. 2
x^2+6x+9 = -x+3
x^2+7x+6 = 0
(x+1)(x+6) = 0
x1=-1 x2=-6

The sum = -3-2-1-6=-12 answer: (A)

Please correct me if I'm wrong

regards.
User avatar
Nunuboy1994
Joined: 12 Nov 2016
Last visit: 24 Apr 2019
Posts: 554
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 167
Location: United States
Schools: Yale '18
GMAT 1: 650 Q43 V37
GRE 1: Q157 V158
GPA: 2.66
Schools: Yale '18
GMAT 1: 650 Q43 V37
GRE 1: Q157 V158
Posts: 554
Kudos: 126
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
maxbm10
Bunuel
What is the sum of all unique solutions for \(x^2+6x+9=|x+3|\) ?

A. -12
B. -9
C. -7
D. -5
E. 0


Here is my approach
Eq. 1
x^2+6x+9 = x + 3
x^2+5x+6 = 0
(x+3)(x+2)=0
x1 = -3 x2=-2

Eq. 2
x^2+6x+9 = -x+3
x^2+7x+6 = 0
(x+1)(x+6) = 0
x1=-1 x2=-6

The sum = -3-2-1-6=-12 answer: (A)

Please correct me if I'm wrong

regards.

I think you forgot the distribute the negative sign for
X^2 +6x+9= -(x+3)

It should result in

X^2+7x+12
avatar
kapilsingal27
Joined: 30 Dec 2013
Last visit: 06 Sep 2024
Posts: 11
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 891
Location: India
Posts: 11
Kudos: 26
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
x^2+6x+9=|x+3|
(x+3)^2=|x + 3|
but (x+3)^2 ≥0
therefore, x^2+6x+9=(x+3) and x^2+6x+9 cannot be equal to -(x+3)
solving, x^2+6x+9=(x+3) will give us x=-2 and x=-3
therefore ans is x=-5
option d
User avatar
mrdlee23
Joined: 29 Jan 2017
Last visit: 02 Dec 2018
Posts: 31
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 13
Posts: 31
Kudos: 41
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Can someone please explain how the equation got to x^2+5x+6?
avatar
umadurga
Joined: 05 Nov 2016
Last visit: 02 Dec 2018
Posts: 60
Own Kudos:
45
 [1]
Given Kudos: 18
Posts: 60
Kudos: 45
 [1]
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
|x| can take value either +x or -x. We need to consider both the options if nothing is specified about x

So considering two possibilties of the equation
\(x^2\)+6x+9 = x+3 &&& \(x^2\)+6x+9=-(x+3)
\(x^2\)+6x+9 - x - 3 = 0 &&& \(x^2\)+6x+9 + x+3 = 0
\(x^2\)+5x+6=0 &&& \(x^2\)+7x+12=0
(x+3)(x+2)=0 &&& (x+3)(x+4) = 0
x=-3,-2 &&& x=-3,-4

Total Sum = -12

But we need unique solutions' sum so -3+-2+-4=-9
User avatar
Nunuboy1994
Joined: 12 Nov 2016
Last visit: 24 Apr 2019
Posts: 554
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 167
Location: United States
Schools: Yale '18
GMAT 1: 650 Q43 V37
GRE 1: Q157 V158
GPA: 2.66
Schools: Yale '18
GMAT 1: 650 Q43 V37
GRE 1: Q157 V158
Posts: 554
Kudos: 126
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Bunuel
What is the sum of all unique solutions for \(x^2+6x+9=|x+3|\) ?

A. -12
B. -9
C. -7
D. -5
E. 0

First, the left-hand side of the equation should be factored out:

(x+3)(x+3)=lx +3l

take the opposite value of the value inside each parentheses and add

(-3) + (-3)

(0)(0)= lx+3l

only -3 can satisfy the equation so add -3 to -3 + -3

sum = -9

Hence "B"
User avatar
broall
User avatar
Retired Moderator
Joined: 10 Oct 2016
Last visit: 07 Apr 2021
Posts: 1,133
Own Kudos:
7,374
 [2]
Given Kudos: 65
Status:Long way to go!
Location: Viet Nam
Posts: 1,133
Kudos: 7,374
 [2]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Bunuel
What is the sum of all unique solutions for \(x^2+6x+9=|x+3|\) ?

A. -12
B. -9
C. -7
D. -5
E. 0

We have \(x^2+6x+9=(x+3)^2=|x+3|\)

Solution 1.

If \(x \geq -3 \implies |x+3|=x+3\)
\( \implies (x+3)^2=x+3 \implies (x+3)^2-(x+3)=0 \implies (x+3)(x+2)=0 \implies x =-3 \, \, \, \text{or} \, \, \, x=-2\)

If \(x \leq -3 \implies |x+3|=-(x+3)\)
\( \implies (x+3)^2=-(x+3) \implies (x+3)^2+(x+3)=0 \implies (x+3)(x+4)=0 \implies x =-4 \)

All roots for this equation are \(\{ -2, -3, -4 \}\). The sum of these roots are \(-9\). The answer is B.

Solution 2.

\((x+3)^2=|x+3| \iff |x+3|^2-|x+3|=0 \iff |x+3|(|x+3|-1)=0 \implies |x+3| =0 \, \, \text{or} \, \, |x+3|=1\)
\(|x+3|=0 \implies x=-3\)
\(|x+3|=1 \implies x=-2 \, \, \text{or} \, \, x=-4\).

