Last visit was: 21 Apr 2026, 15:43 It is currently 21 Apr 2026, 15:43
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: 21 Apr 2026
Posts: 109,728
Own Kudos:
810,465
 [8]
Given Kudos: 105,800
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 109,728
Kudos: 810,465
 [8]
Kudos
Add Kudos
8
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
CareerGeek
Joined: 20 Jul 2017
Last visit: 21 Apr 2026
Posts: 1,286
Own Kudos:
4,430
 [1]
Given Kudos: 162
Location: India
Concentration: Entrepreneurship, Marketing
GMAT 1: 690 Q51 V30
WE:Education (Education)
GMAT 1: 690 Q51 V30
Posts: 1,286
Kudos: 4,430
 [1]
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
satya2029
Joined: 10 Dec 2017
Last visit: 29 Sep 2025
Posts: 229
Own Kudos:
254
 [2]
Given Kudos: 138
Location: India
Posts: 229
Kudos: 254
 [2]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
philipssonicare
Joined: 15 Feb 2018
Last visit: 22 Nov 2022
Posts: 410
Own Kudos:
434
 [1]
Given Kudos: 2,380
Posts: 410
Kudos: 434
 [1]
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
I eliminated A, C, and D as they are similar to difference of squares.

Tested B and it didn't work. Weak, but gets to the answer E

Dillesh4096

\(\frac{a^4 + 1}{a^2}\)
--> \(a^2 + \frac{1}{a^2}\)
--> \(a^2 + \frac{1}{a^2} + 2*a*\frac{1}{a} - 2*a*\frac{1}{a}\)

I don't understand how I'm meant to see to do this looking at the equation.
User avatar
sanjitscorps18
Joined: 26 Jan 2019
Last visit: 03 Mar 2026
Posts: 723
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 130
Location: India
Schools: IMD'26
Products:
Schools: IMD'26
Posts: 723
Kudos: 740
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
philipssonicare
I eliminated A, C, and D as they are similar to difference of squares.

Tested B and it didn't work. Weak, but gets to the answer E

Dillesh4096

\(\frac{a^4 + 1}{a^2}\)
--> \(a^2 + \frac{1}{a^2}\)
--> \(a^2 + \frac{1}{a^2} + 2*a*\frac{1}{a} - 2*a*\frac{1}{a}\)

I don't understand how I'm meant to see to do this looking at the equation.


You can only if you able to calculate the next steps vaguely in your head before you write it down.
User avatar
bumpbot
User avatar
Non-Human User
Joined: 09 Sep 2013
Last visit: 04 Jan 2021
Posts: 38,956
Own Kudos:
Posts: 38,956
Kudos: 1,117
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:
Math Expert
109728 posts
Tuck School Moderator
853 posts