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Comment on GCD of x and y
Please i dont understand the
In statement 1, we found two
In statement 1, we found two possible cases:
case a: x = y, in which case the GCD = x = y
case b: x ≠ y, in which case the GCD = 1
In statement 2, we learned that one of the numbers (x or y) is odd and the other number is even.
So, when we combine the two statements, we can rule out case a (x = y) because one value is odd and the other value is even. So, there's no way the two values can be equal.
This leaves only case b (x ≠ y).
Since we can be certain that x and y are not equal AND x and y are prime numbers, then we can conclude that the GCD of x and y MUST be 1.
Dear Brent, I solve this
Anyway thanks a lot for this wonderful lesson and practice test!
It's a common belief that, if
It's a common belief that, if two variables are different (e.g., x and y), then those variables cannot have the same value.
On the GMAT (and in any math class :-), two different variables can share the same value.
Sorry for being the devil's
Is it because the variables "can" share same value but not "should"? Any analogy would be much appreciated!!
It all comes down to the
It all comes down to the strength of the word CAN.
This is a pretty weak word, and I'm not aware of any mathematical symbol that expresses the concept of CAN.
To use your example, we can write: 7x + 4y COULD POSSIBLY EQUAL 11x (if x = y)
But that's all we can say.
We certainly CANNOT conclude that 7x + 4y = 11x, because this boldly states that 7x + 4y MUST EQUAL 11x for all values of x and y.
On the other hand, we can write: 2k + 3k = 5k (for ALL values of k)
Another example is to examine the solutions to the equation x + y = 10.
One possible solution is x = 2 and y = 8
Another possible solution is x = -3 and y = 13
Another possible solution is x = 5 and y = 5
Etc
So, even though it's possible for x and y to both equal 5 (when x + y = 10), we must recognize that x and y are not necessarily equal.
As such, it would be mathematically incorrect to take the equation x + y = 10 and rewrite it as x + x = 10.
Does that help?
Cheers,
Brent
Thanks for this video, it was
For the math I did back in high school, x and y were always used to represent DIFFERENT values. For the GMAT, should I assume that x and y can represent any values, including the same value, unless stated otherwise? And if it's stated, how would this be noted in the question text? Thanks for all your videos! MBA saver. :-)
You can safely assume that
You can safely assume that two different variables can have the same values, unless stated otherwise.
If the test-maker wanted to restrict two variables so they cannot be equal, there are a few ways to do so. Here are a couple of examples:
"If x and y are positive integers such that x ≠ y, then....."
or
"If x and y are DIFFERENT numbers, then....."
Cheers,
Brent
Thanks for the clarification
damn, forgot case 1, now I