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What is the value of a^4 - b^4 ?

(1) a = 3
(2) b = a

to find the value of a^4 - b^4, we need values of both a and b or the relationship between them

Statement 1: NOT SUFFICIENT

Statement 2: NOT SUFFICIENT

Combining, we have both a and b so SUFFICIENT

Answer: Option C

Hi GMATinsight,

I think the answer to this should be B and not C. Could you please check?

Statement 2 tells us that b=a, and even though it does not tell us the magnitudes of a & b but the fact that they are equal is sufficient to cancel out their 4th powers, or any powers for that matter.

a4-b4 = b4-b4 = 0. Sufficient.

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Bunuel
What is the value of a^4 - b^4 ?

(1) a = 3
(2) b = a

to find the value of a^4 - b^4, we need values of both a and b or the relationship between them

Statement 1: NOT SUFFICIENT

Statement 2: NOT SUFFICIENT

Combining, we have both a and b so SUFFICIENT

Answer: Option C

Hi GMATinsight,

I think the answer to this should be B and not C. Could you please check?

Statement 2 tells us that b=a, and even though it does not tell us the magnitudes of a & b but the fact that they are equal is sufficient to cancel out their 4th powers, or any powers for that matter.

a4-b4 = b4-b4 = 0. Sufficient.

Posted from my mobile device

Yes you are right. I read it on phoen and read second statement as b = 2


Yes the answer is B and I am making changes in explanation accordingly. :)
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find value of a^4-b^4
#1
a=3 ; value of b not known insufficine
#2
a=b
in that case value of a^4-b^4 would be '0'
sufficient
option B

Bunuel
What is the value of a^4 - b^4 ?

(1) a = 3
(2) b = a
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