Challenge Problem Showdown – March 11, 2013

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challenge problem
We invite you to test your GMAT knowledge for a chance to win! Each week, we will post a new Challenge Problem for you to attempt. If you submit the correct answer, you will be entered into that week’s drawing for a free Manhattan GMAT Prep item. Tell your friends to get out their scrap paper and start solving!
Here is this week’s problem:

In the expression b, the $ symbol represents one of the following arithmetic operations on a and b (in the order the variables are shown): addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Given that it is not true that a $ b = b $ a for all possible values of a and b, a pair of nonzero, non-identical values for a and b is chosen such that a $ b produces the same result, no matter which of the operations (under the given constraints) that $ represents. The nonzero value of b that cannot be chosen, no matter the value of a, is

GMAT Challenge Problem
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The weekly winner, drawn from among all the correct submissions, will receive One Year of Access to our Challenge Problem Archive, AND the GMAT Navigator, AND Our Six Computer Adaptive Tests ($92 value).