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Arithmetic + Word Problems

PERCENTAGES

To express a% as a fraction divide it by 100

a% = a/100

To express a fraction as a percent multiply it by 100

a/b = [(a/b) 100] %

To express percentage as a decimal we remove the symbol % and shift the decimal point by two
places to the left. For example

10% can be expressed as 0.1.

6.5% = 0.065 etc.

To express decimal as a percentage we shift the decimal point by two places to the right and write the
number obtained with the symbol % or simply we multiply the decimal with 100. Similarly, 0.7 = 70%.

Increase % = [ Increase / Original value] 100%

Decrease % = [ Decrease / Original value] 100%

Change % = [ Change / Original value] 100%

In increase %, the denominator is smaller, whereas in decrease %, the denominator is larger.

GENERAL CONCEPTS IN PERCENTAGES:
Let’s start with a number X (= 1 X)

X increased by 10% would become X + 0.1 X = 1.1 X

X increased by 1% would become X + 0.01 X = 1.01 X
X increased by 0.1% would become X + 0.001 X = 1.001 X
X decreased by 10% would become X – 0.1 X = 0.9 X
X decreased by 1% would become X – 0.01 X = 0.99 X
X decreased by 0.1% would become X – 0.001 X = 0.999 X
X increased by 200% would become X + 2X = 3X
X decreased by 300% would become X – 3X = –2X

Also, let us remember that:

2 = 200% (or 100% increase)

3 = 300% (or 200% increase)
3.26 = 326% (means 226% increase)
Fourfold (4 times) = 400 % of original = 300% increase
10 times means 1000% of the original means 900% increase
0.6 means 60% of the original means 40% decrease
0.31 times means 31% of the original means 69% decrease etc.

1/2 = 50%

3/2 = 1 + 1/2 = 100 + 50 = 150%

5/2 = 2 + 1/2 = 200 + 50 = 250% etc.

2/3 = 1 – 1/3 = 100 – 33.33 = 66.66%

4/3 = 1 + 1/3 = 100 + 33.33 = 133.33%,

5/3 = 1 + 2/3 = 100 + 66.66 % = 166.66%

7/3 = 2 + 1/3 = 200 + 33.33 = 233.33%

8/3 = 2 + 2/3 = 200 + 66.66 = 3 – 1/3 = 300 – 33.33 = 266.66%

1/4 = 25%

3/4 = 75%

5/4 = (1 + 1/4) = 125% (= 25% increase)

7/4 = (1 + 3/4 = 2 – 1/4) = 175% (= 75% increase)

9/4 = (2 + 1/4) = 225% (= 125% increase)

11/4 = 275% = (175% increase)

1/5 = 20%

2/5 = 40%

3/5 = 60%

4/5 = 80%

6/5 = (1 + 1/5) = 120%

7/5 = (1 + 2/5) = 140% etc.

1/6 = 16.66%

5/6 = 83.33%

7/6 (1 + 1/6) = 116.66%

11/6 = 183.33%

1/8 = 12.5%

3/8 = 37.5%

5/8 = 62.5%

7/8 = 87.5%

9/8 = (1 + 1/8) = 112.5%

11/8 = (1 + 3/8) = 137.5%

13/8 = 162.5%

15/8 = 187.5%

1/9 = 11.11%

2/9 = 22.22%

4/9 = 44.44%

5/9 = 55.55%

7/9 = 77.77%

8/9 = 88.88%

10/9 = (1 + 1/9) = 111.11%

11/9 = (1 + 2/9) = 122.22% etc.

If the present population of a town is p and if there is an increase of X% per annum. Then:

(i) Population after n years = p [1 + (X/100)]n

Top 1% expert replies to student queries (can skip) (additional)

Query: If the population is 100, it increases by 10%, it will be 110, then again it grows by 10% then
it should be 10% on 110% and not 100%. Moreover, it should be added instead of multiplying in
the formula for each year. Kindly clarify this part

Reply: P + 10%P —> P (1+10%) + 10%*{P (1+10%)} ——> P (1+10%) (1+10%)

P (or 100) increased by 10%: P(1+10%) or (110)

Now this value is increased by 10%:
P (1+10%) + 10% (P (1+10%))
P (1+10%) (1 + 10%) Or (121)

When you write, you will understand that you have to take 10% of P (1+10%) which is not taken
over here.

(ii) Population n years ago = p / [1 + (X/100)]n

If the population of a town (or value of a machine) decreases at R% per annum, then:
i. population (or value of machine) after n years = p [1 – (R/100)] n
ii. population (or value of machine) n years ago = p / [1 –(R/100)]n

Profit % = (Profit /CP) x 100%

Loss % = (Loss/CP) x 100 %

In problems on DISCOUNT, remember the following:

Marked price is the price listed on the article (called list price).

Discount is calculated on Marked price and NOT on Cost price.

So, Marked Price – Discount = Sale Price. Also Cost Price + Profit = Sale Price.

Solved Examples
1. A child spends 30% of his pocket money, and has Rs 126 left. How much had he at first?

Sol.

Let the pocket money be X.

70% of pocket money = 126 Or (70/100) * X = 126
X = 180 Rs.
2. When the cost of petroleum increases by 40%, a man reduces his annual consumption by 20%. Find
the percentage change in his annual expenditure on petroleum.

Sol.

Expenditure = Consumption Price

First Expenditure: Suppose 10 liters of petroleum at 10 units of money per liter, then
total expenditure = 10 10 units of money = 100 units of money

Second Expenditure: Now, 8 liters of petroleum at 14 units of money per liter,

total expenditure = 8 14 units of money = 112 units
So % change = (112 – 100)*100/100 = 12%

So, the expenditure increases by 12%

3. The number of students in a school increase at a certain rate per cent. The number at present is 1323
and the number two years ago was 1200; find the rate per cent of the increase.

Sol.

By formula, we have
1200 (1 + R/100)² = 1323
(1 + R/100)2 = 1323/1200 = 441/400
Take square root
(1 + R/100) = 21/20
Subtract 1 on both sides
R/100 = 1/20
So,

R = 100/20 = 5%

4. A trader marks his goods at 50 percent above cost price and allows discount of 20% percent for cash
payment. What profit percent does he make?

Sol.

If the CP is 100, Marked Price = 150 But discount to the cash purchaser = 20% of Rs 150 = Rs 30

Now the reduced price he gets from the cash purchaser = 150 – 30 = 120

So, profit percent = 20%

5. A reduction of 20% in the price of apples could enable a man to get 120 more for Rs 1,440. Find the
first price of one apple.

Sol.

We have 1440 = X Y .............. (1)

X = no. of apples, Y = price of one apple.

Now 1440 = (X + 120) 0.8Y ..... (2)

Equate the two (as both are 1440)

X Y = (X + 120) 0.8Y
Y cancels X = 480

Substitute X = 480 in (1)

Therefore, Y = Rs 3

6. A man’s working hours a day were increased by 25%, and his wages per hour were increased by 20%.
By how much percent were his daily earnings increased?

Sol.

Wages per hour Number of hours = Earnings

Let each value be 10, so that earnings = 100

10 (Wages per hour) increased by 20% is 12

10 (Number of hours) increased by 25% is 12.5

Initially, 10 10 = 100

Now: 12 12.5 = 150

From 100 to 150 50% increase

OR

Let initially X = number of hours and Y = wages/hour

Later these become 1.25 X and 1.2 X respectively.

Daily earnings initially = X Y

Now Daily earnings = 1.25X 1.2Y = 1.5 XY

So, % change = (1.5XY – XY)*100/XY = 50%

Hence 50% increase.

7. A shopkeeper allows a discount of 15% on the marked price. How much above the C.P. must he mark
his goods to make a profit of 19%?

Sol.

Let CP = 100, Profit = 19, SP = 100 + 19 = 119

Now marked price should be such that Marked price reduced by 15% is equal to 119

So, 85% of M.P. = 119 or MP = 119 100/85 = Rs 140

Answer = 40% above the C.P.

8. The production of a firm increases from 340 MT to 500 MT. What is the percent increase?

Sol. 160/340 = 8/17 = 47.05%.

9. The production of a firm decreases from 500 MT to 340 MT. What is the percent decrease?

Sol. 160/500 = 32%.

Note the answers to the above 2 questions are different.

10. The production of a firm increases by 20%, 25% and 50% in 3 successive years over the previous
year. If the production is 160 MT in the first year, find the production at the end of 3 years.

Sol. 160 × 1.2 × 1.25 × 1.5 = 360

Top 1% expert replies to student queries (can skip) (additional)

Query: Can you explain why we multiplied with 1.2, 1.25 and 1.5?
Reply: We know that the initial value be 160

Increase in first year = 20%

Value in second year = 160 * (1 + 0.2) = 160 * 1.2 = 192

Increase in second year = 25%

Value in second year = 192 * (1 + 0.25) = 192 * 1.25 = (160*1.2)*1.25 = 240

Increase in third year = 50%

Value in third year = 240 * (1 + 0.5) = 240 * 1.5 = (192*1.25)*1.5 = (160*1.2*1.25)*1.5 = 360

11. The production of a firm decreases by 20% in the first year, then decreases by 25% in the next year
and then increases by 50% the next year and then increases by 10% in the next year. All percentage
changes being consecutive (over the previous year). If at the end of the changes, the value is 990 MT,
what was the value initially?

Sol. A × 0.8 × 0.75 × 1.5 × 1.1 = 990 or A = 1000

12. Which is bigger: 0.004% of 25000 or 25000% of 0.004?

Sol. Both are equal. A% of B = B % of A.

13. If price decreases by 25%, by what % should consumption increase so that the expenditure does
not increase?

Sol. Expenditure = price consumption

Now, assume values

100 = 100 1
100 = 75 x

x = 100/75 = 4/3 = 1.33

1 becomes 1.33 33.33% increase

14. If speed increases by 33.33%, what is the percent reduction in the time taken to travel the same
distance?

Sol. Distance = speed time

Now, assume values

100 = 100 1
100 = 133.33 x
x = 100/133.33 = 3/4 = 0.75
1 becomes 0.75 % decrease = 25%

15. The length of a rectangle increases by 25%. Find the percent drop in its width for area to remain
same.

Sol.
Area = L B
Assume values

100 = 1 100
100 = 1.25 x

x = 100/1.25 = 80
x decreases from 100 to 80, 20% decrease

16. If the length of a rectangle is decreased by 40% and the breadth is increased by 30%, then find the
percentage change in the area of the rectangle.

Sol.

Assume values

10 10 = 100

6 13 = 78

Hence the area of the rectangle decreases by 22%

17. The edge of a cube increases by 20%. Find the % increase in its surface area and volume.

Sol.

Remember that Surface area is proportional to the square of length and the volume is proportional to
the cube of length.

Area length2

Volume length3

For area:

10 × 10 = 100

12 × 12 = 144

So, area increases by 44%.

For volume:

10 × 10 × 10 = 1000

12 × 12 × 12 = 1728

So, volume increases by 72.8%.

Top 1% expert replies to student queries (can skip) :

For Area:
Conventional method:

Let the side of the square be a units

Then its surface area =6a2 units2

If the length of the side is increased by 20% then the length of the side= (120/100)*a = (6/5)*a units

So, the new surface area =6*(6/5)(6/5)*a2

=6*(36/25)*a2 units2

Increase in area=6× (36/25)a2 – 6a2

= 6a2*{(36/25) - 1} = 6a2*(11/25)

Percentage of increase in area

=[{6a2*(11/25)}/(6a2)] ×100

= (11/25) ×100 = 44

So, percentage of increase in the area=44%

18. The side of a square decreases by 30%. Find the % decrease in its perimeter and area.

Sol. Perimeter changes by the same percent as length so 30% decrease.

For area: 10 × 10 = 100

7 × 7 = 49

So % Change = (100-49)*100/100 = 51%

So, area decreases by 51%.

 Questions Based on Venn Diagrams (Overlapping Sets):
On your test, you are likely to see questions with 2 or 3 variables.

In case of 2 variables, there are a maximum of four divisions possible:

Imagine that at a B-school, applicants can choose Marketing and Finance among other specializations,
where dual major is allowed. In this case, there can be only four types of sets of people possible:

1. Students taking Marketing Only

2. Students taking Finance Only
3. Students taking both Marketing and Finance
4. Students taking neither Marketing nor Finance

These types of questions are best solved by making a 2-way-matrix (table). Just remember that if one
row has “Marketing”, the other has to have “Not Marketing”. If one column has “Finance”, the other
has to have “Not Finance”.

The table can be completed by putting all the given values in the question and thus the unknown can be
found out by simple addition / subtraction of rows / columns. In case of percentage problems (where all
values are mentioned in terms of percentage), it is better to take the total as 100.
Let us solve a practical example:

50% of the apartments in a certain building have windows and hardwood floors. 25% of the apartments
without windows have hardwood floors. If 40% of the apartments do not have hardwood floors, what
percent of the apartments with windows have hardwood floors?
10% 16.66% 40% 50% 83.33%

This problem involves two sets:

Set 1: Apartments with windows / Apartments without windows

Set 2: Apartments with hardwood floors / Apartments without hardwood floors. It is easiest to organize

two-set problems by using a matrix as follows:

Windows NO TOTAL
Windows
Hardwood
Floors
NO Hardwood
Floors
TOTAL

The problem is difficult for two reasons. First, it uses percentages instead of real numbers. Second, it
involves complicated and subtle wording.

Let's attack the first difficulty by converting all of the percentages into REAL numbers. To do this, let's
say that there are 100 total apartments in the building. This is the first number we can put into our matrix.
The absolute total is placed in the lower right-hand corner of the matrix as follows:

Windows NO TOTAL
Windows
Hardwood
Floors
NO Hardwood
Floors
TOTAL 100

Next, we will attack the complex wording by reading each piece of information separately, and filling in
the matrix accordingly.

Information: 50% of the apartments in a certain building have windows and hardwood floors. Thus,
50 of the 100 apartments have BOTH windows and hardwood floors. This number is now added to the
matrix:

Windows NO TOTAL
Windows
Hardwood 50
Floors
NO Hardwood
Floors
TOTAL 100
Information: 25% of the apartments without windows have hardwood floors. Here's where the
subtlety of the wording is very important. This does NOT say that 25% of ALL the apartments have
no windows and have hardwood floors. Instead, it says that OF the apartments without windows, 25%
have hardwood floors. Since we do not yet know the number of apartments without windows, let's
call this number x. Thus, the number of apartments without windows and with hardwood floors is
.25x. These figures are now added to the matrix:

Windows NO Windows TOTAL

Hardwood Floors 50 .25x
NO Hardwood
Floors
TOTAL X 100

Information: 40% of the apartments do not have hardwood floors. Thus, 40 of the 100 apartments
do not have hardwood floors. This number is put in the Total box at the end of the "No Hardwood
Floors" row of the matrix:

Windows NO Windows TOTAL

Hardwood Floors 50 .25x
NO Hardwood 40
Floors
TOTAL x 100

Before answering the question, we must complete the matrix. To do this, fill in the numbers that yield
the given totals. First, we see that there must be 60 total apartments with Hardwood Floors (since 60
+ 40 = 100) Using this information, we can solve for x by creating an equation for the first row of the
matrix:

50 + 0.25x = 60 or x = 40

Now we put these numbers in the matrix:

Windows NO Windows TOTAL

Hardwood Floors 50 10 60
NO Hardwood 40
Floors
TOTAL 40 100

Finally, we can fill in the rest of the matrix:

Windows NO Windows TOTAL

Hardwood Floors 50 10 60
NO Hardwood 10 30 40
Floors
TOTAL 60 40 100

We now return to the question: What percent of the apartments with windows have hardwood floors?
Again, pay very careful attention to the subtle wording. The question does NOT ask for the percentage
of TOTAL apartments that have windows and hardwood floors. It asks what percent OF the
apartments with windows have hardwood floors. Since there are 60 apartments with windows, and 50
of these have hardwood floors, the percentage is calculated as follows:
50/60 = 83.33%

Thus, the correct answer is E.

In case of 3 variables, there are a maximum of eight divisions possible.
So, a table will become very complicated. So, we will deal with such
questions by drawing 3 overlapping circles. Focus on the example below:

Each of the 59 members in a high school class is required to sign up for a minimum of one and a
maximum of three academic clubs. The three clubs to choose from are the poetry club, the history
club, and the writing club. A total of 22 students sign up for the poetry club, 27 students for the history
club, and 28 students for the writing club. If 6 students sign up for exactly two clubs, how many
students sign up for all three clubs?
2 5 6 8 9

This is a three-set overlapping sets problem. When given three sets, a Venn diagram can be used. The
first step in constructing a Venn diagram is to identify the three sets given. In this case, we have
students signing up for the poetry club, the history club, and the writing club. The shell of the Venn
diagram will look like this:

When filling in the regions of a Venn diagram, it is important to work from inside out. If we let x
represent the number of students who sign up for all three clubs, a represent the number of students
who sign up for poetry and writing, b represent the number of students who sign up for poetry and
history, and c represent the number of students who sign up for history and writing, the Venn diagram
will look like this:

We are told that the total number of poetry club members is 22, the total number of history club
members is 27, and the total number of writing club members is 28. We can use this information to
fill in the rest of the diagram:
We can now derive an expression for the total number of students by adding up all the individual segments
of the diagram. The first bracketed item represents the students taking two or three courses. The second
bracketed item represents the number of students in only the poetry club, since it's derived by adding in
the total number of poetry students and subtracting out the poetry students in multiple clubs. The third
and fourth bracketed items represent the students in only the history or writing clubs respectively.

59 = [a + b + c + x] + [22 – (a + b + x)] + [27 – (b + c + x)] + [28 – (a + c + x)]

59 = a + b + c + x + 22 – a – b – x + 27 – b – c – x + 28 – a – c – x
59 = 77 – 2x – a – b – c
59 = 77 – 2x – (a + b + c)

By examining the diagram, we can see that (a + b + c) represents the total number of students who sign
up for two clubs. We are told that 6 students sign up for exactly two clubs. Consequently:
59 = 77 – 2x – 6
2x = 12
x=6

So, the number of students who sign up for all three clubs is 6.

The correct answer is C.

Top 1% expert replies to student queries (can skip)

Firstly, the number of students cannot be negative, so x can't be -6.

Secondly, the number of students in only 2 clubs are not 6+6+6, but it is only 6 altogether.

The shaded areas cover the 6 students who joined exactly 2 clubs.

Total number of students = (3club) + (2club) + (1club).

Number of students in all the 3 clubs: X
Number of students in only 2 clubs: 6 (includes all the three shaded area)
Neither=0 (as members are required to sign up for a minimum of one);
"22 students sign up for the poetry club": P=22;
"27 students for the history club": H=27;
"28 students for the writing club": W=28;
Total = P+ H+ W - {Sum of Exactly 2 groups members} - [2*(all the 3 groups members)] + Neither
59= (22+27+28- (6) - 2X)
2X=6+77-12-59
2X=12
X=6.

The correct answer is C.

RATIOS:
The comparison between two quantities of the same kind of unit is the Ratio of one quantity to another.

The ratio of a and b is usually written as a:b or a/b, where a is called the antecedent (numerator) and b the
consequent (denominator).

1. a : b = ka : kb where k is a constant
2. a : b = a/k : b/k
3. a : b : c = X : Y : Z is equivalent to a/X = b/Y = c/Z
4. If a/b > 1 or a > b then (a + X) / (b + X) < a/b a, b, X are natural numbers
5. If a/b < 1 or a < b then (a + X) / (b + X) > a/b a, b, X are natural numbers

VARIATION:

Direct proportion: If two quantities X & Y are related such that any increase or decrease in ‘Y’ produces
a proportionate increase or decrease in ‘X’ or vice versa, then the two quantities are said to be in direct
proportion.
In other words,
X : Y = X/Y = k (a constant) or X = KY or Y = K’X (where K and K’ are constants)

X is directly proportional to Y is written as X Y or X = K Y

Inverse proportion: Here two quantities X & Y are related such that, any increase in X would lead to a
decrease in Y or any decrease in X would lead to an increase in Y. Thus, the quantities X & Y are said to
be inversely related and X is inversely proportional to Y is written as X 1/Y or X = k/Y or XY = k
(constant) or the product of two quantities remains constant.

Solved Examples:

1. In what ratio should tea @ 35/kg be mixed with tea @ 27/kg so that mixture may cost Rs. 30/kg?

Sol.
The average cost is 30
Let x kg of tea at Rs. 35/kg be mixed with y kg of tea at Rs. 27/kg
Total amount of tea = x + y kg
Average price = Rs. 30/kg

So, 35x + 27y = 30 (x + y)

=> 5x = 3y
=> x/y = 3/5

2. Find a : b : c if 6a = 9b = 10c.

Sol.

a/b = 9/6 = 3 : 2 = 15 : 10, b/c = 10/9 = 10 : 9.

Hence a : b : c = 15 : 10 : 9.
3. A’s present age is to be B’s as 8:5; and 20 years ago, it was as 12 : 5. Find the present age of
each.

Sol.

Let the ages be 8X and 5X

(8X – 20) / (5X – 20) = 12 / 5

Solving this, we get: X = 7

A’s age = 8 X = 56 years

B’s age = 5 X = 35 years

4. An alloy contains 24% of tin by weight. How much more tin to the nearest kg must be added to
100 kg of the alloy so that the % of tin may be doubled?

