Distance/Speed/Time' Word Problems Made Easy

NOTE: Incase you are not familiar with translating word problems into equations please go through this post
first : word-problems-made-easy-87346.html

What is a ‘D/S/T’ Word Problem?

1) Usually involve something/someone moving at a constant or average speed.

2) Out of the three quantities (speed/distance/time), we are required to find one.
3) Information regarding the other two will be provided in the question stem.

The ‘D/S/T’ Formula : Distance = Speed x Time

I’m sure most of you are already familiar with the above formula (or some variant of it). But how many of you truly
understand what it signifies? 

When you see a ‘D/S/T’ question, do you blindly start plugging values into the formula without really understanding
the logic behind it? If then answer to that question is yes, then you would probably have noticed that your accuracy
isn’t quite where you’d want it to be. 

My advice here, as usual, is to make sure you understand the concept behind the formula rather than just using it
blindly.
So what’s the concept? Lets find out!

The ‘D/S/T’ Concept

1) The d = s*t formula is just a way of saying that the distance you travel depends on the speed you go for any
length of time. 
If you travel at 50 mph for one hour, then you would have traveled 50 miles. If you travel for 2 hours at that speed,
you would have traveled 100 miles. 3 hours would be 150 miles, etc.

If you were to double the speed, then you would have traveled 100 miles in the first hour and 200 miles at the end of
the second hour.

2) We can figure out any one of the components by knowing the other two. 
For example, if you have to travel a distance of 100 miles, but can only go at a speed of 50mph, then you know that
it will take you 2 hours to get there. Similarly, if a friend visits you from 100 miles away and tells you that it took him
4 hours to reach, you will know that he AVERAGED 25mph. Right?

3) All calculations depend on AVERAGE SPEED.

Supposing your friend told you that he was stuck in traffic along the way and that he traveled at 50mph whenever he
could move. Therefore, although practically he never really traveled at 25mph, you can see how the standstills due to
traffic caused his average to reduce. Now, if you think about it, from the information given, you can actually tell how
long he was driving and how long he was stuck due to traffic (assuming; what is false but what they never worry
about in these problems; that he was either traveling at 50mph or 0mph). If he was traveling constantly at 50mph,
he should have reached in 2 hours. However, since he took 4 hours, he must have spent the other 2 hours stuck in
traffic! 

4) Now lets see how we can represent this using the formula.
We know that the total distance is 100 miles and that the total time is 4 hours. BUT, his rates were different AND
they were different at different times. However, can you see that no matter how many different rates he drove for
various different time periods, his TOTAL distance depended simply on the SUM of each of the different distances
he drove during each time period? 

E.g., if you drive a half hour at 60 mph, you will cover 30 miles. Then if you speed up to 80 mph for another half hour,
you will cover 40 miles, and then if you slow down to 30 mph, you will only cover 15 miles in the next half hour. But
if you drove like this, you would have covered a total of 85 miles (30 + 40 + 15). It is fairly easy to see this looking at it
this way, but it is more difficult to see it if we scramble it up and leave out one of the amounts and you have to figure
it out going "backwards". That is what word problems do.

Further, what makes them difficult is that the components they give you, or ask you to find can involve variable
distances, variable times, variable speeds, or any two or three of these. How you "reassemble" all this in order to use
the d = s*t formula takes some reflection that is "outside" of the formula itself. You have to think about how to use
the formula.

So the trick is to be able to understand EXACTLY what they are giving you and EXACTLY what it is that is missing, but
you do that from thinking, not from the formula, because the formula only works for the COMPONENTS of any trip
where you are going an average speed for a certain amount of time. ONCE the conditions deal with different
speeds or different times, you have to look at each of those components and how they go together. And that can be
very difficult if you are not methodical in how you think about the components and how they go together. The
formula doesn't tell you which components you need to look at and how they go together. For that, you need to
think, and the thinking is not always as easy or straightforward as it seems like it ought to be.

In the case of your friend above, if we call the time he spent driving 50 mph, T1; then the time he spent standing still
is (4 - T1) hours, since the whole trip took 4 hours. So we have 100 miles = (50 mph x T1) + (0 mph x [4 - T1])
which is equivalent then to: 100 miles = 50 mph x T1

So T1 will equal 2 hours. And, since the time he spent going zero is (4 - 2), it also turns out to be 2 hours.

5) Sometimes the right answers will seem counter-intuitive, so it is really important to think about the
components methodically and systematically. 

There is a famous trick problem: To qualify for a race, you need to average 60 mph driving two laps around a 1 mile
long track. You have some sort of engine difficulty the first lap so that you only average 30 mph during that lap; how
fast do you have to drive the second lap to average 60 for both of them? 

I will go through THIS problem with you because, since it is SO tricky, it will illustrate a way of looking at almost all
the kinds of things you have to think about when working any of these kinds of problems FOR THE FIRST TIME (i.e.,
before you can do them mechanically because you recognize the TYPE of problem it is). Intuitively it would seem you
need to drive 90, but this turns out to be wrong for reasons I will give in a minute. 

The answer is that NO MATTER HOW FAST you do the second lap, you can't make it. And this SEEMS really odd and
that it can't possibly be right, but it is. The reason is that in order to average at least 60 mph over two one-mile laps,
since 60 mph is one mile per minute, you will need to do the whole two miles in two minutes or less. But if you drove
the first mile at only 30, you used up the whole two minutes just doing IT. So you have run out of time to qualify.

To see this with the d = s*t formula, you need to look at the overall trip and break it into components, and that is
the hardest part of doing this (these) problem(s), because (often) the components are difficult to figure out, and
because it is hard to see which ones you need to put together in which way. 
In the next section we will learn how to do just that.

Resolving the Components

1) When you first start out with these problems, the best way to approach them is by organizing the data in a
tabular form. Use a separate column each for distance, speed and time and a separate row for the different
components involved (2 parts of a journey, different moving objects, etc.). The last row should represent total
distance, total time and average speed for these values (although there might be no need to calculate these values if
the question does not require them).
Attachment:

2) Assign a variable for any unknown quantity. If there is more than one unknown quantity, do not blindly assign
another variable to it. Look for ways in which you can express that quantity in terms of the quantities already
present. Assign another variable to it only if this is not possible.

3) In each row, the quantities of distance, speed and time will always satisfy d = s*t.
4) The distance and time column can be added to give you the values of total distance and total time but you
CANNOT add the speeds. Think about it: If you drive 20 mph on one street, and 40 mph on another street, does that
mean you averaged 60 mph?
5) Once the table is ready, form the equations and solve for what has been asked!

Warning: Make sure that the units for time and distance agree with the units for the rate. For instance, if they give
you a rate of feet per second, then your time must be in seconds and your distance must be in feet. Sometimes
they try to trick you by using the wrong units, and you have to catch this and convert to the correct units.

A Few More Points to Note

1) Motion in Same Direction (Overtaking) : The first thing that should strike you here is that at the time of
overtaking, the distances traveled by both will be the same.

2) Motion in Opposite Direction (Meeting) : The first thing that should strike you here is that if they start at the
same time (which they usually do), then at the point at which they meet, the time will be the same. In addition, the
total distance traveled by the two objects under consideration will be equal to the sum of their individual distances
traveled.
3) Round Trip : The key thing here is that the distance going and coming back is the same.
Now that we know the concept in theory, let us see how it works practically, with the help of a few examples.
Note for tables : All values in black have been given in the question stem. All values in blue have been calculated.

Example 1.
To qualify for a race, you need to average 60 mph driving two laps around a 1-mile long track. You have some sort of
engine difficulty the first lap so that you only average 30 mph during that lap; how fast do you have to drive the
second lap to average 60 for both of them?

Solution 1.
Let us first start with a problem that has already been introduced. You will see that by clearly listing out the given
data in tabular form, we eliminate any scope for confusion.
Attachment:

Calculations : 
In the first row, we are given the distance and the speed. Thus it is possible to calculate the time.

Time(1) = Distance(1)/Speed(1) = 1/30

In the second row, we are given just the distance. Since we have to calculate speed, let us give it a variable 'x'. Now,
by using the 'D/S/T' relationship, time can also be expressed in terms of 'x'.

Time(2) = Distance(2)/Speed(2) = 1/x

In the third row, we know that the total distance is 2 miles (by taking the sum of the distances in row 1 and 2) and
that the average speed should be 60 mph. Thus we can calculate the total time that the two laps should take.

Time(3) = Distance(3)/Speed(3) = 2/60 = 1/30

Now, we know that the total time should be the sum of the times in row 1 and 2. Thus we can form the following
equation :

Time(3) = Time(1) + Time(2) ---> 1/30 = 1/30 + 1/x

From this, it becomes clear that '1/x' must be 0. 

Since 'x' is the reciprocal of 0, which does not exist, there can be no speed for which the average can be made up
in the second lap.
Example 2.
An executive drove from home at an average speed of 30 mph to an airport where a helicopter was waiting. The
executive boarded the helicopter and flew to the corporate offices at an average speed of 60 mph. The entire
distance was 150 miles; the entire trip took three hours. Find the distance from the airport to the corporate offices.

Solution 2.
Let us see what the table looks like.

Calculations :
Since we have been asked to find the distance from the airport to the corporate office (that is the distance he spent
flying), let us assign that specific value as 'x'. 
Thus, the distance he spent driving will be '150 - x'
Now, in the first row, we have the distance in terms of 'x' and we have been given the speed. Thus we can calculate
the time he spent driving in terms of 'x'.

Time(1) = Distance(1)/Speed(1) = (150 - x)/30

Similarly, in the second row, we again have the distance in terms of 'x' and we have been given the speed. Thus we
can calculate the time he spent flying in terms of 'x'.

Time(2) = Distance(2)/Speed(2) = x/60

Now, notice that we have both the times in terms of 'x'. Also, we know the total time for the trip. Thus, summing the
individual times spent driving and flying and equating it to the total time, we can solve for 'x'.

Time(1) + Time(2) = Time(3) --> (150 - x)/30 + x/60 = 3 --> x = 120 miles
Answer : 120 miles

Note : In this problem, we did not calculate average speed for row 3 since we did not need it. Remember not to
waste time in useless calculations!

Example 3.
A passenger train leaves the train depot 2 hours after a freight train left the same depot. The freight train is traveling
20 mph slower than the passenger train. Find the speed of the passenger train, if it overtakes the freight train in
three hours.

Solution 3.
Let us look at the tabular representation of the data :

Calculations :
Since this is an 'overtaking' problem, the first thing that should strike us is that the distance traveled by both trains is
the same at the time of overtaking.

Next we see that we have been asked to find the speed of the passenger train at the time of overtaking. So let us
represent it by 'x'. 

Also, we are given that the freight train is 20 mph slower than the passenger train. Hence its speed in terms of 'x'
can be written as 'x - 20'.

Moving on to the time, we are told that it has taken the passenger train 3 hours to reach the freight train. This
means that the passenger train has been traveling for 3 hours.

We are also given that the passenger train left 2 hours after the freight train. This means that the freight train has
been traveling for 3 + 2 = 5 hours.

Now that we have all the data in place, we need to form an equation that will help us solve for 'x'. Since we know
that the distances are equal, let us see how we can use this to our advantage.

From the first row, we can form the following equation :

Distance(1) = Speed(1) * Time(1) = x*3
From the second row, we can form the following equation :
Distance(2) = Speed(2) * Time(2) = (x - 20)*5
Now, equating the distances because they are equal we get the following equation :

3*x = 5*(x - 20) --> x = 50 mph.

Answer : 50 mph.

Example 4.
Two cyclists start at the same time from opposite ends of a course that is 45 miles long. One cyclist is riding at 14
mph and the second cyclist is riding at 16 mph. How long after they begin will they meet?

Solution 4.
Let us see what the tabular representation look likes :

Calculations :
Since this is a 'meeting' problem, there are two things that should strike you. First, since they are starting at the
same time, when they meet, the time for which both will have been cycling will be the same. Second, the total
distance traveled by the will be equal to the sum of their individual distances.

Since we are asked to find the time, let us assign it as a variable 't'. (which is same for both cyclists)

In the first row, we know the speed and we have the time in terms of 't'. Thus we can get the following equation :

Distance(1) = Speed(1) * Time(1) = 14*t

In the second row, we know the speed and again we have the time in terms of 't'. Thus we can get the following
equation :

Distance(2) = Speed(2) * Time(2) = 16*t

Now we know that the total distance traveled is 45 miles and it is equal to the sum of the two distances. Thus we get
the following equation to solve for 't' :

Distance(3) = Distance(1) + Distance(2) --> 45 = 14*t + 16*t --> t = 1.5 hours

Answer : 1.5 hours.

Example 5.
A boat travels for three hours with a current of 3 mph and then returns the same distance against the current in four
hours. What is the boat's speed in calm water?

Solution 5.
Let us see what the tabular representation looks like :

Calculations : 
Since this is a question on round trip, the first thing that should strike us is that the distance going and coming back
will be the same.

Now, we are required to find out the boats speed in calm water. So let us assume it to be 'b'. Now if speed of the
current is 3 mph, then the speed of the boat while going downstream and upstream will be 'b + 3' and 'b - 3'
respectively.

In the first row, we have the speed of the boat in terms of 'b' and we are given the time. Thus we can get the
following equation :

Distance(1) = Speed(1) * Time(1) = (b + 3)*3

In the second row, we again have the speed in terms of 'b' and we are given the time. Thus we can get the following
equation :
Distance(2) = Speed(2) * Time(2) = (b - 3)*4
Since the two distances are equal, we can equate them and solve for 'b'.
Distance(1) = Distance(2) --> (b + 3)*3 = (b - 3)*4 --> b = 21 mph.
Answer : 21 mph.
--------------------

I will clear your doubt but first let me give you some unsolicited 'gyan'. 
When dealing with formulas, remember two things:
1. Do not learn up formulas without knowing the assumptions made to derive them. 
2. Make sure you understand how they are derived and the starting point.

Average speed is always Total Distance/Total Time.

1. The formula 2ab/(a+b) assumes that the distance traveled at speed a is the same as the distance traveled at speed
b. Say distance traveled in each case is 1 km.
2. Derivation:
Average Speed = Total Distance/Total Time = (1+1)/(1/a + 1/b) = 2ab/(a+b)
So in case you have three speeds a, b and c, you know how to get the average speed in that case too.

Coming to this question, the formula is not used here because it doesn't say that the distance traveled at the two
speeds is the same.
Average Speed = Total distance/Total Time = 150/3 = 50 km/hr

Now there are two ways to handle it:

1. Weighted averages
2. Using algebra

Weighted Averages Method:

This now becomes a weighted average problem since you have two speeds and their average is known. The weights
will be the time for which the speeds were maintained.
w1/w2 = (60 - 50)/(50 - 30) = 1:2
So plane travel lasted 2 hrs and car travel lasted 1 hr.
Distance traveled by plane = 2*60 = 120 km

Algebra Method:
Let time for which he traveled by plane is t hrs.
50 = (t*60 + (3-t)*30)/3
150 = 60t - 30t + 90
t = 2 hrs
So plane travel lasted 2 hrs.
Distance traveled by plane = 2*60 = 120 km
Today, I will delve into one of the most important topics (ubiquitous application) that are tested on GMAT. It is also
one of the topics that will appear time and again during MBA e.g. in Corporate finance, you might be taught how to
find ‘Weighted Average Cost of Capital’. So it will be highly beneficial if you have a feel for weighted average
concepts.

The first question is – What is Weighted Average? Let me explain with an example.

A boy’s age is 17 years and a girl’s age is 20 years. What is their average age?

Simple enough, isn’t it? Average age = (17 + 20)/2 = 18.5

It is the number that lies in the middle of 17 and 20. (Another method of arriving at this number would be to find the
difference between them, 3, and divide it into 2 equal parts, 1.5 each. Now add 1.5 to the smaller number, 17, to get
the average age of 18.5 years. Or subtract 1.5 from the greater number, 20, to get the average age of 18.5 years. But
I digress. I will take averages later since it is just a special case of weighted averages.)

Now let me change the question a little.

There are 10 boys and 20 girls in a group. Average age of boys is 17 years and average age of girls is 20 years. What is
the average age of the group?

Many people will be able to arrive at the following:

Average Age = (17*10 + 20*20)/(10 + 20) = 19 years

Average age will be total number of years in the age of everyone in the group divided by total number of people in
the group. Since the average age of boys is 17, so total number of years in the 10 boys’ ages is 17*10. Since the
average age of girls is 20, the total number of years in the 20 girls’ ages is 20*20. The total number of boys and girls
is 10 + 20. Hence you use the expression given above to find the average age. I hope we are good up till now.

To establish a general formula, let me restate this question using variables and then we will just plug in the variables
in place of the actual numbers above (Yes, it is opposite of what you would normally do when you have the formula
and you plug in numbers. Our aim here is to deduce a generic formula from a specific example because the
calculation above is intuitive to many of you but the formula is a little intimidating.)

There are w1 boys and w2 girls in a group. Average age of boys is A1 years and average age of girls is A2 years. What
is the average age of the group?

Average Age = (A1*w1 + A2*w2)/(w1 + w2)

This is weighted average. Here we are not finding the average age of 1 boy and 1 girl. Instead we are finding the
average age of 10 boys and 20 girls so their average age will not be 18.5 years. Boys have been given less weightage
in the calculation of average because there are only 10 boys as compared to 20 girls. So the average has been found
after accounting for the weightage (or ‘importance’ in regular English) given to boys and girls depending on how
many boys and how many girls there are. Notice that the weighted average is 19 years which is closer to the average
age of girls than to the average age of boys. This is because there are more girls so they ‘pull’ the average towards
their own age i.e. 20 years.

Now that you know what weighted average is and also that you always knew the weighted average formula
intuitively, let’s move on to making things easier for you (Tougher, you say? Actually, once people know the scale
method that I am going to discuss right now (It has been discussed in our Statistics and Problem Solving book too),
they just love it!)

So, Average Age, Aavg = (A1*w1 + A2+w2)/(w1 + w2)

Now if we re-arrange this formula, we get, w1/w2 = (A2 – Aavg)/(Aavg – A1)

So we have got the ratio of weights w1 and w2 (the number of boys and the number of girls). How does it help us?
Knowing this ratio, we can directly get the answer. Another example will make this clear.

John pays 30% tax and Ingrid pays 40% tax. Their combined tax rate is 37%. If John’s gross salary is $54000, what is
Ingrid’s gross salary?

Here, we have the tax rate of John and Ingrid and their average tax rate. A1 = 30%, A2 = 40% and Aavg = 37%. The
weights are their gross salaries – $54,000 for John and w2 for Ingrid. From here on, there are two ways to find the
answer. Either plug in the values in the formula above or use the scale method. We will take a look at both.

1. Plug in the formula

w1/w2 = (A2 – Aavg)/(Aavg – A1) = (40 – 37)/(37 – 30) = 3/7

Since A1 is John’s tax rate and A2 is Ingrid’s tax rate, w1 is John’s salary and w2 is Ingrid’s salary

w1/w2 = John’s Salary/Ingrid’s Salary = 3/7 = 54,000/Ingrid’s Salary

So Ingrid’s Salary = $126,000

It should be obvious that either John or Ingrid could be A1 (and the other would be A2). For ease, it a good idea to
denote the larger number as A2 and the smaller as A1 (even if you do the other way around, you will still get the
same answer)

2. Scale Method

On the number line, put the smaller number on the left side and the greater number on the right side (since it is
intuitive that way). Put the average in the middle.

The distance between 30 and 37 is 7 and the distance between 37 and 40 is 3 so w1:w2 = 3:7 (As seen by the
formula, the ratio is flipped).

Since w1 = 54,000, w2 will be 126,000

So Ingrid’s salary is $126,000.

This method is especially useful when you have the average and need to find the ratio of weights. Check out next
week’s post for some 700 level examples of weighted average.

A man cycling along the road noticed that every 12 minutes a bus overtakes him and every 4 minutes he meets an
oncoming bus. If all buses and the cyclist move at a constant speed, what is the time interval between consecutive
buses?

5 minutes
6 minutes
8 minutes
9 minutes
10 minutes

Let's say the distance between the buses is  . We want to determine  , where   is the speed of bus.
Let the speed of cyclist be  .

Every 12 minutes a bus overtakes cyclist:  ,  ;

Every 4 minutes cyclist meets an oncoming bus:  ,  ;

, -->  , -->  .

Answer: B (6 minutes).

Because in weighted average formula, the weights (w1 and w2) will be the time traveled, not the distance traveled. 

Average Speed = Total Distance/Total Time

Average Speed = (Speed1*Time1 + Speed2*Time2)/(Time1 + Time2) (This is your weighted average formula)

What you are doing above is Average Speed = (Speed1*Distance1 + Speed2*Distance2)/(Distance1 + Distance2)
which is incorrect.

A certain car traveled twice as many miles from Town A to Town B as it did from Town B to Town C. From Town A to
Town B, the car averaged 12 miles per gallon, and from Town B to Town C, the car averaged 18 miles per gallon.
What are the average miles per gallon that the car achieved on its trip from Town A through Town B to Town C?

A. 13
B. 13.5
C. 14
D. 14.5
E. 15

If the concept you do not understand is why (12*2 + 18*1)/3 doesn't work, here you go:

'Distances traveled' (i.e. ratio of 2:1) cannot be the weights here to find the average mileage. The weights have to be
'number of gallons'.

If we change the question and make it:

A certain car used twice as many gallons from Town A to Town B as it did from Town B to Town C. From Town A to
Town B, the car averaged 12 miles per gallon, and from Town B to Town C, the car averaged 18 miles per gallon.
What is the average miles per gallon that the car achieved on its trip from Town A through Town B to Town C?

Now you can use (12*2 + 18 *1)/3

Why?
Whenever you are confused what the weights should be (e.g. here should the weights be the distance traveled or
should they be gallons of fuel used...), look at the units.

Average required is  . So you are trying to find the weighted average of two quantities whose units must

be  . 
So   and   should be in gallon to get:

Only if weights are in gallons, do we get 'Total miles' in the numerator and 'Total gallons' in the denominator.

We know that Average miles/gallon = Total miles/Total gallons

Takeaway: The weights have to be the denominator units of the average.

So what do we do in this question?

What is the distance travelled (i.e.total miles)? 

