GMAT Math : GMAT Quantitative Reasoning

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GMAT Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #2 : How To Graph Complex Numbers

In which quadrant does the complex number    lie?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

If we graphed the given complex number on a set of real-imaginary axes, we would plot the real value of the complex number as the x coordinate, and the imaginary value of the complex number as the y coordinate. Because the given complex number is as follows:

We are essentially doing the same as plotting the point    on a set of Cartesian axes.  We move    units right of the origin in the x direction, and    units up from the origin in the y direction, which puts us in the first quadrant, or in terms of Roman numerals:

Example Question #1 : Graphing Complex Numbers

Raise  to the power of four.

Possible Answers:

None of the other responses gives the correct answer.

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Squaring an expression, then squaring the result, amounts to taking the original expression to the fourth power. Therefore, we can first square 

Now square this result:

Example Question #2 : Graphing Complex Numbers

Raise  to the power of eight.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

For any expression . That is, we can raise an expression to the power of eight by squaring it, then squaring the result, then squaring that result. 

First, we square:

Square this result to obtain the fourth power:

Square this result to obtain the eighth power:

Example Question #1071 : Gmat Quantitative Reasoning

Give the vertical asymptote of the graph of the equation

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The vertical asymptote is , where  is found by setting the denominator equal to 0 and solving for :

This is the equation of the vertical asymptote.

Example Question #1 : Graphing Inverse Variation

Give the -intercept(s), if any, of the graph of the equation

Possible Answers:

The graph has no -intercept.

Correct answer:

The graph has no -intercept.

Explanation:

Set  in the equation and solve for .

This is impossible, so the equation has no solution. Therefore, the graph has no -intercept. 

Example Question #192 : Graphing

Give the -intercept(s), if any, of the graph of the equation

Possible Answers:

The graph has no -intercept.

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Set  in the equation and solve for .

The -intercept is 

Example Question #1072 : Gmat Quantitative Reasoning

Give the horizontal asymptote, if there is one, of the graph of the equation

Possible Answers:

The graph of the equation has no horizontal asymptote.

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To find the horizontal asymptote, we can divide both numerator and denominator in the right expression by :

As  approaches positive or negative infinity,  and  both approach 0. Therefore,  approaches , making the horizontal asymptote the line of the equation  .

Example Question #2 : Graphing Inverse Variation

Give the -intercept of the graph of the equation .

Possible Answers:

The graph has no -intercept.

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Set  in the equation:

The -intercept is .

Example Question #1 : Graphing A Two Step Inequality

Axes_2

Which of the following inequalities is graphed above?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

First, we determine the equation of the boundary line. This line includes points  and  , so the slope can be calculated as follows:

We can find the slope-intercept form of the line by substituting  

in the following equation:

The equation of the boundary line is .

The boundary is excluded, as is indicated by the line being dashed, so the equality symbol is replaced by either  or . To find out which one, we can test a point in the solution set - for ease, we will choose :

 _____   

  _____ 

  _____ 

0 is greater than  so the correct symbol is 

The correct choice is .

Example Question #2 : Graphing A Two Step Inequality

Choose the inequality depicted by the graph:

Gmat_number_4

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

First, consider the characteristics of the line. The slope is equal to 2 and the y-intercept is equal to 3. Because the line is solid, that indicates that the inequality is "greater than or equal to" or "less than or equal to". Finally, choose a point to determine the direction of the shading. The origin (0,0) is usually a good choice unless it falls on the line. If the chosen point makes the statement true, it must be included in the shaded region. If it is false, it must not.

Because 0 is less than 3 and the origin is not included in the shaded region, the correct answer must include "greater than or equal to"

 

 

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