Sol.

Let X kg of tin be added to the alloy.

Tin (kg) Alloy (kg)
24 100
24 + X 100 + X

Now, Tin / Total must be 48%

So, (24 + X) / (100 + X) = 48/100

So, X = 46

Hence 46 kg of tin must be added to the alloy. Ans.

5. The expenses of a hotel consist of two parts. One part varies with the number of inmates, while
the other is constant. When the number of inmates is 200 & 250, the expenses are respectively Rs.
1300 & Rs. 1600. Then find the expenses for 300 inmates.

Sol.

Let E = K1X + K2

E stands for expenses, X for the number of inmates.

When X = 200 & E = 1300 we have [200 K1 + K2 = 1300].

When X = 250 & E = 1600 we have [250 K1 + K2 = 1600].

Solving the equations, we have

K1 = 6 & K2 = 100

So, E = 6X + 100. Now when X = 300, E = 6 x 300 + 100 = Rs 1900 Ans.

 Top 1% expert replies to student queries (can skip) (additional)

Query: What do K1 and K2 Stand for?

Reply: (K1X) is the part of the expenses that varies with the number of inmates.

K1 = variable expenses
K1X = variable expenses/K1 = variable expenses per inmate

K2 on the other hand is the fixed expense.

So Total Expenses = Variable + constant = K1X + K2

6. Two tins A and B contain mixtures of wheat and rice. In A, the weights of wheat and rice are in
the ratio 2 : 3 and in B they are in the ratio 3 : 7. What quantities must be taken from A and B to
form a mixture containing 5 kg of wheat and 11 kg of rice?

Sol.

Let X kg of mixture be taken from A, then (16 – X) kg is taken from B

So, 2X/5 kg of wheat from A and 3(16 – X)/10 kg of wheat from B is to be taken.

Equate wheat from both sides:

We have, 2X/5 + 3(16 – X)/10 = 5 or X = 2 kg

So, 2 kg from A and 14 kg from B.

Top 1% expert replies to student queries (can skip)

Tin A contains wheat and rice in ratio 2:3.

Let's suppose concrete values are 2x and 3x for wheat and rice respectively.
Similarly, Tin B has ratios 3:7. Therefore, concrete values are 3y and 7y.

Since we need to have 5kg wheat and 11kg rice:

2x+3y = 5
3x+7y = 11
Solving for x & y we get x=2/5 and y=7/5

Mixture to be taken from Tin A = 2x+3x = 5x = 2kgs

Mixture to be taken from Tin B = 3y+7y = 10y = 14kgs

OR

For alligation, you can use the following method:

Let X be the quantity of mixture taken from tin A.

Then automatically 16 - X will be the quantity taken from Tin B.
(As 5:11 has a total of 16 parts)

Now we know that we need 5kg of wheat and 11 kg of rice.

So in the first tin A --> Wheat is 2/5. So we shall take 2/5X of mixture from tin A
In Tin B, wheat is 3/10. So lets take 3/10 (16 - X)
Totally, we get 2/5X = 3(16-X)/10 = 5.
16-X will be 14
Solve, we get the answer of X as 2.

Top 1% expert replies to student queries (can skip) (additional)

Tins A and B contain both wheat and rice. We're taking some quantity from both the tins and
mixing them together.

We know that the final mixture contains 5 kg of wheat and 11kg of rice. Meaning that the final
mixture has a weight of 16 kg (11+5).

Since the final mixture was formed after mixing some quantity from Tin A and some from Tin
B,

Weight from Tin A + Weight from Tin B = Weight of the final mixture = 16 kg.

In the solution, we have assumed that weight from Tin A = x kg and therefore, weight from Tin
B = 16-x kg.

We know that in Tin A, the weight of wheat and rice are in the ratio 2:3. Meaning, for every 2
kgs of wheat, we have 3 kgs of rice. Or in every 1 kg of mixture in Tin A, we have 0.4 kg of
wheat and 0.6 kg of rice. So in x kg taken from Tin A, we will have 0.4x kg wheat and 0.6kg
rice.

Similarly, we know that in Tin B, the weight of wheat and rice are in the ratio 3:7. Meaning, for
every 3 kgs of wheat, we have 7 kgs of rice. Or in every 1 kg of mixture in Tin B, we have 0.3
kg of wheat and 0.7 kg of rice. So in (16-x) kg taken from Tin B, we will have 0.3(x-16) kg wheat
and 0.7(x-16) kg rice.

Now,

Wheat from the weight taken from A + wheat from the weight taken from B = Wheat in the
final mixture [Intuitive]

0.4x + 0.3(16-x) = 5

Solving for x, we get x = 2

We could also have equated the quantity of rice

Rice from the weight taken from A + rice from the weight taken from B = Rice in the final
mixture

0.6x + 0.7(16-x) = 11

This equation will also give us x = 2.

The entire solution is based on conservation of mass.

7. Two vessels contain mixtures of spirit and water. In the first vessel the ratio of spirit to water is
8 : 3 and in the second vessel the ratio is 5 : 1. A 35–liter cask is filled from these vessels so as to
contain a mixture of spirit and water in the ratio of 4 : 1. How many liters are taken from the first
vessel?

Sol.

Let X liters be taken from the first vessel; then (35 – X) liters are taken from the second.
In the first vessel 8/11 of the mixture, and in the second vessel 5/6 of the mixture, is spirit
So, the spirit in the 35–liter cask is 4/5 of the mixture.

Equate spirit on both sides:

So, 8/11 X + 5/6 (35 – X) = 4/5 35

So, X = 11

So, 11 liters are taken from the first vessel Ans.

Alternate sol from gmatclub (additional)

8. A bag contains $600 in the form of one–dollar, 50 cents & 25 cents coins in the ratio 3 : 4 : 12.
Find the number of 25 cents coins.

Sol.
Ratio of values of coins = 3/1 : 4/2 : 12/4 = 3 : 2 : 3.
Value of 25 cents coins = Rs 600 3/ (3 + 2 + 3) = 225.
No. of 25 cents coins = 225 x 4 = 900 Ans.

Alternate method:
 Assume that the number of 1 $ coins is 3X.
Then the value equation would be 3 X + 4 X (0.50) + 12 X (0.25) = 600.
So,
3X + 2X + 3X = 600
8X = 600
X = 75

Now, since we need 25 cent coins, we need to find 12X.

So,

12X = 75*12 = 900 Ans.

9. A mixture contains milk & water in the ratio 5 : 1. On adding 5 liters of water, the ratio of milk
and water becomes 5 : 2. Find the quantity of milk in the original mixture.

Sol.
Let the quantity of milk be 5X & that of water be X.
Then 5X / (X + 5) = 5/2 or X = 5.
So, quantity of milk = 5X = 25 liters

10. The ratio of the number of boys to the number of girls in a school of 546 is 4 : 3. If the number of
girls increases by 6, what must be the increase in the number of boys to make the new ratio of
boys to girls 3 : 2?

Sol.

Original no. of boys = 546 4/7 = 312.

Original no. of girls = 78 3 = 234.
Final no. of girls = 234 + 6 = 24
So, number of boys required to make the new ratio = 240 3/2 = 360
So, The required. increase in the number of boys = 360 – 312 = 48 Ans.

11. Two numbers are in the ratio of 3 : 4. If 5 is subtracted from each, the resulting numbers are in the
ratio 2 : 3. Find the numbers.

Sol.

Let 3X and 4X be the numbers.

So, (3X – 5) / (4X – 5) = 2/3
So, 9X – 15 = 8X – 10
=> X = 5
So, the required numbers are 15 and 20 Ans.
 Work / Rate:
FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPTS:

If A alone takes X hours and B alone takes Y hours to do a piece of work, and if T is the total time
taken when they work together, then we have: 1/X + 1/Y = 1/T or T = XY/(X + Y)

So, If A and B can do a piece of work in X & Y days respectively while working alone, they will
together take XY / (X + Y) days to complete it.

It is best to take the LCM of times taken to avoid using fractions in such questions.

If A is twice as good a workman as B, then A will take half the time B takes to finish a piece of
work.

Solved examples:

1. If A and B together finish a piece of work in 10 days & B alone can finish it in 20 days. In how many
days can A alone finish the work?

2. Four men working together all day, can finish a piece of work in 11 days; but two of them having
other engagements can work only one half–time and quarter time respectively. How long will it take
them to complete the work?

3. 20 men can complete a piece of work in 10 days, but after every 4 days 5 men are called off, in what
time will the work be finished?

4. A vessel can be filled by one pipe A in 10 minutes, by a second pipe B in 15 minutes. It can be emptied
by a waste pipe C in 9 minutes. In what time will the vessel be filled if all the three were turned on at
once?

5. Three pipes A, B and C can fill a tank in 15, 20 and 30 min respectively. They were all turned on at
the same time. After 5 minutes the first two pipes were turned off. In what time will the tank be filled?

6. A tank can be filled by two taps A and B in 12 minutes and 14 minutes respectively and can be emptied
by a third in 8 minutes. If all the taps are turned on at the same moment, what part of the tank will
remain unfilled at the end of 7 minutes?
Solutions:

1. Let X and Y be the number of days required by A and B respectively.

By the standard formula,

1/X + 1/Y = 1/10

=>XY / (X + Y) = 10

If Y = 20
Then, X * 20 / (X + 20) = 10
X = 20 days Ans.

2. Each man will take 11 4 = 44 days to complete the work.

If one man works half day/day he will take 44 2 = 88 days to finish the work.
Similarly, a man working quarter day/day will take 44 4 = 176 days to finish the work.
When these people work together, they will require
We have: 1/44 + 1/44 + 1/88 + 1/176 = 1/T

T = 16 days. Ans

Top 1% expert replies to student queries (can skip) (additional)

Assuming the 4 men are equally efficient, if 4 men can complete a piece of work in 11 days, 1 man
can complete the work in 44 days. In 1 day, 1 man can complete 1/44 of the work.

Let the new time taken by the 4 men be T days.

Now, 2 of the 4 men work for T days. In T days, 1 man can complete (T/44) of the work. So 2 men
can complete (T/22) of the work.

One of the other 2 men worked for only T/2 days. In T/2 days, the man will complete (T/88) of the
work.

The last man worked for only T/4 days. In T/4 days, the man will complete (T/176) of the work.

Total work completed by the 4 men = T/22 + T/88 + T/176 = 11T/176 = 1 [because in T days, the
total work is completed]

T = 16 days. Ans

3. Total work = 20 x 10 = 200 man-days

First 4 days' work = 20 x 4 = 80 man-days
Next 4 days' work = 15 x 4 = 60 man-days
Next 4 days' work = 10 x 4 = 40 man-days
Next 4 days' work = 5 x 4 = 20 man-days

Total 200 man-days … Hence, days required = 4 + 4 + 4 + 4 = 16 Ans

4. 1/10 + 1/15 – 1/9 = 1/T or T = 18 … so the vessel will be filled in 18 minutes Ans.

5. A, B and C can fill (1/15 + 1/20 + 1/30) or 3/20 of the tank in 1 minute

A, B and C filled (3/20 x 5) or 3/4 of the tank in 5 min.

 Now A and B are turned off

(1 – 3/4) or 1/4 of the tank will be filled by C

So, C will fill 1/4 of the tank in (30 x 1/4) or 7.5 minutes

So, the tank will be filled in 7.5 + 5 or 12.5 min. Ans

6. We have (7/12) + (7/14) – 7/8 = 5/24 part filled in 7 minutes.

Hence 1 – 5/24 = 19/24th of the tank is unfilled.

Top 1% expert replies to student queries (can skip) (additional)

Time taken by tap A to fill the tank = 12 minutes

Portion of the tank filled by tap A in 1 minute = 1/12

Time taken by tap B to fill the tank = 14 minutes

Portion of the tank filled by tap B in 1 minute = 1/14

Time taken by tap C to empty the tank = 8 minutes

Portion of the tank emptied by tap C in 1 minute = 1/8

Therefore, in 1 minute, net portion of the tank filled = Portion of the tank filled by tap A in 1
minute + Portion of the tank filled by tap B in 1 minute - Portion of the tank emptied by tap C in 1
minute

Net portion filled in 1 minute = 1/12 + 1/14 - 1/8 = 5/168.

Using this, net portion filled in 7 minutes = Net portion filled in 1 minute * 7
Net portion filled in 7 minutes = 35/168

Therefore, unfilled portion of tank in 7 minus = 1 - 35/168 = 133/168 = 19/24

Time / Speed / Distance
If A goes from X to Y at U km/hour and comes back from Y to X at V km/hour, then Average speed
during the whole journey = 2UV / (U + V) km/hr.

If a man changes his speed in the ratio m : n then the ratio of times taken becomes n : m.

When two objects travel in the same direction, relative speed = difference of speeds and time to
catch / overtake = lead distance / difference of speeds

So … Time to overtake (same directions) = Gap distance / difference of speeds

When two objects travel in the Opposite directions, relative speed = sum of speeds and time to meet
= lead distance / sum of speeds.

SO … Time to meet (opposite directions: towards each other) = Gap distance / sum of speeds

Average Speed = Total Distance / Total Time

If the speed of a boat (or man) in still water be X km/hour, and the speed of the stream (or current)
be Y km/hour, then
(a) Speed of boat with the stream (or Downstream or D/S) = (X + Y) km/hour
(b) Speed of boat against the stream (or upstream or U/S) = (X – Y) km/hour

Solved Examples:

1. A policeman goes after a thief who is 176 m ahead of him. When and where will the policeman
catch the thief when they run at the rates of 11440 and 10560 meters per hour respectively?

2. If I walk at the rate of 4 kms an hour, I reach my destination 30 min too late; If I walk at the rate of 5
kms an hour I reach 30 minutes too soon. How far is my destination?

3. A man rows 18 kms down a river in 4 hours with the stream and returns while traveling upstream
in 12 hours; find his speed and also the velocity of the stream.

4. A, B and C can walk at the rates of 3, 4, 5 kms an hour. They start from X at 1, 2, 3 o’clock
respectively; when B catches up with A, B sends him back with a message to C; when will C get the
message?

5. A student walks to school at the rate of 2.5 kms an hour and reaches 6 minutes too late. Next day he
increases his speed by 2 kms an hour and then reaches there 10 minutes too soon. Find the distance
of the school from his home.

6. A man can row in still water a distance of 4 kms in 20 minutes and 4 kms with the current in 16 min.
How long will it take him to row the same distance against the current?
Solutions:

1. Time to catch / overtake = lead distance / difference of speeds

= 176 / (11440 – 10560)
= 176 / 880
= 1/5 hours
= 12 minutes

So, the time required to overtake the thief = 12 min.

The distance from the starting point = 11440 12/60 kms = 2288 meters Ans

2. Let time taken be T hours for the distance to be covered at the normal speed (neither fast nor slow).
Then we have 4 (T + 0.5) = 5 (T – 0.5) {Note: 0.5 here is 30 min}
Therefore, T = 4.5 hours
Hence, Distance = 4 (T + 0.5) = 4 x 5 = 20 kms. Ans

3. Speed with the stream = 18/4 = 4.5 kms an hour.

Speed against the stream = 18/12 = 1.5 kms an hour.
Now,
If the speed of a boat (or man) in still water be X km/hour, and
the speed of the stream (or current) be Y km/hour, then
x + y =4.5
x – y = 1.5
Solving both the equations, we get x = 3 and y = 1.5 Ans

4. A starts at 1 o clock and B starts at 2 o clock.

If I consider time 0 hr when A started, after 1 hr, A is 3 km away and B has just started.
After 2 hrs, A is 6 km away and B is 4 km away.
After 3 hrs, A is 9 km and B is 8 km.
Next hr, they both meet at 12 km.
You can also, get this by taking the LCM of 3 and 4 that is 12 km.
So, after 4hr, A gets the message. So, at 5 o clock, he got it. Since A started at 1 o clock.
Now, C started at 3 o clock.
That means it has walked for 2 hrs. So, he walked 10km.
Thus now, the distance between A and C is 12–10 = 2 km.
Now they move in opposite directions at speed 3 km/hr and 5 km/hr
Distance / sum of speeds = time to meet
2/ (5 + 3) = 2/8 = 1/4 hours = 15 min

Thus, C gets the letter at 5:15.

OR

In 15 mins, A walks 3/4km and C walks 5/4km

Total distance walked = 3/4+5/4 = 8/4 = 2 kms

Time to meet = Distance / sum of speeds = 2/ (5 + 3) = 2/8 = 1/4 hours = 15 min

Thus, they meet after 15 mins.

Thus, C gets the letter at 5:15.

 5. Let t be the usual time.

` We have 2.5 (t + 1/10) = 4.5 (t – 1/6), or t = 1/2 hours.

Hence distance = 2.5 (1/2 + 1/10) = 2.5 x 6 /10 = 1.5 kms Ans

6. X = 4 / (20/60) = 12,
X + Y = 4 60 /16 = 15
Y = 3.
Therefore, Time = 4 / (X – Y) = 4 x 60 /9 = 80/3 minutes Ans

Top 1% expert replies to student queries (can skip)

Speed in still water (4 km in 20 mins) = 12 km/hr (lets say ‘x’ km/hr)

Speed with current (4 km in 16 mins) = 15 km/hr (lets say ‘a’ km/hr)
Speed against the current = ‘b’ km/hr

x = (a+b)/2
12 = (15+b)/2
b = 9 km/hr
So , to travel 4 km against the current, the man will take [(4/9)*60] mins = 26.7 mins Ans

Top 1% expert replies to student queries (can skip) (additional)

So we know the speed of the person in still water to be 4 km in 20 mins or 1/3rd of an hour.
So the speed in still water is 12 km / hr. Let's say the speed of the current is c km / hr.
If the man is rowing with the current (in the direction the water is flowing), the total speed will be his
still-water speed + the speed of the current (the current is helping him basically).
If the man is rowing against the current, now the current is hampering him, and his speed will be speed in
still water - the speed of the current.

The units are not hard and fast. You should change them in a way that aids calculation the most. It is not
necessary that you have to keep the figures in certain units; change them wherever the numbers become
easiest to deal with.
As an example, converting 4 km in 16 minutes to km / hour will make the number difficult to deal with.
However, if we change the speed to km / min, we get the speed as 1/4 km / min - an arguably easier
number to deal with. Just ensure that all units in the solution are the same.
So, the speed in still water becomes 1/5 km/min

Let the speed of the current be c (very important: in km/min)

Then speed in still water + speed of current = speed with the current

1/5 + c = 1/4

c = 1/4 - 1/5 = 1/20 km/min

What will be the speed against the current?

Speed in still water - speed of current = 1/5 - 1/20 = 3/20 km/min

How long will the man take to row 4 km with this speed?
(20/3) x 4 = 80/3 minutes = 26 and 2/3 minutes Ans
Solved examples on translating Word Problems into equations:
1. Find two consecutive odd numbers the difference of whose squares is 296.

2. A is 29 years older than B; B is 3 years older than C and D is 2 years younger than C. Two years
hence A’s age will be twice the united ages of B, C and D. Find their present ages.

3. A number consists of three consecutive digits, that in the unit’s place being the greatest of the three.
The number formed by reversing the digits exceeds the original number by 22 times the sum of the
digit. Find the number.

(A) 234 (B) 345 (C) 456 (D) 567 (E) 678

4. The crew of a boat can row at the rate of 5 miles an hour in still water. If to row 24 miles, they take 4
times as long upstream as to row the same distance down the river, find the speed at which the river
flows.

5. The area of a rectangle remains the same if the length is increased by 7 meters and the breadth is
decreased by 3 meters. The area remains unaffected if the length is decreased by 7 m and breadth is
increased by 5 m. Find the dimensions of the rectangle.

6. The ratio of incomes of two persons is 9 : 7 and the ratio of their expenditures is 4 : 3. If each of them
saves Rs. 200 per month, find their monthly incomes.

7. Find two consecutive even numbers such that 1/6th of the greater exceeds 1/10th of the smaller by 29.

8. A number consists of two digits whose sum is 12. The ten’s digit is three times the unit’s digit. What
is the number?

9. A train travelled a certain distance at a uniform rate. Had the speed been 6 miles an hour more, the
journey would have occupied 4 hours less; and had the speed been 6 miles an hour less, the journey
would have occupied 6 hours more. Find the distance.

10. A sum of money was divided equally among a certain number of persons; had there been six more,
each would have received a rupee less, and had there been four fewer, each would have received a
rupee more than he did; find the sum of money and the number of men.
Solutions:

1. Let the numbers be 2X + 1 and 2X + 3

Then (2X + 3)² – (2X + 1)² = 296

=> X = 36

Hence 2X + 1 = 2*36 + 1 = 73 and 2X + 3 = 75

The required numbers are 73 and 75.

[Verification. (75)² – (73)²= 5625 – 5329 = 296]

Top 1% expert replies to student queries (can skip)

The equation we have to solve is :

(2 + 3) – (2 + 1) = 296

(4x2 + 12x + 9) - (4x2 + 4x + 1) = 296

8x + 8 = 296

8x = 288

x = 36

Therefore,

2x + 1 = 73
2x + 3 = 75

2. Let D’s age be = X years

Then C’s age = (X + 2) years
B’s age = (X + 5) years
A’s age = (X + 34) years.

