Last visit was: 28 Apr 2026, 00:43 It is currently 28 Apr 2026, 00:43
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
Back to Forum
Create Topic
User avatar
Bunuel
User avatar
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Last visit: 27 Apr 2026
Posts: 109,948
Own Kudos:
811,651
 [12]
Given Kudos: 105,925
Products:
GMAT Club Tests Forum Quiz
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 109,948
Kudos: 811,651
 [12]
What is the value of x? 01 Jun 2015, 07:59
Kudos
Add Kudos
12
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
00:00
Start Timer
Pause Timer
Resume Timer
Show Answer
Hide
Show
History
A
Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!

Difficulty:

45% (medium)

Question Stats:

58% (01:21) correct 42% (01:36) wrong based on 383 sessions

History

Date
Time
Result
Not Attempted Yet
What is the value of x?

(1) (|x| + 9)(x - 9) = 0
(2) (|x| - 9)(x + 9) = 0

Experience GMAT Club Test Questions
Yes, you've landed on a GMAT Club Tests question
Craving more? Unlock our full suite of GMAT Club Tests here
Want to experience more? Get a taste of our tests with our free trial today
Rise to the challenge with GMAT Club Tests. Happy practicing!
GMAT Club Tests Check Our Products Try Free Tests
ShowHide Answer
Official Answer
A
Most Helpful Reply
User avatar
Bunuel
User avatar
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Last visit: 27 Apr 2026
Posts: 109,948
Own Kudos:
811,651
 [6]
Given Kudos: 105,925
Products:
GMAT Club Tests Forum Quiz
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 109,948
Kudos: 811,651
 [6]
What is the value of x? 08 Jun 2015, 06:17
3
Kudos
Add Kudos
3
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Bunuel
What is the value of x?

(1) (|x| + 9)(x - 9) = 0
(2) (|x| - 9)(x + 9) = 0
Show more

OFFICIAL SOLUTION:

What is the value of x?

(1) (|x| + 9)(x - 9) = 0. For the product of two multiples to equal 0, either one of them (or both) must be 0. But since |x| + 9 = nonnegative + positive = positive, then |x| + 9 cannot be 0, which means that x - 9 = 0, or x = 9. Sufficient.

(2) (|x| - 9)(x + 9) = 0. Either |x| - 9 = 0 or x + 9 = 0. Thus x can be 9 or -9. Not sufficient.

Answer: A.
General Discussion
avatar
NavenRk
avatar
Joined: 01 Jan 2015
Last visit: 02 Oct 2019
Posts: 16
Own Kudos:
35
 [1]
Given Kudos: 7
Posts: 16
Kudos: 35
 [1]
What is the value of x? 01 Jun 2015, 08:46
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Bunuel
What is the value of x?

(1) (|x| + 9)(x - 9) = 0
(2) (|x| - 9)(x + 9) = 0
Show more

From (1) (|x| + 9) is a positive value. +ve * (x-9) = 0. Hence x=9. SUFFICIENT

From (2) X= + or - 9 . INSUFFICIENT.

Hence IMO A
User avatar
Bowtye
User avatar
Joined: 13 Nov 2014
Last visit: 29 Jun 2018
Posts: 90
Own Kudos:
127
 [1]
Given Kudos: 28
GMAT 1: 740 Q50 V40
Products:
My Reviews
GMAT 1: 740 Q50 V40
Posts: 90
Kudos: 127
 [1]
What is the value of x? 01 Jun 2015, 10:05
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Bunuel
What is the value of x?

