Last visit was: 10 Jul 2025, 01:36 It is currently 10 Jul 2025, 01:36
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: 10 July 2025
Posts: 102,612
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 98,069
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 102,612
Kudos: 739,975
 [11]
Kudos
Add Kudos
11
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
Rabab36
Joined: 17 Jun 2022
Last visit: 23 Aug 2024
Posts: 249
Own Kudos:
151
 [1]
Given Kudos: 67
Posts: 249
Kudos: 151
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
sumit99kr
Joined: 12 Aug 2022
Last visit: 30 Sep 2024
Posts: 145
Own Kudos:
147
 [3]
Given Kudos: 16
Location: India
Concentration: General Management, Finance
GMAT 1: 650 Q50 V28
GMAT 2: 660 Q49 V31
GPA: 3.57
Products:
GMAT 2: 660 Q49 V31
Posts: 145
Kudos: 147
 [3]
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
sujoykrdatta
Joined: 26 Jun 2014
Last visit: 09 Jul 2025
Posts: 539
Own Kudos:
1,038
 [4]
Given Kudos: 13
Status:Mentor & Coach | GMAT Q51 | CAT 99.98
Expert
Expert reply
Posts: 539
Kudos: 1,038
 [4]
4
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Bunuel
Which of the following functions satisfies \(f(a+b)=f(a)*f(b)\) for all positive numbers a and b ?
A. \(f(x)=x+1\)
B. \(f(x)=x^2+1\)
C. \(f(x)=\sqrt{x}\)
D. \(f(x)=\frac{1}{x}\)
E. \(f(x)=2^x\)
This is a PS Butler Question

We need to check the options:
Option A: f(x) = x + 1
=> f(a) = a + 1 and f(b) = b + 1 => f(a) * f(b) = (a + 1)(b + 1) = ab + a + b + 1
f(a+b) = a + b + 1 => Clearly, f(a + b) is NOT equal to f(a) * f(b)

Clearly, Option B would not satisfy either

Option C: f(x)=\(\sqrt{x}\)
=> f(a) = \(\sqrt{a}\) and f(b) = \(\sqrt{b}\) => f(a) * f(b) = \(\sqrt{ab}\)
f(a+b) = \(\sqrt{a+b}\) => Clearly, f(a + b) is NOT equal to f(a) * f(b)

Option D: f(x) = 1/x
=> f(a) = 1/a and f(b) = 1/b => f(a) * f(b) = 1/ab
f(a+b) = 1/(a + b) => Clearly, f(a + b) is NOT equal to f(a) * f(b)

Option E: f(x) = \(2^x\)
=> f(a) = \(2^a\) and f(b) = \(2^b\) => f(a) * f(b) = \(2^a * 2^b\) = \(2^(a+b)\)
f(a+b) = \(2^(a+b)\) => Clearly, f(a + b) IS equal to f(a) * f(b)

Answer E
User avatar
Loopmonkey
Joined: 16 May 2021
Last visit: 30 Jul 2024
Posts: 9
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 3
Posts: 9
Kudos: 8
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Option E because

\(2^(a+b)=2^a*2^b\)
User avatar
findingmyself
Joined: 06 Apr 2025
Last visit: 09 Jul 2025
Posts: 88
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 37
Posts: 88
Kudos: 11
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
I’m taking A=2 and B=1
Evaluating answer choice B
F(2)=5
F(1)=2
F(3)=5*2=10
F(3)=3^2+1=10
Both are matching. Why then option B is not correct?
Moderators:
Math Expert
102612 posts
PS Forum Moderator
683 posts