Two years hence A’s, B’s, C’s and D’s ages will be X + 36, X + 7, X + 4 and X + 2 years respectively.
So, we have: 2 (X + 2 + X + 4 + X + 7) = X + 36
=>X = 2
So, A’s age = 36 years; B’s age = 7 years, C’s age = 4 years; D’s age = 2 years. Ans

3. Try option A
234 ... 2 + 3 + 4 = 9
432 – 234 = 198 = 22*9
All verified. So, A is correct

Detailed Solution:

Let the hundred’s digit be X. Then the ten’s digit = X + 1 and the unit’s digit = X + 2.
The number = 100*X + 10(X + 1) + X + 2 = 111*X + 12.
The number formed by reversing the digits = 100(X + 2) + 10(X + 1) + X = 111*X + 210

We have 111*X + 210 – 111*X – 12 = 22 (X + 2 + X + 1 + X).

So, we get, X = 2. Hence the required number = 234. Ans
4. Let X miles per hour be the speed of the river.

Hence, on equating the times, we get:

Speed upstream = 5 – X
Speed downstream = 5 + X

Time taken upstream = Distance / speed = 24 / (5 – X)

Time taken downstream = Distance / speed = 24 / (5 + X)
24 / (5 – X) = 4 24/ (5 + X)
X = 3.
Thus, the river flows at the rate of 3 miles an hour.

Top 1% expert replies to student queries (can skip)

Let X miles per hour be the speed of the river.

Upstream velocity (Speed-up) = (5-X) Miles/hour

Downstream velocity(Speed-down)= (5+X) Miles/hour
As they travel equal distance in both directions.
Distance-up = Distance-down
Time-up * Speed-up=Time-down * Speed-down
(Let time taken for upstream travelling be Tu and time taken for downstream travelling be Td)
Tu*(5-X) = Td*(5+X)
It is given that Tu= 4Td
Tu*(5-X) = Td*(5+X)
4Td*(5-X) = Td*(5+X)
4Td*(5-X) = Td*(5+X)
20-4X=5+X
15=5X
X=3

5. (X + 7) (Y – 3) = XY or – 3X + 7Y – 21 = 0 ... (1)

(X – 7) (Y + 5) = XY or 5X – 7Y – 35 = 0 ..(2)

Solve the two simultaneous equations to get

Y = 15 and X = 28
Hence length = 28 m and breadth = 15 m Ans

6. Let the monthly income of first person be Rs 9X and the monthly income of second person be Rs 7X.
Let the expenditure of first person be 4Y and the expenditure of second person be 3Y.
Saving of the first person = Rs (9X – 4Y) and solving of second person = Rs (7X – 3Y).
Using the given information, we have:
9X – 4Y = 200 .... (1)
7X – 3Y = 200 …(2)
So, X = 200.
Hence, the monthly income of first person = Rs. 9 200 = Rs. 1800 and the monthly income of second
person = Rs. 7 200 = Rs. 1400 Ans.
7. Let the numbers be 2X and 2X + 2
Then (2X + 2)/6 – 2X/10 = 29.
So, X = 215
Hence 2X = 430 and 2X + 2 = 432.
The required numbers are 430 and 432. [Verification. 432/6 – 430/10 = 72 – 43 = 29]

8. Let the unit’s digit be X, Then the ten’s digit is 12 – X.

We have 3X = 12 – X or X = 3

Hence the number is 93. [Verification. 9 = 3 x 3; and 9 = 3 = 12]

9. Let us suppose that X miles per hour is the speed of the train and Y hours is the time taken for the
journey.
Distance travelled = XY = (X + 6) (Y – 4) = (X – 6) (Y + 6)

Solve exactly like Q. 5 above

Generate two simultaneous equations. You will get: X = 30, Y = 24
Distance = XY = 720 miles Ans.

10. Let X be the number of persons and Rs Y be the share of each. Then by the conditions of the problem,
we have

(X + 6) (Y – 1) = XY ... (1)
(X – 4) (Y + 1) = XY ... (2).

Solve exactly like Q. 5 above

Generate two simultaneous equations. You will get: X = 24 and Y = 5

Thus, the number of people is X = 24 and the share of each is Y = Rs 5.

The sum of money = 5 x Rs 24 = Rs 120
Questions based on compound interest / Rate of Increase
Solved examples:

1. Donald plans to invest x dollars in a savings account that pays interest at an annual rate of 8%
compounded quarterly. Approximately what amount is the minimum that Donald will need to invest
to earn over $100 in interest within 6 months?
$1500 $1750 $2000 $2500 $3000

2. Wes works at a science lab that conducts experiments on bacteria. The population of the bacteria
multiplies at a constant rate, and his job is to notate the population of a certain group of bacteria each
hour. At 1 p.m. on a certain day, he noted that the population was 2,000 and then he left the lab. He
returned in time to take a reading at 4 p.m., by which point the population had grown to 250,000. Now
he has to fill in the missing data for 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. What was the population at 3 p.m.?
50,000 62,500 65,000 86,666 125,000

3. The population of locusts in a certain swarm doubles every two hours. If 4 hours ago there were 1,000
locusts in the swarm, in approximately how many hours will the swarm population exceed 250,000
locusts?
6 8 10 12 14

4. A scientist is studying bacteria whose cell population doubles at constant intervals. In the last 2 hours,
the population has quadrupled, increasing by 3,750 cells. How many cells will the population contain
four hours from now?

Solutions:

1. The formula for calculating compound interest is A = P*(1 + r/n)nt where the variables represent
the following:
A = amount of money accumulated after t years (principal + interest)
P = principal investment
r = interest rate (annual)
n = number of times per year interest is compounded
t = number of years
In this case, x represents the unknown principal, r = 8%, n = 4 since the compounding is done quarterly,
and t = .5 since the time frame in question is half a year (6 months).

r = 8% = 8/100

So, we have:

P (1 + 8/400)2

From the options: 2500 (1 + 8/400)2 = 2601 … so the interest = 101, which is close to 100.

OR … by approximation:

8% interest over half a year, however that interest is compounded, is approximately 4% interest.
So, to compute the principal, it's actually a very simple calculation:

100 = 0.04x

2500 = x

The correct answer is D.

 Top 1% expert replies to student queries (can skip)

Easy Approach-
8% compounded quarterly = 2% per quarter = 4% for half year
If 4% is 100 then 100% would be 2500
Answer D.

Conventional approach-
Compound interest formula
A = P ( 1+r/n)nt
given, n= 4 (quarterly);r =.08
The approach is substitution,
Our interest requirement is 100$ after 6 months, 2 compounding periods. interest per compounding
period is 2%
Let's take 1500, after 3 months interest accumulated is 30$, total amount is 1530$
after 6 months, interest is 30.6$ and total is 1560.6$, so not 1500$
1500$ & 1750$ have a difference of 250$ only , but the expected interest different is around 40$.
Hence you can straightaway rule out 1750
2000 is again can be ruled out as approx. 4% interest yields only 80$
2500$ is a good bet, first 3 months it earns 50$ as interest, next 3 months it will earn 51$ as interest.
hence, answer is D

2. If we decide to find a constant multiple by the hour, then we can say that the population was
multiplied by a certain number three times from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.: once from 1 to 2 p.m., again from
2 to 3 p.m., and finally from 3 to 4 p.m.

Let's call the constant multiple x.

2,000(x)(x)(x) = 250,000
2,000(x3) = 250,000
x3 = 250,000/2,000 = 125
x=5

Therefore, the population gets five times bigger each hour.

At 3 p.m., there were 2,000(5)(5) = 50,000 bacteria.

The correct answer is A.

3. A population problem is best solved with a population chart that illustrates the swarm population at
each unit of time. An example of a population chart is shown below:

Time Population
4 hours ago 1,000
2 hours ago 2,000
NOW 4,000
in 2 hours 8,000
in 4 hours 16,000
in 6 hours 32,000
in 8 hours 64,000
in 10 hours 128,000
in 12 hours 256,000
 As can be seen from the chart, in 12 hours the swarm population will be equal to 256,000 locusts.
Thus, we can infer that the number of locusts will exceed 250,000 in slightly less than 12 hours.

Since we are asked for an approximate value, 12 hours provides a sufficiently close approximation
and is therefore the correct answer.

OR

28 =256 (more than 250 times) so 8 intervals are needed, means 16 hours. 4 hours are already past,
so 12 more hours are needed.

The correct answer is D

Alternate Solution from Gmatclub

4 hours ago = 1000
2 hours ago = 2000
right now = 4000

now the given equation says

4000 2n>25000

=> 2n>62.5 since n must be an integer... thus take

2n=64=26 thus it got doubled 6 times thus 12 hours

Thus D

4. Let x equal the population immediately after that division

4x = x + 3,750
3x = 3,750
x = 1,250

So according to the data given, if we extrapolate to the value at 4 hours from now,

(2 hours earlier) 1250(= x), 2500, 5000 (now), 10000, 20000, 40000, 80000 (4 hours from now)

Ans. 80,000

Top 1% expert replies to student queries (can skip)

The population is just divided and, since the population divided two hours ago, the population has
quadrupled, increasing by 3,750 cells.
When the population increases by a factor of 4, the result is 3750 more cells:
4p = p + 3750
p = 1250.
Thus:
2 hours ago, p=1250.
Now, p = 1250+3750 = 5000.
Since the population quadruples every 2 hours, over the next 4 hours it will quadruple twice:
p = 4*4*5000 = 80,000.

Top 1% expert replies to student queries (can skip)

If the population quadrupled during the last two hours, it doubled twice during that interval, meaning
that the population doubled at 60 minute intervals (Since the division two hours ago and the division
just now, the population quadrupled -- that's two doubling periods, so each doubling period is about
an hour. ).
Since it has increased by 3,750 bacteria, we have:
Population (Now) – Population (2 hours ago) = 3,750
Population (Now) = 4·Population (2 hours ago)
Substituting, we get 4·Population (2 hours ago) – Population (2 hours ago) = 3,750
Population (2 hours ago) = 1,250.
The population will double 6 times from that point to 4 hours from now
Population (4 hours from now) = (26)(1,250) = 80,000.
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Quant Session: Statistics + Numbers

Part 1: Statistics

Mean (Average)

1. Average or mean or AM = Sum of n quantities (or numbers) / number of them (n) OR Arithmetic
Mean (A.M.) is given by X = x / N .
2. Mean of the Combined Series If N1 and N2 are the sizes and M1 and M2 are the respective means of
M N + M2 N2
two series then the mean M of the combined series is given by M = 1 1 or we can write:
N1 + N 2
N 1 M 2 − M D2
= = ... This is the most important result in Mean.
N 2 M − M 1 D1

3. If a man (or train or boat or bus) covers some journey from A to B at X km/hr (or m/sec) and returns
to A at a uniform speed for Y km/hr, then the average speed during the whole journey is
[2XY / (X + Y)] km/hr. TIP: The average speed in such a case will be a bit less than the simple
average.
4. The sum of first “n” natural numbers is given by n (n + 1)/2.
5. For consecutive integers or for equally spaced numbers (AP), Mean = (First term + Last term) / 2.
6. If the average of a few consecutive integers is 0, then there will be an odd number of integers.
7. The average of an odd number of consecutive integers is an integer and the average of an even
number of consecutive integers is a non–integer.
8. If in a set of numbers, the average = the highest or the lowest number, all the numbers will have to
be equal.

Median:

• Median is the middle value or the average of two middle values when the values are arranged in
an order, either ascending or descending.
• If there are odd number of observations, median is directly the middle number.
• If there is an even number of observations, median is the average of the two middle numbers.
 • For consecutive integers or for equally spaced numbers (AP),
Median = (First term + Last term) / 2. So, Median = Mean in this case.
• Median is the 50th percentile.

Median of a continuous series

Example:

Explanation:
Range + Standard Deviation

• Range is defined as the difference between the two extreme observations of the distribution.
• Range = Xmax – Xmin. If Range = 0, all the observations are equal. Range ≥ 0 always; it is never
negative.
• Standard deviation is defined as positive square root of the A.M. of the squares of the deviations
of the given observations from their A.M.
• If X1, X2 ... XN is a set of N observations then its standard deviation is given by Standard Deviation
∑(𝑥−𝑥̅ )2
= √ 𝑁
• It is a measure of how much each value varies from the mean of all the values.
• Less SD implies more consistency, less variation, less spread, more compactness AND vice versa.
• If SD = 0, all the observations are equal.
• Range is always greater than SD, except when all observations are equal, when both are equal to
0.
Range
o To be precise SD 
2
• The square of SD is called Variance.

Change in respective statistical parameters:

Addition Subtraction Sign Change Multiplication Division

Mean Change Change Change Change Change
Median Change Change Change Change Change
Range NO Change NO Change NO Change Change Change
SD NO Change NO Change NO Change Change Change

Part 2: Numbers

For the purpose of the GMAT, all numbers are real.

REAL numbers are basically of two types:

1. Rational numbers: A rational number can always be represented by a fraction of the form p/q
where p and q are integers and q ≠ 0. Examples: finite decimal numbers, infinite repeating decimals,
whole numbers, integers, fractions i.e. 3/5, 16/9, 2, 0.666.... ∞ = 2/3 etc.

2. Irrational numbers: Any number which cannot be represented in the form p/q where p and q are
integers and q ≠ 0 is an irrational number. AN INFINITE NON–RECURRING DECIMAL IS AN
IRRATIONAL NUMBER. Examples – √2, , √5, √7.

INTEGERS: The set of Integers I = {0, ±1, ±2, ±3, … ∞}

EVEN NUMBERS: The numbers divisible by 2 are even numbers. E.g., 0, ±2, ±4, ±6, ±8, ±10....... Even
numbers are expressible in the form 2n where n is an integer. Thus –2, –6 etc. are also even
numbers. Remember that ‘0’ is an even number.
 ODD NUMBERS: The numbers not divisible by 2 are odd numbers e.g. ±1, ±3, ±5, ±7, ±9.... Odd
numbers are expressible in the form (2n + 1) where n is an integer other than zero (not necessarily
prime). Thus, –1, –3, –9 etc. are all odd numbers.

You must remember:

Even ± Even = Even Even ± Odd = Odd Odd ± Odd = Even Odd ± Even = Odd
Even × Even = Even Even × Odd = Even Odd × Odd = Odd

POSITIVE INTEGERS: The numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.... are known as positive integers.

• 0 is neither positive nor negative.
• 0 is an even number.
• 0 is not a factor of any integer.
• 0 is a multiple of all integers.

Prime numbers: A natural number which has no other factors besides itself and unity is a prime
number. Examples: 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19 ......

• If a number has no factor equal to or less than its square root, then the number is prime.
This is a test to judge whether a number is prime or not.
• The only even prime number is 2
• 1 is neither prime nor composite (by definition)
• The smallest composite number is 4.

Composite numbers: A composite number has other factors besides itself and unity, e.g., 8, 72, 39 etc.
Alternatively, we might say that a natural number greater than 1 that is not prime is a composite
number.

FACTORS / HCF (GCD / GCF) & LCM OF NUMBERS

Prime factors:

A composite number can be uniquely expressed as a product of prime factors.

E×. 12 = 2 × 6 = 2 × 2 × 3 = 22 × 31 20 = 4 × 5 = 2 × 2 × 5 = 22 × 51
124 = 2 × 62 = 2 × 2 × 31 = 22 × 31 etc.

If k and n are both integers greater than 1 and if k is a factor of n, k cannot be a factor of (n + 1).

NOTE:
The number of divisors (factors) of a given number N (including one and the number itself) where
N = am × bn × cp .... where a, b, c are prime numbers is given by (m + 1) (n + 1) (p + 1) ......

e.g. (1) 90 = 2 × 3 × 3 × 5 = 21 × 32 × 51
Hence here a = 2 b = 3 c = 5, m = 1 n = 2 p = 1
Number of divisors = (m + 1) (n + 1) (p + 1) .... = 2 × 3 × 2 = 12
Number of factors of 90 = 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 9, 10, 15, 18, 30, 45, 90 = 12

HCF: It is the greatest factor common to two or more given numbers. It is also called GCF OR GCD
(greatest common factor or greatest common divisor); e.g. HCF of 10 & 15 = 5, HCF of 55 & 200 = 5, HCF
of 64 & 36 = 4

To find the HCF of given numbers, resolve the numbers into their prime factors and then pick the
common term(s) from them and multiply them. This is the required HCF.
LCM: Lowest common multiple of two or more numbers is the smallest number which is exactly
divisible by all of them.

E.g. LCM of 5, 7, 10 = 70, LCM of 2, 4, 5 = 20, LCM of 11, 10, 3 = 330

To find the LCM resolve all the numbers into their prime factors and then pick all the quantities (prime
factors) but not more than once and multiply them. This is the LCM.

NOTE:

1. LCM × HCF = Product of two numbers (valid only for “two”)

2. HCF of fractions = HCF of numerators ÷ LCM of denominators

3. LCM of fractions = LCM of numerators ÷ HCF of denominators

Q. Find the LCM of 25 and 35 if their HCF is 5. LCM = 25 x 35/5 = 175

Calculating LCM: After expressing the numbers in terms of prime factors, the LCM is the product of
highest powers of all factors.

Q. Find the LCM of 40, 120, and 380.

40 = 4 × 10 = 2 × 2 × 2 × 5 = 23 × 51,
120 = 4 × 30 = 2 × 2 × 2 × 5 × 3 = 23 × 51 × 31
380 = 2 × 190 = 2 × 2 × 95 = 2 × 2 × 5 × 19 = 22 × 51 × 191
Required LCM = 23 × 51 × 31 × 191 = 2280.

Calculating HCF: After expressing the numbers in term of the prime factors, the HCF is product of
COMMON factors.

Ex. Find HCF of 88, 24, and 124

88 = 2 × 44 = 2 × 2 × 22 = 2 × 2 × 2 × 11 = 23 × 111
24 = 2 × 12 = 2 × 2 × 6 = 2 × 2 × 2 × 3 = 23 × 31
124 = 2 × 62 = 2 × 21 × 311 = 22 × 311 HCF = 22

Divisibility / Remainders

TESTS FOR DIVISIBILITY:

1. A number is divisible by 2 if its unit’s digit is even or zero e.g. 128, 146, 34 etc.
2. A number is divisible by 3 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 3 e.g. 102, 192, 99 etc.
3. A number is divisible by 4 when the number formed by last two right hand digits is divisible by ‘4’
e.g. 576, 328, 144 etc.
4. A number is divisible by 5 when its unit’s digit is either five or zero: e.g. 1111535, 3970, 145 etc.
5. A number is divisible by 6 when it’s divisible by 2 and 3 both. e.g. 714, 509796, 1728 etc.
6. A number is divisible by 8 when the number formed by the last three right hand digits is divisible
by ‘8’. e.g. 512, 4096, 1304 etc.
7. A number is divisible by 9 when the sum of its digits is divisible by 9 e.g. 1287, 11583, 2304 etc.
8. A number is divisible by 10 when its unit’s digit is zero. e.g. 100, 170, 10590 etc.
9. A number is divisible by 11 when the difference between the sums of digits in the odd and even
places is either zero or a multiple of 11. e.g. 17259, 62468252, 12221 etc. For the number 17259:
 Sum of digits in even places = 7 + 5 = 12, Sum of digits in the odd places = 1 + 2 + 9 = 12 Hence 12 –
12 = 0.
10. A number is divisible by 12 when it is divisible by 3 & 4 both. e.g. 672, 8064 etc.
11. A number is divisible by 25 when the number formed by the last two Right hand digits is divisible
by 25, e.g., 1025, 3475, 55550 etc.

Power of a Prime Number in a Factorial: If we have to find the power of a prime number p in n!, it is

n  n   n  n
found using a general rule, which is   +  2  +  3  + ........ , where   denotes the greatest integer
 p  p   p   p
n
≤ to   etc.
 p
 100   100   100   100   100 
For example, power of 3 in 100! =   +  2  +  3  +  4  +  5  + .... = 33 + 11 + 3 + 1 + 0 = 48.
 3  3  3  3  3 

 200   200   200 

For example, power of 5 in 200! =   +  2  +  3  + ... = 40 + 8 + 1 + 0 = 49.
 5  5  5 

Number of Zeroes at the end of a Factorial: It is given by the power of 5 in the number.

Actually, the number of zeroes will be decided by the power of 10, but 10 is not a prime number, we
have 10 = 5 × 2, and hence we check power of 5.

For example, the number of zeroes at the end of 100! = = 20 + 4 = 24.

The number of zeroes at the end of 500! = = 100 + 20 + 4 = 124.

The number of zeroes at the end of 1000! = = 200 + 40 +8 + 1 = 249.

Unit’s digits in powers: Every digit has a cyclicity of 4. The fifth power of any single digit number has
the same right-hand digit as the number itself.

Example: What will be the unit’s digit in 12896?

In all such questions, divide the power by 4 and check the remainder.

If the remainder is 1, 2 or 3, then convert the question to LAST DIGIT RAISED TO REMAINDER.

If the remainder is 0, convert the question to LAST DIGIT RAISED TO FOUR.

In this question, 96/4 = 0, so the question converts to 84 = 82 x 82 = 64 x 64 = 4 x 4 = 16 = 6

 DECIMALS and FRACTIONS

Recurring Decimals (Conversion to a Rational Number): If in a decimal fraction a figure or a set of

figures is repeated continually, then such a number is called a recurring decimal.