"traveled twice as many miles from Town A to Town B as it did from Town B to Town C"
We know that the ratio of the two distances must be 2:1 or we can say the distances must be 2d and d. Total
distance must be (2d + d)

What is the total gallons used?

Fuel used to go from A to B = 2d/12
Fuel used to go from B to C = d/18

So Average miles/gallon = (2d + d)/(2d/12 + d/18)

You need to know what the weights are going to be. Here, weights have to be the amount of fuel used i.e. in gallons
because you are looking for average miles per gallon.

Distance A to B: 36 miles (2x) --> 3 gallons

Distance B to C: 18 miles (x) --> 1 gallon

Average:   = 13.5

Average miles per gallon equals to total miles covered/total gallons used (miles/gallons), so if the distance from A to
B is   miles and from B to C is   miles then we'll have:

Susie can buy apples from two stores: a supermarket that sells apples only in bundles of 4, and a convenience store
that sells single, unbundled apples. If Susie wants to ensure that the total number of apples she buys is a multiple of
5, what is the minimum number of apples she must buy from the convenience store?

A. 0
B. 1
C. 2
D. 3
E. 4

 in any case answer must be zero. If she buys apples ONLY in conv. store 0 is the multiple of 5.
If she'll buy also in supermarket well any number can be BUT minimum is 0, she can buy 5 bundles there.

Look at it this way: I want to ensure that I have 3 chocolate bars. store A only sells 2 at a time so I need to buy 1 from
store B so that I can end up with 3 chocolate bars.
It just means that this is what I must do/need to do/must ensure so that I can make it a possibility. Don't worry too
much about it.
And it seems the question is simply testing whether you understand that 0 is the smallest non negative multiple of 5.
If you buy 0 apples, you buy none from anywhere! It would have been different if it was given that she must buy
some apples.

It takes the high-speed train x hours to travel the z miles from Town A to Town B at a constant rate, while it takes the
regular train y hours to travel the same distance at a constant rate. If the high-speed train leaves Town A for Town B
at the same time that the regular train leaves Town B for Town A, how many more miles will the high-speed train
have traveled than the regular train when the two trains pass each other?

(A) z(y – x)/x + y

(B) z(x – y)/x + y
(C) z(x + y)/y – x
(D) xy(x – y)/x + y
(E) xy(y – x)/x + y

It takes the high-speed train x hours to travel the z miles --> rate of high-speed train

is  ;
It takes the regular train y hours to travel the same distance --> rate of regular train

is  ;

Time in which they meet is  .

Difference in distances covered: {Time}*{Rate of high-speed train} - {Time}{Rate of regular train}

-->  .
Answer: A.

You could spot that answer B can not be the correct choice as it's negative (numerator x-y<0) (high speed train needs
less time to cover the distance than regular train, so x<y) but the difference in distances can not be negative as high
speed train would cover greater distance than regular train when they meet (for exact same reason choice D can be
eliminated as well).

You can also use ratios here.

Ratio of time taken by high speed:regular = x:y
Ratio of distance covered in same time by high speed:regular = y:x (inverse of ratio of speed)
So distance covered by high speed train will be y/(x+y) * z
and distance covered by regular train will be x(x+y) * z
High speed train will travel yz/(x+y) - xz/(x+y) = z(y-x)/(x+y) more than regular train.

As a bicycle salesperson, Norman earns a fixed salary of $20 per week plus $6 per bicycle for the first 6 bicycles he
sells, $12 per bicycle for the next 6 bicycles he sells, and $18 per bicycle for every bicycle sold after first 12. This
week, he earned more than twice as much as he did last week. If he sold x bicycles last week and y bicycles this
week, which of the following statements must be true?

I. y>2x
II. y>x
III. y>3

A. I only 
B. II only
C. I and II
D. II and III
E. I, II, III

II and III are obviously always true:

II. y>x --> since this week, Norman earned more than he did last week and the total salary is in direct relationship
with the # of bicycle sold, then y (# of bicycle sold this week) must be more than x (# of bicycle sold last week);
III. y>3 --> if Norman sold 3 bicycles this week then this week he earned 20+3*6=$38, which cannot be more than
twice as much as he earned the last week, since the minimum salary is fixed to $20. So y must be more than 3;
I. y>2x --> if y=12 and x= 6 then this week Norman earned 20+6*6+6*12=$128, and the last week he earned
20+6*6=$56. $128 is more than twice as much as $56, so the condition in the stem holds but y=2x, which means that
III is not always true.

Answer: D.
This problem is a rare example of a question which provides redundant information: we CAN solve the question
without knowing that the ratio of boys to girls in the combined class is 17 to 22.

The ratio of boys to girls in Class A is 3 to 4. The ratio of boys to girls in Class B is 4 to 5. If the two classes were
combined, the ratio of boys to girls in the combined class would be 17 to 22. If Class A has one more boy and two
more girls than class B, how many girls are in Class A? 
A. 8
B. 9 
C. 10 
D. 11 
E. 12
The ration of boys to girls in Class A is 3 to 4: # of boys is 3x and # of girls is 4x, for some positive integer multiple x;
The ration of boys to girls in Class B is 4 to 5: # of boys is 4y and # of girls is 5y, for some positive integer multiple y;

Class A has one more boy and two more girls than class B: 3x=4y+1 and 4x=5y+2. Now, we have the system of two
distinct linear equations with two unknowns, which mean that we can solve it. Solving for x we get x=3. Since # of
girls in Class A is 4x there are 4*3=12 girls.

Answer: E.
So, as you can see you've done everything right, you just should have solved the system of equations rather than
applying some kind of substitution.

Let for Class A boys = x and girls = y

then for class B boys = x-1 and girls = y-1

x/y = 3/4 and (x-1)/(y-2) = 4/5

put the value of x in second equation we get y =12

another way.. since x = 3/4 * y that means y must be multiple of 4 ( because x must be an integer)
so the only possibilities are 8 and 12...for y = 8 and 12 we get x as 6 and 9
substitute in 2nd equation to satisfy..... (x-1)/(y-2) = (6-1)/(8-2) is not equal to 4/5 thus ans is 12.

Of the 84 parents who attended a meeting at a school, 35 volunteered to supervise children during the school picnic
and 11 volunteered both to supervise children during the picnic and to bring refreshments to the picnic.If the
number of parents who volunteered to bring refreshments was 1.5 times the number of parents who neither
volunteered to supervise children during the picnic nor volunteered to bring refreshments, how many of the parents
volunteered to bring refreshments?

A) 25
B) 36
C) 38
D) 42
E) 45

Because parents who supervise (1.5x) consist of the parent who supervise AND bring refreshments (11) and of the
parents who supervise but DO NOT bring refreshments (1.5x-11). So if we subtract 11 (the parent who supervise AND
bring refreshments) we'll get the parents who supervise but DO NOT bring refreshments and no the total parents
who supervise.

Generally: {Total}={Supervise}+{Refreshments}-{Both}+{Neither} (notice that we subtract {Both} since it's already

included twice: once in {Supervise} and once in {Refreshments});

Given: 84=35+1.5x-11+x --> x=24 --> 1.5x=36.

Answer: B.
Below matrix might help to understand the question better:

Attachment:

Parents.PNG [ 5.62 KiB | Viewed 414 times ] 

Notice that numbers in black are given and in red are calculated. We need the value of yellow box: 1.5x+(24+x)=84
--> x=24 --> 1.5x=36.

Answer: B.

It takes Jack 2 more hours than Tom to type 20 pages. If working together, Jack and Tom can type 25 pages in 3
hours, how long will it take Jack to type 40 pages?

5
6
8
10
12
Let the time needed for Jack to type 20 pages by   hours, then for Tom it would be   hours. So the rate of Jack

is   pages per hour and the rate of Tom   pages per hour.

Their combined rate would be   pages per hour and this equal to   pages per hour -->   --

>  . At this point we can either try to substitute the values from the answer choices or solve
quadratic equation. Remember as we are asked to find time needed for Jack to type   pages, then the answer
would be   (as  is the time needed to type   pages). Answer E works:   -->   --

>  .
Answer: E.

You can solve equations like the one given below using some logic. Even if you do not have options, you can still get
your answer very easily. You don't really need to make a quadratic.

Look at the right hand side of the equation. The fraction is in the lowest form. So you looking for a 3 somewhere in
the denominator. Also note that 25/3 is a little more than 8. 
Can 't' be 3? No, because 20/3 + 20/5 is a little more than 10.
Can 't+2' be 3? No, because then t = 1 and the sum on the left hand side will be more than 20.
Can 't+2' be 6 instead? 20/4 + 20/6 = 25/3
So t must be 4 and t+2 must be 6.

A certain music store stocks 800 cellos and 600 violas. Of these instruments, there are 90 cello-viola pairs, such that
a cello and a viola were both made with wood from the same tree (each tree can make at most one viola and one
cello, so there are no pairs other than these 90). If one viola and one cello are chosen at random, what is the
probability that the two instruments are made with wood from the same tree?

[A] 3/16,000
[B] 1/8,100
[C] 3/1,600
[D] 1/90
[E] 2/45

I'd say that first you pick one of the ninety cellos which are made from wood (probability: 90/800). Afterwards you
pick the fitting viola (probability 1/600). By multiplying (90/800) with (1/600) you get (3/1,600). Thus, solution c is
correct.

A certain junior class has 1,000 students and a certain senior class has 800 students. Among these students, there
are 60 siblings pairs , each consisting of 1 junior and 1 senior. If i student is to be selected at random from each class,
what is the probability that the 2 students selected at will be a sibling pair?

A. 3/40,000
B. 1/3,600
C. 9/2,000
D. 1/60
E. 1/15
There are 60 siblings in junior class and 60 their pair siblings in the senior class. We want to determine probability of
choosing one sibling from junior class and its pair from senior.

What is the probability of choosing ANY sibling from junior class?   (as there are 60 of them).

What is the probability of choosing PAIR OF CHOSEN SIBLING in senior class? As in senior class there is only one pair

of chosen sibling it would be   (as there is only one sibling pair of chosen one).

So the probability of that the 2 students selected will be a sibling pair is: 

Answer: A.
This problem can be solved in another way:

In how many ways we can choose 1 person from 1000:  ;

In how many ways we can choose 1 person from 800:  ;

So total # of ways of choosing 1 from 1000 and 1 from 800 is   --> this is total # of
outcomes.

Let’s count favorable outcomes: 1 from 60 -  ;

The pair of the one chosen: 

So total # of favorable outcomes is 

.
Answer: A.

Let’s consider another example:

A certain junior class has 1000 students and a certain senior class has 800 students. Among these students, there are
60 siblings of four children, each consisting of 2 junior and 2 senior (I’m not sure whether it’s clear, I mean there are
60 brother and sister groups, total 60*4=240, two of each group is in the junior class and two in the senior). If 1
student is to be selected at random from each class, what is the probability that the 2 students selected will be a
sibling pair?

The same way here:

What is the probability of choosing ANY sibling from junior class? 120/1000 (as there are 120 of them).
What is the probability of choosing PAIR OF CHOSEN SIBLING in senior class? As in senior class there is only two pair
of chosen sibling it would be 2/800 (as there is only one sibling pair of chosen one).

So the probability of that the 2 students selected will be a sibling pair is: 120/1000*2/800=3/10000

Another way:
In how many ways we can choose 1 person from 1000=1C1000=1000
In how many ways we can choose 1 person from 800=1C800=800
So total # of ways of choosing 1 from 1000 and 1 from 800=1C1000*1C800=1000*800 --> this is our total # of
outcomes.
Favorable outcomes: 
1 from 120=120C1=120
The pair of the one chosen=1C2=2
So total favorable outcomes=120C1*1C2=240

Probability=Favorable outcomes/Total # of outcomes=240/(1000*800)=3/10000

Sibling pair ( ,  ) is the same pair as ( ,  ) and with your approach you are
counting the probability of selecting each such pair twice. 

Sometimes for probability questions it's easy to check whether your approach is right by simplifying the problem.

Basically you are saying that the probability is twice as high (instead of A.  , you are saying it's  ).

Consider there is 1 sibling pair, 1 in junior class, with total of 3 students and another in senior class, with total of 2
students. If 1 student is to be selected at random from each class, what is the probability that the 2 students
selected at will be a sibling pair?

With my approach the answer would be   (there are 6 pairs possible and there is only 1 sibling pair). To
check whether this answer is correct you can easily list all possible pairs;

With your approach the answer would be:   , which is not correct. Basically with this approach you
are double counting the same pair.

Three for comparison: How do we decide what formula to use? Can someone explain the logic please..
The probability that a visitor at the mall buys a pack of candy is 30%. If three visitors come to the mall today, what is
the probability that exactly two visitors will buy a pack of candy?

* 0.343
* 0.147
* 0.189
* 0.063
* 0.027

How do we decide whether the solution is

3/10* 3/10 * 7/10 = .063
OR
3/10* 3/10 * 7/10 *3 = 0.189
Solution: P(B=2)=3!/2!*0.3^2*0.7=0.189
Answer: C.

The point here is not about to multiply or not by 3, the point is to find # of ways favorable scenario to occur: in our
case we are asked to find the probability of 2 out of 3 visitors to buy the candy.

3 visitors, 2 out of them buy the candy, it can occur in 3 ways: BBN, BNB, NBB --> =3!/2!=3. We are dividing by 2!
because B1 and B2 are identical for us, combinations between them aren’t important. Meaning that favorable
scenario: B1, B2, N and B2, B1, N is the same: two first visitors bought the candy and the third didn’t.

NOTE: P(B=2) is the same probability as the P(N=1), as if exactly two bought, means that exactly one didn’t.
Let’s consider some similar examples:
1. The probability that a visitor at the mall buys a pack of candy is 30%. If three visitors come to the mall today, what
is the probability that exactly one visitors will buy a pack of candy?

The same here favorable scenarios are: NNB, NBN, BNN – total of three. 3!/2! because again two visitors who didn’t
bought the candy are identical for us: N1,N2,B is the same scenario as N2,N1,B – first two visitors didn’t buy the
candy and the third one did.

So, the answer for this case would be: P(N=2)=3!/2!*0.7^2*0.3=0.441

NOTE: P(N=2) is the same probability as the P(B=1), as if exactly two didn’t buy, means that exactly one did.

2. The probability that a visitor at the mall buys a pack of candy is 30%. If three visitors come to the mall today, what
is the probability that at least one visitors will buy a pack of candy?

At least ONE buys, means that buys exactly one OR exactly two OR exactly three: 

P(B>=1)=P(B=1)+P(B=2)+P(B=3)=3!/2!*0.3*0.7^2+3!/2!*0.3^2*0.7+3!/3!*0.3^3=0.441+0.189+0.027=0.657

P(B=1) --> 0.3*0.7^2 (one bought, two didn’t) multiplied by combinations of BNN=3!/2!=3 (Two identical N’s)

P(B=2) --> 0.3^2*0.7 (two bought, one didn’t) multiplied by combinations of BBN=3!/2!=3 (Two identical B’s)

P(B=3) --> 0.3^3 (three bought) multiplied by combinations of BBB=3!/3!=1 (Three identical B’s). Here we have that
only ONE favorable scenario is possible: that three visitors will buy - BBB.

BUT! The above case can be solved much easier: at least 1 visitor buys out of three is the opposite of NONE of three
visitors will buy, B=0: so it’s better to solve it as below:

P(B>=1)=1-P(B=0, the same as N=3)=1-3!/3!*0.7^3=1-0.7^3.

3. The probability that a visitor at the mall buys a pack of candy is 30%. If five visitors come to the mall today, what is
the probability that at exactly two visitors will buy a pack of candy?

P(B=2)=5!/2!3!*0.3^2*0.7^3

We want to count favorable scenarios possible for BBNNN (two bought the candy and three didn’t) --> 2 identical B-s
and 3 identical N-s, total of five visitors --> 5!/2!3!=10 (BBNNN, BNBNN, BNNBN, BNNNB, NBNNB, NNBNB, NNNBB,
NNBBN, NBBNN, NBNBN). And multiply this by the probability of occurring of 2 B-s=0.3^2 and 3 N-s=0.7^3.
Likewise the following question:
Or

0.3*0.3*0.7 is equivalent to saying the the first person picks candy and second person picks candy and third person
doesn't pick candy.

however this is a different case compared to 

0.3*0.7*0.3 is equivalent to saying the the first person picks candy and second person doesn't pick candy and third
person picks candy.
which in turn is a fifferent case compared to
0.7*0.3*0.3 (I'll skip the verbose comments)

Hence the answer is 3*(0.3*0.3*0.7)=0.189

A certain junior class has 1000 students and a certain senior class has 800 students. Among these students, there are
60 sibling pairs, each consisting of 1 junior and 1 senior.If 1 student is to be selected at random from each class, what
is the probability that the 2 students selected will be a sibling pair?

A: 3/40000
B: 1/3600
C: 9/2000
D: 3/20000
E: 1/15

How do we decide whether the solution is

60/1000 * 1/800 = 3/40,000
OR
60/1000 * 1/800 * 2 = 3/20,000
This one is different: there are 60 siblings in junior class and 60 their pair siblings in the senior class. We want to
determine probability of choosing one sibling from junior class and its pair from senior.

What is the probability of choosing ANY sibling from junior class? 60/1000 (as there are 60 of them).

What is the probability of choosing PAIR OF CHOSEN SIBLING in senior class? As in senior class there is only one pair
of chosen sibling it would be 1/800 (as there is only one sibling pair of chosen one).

So the probability of that the 2 students selected will be a sibling pair is: 60/1000*1/800=3/4000
I see no argument of multiplying this by two.
Answer: A.

This problem can be solved in another way and maybe this way shows that no need of multiplication:

In how many ways we can choose 1 person from 1000=1C1000=1000

In how many ways we can choose 1 person from 800=1C800=800
So total # of ways of choosing 1 from 1000 and 1 from 800=1C1000*1C800=1000*800 --> this is our total # of
outcomes.

Let’s count favorable outcomes: 1 from 60=60C1=60

The pair of the one chosen=1C1=1
So total favorable outcomes=60C1*1C1=60

Probability=Favorable outcomes/Total # of outcomes=60/(1000*800)=3/4000

Let’s consider another example:

A certain junior class has 1000 students and a certain senior class has 800 students. Among these students, there are
60 siblings of four children, each consisting of 2 junior and 2 senior (I’m not sure whether it’s clear, I mean there are
60 brother and sister groups, total 60*4=240, two of each group is in the junior class and two in the senior). If 1
student is to be selected at random from each class, what is the probability that the 2 students selected will be a
sibling pair?

The same way here:

What is the probability of choosing ANY sibling from junior class? 120/1000 (as there are 120 of them).
What is the probability of choosing PAIR OF CHOSEN SIBLING in senior class? As in senior class there is only two pair
of chosen sibling it would be 2/800 (as there is only one sibling pair of chosen one).

So the probability of that the 2 students selected will be a sibling pair is: 120/1000*2/800=3/10000

Another way:
In how many ways we can choose 1 person from 1000=1C1000=1000
In how many ways we can choose 1 person from 800=1C800=800
So total # of ways of choosing 1 from 1000 and 1 from 800=1C1000*1C800=1000*800 --> this is our total # of
outcomes.

Favorable outcomes: 
1 from 120=120C1=120
The pair of the one chosen=1C2=2
So total favorable outcomes=120C1*1C2=240

Probability=Favorable outcomes/Total # of outcomes=240/(1000*800)=3/10000

Or

Probability of picking a sibling from the junior class is 60/1000

and Probability of picking the corresponding sibling from the senior class is 1/800.
However in this case if we flip the case we still end up with the same sibling pair since the order is not important.
Hence we don't multiply by 2
Answer is 3/40,000.

Answer to the third question -

We just list the various cases where the sum will be 8

62
26
53
35
44

Total = 5
5 occurs in 2 cases.
hence prob is 2/5.

There are 6 cards numbered from 1 to 6. They are placed into a box, and then one is drawn and put back. Then
another card is drawn and put back. If the sum of the two cards was 8, what is the probability that one of the cards
drawn was a 5?

*1
* 

* 

* 

* 

In this case we know that drawing has already happened and the sum of two cards was 8.

What combinations of two cards are possible to total 8?

(first card, second card)
(6,2) (2,6) (5,3) (3,5) (44) – only 5 possible ways sum to be 8. One from this 5 has already happened. 

From this five, only in two we have 5. So, the probability is 2 chances out of 5 that the one that occurred had 5=2/5.
Answer: D (2/5)

If the problem were: There are 6 cards numbered from 1 to 6. They are placed into a box, and then one is drawn and
put back. Then another card is drawn and put back. What is the probability that one of the cards drawn would be 5
and the sum of two cards would be 8?

What combinations of two cards are possible to total 8 AND one of them to be 5?
(5,3) (3,5) – two favorable outcomes.

Total number of outcomes=6*6=36.

P(one card 5, sum 8)=2/36=1/18

On a race track a maximum of 5 horses can race together at a time. There are a total of 25 horses. There is no way of
timing the races. What is the minimum number of races we need to conduct to get the top 3 fastest horses?

A)5
B)7
C)8
D)10
E)11

I came down to 7. I mean that I can do the task in 7 races.

First 5 races: all horses by five. We'll have the five winners.

Race 6: the winners of previous five races. We'll have the 3 winners.
Now it's obvious that #1 here is the fastest one (gold medal). 
For the silver and bronze we'll have 5 pretenders:
1. #2 from the last sixth race,
2. #3 from the last sixth race, 
3. the second one from the race with the Gold medal winner from the first five races,
4. the third one from the race with the Gold medal winner from the first five races,
5. the second one from the race with the one which took the silver in the sixth race

Race 7: these five horse: first and second in this one will have the silver and bronze among all 25.
Answer B (7).
We want to get the top 3 fastest horses. The trick here is that though the horse #1 from 6th race will be the fastest
one, so gold medal owner but the horse #2 and #3 from this race may not be the second and the third fastest horses
out of 25.

For the silver and bronze we would have 5 pretenders:

1. #2 from the 6th race;
2. #3 from the 6th race; 
3. the second horse from the first round race with the Gold medal winner;
4. the third horse from the first round race with the Gold medal winner;
5. the second horse from the first round race with horse #2 in the 6th.

The trick here is that we should choose the horses for the last race so that each horse to be pretender for either the
Silver or the Bronze medal.

