Question: Simplify a Rational Expression

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Comment on Simplify a Rational Expression

Dear Brent,

Bobbyj - January 29, 2017

Dear Brent,

Another approach is to substitute X with 1. Then you get 5/9 as your target, and only answer D results in 5/9. What do you think of this strategy in general? Do you prefer the algebraic approach to substituting X with an easy number, such as 1? Are there any drawbacks of this approach.

Although, I could fully simplify this particular equation I have also come across some equations that I started simplifying algebraically, but somewhere along the way made a mistake, and therefore lost a lot of time and used up a lot of space on my scratch paper. Hence, I wonder what I should do on test day.

Your strategy is perfect. The

gmat-admin - January 29, 2017

Your strategy is perfect. The only drawback is that it's possible that plugging x = 1 would have resulted in more than one answer choice yielding the right output of 5/9, in which case, you would have to plug in a second (and perhaps even a third value) to determine the correct answer. All of this could be quite time consuming.

That said, your strategy can often yield the correct answer quickly. So, be sure to keep it in your mathematical toolbox.

Thank you for your swift

Bobbyj - January 29, 2017

Thank you for your swift reply and helpful feedback!

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