(i) 2/3 = 0.6666.... (ii) 22/7 = 3.142857142857 …

Rule: Write the recurring figures only one in the numerator and take as many nines in the denominator
as the number of repeating figures.

Ex. (1) 0.666666666 … = 6/9 = 2/3 (2) 0.234234234234 … = 234/999

Rounding Off
Number Nearest tenth Nearest hundredth Nearest thousandth
1.2346 1.2 1.23 1.235
31.6479 31.6 31.65 31.648
9.7462 9.7 9.75 9.746

Whether a fraction will result in a terminating decimal or not? To determine this, express the
fraction in the lowest form and then express the denominator in terms of Prime Factors. If the
denominator contains powers of only 2 and 5, it is terminating. If the denominator contains any power
of any other prime number, it is non-terminating.

Factor Theorem: If f(x) is completely divisible by (x – a), then f(a) = 0. So, (x – a) is a factor of f(x), then
f(a) = 0

Check whether (x + 1) is a factor of f(x) = 4x2 + 3x – 1. Putting x + 1 = 0, i.e., x = –1 in

the given expression we get f(–1) = 0. So, (x + 1) is a factor of f(x).

Remainder Theorem: If an expression f(x) is divided by (x – a), then the remainder is f(a).

Let f(x) = x3 + 3x2 – 5x + 4 be divided by (x – 1). Find the remainder.

Remainder = f(1) = 13 + 3 × 12 – 5 × 1 + 4 = 3.

Some properties of square numbers:

• A square number always has odd number of factors.
• A square number cannot end with 2, 3, 7, 8 or an odd number of zeroes.
• Every square number is a multiple of 3, or exceeds a multiple of 3 by unity.
• Every square number is a multiple of 4 or exceeds a multiple of 4 by unity.
• If a square number ends in 9, the preceding digit is even.
 ůŐĞďƌĂ
and
Coordinate Geometry
(Note: Please ignore the blacked out portions in this document.)
 Quant Session: Permutations and Combinations |
Probability
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Definitions:

Each of the different orders of arrangements, obtained by taking some, or all, of a number of things, is
called a Permutation.

Each of the different groups, or collections, that can be formed by taking some, or all, of a number of
things, irrespective of the order in which the things appear in the group, is called a Combination.

Example:

Suppose, there are four quantities A, B, C, and D. The different orders of arrangements of these four
quantities by taking three at a time, are:

ABC, ACB, BAC, BCA, CAB, CBA, ... (1) ABD, ADB, BAD, BDA, DAB, DBA, ... (2)
ACD, ADC, CAD, CDA, DAC, DCA, ... (3) BCD, BDC, CDB, CBD, DBC, DCB... (4)

Thus, each of the 24 arrangements, of the four quantities A, B, C, and D by taking three at a time, is called a
permutation. Hence, it is clear that the number of permutations of four things taken three at a time is 24.

Again, it may be easily seen, from the above that out of these 24 permutations, the six, given in (1), are all
formed of the same three quantities A, B, C in different orders; hence, they all belong to the same group.
Similarly, the permutations, given in (2), all belong to a second group; those given in (3), belong to a third and
those in (4), belong to a fourth. Hence, we see that there are only four different groups that can be formed
of four quantities A, B, C, and D by taking three at a time. Thus, the number of combinations of four things
taken three at a time is only four.

If there are m ways of doing a thing and n ways of doing a second thing and p ways of doing a third
thing, then the total number of “distinct” ways of doing all these together is m × n × p.
Ex 1.
Suppose, there are five routes for going from a place A to another place B and six routes for going from the
place B to a third place C. Find the numbers of different ways through which a person can go from A to C via
B.

Sol.
Since there are five different routes from A to B, person can go from A to B in five different ways. After
reaching B, he has six different ways of finishing the second part of his journey (i.e. going from B to C). Thus,
for one way of going from A to B there are six different ways of completing the journey from A to C via B.
Hence, the total number of different ways of finishing both parts of the journey (i.e. A to B and then from B
to C) = 5 times six different ways = 5 × 6 = no. of ways from the first part to the second point
number of ways from the second part to the third point

Ex 2.
Find the number of different ways in which four persons can be accommodated in three different chairs.

Sol.
Let’s assume that the four persons are P, Q, R, and S. Since all the three different chairs are vacant, any one
of the four persons can occupy the 1st chair. Thus, there are four ways of filling up the 1st chair. When the 1st
chair has been filled up by any one of the four people, say P, the 2nd chair can be filled up by any one of the
remaining three persons Q, R and S. Thus, for each way of filling up the 1st chair, the 2nd chair can be filled
up in three different ways. Hence, total no. of ways in which the first two chairs can be filled up is equal to
4 3 = 12 ways. Again, when the 1st and 2nd chairs are filled up in any one way (i.e. the 1st by P and the 2nd
by Q), the 3rd chair can be filled up by any one of the two remaining persons, R and S. Thus, for each way of
filling up the first two chairs, there are 4 3 2 i.e. 24 ways of filling up the third chair along with the first two
chairs. Hence, the total no. of ways in which four persons can be accommodated in the three given chairs is
equal to 4 3 2 = 24. We therefore conclude that, the total number of different orders of arrangements of 4
different things, taken 3 at a time, is the same as the total number of different ways in which 3 places can be
filled up by 4 different things.

PERMUTATIONS

Permutations of n different things taken ‘r’ at a time is denoted by nPr and is given by
n
Pr = n! / (n – r)!

The total number of arrangements of n things taken r at a time, in which a particular thing always occurs
= r n-1Pr – 1

The total number of permutations of n different things taken r at a time in which a particular thing never
occurs = n-1Pr

The total number of permutations of n dissimilar things taken r at a time with repetitions = n r

No. of circular permutations of n things taken all at a time = (n – 1)!

No. of circular permutations of n different things taken r at a time = nPr /r

The number of permutations when things are not all different: If there be n things, p of them of one kind,
q of another kind, r of still another kind and so on, then the total number of permutations is given by

n! / (p! q! r!)
COMBINATIONS

Number of combinations of n dissimilar things taken ‘r’ at a time is denoted by nCr and is given by
n
Cr = n! / [ (n – r)! r!]

Number of combinations of n different things taken r at a time in which p particular things will always
occur is n-pCr-p

No. of combinations of n dissimilar things taken ‘r’ at a time in which ‘p’ particular things will never
occur is n-pCr

n
Cr = nCn – r

PROBABILITY

Probability of an event occurring = Number of favorable outcomes

Number of all possible outcomes
Note:

If an event E is sure to occur, we say that the probability of the event E is equal to 1 and we write P (E) =
1.

If an event E is sure not to occur, we say that the probability of the event E is equal to 0 and we write P
(E) = 0.

Therefor

The probability of E not occurring, denoted by P (not E), is given by P (not E) = 1 – P(E)

Odds in favor = No. of favorable cases / No. of unfavorable cases

Odds against = No. of unfavorable cases / No. of favorable cases

Mutually Exclusive Events:

Two events are mutually exclusive if one happens, the other can’t happen and vice versa. In other words,
the events have no common outcomes. For example:

In rolling a die
E: – The event that the no. is odd
F: – The event that the no. is even
G: – The event that the no. is a multiple of three

In drawing a card from a deck of 52 cards

E: – The event that it is a spade
F: – The event that it is a club
G: – The event that it is a king

In the above 2 cases events E and F are mutually exclusive but the events E and G are not mutually
exclusive or disjoint since they may have common outcomes.
ADDITION LAW OF PROBABILITY:

If E and F are two mutually exclusive events, then the probability that either event E or event F will occur in a
single trial is given by:

P (E or F) = P(E) + P(F)

If the events are not mutually exclusive, then

P (E or F) = P(E) + P(F) – P (E and F together)

P (neither E nor F) = 1 – P (E or F).

Independent Events and Multiplication Law:

Two events are independent if the happening of one has no effect on the happening of the other. For

ex:

On rolling a die and tossing a coin together

E: – The event that no. 6 turns up.

F: – The event that head turns up.

In shooting a target

E: – Event that the first trial is missed.

F: – Event that the second trial is missed.

In both these cases events E and F are independent.

BUT, in drawing a card from a well shuffled pack

E: – Event that first card is drawn

F: – Event that second card is drawn without replacing the first

G: – Event that second card is drawn after replacing the first

In this case E and F are not Independent but E and G are independent There is a concept in probability called
sample space - it is the set of all possible outcomes (an event space is a subset that contains events to which we
can assign probabilities). In mathematical terms, the reason E and F are not independent but E and G are, is that
if F is done, then the sample space has changed fundamentally and is not the same any more as when E is done.

However, if E and G are done the sample space is restored to its original form, so they are independent.
What does this mean in non-mathematical terms? Think intuitively - if you have a deck of cards and you pull
one (event E). Whatever this card is, can you draw this one again without replacing it? No. Then event F
fundamentally depends on what the outcome of event E was (what card was drawn; this card cannot be drawn
again in event F). S events E and F are not independent - occurrence of one has an effect on the other.

MULTIPLICATION LAW OF PROBABILITY:

If the events E and F are independent then P (E and F) = P (E) P (F)

and P (not E and F) = 1 – P (E and F together).

 SUMMARY of concepts

Arrangements - keywords – seating, sitting, sequence, order, alphabets, schedule, ranking, itinerary, codes

Order important – gives unique arrangements

For e.g. A and B sitting on chair can be AB or BA so these are two distinct arrangements
n
It is basically selection followed by arrangement. So Pr = nCr * r!

Selection - keywords – team, committee, balls, handshakes, matches, picking

Order not important – For example choosing A and B from a group of 3 or four alphabets. The order does
not matter. India playing a match against Australia is the same as Australia playing against India.

Different formulae

1.

When to use? When n distinct items present and r have to be selected and then arranged.

E.g. – how many ways can you arrange 4 people in 5 chairs = 5P4

2. nr
All n distinct selection of r but repetition is allowed.

In how many ways can you wear three different rings on four fingers?
= 43
n!
3. p! q! r!
Arranging n things in which p are of one type, q of a second type and r of third type:
Ex: In how many ways can you arrange the letters of word Banana?
6!
Ans
3! 2!
.

4. Special Cases

5 people A, B, C, D, E to be arranges in which A and B are together.

4! × 2!

5 people A, B, C, D, E to be arranged in which A and B are not together.

5! – 4! × 2!

5. Block diagrams - Some problems cannot be done with any formula but with a block diagram
Combinations

1. Select 5 people out of 10 Ans. 10C5

Particular Cases – Select 5 out of 10 people such that A and B are always selected. This means only 3 of
the remaining 8 are to be selected 8C3

Select 5 out of 10 such that A and B are never selected. This means that out of remaining 8, 5 have to
be selected so it is 8C5

2. Select 5 out of 10 so that A and B are never together.

= Total – Together = 10C5 – 8C3

AND denotes Multiplication

OR denotes Addition

Circular Permutations: (n – 1)!

Multiple trials of a single event: If multiple independent trials of a single event are performed, then the
probability of r successes out of a total of n trials can be determined by nCr pr qn r
Where
n = number of times the event is performed
r = number of successes
p = probability of success in one trial
q = probability of failure in one trial = 1 – p.
Solved examples for building key concepts:
1. Find the number of ways in which the letters of the word “machine” can be arranged such that the
vowels may occupy only odd positions?
A. 288
B. 576
C. 5040
D. 48
E. None of these

2. Sixteen jobs are vacant; how many different batches of men can be chosen out of twenty candidates? How
often may any particular candidate be selected?

3. How many numbers greater than a million can be formed with the digits 2, 3, 0, 3, 4, 2, 3?
A. 360
B. 240
C. 480
D. 460
E. 370

4. In how many ways can 3 letters be posted in four letter boxes in a village? If all the three letters are not
posted in the same letter box, find the corresponding number of ways of posting.

5. In rolling two dice, find the probability that (1) there is at least one ‘6’ (2) the sum is 5.

6. A single card is selected from a deck of 52 bridge cards. What is the probability that (1) it is not a heart,
(2) it is an ace or a spade?

7. A box contains 2 red, 3 yellow and 4 blue balls. Three balls are drawn in succession with replacement.
Find the probability that (1) all are yellow, (2) the first is red, the second is yellow, the third is blue, (3)
none are yellow, (4) all three are of the same color.

8. With the data in Example 7, answer those questions when the balls are drawn in succession without
replacement.

9. There are 7 Physics and 1 Chemistry book in shelf A. There are 5 Physics books in shelf B. One book is
moved from shelf A to shelf B. A student picks up a book from shelf B. Find the probability that the
Chemistry book: (1) is still in shelf A, (2) is in shelf B, (3) is taken by the student.

10. The ratios of number of boys and girls in X-A and X-B are 3: 1 and 2: 5 respectively. A student is selected
to be the chairman of the students’ association. The chance that the student is selected from X-A is 2/3.
Find the probability that the chairman will be a boy.

11. The probability that a man will be alive in 25 years is 3/5 and the probability that his wife will be alive in
25 years is 2/3. Find the probability that: (1) both will be alive, (2) only the man will be alive,
(1) only the wife will be alive, (4) at least one will be alive.
SOLUTIONS

1.
“Machine” consists of seven letters: four of them are consonants and three vowels. Let us mark out the
position to be filled up as follows:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
(a) () (i) () (e) () ()

Since the vowels can be placed only in three out of the four positions marked 1,3,5,7, the total number of
ways in which they can be made to occupy odd positions =
4
P3 = 4.3.2 = 24 .... (1)

Suppose one arrangement of the vowels is as shown in the diagram; then for this particular arrangement of the
vowel, the number of ways in which the 4 consonants can be made to occupy the remaining positions (marked
2,4,6,7) = 4P4 = 4.3 2.1 = 24.

Hence, for each way of placing the vowels in odd positions there are 24 arrangements of the whole set.
Consequently, the total number of arrangements of the given letters under the given condition = 24 24
= 576 Ans B is correct.

2
We have only to find out the number of different groups of 16 men that can be formed out of 20 without any
reference to the appointment to be given to each.

Hence, the required number of ways = 20C16 = 20C4

= 20 19 18 17 / (1 2 3 4) = 5 19 3 17 = 4845.

Let us now find out how many times a particular candidate may be chosen.

Every time that a particular candidate is selected the other 15 candidates will have to be chosen from the
remaining 19 candidates.

Hence a particular man may be selected as many times as we can select a group of 15 men out of the
remaining 19. Hence, the required number of times = 19C15 = 19C4

= 19 18 17 16 / (1 2 3 4) = 19 3 17 4 = 3876

3. Since, each number is to consist of not less than 7 digits, we shall have to use all the digits in forming the
numbers. Now, among these 7 digits there are 2 two’s and 3 three’s; hence the total number of ways of
arranging the digits = 7! / (2! 3!) = 420. But out of these arrangements we have to reject those that begin with
zero, for they are six–digit numbers. Now, evidently there are as many such arrangements as there are ways
of arranging the remaining 6 digits among themselves

Their no. = 6! /2! 3! = 60 Hence, the required number = 420 – 60 = 360.

Option A is correct
4.

We can post the first letter in 4 ways. Similarly, the second and third can be posted in 4 ways each. So, the
total number of ways = 4 4 4 = 64. Now all the three letters together can be posted in any letterbox. In this
case there will be four ways and when all the letters are not posted together, the number of ways
= 64 – 4 = 60.

Top 1% expert replies to student queries (can skip)

In this question, we first need to find the number of ways we can put the first letter in the four boxes, then the
second letter and then the third letter and then multiply all of them to get the total number of ways. Now, for
all letters to be not posted in the same letter box we need to subtract the ways in which all the letters are
being posted in the same box from the total number of possible ways.

Complete step-by-step answer:

Now, given in the question that there are three letters and four letterboxes
Let us now place the first letter and check the number of ways possible
Now, this letter can be placed in any of the four boxes which gives
4 ways

Now, the second letter again to be posted has four boxes available which can be posted in
4 ways

Now, again the third letter also has four boxes available which has
4 ways

Now, the total number of ways in which these three letters can be posted is given by
4×4×4

Now, on further simplification we get,

64

Thus, three letters can be posted in four letterboxes in 64 ways.

Now, we need to place three letters in four boxes provided that all the letters not to be placed in one box
Here, for all the letters to be placed in the same box we have different possibilities
Now, for all the boxes to be placed in the first box we have 1 possible way
In the same way, for all the letters to be placed in the second box we have 1 way, to be placed in the third box
we have 1 way and then in the fourth box we have 1 way.
Thus, for all the letters to be placed in the same box we have 4 ways.
Now, on subtracting these 4 ways of all the letters being placed in 1 box from the total number of ways we
get the value for them to be not placed in 1 box

60

Thus, the number of ways for all three letters not posted in the same letterbox are 60.

Note: Instead of subtracting the ways for all letters to be placed in one box from total number of ways we can
also solve it by finding the ways in which all the letters can be placed in different boxes and two letters in one
box and the remaining one in the other and then all add these possibilities to get the result. It is important to
note that while finding the total number of ways we need to consider 4 possible ways for all the three letters
as there is no condition given in particular that there can't be more than one in one box.
5.
The total possible outcomes are 36 as shown below.
(1,1) (1,2) (1,3) (1,4) (1,5) (1,6);
(2,1) (2,2) (2,3) (2,4) (2,5) (2,6);
(3,1) (3,2) (3,3) (3,4) (3,5) (3,6);
(4,1) (4,2) (4,3) (4,4) (4,5) (4,6);
(5,1) (5,2) (5,3) (5,4) (5,5) (5,6);
(6,1) (6,2) (6,3) (6,4) (6,5) (6,6);

The outcomes with at least one ‘6’ are

(1,6), (2,6), ..... (6,6). There are 11 such pairs.

(1)

P (at least one ‘6’) = 11/36 Ans.

(2)

The pairs with a sum of 5 are (1,4), (2,3), (3,2), (4,1). P

(the sum is 5) = 4/36 = 1/9 Ans.

Top 1% expert replies to student queries (can skip)

There are 36 possible outcomes from rolling 2 dice because the first die has 6 possible
outcomes and so does the second: (1,1), (1,2), (1,3).........(2,1), (2,2).......(6,5), (6,6)

If the first die comes out a 6, the second die can be from 1 to 6.

So, there are 6 ways and similarly 6 ways the second die can show a 6. But, we have counted the
roll of (6,6) twice.

So, there are 11 ways to roll at least one 6, out of 36 possibilities, so the answer is 11/36.

OR

(1)
Probability of rolling at least one two = 1 — (Probability of rolling no sixes)

Probability of rolling no sixes = 5/6*5/6 = 25/36

Probability of rolling at least one six =. 1 — 25/36 = 11/36

(2)
The pairs with a sum of 5 are (1,4), (2,3), (3,2), (4,1). P (the sum is 5) = 4/36 = 1/9 Ans

6.

A deck of bridge cards has 4 suits – spade, heart, diamond and club. Each suit has 13 cards.

Ace, two, three, .... , ten, jack, Queen, King.

(1) P (not a heart) = 1 – P (a heart) = 1 – 13/52 = 39/52 = 3/4 Ans.

(2) There are 4 aces and 12 spades besides the ace of spades …

P (an ace or a spade) = 16/52 = 4/13 Ans.

7.

(1)

In a draw, P (red) = 2/9, P (yellow) = 3/9, P (blue) = 4/9.

In 3 draws, Prob of all are yellow = (3/9). (3/9). (3/9) = 1/27 Ans.

(2)

Required probability = P (1st red). P (2nd yellow). P (3rd blue)

= 2/9. 3/9. 4/9 = 8/243 Ans.

(3)

Probability that none are yellow = P (1st not yellow). P (2nd not yellow). P (3rd not yellow)
= (1 – 3/9) (1 – 3/9) (1 – 3/9) = 8/27 Ans.

(4)

Probability that all three are of the same color

= P (all red) + P (all yellow) + P (all blue) {mutually exclusive}

= (2/9)3 + (3/9)3 + (4/9)3 = 11/81 Ans.

8.

(1)

Prob of all yellow = P (1st yellow). P (2nd yellow). P (3rd yellow)

= 3/9. 2/8. 1/7 = 1/84 Ans.

Since when the first yellow ball has been drawn, there are 8 balls remaining in the bag of which 2 are
yellow.

(2)

Required probability = P (1st red). P (2nd yellow). P (3rd blue)

= 2/9. 3/8. 4/7 = 1/21 Ans.

(3)

Probability that none are yellow.

= P (1st not yellow). P (2nd not yellow). P (3rd not yellow)

= (1 – 3/9) (1 – 3/8) (1 – 3/7) = 6/9. 5/8. 4/7 = 5/21 Ans.

Top 1% expert replies to student queries (can skip)
Probability that none are yellow means that P(first ball should not yellow)*P(second ball should not
yellow)*P(third ball should not yellow)

P(first ball should not yellow) = 6/9 (red & blue balls/ total balls)
Since we are not replacing the balls, the number in numerator and denominator will decrease by 1 each
P(second ball should not yellow) = 5/8 (because one red or blue ball has already been picked in previous
chance)
P(third ball should not yellow) = 4/7 (same logic as that for previous balls)

Thus total P = (6/9)*(5/8)*(4/7) Ans.

(4)

Probability that all three are of the same color

= P (all red) + (all yellow) + P (all blue)

= 2/9. 1/8. 0/7 + 3/9. 2/8. 1/7 + 4/9. 3/8. 2/7 = 5/84 Ans.

