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BrentGMATPrepNow
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allansuzuki
Hey Mahmoudfawzy83
i'm newbie in GMAT...
so, if the data gives me TWO VALUES about "k", can't I accept that the value of k is a SOLUTION SET?

I agree with you, but i have to assume that "value" means an unique number value (and assumption is for CR questions kkkk)

Hey allansuzuki

I just started studying 1 month ago. At the start I had many confusions, but as I solve more questions and make more mistakes, confusion become less, so what you are experiencing is so normal.

In quant., assumptions are not accepted, but certain and unique answers,
so "Value" means one unique number.
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BrentGMATPrepNow
What is the value of k?

(1) \(k^2-5k-66=0\)

(2) \(\frac{2k}{k^2+5k}=\frac{1}{8}\)

Target question: What is the value of k?

Statement 1: k^2 - 5k - 66 = 0
Factor to get: (k - 11)(k + 6) = 0
So, EITHER k = 11 OR k = -6
Since we can’t answer the target question with certainty, statement 1 is NOT SUFFICIENT

Statement 2: 2k/(k^2 + 5k) = 1/8
Cross multiply to get: k^2 + 5k = 16k
Subtract 16k from both sides of the equation: k^2 - 11k = 0
Factor the left side: k(k - 11) = 0
So, EITHER k = 0 OR k = 11
But wait!!
k = 0 can't be a solution because, when we replace k with 0 in the original equation, we get: 2(0)/(0^2 + 5(0)) = 1/8
When we simplify, we get: 0/0 = 1/8
So, k = 0 is NOT a solution, which means k MUST equal 11
Since we can answer the target question with certainty, statement 2 is SUFFICIENT

Answer: B

Cheers,
Brent
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