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(x - 2)/(x^2 - 4) = 1 which of the following can x be
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16 Nov 2021, 05:24
16 Nov 2021, 05:24
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If \(\frac{(x-2)}{(x^2-4)} =1\), then the value of x could be
A. -1 and 2
B. -2
C. -3 and -1
D. -1
E. -2, -1 and 2
A. -1 and 2
B. -2
C. -3 and -1
D. -1
E. -2, -1 and 2
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Re: (x - 2)/(x^2 - 4) = 1 which of the following can x be
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16 Nov 2021, 05:47
16 Nov 2021, 05:47
1
Carcass wrote:
If \(\frac{(x-2)}{(x^2-4)} =1\), then the value of x could be
A. -1 and 2
B. -2
C. -3 and -1
D. -1
E. -2, -1 and 2
A. -1 and 2
B. -2
C. -3 and -1
D. -1
E. -2, -1 and 2
STRATEGY: As with all GRE Multiple Choice questions, we should immediately ask ourselves, Can I use the answer choices to my advantage?
In this case, we can easily test the answer choices.
Now we should give ourselves about 20 seconds to identify a faster approach.
In this case, we can also solve the equation.
Since there aren't many values (among the answer choices) to test, I'm going to test the given values.
Test \(x = -1\) by plugging it into the original equation to get: \(\frac{(-1)-2}{(-1)^2-4} =1 \)
Simplify: \(\frac{-3}{-3} =1 \).
WORKS!
This means we can eliminate answer choice B, since it doesn't include \(x = -1\) as a solution.
Now test \(x = 2\) by plugging it into the original equation to get: \(\frac{2-2}{2^2-4} =1 \)
Simplify: \(\frac{0}{0} =1 \).
Doesn't work.
This means we can eliminate answer choices A and E, since they stated that \(x = 2\) is a solution.
Test \(x = -3\) by plugging it into the original equation to get: \(\frac{(-3)-2}{(-3)^2-4} =1 \)
Simplify: \(\frac{-5}{5} =1 \).
Doesn't work.
This means we can eliminate answer choice C, since it states that \(x = -3\) is a solution.
By the process of elimination, the correct answer is D
gmatclubot
Re: (x - 2)/(x^2 - 4) = 1 which of the following can x be [#permalink]
16 Nov 2021, 05:47
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