GMAT Math : Solving equations

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GMAT Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #61 : Solving Equations

 and  are the volume and the radius of the same sphere. 

Which of the following is a true statement?

Possible Answers:

 varies directly as the twenty-seventh power of 

 varies directly as the cube of .

 varies directly as the ninth power of .

 varies directly as the eighteenth power of .

 varies directly as .

Correct answer:

 varies directly as the twenty-seventh power of 

Explanation:

The volume and radius of a sphere are related as follows:

.

By substitution,

If , then

,

and  varies directly as the twenty-seventh power of .

Example Question #62 : Solving Equations

 and  are the surface area and the radius of the same sphere. 

.

Which of the following is a true statement?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The surface area and radius of a sphere are related as follows:

Substituting:

If , then

,

and  varies directly as the fourth root of .

Example Question #61 : Equations

Solve the following equation for .

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To solve, simply isolate .

Example Question #64 : Solving Equations

Express  in terms of . You may assume all variables assume positive values.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

, and , so, by two substitutions,

, so

Example Question #65 : Solving Equations

Express  in terms of .

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

 

, so

 

, so

 

Now substitute twice, and solve for :

Example Question #66 : Solving Equations

Express  in terms of .

 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

 

 

 

Substituting twice:

 

Example Question #67 : Solving Equations

Express  in terms of .

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

 

 

 

Substitute twice: 

 

Example Question #68 : Solving Equations

Which of the following is equal to  ?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

 and , so

Since , it follows that

Example Question #61 : Solving Equations

True or false: .

Statement 1: 

Statement 2: 

Possible Answers:

STATEMENT 1 ALONE provides sufficient information to answer the question, but STATEMENT 2 ALONE does NOT provide sufficient information to answer the question.

BOTH STATEMENTS TOGETHER provide sufficient information to answer the question, but NEITHER STATEMENT ALONE provides sufficient information to answer the question.x

STATEMENT 2 ALONE provides sufficient information to answer the question, but STATEMENT 1 ALONE does NOT provide sufficient information to answer the question.

EITHER STATEMENT ALONE provides sufficient information to answer the question.

BOTH STATEMENTS TOGETHER provide sufficient information to answer the question, but NEITHER STATEMENT ALONE provides sufficient information to answer the question.

BOTH STATEMENTS TOGETHER do NOT provide sufficient information to answer the question.

Correct answer:

EITHER STATEMENT ALONE provides sufficient information to answer the question.

Explanation:

Substitute 5 for  in both statements, and it becomes immediately apparent that it is a solution of neither statement:

, a false statement.

 

, a false statement since the left quantity, having a zero denominator, is undefined.

 

Therefore, it follows from either statement alone that  is false.

Example Question #70 : Solving Equations

 is a rational number. True or false: 

Statement 1: 

Statement 2: 

Possible Answers:

STATEMENT 2 ALONE provides sufficient information to answer the question, but STATEMENT 1 ALONE does NOT provide sufficient information to answer the question.

EITHER STATEMENT ALONE provides sufficient information to answer the question.

BOTH STATEMENTS TOGETHER do NOT provide sufficient information to answer the question.

BOTH STATEMENTS TOGETHER provide sufficient information to answer the question, but NEITHER STATEMENT ALONE provides sufficient information to answer the question.

STATEMENT 1 ALONE provides sufficient information to answer the question, but STATEMENT 2 ALONE does NOT provide sufficient information to answer the question.

Correct answer:

STATEMENT 2 ALONE provides sufficient information to answer the question, but STATEMENT 1 ALONE does NOT provide sufficient information to answer the question.

Explanation:

Assume Statement 1 alone and solve for :

Either:

, in which case ,

or

, in which case .

Therefore, Statement 1 alone is inconclusive.

Assume Statement 2 alone and solve for :

The only solution to this equation is , so Statement 2 alone answers the question.

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