Data Sufficiency (DS) | Re: What is the value of ab ? (1) a^2 + b^2 = 52 (2) a + b = 2

Question: ab = ?

Statement 1: a^2 + b^2 = 52

Many possible solutions including integer and non-integer solutions hence

NOT SUFFICIENT

Statement 2: a + b = −2

a = 1, b = -3 or a = 2 and b = -4 and so on

NOT SUFFICIENT

Combining the statements

a + b = −2
SQUARING BOTH SIDES
\(a^2 + b^2 + 2ab = (-2)^2 = 4\)
\(52 + 2ab = 4\)
i.e. ab = -24
SUFFICIENT

Answer: Option C

Statistics : Posted by GMATinsight • on 19 Sep 2023, 01:30 • Replies 1 • Views 103

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