(x - 2)/(x^2 - 4) = 1 which of the following can x be

Question

\frac{(x-2)}{(x^2-4)} =1   which of the following can x be?

A. -1 and 2
B. -2
C. -3 and -1
D. -1
E. -2, -1 and 2

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Mizan42 · Answer

Put directly -1,
Then calculate,

IshanSaini · Answer

This is a tricky question.
Step 1. Simply solve the simple quadratic eqn.
Step 2. You will get x = 2 or -1.
Step 3. See that x^2 in denom will make x^2 -4 = 0 if x = 2.
Step 4. As per above logic, discard 2, we are only left with -1 hence imo D

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umang.lakhani · Answer

Can I open the denom with a^2 - b^2 = (a+b)*(a-b) and then cancel out x-2 from num and denom? Is this the right approach?

Bunuel · Answer

Yes, that would be correct:

\frac{x-2}{x^2-4} =1  ;

\frac{x-2}{(x-2)(x+2)} =1  ;

We can reduce by x - 2 here because it cannot be 0:

\frac{1}{x+2} =1  ;

1 = x+2 ;

x=-1  .

Answer: D.

(x - 2)/(x^2 - 4) = 1 which of the following can x be

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GMAT Problem Solving (PS) Questions

(x - 2)/(x^2 - 4) = 1 which of the following can x be

Prep Toolkit

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards