GMAT Math : Algebra

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GMAT Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #361 : Algebra

Solve for 

Possible Answers:

Not enough information provided

Correct answer:

Explanation:

In order to solve the equation for , we need to isolate  on one side of the equation:

Reducing the fraction,

Example Question #361 : Algebra

Solve for  in the equation 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Example Question #363 : Algebra

Solve for  in the equation:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Example Question #51 : Equations

Solve for  in the equation 

Possible Answers:

 or 

 or 

 or 

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Example Question #52 : Equations

Solve for  in the equation:

Possible Answers:

 or 

 or 

 or 

 or 

 or .

Correct answer:

 or .

Explanation:

  is a perfect square trinomial:

The equation can be rewritten as 

By the square-root property, since no assumption was made about the sign of any variable, 

Therefore, 

 or .

Example Question #53 : Equations

Solve for  in the equation 

Possible Answers:

 or 

 or 

 or 

 or 

 or 

Correct answer:

 or 

Explanation:

The statement is a quadratic equation in , so it can be solved using the quadratic formula, 

where 

Example Question #54 : Equations

How many distinct solutions are there to the following equation?

Possible Answers:

Infinitely Many

0

3

2

1

Correct answer:

2

Explanation:

We are given a classic quadratic equation, but we aren't asked for the solutions, just how many distinct solutions there are. Remember, distinct solutions are different solutions. If we get two solutions that are the same numbers, they do not count. 

The quickest way to solve this involves some factoring. 

Start by pulling out a 3

Now, within our parentheses, we have a classic difference of squares. The interior factors further to look like this.

From here we can either solve the equation and count our solutions, or we can recognize that the two factors are different and therefore will give different solutions. Let's solve it by using the Zero Product Property

Solution 1

Solution 2

Thus, we have two distinct solutions!

Example Question #55 : Solving Equations

Solve for  in the equation 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Example Question #56 : Solving Equations

 is 44% of .

 is what percent of ?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

 is 44% of , so  is  of .

Also,  is 300% of .

Add these:

 is  of 

Example Question #55 : Equations

Solve for :

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To solve the equation, we first group the  terms on one side and the constants on the other side:

Now we can simply divide both sides by  to solve for :

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