Now, second horse from the first round race with horse #3 in the 6th race could be faster than the second horse
from the first round race with the Gold medal winner, but if it is so could this horse get any medal? It's obviously
slower than horse #3 and also slower that horse #2 (from the last race) so there is no sense to include this horse in
the last race. Similar logic works for other horses.

It takes 6 days for 3 women and 2 men working together to complete a work.3 men would do the same work 5 days
sooner than 9 women.How many times does the output of a man exceed that of a woman?
1] 3 times
2] 4 times
3] 5 times
4] 6 times
5] 7 times

Let one woman complete the job in   days and one man in   days. 

First equation:
It takes 6 days for 3 women and 2 men working together to complete a work:

As the rate of 1 woman is   job/day, then the rate of 3 women will be   job/day. As the rate of 1 man is 

job/day, then the rate of 2 men will be   job/day. Combined rate of 3 women and 2 men in one day will

be:  job/day.

As they do all the job in 6 days then in 1 day they do 1/6 of the job, which is combined rate of 3 women and 2 men

-->  .

Second equation:
3 men would do the same work 5 days sooner than 9 women:

As 1 man needs   days to do the job 3 men will need   days to do the job. As 1 woman needs   days to do the

job 9 women will need   days to do the job. 3 men would do the same work 5 days sooner means that 3 men will

need 5 less days to do the job, hence   is 5 less than   -->  .

Let one woman complete the job in   days and one man in   days. So the rate of 1 woman is   job/day and the

rate of 1 man is   job/day.

It takes 6 days for 3 women and 2 men working together to complete a work --> sum the rates:  .

3 men would do the same work 5 days sooner than 9 women -->  .
Solving:   and  . 

Or

Let 9W take x days to complete a job

9W-> x days
1W-> 9x days

3M-> (x-5) days

1M-> (x-5)3 days

3W and 2M complete a job in 6 days;

3W-> 9x/3=3x days

2M-> (x-5)3/2 days

3W-> 1 day -> 1/(3x) work

2M-> 1 day -> 2/(3x-15) work

Solving;

x=10
x=-1
Negative value not possible.
x=10

1W takes 9x days = 9*10 days = 90 days

1M takes (x-5)3 days = 5*3 = 15 days
M is 6 times faster.

While it isn't especially fast either, you can work backwards from the answers here relatively easily. This might at
least be less confusing for some than a direct (algebraic) approach. Say we get 1 unit of work per woman per day. If
you test, say, answer C, we'd then get 5 units of work per man per day. The job would then require 6(3 + 2*5) = 78
units of work. Notice that, to find how long it will take 9 women to do the job, we'll need to get an integer when we
divide 78 by 9, so C cannot be right. If you move next to D, we have 6 units of work per man per day, and the job
requires 6(3 + 2*6) = 90 units of work. Thus 9 women do the job in 10 days, and 3 men would do the job in 90/(6*3)
= 5 days, so D is correct.

A car travels from point A to point B. The average speed of the car is 60 miles/hr and it travels the first half of the trip
at a speed of 90 mi/hr. What is the speed of the car in the second half of the trip?
A)30
B)45
C)60
D)75
E)90

Avg speed formula = 2XY/(x+Y)

2X*90/x+90 = 60
180X= 60X+5400
120X= 5400
X= 45.
B

Joan took out a mortgage from hel local bank. Each monthly mortgage payment she makes must be triple the
amount of the previous month's payment. If her first payment is $100, and the total amount she must pay back is
$328000, how many months will it take Joan to pay back her mortgage? 
A. 6 
B. 8 
C. 10 
D. 11 
E. 13 
Since her first payment is $100 and all subsequent payments must be three times as many as the payment for the
previous month, then her monthly payments will be:
$100;
$300;
$900;
$2,700;
...
As you can see we have a geometric progression with the first term of 100 and the common ratio of 3. The sum of

the first   terms of geometric progression is given by:  , (where   is the first term,   # of terms

and  is a common ratio  ).

So,   -->   -->  . Now, the unit's digit of 3 in a positive integer

power repeats in pattern of 4: {3, 9, 7, 1}. Since the last digit of   is 1 then   can be 4 (3^4=81), 8, 12, ... only 8 is
present among options.
Answer: B.

Jerry and Jim run a race of 2000 m. First, Jerry gives Jim a start of 200m and beats him by 30 seconds. Next, Jerry
gives Jim a start of 3mins and is beaten by 1000m. Find the time in minutes in which Jerry and Jim can run the race
seperately?

A. 8,10
B. 4,5
C. 5,9
D. 6,9
E. 7,10

Make diagrams in races. They help you understand the question better.
Attachment:

Ques3.jpg [ 6.44 KiB | Viewed 413 times ] 

Jerry gives Jim a head start of 200 m so Jim starts not from the starting point but from 200 m ahead. Jerry still beats
him by 30 sec which means that Jerry completes the race while Jim takes another 30 sec to complete it.
In this race, Jerry covers 2000m. In the same time, Jim covers the distance shown by the red line. Since Jim needs
another 30 sec ( i.e. 1/2 min) to cover the distance, he has not covered the green line distance which is (1/2)*s
where s is the speed of Jim. The distance Jim has actually covered in the same time as Jerry is [1800 - (1/2)*s] shown
by the red line.

Attachment:

Ques4.jpg [ 5.48 KiB | Viewed 413 times ] 

Jerry gives Jim a start of 3 mins means Jim starts running first while Jerry sits at the starting point. After 3 mins, Jerry
starts running too. Now, Jim beats Jerry by 1000 m which means that Jim reaches the end point while Jerry is still
1000 m away from the end.

In this race, Jerry covers a distance of 1000 m only. In that time, Jim covers the distance shown by the red line (the
distance before that was covered by Jim in his first 3 mins). This distance shown by the red line is given by 2000 - 3s
(3s is the distance covered by Jim in 3 minutes)

Now you see that in the first race, Jerry covers 2000m while in the second race, he covers only 1000m. So in the
second race, he must have run for only half the time. Therefore, in half the time, Jim would also have covered half
the previous distance i.e. the second red line will be half the first red line.

First red line = 2*second red line

1800 - (1/2)s = 2*(2000 - 3s) (where s is the speed of Jim in m/min)
s = 400 m/min

Time taken by Jim to run a 2000 m race = 2000/400 = 5 min

Answer (B)

Speed of jerry = x, speed of jim = y

time jim needed to finish 2000= 2000/y
time jerry needed to finish 2000= 2000/x
if jerry gives jim 200 metres. That means when jerry begins race, jim is 200 metres forward him. i.e. jerry runs 2000,
jim runs 1800 
2000/x=1800/y-0,5 ...............(1) (30 seconds=0,5minutes)
if jerry gives 3 minutes, he is beaten by 1000 metres. 
i.e. when jim finishes 2000 metres, jerry only runs 1000 metres but jim runs 3 minutes more.
we know from 1 that, jerry runs 2000 metres 0,5 minutes faster than jim runs 1800 metres. That is jerry runs 1000
metres 0,25 minutes faster than jim runs 900 metres. 
Attention this is tricky point.
Before 0,25 minutes of beginning of jerry, jim passed 1100 metres line. so jim runs 1100 metres in 2,75 minutes.
speed of jim=1100/2,75=400 metres per minute. jim runs 1800 metres in 4,5 minutes. Jerry runs 2000 metres 0,5
minutes faster that is 4 minutes. That makes jerry's speed 500 metres per minute.

Jim runs in 5 minutes, jerry runs in 4 minutes.

3 persons (1 couple and 1 single) are seated at random in a row of 5 chairs. What is the probability that the couple
does not sit together?

A. 5/7 
B. 4/5 
C. 2/5 
D. 3/5 
E. 11/18

Let's find the probability that a couple sits together (right next to each other) and subtract that value from 1.

Total # of ways 3 persons  ,   and   to be seated in a row of 5 seats is  . Consider this, we are
interested in arrangement of  , so in arrangement of 5 letters out of which 2 E's are identical (E
denotes an empty seat);

# of ways for a couple to sit together is  . Consider a couple as a single unit:  , so

we have total of 4 units out of which 2 E's are identical, # of arrangement of these units is  , but  ,   within

their unit can be arranged in 2 ways (  or  ), so total # of arrangement for this case is 
;

Answer: D

1. A set of data consists of the following 5 numbers: 0,2,4,6, and 8. Which two numbers, if added to create a
set of 7 numbers, will result in a new standard deviation that is close to the standard deviation for the
original 5 numbers? 
(A) -1 and 9 
(B) 4 and 4 
(C) 3 and 5 
(D) 2 and 6 
(E) 0 and 8 
Mean is 4 and so are the means of all 5 pairs from answers choices.

A. (-1, 9) These two numbers are farthest from the mean and they will stretch the set making SD bigger
B. (4, 4) These two numbers are closest to the mean and the will shrink the set making SD smaller 
C. (3, 5) Suitable option so far 
 D. (2, 6) Suitable option so far
E. (0, 8) These two numbers are also far from mean and they will also stretch the set making SD bigger.

So, when I looked at the options C and D I assumed that C is also too close to the mean and it will affect it
more than D. So I ended with D and was correct. But still my logic eliminating C was not sure thing, without
the calculations.
Mean = 4
Var = (16+4+0+4+16)/5 = 
After addition of 2 numbers, New Var = 
The question is What x will pitch New Var closest to 8 so that 56/7 = 8 
OR Which of the options will give a value of x that is closest to 16
So from the 5 options find out which (deviation^2) from 4 is closest to 16
Naked eye will tell you that (A), (B) are a long shot.
(C) 1^2 + 1^2 = 2
(D) 2^2 + 2^2 = 8 ==> |16-8| = 8
(E) 4^2 + 4^2 = 32 ==> |16-32| = 16
So option (D) gives an SD that is closest to the original SD.

2. A certain list of 100 data has an average of 6 and standard deviation of d where d is positive. Which of the
following pairs of data, when added to the list must result in a list of 102 data with the standard deviation
less than d?
(A) 0 and 6
(B) 0 and 12
(C) 0 and 0
(D) -6 and 0
(E) 6 and 6
E
3. For a certain examination, a score of 58 was 2 standard deviations below the mean, and a score of 98 was
3 standard deviations above the mean. What was the mean score for the examination? 
(A) 74 
(B) 76 
(C) 78 
(D) 80 
(E) 82
4. Which of the following distribution of numbers has the greatest standard deviation? 
(A) {-3, 1, 2} 
(B) {-2, -1, 1, 2} 
(C) {3, 5, 7} 
(D) {-1, 2, 3, 4} 
(E) {0, 2, 4} 
Look for range and # of elements in the set. 

A set with higher the range and fewer the number of element has the higher SD. i.e. A.
5. Which of the following has the same standard deviation as {s,r,t}?
I. {r-2, s-2, t-2}
II. {0, s-t, s-r}
III. {|r|, |s|, |t|}
(A) I only 
(B) II only 
 (C) III only 
(D) I and II only 
(E) I and III only 
(D) I and II only 

Anything added/deducted to the set elements or the set elements deducted from anything results in no
change in SD.

I. Deduct 2 from each of the elements in set result I. i.e. {r-2, s-2, t-2}
II. Deduct each set elements from s. The new set elements in II i.e. {0, s-t, s-r} result.
III. Taking the absolute value of the set elements is not the same as deducuting or adding the same. This act
would not change the SD if all set elements have the same sign (+ve or -ve).

Suppose s = 5 and r = 6 and t = 7, {|r|, |s|, |t|} and {s, r, t} have same SD.
If s = -5 and r = -6 and t = -7, {|r|, |s|, |t|} and {s, r, t} have same SD.
If s = -5 and r = 6 and t = 7, {|r|, |s|, |t|} and {s, r, t} have different SD.

III is not always a true case.

6. A certain characteristic in a large population has a distribution that is symmetric about the mean m. If
68% of the distribution lies one standard deviation d of the mean, what percent of the distribution is less
than m+d? 
(A) 16% 
(B) 32% 
(C) 48% 
(D) 84% 
(E) 92%
distribution is symmetric about the mean m. 
68 percent of the distribution lies within one standard deviation d of the mean 

so 32 percent of the distribution lie outside that region. add the numbers lessa than M+d and u have the
answer

7. Which of the following data sets has the third largest standard deviation? 
 (A) {1, 2, 3, 4, 5} 
(B) {2, 3, 3, 3, 4} 
(C) {2, 2, 2, 4, 5} 
(D) {0, 2, 3, 4, 6} 
(E) {-1, 1, 3, 5, 7} 
A
8. The table below represents three sets of numbers with their respective medians, means and standard
deviations. The third set, Set [A+B], denotes the set that is formed by combining Set A and Set B. 

Median Mean StandardDeviation 

Set A: X, Y, Z. 
Set B: L, M, N. 
Set [A + B]: Q, R, S. 
If X – Y > 0 and L – M = 0, then which of the following must be true? 
I. Z > N 
II. R > M 
III. Q > R 
(A) I only 
(B) II only 
(C) III only 
(D) I and II only 
(E) None

9. E is a collection of four odd integers and the greatest difference between any two integers in E is 4. The
standard deviation of E must be one of how many numbers?
(A) 3 
(B) 4 
(C) 5 
(D) 6 
(E) 7

10. If a certain sample of data has a mean of 20.0 and a standard deviation of 3.0, which of the following
values is more than 2.5 standard deviations from the mean? 
(A) 12.0 
(B) 13.5 
(C) 17.0 
(D) 23.5 
(E) 26.5 

11. Arithmetic mean and standard deviation of a certain normal distribution are 13.5 and 1.5. What value
is exactly 2 standard deviations less than the mean? 
(A) 10.5
(B) 11
(C) 11.5
(D) 12
(E) 12.5

Jolene entered an 18-month investment contract that guarantees to pay 2 percent interest at the end of 6
months, another 3 percent interest at the end of 12 months, and 4 percent interest at the end of the 18 month
contract. If each interest payment is reinvested in the contract, and Jolene invested $10,000 initially, what will
be the total amount of interest paid during the 18-month contract?

A. $506.00 
B. $726.24 
C. $900.00 
D. $920.24 
E. $926.24

If interest were not compounded in every six months (so if interest were not earned on interest) then we would
have (2+3+4)=9% simple interest earned on $10,000, which is $900. So, you can rule out A, B and C right away.

Interest earned after the first time interval: $10,000*2%=$200;

Interest earned after the second time interval: ($10,000+$200)*3%=$300+$6=$306;
Interest earned after the third time interval: ($10,000+$200+$306)*4%=$400+$8+(~$12)=~$420;

Total: 200+306+(~420)=~$926.
A total of $60,000 was invested for one year. Part of this amount earned simple annual interest at the rate of x
percent per year, and the rest earned simple annual interest at the rate of y percent per year. If the total interest
earned by the $60,000 for that year was $4,080, what is the value of x?

(1) x = 3y/4
(2) The ratio of the amount that earned interest at the rate of x percent per year to the amount that earned
interest at the rate of y percent per year was 3 to 2.

Let the amount invested at x% be  , then the amount invested at y% would be  .

Given:   (we have 3 unknowns  ,  , and  ). Question: 

(1)   -->   -->   --> still 2 unknowns -   and  . Not

sufficient.
(2) The ratio of the amount that earned interest at the rate of x percent per year to the amount that earned

interest at the rate of y percent per year was 3 to 2 -->   -->   --

>   --> still 2 unknowns -   and  . Not sufficient.

(1)+(2) From (1)   and from (2)   --> only 1 unknown -  ,

hence we can solve for it. Sufficient.

In statement (1) for any value of   there will exist some   to satisfy this equation (and vise versa), notice that   
and   are not integers so we have no restriction on them whatsoever (mathematically we have an equation of a
hyperbola and it has infinitely many solutions for x and a). The same for statement (2).

Most of the time when there might be only one solution for two unknowns you'll have linear equation and a
restriction that these unknowns can be integers only (Diophantine equation).
Answer: C.
Alex deposited x dollars into a new account that earned 8 percent annual interest, compounded annually. One
year later Alex deposited an additional x dollars into the account. If there were no other transactions and if the
account contained w dollars at the end of two years, which of the following expresses x in terms of w ?
A. w/(1+1.08)
B. w/(1.08+1.16)
C. w/(1.16+1.24)
D. w/(1.08+1.08^2)
E. w/(1.08^2+1.08^2)
o first, Alex puts in x dollars. 

One year goes by, and the x dollar accrues interest ---> x(1.08)
Then, Alex adds another x dollars --> x + x(1.08)

Then the second year goes by, and that whole amount gets multiplied by 1.08 ---> [x + x(1.08)]*(1.08) = x(1.08) +
x(1.08)^2 = x[1.08 + (1.08)^2]

We are told this amount, the sum total after two years, equals w, so w = x[1.08 + (1.08)^2] 
Dividing by the brackets to solve for x, we get x = w/(1.08 + (1.08)^2)

The answer choices as they appear in your post are technically incorrect, because they are lacking parentheses.
If you underestimate the importance of parentheses, they will bite you in the butt over and over again on the
real GMAT. Assuming the parentheses were in the right places, the answer would be D

Account at the end of the first year would be 1.08x dollars. At this time x dollars was deposited, hence the
account at the beginning of the second year would be (1.08x+x) dollars. Account at the end of the second year
would be (1.08x+x)*1.08=w --> x(1.08^2+1.08)=w --> x=w/(1.08+1.08^2).
Eunice sold several cakes. If each cake sold for either exactly 17 or exactly 19 dollars, how many 19 dollar cakes
did Eunice sell?

(1) Eunice sold a total of 8 cakes.

(2) Eunice made 140 dollars in total revenue from her cakes.
Eunice sold x $17 cakes
Eunice sold y $19 cakes

A. Eunice sold 8 cakes. Those cakes can be all 17$ cakes or all $19 cakes. Not sufficient.

B.
17x+19y = 140

Whenever we get such type of questions and we know that x and y can only be integers, it is a must we try all
integral values for x and y that may satisy the equation.

Write multiples of 19 that are less than 140; 0,19,38,57,76,95,114,133

Start with x=0;

x=0; 19y = 140-0 = 140; not a multiple of 19.
x=1; 19y = 140-17=123; not a multiple of 19.
x=2; 19y = 140-34=106; not a multiple of 19.
x=3; 19y = 140-51=89; not a multiple of 19.
x=4; 19y = 140-68=72; not a multiple of 19
x=5; 19y = 140-95=55; not a multiple of 19
x=6; 19y = 140-112=38; is a multiple of 19
x=7; 19y = 140-129=11; not a multiple of 19
x=8; 19y = 140-146=-6; not a multiple of 19 and < 0. We can stop here.

We see that the above equation satisfies only for x=6; y=38/19=2;
Sufficient.

Ans: "B"
A rental car agency purchases fleet vehicles in two sizes: a full-size car costs $10,000, and a compact costs
$9,000. How many compact cars does the agency own?

(1) The agency owns 7 total cars.

(2) The agency paid $66,000 for its cars.

Joe bought only twenty cent stamps and thirty cent stamps. How many twenty cent stamps did he buy?

(1) Joe bought more than 8 twenty cent stamps.

(2) Joe bought a total of $2.50 worth of stamps.
Actually there are more integer solutions possible to satisfy statement (2):

Joe bought only twenty cent stamps and thirty cent stamps. How many twenty cent stamps did he buy?

(1) Joe bought more than 8 twenty cent stamps --> clearly insufficient.
(2) Joe bought a total of $2.50 worth of stamps -->  : as   and   must be an integers we must
check whether this equation has unique solution (for more on this check below links) -->  , so 25
minus multiple of 3 must be multiple of 2, following pairs of (x,y) are possible: (2, 7), (5, 5), (8, 3), (11, 1). Not
sufficient.

(1)+(2) As from (1)   then from (2) only one pair is left:   and  . Sufficient.

Answer: C.
A certain fruit stand sold apples for $0.70 each and bananas for $0.50 each. If a customer purchased both apples
and bananas from the stand for a total of $6.30, what total number of apples and bananas did the customer
purchase?

A. 10
B. 11
C. 12
D. 13
E. 15
Know -- Some multiple of 7 + Some multiple of 5 should yield 63. To get to a multiple of 5, we should ensure that
a 3 or 8 (5+3) should be a multiple of 7.

63 is a direct multiple of 7, however in this case there won't be any bananas. Hence the next option is to look for
a multiple of 7 that has 8 as the unit digit. 28 satisfy this hence no. of apples is 4 and no of bananas is 7 -- Answer
11 (B). -- 35 seconds straight.

rank means that as multiple of 5 ends with 5 or 0 then multiple of 7 must end with 8 or 3 in order their sum to
end with 3 (63). There is another approach in my previous post
 Given:   Question: 

 -->  . After some trial and error you'll get that only two integer pairs of (a,b)
satisfy this equation: (9,0) and (4,7) as we are told that "a customer purchased both apples and bananas" then
the first pair is out and we'll have:   and   -->  .

Trial and error would be good for it, but here is another way:

 -->   -->   -->   must be multiple of 7 -->   must be multiple of 7 -->   

can not be 0 (as "a customer purchased both apples and bananas") or >14 (as   in this case would be more
than $6.30), so  -->  .

Joanna bought only $0.15 stamps and $0.29 stamps. How many $0.15 stamps did she buy? 
(1) She bought $4.40 worth of stamps. 
(2) She bought an equal number of $0.15 stamps and $0.29 stamps.

Let   be the # of $0.15 stamps and   the # of $0.29 stamps. Note that   and   must be an integers.
Q: 

(1) She bought $4.40 worth of stamps -->  . Only one integer combination of   and   is
possible to satisfy  :   and  . Sufficient.

(2) She bought an equal number of $0.15 stamps and $0.29 stamps -->  . Not sufficient.

Answer: A.

So when we have equation of a type   and we know that   and   are non-negative integers,
there can be multiple solutions possible for   and   (eg  ) OR just one combination
(eg  ). Hence in some cases   is NOT sufficient and in some cases it is
sufficient.

No, I would not just haphazardly plug in all conceivable values of y here to see which work; that would take a
long time. We have an equation involving positive integers:

15x + 29y = 440

Now, two of the numbers (15 and 440) are multiples of 5. That guarantees that the third number, 29y, is also a
multiple of 5, and so y must be a multiple of 5 (if it is not immediately clear that 29y needs to be a multiple of 5
here, you can rewrite the equation as 29y = 440 - 15x = 5(88 - 3x), from which we can see that 29y is equal to a
multiple of 5). Doing this you greatly cut down on the number of values you need to test; you now only need to
check y= 5, 10 and 15 (since if y = 20, the sum is too large).