9.

(1)

The probability that it is in shelf A = 7/8 Ans. (this means that Physics book was picked up)

(2)
The probability that it is in shelf B = P (it is moved from A to B). P (it is not taken by the student)
= 1/8. 5/6 = 5/48 Ans.

(3)
The probability that is it taken by the student = P (it is moved from A to B). P (it is taken by the student)
= 1/8. 1/6 = 1/48 Ans.

10.

Probability that the boy comes from X-A = 2/3. 3/4 = 1/2
Probability that the boy comes from X-B = 1/3. 2/7 = 2/21

The required probability = 1/2 + 2/21 = 25/42

11.

(1)

P (both alive) = P (man alive) P (wife alive) = 3/5 2/3 = 2/5 (2)

P (only man alive) = P (man alive) P (wife dead) = 3/5 1/3 = 1/5 (3)

P (only wife alive) = P (man dead) P (wife alive) = 2/5 2/3 = 4/15 Ans. (4)

P (at least one will be alive) = 1 – P (both dead) = 1 – (2/5 1/3) = 13/15 Ans.
 Questions for class discussion
1. A password contains at least 8 distinct digits. It takes 12 seconds to try one combination, what is the
minimum amount of time required to guarantee access to the database?
(A) 12 seconds
(B) 24 seconds
(C) 36 seconds
(D) 48 seconds
(E) None of these

2. An engagement team consists of a project manager, team leader, and four consultants. There are 2
candidates for the position of project manager, 3 candidates for the position of team leader, and 7
candidates for the 4 consultant slots. If 2 out of 7 consultants refuse to be on the same team, how many
different teams are possible?
(A) 100
(B) 120
(C) 150
(D) 200
(E) None of these

3. A university cafeteria offers 4 flavors of pizza – pepperoni, chicken, Hawaiian and vegetarian. If a
customer has an option to add, extra cheese, mushrooms, or both to any kind of pizza, how many
different pizza varieties are available?
(A) 12
(B) 16
(C) 20
(D) 24
(E) None of these

4. If 6 fair coins are tossed, how many different coin sequences will have exactly 3 tails, if all tails have
to occur in a row?
(A) 3
(B) 4
(C) 5
(D) 6
(E) 7

5. A telephone company needs to create a set of 3-digit area codes. The company is entitled to use only
digits 2, 4 and 5, which can be repeated. If the product of the digits in the area code must be even, how
many different codes can be created?
(A) 25
(B) 26
(C) 27
(D) 28
(E) 30
6. Every morning, Casey walks from her house to the bus stop. She always travels exactly nine blocks
from her house to the bus, but she varies the route she takes every day. (One sample route is shown.)
How many days can Casey walk from her house to the bus stop without repeating the same route?

(A) 120
(B) 122
(C) 124
(D) 126
(E) 128

7. Anthony and Michael sit on the six-member board of directors for company X. If the board is to be
split up into 2 three-person subcommittees, what percent of all the possible subcommittees that include
Michael also include Anthony?
20% 30% 40% 50% 60%

8. Is the probability that Patty will answer all of the questions on her chemistry exam correctly greater
than 50%?
(1) For each question on the chemistry exam, Patty has a 90% chance of answering the question
correctly.
(2) There are fewer than 10 questions on Patty's chemistry exam.

9. There are 10 women and 3 men in room A. One person is picked at random from room A and moved
to room B, where there are already 3 women and 5 men. If a single person is then to be picked from
room B, what is the probability that a woman will be picked?
(A) 13/21 (B) 49/117 (C) 15/52 (D) 5/18 (E) 40/117
10. A telephone number contains 10 digits, including a 3-digit area code. Bob remembers the area code
and the next 5 digits of the number. He also remembers that the remaining digits are not 0, 1, 2, 5, or
7. If Bob tries to find the number by guessing the remaining digits at random, the find probability that
he will be able to find the correct number in at most 2 attempts.
(A) 1/5 (B) 2/5 (C) 1/25 (D) 2/25 (E) 14/89

11. A certain jar contains only B black marbles, W white marbles, and R red marbles, if one marble is to
be chosen at random from the jar, is the probability that the marble chosen will be red greater than the
probability that marble chosen will be white?
(1) R / (B + W) > W / (B + R) (2) B - W > R

12. Tanya prepared 4 different letters to be sent to 4 addresses. For each letter she prepared an envelope
with its correct address. If the 4 letters to be put in to 4 envelopes at random, what is the probability
that only one letter will be put in to the envelope with the correct address?
(A) 1/3 (B) 2/5 (C) 1/25 (D) 2/25 (E) 14/89

13. In a certain group of 10 members, 4 members teach only French and the rest teach only Spanish or
German. If the group is to choose a 3-person committee, which must have at least one member who
teaches French, how many different committees can be chosen?
40 50 64 80 100

14. How many times will the digit 7 be written when listing the integers from 1 to 1000?
(A) 280 (B) 300 (C) 320 (D) 340 (E) 360
15. A committee of three people is to be chosen from four married couples. What is the number of different
committees that can be chosen if two people who are married to each other cannot both serve on the
committee?
16 24 26 30 32

16. What is the sum of all possible 5-digit numbers that can be constructed using the digits 1, 2, 3, 4, and
5, if each digit can be used only once in each number? Choose the closest answer:
(A) 1 million
(B) 2 million
(C) 3 million
(D) 4 million
(E) 5 million

17. Mary and Joe are to throw three dice each. The score is the sum of points on all three dice. If Mary
scores 10 in her attempt what is the probability that Joe will outscore Mary in his?
(A) 1/5
(B) 1/4
(C) 1/3
(D) 1/2
(E) 1/6

18. Each of the 25 balls in a certain box is red, blue or white and has a number from 1 to 10 painted on it.
If one ball is to be selected at random from the box, what is the probability that the ball selected will
either be white or have an even number painted on it?
(1) The probability that the ball will both be white and have an even number painted on it is 0.
(2) The probability that the ball will be white minus the probability that the ball will have an even
number painted on it is 0.2.
19. If 2 different representatives are to be selected at random from a group of 10 employees and if p is
the probability that both representatives selected will be women, is p > ½?
(1) More than ½ of the 10 employees are women.
(2) The probability that both representatives selected will be men is less than 1/10.

20. A certain stock exchange designates each stock with a one, two or three letter code, where each letter
is selected from the 26 letters of the alphabet. If the letters may be repeated and if the same letters used
in a different order constitute a different code, how many different stocks is it possible to uniquely
designate with these codes?
a) 2,951 b) 8,125 c) 15,600 d) 16,302 e) 18,278
21. The figure shown represents a board with four rows of pegs, and at the bottom of the board are four
cells numbered 1 to 4. Whenever the ball shown passes through the opening between two adjacent
pegs in the same row, it will hit the peg directly beneath the opening. The ball then has probability 1/2
of passing through the opening immediately to the left of that peg and probability 1/2 of passing
through the opening immediately to the right. What is the probability that when the ball passes through
the first two pegs at the top it will end up in cell 2?

a) 1/16 b) 1/8 c) ¼ d) 3/8 e) ½

22. A certain office supply store stocks 2 sizes of self-stick notepads, each in 4 colors: Blue, Green, Yellow
or Pink. The store packs the notepads in packages that contain either 3 notepads of the same size and
the same color or 3 notepads of the same size and of 3 different colors. If the order in which the colors
are packed is not considered, how many different packages of the types described above are possible?
A) 6 B) 8 C) 16 D) 24 E) 32

23. 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 2 students selected will be sibling pair?
1) 3/40,000 2)1/3,600 3)9/2,000 4)1/60 5)1/15

24. How many integers between 324,700 and 458,600 have tens digit 1 and units digit 3?
(A) 10,300 (B) 10,030 (C) 1,353 (D) 1,352 (E) 1,339

25. On his drive to work, Leo listens to one of 3 radio stations, A, B, or C. He first turns to A. If A is
playing a song he likes, he listens to it; if not, he turns to B. If B is playing a song that he likes, he
listens to it; if not, he turns to C. If C is playing a song he likes, he listens; if not, he turns off the radio.
For each station, the probability is 0.3 that at any given moment the station is playing a song Leo likes.
On his drive to work, what is the probability that Leo ill hear a song he likes?
a. 0.027 b. 0.09 c. 0.417 d. 0.657 e. 0.9

26. A company that ships boxes to a total of 12 distribution centers uses color coding to identify each
center. If either a single color or a pair of two different colors is chosen to represent each center and if
each center is uniquely represented by that choice of one or two colors, what is the minimum number
of colors needed for the coding? (Assume that the order of the colors in a pair does not matter.)
(A) 4 (B) 5 (C) 6 (D) 12 (E) 24

27. A contest consists of n questions, each answered either True or False. Anyone who answers all n
correctly will be a winner. What is the least value of n for which the probability is Less than 1/ 1000
that a person who randomly guesses the answer to each will be a winner?

a. 8 b. 9 c. 10 d. 11 e. 12
28. There are 8 magazines lying on a table; 4 are fashion magazines and the other 4 are sports magazines.
If 3 magazines are to be selected at random from 8 magazines, what is the probability that at least one
of the fashion magazines will be selected?
a) 1/2 b) 2/3 c) 32/35 d) 11/12 e) 13/14

29. If a 3-digit integer is selected at random from the integers 100 thru 199, inclusive, what is the
probability that the first digit and the last digit of the integer are each equal to one more than the middle
digit?
A) 2/225 B) 1/111 C) 1/110 D) 1/100 E) 1/50

30. All of the stocks on the over-the-counter market are designated by either a 4-letter or a 5-letter code
that is created by using the 26 letters of the alphabet. Which of the following gives the maximum
number of different stocks that can be designated with these codes?
A. 2(265) B. 26(264) C. 27(264) D. 26(265) E. 27(265)

31. A certain restaurant offers 6 kinds of cheese and 2 kinds of fruit for its dessert platter. If each dessert
platter contains an equal number of kinds of cheese and kinds of fruit, how many different dessert
platters could the restaurant offer?
a. 8 b. 12 c. 15 d. 21 e. 27

32. Meg, Bob and John are among the 8 participants in a cycling race. If each participant finishes the race
and no two participants finish at the same time, in how many different possible orders can the
participants finish the race so that Meg finishes ahead of Bob and Bob finishes ahead of John? Choose
the closest answer.
(A) 4000
(B) 5000
(C) 6000
(D) 7000
(E) 8000

33. 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.
34. 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? Choose the closest
answer.
(A) 0.1
(B) 0.2
(C) 0.3
(D) 0.4
(E) 0.5

35. If a code word is defined to be a sequence of different letters chosen from the 10 letters A, B, C, D, E,
F, G, H, I, and J, what is the ratio of the number of 5-letter code words to the number of 4 - letter code
words?
A. 5 to 4 B. 3 to 2 C. 2 to 1 D. 5 to 1 E. 6 to 1

36. If an integer n is to be chosen at random from the integers 1 to 96, inclusive, what is the probability
that n (n + 1) (n + 2) will be divisible by 8?
A. ¼ B. 3/8 C. ½ D. 5/8 E. ¾
37. What is the probability that a student randomly selected from a class of 60 students will be a male who
has brown hair?
(1) One-half of the students have brown hair. (2) One-third of the students are males.

38. If Event A and Event B are independent, is the probability that both Event A and Event B will
happen greater than 0.3?
(1) Probability that A will happen is 0.25
(2) Probability that B will NOT happen is 0.71

39. A gardener is going to plant 2 identical red rosebushes and 2 identical white rosebushes. If the gardener
is to select each of the bushes at random, one at a time, and plant them in a row, what is the probability
that the 2 rosebushes in the middle of the row will be the red rosebushes?
A. 1/12 B. 1/6 C. 1/5 D. 1/3 E. ½

40. A company has assigned a distinct 3-digit code number to each of its 330 employees. Each code
number was formed from the digits 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and no digit appears more than once in any one
code number. How many unassigned code numbers are there?
A. 6 B. 58 C. 174 D. 182 E. 399

41. On Saturday morning, Malachi will begin a camping vacation and he will return home at the end of
the first day on which it rains. If on the first three days of the vacation the probability of rain on each
day is 0.2, what is the probability that Malachi will return home at the end of the day on the following
Monday?
A. 0.008 B. 0.128 C. 0.488 D. 0.512 E. 0.640

42. How many 4-digit positive integers are there in which all 4 digits are even?
A. 625 B. 600 C. 500 D. 400 E. 256

43. A basket contains only red and green chips. If two chips are drawn from the basket at random
without replacement, what is the probability that both chips will be green?
(1) 20% of all chips in the basket are green.
(2) The ratio of the number of red chips to the number of green chips is 4:1.

44. A string of 10 lightbulbs is wired in such a way that if any individual lightbulb fails, the entire string
fails. If for each individual lightbulb the probability of failing during time period T id 0.06, what is the
probability that the string of lightbulbs will fail during time period T?
A.0.06 B. (0.06) 10 C. 1-(0.06)10 D. (0.94) 10 E. 1-(0.94) 10

45. Of the three-digit positive integers that have no digits equal to zero, how many have two digits that are
equal to each other and the remaining digit different from the other two?
A. 24 B. 36 C. 72 D. 144 E. 216

46. A three-digit code for certain logs uses the digits 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 according to the following
constraints. The first digit cannot be 0 or 1, the second digit must be 0 or 1, and the second and third
digits cannot both be 0 in the same code. How many different codes are possible?
A. 144 B. 152 C. 160 D. 168 E. 176

47. In a meeting of 3 representatives from each of 6 different companies, each person shook hands with
every person not from his or her own company. If the representatives did not shake hands with people
from their own company, how many handshakes took place?
A. 45 B. 135 C. 144 D. 270 E. 288
48. Nine family members: 5 grandchildren (3 brothers and 2 sisters) and their 4 grandparents are to be
seated around a circular table. How many different seating arrangements are possible so that 2 sisters
are seated immediately between some pair of brothers?
(A) 1000
(B) 1100
(C) 1200
(D) 1300
(E) 1440

49. At a birthday party, 10 students are to be seated around a circular table. What is the probability that
two of the students, Anna and Bill, do NOT sit next to each other?
(A) 3/9
(B) 4/9
(C) 5/9
(D) 6/9
(E) 7/9

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

51. In a set of numbers from 100 to 1000 inclusive, how many integers are odd and do not contain the
digit "5"?
(A) 288
(B) 292
(C) 296
(D) 300
(E) 312
52. How many five-digit numbers can be formed using the digits 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 which are divisible
by 3, without repeating the digits?
(A) 120
(B) 150
(C) 180
(D) 216
(E) 320

53. How many odd three-digit integers greater than 800 are there such that all their digits are different?
(A) 32
(B) 40
(C) 72
(D) 90
(E) 105
 54. How many three-digit integers greater than 710 are there such that all their digits are different?
(A) 200
(B) 205
(C) 206
(D) 207
(E) 216

55. A password on Mr. Wallace's briefcase consists of 5 digits. What is the probability that the password
contains exactly three digits as 6?
(A) <0.1
(B) 0.1
(C) 0.2
(D) 0.3
(E) 0.4

56. If x2 , where x is an integer from -10 and 10, inclusive, what is the probability that m is
greater than zero?
(A) 1/6
(B) 1/5
(C) 1/4
(D) 1/3
(E) 1/2

57. How many positive integers less than 10,000 are such that the product of their digits is 30?
(A) 10
(B) 20
(C) 30
(D) 40
(E) 50
58.
59.

60.
61.

62.

63.

64.
65.
Answer Key: Quant Session: Permutations and Combinations | Probability

1. E 34. B
2. C 35. B
3. B 36. D
4. B 37. E
5. B 38. D
6. D 39. B

7. C 40. A
8. E 41. B
9. B 42. C

10. D 43. E

11. A 44. E
12. A 45. E
13. E 46. B
14. B 47. B
15. E 48. E
16. D 49. E
17. D 50. E
18. E 51. A
19. E 52. D
20. E 53. C
21. D 54. D
22. C 55. A
23. A 56. D
24. E 57. E
25. D 58. E
26. B 59. C
27. C 60. E
28. E 61. C
29. D 62. A
30. C 63. C
31. E 64. E
32. D 65. A
33. D
 Solutions – Permutations & Combinations, Probability
1. If a password contains at least 8 distinct digits, out of the 10 digits that are possible
(0-9). More than 10 digits is not possible- as per question digits must be distinct.
Therefore, total number of potential combinations that one could try are:

1) Choose 8 out of the 10 possible digits and arrange them – resulting in

10
P8 arrangements.
2) Choose 9 out of the possible 10 digits and arrange them – resulting in
10
P9 arrangements.
3) Choose 10 out of the possible 10 digits and arrange them – resulting in
10
P10 arrangements.

Therefore, the total number of potential combinations is a sum of the above

three: (10P8 + 10P9 + 10P10).

Since time take for one combination is equal to 12 seconds, time taken to guarantee
access to the database = total number of possible combinations * time taken for each
combination = (10P8 + 10P9 + 10P10) * 12 seconds

Top 1% expert replies to student queries (can skip)

The question is asking for passwords with distinct digits that has AT LEAST 8
digits: we can have 3 different scenarios: password with 8 digits or password with 9
digits or password with 10 digits. We can't have more, as we don't have more than
10 distinct digits.
Total distinct digits in one password: Minimum 8 & Maximum 10.

For 8 digits password, no. of distinct combinations possible= 8!*10C8= 10!/2!=

10!/2
I.e. 10*9*8*7*6*5*4*3
For 9 digits password, no. of distinct combinations possible= 9!*10C9= 10!/1!= 10!
I.e. 10*9*8*7*6*5*4*3*2
For 10 digits password, no. of distinct combinations possible= 10!*10C10= 10!/0!=
10!
I.e.10*9*8*7*6*5*4*3*2*1
Total possible passwords= 10!*0.5 + 10! + 10! = 10!*2.5

Time required to try one password= 12sec= 1/5 min.

Therefore, Time required to try 10!*2.5(=10! +10! + 10!/2) password= 10!*2.5/5

min= 10!/2 mins.

Hence, Ans E

2. Project Manager - 1 slot

Team Leader - 1 slot
Consultants - 4 slots

Number of ways in which a project manager can be chosen = 2C1

Number of ways in which a team leader can be chosen = 3C1
 Number of ways in which 2 of the consultants can be in the same team = number of
ways in which a consultant can be chosen – Number of ways in which 2 consultants
can always be together

Number of ways in which a consultant can be chosen = 7C4

Number of ways in which 2 consultants can always be together:
4 consultant slots and 2 people always together.

If two people always have to be on the team, the remaining 2 people can be
picked out of the 5 available people in 5C2 ways.

Therefore, Number of ways in which 2 of the consultants can be in the same team
= number of ways in which a consultant can be chosen – Number of ways in which
consultants can always be together
= 7C4 -5C2.

Therefore, possible ways of picking the entire engagement team

= 2C1 * 3C1 * (7C4-5C2)
= 150 possible teams.
Answer is C

Top 1% expert replies to student queries (can skip)

Those 2 consultants don't want to be in same team with whom with each other or
with other 2 out of 5 consultants? -> With each other

The way to solve this question is as below:

Constraint: 2 consultants don't want to be on the same team
Answer= Total number combinations - Total number of combinations when those 2
consultants are on the team together

Total number of combinations = 2C1*3C1*7C4= 210

Total number of combinations with constraints = 2C1*3C1*5C2 = 60
(5C2 because those 2 consultants are already chosen. Now, we need to pick remaining
2 consultants out of 5 consultants)
Answer = 210-60 = 150
Answer is C

Alternate Solution from Top 1% expert replies and Gmatclub (additional)

a) No of ways to select 1 Manager = 2C1 = 2

b) No of ways to select 1 Team leader = 3C1 = 3
c) No of ways to select 4 Consultants = 7C4 = 35
Therefore, possible teams without any constraint = 2x3x35 = 210
No of ways to select 4 Consultants out of 7 when 2 of them are always together = 6C4 x2! = 60
Therefore, possible teams with given constraint = 210 - 60 = 150
Answer is C

3. Number of flavours of pizza available = 4

Number of options available to the customer = extra cheese, extra mushrooms,
both, neither (4 options).

Therefore, number of pizza varieties available = 4 * 4 = 16 varieties.

 Answer is B

Top 1% expert replies to student queries (can skip)

Take the task of building a pizza and break it into stages:

Stage 1: Choose one of the flavors

There are 4 flavors of pizza (pepperoni, chicken, Hawaiian and vegetarian), so we
can complete stage 1 in 4 ways

Stage 2: Choose whether to add extra cheese

We can either add extra cheese or not add extra cheese, so we can complete stage 2
in 2 ways.

Stage 3: Choose whether to add mushrooms

We can either add mushrooms or not mushrooms, so we can complete stage 3
in 2 ways.

By the Fundamental Counting Principle (FCP) we can complete all 3 stages (and thus
build a pizza) in (4)*(2)*(2) ways (= 16 ways)

Answer is B

4. Let us list down all the possible outcomes where all three tails occur in a row:

TTTHHH
HTTTHH
HHTTTH
HHHTTT
(Where T represents Tails and H represents Heads)
Thus, there are only 4 possible ways in which this can happen.
Answer is B

5. Possible digits that can be used = 2, 4 and 5.

The product of the digits in the area code will be even every time 2 or 4 are chosen as
a digit in the area code. The only time they will not be chosen is when all three digits
of the area code are 5.