(1) (|x| + 9)(x - 9) = 0
(2) (|x| - 9)(x + 9) = 0
Show more


IMO A

stmt 1: the first parenthesis will always be a positive number >0, so we want to focus on the second parenthesis.
solve for x-9= 0 you get x=9 suff.


stmt 2: because the absolute value is in the parenthesis containing the subtraction, x could either be 9 or -9. Insuff.
avatar
sanguine2016
avatar
Joined: 18 Mar 2015
Last visit: 13 Jul 2016
Posts: 20
Own Kudos:
26
 [1]
Given Kudos: 1
Location: India
Concentration: Technology, Entrepreneurship
Schools: Anderson '18 (A) Haas '18 (D) Kellogg '18 (D) ISB '17 (S) Sloan '18 (S)
GMAT 1: 730 Q50 V38
GPA: 4
WE:Engineering (Computer Software)
Schools: Anderson '18 (A) Haas '18 (D) Kellogg '18 (D) ISB '17 (S) Sloan '18 (S)
GMAT 1: 730 Q50 V38
Posts: 20
Kudos: 26
 [1]
What is the value of x? 01 Jun 2015, 11:10
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Quote:
What is the value of x?

(1) (|x| + 9)(x - 9) = 0
(2) (|x| - 9)(x + 9) = 0
Show more

My attempt::
(1) (|x| + 9)(x - 9) = 0
This equation gives only one solution x=9.
as |x|+9 cannot be 0. (x-9) will be equal to 0.
=> x=9.
Sufficient.

(2) (|x| - 9)(x + 9) = 0
here either (|x|-9) can be 0 or (x+9) can be 0.
=> Either |x| = 9 => x = 9 or -9. OR x = -9.
Hence, Insufficient.

So Answer is A.
User avatar
chetan2u
User avatar
GMAT Expert
Joined: 02 Aug 2009
Last visit: 27 Apr 2026
Posts: 11,231
Own Kudos:
45,032
 [1]
Given Kudos: 335
Status:Math and DI Expert
Location: India
Concentration: Human Resources, General Management
GMAT Focus 1: 735 Q90 V89 DI81
Products:
My Reviews
Expert
Expert reply
GMAT Focus 1: 735 Q90 V89 DI81
Posts: 11,231
Kudos: 45,032
 [1]
What is the value of x? 06 Jun 2015, 08:03
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Bunuel
What is the value of x?

(1) (|x| + 9)(x - 9) = 0
(2) (|x| - 9)(x + 9) = 0
Show more

statement 1 gives us two bracket : (|x|+9) and (x-9)
(|x|+9) has 9, which is positive and |x|, which is non negative. So (|x|+9) will always be positive.
Thus x-9 =0...........so x=9..
Sufficient

statement 2 gives us two bracket : (|x|-9) and (x+9)
Now, (|x|-9)=0, when |x|=9.
So x can be 9 or -9.
Insufficient


ans A
avatar
blanchif
avatar
Joined: 23 Aug 2020
Last visit: 16 Jan 2021
Posts: 10
Given Kudos: 69
Posts: 10
Kudos: 0
What is the value of x? 22 Dec 2020, 13:40
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
hello guys,

Can someone explain this problem, i do not understand anything on the bracket difference. I do understand that |X| cannot be equal to -9 as an absolute value is always positie. Can someone explain this point ?

Thank you
User avatar
chetan2u
User avatar
GMAT Expert
Joined: 02 Aug 2009
Last visit: 27 Apr 2026
Posts: 11,231
Own Kudos:
45,032
Given Kudos: 335
Status:Math and DI Expert
Location: India
Concentration: Human Resources, General Management
GMAT Focus 1: 735 Q90 V89 DI81
Products:
My Reviews
Expert
Expert reply
GMAT Focus 1: 735 Q90 V89 DI81
Posts: 11,231
Kudos: 45,032
What is the value of x? 22 Dec 2020, 20:26
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
blanchif
hello guys,

Can someone explain this problem, i do not understand anything on the bracket difference. I do understand that |X| cannot be equal to -9 as an absolute value is always positie. Can someone explain this point ?

Thank you
Show more

I have added some more details in the earlier post. Please go through and if you still have any query, please revert.
User avatar
bumpbot
User avatar
Non-Human User
Joined: 09 Sep 2013
Last visit: 04 Jan 2021
Posts: 38,986
Own Kudos:
1,119
Posts: 38,986
Kudos: 1,119
What is the value of x? 27 Apr 2024, 07:51
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:
Bunuel
Math Expert
109948 posts
kingbucky
498 posts
Gmat860sanskar
212 posts