Undefined Denominator - Foundations of Math

[GMAT143]

Pg. 150 of Foundations of GMAT Math states, "If a problem contains the fraction (3x^2 + y) / (2y^2 - z), then we know that 2y^2 - z cannot equal zero".

Does the GMAT ever try to trick you with undefined denominators? Or will it always explicitly tell us that the denominator is not equal to 0?

[tim]

If *they* give you a fraction, it is a guarantee that the denominator is not 0. If *you* create a fraction by dividing something, it's up to you to make sure what you're dividing by isn't 0.

[RonPurewal]

Does the GMAT ever try to trick you with undefined denominators?

this exam never "tries to trick you" with anything.

• you don't have to worry about undefined expressions (unless that's the whole point, e.g., "For which of the following values is the expression not defined?").

• you don't have to worry about "strange" cases. (e.g., you won't have to worry about the remainder when you divide a number by a bigger number; you won't have to worry about whether zero or -2 is even; you don't have to know whether 1 is considered prime; etc.)

this lack of tricks is among the principal requirements for the gmat to be considered a fair test, so you can absolutely count on it.

[RonPurewal]

... and, even were the test writers to create a "trick question" inadvertently, that question would be eliminated during the experimental stage (i.e., before it ever got the chance to count toward anyone's score).