Additionally if I have an equation ax+by = c; if the coefficients a,b are co-prime, can I be certain that there could
possibly be only one combination(other than probably a or b being 0) of a,b that would solve the equation?

No, that's not generally the case. You can find very simple equations with coprime coefficients and multiple
integer solutions. If you take, picking an example almost at random, 
2x + 3y = 17
this will have integer solutions whenever 17-3y is even, so has positive integer solutions whenever y is odd (and
small enough to make the equation work) -- that is, it has positive integer solutions when y = 1, 3 and 5.
At an amusement park, tom bought a number of red tokens and green tokens. Each red token costs $0.09, and
each green token costs $0.14. If Tom spent a total of exactly $2.06, how many token in total did Tom buy?

a. 16
b. 17
c. 18
d. 19
e. 20
To solve this remember that x must be even because 14y, when subtracted from 206, will yield an even number
(even - even = even). The solution comes out to be x=12, y=7. 

Therefore the total number of tokens bought = 12+7 = 19 

At a certain bakery, each roll costs r cents and each doughnut cost of cents. If Alfredo bought rolls & doughnuts
at the bakery, how many cents did he pay for each roll?

1) Alfredo paid $5 for 8 rolls and 6 doughnuts

2) Alfredo would have paid $10 if he had bought 16 rollers & 12 doughnuts
Let   be the price of rolls in cents and   be the price of doughnuts in cents. Note that   and   must be an
integers. Q: 

(1) Alfredo paid $5.00 for 8 rolls and 6 doughnuts -->   -->  . Multiple solutions
are possible, for instance:   and   OR   and  . Not sufficient.

(2) Alfredo would have paid $ 10.00 if he had bought 16 rolls and 12 doughnuts -->   --
>  . The same. Not sufficient.

(1)+(2) No new info. Not sufficient.

Answer: E.
A citrus fruit grower receives $15 for each crate of oranges shipped and $18 for each crate of grapefruit
shipped. How many crates of oranges did the grower ship last week?

Let   be the # of oranges and   the # of grapefruits. Note that   and   must be an integers. Q: 

(1) Last week the number of crates of oranges that the grower shipped was 20 more than twice the number of
crates of grapefruit shipped --> X=2y+20. Not sufficient to calculate 

(2) Last week the grower received a total of $38,700 from the crates of oranges and grapefruit shipped
-->   -->  . Multiple values are possible, for istance:   
and  OR   and  .

(1)+(2) Two unknowns, two different linear equations --> We can calculate unique value of  . Sufficient.

Answer: C.
Aaron will jog home at x miles per hour and then walk back home on the same route at y miles per hour. How
many miles from home can Aaron jog so that he spends a total of t hours jogging and walking?
A. xt/y 
B. (x+t)/xy 
C. xyt/(x+y) 
D. (x+y+t)/xy 
E. (y+t)/x-t/y

Algebraic approach:

Say the distance Aaron jogs is   miles, notice that the distance Aaron walks back will also be   miles (since he
walks back home on the same route).

Next, total time   would be equal to the time he spends on jogging plus the time he spends on

walking:   -->   -->  .

Answer: C.

Number picking approach:

Say the distance in 10 miles,   mile/hour and   mile/hour (pick x and y so that they will be factors of
10). 

So, Aaron spends on jogging 10/10=1 hour and on walking 10/5=2 hours, so total time   hours.

Now, we have that  ,   and  . Plug these values into the answer choices to see which gives 10

miles. Only answer choice C fits:  .

I see. The point is that   is the total distance, meaning that it's the distance for the round trip and we are
asked to find only one way distance (how many miles from home can Aaron jog), which would be half of this

value so  .
Answer: C.
A cyclist bikes x distance at 10 miles per hour and returns over the same path at 8 miles per hour. What is the
cyclist's average rate for the round trip in miles per hour? 

A. 8.1 
B. 8.3 
C. 8.6 
D. 8.9 
E. 9.0
Let the distance be 40 miles (40 because it's divisible by 10 and 8)
Time for 1st trip=40/10=4 hours
Time back =40/8=5hours
Average rate=total distance/total time=(40+40)/(4+5)=80/9=8.9
D.

It's possible to write the formula with variable x for distance but the above way is fastest.

Here is the formula if you need it:

Av rate=(x+x)/(x/10+x/8)=80/9=8.9
1. THE SUM OF EVEN INTEGERS: 
The sum of the even numbers between 1 and k is 79*80, where k is an odd number, then k=?

(A) 79
(B) 80
(C) 81
(D) 157
(E) 159
The solution given in the file was 79, which is not correct. Also the problem was solved with AP formula thus was
long and used the theory rarely tested in GMAT. Here is my solution and my notes about AP. Some may be
useful:

The number of terms in this set would be: n=(k-1)/2 (as k is odd)
Last term: k-1
Average would be first term+last term/2=(2+k-1)/2=(k+1)/2
Also average: sum/number of terms=79*80/((k-1)/2)=158*80/(k-1)
(k+1)/2=158*80/(k-1) --> (k-1)(k+1)=158*160 --> k=159

Answer E.

MY NOTES ABOUT AP:

ARITHMETIC PROGRESSION
Sequence a1, a2,…an, so that a(n)=a(n-1)+d (constant)
nth term an = a1 + d ( n – 1 )
Sn=n*(a1+an)/2 or Sn=n*(2a1+d(n-1))/2 
Special cases:
I. 1+2+…+n=n(1+n)/2 (Sum of n first integers)
II. 1+3+5+… (n times)=n^2 (Sum of n first odd numbers). nth term=2n-1
III. 2+4+6+… (n times)=n(n+1) (Sum of n first even numbers) nth term=2n

SOLUTION WITH THE AP FORMULA:

Sequence of even numbers
First term a=2, common difference d=2 since even number
Sum to first n numbers of AP:
Sn=n*(a1+an)/2=n(2*2+2(n-1))/2=n(n+1)=79*80
n=79 (odd)
Number of terms n=(k-1)/2=79 k=159
 OR
Sum of n even numbers n(n+1)=79*80
n=79
k=2n+1=159

2. THE PRICE OF BUSHEL: 

The price of a bushel of corn is currently $3.20, and the price of a peck of wheat is $5.80. The price of corn is
increasing at a constant rate of 5x cents per day while the price of wheat is decreasing at a constant rate of 2^1/2*x-
x cents per day. What is the approximate price when a bushel of corn costs the same amount as a peck of wheat?

(A) $4.50
(B) $5.10
(C) $5.30
(D) $5.50
(E) $5.60
Note that we are not asked in how many days prices will cost the same.

Let   be the # of days when these two bushels will have the same price.

First let's simplify the formula given for the rate of decrease of the price of
wheat:  , this means that the price of wheat decreases by   cents per day,
in   days it'll decrease by   cents;

As price of corn increases   cents per day, in   days it'll will increase by   cents;
Set the equation:  , solve for   -->  ;

The cost of a bushel of corn in   days (the # of days when these two bushels will have the same price) will
be   or $5.6.
Answer: E.

3. LEAP YEAR:
How many randomly assembled people are needed to have a better than 50% probability that at least 1 of them was
born in a leap year?
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4
E. 5
Probability of a randomly selected person NOT to be born in a leap year=3/4
Among 2 people, probability that none of them was born in a leap = 3/4*3/4=9/16. The probability at least one born
in leap = 1- 9/16=7/16<1/2
So, we are looking for such n (# of people), when 1-(3/4)^n>1/2
n=3 --> 1-27/64=37/64>1/2

Thus min 3 people are needed.

Answer: C.
4. ADDITION PROBLEM:
AB + CD = AAA, where AB and CD are two-digit numbers and AAA is a three digit number; A, B, C, and D are distinct
positive integers. In the addition problem above, what is the value of C?

(A) 1
(B) 3
(C) 7
(D) 9
(E) Cannot be determined
AB and CD are two digit integers, their sum can give us only one three digit integer of a kind of AAA it's 111.
So, A=1. 1B+CD=111
C can not be less than 9, because no to digit integer with first digit 1 (mean that it's<20) can be added to two digit
integer less than 90 to have the sum 111 (if CD<90 meaning C<9 CD+1B<111).
C=9
Answer: D.

5. RACE:
A and B ran, at their respective constant rates, a race of 480 m. In the first heat, A gives B a head start of 48 m and
beats him by 1/10th of a minute. In the second heat, A gives B a head start of 144 m and is beaten by 1/30th of a
minute. What is B’s speed in m/s?
(A) 12
(B) 14
(C) 16
(D) 18
(E) 20
Let x be the speed of B.
Write the equation:

(480-48)/x (time of B for first heat) - 6 (seconds, time B lost to A first heat) = TIME OF A (in both heats A runs with
constant rate, so the time for first and second heats are the same)=(480-144)/x (time of B for second heat) + 2
(seconds, time B won to A second heat)

(480-48)/x-6=(480-144)/x+2
x=12
392/x-6=296/x+2 --> 96/x=8 x=12
432/x-6=336/x+2 --> 96/x=8 x=12
Answer: A.

Alternative Approach here:

A starts from the start line and runs till the finish line in both the races. He would take the same time in both the
cases then. On the other hand, in the first race, B takes 6 secs more than A while in the second race, B takes 2 secs
less than A.
So there is a time difference of 8 secs in the time taken by B in the two cases. B travels (144 - 48 =) 96 m less in the
second race and taken 8 secs less in the second race. This means that in the first race, B runs a distance of 96m in 8
secs.
So speed of B = 96/8 = 12 m/sec

PROBABILITY OF DRAWING:
A bag contains 3 red, 4 black and 2 white balls. What is the probability of drawing a red and a white ball in two
successive draws, each ball being put back after it is drawn?
(A) 2/27
(B) 1/9
(C) 1/3
(D) 4/27
(E) 2/9

We are multiplying by 2 as there are two possible wining scenarios RW and WR.

Answer: D.

THE AVERAGE TEMPERATURE:

The average of temperatures at noontime from Monday to Friday is 50; the lowest one is 45, what is the possible
maximum range of the temperatures?

A. 20
B. 25
C. 40
D. 45
E. 75

PROBABILITY OF INTEGER BEING DIVISIBLE BY 8:

If n is an integer from 1 to 96 (inclusive), what is the probability for n*(n+1)*(n+2) being divisible by 8?

A. 25%
B 50%
C 62.5%
D. 72.5%
E. 75%
N=n*(n+1)*(n+2)

N is divisible by 8 in two cases:

When n is even:
No of even numbers (between 1 and 96)=48
AND
When n+1 is divisible by 8. -->n=8p-1 --> 8p-1<=96 --> p=12.3 --> 12 such nembers

Total=48+12=60
Probability=60/96=0.62

Answer: C

10. SUM OF INTEGERS:

If the sum of five consecutive positive integers is A, then the sum of the next five consecutive integers in terms of A
is:

A. A+1 inquiry 
B. A+5
C A+25
D 2A
E. 5A

In how many different ways can the letters A,A,B,B,B,C,D,E be arranged if the letter C must be to the right of the
letter D?
A.1680
B.2160
C.2520
D.3240
E.3360

Can someone explain how I should approach to solve the above problem?

We have 8 letters out of which A appears twice and B appears three time. Total number of permutation of these

letters (without restriction) would be:  .

Now, in half of these cases D will be to the right of C and in half of these cases to the left, hence the final answer

would be 

Answer: A.

Jug contains water and orange juice in the ratio 5:7 . another jug contains water and orange juice in ratio 7 : 2 . In
what proportion should these 2 liquids be mixed to give a water and orange juice in ratio 3 : 4

4 : 5 
85 : 3
88 : 3 
2:3
87 : 7

In such questions focus on one thing - either water or orange juice. Let's work with water
Jug1 - Water concentration is 5/12
Jug2 - Water concentration is 7/9
Mixture - Water concentration is 3/7

Now, 

There are w1 boys and w2 girls in a group. Average age of boys is A1 years and average age of girls is A2 years. What
is the average age of the group?

Average Age = (A1*w1 + A2*w2)/(w1 + w2)

This is weighted average. Here we are not finding the average age of 1 boy and 1 girl. Instead we are finding the
average age of 10 boys and 20 girls so their average age will not be 18.5 years. Boys have been given less weightage
in the calculation of average because there are only 10 boys as compared to 20 girls. So the average has been found
after accounting for the weightage (or ‘importance’ in regular English) given to boys and girls depending on how
many boys and how many girls there are. Notice that the weighted average is 19 years which is closer to the average
age of girls than to the average age of boys. This is because there are more girls so they ‘pull’ the average towards
their own age i.e. 20 years.

Now that you know what weighted average is and also that you always knew the weighted average formula
intuitively, let’s move on to making things easier for you (Tougher, you say? Actually, once people know the scale
method that I am going to discuss right now (It has been discussed in our Statistics and Problem Solving book too),
they just love it!)

So, Average Age, Aavg = (A1*w1 + A2+w2)/(w1 + w2)

Now if we re-arrange this formula, we get, w1/w2 = (A2 – Aavg)/(Aavg – A1)

So we have got the ratio of weights w1 and w2 (the number of boys and the number of girls). How does it help us?
Knowing this ratio, we can directly get the answer. Another example will make this clear.

John pays 30% tax and Ingrid pays 40% tax. Their combined tax rate is 37%. If John’s gross salary is $54000, what is
Ingrid’s gross salary?

Here, we have the tax rate of John and Ingrid and their average tax rate. A1 = 30%, A2 = 40% and Aavg = 37%. The
weights are their gross salaries – $54,000 for John and w2 for Ingrid. From here on, there are two ways to find the
answer. Either plug in the values in the formula above or use the scale method. We will take a look at both.

1. Plug in the formula

w1/w2 = (A2 – Aavg)/(Aavg – A1) = (40 – 37)/(37 – 30) = 3/7

Since A1 is John’s tax rate and A2 is Ingrid’s tax rate, w1 is John’s salary and w2 is Ingrid’s salary

w1/w2 = John’s Salary/Ingrid’s Salary = 3/7 = 54,000/Ingrid’s Salary

So Ingrid’s Salary = $126,000

It should be obvious that either John or Ingrid could be A1 (and the other would be A2). For ease, it a good idea to
denote the larger number as A2 and the smaller as A1 (even if you do the other way around, you will still get the
same answer

the same answer)

2. Scale Method

On the number line, put the smaller number on the left side and the greater number on the right side (since it is
intuitive that way). Put the average in the middle.

The distance between 30 and 37 is 7 and the distance between 37 and 40 is 3 so w1:w2 = 3:7 (As seen by the
formula, the ratio is flipped).

Since w1 = 54,000, w2 will be 126,000

So Ingrid’s salary is $126,000.

In an ensemble of gongs, all gongs have a diameter of either ten inches, or twelve inches or fifteen inches. In the
collection there are 18 ten inch gongs. Half of the gongs in the collection are Tiger gongs. Of the Tiger gongs, there
are equal numbers of ten inch, twelve inch and fifteen inch gongs. Half of the twelve inch gongs are not Tiger gongs,
and half of all gongs are fifteen inches in diameter. How many gongs are there in the collection?
18
54
72
90
108

I got this question by an easy approach

Let total gongs be G
and tiger gongs be T so T=G/2 
now as the question says there is a equal no of tiger gongs in each catagory
hence T/3 each
now it has been given in the question that gongs that have 10 inches Diameter are 18 in nos
so T/3 = 18
so T =54
now T=G/2
so 54 = G/2
so G=108

Or

Let x and y be 12 and 15 inches gongs respectively. We know that ten inches are 18.

1.  . We want to calculate  .

2. "Half of the gongs in the collection are Tiger gongs" -->  .
3. "Half of the twelve inch gongs are not Tiger gongs" --> means another half IS Tiger gongs, so x/2 is in Tiger gongs.
As "Of the Tiger gongs, there are equal numbers of ten inch, twelve inch and fifteen inch gongs". --> x/2+x/2+x/2=t

--> 

4. "Half of all gongs are fifteen inches in diameter" --> 

Four unknowns, four equations.

(3)   and (2)   --> 

(4)   --> 

(1)   -->   --> 

Answer: E.
==================

Machine X takes 20 hours longer than machine Y to produce 1080 Widgets. Machine Y produces 20 percent more
widgets in an hour than machine x does in an hour. How many widgets per hour does machine X produce

100
65
25
11
9
Machine Y produces 20% more widgets so its speed is 6/5 of X. 
Speed of X: Speed of Y = 5:6
Time taken by X: Time taken by Y = 6:5 (if amount of work is kept constant, time will be inversely proportional to
speed)
This difference of 1 in their time accounts for 20 hrs.
Hence X takes 6*20 = 120 hrs to produce 1080 widgets. In 1 hour, it produces 1080/120 = 9 widgets.

What I use a lot is ratios. Ratios eliminate the need for equations. 

In different questions, you will need to handle data differently to get a ratio. 
e.g.
1. Speed of x is 40 m/hr and speed of y is 60 m/hr.
Then ratio of speeds is 40:60 i.e. 2:3 (lowest representation - in ratios 2:3 is same as 4:6 which is same as 20:30 etc)

2. Speed of x is 20% more than that of y.

If speed of y is 1, speed of x is 6/5 (i.e. 20% = 1/5 more than 1). Ratio of speed of X:Y = 6/5:1 or 6:5 (Multiplying the
ratio by 5) or simply, since speed of x is more, x will be 6 and y will be 5.

Now, quantities such as time, rate and work done are related to each other.

We know W = R*T

If two machines A and B with rates of work in the ratio 6:5 work for 1 hr each, who will do more work? 
Since they are both working for the same time, A will do more work since its rate is higher. How much more work
will A do as compared to B? Since A's rate is 20% higher, A will do 20% more work...
Now, let me ask you this - if both A and B do the same amount of work, who will take less time?
Since A's rate is 20% more, A will take less time. How much less time will it take? Let's say there was 30 units of work
that each did.
A's rate - 6 units/hr, time taken - 30/6 = 5 hrs
B's rate - 5 units/hr, time taken - 30/5 = 6 hrs

So basically time taken flips the speed (time is inversely proportional to speed)
Time taken by A:B = 5:6

Now think, I tell you that A takes 10 hrs to do a job. How long will B take to do the same job? 12 hrs because they
take time in the ratio 5:6.
Now, if I tell you that for a particular work, difference between time taken by A and time taken by B is 10 hrs. How
long did A take to finish the job?
Since the difference between the times should be 10, they must have taken 50 and 60 hrs to do the work.

John has 3 solutions: a 12% saline solution, a 8% vinegar solution, and a 15% alcohol solution. He mixes 3 liters of the
alcohol solution with 3 liters of the vinegar solution. What is the minimum amount of the saline solution he must add
if the resulting mixture must be at least 2% saline solution?

(A) 7.1 liters

(B) 3 liters
(C) 2.4 liters
(D) 1.2 liters
(E) 1.1 liters
So we have 3+3=6 liters of some 0% saline solution (info about 8% vinegar solution, and a 15% alcohol solution is just
to confuse us). We want to add x liters of 12% saline solution so that in resulting solution there will be at least 2% of
salt (this "at least" part is also to confuse us). 

Now, as all salt comes form x liters of 12% saline solution, then amount of salt in 6+x liters and x liters must be equal:
0.12x=0.02(6+x) --> x=1.2.

Answer: D.

Now that we've got a simple question, we can set up our solution using the percent formula:
% = part/whole * 100%
x = amount of saline solution added
part = amount of saline = .12x
whole = total amount of solution = 6 + x

2% = .12x/(6 + x) * 100%
cancel out the "%" on both sides:

2 = .12x/(6 + x) * 100
2(6 + x) = .12x * 100
12 + 2x = 12x
12 = 10x
12/10 = x
1.2 = x
choose D!

Or

This year Henry will save a certain amount of his income, and he will spend the rest. Next year Henry will have no
income, but for each dollar that he saves this year, he will have 1 + r dollars available to spend. In terms of r, what
fraction of his income should Henry save this year so that next year the amount he was available to spend will be
equal to half the amount that he spends this year? 

A. 

B. 

C. 
D. 

E. 

 fraction of saving,  income.

Set the equation:

,   cancels out.
Here LHS is "the amount he has available to spend next year", which according to the stem equals to RHS: "half the
amount that he spends this year".

Answe: E.

Table

Total Income Saving Spends

X a X-a

Given: Amount available next year is 'a' times   =>  .

Question: Fraction of his income should Henry save this year so that next year the amount he was available to spend
will be equal to half the amount that he spends this year.
Setting up the equation => 

Fraction of the income that Henry should save this year is   which is equal to  .

Or

here is no 'best' way to solve a problem, in my opinion. The best way for you depends on what you are comfortable
with. You can follow Bunuel's algebraic approach here (by taking x as the fraction of saving) or you can plug in values
for r and check (or do something else... I would like to plug in values for r as shown in my second method)

Say r = 0
Whatever he saves this year, he has only that next year so he must save 1/3 this year (so that he spends 2/3 this
year) Only options D and E give 1/3 when r = 0.

Say r = 1
Whatever he saves this year, it becomes double. This double should be half of what he spends this year. So what he
spends this year should be 4 times what he saves i.e. he should save 1/5 of his income this year. Out of D and E, only
E gives you 1/5

Answer E

OR, preferably, look for a value of r which gives a different answer for each option right in the beginning. I would
choose r = 2.
Whatever he saves, it becomes 3 times. This 3 times amount must be half of what he spends this year. So what he
spends this year must be 6 times of what he saves. Therefore, he saves 1/7 of his income. Only option E gives 1/7
Two positive integers that have a ratio of 1: 2 are increased in a ratio of 1 : 1. Which of the following could be the
resulting integers?
(A) 2 and 4
(B) 5 and 13
(C) 15 and 28
(D) 33 and 68
(E) 71 and 143

The question is based on the following concept: 

When you add the same number to the numerator and denominator of a fraction, the fraction increases if it is less
than 1 (e.g. 1/2. If I add 3 to both numerator and denominator, it becomes 4/5) and decreases if it is more than 1
(e.g. 7/3. If I add 3 to both numerator and denominator, I get 10/6 = 5/3 )
So if the numbers are in the ratio 1:2, and you increase them in the ratio 1:1, i.e. you add the same number to both
of them, the new ratio will be more than 1:2. e.g. add 3 to both the numbers. You get 4:5, a bigger ratio.
Only option (C) gives a ratio greater than 1:2.

