Last visit was: 27 Apr 2024, 00:56 It is currently 27 Apr 2024, 00:56

Close

GRE Prep Club Daily Prep

Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GRE score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.

Close

Request Expert Reply

Confirm Cancel
Senior Manager
Senior Manager
Joined: 17 Aug 2019
Posts: 381
Own Kudos [?]: 174 [0]
Given Kudos: 96
Send PM
avatar
Intern
Intern
Joined: 04 Nov 2019
Posts: 5
Own Kudos [?]: 5 [0]
Given Kudos: 7
Send PM
Verbal Expert
Joined: 18 Apr 2015
Posts: 28645
Own Kudos [?]: 33133 [0]
Given Kudos: 25178
Send PM
Intern
Intern
Joined: 09 Dec 2018
Posts: 41
Own Kudos [?]: 34 [0]
Given Kudos: 29
Send PM
Re: a^x=b^y=c^z [#permalink]
Where am I going wrong?

Let a=2, b=4, c=8; x=3, y=3/2, z=1.

Then 2z/(x+z) =2/4=1/2, and y/z = 3/2. NOT the same.
Retired Moderator
Joined: 10 Apr 2015
Posts: 6218
Own Kudos [?]: 11690 [0]
Given Kudos: 136
Send PM
Re: a^x=b^y=c^z [#permalink]
2
Asmakan wrote:
If \(a^x=b^y=c^z\), \(\frac{b}{a}=\frac{c}{b}\), and a, b and c have different values.

Quantity A
Quantity B
\(\frac{2z}{x+z}\)
\(\frac{y}{x}\)


A)Quantity A is greater.
B)Quantity B is greater.
C)The two quantities are equal.
D)The relationship cannot be determined from the information given.

ID: Q02-86


Let's build on Chakolate's solution....

If \(a^x=b^y=c^z\), \(\frac{b}{a}=\frac{c}{b}\), then it COULD be the case that a=2, b=4, c=8, x=3, y=3/2, z=1.
In this case, we get:
QUANTITY A: 2z/(x+z) = (2)(1)(3 + 1) = 2/4 = 1/2
QUANTITY B: y/x = (3/2)/3 = 1/2


It COULD be the case that a=2, b=4, c=8, x=0, y=0, z=0.
In this case, we get:
QUANTITY A: 2z/(x+z) = 0/0
QUANTITY B: y/x = 0/0
Can we say that 0/0 = 0/0?
No.
0/0 is undefined. In other words, it's not an actual number.
It's like asking "Which is greater, lemon or lime?"
Since we can only compare numbers in a Quantitative Comparison question, this is a faulty question.

If this were an official GRE question, there would be some proviso that says the denominator cannot be zero.

Cheers,
Brent
Prep Club for GRE Bot
[#permalink]
Moderators:
Moderator
1085 posts
GRE Instructor
218 posts

Powered by phpBB © phpBB Group | Emoji artwork provided by EmojiOne