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GMATPrepNow
An operation Ф is defined by the equation \(x Ф y = \frac{x^2}{4} - xy + y^2\) for all numbers x and y. What is the value of 186 Ф 91?

A) 1
B) 4
C) 8
D) 16
E) 24

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\(x\) \(Ф\) \(y = \frac{x^2}{4} - xy + y^2\) \(=> \frac{(x^2 - 4xy + 4y^2)}{4}\)

\(x\) \(Ф\) \(y = \frac{(x - 2y)^2}{4}\)

\(186\) \(Ф\) \(91 = \frac{(186 - 2*91)^2}{4}\)

\(186\) \(Ф\) \(91 = \frac{(186 - 182)^2}{4}\)

\(186\) \(Ф\) \(91 = \frac{4^2}{4}\)

\(186\) \(Ф\) \(91 = 4\)

Answer (B)...

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Good question to be done mentally


xФy=(x/2−y)^2=(93−91)^2=4

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An operation Ф is defined by the equation \(x Ф y = \frac{x^2}{4} - xy + y^2\) for all numbers x and y. What is the value of 186 Ф 91?

A) 1
B) 4
C) 8
D) 16
E) 24

*kudos for all correct solutions

When we see that the expression x²/4 - xy + y² has two squares (x²/4 = (x/2)² and y² is obviously a square), we should start wondering whether the expression can be factored into the form (something)²

To make this factorization easier to see, let's factor out 1/4 first.
We get: x²/4 - xy + y² = (1/4)(x² - 4xy + 4y²)
= (1/4)(x - 2y)²

Perfect, we can now say that x Ф y = (1/4)(x - 2y)²
So, 186 Ф 91 = (1/4)[186 - 2(91)]²
= (1/4)[186 - 182]²
= (1/4)[4]²
= (1/4)[16]
= 4

Answer: B
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Simplify the expression:
Recognize that x2/4 - xy + y2 can be rewritten as (x/2 - y)2.
Substitute the values:

x = 186, y = 91
186 Ф 91 = (186/2 - 91)2

Calculate:
186/2 = 93
93 - 91 = 2
22 = 4

Answer:
186 Ф 91 = 4 ✅
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Hello,
x Ф y is x^2/4-x*y+y^2 now this can be written as (x/2-y)^2
so 186 Ф 91 (186/2 -91)
(93-91)^2=4

Hence answer is option B

Thanks
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