General piece of advice: Think more, solve less. Don't jump on making equations. Let that be the last resort at least
during practice. (In the exam, do what comes to mind first.)
Analyze each statement step by step.e.g. 

Two positive integers that have a ratio of 1 : 2 are increased in a ratio of 1 : 1. 
Here, I stop and say, "Ok. If the integers are 1 and 2 and are increased in ratio 1:1, let me say they increase by 3. So
the number now are 4 and 5, ratio of 4/5 (since it is a ratio question)"

Which of the following could be the resulting integers?

Of course there are infinite possibilities. A property that is common to all of them... 

Look at the options - the ratios they represent. The first one is 2 and 4. A ratio of 1/2. This is not possible. If you add
the same number to both, ratio will change. Go on to the next... You might be able to figure out that 15 and 28 have
a better chance than all others. It might seem odd that this option gives a ratio greater than 1/2 while all others give
less than 1/2. Then you can make equation for it to check if you wish. 

Practice and make a note of all new concepts you come across.

If the farmer sells 75 of his chickens, his stock of feed will last for 20 more days than planned, but if he buys 100
more chickens, he will run out of feed 15 days earlier than planned. If no chickens are sold or bought, the farmer will
be exactly on schedule. How many chickens does the farmer have?

A. 60
B. 120
C. 240
D. 275
E. 300
# of chickens - x
# of days - d

If the farmer sells 75 of his chickens, his stock of feed will last for 20 more days than planned --> Amount of feed
equals  ;
If he buys 100 more chickens, he will run out of feed 15 days earlier than planned --> Amount of feed
equals  .
  -->   --> 

 -->   -->   -->   --

>  .
Answer: E (300)

or you can make your equations in this way: Let us say he has planned for d days for c chickens. According to the
question, the food 75 chicken consumed in d days will last 20 days if consumed by (c - 75) chickens
So 75d = (c - 75)20 ..... (I)

What c chickens consumed in 15 days, 100 chickens will consume in (d - 15) days
15c = 100(d - 15) ......(II)
Solve I and II to get c = 300

The # of "long-term" employees is 70%*800=560. 

After y of them retire new # of "long-term" employees would become 560-y.
Total # of employees would become 800-y.
We want 560-y to be 60% of 800-y --> 560-y=(800 -y)*60% --> y = 200.
Answer: A.

There are 5 pairs of white, 3 pairs of black and 2 pairs of grey socks in a drawer. If four socks are picked at random
what is the probability of getting two socks of the same color?
A. 1/5
B. 2/5
C. 3/4
D. 4/5
E. 1

No formula is need to answer this one. The trick here is that we have only 3 different color socks but we pick 4 socks,
which ensures that in ANY case we'll have at least one pair of the same color (if 3 socks we pick are of the different
color, then the 4th sock must match with either of previously picked one). P=1.

If x is an integer and 9<x^2<99, then what is the value of maximum possible value of x minus minimum possible
value of x?
A. 5
B. 6
C. 7
D. 18
E. 20
Also tricky. Notice that   can take positive, as well as negative values to satisfy  , hence   can be: -9, -8,
-7, -6, -4, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9. We asked to find the value of  , ans since   and   

then 

If -3<x<5 and -7<y<9, which of the following represent the range of all possible values of y-x?
A. -4<y-x<4
B. -2<y-x<4
C. -12<y-x<4
D. -12<y-x<12
E. 4<y-x<12

To get max value of y-x take max value of y and min value of x: 9-(-3)=12;
To get min value of y-x take min value of y and max value of x: -7-(5)=-12; 
Hence, the range of all possible values of y-x is -12<y-x<12

The angles in a triangle are x, 3x, and 5x degrees. If a, b and c are the lengths of the sides opposite to angles x, 3x,
and 5x respectively, then which of the following must be true?
I. c>a+b
II. c^2>a^2+b^2
III. c/a/b=10/6/2 

A. I only
B. II only
C. III only
D. I and III only
E. II and III only

According to the relationship of the sides of a triangle: the length of any side of a triangle must be larger than the
positive difference of the other two sides, but smaller than the sum of the other two sides. Thus I and III can never
be true: one side (c) can not be larger than the sum of the other two sides (a and b). Note that III is basically the
same as I: if c=10, a=6 and b=2 then c>a+b, which can never be true. Thus even not considering the angles, we can
say that only answer choice B (II only) is left.
Answer: B.
Now, if interested why II is true: as the angles in a triangle are x, 3x, and 5x degrees then x+3x+5x=180 --> x=20,
3x=60, and 5x=100. Next, if angle opposite c were 90 degrees, then according to Pythagoras theorem c^2=a^+b^2,
but since the angel opposite c is more than 90 degrees (100) then c is larger, hence c^2>a^+b^2

Anna has 10 marbles: 5 red, 2 blue, 2 green and 1 yellow. She wants to arrange all of them in a row so that no two
adjacent marbles are of the same color and the first and the last marbles are of different colours. How many
different arrangements are possible?
A. 30 
B. 60
C. 120
D. 240
E. 480

Seems tough and complicated but if we read the stem carefully we find that the only way both conditions to be met
for 5 red marbles, which are half of total marbles, they can be arranged only in two ways: R*R*R*R*R* or
*R*R*R*R*R. 
Here comes the next good news, in these cases BOTH conditions are met for all other marbles as well: no two
adjacent marbles will be of the same color and the first and the last marbles will be of different colors.

Now, it's easy: 2 blue, 2 green and 1 yellow can be arranged in 5 empty slots in 5!/(2!*2!)=30 ways (permutation of 5
letters BBGGY out of which 2 B's and 2 G' are identical). Finally as there are two cases (R*R*R*R*R* and
*R*R*R*R*R. ) then total # of arrangement is 30*2=60.
Answer: B.

If   is an integer and  , then what is the value of n?

A. 1 
B. 2 
C. 3 
D. 4 
E. 5

Also no need for algebraic manipulation. 1/10^(n+1) is 10 times less than 1/10^n, and both when expressed as
decimals are of a type 0.001 (some number of zeros before 1) --> so the given expression to hold true we should
have: 0.001<0.00737<0.01, which means that n=2 (1/10^n=0.01 --> n=2).
Answer: B.

The numbers {1, 3, 6, 7, 7, 7} are used to form three 2-digit numbers. If the sum of these three numbers is a prime
number p, what is the largest possible value of p?
A. 97
B. 151
C. 209
D. 211
E. 219

What is the largest possible sum of these three numbers that we can form? Maximize the first digit:
76+73+71=220=even, so not a prime. Let's try next largest sum, switch digits in 76 and we'll get: 67+73+71=211.
Question is it a prime number? If you notice 210=2*3*5*7=the product of the first four primes. So, 210+1=211 must
be a prime. For example: 2+1=3=prime, 2*3+1=7=prime, 2*3*5+1=31=prime.

 If   and  , what is the least value of   possible?

A. -1/100
B. -1/50
C. -1/36
D. -1/18
E. -1/6

To get the least value of  , which obviously will be negative, try to maximize absolute value of  , as more
is the absolute value of a negative number "more" negative it is (the smallest it is).

To maximize   pick largest absolute values possible for   and  :  . Notice that:
-1/18<-1/36<-1/50<-1/100, so -1/100 is the largest number and -1/18 is the smallest number (we cannot obtain -1/6
from x^2*y or else it would be the correct answer).
A certain bakery ran a promotion code: a customer can buy x donuts for the regular price of $15 total and get 3
donuts free. If the donut price per dozen during the promotion is $2 less than the normal donut price per dozen,
what is x?

A. 15
B. 18
C. 21
D. 25
E. 30

The promotion price per donut is  , thus the promotion price per dozen is  ;

The regular price per donut is  , thus the regular price per dozen is  ;
We are told that the promotion price per dozen is $2 less than the normal donut price per

dozen:   -->  .
At this point it's better to substitute the values rather than solve for x. Answer choice A, 15, works.

 If  , then y is NOT divisible by which of the following?

A. 6^4
B. 62^2
C. 65^2
D. 15^4
E. 52^4

Now, if y

ou analyze each option you'll see that only   is not a factor of  , since the power of 13 in it is higher
than the power of 13 in  .

Answer: E.

For the past k days the average (arithmetic mean) cupcakes per day that Liv baked was 55. Today Bibi joined and
together with Liv they baked 100 cupcakes, which raises the average to 60 cupcakes per day. What is the value of
k?
A. 6
B. 8
C. 9
D. 10
E. 12

Total cupcakes for k days was 55k, which means that total cupcakes for k+1 days was 55k+100. The new average is
(55k+100)/(k+1)=60 --> 55k+100=60k+60 --> k=8

What is the smallest positive integer   such that   is the square of a positive integer?
A. 14
B. 36
C. 144
D. 196
E. 441
, so in order   to be a square of an integer   must complete the powers of 2 and 7 to
even number, so the least value of   must equal to 2*7=14, which makes the leas value of   equal to 14^2=196.
Answer: D.

There are 7 red and 5 blue marbles in a jar. In how many ways 8 marbles can be selected from the jar so that at
least one red marble and at least one blue marble to remain in the jar?
A. 460
B. 490
C. 493
D. 455
E. 445

Total ways to select 8 marbles out of 7+5=12 is  ;

Ways to select 8 marbles so that zero red marbles is left in the jar is  ;

Ways to select 8 marbles so that zero blue marbles is left in the jar is  ;
Hence ways to select 8 marbles so that at least one red marble and at least one blue marble to remain the jar

is  .

A pool has two water pumps A and B and one drain C. Pump A alone can fill the whole pool in x hours, and pump B
alone can fill the whole pool in y hours. The drain can empty the whole pool in z hours, where z>x. With pumps A
and B both running and the drain C unstopped till the pool is filled, which of the following represents the amount
of water in terms of the fraction of the pool which pump A pumped into the pool?

A. 

B. 

C.   

D. 

E. 

With pumps A and B both running and the drain unstopped the pool will be filled in a

rate   pool/hour. So, the pool will be filled in   hours (time is reciprocal of
rate).

In   hours A will pump   amount of the water into the pool.

A set A consists of 7 consecutive odd integers. If the sum of 5 largest integers of set A is -185 what is the sum of
the 5 smallest integers of set A?
A. -165
B. -175
C. -195
D. -205
E. -215
Say 7 consecutive odd integers are:  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  .
Question: 
Given:   --
>   -->   --
> 
Answer: D.

Metropolis Corporation has 4 shareholders: Fritz, Luis, Alfred and Werner. Number of shares that Fritz owns is 2/3
rd of number of the shares of the other three shareholders, number of the shares that Luis owns is 3/7 th of
number of the shares of the other three shareholders and number of the shares that Alfred owns is 4/11 th of
number of the shares of the other three shareholders. If dividends of $3,600,000 were distributed among the 4
shareholders, how much of this amount did Werner receive?
A. $60,000
B. $90,000
C. $100,000
D. $120,000
E. $180,000

Fritz owns is  rd of the shares of the other three shareholders --> Fritz owns  th of all shares;

Luis owns is  th of the shares of the other three shareholders --> Luis owns  th of all shares;

Alfred owns is  th of the shares of the other three shareholders --> Alfred owns  th of all shares;

Together those three own  th of all shares, which means that Werner owns  . Hence

from $3,600,000 Werner gets  .

Answer: D.

Alice’s take-home pay last year was the same each month, and she saved the same fraction of her take-home pay
each month. The total amount of money that she had saved at the end of the year was 3 times the amount of that
portion of her monthly take-home pay that she did NOT save. If all the money that she saved last year was from her
take-home pay, what fraction of her take-home pay did she save each month?

A. 1/2
B. 1/3
C. 1/4
D. 1/5
E. 1/6

Let Alice's monthly take-home pay be   and her monthly savings be  . Total savings will be   and we know that
this is 3 times the amount she spends in month which is:  . So we have:

 --> 

+ x y z

4 1 -5 m
e 7 n 10

f 2 -4 5

In the addition table shown above, what is the value of m + n =? 

A. -19 
B. 4 
C. 5 
D. 6 
E. 22

The sum of some value from the first row and and some value from the first column is given in the intersection box
of these values.

x+4=1 --> x=-3;

y+4=-5 --> y=-9;
x+e=-3+e=7 --> e=10;
y+e=-9+10=n --> n=1;
z+e=z+10=10 --> z=0;
z+4=0+4=m --> m=4;

A certain car averages 25 miles per gallon of gasoline when driven in the city and 40 miles per gallon when driven on
the highway. According to these rates, which of the following is closest to the number of miles per gallon that the car
averages when it is driven 10 miles in the city and then 50 miles on the highway?

A)28 
B)30 
C)33 
D)36 
E)38

Car averages x miles per gallon, means that 1 gallon is enough to drive x miles.

We are asked to find average miles per gallon (miles/gallon) --> average miles per gallon would be total miles
drivendivided by total gallons used (miles/gallon).
Total miles driven is 10+50=60. 

As car averages 25 miles per gallon in the city for 10 miles in the city it will use 10/25=0.4 gallons;
As car averages 40 miles per gallon on the highway for 50 miles on the highway it will use 50/40=1.25 gallons;

So average miles per gallon equals to 

A certain team has 12 members, including Joey. A three-member relay team will be selected as follows: one of the
12 members is to be chosen at random to run Örst, one of the remaining 11 members is to be chosen at random to
run second, and one of the remaining 10 members is to be chosen at random to run third. What is the probability
that Joey will be chosen to run second or third?

A. 1/1,320
B. 1/132
C. 1/110
D. 1/12
E. 1/6

Guys
actually i have an official explanation of the right answer, but its a bit illogical for me

Explanation:  There is a lot of excess wording to this question when it is really a simple concept. Each of the team
members has an equal chance to be selected to run first, second, or third, and (perhaps obviously) no team member
can be selected to run more than one of those. Therefore,from Joey's perspective, he has a 1/12 chance of running
first, a 1/12 chance of running second,and a 1/12 chance of running third. Since he can't run both second AND third,
the chances that he'll run second OR third is the sum of those two probabilities: 1/12 +1/12 =2/12 =1/6

but how is it possible to have a probability of 1/12, that Joey will run the second or the third, if the first runner has
already started? After this we have just 11 members, and the probability should be 1/11 that Joey will start the
second, accordingly 1/10th that he will run the third
Could u please share with your thoughts on this?

Standard approach:

(any but Joey)(Joey)(any) + (any but Joey)(any but Joey)(Joey) = 11/12*1/11*1+11/12*10/11*1/10=2/12.

Answer: A.
Another approach:
Actually even OE has one more step than necessary: since there are two slots for Joey from 12 possible than the
probability is simply 2/12. 
Consider this line 12 members in a row. Now, what is the probability that Joey is 1st in that row? 1/12. What is the
probability that he's 2nd? Again 1/12. What is the probability that he's 12th? What is the probability that he's second
or third? 1/12+1/12=2/12. What is the probability that he's in last 6? 6/12...

Answer: A.

A certain company consists of 3 managers and 8 non-managers. How many different teams of 3 employees can be
formed in which at least one member of the team is a manager and at least one member of the team is not a
manager? (Two groups are considered different if at least one group member is different)

A. 84
B. 108
C. 135
D. 270
E. 990

Direct approach:
Since there should be at least one manager and at least one non-manager among team of 3, then there should be

either 1 manager and 2 non-managers OR 2 managers and 1 non-manager: 

Reverse approach:

Total # of teams of 3 possible is  ;

# of teams with only managers or only non-managers is:  ;
# of teams of 3 with at least one manager or at least one non-manager is: 165-57=108.
Answer: B.

A certain class consists of 8 students, including Kim. Each day, three tasks must be completed and are assigned as
follows: one of the 8 students is selected at random to complete Task A, one of the remaining 7 students is selected
at random to complete Task B, and one of the remaining six students is selected at random to complete Task C.
What is the probability that Kim will be selected to complete one of the three tasks?
(A) 1/3
(B) 3/8
(C) 1/24
(D) 1/336
(E) 1/512

The wording of the question makes it harder then it is. The question basically asks: what is the probability that Kim is
among the first 3 students out of 8, which is 3/8.

One can also do:  , where   is # of ways to select Kim,   is # of ways to select any 2 students

out of 7 left and   is total # of ways to select 3 students from 8;

Or: you can find the probability that among 3 students selected to complete the tasks there won't be Kim and
subtract it from 1: 

Or: the same with probability approach:  .

If a number between 0 and 1 is selected at random, which of the following will the number most likely be between?

A. 0 and 3/20
B. 3/20 and 1/5
C. 1/5 and 1/4
D. 1/4 and 3/10
E. 3/10 and ½

The number will most likely be between the largest range. 

A. 0 and 3/20 --> range 3/20;
B. 3/20 and 4/20 --> range 1/20;
C. 4/20 and 5/20 --> range 1/20;
D. 5/20 and 6/20 --> range 1/20;
E. 6/20 and 10/20 --> range 4/20.
Answer: E

X is what percent greater than Y percent of Z?

Y percent of Z is  ;
X is what percent greater than that number can be expressed as:   --

> 

The question setters sometimes try to confuse you by giving you lots of variables. Try to plug in values to understand
what exactly you need.

You see that you have "Y percent of Z".

Let's say Y = 10 and Z = 100 so Y percent of Z is 10% of 100 which is 10. (Try to plug in simple values.)
Next you have "X is what percent greater than..."
Say X = 12.
So the question becomes "12 is what percent greater than 10?"
We know that 12 is 20% greater than 10.
Now, in the options, just put the values of X, Y and Z and see which option gives you 20

A 20 litre mixture of milk and water contains milk and water in the ratio 3 : 2. 10 litres of the mixture is removed and
replaced with pure milk and the operation is repeated once more. At the end of the two removal and replacement,
what is the ratio of milk and water in the resultant mixture? 

(1) 17 : 3 
(2) 9 : 1 
(3) 3 : 17 
(4) 5 : 3 
(5) 11: 2

Use this:
New Concentration of Water = Old concentration of Water * (V1/V2)^n
New Concentration of Water = 2/5 * (1/2)^2 = 1/10
Ratio of milk:water = 9:1

Question: A container has 3 liters of pure lime juice. 1 liter from the container is taken out and 2 liter water is added.
The process is repeated several times. After 19 such operations, quantity of lime juice in the mixture is

We have 3 liters of pure lime juice i.e. 100% lime juice. We are removing the solution and adding water to it. So we
should work with the lime juice.

Let’s try and perform the steps to see what happens:

Step 1: 1lt lime juice is removed – In the leftover solution, concentration of lime juice remains the same i.e. 100%.
New volume of the solution is 2 liters.

Step 2: 2 lt water is added to the solution. The concentration of lime juice changes now (but the amount of lime juice
is still the same as in step 1 above). Also, the volume of the solution is 4 liters now. In this new solution,

The concentration of lime juice after this step Cf1 = (100%)*(2/4) (using point 3 given in the post above)

Step 3: 1lt solution is removed – In the leftover solution, concentration of lime juice remains the same i.e. Cf1. New
volume of the solution is 3 liters.

Step 4: 2 lt water is added to the solution. The concentration of lime juice changes now (but the amount of lime juice
is still the same as in step 3 above). Also, the volume of the solution is 5 liters now. In this new solution,

The concentration of lime juice after this step Cf2 = (Cf1)*(3/5)

Step 5: 1lt solution is removed – In the leftover solution, concentration of lime juice remains the same i.e. Cf2. New
volume of the solution is 4 liters.

Step 6: 2 lt water is added to the solution. The concentration of lime juice changes now (but the amount of lime juice
is still the same as in step 5 above). Also, the volume of the solution is 6 liters now. In this new solution,

The concentration of lime juice after this step Cf3 = (Cf2)*(4/6)

Step 7: 1lt solution is removed – In the leftover solution, concentration of lime juice remains the same i.e. Cf3. New
volume of the solution is 5 liters.

Step 8: 2 lt water is added to the solution. The concentration of lime juice changes now (but the amount of lime juice
is still the same as in step 7 above). Also, the volume of the solution is 7 liters now. In this new solution,

The concentration of lime juice after this step Cf4 = (Cf3)*(5/7)

So, as of now, Cf4 = (100%)*(2/4)*(3/5)*(4/6)*(5/7)

Do you see a pattern here?

Can I say the final concentration after 19 steps will be

Cf = (100%)*(2/4)*(3/5)*(4/6)*(5/7)*…*(17/19)*(18/20)*(19/21)*(20/22)

Did you notice another thing? All terms get canceled (4 in the numerator in 4/6 with 4 in the denominator in 2/4, 5
in the numerator in 5/7 with 5 in the denominator in 3/5 etc) and you are left with

Cf = 1*(2*3)/(21*22) (the first two numerators and the last two denominators)
(You can write down all the terms to see how you are left with just these if you want)

Cf = 1/77
The final volume will be 22 lts (the last denominator)

Hence the volume of lime juice = (1/77) * (22) = 2/7 lts

Mind you, it is a very tricky question but you can do it very quickly once these concepts are clear in your head.

There are 2 bars of copper-nickel alloy. One bar has 2 parts of copper to 5 parts of nickel. The other has 3 parts of copper to 5
parts of nickel. If both bars are melted together to get a 20 kg bar with the final copper to nickel ratio of 5:11. What was the weight
of the first bar?

(A) 1 kg
(B) 4 kg
(C) 6 kg
(D) 14 kg
(E) 16 kg

This question might look different from the question above but it is actually very similar to it. Focus on any one of the two elements,
say Copper (or Nickel if you fancy it more. Either way, you will get the same answer). Forget about the other one. If you notice, in
the question above there are two elements in each mixture too (obviously, that is why they are called mixtures!) – Alcohol and
Water. 20% Alcohol means that the rest 80% is Water. We just work with the concentration of Alcohol because it is given explicitly
to us. We could as well say that mixture A has 80% water and mixture B has 50% water and the combined mixture has 70% water.
Still the ratio obtained will be 2:1. But, still, somehow, giving the ratio of both Copper and Nickel in this question throws people off.

Let me quote one of my favorite GMAT instructors here: “And this is one of many reasons why McDonald’s, the greatest marketing
organization on earth, is a lot like the GMAT, the test that can help you get into the greatest marketing MBA programs on earth. 
They know how to make those tiny tweaks that make massive differences, at least in perception to the end consumer.” (Check out
the complete(-ly) delicious article that discusses Shamrock Shakes here.)