The same result as Solution 1.
User avatar
JeffTargetTestPrep
User avatar
Target Test Prep Representative
Joined: 04 Mar 2011
Last visit: 05 Jan 2024
Posts: 2,974
Own Kudos:
8,710
 [4]
Given Kudos: 1,646
Status:Head GMAT Instructor
Affiliations: Target Test Prep
Expert
Expert reply
Posts: 2,974
Kudos: 8,710
 [4]
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
2
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Bunuel
What is the sum of all unique solutions for \(x^2+6x+9=|x+3|\) ?

A. -12
B. -9
C. -7
D. -5
E. 0

We can solve the given absolute equation for when |x + 3| is positive and for when |x + 3| is negative.

|x + 3| is positive:

x^2 + 6x + 9 = x + 3

x^2 + 5x + 6 = 0

(x + 2)(x + 3) = 0

x = -2 or x = -3

|x + 3| is negative:

x^2 + 6x + 9 = -x - 3

x^2 + 7x + 12 = 0

(x + 3)(x + 4) = 0

x = -3 or x = -4

Thus, the sum of the unique values of x is -2 - 3 - 4 = -9

Alternate Solution:

We recognize that the right hand side is the expansion of (x + 3)^2; thus:

(x + 3)^2 = |x + 3|

Let’s substitute x + 3 = u. Then, the equation becomes

u^2 = |u|

We are looking for numbers whose square is equal to its absolute value. This is only possible if u = 0, 1 or -1. Since u = x + 3, this means x + 3 = 0, x + 3 = 1 or x + 3 = -1. These equations give us the solutions x = -3, x = -2 and x = -4, respectively. Thus, the sum of the unique solutions is -3 + (-2) + (-4) = -9

Answer: B
avatar
Samuelboyle96
Joined: 17 Jul 2017
Last visit: 15 Oct 2017
Posts: 14
Own Kudos:
7
 [1]
Given Kudos: 4
Posts: 14
Kudos: 7
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
mrdlee23
Can someone please explain how the equation got to x^2+5x+6?

When you have absolute values there are 2 equations since the absolute value can equal a negative or positive number. Essentially, the absolute value is a distance from the origin.

So (X^2)+6X+9 = positive X+3
AND (X^2) +6X+9 = Negative X+3



So X^2+6X+9 = positive X+3 so that is (X^2) +6X+9=x+3 or (X^2)+5X+6=0 Solves into (x+3)(x+2)

And AND X^2 +6X+9 = Negative X+3 = (X^2) +6X +9 = -(X+3) or (X^2)+6X+9=-x-3 which equals (X^2) +7X+12. Solves into (X+3) and (x+4)


So right now we are feeling pretty good we have solutions -4,-3 and -2 however there could be one last trick so we have to ensure that the left side of the equation = a non negative value so check -4,-3,-2 in the equation (X^2)+6X+9 Notice the 3 solutions add to 1,0 & 1 so all equal a non negative value.


The ABS value right side can be either negative or positive but the left side (in this case but I mean the non absolute value side) of the equation must be a non negative number. Why is that? Because the absolute value is a function which always shoots out a non negative value so |-100| = 100 |-25| = 25 .|100| = 100, |0| =0. So if the LHS of the equation equaled a negative number then it couldn't equal the RHS which is positive. That is the trick they didn't test here but it's important to note.

One more comparison

|-100|=100
but
|-100| does not = -100 as |-100|=100
User avatar
plk
Joined: 27 Mar 2019
Last visit: 20 Oct 2020
Posts: 10
Own Kudos:
2
 [1]
Given Kudos: 4
Posts: 10
Kudos: 2
 [1]
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Hello experts!

I solved it in 2 ways: correct and incorrect. My mistake is:

Case1:
(x+3)^2=x+3
Case 2:
(x+3)^2=-1*(x+3)

it does attract to just divide both parts by (x+3) to get
x+3=1 and x+3=-1
But i am missing two solutions as i got rid of square. Please, help me to understand when it is okay to just devide both parts by something with x and not lose any solutuions. Thanks in advance!
User avatar
anushkadhanwani
Joined: 06 Nov 2024
Last visit: 19 Feb 2026
Posts: 1
Given Kudos: 47
Posts: 1
Kudos: 0
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
|x+3|>=0 so x>=-3

and when factors are taken out, we get -3,-4 and -2 shouldn't we ignore -4 since its <-3?
User avatar
Vivek1707
Joined: 22 May 2020
Last visit: 23 Apr 2026
Posts: 109
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 132
Products:
Posts: 109
Kudos: 14
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Notice that x^2+6+9 can be factorized to (x+3)^2

So the quesiton becomes (x+3)^2 = |x+3|

***Remember if a^2= |a| =, then a can have only the following 3 values i.e 1, -1 and 0
If you take any other value for a and square it, It wont be equal to |a|

Similarly in this question there can be 3 cases i.e
x+ 3 = 1 i.e x = -2
x+ 3 = -1 i.e x = -4
x+ 3 = 0 i.e x = -3

So if you add these up you get - 9
Moderators:
Math Expert
109783 posts
Tuck School Moderator
853 posts