The number of ways in which the product will be even = total number of possible
combinations (with repetition) – 1 (the combination ‘555’ which is the only
combination with an odd product of digits)

= (3*3*3) – 1 = 26 ways.
Answer is B

Top 1% expert replies to student queries (can skip)

Any product with just one even number in it is always even. Any product with
two even numbers in it is also even. In this case, therefore, the ONLY case where
 the product will not be even is when the code is 555 (because one of 2 or 4 or both
being in the product will make the product even)

As the digits can be repeated the three places can be filled up in 3 x 3 x 3 ways.
As the product only needs to be even, we have to take out the one case of 555.

Then the total number of ways is 3x3x3 -1 = 27 -1 = 26

Answer is B

6. Whatever route Casey takes to the bus stop, she will cover a total of 9 paths – 4
horizontal and 5 vertical.

The 9 paths can be taken in 9! Ways.

But those nine paths will always consist of 4 horizontal and 5 vertical paths.
If the horizontal path is represented by H and the vertical path is represented by V,

We will basically have a combination of 4H’s and 5 V’s to get Casey from her
house to the bus stop.

Therefore, total number of possible ways = 9!/4! * 5! = 126 different ways.

Answer is D

Top 1% expert replies to student queries (can skip) (additional)

To reach the bus stop, Casey will have to take 5 steps in the y-direction and 4 steps
in the x-direction.

In other words, Casey has to take a total of 9 steps, 5 of which are of one kind and
4 are of another.

Number of ways = 9!/(5! * 4!)

[Number of ways of arranging N items, n1 of which are of the first kind, n2 are of
the second kind, n3… so on and so forth = N! / (n1! * n2! * n3! ...)]
Answer is D
7. The first thing that we have to find conclusively is the number of sub-committees that
include Michael.

If Michael must be on each of the three-person committees that we are considering,

we are essentially choosing people to fill the two remaining spots of the committee.
This can be done in 5C2 ways.

If Michael and Anthony both have to be a part of the selected Sub-committee, we

have one seat remaining and 4 board members vying for it. This seat can therefore be
filled in 4C1 ways.

Therefore, % of sub-committees that include Michael and Anthony = Number of sub-

committees that have both Michael and Anthony/ Number of committee that have
Michael
= 4C1/5C2
= 4/10
= 40 %.

Hence, Option (C) is the right answer choice.

Top 1% expert replies to student queries (can skip)

Let's take the group with Michael: there is a place for two other members and one of
them should be taken by Anthony

# of selections of 2 out of 5 = total # of outcomes.

Select Michael = 1C1, Select Anthony = 1C1, select any one member out of 4 = 4C1

Winning outcome = 1C1*1C1*4C1

Required probability is winning outcome/total outcome= (1C1*1C1*4C1) / 5C2 = 4/10

= 2/5 = 40%. C is correct.
Alternate sol from gmatclub (additional)

8. Let us say that there are n questions on the exam. Let us also say that p1 is the
probability that Patty will get the first problem right, and p2 is the probability that
Patty will get the second problem right, and so on until pn , which is the probability of
getting the last problem right. Then the probability that Patty will get all the questions
right is just p1 × p2 × … × pn. We are being asked whether p1 × p2 × … × pn is greater
than 50%.

Statement (1) INSUFFICIENT: This tells us that for each question, Patty has a 90%
probability of answering correctly. However, without knowing the number of
questions, we cannot determine the probability that Patty will get all the questions
correct.
Statement (2) INSUFFICIENT: This gives us some information about the number of
questions on the exam but no information about the probability that Patty will answer
any one question correctly.
(1) AND (2) INSUFFICIENT: Taken together, the statements still do not provide a
definitive "yes" or "no" answer to the question. For example, if there are only 2
questions on the exam, Patty's probability of answering all the questions correctly is
equal to .90 × .90 = .81 = 81%. On the other hand if there are 7 questions on the
exam, Patty's probability of answering all the questions correctly is equal to .90 ×
 of getting a perfect score on the exam is greater than 50%.

The correct answer is E.

9. In order to solve this problem, we have to consider two different scenarios. In the first
scenario, a woman is picked from room A and a woman is picked from room B. In the
second scenario, a man is picked from room A and a woman is picked from room B.

The probability that a woman is picked from room A is 10/13. If that woman is then
added to room B, this means that there are 4 women and 5 men in room B (Originally
there were 3 women and 5 men).
So, the probability that a woman is picked from room B is 4/9.
Because we are calculating the probability of picking a woman from room A AND
then from room B, we need to multiply these two probabilities:
10/13 x 4/9 = 40/117

The probability that a man is picked from room A is 3/13. If that man is then added
to room B, this means that there are 3 women and 6 men in room B.
So, the probability that a woman is picked from room B is 3/9.
Again, we multiply these two probabilities:
3/13 x 3/9 = 9/117

To find the total probability that a woman will be picked from room B, we need to take
both scenarios into account. In other words, we need to consider the probability of
picking a woman and a woman OR a man and a woman. In probabilities, OR means
addition. If we add the two probabilities, we get:
40/117 + 9/117 = 49/117
The correct answer is B.

10. D
The last two digits of the telephone number can be one of the following: 3,4,6,8 and 9.
Total number of possible combinations of the digits = 25 (33,34,36,38,39,43, 44… etc)

Probability of Bob getting the last two digits right in at most two attempts =
Probability of Bob getting it right in the first attempt + Probability of Bob getting it
right in the second attempt
= 1/25 + (probability of Bob getting it wrong in the first attempt * probability of Bob
getting it right the second time)
= 1/25 + (24/25 * 1/24)
= 1/25 +1/25
= 2/25.

Top 1% expert replies to student queries (can skip) (additional)

How many total phone numbers can Bob form under these circumstances?

He knows 8 digits, and the 9th and 10th digits cannot be 0, 1, 2, 5, or 7. So the 9th and 10th
digits can be 3, 4, 6, 8, or 9 (5 digits total). Also, the digits can repeat.
 So he can form a total of 5 x 5 = 25 numbers
[5 digits for the 9th place, 5 digits for the 10th place]

Out of these, only one is the correct number.

Bob has to find this correct number in at most 2 attempts - so he got it right in the first attempt
OR in the second attempt (these two cases will be added because of the OR condition)

Probability Bob got it right in the first attempt = 1/25

Probability Bob got it right in the second attempt = Probability he got it wrong in the first
attempt AND Probability he got it right in the second attempt

Probability of getting the number wrong in the first attempt = 24/25

Now understand that 1 number has been tried for the first attempt and found to be incorrect.
Then there are 24 possible numbers remaining, out of which 1 is correct

Probability of getting it right in the second attempt = 1/24

Then probability of Bob getting the number wrong in the first attempt AND him getting it right
in the second attempt = 24/25 x 1/24 = 1/25

Total required probability = 1/25 + 1/25 = 2/25

11. P(r)=r/(r+b+w)
P(w)=w/(r+b+w)

simplifying the question stem,

Q. P(r)>P(w)?
=>Is r>w?

1) r/(b + w) > w/(b + r)

=>r/(b + w)-w/(b + r)>0
=>r(b+r)-w(b+w)/{(b+w)(b+r)}>0
=>rb+r^2-wb-w^2>0
=>b(r-w)+r^2-w^2>0
=>b(r-w)+(r+w)(r-w)>0
=>(r-w)(b+r+w)>0
=>(r-w)>0 => r>w sufficient

2) b-w > r
From this statement we can’t say whether r>w .
{When, b= 100, w =10, r= 90 – in this case r>w…
B = 100 w = 90, r = 10 – in this case r <w...}

Hence, not sufficient

Option (A) is therefore the right answer choice.

Top 1% expert replies to student queries (can skip)

You don't have to assume values to prove that statement 1 is sufficient. You can simply
solve the inequality given.

we are that R/(B+W) > W/(B+R)

If we multiply both sides with (B+R)*(B+W), we would get : R * (B+R) > W * (B+W)

This can also be written as: BR + R^2 > WB + W^2

Further, this can be written as BR - WB + (R^2 - W^2) > 0 (We have simple rearranged
the terms here)

This can further be factored into : B*(R-W) + (R-W)*(R+W) > 0

Taking (R-W) common in both the terms. we get

(R-W) * (B + R + W) > 0 ------Equation 1

Once you arrive at this inequality, it becomes very easy to check for statement 1.

We know that B + R + W > 0 (since this expression is the total number of balls in the jar)

For equation 1 to be true then, we must have R-W > 0.

So we know that R>W.

P (Red marble will be chosen) = R/(B+R+W)

P (White marble will be chosen) = W/(B+R+W)

For P(Red) > P(White), we must have R>W. Which we have proven using the given
inequality.

So, Statement 1 is sufficient.

Option (A) is therefore the right answer choice.

12. A
Let R denote the letter in the right envelope and W denote the letter in the wrong
envelope. We are trying to find the probability of 1R3W.

Probability = number of ways to get 1R3W/number of ways total

number of ways total is 4! = 24. Imagine stuffing envelopes randomly. Stacy can put
any of 4 letters into the first envelope, any of the remaining 3 into the next, either of
the remaining 2 into the next, and has no choice to make on the last, or 4*3*2*1.

number of ways to get 1R3W: She could fill the first envelope with the right letter (1
way), then put either of the 2 wrong remaining letters in the next (2 ways), then put a
wrong letter in the next (1 way). That's 1*2*1*1 = 2.
But since it doesn't have to be the first envelope that has the Right letter, it could be
any of the 4 envelopes (i.e., we could have RWWW, WRWW, WWRW, WWWR),
the total ways to get 1R3W is 4*2 = 8.

Probability is 8/24 = 1/3.

Alternate Solution from Gmatclub

13. Total number of ways in which a committee of 3 can be picked from 10 people =
10C3 = 120
Since there are 6 non-French teachers, we can calculate the probability that three
non- French teachers will be selected in a row = (6/10) x (5/9) x (4/8) = 1/6.

So, 1/6 of the 120 arrangements - or 20 - contain no French teachers. If 20 don't,

then the other 100 arrangements do contain French teachers.

Option (E) is the right answer choice.

Top 1% expert replies to student queries (can skip)

There are 3 cases:

Consider the following: All cases:

Case 1
1french 2either German or Spanish: 4C1 * 6C2 = 4 * 15 = 60
Case 2
2french 1either German or Spanish: 4C2 * 6C1 = 6 * 6 = 36
Case 3
3french: 4C3 = 4
Answer is E = 60+36+4= 100
Option (E) is the right answer choice.

Top 1% expert replies to student queries (can skip)

Or use the alternative approach: (all - none) = at least one:

Without any restrictions, the number of ways to choose 3 people from 10 is 10C3 =
(10 x 9 x 8) / (3 x 2) = 720/6 = 120.
Let’s assume a committee can be picked without any member who teaches French;
then there are 6C3 = (6 x 5 x 4) / (3 x 2) = 120/6 = 20 ways.
So there are a total of 120 different committees (if there are no restrictions) and 20 of
them consist of no members who can teach French.
Therefore, there must be 120 - 20 = 100 different committees with at least one
member who teaches French.

Top 1% expert replies to student queries (can skip) (additional)

Let the 4 French teachers be F1, F2, F3 and F4.

Case 1:

You're choosing 1 French teacher (4C1). Let us say that we choose F1.
Now, you choose 1 teacher from 9 teachers. Say you choose F2
Now, you choose 1 teacher from 8 teachers. Say you choose F3

So, you have a committee comprising F1, F2 and F3

Case 2:

You're choosing 1 French teacher (4C1). Let us say that we choose F2.
Now, you choose 1 teacher from 9 teachers. Say you choose F1
 Now, you choose 1 teacher from 8 teachers. Say you choose F3

So, you again have a committee comprising F1, F2 and F3.

We're counting the two committees as separate committees. But these are the same
committees and should only be counted once. Therefore, this method is inefficient and
will lead to double-counting.

This is what you should do. We want the number of committees with at least
1 French teacher.

Number of committees with at least 1 French teacher = Total number of committees possible -
Number of committees with no French Teacher.

Total number of committees possible = 10C3 = 120

Number of committees with no French Teacher = Number of committees formed using the
other 6 teachers = 6C3 = 20

Therefore,

Number of committees with at least 1 French teacher = 120 - 20 = 100

14.

Consider numbers from 0 to 999 written as follows:

1. 000

2. 001

3. 002

4. 003

...

1000. 999

We have 1000 numbers. We used 3 digits per number, hence used total
of 3 1000=3000 digits.
Now, why should ANY digit have preferences over another?
We use each of 10 digits equal # of times, thus we used each digit (including 7)
3000/10=300 times.

Answer B
15. Choose 3 people from 8 people (where order does not matter)

8C3 = (8 * 7 * 6 * 5!)/(3!)*(5!) = 56

56 includes all combinations including those in which husband and wife are
on the committee.

Since we have 4 married couples we can have each of them serve on a committee
and third place could be filled by one of the other 6 remaining people. For example,
if A1 and A2 are husband and wife, the arrangement would look like:

A1 A2 (3rd slot - any of the other six)

Similarly,

B1 B2 (3rd slot - any of the other six, which in this case includes A1 and A2)

Therefore, we have 4 possibilities (for husband and wife combo) * 6 of the remaining 8

=> 4*6 = 24 combinations have husband-wife on committee.

Therefore, 56 - 24 = 32 will satisfy the requirement that no husband-wife combo is

together on a committee.

Top 1% expert replies to student queries (can skip)

1st place -8 options

2nd place- 6 options as the husband or wife of 1st can’t be selected
3rd place- 4 options as excluding the husband or wife of 1st and 2nd place
total= 8*6*4
Total= 8*6*4:- this is partially correct.
So the total no. of ways we can choose the people will be 8*6*4 ways (= will contain
duplication and to get rid of them you should divide this number by the factorial of the #
of people - 3!)
Since order is not important (i.e A,B,C is the same as B,A,C) so we divide the total
ways by 3!.
Hence, it becomes be {8*6*4 / 3!} =32.

Top 1% expert replies to student queries (can skip) (additional)

8*6*4=192 will contain duplication and to get rid of them you should divide this
number by the factorial of the # of people - 3! --> 192/3!=32.
Consider this: there are two couples and we want to choose 2 people not married to
each other.
Couples: A1, A2 and B1, B2. Committees possible:
A1,B1;
A1,B2;
A2,B1;
A2,B2.
Only 4 such committees are possible.
 If we do the way you are doing we'll get: 4*2=8. And to get the right answer we
should divide 8 by 2! --> 8/2! = 4.

Explanation:
Each couple can send only one "representative" to the committee. Let's see in how
many ways we can choose 3 couples (as there should be 3 members) out of 4 to send
only one "representative" to the committee: 4C3=4.
But each of these 3 couples can send two persons (husband or wife): 2*2*2=2^3=8.
Total # of ways: 4C3*2^3=32.
Answer: E.
Or logically:
Since there are 4 couples, we have 8 people involved.
The First person can be selected from the 8 people in 8 ways
The second person should not be a spouse of the first and hence we have 6 ways to
choose him/her
The Third person should not be a spouse of either of the 2, so we can choose him in 4
ways.
So the total no. of ways we can choose the people will be 8*6*4 ways.
However since order is not important (i.e A,B,C is the same as B,A,C) so we divide
the total ways by 3!
For Example: If we select M1 F2 F3
It may be the case when we select
F3 first, then F2 and then M1
F3 F2 M1

Both are the same; the order is different but it won’t matter as we are talking about
the number of committees (or groups) that can be formed.

So, the correct answer will come when you exclude all the extra cases.
Since you counted each case 6 times.
(M1 F2 F3 can be arranged in 3! Ways)
So, divide your answer by 3! Or 6.

Therefore,
(8*6*4) / 3! =32
Hence the total number of groups is 32.
Answer E

16. S = n/2 (a + l).

= (5!/2) (12345+54321)

Top 1% expert replies to student queries (can skip)

This type of question does not follow directly the Arithmetic properties but indirectly
we can apply, i.e. The difference of each side of the AP sequence has the same
difference from the mean. e.g. 123, 132, 213, 231, 312, 321 has the mean as 222.
Now if you find the difference between each term with respect to mean (123, 132,
213, 222, 231, 312, 321), the first and last must have the same difference.
Second last of each side must have the same difference.
The same pattern follows here also. We need to take difference with respect to mean,
i.e. 222-123 = 99, 321-222 = 99, 222-132 = 90, 312-222 = 90, So, the difference
between first and last will be the same, difference between second and second last will
 be the same and so on. WE CAN APPLY THE SAME PROPERTY TO N NUMBER
OF DIGITS. So, we can use the formula to find the sum of the A.P. sequence.

Sum = n/2 (a+l)

Now, n = Total possible no. of numbers = 5p5 = n! = 5!
a= first number, i.e. smallest one = 12345
l= last number, i.e. largest one = 54321,

= (5!/2) (12345+54321)
= 5!/2 * 66666
= 3,99,960
Ans. D.

17. To outscore Mary, Joe has to score in the range of 11-18. The probability to score 3 is
the same as the probability to score 18 (1-1-1 combination against 6-6-6, if 1-1-1 is on
the tops of the dice the 6-6-6 is on the bottoms). By the same logic, the probability to
score x is the same as the probability to score . Therefore, the probability to
score in the range 11-18 equals the probability to score in the range of 3-10. As 3-18
covers all possible outcomes the probability to score in the range 11-18
is 1/2 or 32/64.
Answer D

Top 1% expert replies to student queries (can skip) (additional)

The minimum sum possible = 3

The maximum sum possible = 18

For sum = 3, how many possibilities do we have? (1,1,1) - Only 1

For sum = 18, how many possibilities do we have? (6,6,6) - Only 1

For sum = 4, how many possibilities do we have? (1,1,2) , (1,2,1) , (2,1,1) - 3

For sum = 17, how many possibilities do we have? (6,6,5) , (6,5,6), (5,6,6) - 3

For sum = 5, how many possibilities do we have? (1,2,2) , (2,2,1) , (2,1,2),(3,1,1) ,

(1,3,1) ,(1, 1, 3) - 6
For sum = 16, how many possibilities do we have? By symmetry, we have only 6
possibilities.

As can be seen from the above analysis, the number of possibilities of getting a
number (x) is the same as the number of possibilities of getting the number (21-x)

So

P(sum = 3) = P(sum = 18)

P(sum = 4) = P(sum = 17)
P(sum = 5) = P(sum = 16)
.....
......
P(sum = 10) = P(sum = 11)

Adding all these equations, we get :

p(1) + p(2) + p(3) + ..... + p(10) = p(11) + p(12) + ....p(18)

p(sum is less than or equal to 10) = p(sum > 10)

But we know that :

p(sum is less than or equal to 10) + p(sum > 10) = 1 [Total probability = 1]

So p(sum > 10) = ½

Answer D

Top 1% expert replies to student queries (can skip)

When 3 dice are rolled, the minimum one can get is 3 (1, 1, 1) and the maximum one
can get is 18 (6, 6, 6).
The total Score one can get can range from 3 to 18.
One can score 3 by getting 1 rolling first dice, by getting 1 rolling second dice, and by
getting 1 rolling third dice.
One can score 4 by getting 1, 1 and 2 (in any order).
One can score 5 by getting 1, 2 and 2 (in any order).
.
.
.
.
One can score 17 by getting 5, 6 and 6 (in any order).
And finally18 by getting 6, 6 and 6.

Mary scores a 10. To outscore Mary, Joe cannot score 3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10.

To outscore Mary, Joe has to get a score between 11 and 18.
Hence, Desired outcome is 8 (i.e.11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18)
Total outcome is 16 (i.e 3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18)
Probability to outscore Mary = Desired outcome/ Total outcome = 8/16 = ½

Hence Ans D is correct.

Top 1% expert replies to student queries (can skip)

The entire solution is mentioned below:

The expected value of one die is 1/6*(1+2+3+4+5+6)=3.5.
The Expected value of three dice is 3*3.5=10.5.
Mary scored 10 so the probability to get the sum more than 10 (11, 12, 13, ..., 18), or more
than the average, is the same as to get the sum less than average (10, 9, 8, ..., 3) = 1/2 = 32/64.
That's because the probability distribution is symmetrical for this case:
The probability of getting the sum of 3 (min possible sum) = the probability of getting the sum
of 18 (max possible sum);
The probability of getting the sum of 4 = the probability of getting the sum of 17;
The probability of getting the sum of 5 = the probability of getting the sum of 16;
...
The probability of getting the sum of 10 = the probability of getting the sum of 11;
Thus the probability of getting the sum from 3 to 10 = the probability of getting the sum from
 11 to 18 = 1/2.
Answer: D.

Top 1% expert replies to student queries (can skip)

Expected value of one die is 1/6*(1+2+3+4+5+6)=3.5.

Expected value of three dice is 3*3.5=10.5.

Mary scored 10 so the probability to get the sum more then 10 (11, 12, 13, ..., 18), or more
then the average, is the same as to get the sum less than average (10, 9, 8, ..., 3) = 1/2 =
32/64.

That's because the probability distribution is symmetrical for this case:

The probability of getting the sum of 3 (min possible sum) = the probability of getting the
sum of 18 (max possible sum);
The probability of getting the sum of 4 = the probability of getting the sum of 17;
The probability of getting the sum of 5 = the probability of getting the sum of 16;
...
The probability of getting the sum of 10 = the probability of getting the sum of 11;

Thus the probability of getting the sum from 3 to 10 = the probability of getting the sum
from 11 to 18 = 1/2.
Answer D.

