GRE Math : Algebra

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #5 : How To Find A Rational Number From An Exponent

Simplify

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Whenever you see lots of multiplication (e.g. exponents, which are notation for repetitive multiplication) separated by addition or subtraction, a common way to transform the expression is to factor out common terms on either side of the + or - sign. That allows you to create more multiplication, which is helpful in reducing fractions or in reducing the addition/subtraction to numbers you can quickly calculate by hand as you'll see here.

 

So let's factor a .

We have .

And you'll see that the addition inside parentheses becomes quite manageable, leading to the final answer of 

Example Question #1 : How To Find Out When An Equation Has No Solution

Quantity A:

 

Quantity B:

Possible Answers:

The two quantities are equal.

The relationship cannot be determined from the information given.

Quantity B is greater.

Quantity A is greater.

Correct answer:

The relationship cannot be determined from the information given.

Explanation:

We are given that y = 32.  Plug this value of y into the second equation.

32 = x2 – 4

36 = x2

x = +/– 6.

Next find a value for Quantity A:

y/7 = 32/7

This number is less than +6, but more than –6. Thus, the relationship cannot be determined from the information given.

Example Question #1 : Linear / Rational / Variable Equations

Column A:                              

Column B: 

 

Possible Answers:

Column A is greater.

The relationship cannot be determined.

The values are equal.

Column B is greater.

Correct answer:

The relationship cannot be determined.

Explanation:

Column B is greater for positive numbers.

The columns are equal for 0.

Column A is greater for negative numbers.

Because our answer changes depending on the value inserted, we cannot determine the relationship.

Example Question #1 : How To Find Out When An Equation Has No Solution

Find the solution to the following equation if x = 3: 

y = (4x2 - 2)/(9 - x2)

Possible Answers:

0

6

no possible solution

3

Correct answer:

no possible solution

Explanation:

Substituting 3 in for x, you will get 0 in the denominator of the fraction. It is not possible to have 0 be the denominator for a fraction so there is no possible solution to this equation.

Example Question #2 : Linear / Rational / Variable Equations

Undefined_denom3

 

I.  x = 0

II. x = –1

III. x = 1

Possible Answers:

I, II, and III

II only

III only

II and III only

I only

Correct answer:

I only

Explanation:

 Undefined_denom2

Example Question #1 : How To Find Out When An Equation Has No Solution

Nosol1

Possible Answers:

–1/2

There is no solution

3

1

–3

Correct answer:

There is no solution

Explanation:

Nosol2

Example Question #3 : Linear / Rational / Variable Equations

  

Possible Answers:

None of the other answers

Correct answer:

Explanation:

A fraction is considered undefined when the denominator equals 0. Set the denominator equal to zero and solve for the variable.

Example Question #3 : How To Find Out When An Equation Has No Solution

Solve: 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

First, distribute, making sure to watch for negatives. 

Combine like terms. 

Subtract 7x from both sides. 

Add 18 on both sides and be careful adding integers. 

Example Question #411 : Algebra

Solve: 

Possible Answers:

No Solution 

Infinitely Many Solutions 

Correct answer:

No Solution 

Explanation:

First, distribute the  to the terms inside the parentheses.

Add 6x to both sides. 

This is false for any value of . Thus, there is no solution. 

Example Question #2 : How To Find Out When An Equation Has No Solution

Solve .

Possible Answers:

No solutions

Correct answer:

No solutions

Explanation:

By definition, the absolute value of an expression can never be less than 0. Therefore, there are no solutions to the above expression.

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