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Sub 505 Level|   Exponents|                     
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What is the value of w^(−2)?

(1) w^(−1) = 1/2
(2) w^3 = 8

effectively we need to calculate 1/(w)^2
there fore we need to know w ?

1. w^(−1) = 1/2
1/w= 1/2
hence w =2
Since we got unique value .we can calculate 1/(w)^2

2.w^3 = 8
hence w =2
Again we got unique value .we can calculate 1/(w)^2

Hence D ans
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Bunuel
What is the value of w^(−2)?

(1) w^(−1) = 1/2
(2) w^3 = 8


Kudos for a correct solution.

Question: What is the value of w^(−2) ot 1/w^2?

Statement 1: w^(−1) = 1/2
i.e. 1/w = 1/2
i.e. 1/w^2 = 1/4
SUFFICIENT

Statement 2: w^3 = 8
i.e. w = 2
i.e. 1/w^2 = 1/4
SUFFICIENT

Answer Option D
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If either statement 1 or 2 gave us an even power, would it still be sufficient?

i.e. if statement 1 was: W^-2 = number or W^2 = number
would that still be sufficient?
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If either statement 1 or 2 gave us an even power, would it still be sufficient?

i.e. if statement 1 was: W^-2 = number or W^2 = number
would that still be sufficient?

Yes, because we want to find 1/w^2 and we could simply substitute the value of w^2 there without solving for w.
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Bunuel
ThisandThat
If either statement 1 or 2 gave us an even power, would it still be sufficient?

i.e. if statement 1 was: W^-2 = number or W^2 = number
would that still be sufficient?

Yes, because we want to find 1/w^2 and we could simply substitute the value of w^2 there without solving for w.


Hi Bunuel,

Just a small doubt regarding negative power.

To change the negative power of w^(-1) we simply take the reciprocal and the power becomes positive.

But we don't take the reciprocal of the RHS (in this case)

w^(-1)=1/2 doesn't become 1/w^1=2..right..?

Tagging others just in case Bunuel is busy or goes offline.
yashikaaggarwal chetan2u GMATinsight IanStewart

Thank you. :)

Posted from my mobile device
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Nups1324
Bunuel
ThisandThat
If either statement 1 or 2 gave us an even power, would it still be sufficient?

i.e. if statement 1 was: W^-2 = number or W^2 = number
would that still be sufficient?

Yes, because we want to find 1/w^2 and we could simply substitute the value of w^2 there without solving for w.


Hi Bunuel,

Just a small doubt regarding negative power.

To change the negative power of w^(-1) we simply take the reciprocal and the power becomes positive.

But we don't take the reciprocal of the RHS (in this case)

w^(-1)=1/2 doesn't become 1/w^1=2..right..?

Tagging others just in case Bunuel is busy or goes offline.
yashikaaggarwal chetan2u GMATinsight IanStewart

Thank you. :)

Posted from my mobile device

Nups1324

The rule of exponents is

\(a^{-x} = \frac{1}{a^x}\)

i.e. \(w^{-1} = \frac{1}{w^2} = 1/2\)

ie..\( w = 2\)

I hope this help! :)
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Bunuel
ThisandThat
If either statement 1 or 2 gave us an even power, would it still be sufficient?

i.e. if statement 1 was: W^-2 = number or W^2 = number
would that still be sufficient?

Yes, because we want to find 1/w^2 and we could simply substitute the value of w^2 there without solving for w.


Hi Bunuel,

Just a small doubt regarding negative power.

To change the negative power of w^(-1) we simply take the reciprocal and the power becomes positive.

But we don't take the reciprocal of the RHS (in this case)

w^(-1)=1/2 doesn't become 1/w^1=2..right..?

Tagging others just in case Bunuel is busy or goes offline.
yashikaaggarwal chetan2u GMATinsight IanStewart

Thank you. :)

Posted from my mobile device

Yes, you will take the reciprocal of whatever you want to change the sign of power of.
1/2=2^(-1)
And w^(-1)=1/w
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Video solution from Quant Reasoning:
Subscribe for more: https://www.youtube.com/QuantReasoning? ... irmation=1
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Bunuel
What is the value of w^(−2)?

(1) w^(−1) = 1/2
(2) w^3 = 8
Answer: Option D

Video solution by GMATinsight

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Bunuel
What is the value of w^(−2)?

(1) w^(−1) = 1/2
(2) w^3 = 8


Kudos for a correct solution.
Solution:

Question Stem Analysis:

We need to determine the value of w^(-2).

Statement One Alone:

Since w^(-2) = [w^(-1)]^2 and w^(-1) = 1/2, w^(-2) = [1/2]^2 = 1/4. Statement one alone is sufficient.

Statement Two Alone:

Since w^3 = 8, w = ∛8 = 2. So w^(-2) = 2^(-2) = 1/4. Statement two alone is sufficient.

Answer: D
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