18. 25 balls
each one is red, white, or blue
each one has a number from 1 to 10

Requirement: white OR even (note that we DON'T want white AND even - we
have to be able to strip out those that fall into both categories). So our equation
will be: probability of white + probability of even - probability of white & even

Statement (1):
Translated, this means there aren't any that are both white and even. This doesn't
tell us how many are white or how many are even. Hence Insufficient.

Statement (2):
Pwhite - Peven = 0.2. So, Pwhite could be 0.4 which would make Peven 0.2. Or
Pwhite could be 0.3 which would make Peven 0.1. And (by itself) it doesn't tell us
Prob of even & white, which I'd need to subtract, so... insufficient in many ways.

Combining statement (1) AND statement (2):

Now we know that Peven+white = 0. BUT, we still have multiple possibilities for
Pwhite and Peven (see above). 0.4+0.2-0=0.6. 0.3+0.1-0=0.4. ?? Still insufficient.
Hence Option (E) is the right answer choice in this case.

19. Let’s first Rephrase the question:

What is the probability of selecting 2 women from a group of 10. Let’s assume
there are n women.
P(2w) = nC2 / 10C2 = n*(n-1) / 10*9

Question is asking is P(2W) >1/2

or n*n-1 / 90 >1/2
or n* n-1 > 45

Now what value of ‘n’ could satisfy the above equation, when we know
n<=10 n=10 10*9 = 90 > 45
n=9 9*8 = 72 > 45
n=8 8*7 = 56 > 45
n=7 7*6 =42 which is not greater than 45
So we know for the probability of selecting two women to be more than 1/2, we need
n>=8 women in the group of 10 people.

Statement (1):
Number of women > 5 ,
doesn’t tell us whether >=8 . Hence Insufficient.

Statement (2):
P(2m) <1/10
Going by above
method m*m-1 <9
m= 0 , 0 < 9
m= 1 , 0 <9
m=2 2*1 <9
m=3 3*2 = 6 <9
m=4 4*3 , which is greater than 9.
So we know that total men in the group are <=3 , which means women are >=7.
But it still doesn’t confirm whether women are >=8. Hence Insufficient.

Now combining both the statements, we get:

we know m <=3 and w>=5
But still doesn’t tell us that whether we have more than 8 women to have
probability of selecting two women to be more than 1/2.

Option (E) is therefore the best answer choice.

 Alternate Solution from Gmatclub

20. The key to this problem is to remember that repetition is allowed.

A 1 letter code can be obtained in 26 different ways.
A 2 letter code can be obtained in 26*26 ways
A 3 letter code can be obtained in 26*26*26 ways.

Number of codes possible to be generated with this code = 26 + 26*26 + 26*26*26 =

18278.
Hence option (E) is the right answer choice.

Top 1% expert replies to student queries (can skip) (additional)

1 letter codes = 26
2 letter codes = 26^2
3 letter codes = 26^3

Total = 26 + 26^2 + 26^3

The problem we are faced now is how to get the answer quickly. Note that the units
digit of 26+26^2+26^3 would be (6+6+6=18) 8. Only one answer choice has 8 as
unit digit: E (18,278). So I believe, even not calculating 26+26^2+26^3, that answer
is E.
21. The ball drops between the top two pegs and hits the peg in the middle of row 2. To
figure out the probability for its final location, we should look at the possible routes it
could travel from row 2. There are 8 possibilities, with L meaning the ball goes left,
and R meaning it goes right:

It could go LLL--this puts it into cell 1. It could go LLR--this puts it into cell 2.
It could go LRL--this puts it into cell 2. It could go LRR--this puts it into cell 3.
It could go RLL--this puts it into cell 2. It could go RLR--this puts it into cell 3.
It could go RRL--this puts it into cell 3. Or, it could go RRR--this puts it into cell
4.

There are 8 total possibilities, and 3 of them give us a result of cell 2. So the
probability of cell 2 is 3/8.

22. Part I: Let’s consider all the possibilities that will give us the same size (two possible ways)
and the same color (4 possible ways).

Since there are two sizes and 4 colors, we can make a possible number of 8
DIFFERENT packages. (Remember that different packages means unique
packages and with the same colour, say green, we cannot consider GGG different
from another GGG).
Part II : Consider all the possibilities for a same size but three different color package.
Since we have four colors to choose from, we can use the combination formula to find
how many ways to choose 3 from 4 colors(4C3). This will give us 4 options, but since
we have two sizes, we have a total of 8 ways to package the notes in this category.

Therefore the total number of packages available will be a sum of part I and part II =
8 + 8 = 16.
Hence option (C) is the right answer choice.

Top 1% expert replies to student queries (can skip)

Notepads of the different colors = 4C3=4 (we should choose 3 different colors out of
4) As we have two sizes then total for the different color=4*2=8.
Notepads of the same color = 4 (we have 4 colors). As we have two sizes then total for
the same color=4*2=8

Total=8+8=16

Answer: C.
23. This is an "AND" probability question because both individuals must be a part of
the sibling pair for the winning outcome to occur.

Since this is an "AND" question, it will involve multiplication. Also keep in

mind that 60 "sibling pairs" is really 120 people.

Probability of selecting one sibling pair from class of

juniors = 60 / 1,000

Probability of selecting a sibling pair from the senior class that is THE match to the
one we selected from the junior class?
There is only one person that would be the match, so winning outcomes / total
possibilities = 1/800
Therefore: Answer = 60/1000 * 1/800 = 60/800,000 = 6/80,000 = 3/40,000.
Hence option (A) is the right answer choice.

24. Upper Limit- 458600

Lower Limit - 324700

Diff - 133900

The case of the last two digits ending in ‘13’ will happen in exactly every hundredth
integer. And the total pool of integers under consideration is a multiple of 100, so
there won't be any pattern interrupts. Therefore, we can just divide the total number of
integers by 100 and we will arrive at our answer.

So in this case, the right answer is 1339 integers that end in ‘13’.
Hence Option (E) is the right answer choice.

Top 1% expert replies to student queries (can skip)

13 will appear as last two digits once every 100.

Eg. From 1 to 100 -> 13
From 101 to 200 -> 113
And so on

We subtract 324700 from 458600 to count how many total numbers are present
between both these figures. Once we get that there are 458699 - 324700 = 133900
numbers between both. We divide it by 100 because we know that 13 occurs as the
last 2 digits once every 100. Thus how many integers occur with last 2 digits as 13
=> 133900/100 = 1339

Hence Option (E) is the right answer choice.

25. Probability that Leo will hear a song that he likes = 1- probability that Leo will
not hear a song that he likes.

Individual probability of Leo hearing a song he likes = 0.3

Individual probability of Leo not hearing a song that he likes = 0.7

Therefore the probability that Leo will hear a song that he likes = 1 – 0.7*0.7*0.7 =
1-0.343= 0.657.

Hence Option (D) is the right answer choice.

26. The best way to answer this question is to work backward from the options in hand.

Option (A) : With four colors we can code a total of : 4 + 4C2 DC’s = 4 + 6 = 10
DC’s. Not sufficient.

Option (B) : With 5 colours we can code a total of : 5 + 5C2= 5 + 10 = 15 DC’s.

Sufficient.

There is no point proceeding to the next few options as the numbers will just get
larger and we are only concerned with the minimum number of colors needed for
coding. Hence Option (B) is the right answer choice.

27. C
Let us rephrase the questions first:
‘what is the least value of n for which there is less than a 1/1000 chance of
guessing n questions in a row correctly?'
This should be the thought process:
* there is a 1/2 chance of guessing each question correctly
* each question is independent of the other questions, so the chance of guessing n
questions correctly is (1/2)(1/2)(1/2)...(1/2), where there are n (1/2)'s
* this is (1/2)^n, or 1/(2^n)
so:
1/2^n < 1/1000
take reciprocals:
2^n > 1000
n > 10 (because 2^10 = 1024)

28. Probability that at least one of the fashion magazines will be selected = 1-
probability that only sports magazines are selected.

Probability that only sports magazines are selected:

Probability that the first magazine is a sports magazine =4/8
Probability that the second magazine is a sports magazine
= 3/7 * Probability that the third magazine is a sports magazine = 2/6
Therefore, probability that all 3 magazines are sports magazines =
4/8*3/7*2/6 = 1/14
Hence, probability that at least one of the fashion magazines will be
selected = 1- 1/14 = 13/14.
 Option (E) is therefore the right answer choice.

Top 1% expert replies to student queries (can skip)

We can do by 1 - all sports = 13/14 This is correct.

OR
Total no. of ways = 8C3= 56
Favourable outcomes = 1 fashion & 2 sports OR 2 fashion & 1 sports OR 3 fashion
= (4C1 4C2)+( 4C2 4C1)+( 4C3)
= 24 + 24 + 4
= 52
Probability = 52/56 = 13/14
Option (E) is therefore the right answer choice

29. The question indicates that the first and last digit are equal to 1 more than the
middle digit indicating that the first and last digits are equal.
Since the range is less than 199, the first digit cannot be greater than 1.
This implies that with 0 as the middle digit and 1 as the first and last digits, 101 is
the only integer possible out of the 100 integers.
Hence probability = 1/100.
Hence option (D) is the right answer choice.

30. 4 letter possibilities = 264

5 letter possibilities = 265.
Adding them, we get,
264 + 265 = (264) * (1+26) = 27*(264).
Option (C) is the right answer choice.

31. Equal kinds of cheese and fruits indicate that we can have platters with a
maximum of 2 fruits since there are only two different kinds of fruits available.

Remember that we can even have a 1 fruit, 1 cheese option.

Hence:
2C-2F = 6C2*2C2=15*1=15
1C-1F=6C1*2C1=12
Therefore, total number of options available = 15 + 12 = 27.
Option (E) is the right answer choice.

Top 1% expert replies to student queries (can skip)

32. Meg, Bob, and John can arrange themselves in 3! = 6 ways out of which only one
way will give Meg > Bob > John.
So the total number of favourable ways = (1/6)*8!
Answer :D

Top 1% expert replies to student queries (can skip) (additional)

Number of ways of arranging the 8 participants = 8!

We need Meg > Bob > John.

Now, Meg, Bob and John can be arranged in 3! = 6 ways. Each combination is
equally likely and has a probability of 1/6.

Therefore, number of ways of arranging the participants such that M > B > J =
8!/6
Answer: D

33.
Total number of ways of picking two bulbs out 10 bulbs = 10C2
Total number of ways of picking 2 bulbs out of ‘n’ defective bulbs = nC2

Statement (1) : It is given that nC2/10C2 = 1/15 i.e nC2 = 3. Hence n = 3.

This statement is therefore sufficient.
Statement (2): Since the two bulbs are drawn simultaneously, probability
that the first will be defective and the second will not be defective =
n(10-n)/10C2 = 7/15
From the above, we get, n(10-n) = 21. Solving for n, we get n = 3. Hence this
statement is sufficient.

Option (D) is therefore the right answer choice

34. The event when 2 out of 3 visitors Buy a pack of candy can occur in 3!/2!=3 ways:
BBN, BNB, NBB (3!/2!=3 is basically the # of permutations of 3 letters out of which
2 B's are identical).
Now, each B has the probability of 0.3 and N has the probability of , so
2
P(B=2)=3!/2! 0.3 0.7=0.189

The correct answer is B

Top 1% expert replies to student queries (can skip)

The point is to find number 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. In such
cases, 'order' has to be considered.

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

which in turn is a different case compared to 0.7*0.3*0.3

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

The correct answer is B

35. The five letter code:

The first position can be occupied by any one of 10 letters, the second by any one of 9,
the third by any one of 8 and so on…
Number of possible 5-letter code words = 10*9*8*7*6
Similarly, the number of possible 4-letter code words = 10*9*8*7
Ratio of 5-letter code words to 4-letter code words = 10*9*8*7*6/ 10*9*8*7

= 6/1. Hence option (E) is the right answer choice.

36. n(n + 1)(n + 2) is a product of 3 consecutive integers.

If n is even, n(n + 1)(n + 2), will be divisible by 8.
Even integers from 1-96 inclusive = (96-2)/ 2 = 94/2 = 47, 47+1 = 48.
Also if n is odd and 1 less than multiple 8, n(n + 1)(n + 2) will be divisible by
8, because this will have at least 1 multiple of 8.
Multiples of 8 from 1-96 = (96-8)/8 = 11, 11+1 = 12.
Total number of favourable outcomes = 48 + 12 = 60.
Total number of possible outcomes = 96.
Probability = Number of favourable outcomes / Number of possible outcomes
= 60/96
= 5/8.
Hence Option (D) is the right answer choice.

37. Statement (1):

Since we have no information about the number of students who are male, we
cannot answer the question prompt. Hence this statement alone is insufficient.
Statement (2):
Since we have no information about the number of students who are brown
haired, we cannot answer the question prompt. Hence this statement alone is
insufficient.

Combining statements (1) and (2):

We have 20 males and 40 females. We have 30 students with brown hair.
So we could have 20 males and all of them brown haired (probability would be
1/3), or 20 males non brown haired (30 females brown haired) and then
probability would be 0.

Hence the combination of the statements is insufficient as well.

Option (E) is therefore the right answer choice.
38. Notice that since events A and B are independent, then the probability that both occur,
equals to the product of their individual probability, so P(A and B)=P(A) P(B).
Also notice that and .

(1) Probability that A will happen is 0.25. Now, since P(A)=0.25,

then P(A and B)=P(A) .
(2) Probability that B will NOT happen is 0.71. The same here:
since
then P(A and B)=P(A) . Sufficient.

The correct answer is D

39. The number of ways to arrange the red bushes in the desired fashion is as follows :
W1R1R2W2, W2R1R2W1, W1R2R1W2, W2R2R1W1.
Total number of ways in which 4 bushes can be arranged = 4! = 24.
Hence, probability that of the event occurring = 4/ 24 = 1/6.
Option (B) is the right answer choice.

40. To make a code number, we have 8 choices for the first digit, 7 choices for the
second digit, and 6 choices for the third digit (subtracting one each time, since we
cannot use the same digit more than once), and therefore 8*7*6 = 336 code numbers
are possible in total.
Since 330 code numbers have been used already, there are 336-330 = 6 unused code
numbers.
Option (A) is the right answer choice.

41. Let’s interpret the question in the right fashion :

The question is basically: “what’s the probability that it will rain on Monday and
not on first two days.”
Probability that it will not rain on the first two days = 0.8*0.8
Probability that it will rain on Monday = 0.2.
Hence overall probability = 0.8*0.8*0.2 = 0.128.
Option (B) is the right answer choice.

42. For all four digits of the number to be even, we have to only consider the digits
{0,2,4,6,8} in our calculations.
The first digit can be picked in 4 ways (we cannot consider 0).
The second digit can be picked in 5 ways
The third digit can be picked in 5 ways
The fourth digit can be picked in 5 ways.
Hence, total number of 4 digit positive integers = 4*5*5*5 = 500.
Option (C) is the right answer choice.
 43.

(1) 20% of all chips in the basket are green. Therefore 80% of all chips in the basket are red,
which means that the ratio of the number of red chips to the number of green chips is 4:1
(80:20). Now, if there are total of 5 chips in the basket (4 red + 1 green) then the probability
that both chips will be green will be 0 (since there are NOT two chips in a basket) but if there
are total of 10 chips in the basket (8 red + 2 green) then the probability that both chips will be
green will be more than 0. Not sufficient.

(2) The ratio of the number of red chips to the number of green chips is 4:1. The same info as
above. Not sufficient.

(1)+(2) Both statements tell the same thing, so we have no new info. Not sufficient.

The correct answer is E

44. E. Probability of one light bulb failing during time interval T = 0.06.
Hence, probability of not failing is 0.94. We have 10 light bulbs in the string.
Even if one light bulb fails, the entire string fails.
Hence in order for the string to be successful, all the light bulbs need to pass.
Lets find out the probability of not failing.
P(10 light bulbs do not fail) = (0.94)10.
P(string of light bulbs failing) = 1-P(10 light bulbs not fail) = 1-(0.94) 10

Alternate Solution from GMATCLUB

Top 1% expert replies to student queries (can skip) (additional)

Query: Why can’t we do 0.06^10 to get the probability of string of light bulb failing?
Reply: The string of bulbs fails if one light bulb fails.

P(bulb fail)=0.06

P(bulb doesn't fail)=0.94

 P(atleast one fail)=1-P(none fails)=1-(0.94)^10

Please note that string fails even if one fails.

So, this logic does not stand.

p(10 light bulbs fail)=0.06^10
but not one...we are considering the failure of all the light bulbs.

We need to understand that if one fails, the entire string of bulb fails.

So failure can be of one bulb also.(failure can be of 2 bulbs also and so on)(so basically 1-
p(all bulbs working)

45. We have to consider three cases here.

Two digits equal & 1 digit different:
Case I [ABB] 8*9*1 = 72.
Case II [BAB] 8*9*1 = 72.
Case II [BBA]. 8*1*9 = 72.
Total integers or permutations = 72+72+72 = 216
Answer E

Top 1% expert replies to student queries (can skip)

Assume: a,b,c is the digit and a,b,c not= 0

Thus a,b,c could be 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9
Count the possible way to get a three digit number abc.
a = b, and c must be different from a, b
Thus, there are 3 possible ways of digit arrangement: aac, aca, caa
The solution is (9*1*8)*3 as we are multiplying by 3 because there are #
such cases:
Case I: aac
=> (digit 1st) x (digit 2nd) x (digit 3rd)
=> 9 x 1 x 8 {pick any number from group = 9 possible ways} x {pick
number the same as the first pick = 1 way} x {pick any number from the
rest = 8 possible ways}
= 9 x 1 x 8 = 72 possible ways
Case II: aca
=> same as case I you have 72 possible ways
Case III: caa
=> same as case I you have 72 possible ways
total of this set of number = 72 + 72 + 72 = 216
E) is the answer

46. Let the code be XYZ, X can take 8 values-2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9.

Y can take 2 values- 0,1.
Z can take 9 if y = 0 or if Y = 1 then 10 values, if y = 0 : we have 8*1*9 = 72
options; if y = 1 : we have 8*1*10 = 80 options;
 Total = 72+80 = 152.
Hence option (B) is the right answer choice.

47. B
The easiest formula to remember for handshakes among n people is = nC2 = n(n-1)/2.
The logic for the formula is that n people will shake hands with n-1 people.
(Because a person won't shake hands with himself, therefore n-1 is used).
So the total no. of handshakes is n(n-1). BUT we just double counted the
handshakes, because we counted that person A shake hands with person B and
ALSO counted person B shaking hands with A.
We have to correct for this double counting by dividing by 2.
Therefore the number of handshakes among n people = n(n-1)/2.
There are a total of 18 reps.
Total no. of handshakes among all reps (including own company) = (18 X 17)/2 =
153.
No. of handshakes among one company’s own reps = (3 X 2)/2 = 3.
No. of handshakes among 6 company’s own reps = 3 X 6 = 18.
Total no. of handshakes among all reps excluding own company’s reps = 153-18
= 135

48. E

Consider two brothers and two sisters between them as one unit: {BSSB}.

So, now we have 6 units: {G}, {G}, {G}, {G}, {B}, and {BSSB}.

These 6 units can be arranged around a circular table in = 5! ways.

Next, analyze {BSSB} unit:

We can choose 2 brothers out of 3 for the unit in 3C2=3 ways;

These brothers, within the unit, can be arranged in 2! ways: {B1,S,S,B2} or {B2,S,S,B1}.
The sisters, within the unit, also can be arranged in 2! ways: {B,S1,S2,B}or {B,S2,S1,B}.
Therefore, the final answer is 5!*3*2*2=1440.

Top 1% expert replies to student queries (can skip)

Query : In this Question, is this case also possible?

B1 S1 G1 S2 B2 G2 G3 G4 B3 The question never says that only sisters need to be in
between the brothers.
Reply : The question says between any 2 brothers, 2 sisters are to be seated. So these sisters
need to be together {BSSB}
49.E

10 students around a circular table can be arranged in ways.

Now, consider Anna and Bill as one unit - {Anna, Bill}.
We will have 9 units to arrange: 8 students and {Anna, Bill}.
Those 9 units can be arranged around a circular table in ways.
Anna and Bill within their unit can be arranged in two ways {Anna, Bill} or {Bill, Anna}.
Thus the number of ways to arrange 10 students around a circular table so that two ofthem,
Ana and Bill, sit next to each other is 8! 2.
Therefore, the number of ways to arrange 10 students around a circular table so that two of
them, Ana and Bill, do NOT sit next to each other is 2
The probability = 2)/9! = 1

50.E

No formula is needed to answer this question. 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.

51.A

Examine what digits these set members can contain:

(A) First digit (hundreds): 8 choices (1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9 - cannot be 0 or 5)

(B) Second digit (tens): 9 choices (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9 - cannot be 5)
(C) Last digit (units): 4 choices (1, 3, 7, 9 - cannot be 0, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8)
The answer is 8 9 4=32 9=288.