Anyway, let’s get back to this question. I am keen to show you that it is, in fact, just like the previous question.
First bar is 2/7th copper (2 parts copper and 5 parts nickel to get a total of 7 parts). Second bar is 3/8th copper and the combined
alloy is 5/16th copper.

Now, let’s calculate the ratio of weights of the two bars.

w1/w2 = (A2 – Aavg)/(Aavg – A1)

w1/w2 = (3/8 – 5/16)/(5/16 – 2/7) = 7/3

So weight of first bar: weight of second bar = 7:3

Out of a total of 20 kgs, the weight of the first bar was 14 kg and the weight of the second bar was 6 kg.

Or we can use the scale method too.

So the ratio of their weights is 1:3/7 or 7:3

Out of a total of 20 kgs, the weight of the first bar was 14 kg and the weight of the second bar was 6 kg.

A certain list of 200 test scores has an average (arithmetic mean) of 85 and a standard deviation of d, where d is
positive. Which of the following two test scores, when added to the list, must result in a list of 202 test scores with a
standard deviation less than d ?

(A) 80 and 80
(B) 80 and 85
(C) 80 and 90
(D) 85 and 85
(E) 85 and 90

Intuitively, I can see that the answer is the OA. However, can we be sure that the other choices don't reduce the size
of the standar deviation?
The standard deviation of a set shows how much variation there is from the mean, how widespread a given set is.
So, a low standard deviation indicates that the data points tend to be very close to the mean, whereas high standard
deviation indicates that the data are spread out over a large range of values. 

So when we add numbers, which are far from the mean we are stretching the set making SD bigger and when we
add numbers which are close to the mean we are shrinking the set making SD smaller.

According to the above adding two numbers which are closest to the mean will shrink the set most, thus
decreasing SD by the greatest amount.

Closest to the mean are 85 and 85 (actually these numbers equal to the mean) thus adding them will definitely
shrink the set, thus decreasing SD most.

Three bodies A, B and C start moving around a circular track of length 60m from the same point simultaneously in
the same direction at speeds of 3 m/s, 5 m/s and 9 m/s respectively. When will they meet for the first time after they
started moving?

A. 30 seconds
B. 60 seconds
C. 15 seconds
D. 10 seconds
E. 25 seconds

A - 3 m/s, B - 5 m/s, C - 9 m/s

When will they meet if they are moving in the same direction? 
When B covers one (or multiple) complete circle more than A and C also covers one (or multiple) complete circle
more than A.

B's speed is 2 m/s more than A so he will take 60/2 = 30 s to complete one full circle more than A. In 60 secs he will
cover 2 circles more than A and so on...

C's speed is 6 m/s more than A so he will take 60/6 = 10 s to complete one full circle more than A. In 20 secs he will
cover 2 circles more than A and in 30 sec he will cover 3 circles more than A.

So in 30 s, all A, B and C will be at the same point. Answer A.

Or

For this question , we will start with the body who is the slowest i.e. 3m/sec.

Since the questions asks us when all the three bodies are going to meet , so assume the time t is reqduired to do this 
Distance travelled by I body: 3t
Distance travelled by II body: 5t
Distance travelled by III body: 9t

the distances should be equal to meet , and that is possible because of a circular track , length of the track: 60m 

Keep this is mind , for circular track 

The point on the circular track = n * length of the track + remaining distance
where n is a positive integer

Like if someone travels from point Z on the track 200 m then actually he is far from point Z by 20m .
As ,200 = 3*60 +20

Now i inserted the values :

A: 30 secs
I=3*30=90 = one length of track +30 ; 
II=5*30=150 = 2 lenth of track + 30;
III= 9*30 =270 = 4 lenth of track +30;

so everyone is at 30 m after 30 secs.

Hence A is the answer.

In 2008, the membership of People’s Society was 90,000. In 2009, it increased by 22.22%. In 2010, it decreased by
9.09%. What was the membership at the end of 2010?
Solution: 11.11% = (1/9), therefore 22.22% must be 2/9 (multiplying both sides of the equation by 2). To increase a
number by 22.22%, we must multiply it by 11/9 (because 1 + 2/9 = 11/9). Also, 9.09% = 1/11. To decrease a number
by 9.09%, we must multiply it by 10/11 (because 1 – 1/11 = 10/11)

Membership at the end of 2009 = 90,000*(11/9)

Membership at the end of 2010 = 90,000*(11/9)*(10/11) = 100,000

When there are only two successive percentage changes, we can derive a formula. In some cases, the formula makes
the solution very simple.

When a number, N, changes by x% and then changes again by y%, we do the following to find the new number:

New number = N * (1 + x/100) * (1 + y/100)

Now, (1 + x/100) * (1 + y/100) = 1 + x/100 + y/100 + xy/10000
If we say that x + y + xy/100 = z, then (1 + x/100) * (1 + y/100) = 1 + z/100

Here,  z is the effective percentage change when a number is changed successively by two percentage changes. Let’s
take another example to see the formula in action:

Example 3:
A city’s population was 10,000 at the end of 2008. In 2009, it increased by 20% and in 2010, it decreased by 10%.
What was the city’s population at the end of 2010?

x% = 20%
y% = – 10% (Notice the negative sign here because this is a decrease)

Effective percentage change = x + y + xy/100 = 20 + (– 10) + 20*(-10)/100 = 8%

Population at the end of 2010 = 10,000 * (108/100) = 10800
Note: When the percentage is a decrease, a negative sign is used as shown above.
This formula is used only when there are two successive percentage changes and the percentages are easy to work
with e.g. 15% and 25%, -10% and – 30% etc.
With more than two successive percentage changes or trickier percentage values e.g. 11.11% and 18.18%, 9.09% and
6.25% etc, stick to the method shown above.

An integer between 1 and 300, inclusive, is chosen at random. What is the probability that the integer so chosen
equals an integer raised to an exponent that is an integer greater than 1?

A. 17/300
B. 1/15
C. 2/25
D. 1/10
E. 3/25

Basically we need to find how many m^n (where n>1) are between 1 and 300 inclusive.

For n=2 --> m^2<300 --> m<18, so there are 17 such numbers: 1^2=1, 2^2=4, 3^2=9, 4^2=16, ..., 17^2=289;

For n=3 --> m^3<300 --> m<7, so there are 6 such numbers: 1^3=1, 2^3=8, 3^3=27, 4^3=64, 5^3=125, 6^3=216.
1^3=1=1^2 and 4^3=64=8^2 have already been counted so, that leaves only 4 numbers;

Skip n=4, since all perfect fourth power numbers are also perfect squares;

For n=5 --> m^5<300 --> m<4, so there are 3 such numbers: 1^5=1, 2^5=32, 3^5=243. 1^5=1=1^2 has already been
counted so, that leaves only 2 numbers;

Skip n=6 for the same reason as n=3;

For n=7 --> m^7<300 --> m<3, so there are 3 such numbers: 1^7=1, 2^7=128. 1^7=1=1^2 has already been counted
so, that leaves only 1 numbers.

Total: 17+4+2+1=24.
The probably thus equals to 24/300=2/25.

To travel 600 Km , train x takes 8 hours more than train y. If however, the speed of the train x is doubled, it takes 2
hours less than train y. What is the speed of the train y?

600/x -600/y = 8
And 600/y - 600/2x = 2
this can be equated to 600 = 20x
So the value of x is : 30 km/hr
putting this is euation one we get : 600/30 -8 = 600/y => y = 50 km/hr

=======

By doubling the speed of x the difference in the time is 8+2 = 10

Hence 600/x - 600/2x = 10
Hence x = 30 and y = 50
======

we have three equations

600 = x(t+8) = 2x(t-2) = yt where x is speed if train X and t = time of train Y
we get t+8=2t-4 => t = 12
now 600 = yt => 600 = 12*y => y = 50

For a fibonacci sequence, from third term onwards each term is the sum previous 2 terms. If the difference in
squares of seventh and sixth terms of this sequence is 517,
What will be the tenth term of this sequence?

a) 147
b) 76
c) 123
d) can't be determined

F7^2-F6^2=517
(F7-F6)*(F7+F6)=517

Prime factorization of 517=11*47.

Hence:
F7-F6=11
F7+F6=47

F7=29 and F6=18

F7+F6=F8=29+18=47
F7+F8=F9=29+47=76
F8+F9=F10=47+76=123
Answer: C.

At least 10 percent of the people in Country X who are 65 years old or older employed?
(1) In country X, 11.3 percent of the population is 65 year old or older
(2) In country X, of the population 65 year old or older, 20 percent of the men and 10 percent of the women are
employed

Question: is at least 10% of some particular group of people employed? (Don't let the phrase "of the population 65
year old or older" confuse you, refer to it as to some particular group.)

(1) This particular group composes 11.3% of total population. Clearly insufficient, as no info about employment rates
in this group.

(2) 20% of the men in this group and 10% of the women in this group are employed. No matter how many men and
women are in this group, more than 10% will be employed. This is because the weighted average of 2 individual
averages (10% and 20%) must lie between these individual averages, so percent of employed people in this group is
between 10% and 20%. Sufficient.

Answer: B.

20%=0.2 and 10%=0.1, so in nominator you'd have   --> 

There is another mistake in your calculations: 1020/110=~9.27, which in percents equals

to   not 9.27% (you transformed number into percent incorrectly).

To explain the concept better:

Consider a class with   boys (value_1) and   girls (value_2). The average height of boys is 1.70m (weight_1) and
the average height of girls is 1.6 (weight_2). What is the average height of all students in the class? 

Now no matter what   and   are, weighted average can not be less that the height of girls and can not be more
than the height of boys.

Which means:
Weighted average always will be between two individual weights.

atement (2) is weighted average example.  .

Weighted average always will be between two individual weights, weight 1 and weight 2.

Example:
Let's say there are 10 men (value 1) and 100 (value 2) women in this group (>65).
20% of men are employed --> 2 men are employed (individual average - weight 1);
10% of women are employed --> 10 women are employed (individual average - weight 2);

% of population employed

(>65):  . For any

numbers of men and women weighted average will be between 10% and 20%.

How many odd integers are greater than the integer x and less than the integer y?

(1) There are 12 even integers greater than x and less than y
(2) There are 24 integers greater than x and less than y

1) Here is the string of 12 even integers and 11 odd integers between them: eoeoeoeoeoeoeoeoeoeoeoe. 

4 cases are possible:

If x and y are both odd then XeoeoeoeoeoeoeoeoeoeoeoeY then there will be 11 odd integers between them;
If x and y are both even then XoeoeoeoeoeoeoeoeoeoeoeoeoY then there will be 11+2=13 odd integers between
them;
If x is even and y is odd then XoeoeoeoeoeoeoeoeoeoeoeoeY then there will be 11+1=12 odd integers between
them;
If x is odd and y is even then XeoeoeoeoeoeoeoeoeoeoeoeoY then again there will be 11+1=12 odd integers
between them.
Not sufficient.
(2) Out of 24 consecutive integers greater than X and less than Y in any case half will be odd and another half will be
even, so there are 12 odd integers greater than X and less than Y. Sufficient.
Answer: B.
P.S. You can try instead of 12 and 24 some smaller numbers to simplify calculations for example 2 even integers for
(1) and 4 integers for (2).

At the beginning of the year, the Finance Committee and the Planning Committee of a certain company each had n
members, and no one was a member of both committees. At the end of the year, 5 members left the Finance
Committee and 3 members left the Planning Committee. How many members did the Finance Committee have at
the beginning of the year? 

(1) The ratio of the total number of members who left at the end of the year to the total number of members at the
beginning of the year was 1:6. 
(2) At the end of the year, 21 members remained on the Planning Committee.

Members in FC and PC are n,n 

Members left FC=5
Members left PC =3
Members in FC at the start of the year =?
1) 
members left/total members = 1:6
8/T=1/6 
T=48
Members in FC at the start of the year =48/2 = 24 Sufficient
2)Members at the end in PC =21
Members at the starting of the year = 21+3=24
Members PC=Members FC= 24 Sufficient
Hence, D is the answer.

A man cycling along the road noticed that every 12 minutes a bus overtakes him and every 4 minutes he meets an
oncoming bus. If all buses and the cyclist move at a constant speed, what is the time interval between consecutive
buses?
A. 5 minutes
B. 6 minutes
C. 8 minutes
D. 9 minutes
E. 10 minutes

Let's say the distance between the buses is  . We want to determine  , where   is the speed of bus.

Let the speed of cyclist be  .

Every 12 minutes a bus overtakes cyclist:  ,  ;

Every 4 minutes cyclist meets an oncoming bus:  ,  ;

, -->  , -->  .

Answer: B (6 minutes).

Lena’s grade was in the 80th percentile out of 120 grades in her class. In another class of 200 students there were
24 grades higher than Lena’s. If nobody had Lena’s grade, then Lena was what percentile of the two classes
combined?

If someone's grade is in   percentile of the   grades, this means that   of people out of   has the grades
less than this person.

So, being in 80th percentile out of 120 grades means Lena outscored   classmates.
In another class she would outscored   students. 

So, in combined classes she outscored  . As there are total of   students, so Lena is

in  , or in 85th percentile.

For which of the following functions is f(a+b)= f(a)+f(b) for all positive numbers a and b?
A. 
B. 
C. 

D. 
E. 

A. 

B. 

C.  .

D.  .
E.  . Correct.

Answer: E.

OR, as f(a+b)= f(a)+f(b) must be true for all positive numbers a and b, then you can randomly pick particular values of
a and b and check for them: 
For example:   and 

A. 

B. 

C. 

D.   
E.  . Correct.

It might happen that for some choices of a and b other options may be "correct" as well. If this happens just pick
some other numbers and check again these "correct" options only.

You can save time by using an intuitive method. Look for the expression that satisfies the distributive property i.e. x *
(y + z) = (x * y) + (x * z)

When you put (a+b), it should give you individual functions in a and b which means that you will get two separate,
comparable terms in a and b. 
Squares, roots, addition and division by the variable does not satisfy the distributive property.
Multiplication does. So check for option (E) first.
One rule of thumb - in such questions, try the options which have multiplication/addition first. These two operators
have various properties which make such relations possible.

If x is the average (arithmetic mean) of 5 consecutive even integers, which of the following must be true?

I. x is an even integer.
II. x is a nonzero integer.
III. x is a multiple of 5.

(A) I only
(B) III only
(C) I and II only
(D) I and III only
(E) I, II, and III

First of all notice that we are asked which of the following MUST be true, not COULD be true.
Also notice that the average of 5 consecutive even integers equals to the median, so it's just a middle term. So, I
must always be true: {even, even, even, even, even}
Next:
II. x is a nonzero integer. Not necessarily true, consider: {-4, -2, 0, 2, 4};
III. x is a multiple of 5. Not necessarily true, consider: {0, 2, 4, 6, 8}.
Answer: A.

Randy can rebuild an automobile engine in a hours. Alvin can rebuild the same engine in b hours. If Randy and Alvin
work together at their respective rates to rebuild the engine, which of the following represents the portion of the job
that Randy will not have to complete?

A. ab/(a+b)
B. (a-b)/(a+b)
C. b/(b-a)
D. a/(a+b)
E. b/(a+b)

Randy can do the job in a hrs, Alvin can do the job in b hrs.

When they work together, you need to find the fraction of work that Randy doesn't need to do i.e. the fraction that
will be done by Alvin.

Ratio of Randy's speed:Alvin's speed = b:a (since time taken by them is in the ratio a:b)
So Randy does b/(a+b) of the work and Alvin does a/(a+b) of the work.
Answer (D).

The rate of Randy is   job/hour;

The rate of Alvin is   job/hour;

Their combined rate is  , so working together they will complete the job in   hours.

Now, in   hours Alvin will complete   part of the job (rate*time=job) and this will be the part
which Randy will not have to complete.
Answer: D.

For any positive integer n, the sum of the first n positive integers equals n(n+1)/2. What is the sum of all the even
integers between 99 and 301?

A. 10,100
B. 20,200
C. 22,650
D. 40,200
E. 45,150

Approach #1:
Even integer between 99 and 301 represent evenly spaced set (aka arithmetic progression): 100, 102, 104, ..., 300.
Now, the sum of the elements in any evenly spaced set is the mean (average) multiplied by the number of terms.
(Check Number Theory chapter of Math Book for more: math-number-theory-88376.html)

Average of the set: (largest+smallest)/2=(300+100)/2=200;

# of terms: (largest-smallest)/2+1=(300-100)/2+1=101 (check this: totally-basic-94862.html#p730075);

The sum = 200*101= 20,200.

Answer: B.

Approach #2:
Using the formula of the sum of the first n positive integers: n(n+1)/2.

100+102+...+300=2(50+51+..+150). Now, the sum of the integers from 50 to 150, inclusive equals to the sum of the
integers from 1 to 150, inclusive minus the sum of the integers from 1 to 49, inclusive. 2(50+51+..
+150)=2*(150(150+1)/2-49(49+1)/2)=20,200.

Answer: B.

How many multiples of 4 are there between 12 and 96, inclusive?

A. 21
B. 22
C. 23
D. 24
E. 25

In the original case:  .

If the question were: how many multiples of 5 are there between -7 and 35, not inclusive?

Last multiple of 5 IN the range is 30;

First multiple of 5 IN the range is -5;

.
OR:
How many multiples of 7 are there between -28 and -1, not inclusive?
Last multiple of 7 IN the range is -7;
First multiple of 7 IN the range is -21;

Two boats are heading towards each other at constant speeds of 5 miles/hr and 20 miles/hr respectively. They begin
at a distance 20 miles from each other. How far are they (in miles) one minute before they collide ?

A. 1/12
B. 5/12
C. 1/6 
D. 1/3 
E. 1/5

The question asks: how far apart will they be 1 minute=1/60 hours before they collide? 
Since the combined rate of the boats is 5+20=25 mph then 1/60 hours before they collide they'll be
rate*time=distance --> 25*1/60=5/12 miles apart.
Answer: B.

What is the median number of employees assigned per project for the projects at Company Z?

(1) 25 percent of the projects at Company Z have 4 or more employees assigned to each project.
(2) 35 percent of the projects at Company Z have 2 or fewer employees assigned to each project

What is the median number of employees assigned per project for the projects at Company Z?

(1) Not sufficient on its own.

(2) Not sufficient on its own.

(1)+(2) Since 35% of of the projects have 2 or fewer ( )employees and 25% of the projects have 4 or more ( )
employees, then 100%-(25%+35%)=40% of the projects have exactly 3 employees assigned to each of them. So, the
median number of employees assigned per project is 3. Sufficient.

Answer: C.
To elaborate more: consider there are 100 projects:  . The values of   to   will be 0, 1,
or 2; the values of   to   will be exactly 3; the values of   to   will be 4 or

more.  .

A meeting has to be conducted with 5 managers. Find the number of ways in which the managers be selected from
among 9 managers, if 2 managers will not attend the meeting together?

A. 35
B. 91
C. 120
D. 126
E. 150

, where:

 is the total # of ways to choose 5 people out of 9 without any restriction;
  is the # of ways to choose 2 managers who will not attend the meeting together and other 3 managers out
7 left (restriction).
Answer: B.

Airplane A flew against a headwind a distance of 900 miles at an average speed of (s - 50) miles per hour. Airplane B
fl‡ew the same route in the opposite direction with a tailwind and traveled the same distance at an average speed of
(s + 50) miles per hour. If Airplane A’s trip took 1.5 hours longer than Airplane B’s trip, how many hours did Airplane
B’s trip take?

A. 1.5
B. 2
C. 2.5
D. 3
E. 3.5

Time taken by A  ;

Time taken by B  ;

We are told that the time for A was 3/2 hours longer:   -->   --

>   -->   -->   -->  .

Time taken by B  .
Answer: D.

You can club number picking with algebra to get a faster solution. 
As Bunuel did above:

Multiply both sides by 2 to get:

Now try values for s which will give you integers with a difference of 3.

First guess: s = 150

You get 18 - 9. You need to go higher to get smaller values so that difference between them is lesser i.e. 3

Second guess: s = 250

You get 9 - 6
So s must be 250.

Time taken = 900/(250 + 50) = 3 hrs

Set X consists of seven consecutive integers, and Set Y consists of nine consecutive integers. Is the median of the
numbers in set X equal to the median of the numbers in set Y?
(1) The sum of the numbers in set X is equal to the sum of the numbers in set Y.
(2) The median of the numbers in set Y is 0.

Sets X and Y are evenly spaced. In any evenly spaced set (aka arithmetic progression): 
(mean) = (median) = (the average of the first and the last terms) and (the sum of the elements) = (the mean) * (# of
elements).

So the question asks whether (mean of X) = (mean of Y)? 

(1) The sum of the numbers in set X is equal to the sum of the numbers in set Y --> 7*(mean of X) = 9* (mean of Y) -->
answer to the question will be YES in case (mean of X) = (mean of Y) = 0 and will be NO in all other cases (for
example(mean of X) =9 and (mean of Y) = 7). Not sufficient.
For example consider following two sets:
Set X: {6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12} --> sum 63;
Set Y: {3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11} --> sum 63.

(2) The median of the numbers in set Y is 0 --> (mean of Y) = 0, insufficient as we know nothing about the mean of X,
which may or may not be zero.
(1)+(2) Since from (2) (mean of Y) = 0 and from (2) 7*(mean of X) = 9* (mean of Y) then (mean of X) = 0. Sufficient.

Answer: C.

A company received $2 million in royalties on the first $10 million in sales and then $8 million in royalties on the next
$100 million in sales. By what percent did the ratio of royalties to sales decrease from the first $10 million in sales to
the next $100 million in sales?

Solution: Percent decrease can be calculated by the formula above: 

, so the royalties decreased by 60%.

 Compound Interest

, where C = the number of times compounded

annually. If C=1, meaning that interest is compounded once a year, then the formula will

be:  , where time is number of years.

Example: If $20,000 is invested at 12% annual interest, compounded quarterly, what is the balance after 2 year?

Solution: 

John purchased large bottles of water for $2 each and small bottles of water for $1.50 each. What percent of the
bottles purchased were small bottles? 

