Questions about the world of GMAT Math from other sources and general math related questions.
yo4561
Course Students
 
Posts: 112
Joined: Thu Jun 04, 2020 3:42 pm
 

Choosing numbers for algebra equations?

by yo4561 Sat Feb 05, 2022 5:33 pm

Let's say I have this made-up algebra problem:

If A does not equal 0 and -(A^2-3)/A=1/B, what is B?

and then you have different expressions as the answers, would choosing a number for A to get to B, always work when testing the answer choices?
Whit Garner
ManhattanGMAT Staff
 
Posts: 72
Joined: Thu Feb 04, 2010 5:23 am
 

Re: Choosing numbers for algebra equations?

by Whit Garner Wed Feb 23, 2022 7:50 pm

Hiya!

Great question! I believe that what you're seeing would almost always be a great example of when to test out numbers. That said, I always hesitate to say *always* because every so often the test writers with throw a crazy exception at you. But I think your intuition is great!
"A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing." - George Bernard Shaw