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How to Tackle Functions on the GMAT

Functions.

The word itself strikes terror into the heart of many GMAT takers.

In the dark corners of GMAT prep lurk a few little things that may or may not be covered in secondary (high school) education. These include functions, counting problems (permutations and combinations / combinatorics), and a lot of basic number theory (Properties of Numbers).

While there is a lot to say about each of these classes, I can assure you that functions are actually very simple!

Check out this video for more information on how to solve a very basic type of functions question:

They are nothing more than a different way to say “substitute something for x.” Bearing that in mind, let’s look at some more difficult functions questions.

So what are you going to do the next time you see a functions question? Turn and run, or tackle it by substituting?

You know the answer to that–now go and do it!

If you need any extra help, contact a GMAT coach today!

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Rowan Hand

Head Coach Rowan Hand has been a GMAT tutor, writer, and editor of GMAT materials since 2005. Rowan has coached hundreds of clients in private and group classes and is the author of three #1 Amazon bestsellers in the GMAT category. Former clients have gone on to INSEAD, LBS, Columbia, Harvard, Wharton, Kellogg, and other excellent business schools.

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