(1) John spent $33 on the bottles of water

(2) The average price of bottles purchased was $1.65

Say John purchased x large bottles and y small bottles.

(1) John spent $33 on the bottles of water -->   -->  . Several integer solutions
possible to satisfy this equation, for example   and   OR   and  . Not sufficient.

(2) The average price of bottles purchased was $1.65 -->   -->   --

>   -->  , we have the ratio, which is sufficient to get the percentage.

Just to illustrate  .

Answer: B.

A new sales clerk in a department store has been assigned to mark sale items with red tags, and she has marked 30%
of the store items for sale. However, 20% of the items that are supposed to be marked with their regular prices are
now marked for sale, and 55% of the items that are supposed to be marked for sale are marked with regular prices.
What percent of the items that are marked for sale are supposed to be marked with regular prices? 

A. 30% 
B. 35% 
C. 40% 
D. 45% 
E. 50%

# of items 100 (assume);

# of items that should be marked for sale is x;
# of items that should be at the regular price is 100-x;
# of items that are actually marked for sale 0.3*100=30.

Let's see how many items are marked for sale:

20% of 100-x (20% of the items that are supposed to be marked with their regular prices (100-x) are now marked for
sale); 
100-55=45% of x (since 55% of the items that are supposed to be marked for sale (x) are marked with regular prices,
then the remaining 45% of x are marked for sale);

So, 0.2(100-x)+0.45x=30 --> x=40 (# of items that should be marked for sale).

So, # of the items that are supposed to be marked with their regular prices is 0.2*(100-40)=12, which is
12/30*100=40% of # of items that are actually marked for sale.
Answer: C.

Say there are 100 items in the store. Some of them are sale items (those that should be marked for sale) and the rest
are regular items (should have regular prices)

20% of regular items are marked for sale. 45% of sale items are marked for sale (since 55% of sale items have regular
prices). Total 30% of the items are marked for sale. So 30 items are marked for sale.
Does it remind you of something? Weighted Average!

regular items/sale items = w1/w2 = (45 - 30)/(30 - 20) = 3/2

Total 60% (=3/5) of the items are regular items. 20% of them are marked for sale so number of regular items marked
for sale = 20% of 60 = 12
Out of the 30 items marked for sale, 12 are actually regular items which is 12/30 *100 = 40%

Is the average (arithmetic mean) of 5 different positive integers at least 30? 

(1) Each of the integers is a multiple of 10 

(2) The sum of the 5 integers is 160

It's almost always better to express the average in terms of the sum. The question basically asks whether the sum of
5different positive integers is at least 5*30=150.

(1) Each of the integers is a multiple of 10 --> the least values of these 5 different positive integers are: 10, 20, 30,
40, and 50 --> the sum = 150. Sufficient.

(2) The sum of the 5 integers is 160. Directly answers the question. Sufficient

A box contains 10 light bulbs, fewer than half of which are defective. Two bulbs are to be drawn simultaneously from
the box. If n of the bulbs in box are defective, what is the value of n? 
(1) The probability that the two bulbs to be drawn will be defective is 1/15. 
(2) The probability that one of the bulbs to be drawn will be defective and the other will not be defective is 7/15.

Given:   and  . Question: 

(1) The probability that the two bulbs to be drawn will be defective is 1/15 --> clearly sufficient, as probability,  , of
drawing 2 defective bulbs out of total 10 bulbs, obviously depends on # of defective bulbs,  , so we can calculate
uniques value of   if we are given  . 

To show how it can be done:   -->   -->   or   (not a valid solution as 
represents # of defective bulbs and can not be negative). Sufficient.

(2) The probability that one of the bulbs to be drawn will be defective and the other will not be defective is 7/15 -->
also sufficient, but a little bit trickier: if it were 3 defective and 7 good bulbs OR 7 defective and 3 good bulbs, then
the probability of drawing one defective and one good bulb would be the same for both cases (symmetric
distribution), so info about the probability, 7/15, of drawing one defective and one good bulb would give us 2 values
of   one less than 5 and another more than 5 (their sum would be 10), but as we are given that  , we can stiil
get unique value of   which is less than 5. 

To show how it can be done:   -->   -->   or   (not a valid solution
as  ). Sufficient.

Answer: D.

Al can complete a particular job in 8 hours. Boris can complete the same job in 5 hours. Cody can complete a
second job, which requires twice as much work as the first, in 8 hours. If all three people work together on the
larger job for 2 hours, how long, in hours, would it take Al, working alone, to finish the job?
A. 0.8
B. 3.0
C. 6.8
D. 8.0
E. 8.8
Al can complete a particular job in 8 hours, hence he can complete the second job which requires twice as much
work as the first in 16 hours --> the rate of Al for this larger job is 1/16 job/hour;
Boris can complete a particular job in 5 hours, hence he can complete the second job which requires twice as much
work as the first in 10 hours --> the rate of Boris for this larger job is 1/10 job/hour;
The rate of Cody for this larger job is 1/8 job/hour.
In 2 hours all three would complete 2*(1/16+1/10+1/8)=23/40 part of the larger job, so 17/40 part of it is left to be
done.
Al can complete it in time=job/rate=(17/40)/(1/16)=34/5=6.8 hours.
Answer: C.

If the total price of n equally priced stock shares is p, what is p? 

(1) If the price of each share were to increase by $1, p would increase by $40. 
(2) If the price of half of the shares increased by 25 percent each, p would increase by $10.

the total price of n equally priced stock shares is p

This statement tells us that the price of each share is p/n.

Stmnt 1: If the price of each share were to increase by $1, total price would increase by $40. This means 40 shares
must have contributed an extra dollar each so n = 40. But no information about p. Not Sufficient.
Stmnt 2: If the price of half of the shares increased by 25 percent each, p would increase by $10
'Price of half the shares' is p/2. 25% of this is equal to $10. So (p/2)*(25/100) = 10.
p = 80. Sufficient. 

Answer (B).

Bill can dig a well in x! hours. Carlos can dig the same well in y! hours. If q is the number of hours that it takes Bill and
Carlos to dig the well together, working at their respective rates, is q an integer?

(1) x - y = 1 
(2) y is a nonprime even number.

As per given conditions:

 => 
Statement 2: no condition about X, thus not sufficient.
Statement 1: x -y=1 => x = y+1 => 

=> 

if y = 2 q = 3!/4 = 3/2 not an integer

if y = 4 Q= 5!/6 = 20 = integer
Thus not sufficient.
Considering both the statement y cannot be 2, for all even values of y except 2, q is an integer.
Thus C

Last year in a group of 30 businesses, 21 reported a net profit and 15 had investments in foreign markets. How many
of the businesses did not report a net profit nor invest in foreign markets last year?
(1) last year 12 of the 30 businesses reported a net profit and had investments in foreign markets.
(2) last year 24 of the 30 businesses reported a net profit or invested in foreign markets, or both.

Each employee on a certain task force is either a manager or a director. What percentage of the employees are
directors:

1) Average salary for manager is $5,000 less than average of all employees.
2) Average salary of directors is $15,000 greater than average salary of all employees

Total avg of Manager and Director = x

For Managers ,
Salary Avg = m = (x-5000)
Managers Count = M

For Directors ,
Salary Avg = d = (x+15000)
Directors Count = D

We have a clue in stmt that they are talking abt averages so lets substitute in the formula
Avg (x) = {M(x-5000) + D(x+15000) } / (M+D)
After solving the above eqn you will get a relationship between M and D and it is 
M/D =1/3 and hence the answer is C.

Suppose: no. of managers = m 

managers' avg. salary = s1
no. of directors = d 
directors avg salary = s2 

From st 1: 
s1 + 5000 = (s1 m + s2 d) / (m+d) 
s1 (m+d) + 5000 (m+d) = (s1 m + s2 d)
s1 m + s1 d + 5000m + 5000d = s1 m + s2 d
s1 d + 5000m + 5000d = s2 d
s2 d - s1 d = 5000 (m + d)
d (s2 - s1) = 5000 (m + d)
s2 - s1 = 5000 (m + d)/d

From st 2: 
s2 - 15000 = (s1 m + s2 d) / (m+d) 
s2 - s1 = 15000 (m+d)/m 

From 1 and 2: 5000 (m+d)/d = 15000 (m+d)/m 

m = 3d 
d/(m+d) = d/(3d+d) = 1/4
So C is correct.

Thumb rule: - 
part / whole = % / 100 

Let m = no of managers and M be the avg salaray of a manager 

d = no of directors and D be the avg salary of the director. 
T be the avg salary of the total group. 

We can say that Mm + Dd = T(m + d) ----> Eq 1 

Question asked is what is the Percentage of directors ie (d / (m+d)) = ? 

For simplicity lets consider 5 and 15 instead of 5000 or 15000. 

From stmt1, avg salary of managers is 5 less than total avg 

==> Mm = (T-5)m. ---> Eq 2. We don't know any thing abt d or D. Cannot simplfy this further to find out what is d /
(m+d). Hence Insufficient. 

From stmt2, avg salary of directors is 15 more than total avg 

==> Dd = Td + 15d. --> Eq 3. We don't know anything abt M or m. Cannot simplfy this further to find out what is d /
(m+d). Hence Insufficient. 
Combine stmt 1 and 2 for Mm and Dd in Eq 1, we get, 
Tm - 5m + Td + 15d = Tm + Td. 
==> 3d = m. 
Now we can solve for d / (m+d) which is d / 4d = 1/4. Hence sufficient. 
===
Actually the above diagram can be better represented as
Avg M-----(5000)-----Avg Tot-----------------(15000)--------------Avg D
ie, Avg of managers is at distance of 5000 from total avg, and avg of directors is at a distance for 15000 from tot avg.

Now concept of weighted avg is that The total avg will be most affected by the heaviest weight, ie, more the number
of managers, closer will be tot avg to their avg salary, more the number of directors, closer will be the tot avg to
their avg.

Now Avg tot is most affected by avg M, that means managers are more. 
How many more relative to directors?
Avg D is 3 times as far from tot avg as is Avg M. 

that implies that weight of AvgM is 3 times greater than weight of AvgD. 
weight here is nothing but number of managers. 

During a 7-year period the profits of Midas, Inc. changed by what percent from the sixth year to the seventh year?
(1) The profits of Midas, Inc. during the seventh year were 50 percent greater than the profits during the third year.
(2) The increase in the profits of Midas, Inc. was the same for each year during the 7-year period.

E as increase mentioned in stmt 2 is absolute increase not percentage increase.

=============
A+P+M = 1500
(1) is insufficent, no information about Marsha
(2) A+P = 1150
Insufficent.
(1) + (2)
v - Speed of Pablo
t - time taken by Pablo
v*t + (v - 5) * (t +1) = 1150
Not Sufficient
Answer – E

Train A leaves New York for Boston at 3 PM and travels at the constant speed of 100 mph. An hour later, it passes
Train B, which is making the trip from Boston to New York at a constant speed. If Train B left Boston at 3:50 PM and
if the combined travel time of the two trains is 2 hours, what time did Train B arrive in New York? 
(1) Train B arrived in New York before Train A arrived in Boston. 
(2) The distance between New York and Boston is greater than 140 miles.

Make it simple:

Let:
 be the distance between cities;
 be the rate of Train B.

"An hour later (so at 4:00PM), Train A passes Train B" --> before they pass each other A traveled 1 hour (4PM-3PM)
and B traveled 1/6 hours (4PM-3:50PM).

"Combined travel time of the two trains is 2 hours" --> d/100(time to cover all distance for train A)+d/x(time to cover

all distance for train B)=2 -->  ;

As before they pass A traveled 100 miles (1 hour at 100 miles per hour), then distance to cover for B after they pass
is this 100 miles and as B traveled x*1/6 miles before they pass (1/6 hour at x miles per hour), then distance to cover

for A after they pass is this x*1/6 miles -->  ;

So, we have:
  and  .

Solving for   and 

 and  ;
OR:

 and  .

(1) Says that train B arrived before A.

If   A arrives at 4:20, B at 4:30, not good;
If   A arrives at 4:30, B at 4:20, OK.
Sufficient

(2) Says that   -->   -->  , arrival time for B 4:20. Sufficient
Answer D.

Car X leaves Town A at 2 p.m. and drives toward Town B at a constant rate of m miles per hour. Fifteen minutes
later, Car Y begins driving from Town B to Town A at a constant rate of n miles an hour. If both Car X and Car Y drive
along the same route, will Car X be closer to Town A or Town B when it passes Car Y ?

(1) Car X arrives in Town B 90 minutes after leaving city A.

(2) Car Y arrives in Town A at the same time Car X arrived in Town B.

 (P meeting point). Question: is  ?

(1) Car X arrives in Town B 90 minutes after leaving city A. No info about car Y. Not sufficient.

(2) Car Y arrives in Town A at the same time Car X arrived in Town B --> X needs 15 min longer than Y to cover the
same distance (as Y starts 15 min after X) --> rate of X < rate of Y (m<n). Also, after they meet X and Y will need the
same time to get to their respective destinations (as they arrived at the same time) --> the distance covered by Y
after they meet (PA=nt) at higher speed, will obviously be more than the distance covered by X after they meet
(PB=mt) at lower speed (or algebraically as m<n, mt<nt -->  ). So  . Sufficient.

Answer: B.

A person inherited few gold coins from his father. If he put 9 coins in each bag then 7 coins are left over. However if
he puts 7 coins in each bag then 3 coins are left over. What is the number of coins he inherited from his father.

(1) The number of coins lies between 50 to 120.

(2) If he put 13 coins in one bag then no coin is left over and number of coins being lesser than 200.

If he puts 9 coins in each bag then 7 coins are left over -->  , so # of coins can be: 7, 16, 25, 34, 43, 52,
61, ...
If he puts 7 coins in each bag then 3 coins are left over -->  , so # of coins can be: 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, 38,
45, 52, 59, ...

General formula for   based on above two statements will be:   (the divisor should be the least
common multiple of above two divisors 9 and 7, so 63 and the remainder should be the first common integer in
above two patterns, hence 52). For more about this concept see: manhattan-remainder-problem-
93752.html#p721341, when-positive-integer-n-is-divided-by-5-the-remainder-is-90442.html#p722552, when-the-
positive-integer-a-is-divided-by-5-and-125591.html#p1028654

 means that # of coins can be: 52, 115, 178, 241, ...

(1) The number of coins lies between 50 to 120 --> # of coins can be 52 or 115. Not sufficient.
(2) If he put 13 coins in one bag then no coin is left over and number of coins being lesser than 200 --> # of coins is a
multiple of 13 and less than 200: only 52 satisfies this condition. Sufficient.

Answer: B.

At a particular moment, a restaurant has x biscuits and y patron(s), with x>2 and y>1. How many values of y are
there, such that all the biscuits can be distributed among the patrons, with each patron receiving an equal number of
whole biscuits and with no biscuits left over?

(1) x=a^2*b^3, where a and b are different prime numbers

(2) b=a+1

Basically the questions asks: how many values of y are there, such that x/y=integer, which means that we are asked
to find the # of factors of x.

(1) x=a^2*b^3, where a and b are different prime numbers --> the # of factors of x (including 1 and x itself) is (2+1)
(3+1)=12, so y can take 12-1=11 values (y can take all the values except 1 since given that y>1)

(2) b=a+1. Not sufficient.

Answer: A.

A set of numbers contains 7 integers and has an average (arithmetic mean) value as well as a median value of 23. If
the largest value is equal to 15 more than 4 times the smallest number, what is the largest possible range for the
numbers in the set?

A. 33
B. 35
C. 38
D. 48
E. 75

he average of 7 numbers is 23 --> the sum of these numbers is 7*23=161;

The median of 7 numbers is 23 --> 23 is the middle term: {*, *, *, 23, *, *, *};
The largest value is equal to 15 more than 4 times the smallest number --> say the smallest number is x then the
largest number would be 4x+15, so our set is {x, *, *, 23, *, *, 4x+15};

Now, in order to maximize the range we need to make the second and the third numbers equal to x and the fifth and
sixth numbers equal to 23, so the set should be {x, x, x, 23, 23, 23, 4x+15}. 

Since the sum is 161 then x+x+x+23+23+23+4x+15=161 --> x=11.

The range is (4x+15)-x=3x+15=48.
Answer: D.

In any evenly spaced set the arithmetic mean (average) is equal to the median. For example for a set {1, 3, 5, 7, 9}
mean=median=5.
But the reverse of this property is not always true. For example a set {0, 1, 1, 1, 2} has the median as well as mean
equal to 1, but this set is not evenly spaced.

Two trains run in opposite directions on a circular track. Train A travels at a rate of 4π miles per hour and Train B
runs at a rate of 6π miles per hour. If the track has a radius of 6 miles and the trains both start from Point S at the
same time, how long, in hours, after the trains depart will they again meet at Point S?

A. 3
B. 6
C. 9
D. 18
E. 22

The circumference of the track is  ;

Train A will be at point S every   hours;

Train B will be at point S every   hours;

So, they will meet at point S for the first time in 6 hours (the least common multiple of 2 and 3).

When two objects travel in opposite direction, they are covering the given distance at a speed which is difference
between their respective speeds. 

Thus If train A travels at 6 km and train B travels at 4 km in opposite direction, every hour a gap of 2km is being
bridged. Thus to cover a circumference of 12, they would need 6 hours i.e. 2 km every hour. 

Point S is nothing but a point from where the trains start. Since trains are travelling in opposite directions, to reach
to point S again, they will have to cover entire circumference. Therefore difference of relative speed is calculated. 

On her way home from work, Janet drives through several tollbooths. Is there a pair of these tollbooths that are less
than 10 miles apart?

(1) The first tollbooth and the last tollbooth are 25 miles apart
(2) Janet drives through 4 tollbooths on her way home from work.

(1) The first tollbooth and the last tollbooth are 25 miles apart --> even if we take several to mean more than 2, still
(1) is not sufficient as we can have 3 tollbooths as shown below:
|---(12.5)---|---(12.5)---| (answer No) OR |-(2.5)-|-----(22.5)-----| (answer Yes). 

(2) Janet drives through 4 tollbooths on her way home from work. Clearly insufficient

(1)+(2) We know that the first tollbooth and the last tollbooth are 25 miles apart AND that there are total of 4
tollbooths:
first-----(25)-----last 
Now, we can not place 2 more tollbooths between the first one and the last one (the fourth) so that at least one pair
of tollbooths won't be less than 10 miles apart (no matter whether they are evenly spaced or not). Average distance,
in case tollbooths are evenly spaced will be 8.(3), so at least one pair must be less than or equal to this distance as if
all pairs are more than 8.(3) miles apart then the distance between the first and the last will be more than 25 miles.
Sufficient.
Answer: C.

If Bob produces 36 or fewer items in a week, he is paid X dollars per item. If Bob produces more than 36 items in a
week, he is paid X dollars per item for the first 36 items and 3/2 times that amount for each additional item. How
many items did Bob produce last week? 

(1) Last week Bob was paid total of $480 for the items that he produced that week. 
(2) This week Bob produced 2 items more than last week and was paid a total of $510 for the items that he produced
this week.
First let's set the equation for Bob's income:

, when  ,
OR
, when  .

(1) Last week Bob was paid total of $480 for the items that he produced that week -->  . Clearly
insufficient.

Either:   OR 

(2) This week Bob produced 2 items more than last week and was paid a total of $510 for the items that he produced
this week -->  ,  . Clearly insufficient.

Either:   OR 

(1)+(2) We can have three system of equations:

 and  , meaning that  . In this case   and  .

OR:
 and  , meaning that   and   ( ). In this case n
has no integer value, so this system doesn't work;

OR:
 and  , meaning that  . In this case   and  .

So we can have two values for n. Not sufficient.

Answer: E.

The last step can be done in another way: 

We know that 2 more items resulted 30$ more.

If these two items were paid by 1.5x rate (n>=36) --> 1.5x+1.5x=30 --> x=10 and as n>=36, we should substitute this
value in the second equation from (1), which gives n=44
If these two items were paid by x rate (n<=34) --> x+x=30 --> x=15 and as n<=34, we should substitute this value in
the first equation from (1), which gives --> n=32
Already two different answers for n (no need to check for the third case when one item is paid by regular rate and
another with overtime rate), hence insufficient.

Answer: E.

Shannon and Maxine work in the same building and leave work at the same time. Shannon lives due north of work
and Maxine lives due south. The distance between Maxine's house and Shannon's house is 60 miles. If they both
drive home at the rate 2R miles per hour, Maxine arrives home 40 minutes after Shannon. If Maxine rider her bike
home at the rate of R per hour and Shannon still drives at a rate of 2R miles per hour, Shannon arrives home 2 hours
before Maxine. How far does maxine live from work?

A. 20
B. 34
C. 38
D. 40
E. 46

Say Maxine lives   miles from office, then Shannon lives   miles from office.
If they both drive home at the rate 2R miles per hour, Maxine arrives home 40 minutes after Shannon

-->   -->  ;

If Maxine rider her bike home at the rate of R per hour and Shannon still drives at a rate of 2R miles per hour,

Shannon arrives home 2 hours before Maxine -->   -->  ;

Solve   and   for   -->  .
Answer: D.
Here is the ratios approach to the problem:

Shannon drives at the speed of 2R in both the cases so she takes the same time. In the first case Maxine reaches
home 40 mins after Shannon. In the second case, Maxine reaches 2 hrs after Shannon. Why did Maxine take 1 hr 20
mins extra in the second case? Because she drove at half the speed.
Speed1: Speed 2 = 2:1
Time 1: Time 2 = 1:2 ( since distance stays the same)
The difference between Time1 and Time 2 is 1 hr 20 mins = 80 mins. So Time 1 must be 1hr 20 mins i.e. time taken
by Maxine when she drives at speed 2R. Time taken by Shannon must be 1 hr 20 mins - 40 mins = 40 mins (because
she reaches 40 mins early)

When their speeds were same in the first case,

Time taken by Maxine : Time taken by Shannon = 80 mins :40 mins = 2:1
Distance traveled by Maxine : Distance traveled by Shannon = 2:1

Total distance is 60 miles so Maxine lives 40 miles away and Shannon lives 20 miles away from office.
The sequence a(1), a(2), a(3), ... a(n) of n integers is such that a(k) = k if k is odd, and a(k) = -a(k-1) if k is even. Is the
sum of the terms in the sequence positive?

(1) n is odd
(2) an is positive

Stem says that   if   is odd. So, for   we have that  .

