For all non-zero real numbers a and b, the custom binary operator \star is defined by a \s… — GMAT

For all non-zero real numbers $a$ and $b$ , the custom binary operator $\star$ is defined by $a \star b = \frac{a^2 - b^2}{ab}$ . A function $f$ is defined for all positive numbers $x$ by $f(x) = (x + 1) \star x$ . What is the value of $f(3) \star f(2)$ ?

A
$-\frac{3}{70}$
B
$\frac{51}{70}$
$-\frac{51}{70}$ Answer
D
$-\frac{56}{45}$
E
$-6$

Answer

-\frac{51}{70}

First, evaluate the inner function values:

f(3) = 4 \star 3 = \frac{4^2 - 3^2}{4 \cdot 3} = \frac{7}{12}

and

f(2) = 3 \star 2 = \frac{3^2 - 2^2}{3 \cdot 2} = \frac{5}{6} = \frac{10}{12}

. Next, evaluate the outer operation

\left(\frac{7}{12}\right) \star \left(\frac{10}{12}\right) = \frac{(7/12)^2 - (10/12)^2}{(7/12)(10/12)} = \frac{49 - 100}{70} = -\frac{51}{70}

. Hence, the correct response is

-\frac{51}{70}

Step-by-Step Solution

Evaluate

f(3)

using the definition of

f(x)

and the custom operator

\star

f(3) = (3 + 1) \star 3 = 4 \star 3 = \frac{4^2 - 3^2}{4 \times 3} = \frac{16 - 9}{12} = \frac{7}{12}

By definition,

f(x) = (x+1) \star x

. Setting

x=3

yields

4 \star 3

Evaluate

f(2)

using the definition of

f(x)

and the custom operator

\star

f(2) = (2 + 1) \star 2 = 3 \star 2 = \frac{3^2 - 2^2}{3 \times 2} = \frac{9 - 4}{6} = \frac{5}{6}

Setting

x=2

f(x)

yields

3 \star 2

Evaluate

f(3) \star f(2) = \left(\frac{7}{12}\right) \star \left(\frac{5}{6}\right)

\left(\frac{7}{12}\right) \star \left(\frac{10}{12}\right) = \frac{\left(\frac{7}{12}\right)^2 - \left(\frac{10}{12}\right)^2}{\left(\frac{7}{12}\right)\left(\frac{10}{12}\right)} = \frac{\frac{49 - 100}{144}}{\frac{70}{144}} = -\frac{51}{70}

Apply the rule

u \star v = \frac{u^2 - v^2}{uv}

with

u = \frac{7}{12}

and

v = \frac{10}{12}

Key Concept

Custom non-commutative binary operators and function evaluation

Estimated Time:2m 0s

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