Last visit was: 19 Nov 2025, 16:15 It is currently 19 Nov 2025, 16:15
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: 19 Nov 2025
Posts: 105,390
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 99,977
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 105,390
Kudos: 778,368
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
deabas
Joined: 18 Feb 2016
Last visit: 12 Nov 2016
Posts: 87
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 94
Posts: 87
Kudos: 63
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
Tmoni26
User avatar
LBS Moderator
Joined: 13 Jan 2015
Last visit: 10 Aug 2017
Posts: 88
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 67
Location: United Kingdom
Concentration: Other, General Management
GMAT 1: 690 Q48 V36
GMAT 1: 690 Q48 V36
Posts: 88
Kudos: 51
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
deabas
Joined: 18 Feb 2016
Last visit: 12 Nov 2016
Posts: 87
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 94
Posts: 87
Kudos: 63
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Tmoni26
I knew there was probably a trick in statement 2 but cant it be rewritten

a^3 = 25a -----> a^2 *a = 25* a -------> divide both sides by a ------>a^2=25 (same as stmt 1)

D

Dividing both sides by "a" eliminates one of the zeros (roots, solutions) of the equation and hence leading to incorrect answer. So we can't neglect a=0
This is a common trick on the GMAT



Good luck!
User avatar
chetan2u
User avatar
GMAT Expert
Joined: 02 Aug 2009
Last visit: 15 Nov 2025
Posts: 11,238
Own Kudos:
43,706
 [1]
Given Kudos: 335
Status:Math and DI Expert
Location: India
Concentration: Human Resources, General Management
GMAT Focus 1: 735 Q90 V89 DI81
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
GMAT Focus 1: 735 Q90 V89 DI81
Posts: 11,238
Kudos: 43,706
 [1]
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Tmoni26
I knew there was probably a trick in statement 2 but cant it be rewritten

a^3 = 25a -----> a^2 *a = 25* a -------> divide both sides by a ------>a^2=25 (same as stmt 1)

D

Hi,
In Qs relating to variables, MAKE it a rule to get all terms on one side and factor them to find answer, unless you know that variables are +ive..
here \(a^3 = 25a..... a^3-25a = 0.............a(a^2-25) = 0..........\) so either a = 0, or a =|5|..



Archived Topic
Hi there,
This topic has been closed and archived due to inactivity or violation of community quality standards. No more replies are possible here.
Where to now? Join ongoing discussions on thousands of quality questions in our Data Sufficiency (DS) Forum
Still interested in this question? Check out the "Best Topics" block above for a better discussion on this exact question, as well as several more related questions.
Thank you for understanding, and happy exploring!
Moderators:
Math Expert
105390 posts
GMAT Tutor
1924 posts