The sequence  ,  ,  , ...   of   integers is such that   if   is odd, and   if   is even. Is
the sum of the terms in the sequence positive?

We have following sequence:

;
;
;
;
;
;
Notice than if the number of terms in the sequence (n) is odd then the sum of the terms will be positive, for example
if  then  , but if the number of terms in the sequence (n) is even then the
sum of the terms will be zero, for example if   then  . Also
notice that odd terms are positive and even terms are negative.

(1)   is odd --> as discussed the sum is positive. Sufficient.

(2)   is positive --> n is odd, so the same as above. Sufficient.
Answer: D.

Q8:

The operation ⊗ is defined for all nonzero numbers a and b by a ⊗ b = a/b – b/a. If x and y are nonzero numbers,
which of the following statements must be true?

I. x ⊗ xy = x(1 ⊗ y)

II. x ⊗ y = -(y ⊗ x)

III. 1/x ⊗ 1/y = y ⊗ x

A. I only

B. II only

C. III only

D. I and II

E. II and III

Here was how I solved it. As a note, you should become very familiar with algebraic manipulations of fractions using
the technique of multiplying by 1. What I mean by this is that any number, divided by itself, is 1. So for instance, x/x
= 1. So you can multiply any number by x/x and it will not change the number at all. I will demonstrate this below.

I'm going to us # instead of that other weird symbol.

a # b = a/b - b/a

Statement 1:
First Half: x # xy = (x/xy) - (xy/x)

Second Half: (1#y) = 1/y - y/1

I chose to put everything in terms of xy in the denominator.

So for the first half: x/xy - (xy/x * (y/y)) = x/xy - xy^2/xy = x(1-y^2)/xy

For the second half: x(1/y-y/1) = x/y - xy/1 = x^2/xy -x^2y^2/xy = x^2-x^2y^2/xy = x^2(1-y^2)/xy

So you get: Does x(1-y^2)/xy = x^2(1-y^2)/xy

Everything is the same on both sides, except the left side is multiplied by x, and the right side is multiplied by x^2. So
obviously, these aren't the same. Statement 1 doesn't work.

Statement 2:
This one was a little easier to work with, so I just put each side equal to each other, and then solved each down
vertically.
x/y-y/x = -1(y/x-x/y)
x^2/xy - y^2/xy = -y/x + x/y
x^2/xy - y^2/xy = -y^2/xy + x^2/xy
x^2-y^2/xy = x^2-y^2/xy

You can see that both sides equal each other at the end. So II works.

Statement III:
Same idea as II......

1/x/1/y = 1/y/1/x = y/x-x/y

1/x*y/1 - 1/y * x/1 = y/x-x/y
y/x - x/y = y/x - x/y

At the end, both sides equal each other. So III works.

Answer is E.

If a pre-school admits 15 additional boys to its current population, the percentage of girls will be 40%. If currently the
number of boys equals the number of girls, how many total students are currently enrolled in the school?

A. 30
B. 40
C. 60
D. 90
E. 120
Say currently there are   girls and   boys.

After 15 boys are admitted the number of boys would become   and the total number of
students  . We are told that the number of girls compose 40% of that number, so  .

Now, since we are also told that currently the number of boys equals the number of girls (g=b) then when
substituting  by   we get:   -->   --> total=g+b=2g=60.

Answer: C.

Ann and Bob drive separately to a meeting. Ann's average driving speed is greater than Bob's avergae driving speed
by one-third of Bob's average driving speed, and Ann drives twice as many miles as Bob. What is the ratio of the
number of hours Ann spends driving to the meeting to the number of hours Bob spends driving to the meeting?

A. 8:3
B. 3:2
C. 4:3
D. 2:3
E. 3:8

Say the rate of Bob is 3mph and he covers 6 miles then he needs 6/3=2 hours to do that.
Now, in this case the rate of Ann would be 3+3*1/3=4mph and the distance she covers would be 6*2=12 miles, so
she needs 12/4=3 hours for that.
The ratio of Ann's time to Bob's time is 3:2.
Answer: B.

In a computer repair shop the ratio of the number of CPUs to the number of motherboards to the number of
keyboards to the number of mouse pads is 2:3:5:7. What is the difference in the total number of keyboards and
mother boards?

(1) The number of keyboards lies between 6 to 14.

(2) The difference between the total number of mouse pads and CPUs is 10.

Given: {CPU}:{Motherboards}:{Keyboards}:{Pads}=2x:3x:5x:7x, for some positive integer multiple x.

(1) The number of keyboards lies between 6 to 14 --> 6<5x<14 --> {Keyboards}=5x=10 --> x=2 -->
{Motherboards}=3x=6 --> {Keyboards}-{Motherboards}=10-6=4. Sufficient.

(2) The difference between the total number of mouse pads and CPUs is 10 --> {Pads}-{CPU}=7x-2x=10 --> 5x=10
-->x=2. The same info as above. Sufficient.

Answer: D.

Last month 15 homes were sold in Town X. The average (arithmetic mean) sale price of the homes was $150,000 and
the median sale price was $130,000. Which of the following statements must be true?

I. At least one of the homes was sold for more than $165,000.
II. At least one of the homes was sold for more than $130,0000 and less than $150,000
III. At least one of the homes was sold for less than $130,000.
A. I only
B. II only
C. III only
D. I and II
E. I and III

Note that we are asked which MUST be true.

Given: 
Let's start with the first one and try to make it false.
I. At least one of the homes was sold for more than $165,000.

Worst case scenario, when   has the least value (trying to make it less than 165), would be
when  ,
and  :
 -->  .

So we got that I is always true: At least one of the homes was sold for more than $165,000 (as for the worst case
scenario we got that least value of  ). 
But if we take the scenario which we considered:  ,
and   we can see that II and III with this scenario are false.
So II and III are not always true.
We have: .

We are trying to make statement I false, which says: At least one of the homes was sold for more than $165,000.
More than 165 can be terms from   to  . Basically worst case scenario here means minimizing the value
of  (finding the least possible value of  ). How can we do that? 

First we should maximize the values from   to   (by increasing/maximizing these terms, the lowest terms, we
are decreasing/minimizing the highest terms). Their max values can be   (as   is the median value and
the terms from   to   can not be more than this value).

Next: to minimize   we should make terms from   to   be the same.

As in solution the least possible value of   is  , thus values less then 165 are not possible. So at least one
home was sold for more than $165.
Answer: A (I only).

XXXXXXXXXXXX

Let's work with the numbers dividing everything by 1000.

Total value of the sale = 15*150=2250

Median sale = $130

If we arrange the sale price in ascending order the 8th value would be 130
I. Let's try to prove it wrong.
x,x,x,x,x,x,x,130,y,y,y,y,y,y,Z

To make Z<=165
x should be as big as possible.
Let's make them all 130*8=1040
Let's make all y as 165
165*6=990

Z = 2250-990-1040=2250-2030=220>165.

Apparently; it's true.

II.
At least 1 house sold for > $130,000 but < $150,000 
Not true.
Same example as st1.
130,130,130,130,130,130,130,130,165,165,165,165,165,165,225
Not true.

III.
At least 1 home sold for < $130,000
Not true.
Same example as st1.
130,130,130,130,130,130,130,130,165,165,165,165,165,165,225
Not true.
Not true.
Ans: "A"

If we understand medians, use reasoning (instead of pure algebra), and have good technique, then we can answer
this question very quickly. 

Median just refers to the middle number in a sequence of ordered numbers. So, the median here: {3, 3, 3} is 3 even
though all the numbers are 3. 

We are told that the median is 130k. So, the 8th house sold for 130k. But the 1st through 7th houses may also have
sold for 130k. Eliminate III; eliminate C and E. 

We can also easily eliminate II. We could have 8 houses that sold for 130k or less; the rest can sell for well above
150k. Eliminate B and D. 

The answer must be choice A, and there is no need to evaluate I.

Note that my approach was essentially the same as badgerboy's: start with the choices you can more easily prove
untrue. The alternative is to start with the roman numerals that show up most frequently. Of course, another
alternative is to use pure algebra, and for some people (I don't think many but some) that may well be more
efficient.
When a certain tree was first planted, it was 4 feet tall and the height of the tree increased by a constant amount
each year for the next 6 years. at the end of 6 year the tree was 1/5 taller then it was at the end of 4 year. by how
many feet did the height of the tree increase each year

A. 3/10
B. 2/5
C. 1/2
D. 2/3
E. 6/5

Let the rate of increase be   feet per year.

At the end of the 4th year the height was   and at the of the 6th year the height was  , which was "1/5

taller than it was at the end of the 4th year" -->   -->   -->  .
Answer: D.

Last Sunday a certain store sold copies of Newspaper A for $1.00 each and copies of Newspaper B for $1.25 each,
and the store sold no other newspapers that day. If r percent of the store’s revenues from newspaper sales was from
Newspaper A and if p percent of the newspapers that the store sold were copies of newspaper A, which of the
following expresses r in terms of p? 

A. 100p / (125 – p) 

B. 150p / (250 – p) 
C. 300p / (375 – p) 
D. 400p / (500 – p) 
E. 500p / (625 – p)

This question can be solved by number plugging: just try try some numbers for # of newspaper A sold and the # of
newspaper B sold be.

Below is algebraic approach:

Let the # of newspaper A sold be   and the # of newspaper B sold be  .

Then:

 and   -->   -->   -->

reduce by   and simplify -->   --> multiply by 4/4

-->  .

Answer: D.

The algebra way is not time taking even..if we proceed as below:

(News A) A= $1
(News B) B = $1.25 or $5/4
Total newspaper sold= x
No. of A Newspaper sold = p/100 *x is r% of total revnue
Total revenue: p/100*x*$1 + (100-p)/100*x*$5/4
Equation: px/100=r/100(px/100+(500/4-5p/4)x/100)
px/100=r/100(4px+500x-5px/400)
removing common terms as 100 and x out and keeping only r on RHS
p=r(500-p)/400 or r=400p/(500-p)..Answer..D

If M is a sequence of consecutive integers which contains more than 11 terms, what is the average of M? 

(1) In M, the number of terms that are less than 10 is equal to the number of terms greater than 21. 
(2) There are 20 terms in M.

Since M is a sequence of consecutive integers then M is an evenly spaced set, so its average equals to its median.

(1) In M, the number of terms that are less than 10 is equal to the number of terms greater than 21 --> consider the
following set of consecutive integers {10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21}. Now, if we place equal number of
consecutive integers before 10 and after 21 then in any case the median would be the average of two middle
numbers 15 and 16 so average=median=(15+16)/2=15.5. Sufficient.

(2) There are 20 terms in M. M can be any set of 20 consecutive integers. Not sufficient.

Answer: A.

Running at their respective constant rate, machine X takes 2 days longer to produce w widgets than machines Y.
AT these rates, if the two machines together produce 5w/4 widgets in 3 days, how many days would it take
machine X alone to produce 2w widgets.
A. 4 
B. 6 
C. 8
D. 10 
E. 12

For work problems one of the most important thin to know is  .

Let the time needed for machine X to produce   widgets be   days, so the rate of X would

be  ;

As "machine X takes 2 days longer to produce   widgets than machines Y" then time needed for machine Y to

produce   widgets would be   days, so the rate of Y would be  ;

Combined rate of machines X and Y in 1 day would be   (remember we can sum the rates). In 3 days two

machines together produce 5w/4 widgets so:   -->  .

 --> reduce by   -->  .

At this point we can either solve quadratic equation:   -->   -->   

or   (which is not a valid solution as in this case  , the time needed for machine Y to ptoduce   
widgets will be negatrive value and it's not possible). So   days is needed for machine X to produce   widgets,
hence time needed for machine X to produce   widgets will be   days.

OR try to substitute the values from the answer choices. Remember as we are asked to find the time needed for
machine X alone to produce   widgets then the answer should be   among answer choices: E work -   --

>   -->  .

Series A(n) is such that i*A(i) = j*A(j) for any pair of positive integers (i, j). If A(1) is a positive integer, which of the
following is possible? 

I. 2*A(100) = A(99) + A(98) 

II. A(1) is the only integer in the series 
III. The series does not contain negative numbers 

A) I only 
B) II only 
C) I & III only 
D) II & III only 
E) I, II & III

First thing I want to understand is this relation: i*A(i) = j*A(j) for any pair of positive integers. I will take examples to
understand it.

When i = 1 and j = 2, A(1) = 2*A(2)

So A(2) = A(1)/2

When i = 1 and j = 3, A(1) = 3*A(3)

So A(3) = A(1)/3

I see it now. The series is: A(1), A(1)/2, A(1)/3, A(1)/4 and so on...

II and III are easily possible. We can see that without any calculations.

II. A(1) is the only integer in the series 

If A(1) = 1, then series becomes 1, 1/2, 1/3, 1/4 ... all fractions except A(1)

III. The series does not contain negative numbers 

Again, same series as above applies. In fact, since A(1) is a positive integer, this must be true.

I. 2*A(100) = A(99) + A(98) 

2*A(1)/100 = A(1)/99 + A(1)/98 (cancel A(1) from both sides)
2/100 = 1/99 + 1/98
Not true hence this is not possible

Answer (D)

Probably it should be sequence instead of series.

A sequence of numbers  ,  ,  , ... have the following properties:   

and  , so  .

Given:  . Next,  , notice that we have the same multiple and the same
index of a on both sides:  ,  ,  ....
Hence,   (it equal to an integer
since  ).

We should determine whether the options given below can occur (notice that the question is which of the
followingCOULD be true, not MUS be true).

I.   --> as  , then   --> reduce

by   -->   which is not true. Hence this option cannot be true.

II.   is the only integer in the series. If  , then all other terms will be non-integers

-->   -->  ,  ,  , and so on. Hence this option can be true.

III. The series does not contain negative numbers --> as given that  ,

then  , hence this option is always true.

Answer: D (II and III only).

x, 3, 1, 12, 8

If x is an integer, is the median of 5 numbers shown greater than the average of 5 numbers?
(1) x>6
(2) x is greater than median of 5 numbers

Given set {1, 3, 8, 12, x}

The questions asks whether median>average, or whether median>(24+x)/5.

(1) x>6 --> if x=11 then median=8 (the middle number) and average=(24+x)/5=7, so median>average but if x=16 then
median=8 and average=(24+x)/5=8, so median=average. Not sufficient.

(2) x is greater than median of 5 numbers --> median=8. Not sufficient.

(1)+(2) Examples from (1) are still valid so we still have two different answers. Not sufficient.
Answer: E.

ANSWERS (OA):

1. What is the standard deviation of Company R’s earnings per month for this year? 
(1) The standard deviation of Company R’s earnings per month in the first half of this year was $2.3 million. 
(2) The standard deviation of Company R’s earnings per month in the second half of this year was $3.9 million. 
Answer: E.

2. What is the standard deviation of Q, a set of consecutive integers? 

(1) Q has 21 members. 
(2) The median value of set Q is 20. 
Answer: A.

3. Lifetime of all the batteries produced by certain companies have a distribution which is symmetric about mean
m. If the distribution has a standard deviation of d , what percentage of distribution is greater than m+d? 
(1) 68 % of the distribution in the interval from m-d to m+d, inclusive 
(2) 16% of the distribution is less than m-d 
Answer: D.

4. Question deleted

5. List S and list T each contain 5 positive integers, and for each list the average of the integers in the list is 40. If
the integers 30,40 and 50 are in both lists , is the standard deviation of the integers in list S greater than the
standard deviation of the integers in list T?
(1)The integer 25 is in list S 
(2)The integer 45 is in list T 
Answer: C.

6. Set T consists of odd integers divisible by 5. Is standard deviation of T positive? 

(1) All members of T are positive 
(2) T consists of only one member
Answer: B.

7. Set X consists of 8 integers. Is the standard deviation of set X equal to zero? 

(1) The range of set X is equal to 3 
(2) The mean of set X is equal to 5 
Answer: A.

8. {x,y,z}
If the first term in the data set above is 3, what is the third term? 
(1) The range of this data set is 0. 
(2) The standard deviation of this data set is 0.
Answer: D.

9. Question deleted

10. A scientist recorded the number of eggs in each of 10 birds' nests. What was the standard deviation of the
numbers of eggs in the 10 nests? 
(1) The average (arithmetic mean) number of eggs for the 10 nests was 4. 
(2) Each of the 10 nests contained the same number of eggs.
Answer: B.

11. During an experiment, some water was removed from each of the 6 water tanks. If the standard deviation of
the volumes of water in the tanks at the beginning of the experiment was 10 gallons, what was the standard
deviation of the volumes of water in the tanks at the end of the experiment? 
(1) For each tank, 30% of the volume of water that was in the tank at the beginning of the experiment was removed
during the experiment. 
(2) The average (arithmetic mean) volume of water in the tanks at the end of the experiment was 63 gallons. 
Answer: A.

Are at least 10 percent of the people in Country X who are 65 years old or older employed?

(1) In Country X, 11.3% of the population is 65 years old or older

(2) In Country X, of the population 65 years old or older, 20 percent of the men and 10 percent of the women are
employed.

Question: is at least 10% of some particular group of people employed?

(1) This particular group composes 11.3% of total population. Clearly insufficient, as no info about employment rates
in this group.

(2) 10% of men in this group and 20% of women in this group are employed. No matter how many men and women
are in this group, more than 10% will be employed. This is because the weighted average of 2 individual averages
(10% and 20%) must lie between these individual averages, so percent of employed people in this group is between
10% and 20%. Sufficient.

Answer: B.

A company bought some desks at a price of $150 each and some chairs at a price of $50 each. Did the company
buy more than 40 chairs?

(1) The total price of the desk and chairs is 5,000 -->   -->  .   can be more than
40 as well as less than or equal to 40. For example consider   and   for a NO answer and   
and   for an YES answer. Not sufficient.

(2) The company bought fewer than 20 desks -->  . Clearly insufficient.

(1)+(2) From (1) we have that   and from (2)  . Now, even if   (maximum possible value
for  ) the number of chairs bought would be:   -->  , so still more than 40. Sufficient.

Answer: C.

A plant has workers and supervisors in a ratio of 30 to 1. If the plant were to hire 50 more workers and 5 more
supervisors, the ratio of workers to supervisors would be 25 to 1. What is the present number of supervisors?

A) 15
B) 12
C) 10
D) 8
E) 5

This is a similar case of 2 variables and 2 equations.

Let the number of workers and supervisors be W and S.

Equation 1:
W/S = 30/1
=> W = 30S
Equation 2:
(W + 50) / (S + 5) = 25/1
=> W + 50 = 25 (S + 5)
=> W + 50 = 25S + 125
=> W = 25S + 75

Equating W from equations 1 and 2,

30S = 25S + 75
=> 5S = 75
=> S = 15
Hence the answer is (A)

One fourth of a solution that was 10 percent sugar by weight was replaced by a second solution resulting in a
solution that was 16 percent sugar by weight. The second solution was what percent sugar by weight? 
(A) 34% 
(B) 24% 
(C) 22% 
(D) 18% 
(E) 8.5%

3/4 * 10 + 1/4 * x = 16
x = 16*4 - (30/4)*4
x = 64 - 30
x = 34

At a certain company, a test was given to a group of men and women seeking for promotions. If the average
(artihmetic mean) score for the group was 80, was the average score for the women more than 85?

(1) The average score for the men was less than 75. Since the average score for the group was 80 then the average
score for women must be more than 80, but we don't know whether it's more than 85. Not sufficient. 

(2) The group consisted of more men than women. Clearly insufficient

(1)+(2) From (1) we have that the distance between the average score for the men and the average score for the
whole group is more than 5 and from (2) we have that there are more men than women. Now, in order to
compensate that difference and to make the average for the whole group 80 the average of the smaller group
(women) must be further from 80 than the average for the larger group (men), so the average score for the women
must be more than 85. Sufficient
Answer: C.

Three workers have a productivity ratio of 1 to 2 to 3. All three workers are working on a job for 4 hours. At the
beginning of the 5th hour, the slowest worker takes a break. The slowest worker comes back to work at the
beginning of the 9th hour and begins working again. The job is done in ten hours. What was the ratio of the work
performed by the fastest worker as compared to the slowest?

A. 12 to 1
B. 6 to 1
C. 5 to 1
D. 1 to 6
E. 1 to 5

The fastest worker who does 3 units of job worked for all 10 hours, so he did 3*10=30 units of job;

The slowest worker who does 1 unit of job worked for only 4+2=6 hours (first 4 hours and last 2 hours), so he did
1*6=6 units of job;

The ratio thus is 30 to 6, or 5 to 1.

Answer: C.

A museum sold 30 tickets on Saturday. Some of the tickets sold were $10 general exhibit tickets and the rest were
$70 special exhibit tickets. How many general exhibit tickets did the museum sell on Saturday?

(1) The museum’s total revenue from ticket sales on Saturday was greater than $1,570 and less than $1670.
(2) The museum sold more than 20, but fewer than 25, special exhibit ticket on Saturday.

Say the museum sold   general exhibit tickets and   special exhibit tickets, then the museum's total revenue
wold be  .

(1) The museum’s total revenue from ticket sales on Saturday was greater than $1,570 and less than $1670
-->   -->   --> reduce by -10 and flip the sign:   -->
since   must be an integer then  . Sufficient.

(2) The museum sold more than 20, but fewer than 25, special exhibit ticket on Saturday -->   -->   could
be be 21, 22, 23 or 24, so   could be 9, 8, 7, or 6 respectively. Not sufficient.

Answer: A.

Set R contains five numbers that have an average value of 55. If the median of the set is equal to the mean, and the
largest number in the set is equal to 20 more than three times the smallest number, what is the largest possible
range for the numbers in the set? 

A. 78 
B. 77 1/5 
C. 66 1/7 
D. 55 1/7 
E. 52

{ ,  ,  ,  ,  }
As mean of 5 numbers is 55 then the sum of these numbers is  ;
The median of the set is equal to the mean -->  ;
The largest number in the set is equal to 20 more than three times the smallest number -->  .

So our set is { ,  ,  ,  ,  } and  . 

The range of a set is the difference between the largest and smallest elements of a set.
  --> so to maximize the range we should maximize the value
of  and to maximize   we should minimize all other terms so   and  .

Min possible value of   is   and min possible value of   is   --> set becomes: { ,  , 
,  ,  } -->   -->   --> 
Answer: A.