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If xy + z = x(y + z) which must be true?
Luci
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If xy+z=x(y+z) wich must be true?

1-X=0,Z=0
2-X=1,Y=1
3-Y=1,Z=0
4-X=1,Y=0
5-X=1,Z=0

Correct answer is E) X=1 and Z=0 which leaves y+0=y+0
I fortunately did it right in the GMATPrep and it was question number 2 but It should be much easier or do I need a rest right now because I cannot see anything?

1- If X=0,Z=0 this yield--> 0*y+0=0*y+0*0--> 0=0
2- If X=1,Y=1 this yield--> 1*1+z=1*1+1*z--> 1+z=1+z
3- If Y=1,Z=0 this yield--> x*1+0=x*1+x*0--> x=x
4- If X=1,Y=0 this yield--> 1*0+z=1*0+1*z--> z=z
5- If X=1,Z=0 this yield--> 1*y+0=1*y+1*0--> y=y

Obviously I´m missing something, it couldn´t be so difficult. I´m quite tired after working, so maibe tomorrow I´ll see it clear. Why is 5 right and not the rest?

Thanks

Luci

Thanks
GMAT 2007
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There is an easy approach to solve the problem, here it goes: -

We know from the question xy + z = x(y+z)

xy + z = xy + xz

z = xz
or z-xz = 0
or z(1-x) = 0

If you look above, the solution of the above equation is 1-x =0 or z=0

So the answer is (A)

Hope it helps

GMAT 2007
Luci
Guest


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Thanks GMAT 2007, it helps and you are right with your explantion and your answer, but I still dont know why the other solutions seems to make sens as well...

If we work in the question we get the correct result as GMAT 2007 did, but if we simply substitute values all of them seems to by a possible solution.

Any explanation?

Thanks
Revisit: xy + z = x(y+z)
pizzadead
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Can someone revisit this question? Both
"Guest" and "GMAT 2007" came up w different answers--the former with "E" and the latter with "A"

Thanks
Ron Purewal
MGMAT STAFF

Joined: 08 Oct 2007
Posts: 2184

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GMAT 2007 wrote:
There is an easy approach to solve the problem, here it goes: -

We know from the question xy + z = x(y+z)

xy + z = xy + xz

z = xz
or z-xz = 0
or z(1-x) = 0

If you look above, the solution of the above equation is 1-x =0 or z=0

So the answer is (A)

Hope it helps

GMAT 2007


this is right up to the next-to-last line. in other words, the derivation of "1 - x = 0 OR z = 0" is spot on.

however, that's when things start to go south. you have to actually solve these equations; doing so yields x = 1 (NOT x = 0) and z = 0, respectively.
therefore, the solution is x = 1 OR z = 0, so, (e).

by the way, i do believe that the original problem statement contains certain "and"s and "or"s, which are definitely significant. it appears that the original poster has excised these "and"s and "or"s, replacing them with commas. please copy problems EXACTLY.
If xy + z = x(y + z) which must be true?
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