Blog

The Quest for 700: Weekly GMAT Challenge (Answer)

Yesterday, Integrated Learning posted a 700 level GMAT question on our blog. Today, they have followed up with the answer:

ANSWER: C

This is the only advanced algebra you’ll need on the test.  It’s not the only way to solve it, but it’s the easiest way to solve it.

To find a maximum or minimum value of an equation with an exponent in it, you take the derivative of the equation, set it to zero, and solve.  That’s the max or min.

In this case we are given
P = -25×2 + 7500x

To find the derivative, multiply each number by the exponent it’s connected to, and subtract the exponent by 1.  Here, that will look like:

P’ = -50x + 7500

Set P’ to zero, and solve:

0 = -50x + 7500
50x = 7500
x = 150

If you’re not sure this really worked, try plugging in numbers, or even running the original equation in Excel.  You will see that at x = 150, P is the maximum it can be.

Integrated Learning provides professional, experienced GMAT tutors throughout the United States.



onTrack by mbaMission

A first-of-its-kind, on-demand MBA application experience that delivers a personalized curriculum for you and leverages interactive tools to guide you through the entire MBA application process.

Get Started!


Upcoming Events


Upcoming Deadlines

  • Dartmouth Tuck (Round 1)
  • IESE (Round 1)
  • MIT Sloan (Round 1)
  • Carnegie Mellon Tepper (Round 1)
  • Duke Fuqua (Round 1)
  • Georgetown McDonough (Round 1)
  • Oxford Saïd (Round 2)
  • Penn State Smeal (Round 1)
  • UCLA Anderson (Round 1)
  • USC Marshall (Round 1)
  • UW Foster (Round 1)

Click here to see the complete deadlines


2024–2025 MBA Essay Tips

Click here for the 2023–2024 MBA Essay Tips


MBA Program Updates

Explore onTrack — mbaMission’s newest offering allowing you to learn at your own pace through video. Learn more