Top 1% expert replies to student queries (can skip)

Let the number be= XYZ

Z= units digit
Y= tenths digit
X= Hundredths digit

For any 3 digit number to be odd, Unit digit must be odd

So Z can be filled with 1,3,7,9 (we are excluding digit 5) = 4 ways.
Y can be filled with 0,1,2,3,4,6,7,8,9 (we are excluding digit 5) = 9 ways
X can be filled with 1,2,3,4,6,7,8,9 (we are excluding digits 0 and 5 .. ) = 8 ways
No of ways= 4*9*8= 288. option A is correct.

52.D

First step:
We should determine which 5 digits from given 6, would form the 5 digit number divisible
by 3.

We have six digits: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Their sum is 15.

For a number to be divisible by 3 the sum of the digits must be divisible by 3. As the sum of
the six given numbers is 15 (divisible by 3) only 5 digits good to form our 5 digit number
would be 15-0={1, 2, 3, 4, 5} and 15-3={0, 1, 2, 4, 5}. Meaning that no other 5 from given
six will total the number divisible by 3.

Second step:
We have two set of numbers:

{1, 2, 3, 4, 5} and {0, 1, 2, 4, 5}. How many 5 digit numbers can be formed using these two
sets:

{1, 2, 3, 4, 5} This set gives 5! numbers, as any combination of these digits would give us 5
digit number divisible by 3. 5!=120
{0, 1, 2, 4, 5}. Now, here we cannot use 0 as the first digit, otherwise number won't be any
more 5 digit and become 4 digit. So, desired # would be total combinations 5!, minus
combinations with 0 as the first digit (combination of 4) .
Total 120+96=216

53. C
In the range 800 - 900:
1 choice for the first digit: 8;

5 choices for the third digit: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 (since integer must be odd);

8 choices for the second digit: 10 digits - first digit - third digit = 8 digits.

1 5 8=40
In the range 900 - 999:
1 choice for the first digit: 9;

4 choices for the third digit: 1, 3, 5, 7 (9 is out as it's used as the first digit);

8 choices for the second digit: 10 digits - first digit - third digit = 8 digits.

1 4 8=32
Total: 40+32=72.

54.D

First find how many integers between 700 and 999 are such that all their digits are different.

We have: (3 options for the first digit) (9 options for the second digit) (8 options for the
third digit)=216(3 options for the first digit) (9 options for the second digit) (8 options for
the third digit)=216 numbers.
Among these 216 numbers, 9 (701, 702, 703, 704, 705, 706, 708, 709, 710) are not bigger
than 710. The answer to the question is therefore .
55.

Total # of 5-digit codes is 105, notice that it's not 9 104, since in a code we can have zero as
the first digit.
# of passwords with three digits 6 is 9 9 5C3=810: each out of two other digits (not 6) has 9
choices, thus we have 9 9 and 5C3 is ways to choose which 3 digits will be 6's out of 5 digits
we have.
P=favourable/total=810/105.

Top 1% expert replies to student queries (can skip)

Number of ways in which 3 places are occupied by the digit 6 and the remaining 2 places are

occupied by two different digits, say 1 and 2

Now, let us see what happens when we calculate 9*8*5!/(3!) = 1440 ways

-> 9*8 implies we are considering all the arrangements pertaining to two digits. As we took

digits 1 and 2 as our examples, we happened to consider the

arrangements 1 2 and 2 1 separately

Now let us consider the arrangement 1 2 followed by three 6's. when you multiply this

arrangement of 1 2 6 6 6 with 5!/(3!), you consider the cases including the ones in which 2

comes before 1 . For example 2 1 6 6 6 is also considered as 5!/(3!) includes all the possible

arrangements.

But as explained earlier, since 9*8 considers the arrangement 2 1 as distinct from 1 2 , you

therefore multiply the arrangement 2 1 6 6 6 with 5!/(3!) separately, resulting in the double

counting since all the arrangements pertaining to three 6's and 1,2 are already counted.

Therefore you should divide the computation 9*8*5!/(3!) by 2! in order to avoid double

counting.

So the answer is 720+ 90 (Number of ways in which two other digits are same i.e

9*1*5!/(3!*2!)) = 810

Shortest approach:
Total # of 5-digit codes is 10^5
# of passwords with three digits 6 = 9*9*5C3 = 810.
5C3 is the number of ways to choose which 3 digits will be 6's out of 5 digits we have. The
remaining 2 places will be taken by non-sixes (9*9 combination).
P= 810/ 105
Another approach:
We'll consider two cases:
case i: We have three 6's and two DIFFERENT digits (e.g., 66612)
case ii: We have three 6's and two IDENTICAL digits (e.g., 66677)
case i: We have three 6's and two DIFFERENT digits (e.g., 66612)
We already have three 6's. So, we must select 2 different digits from (0,1,2,3,4,5,7,8 and 9)
We can do this in 9C2 ways (=36 ways)
Now that we've selected our 5 digits, we must ARRANGE them, which means we can use
the MISSISSIPPI rule.
We can arrange 3 identical digits and 2 different digits in 5!/3! ways = 20 ways
So, we can have three 6's and two DIFFERENT digits in (36)(20) ways (= 720 ways)
case ii: We have three 6's and two IDENTICAL digits (e.g., 66677)
We already have three 6's. So, we must select 1 digit (which we'll duplicate)
Since we're selecting 1 digit from (0,1,2,3,4,5,7,8,9) we can do so in 9 ways
Now that we've selected our 5 digits, we must ARRANGE them, which means we can use
the MISSISSIPPI rule.
We can arrange 3 identical 6's and 2 other identical digits in 5!/3!2! ways = 10 ways
So, we can have three 6's and two IDENTICAL digits in (9)(10) ways (= 90 ways)
So, TOTAL number of ways to have three 6's = 720 + 90 = 810
Since there are 100,000 possible 5-digit codes, P(having exactly three 6's) = 810/100,000
Answer: A

Top 1% expert replies to student queries (can skip) (additional)

The password consists of 5 digits. We want the probability that the password contains
exactly three digits as 6.

So first of all, we have to choose which three digits out of five will be 6. Number of ways
of choosing three places out of five = 5C3 = 10

Now that we have our chosen three digits, what is the probability that all three digits are 6?
(1/10)^3. Why? Because we have a total of 10 possibilities (0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9) for each of
the three digits. Out of these 10 possibilities, we need only 1 favorable event, that is when
each of the 3 digits is 6. So there is a 1/10 probability that one of these digits will be 6. So,
the probability that all three digits will be 6 is 1/10 * 1/10 * 1/10 = 1/1000 [Independent
events]

Now, for the other two places, we have 9 favourable possibilities and 10 total possibilities.
Note that none of the remaining digits can be 6, since we need exactly three 6s, and we've
already budgeted for them. The probability that a remaining digit will not be 6 = 9/10. So,
the probability that both remaining digits will not be 6 = (9/10) 2 = 81/100

Therefore, probability that only three digits are 6 = 10 * 1/1000 * 81/100 = 810/100000
Answer: A

56.D

Re-arrange the given equation: 2 .

Given that x is an integer from -10 and 10, inclusive (21 values) we need to find the
probability that 2 is greater than zero, so the probability that 2 .
Factorize: . This equation holds true for .
Since x is an integer then it can take the following 7 values: -4, -3, -2, -1, 0, 1, and 2.
So, the probability is 7/21=1/3
57.E

30=2 3 5=6 5 (only 2 3 gives single digit number 6). So, we should count the number of
positive integers less than 10,000 with the digits {2, 3, 5} and {5, 6} and any number of 1's
with each set.

2- digit numbers:

{5, 6} - the number of combinations = 2: 56 or 65.

3- digit numbers:

{1, 5, 6} - the number of combinations = 3! = 6: 156, 165, 516, 561, 615, or 651.

{2, 3, 5} - the number of combinations = 3! = 6.

4- digit numbers:

{1, 1, 5, 6} - the number of combinations = 4!/2! = 12.

{1, 2, 3, 5} - the number of combinations = 4! = 24.

Total = 2 + 6 + 6 + 12 + 24 = 50.

58.CIRCLE
If there is no restriction, the number of ways = 6!/2! = 360
If the two Cs always come together, the number of ways (consider the two Cs one item) = 5!
= 120
Required answer = 360 – 120 = 240. Ans. E

59.

60.E
 61.C

62.
63.
 64.

65.
 www.top-one-percent.com | [email protected] | +91-97395-61394

Quant Session: Inequalities + Mods (Absolute Values)

Inequalities Basics:

1. a < b
Examples:
2<3
0<3
–3 < 3
–3 < 0

2.
Examples:

– –3
–

3. a > b
Examples:
3>2
3>0
3 > –3
0 > –3

4.
Examples:

– –3
–3
5. So long as multiplication or division aren’t involved, we can cancel or shift quantities just as we
do in equations

For example, x + y – 1 > x – y + 1 means either we can transfer all terms from the RHS to the
LHS and write x + y – 1 – x + y – 1 > 0 or 2y – 2 > 0 or 2y > 2 or y > 1 OR we can directly
cancel x from both sides and write y – 1 > –y + 1 or 2y > 2 or y >1.

6. If xy > 0, then x and y are of the same sign. Either both positive or both negative.

7. If x/y > 0, then x and y are of the same sign. Either both positive or both negative

So, xy > 0 means x/y > 0

Top 1% expert replies to student queries (can skip) (additional)

Query: Explain how we could divide LHS and RHS with y, when we do not know the sign of y?
Reply: We have xy > 0. So we know that x and y are of the same sign and that x and y are not 0.

If we divide this inequality by y2, we get:

xy/y2 > 0 [y2 is positive and will not change the sign of the inequality]

x/y > 0

8. If xy < 0, then x and y are of the opposite sign. One positive and the other negative

9. If x/y < 0, then x and y are of the opposite sign. One positive and the other negative

So, xy < 0 means x/y < 0

10. If a > b, then ax > bx, if x is positive … this means the sign of the inequality doesn’t change if we
multiply both sides by a positive quantity

Similarly, if ax > bx, then a > b, if x is positive … this means the sign of the inequality doesn’t
change if we cancel a positive quantity from both sides

Note: the same rule applies for division: a > b, then a/x > b/x if x is positive and vice versa

11. If a > b, then ax < bx, if x is negative … this means the sign of the inequality changes if we multiply
both sides by a negative quantity

Similarly, if ax > bx, then a < b, if x is negative … this means the sign of the inequality
changes if we cancel a negative quantity from both sides

12. If a/b > c/d, then we can’t just cross multiply to write ad > bc. Unless we know the sign of the
quantities, we can’t cross multiply.

On the other hand, if all a, b, c, and d are positive, then we can surely cross multiply and write
ad > bc

13. The concept of number line is very useful in checking inequalities. The common values to check
are x = 0, 1, –1, >1 (preferred value = 2), between 0 and 1 (preferred values = 1/2 and 0.9), between
– 1 and 0 (preferred values = –1/2 and –0.9), and less than –1 (preferred value = –2). So, in short,
there are 9 points: –2, –1, –0.9, –1/2, 0, 1/2, 0.9, 1, 2.
14. If (x – a) (x – b) < 0, then x lies between a and b. OR a < x < b.

Here a is less than b.

(x – 3) (x – 5) < 0, then x lies between 3 and 5

(x + 3) (x – 5) < 0 we can write this as [x – (–3)] (x – 5) < 0

So, x lies between –3 and 5

(x + 5) (x + 3) < 0 we can write this as [x – (–5)] [x – (–3)] < 0

So, x lies between –5 and –3

15. If (x – a) (x – b) > 0, then x lies outside a and b. OR x < a, x > b

Here a is less than b.

(x – 3) (x – 5) > 0, then x doesn’t lie between 3 and 5. So either x is less than 3 or x is

greater than 5.

(x + 3) (x – 5) > 0 We can write this as [x – (–3)] (x – 5) > 0

So, x doesn’t lie between –3 and 5. Either x is less than –3 or x is greater than 5.

(x + 5) (x + 3) > 0 We can write this as [x – (–5)] [x – (–3)] > 0

So, x doesn’t lie between –5 and –3. Either x is less than –5 or x is greater than –3.

16. If x2 > x, then either x > 1 or x is negative (x < 0).

17. If x2 < x, then x lies between 0 and 1. (0 < x < 1).

18. If x2 = x, then x = 0 or x = 1.

19. If x3 > x, then either x > 1 or x is between –1 and 0 (either x > 1 or –1 < x < 0).

Top 1% expert replies to student queries (can skip) (additional)

Proof for values of x calculated for inequality x3 > x:

This can be simplified to: x(x-1)(x+1) > 0

Now, let us ignore the inequality sign for the moment.

What are the solutions to the equation x(x-1)(x+1) = 0? x = -1, 0, 1.

So we have 4 intervals to check.

First interval : x < -1

Second interval : -1< x < 0
Third interval : 0< x < 1
Fourth interval : x > 1
For x < -1, (x-1) < 0, x<0 and (x+1)<0. So x(x-1)(x+1) < 0 [Product of three negative numbers will
always be negative].
This cannot be a solution since we need x(x-1)(x+1) > 0

For -1 < x < 0, (x-1) < 0, x<0 and (x+1)>0. So x(x-1)(x+1) > 0 [Product of two negative numbers
and one positive number will always be positive].
This can be a solution since we need x(x-1)(x+1) > 0

For 0 < x < 1, (x-1) < 0, x > 0 and (x+1)>0. So x(x-1)(x+1) < 0 [Product of two positive numbers
and one negative number will always be negative].
This cannot be a solution since we need x(x-1)(x+1) > 0

For x > 1, (x-1) > 0, x> 0 and (x+1)>0. So x(x-1)(x+1) > 0 [Product of three positive numbers will
always be positive].
This can be a solution since we need x(x-1)(x+1) > 0

So our solution set is :( -1 < x < 0) and (x > 1).

20. If x3 < x, then either x lies between 0 and 1 or x is less than –1.
(Either 0 < x < 1 or x < –1)

21. If x3 = x, then x = 0 or x = 1 or x = –1.

22.
If 1/x > 0, then x > 0 Substitute x as –ve / 0 / +ve to verify.
If 1/x < –x, then x must be negative Substitute x as –ve / 0 / +ve to verify.

23. If x2 > y2, then x > y and x < y both results are possible, and x and y can be of the same sign and also
of the opposite sign

52 > 32 and 5 > 3 (–5)2 > (–3)2 but –5 < –3 both same sign
52 > (–3)2 and 5 > –3 (–5)2 > (3)2 but –5 < 3 opposite signs

24. If x > y2, then x > y and x < y both results are possible

25 > 32 and 25 > 3 1/3 > (1/2)2 but 1/3 < 1/2

25. If x > y4, then x > y and x < y both results are possible

100 > 34 and 100 > 3 1/3 > (1/2)4 but 1/3 < 1/2

26. If x > y, it is necessarily true that x3 > y3 or etc. So, odd powers and roots don’t change sign.

27. Two inequalities with the same sign can be added just in the same way as two equations can be
added

So, if

a+b>c+d
and
e+f>g+h

Then a + b + e + f > c + d + g + h
28. Two inequalities with different signs can be added after we change the sign of one of the inequalities
by multiplying it by a negative sign.

So, if

a+b>c+d and
e+f<g+h Check the less than sign

Then we can write

a+b>c+d and
– (e + f) > – (g + h)

Or

a+b>c+d and
–e – f > –g – h

So, a + b – e – f > c + d – g – h

29. If X is positive, then

(1) (a + X) / (b + X) > a/b if a < b
(2) (a + X) / (b + X) < a/b if a > b

30. On the GMAT, any square number is always greater than or equal to 0. So x 2
On the GMAT, a square number can’t be negative.
 Problems (Inequalities):
1. If x is not equal to –y, is > 1?
+
(1) x > 0 (2) y < 0

2. If x is positive which of the following could be correct ordering of 1/x, 2x, x 2?

I. x2 < 2x < 1/x II. x2 < 1/x < 2x III. 2x < x2 < 1/x
A. None B. I Only C. III Only D. I and II only E. I, II & III

3. If x > y2 > z4, which of the following statements could be true?

I. x > y > z II. z > y > x III. x > z > y
A. I only B. I and II only C. I and III only
D. II and III only E. I, II, and III

4. Is M + Z > 0 (1) M – 3Z > 0 (2) 4Z – M > 0

5. If k is not equal to 0, 1, or –1, is 1/k > 0? (1) 1 / (k – 1) > 0 (2) 1 / (k + 1) > 0

6. The numbers x and y are not integers. The value of x is closest to which integer?
(1) 4 is the integer that is closest to x + y (2) 1 is the integer that is closest to x – y

7. Are x and y both positive (1) 2x – 2y = 1 (2) x/y >1

8. If 500 is the multiple of 100 that is closest to X and 400 is the multiple of 100 closest to Y, then
which multiple of 100 closest to X + Y? (1) X < 500 (2) Y < 400

9. Is 1 / p > r/(r2 + 2) (1) p = r (2) r > 0

10. Is X + Y < 1? (1) X < 8 / 9 (2) Y < 1 / 8

11. Is x – y + 1 greater than x + y – 1? (1) x > 0 (2) y < 0

12. Is z the median of any 3 positive integers x, y and z? (1) x < y + z (2) y = z

13. On the number line, the distance between x and y is greater than the distance between x and z.
Does z lie between x and y on the number line? (1) xyz < 0 (2) xy < 0

14. If ( + 4) = 3, which of the following could be the value of x – 4?

–11 –7 –4 –3 5

15. If mv < pv < 0, is v > 0? (1) m < p (2) m < 0

16. Is x < y? (1) x2 > y (2) <

17. If n is a nonzero integer, is xn < 1? (1) x > 1 (2) n > 0

18. If x is an integer, is 3x less than 500? (1) 4x-1 < 4x – 120 (2) x2 = 36

19. Is x > 1010? (1) x > 234 (2) x = 235

20. Is XY > 0? (1) X – Y > –2 (2) X – 2Y < –6

21. If x and y are integers and xy does not equal 0, is xy < 0? (1) y = x 4 – x3 (2) –12y2 – y2x + x2y2 > 0

22. If r + s > 2t, is r > t? (1) t > s (2) r > s

23. If p < q and p < r, is (p)(q)(r) < p? (1) pq < 0 (2) pr < 0

24. Is 5n < 0.04? (1) (1/5)n > 25 (2) n3 < n2

25. Is p2q > pq2? (1) pq < 0 (2) p < 0

26. Is m > n ? (1) n – m + 2 > 0 (2) n – m – 2 > 0

27. Is 3p > 2q ? (1) q = 2p (2) q > 0

28. Is mp greater than m? (1) m > p > 0 (2) p is less than 1

29. Is 2X – 3Y < X2? (1) 2X – 3Y = –2 (2) X > 2 and Y >0

30. Is

(1) 0 < x < y

(2) xy > 0
Answer Key: Quant Session: Inequalities + Mods (Absolute Values)

Part 1: Inequalities
1. E
2. D
3. E
4. C
5. A
6. E
7. C
8. E
9. C
10. E
11. B
12. B
13. E
14. A
15. D
16. E
17. C
18. C
19. D
20. C
21. E
22. D
23. E
24. A
25. C
26. B
27. C
28. C
29. D
30. A
 Absolute Values (Mods) – Concepts
1. | | is defined as the non–negative value of x and hence is never negative.

AND |x| < 0 is impossible (by definition)

2. |5| = 5, |–5| = 5

|x| = x, if x is positive … If x = 5, then |5| = 5

|x| = –x, if x is negative … If x is –5, then |–5| = –(–5) = 5. Here x is negative and –x is positive.

o So, when |x| = –x, x is a negative number and –x is a positive number

|x| = –x (means x is negative)

o This still means that |x| is positive because in this case –x is a positive number

3. | | is defined as the distance of point x from 0 on the number line. The point x can be anywhere on the
line (positive or negative)

4. | | is defined as the distance of point x from a on the number line. The point x and a can be
anywhere on the line (positive or negative).

5. We define = | | as both and | | can’t be negative.

= | | … squaring both sides, we get 2 =| |×| |

Q. If a2 < a, then is |a| > a? Yes / No? Ans. NO

If a2 < a, then 0 < a < 1, or a is positive. When a is positive, |a| = a

6. As square roots can’t be negative, then on the GMAT (by definition)

36

BUT if 2 = 36, we have = 36 OR |x| = 6, which gives x = 6 or –6.

Remember, we didn’t take 36 to be both 6 or –6. 36 is 6 only.

But because is |x|, we wrote |x| = 6, which gave us x = 6 or –6.

This is the most misunderstood concept on the GMAT.

So = |x| = x or -x both are possible (Please note: = |x| which

is always a positive quantity. For |x| to be positive, |x| = x or -x

depending on whether x is positive or negative. Don't assume that x is

positive and -x is negative. x doesn't have a sign of its own)

So 2 = both are possible.

 If x is positive, then 2 =

o Here x is positive and hence the square root is positive

If x is negative, then 2

o Here x is negative, so –x is POSITIVE and hence the square root is positive

The confusion arises because we assume x is positive and –x is negative. BUT x doesn’t have
a sign of its own, unless given. Please don’t assume anything.

Let’s see one real–GMAT question to understand the concept further:

If z is negative, then (4 5) + (2 3) + | | =?
A. 5z – 8
B. 7z – 8
C. –8
D. 8 – 7z
E. 4z – 8

Sol. We can write this as

|4z – 5| + |2z – 3| + |z|

|4z – 5| = 4z – 5 OR –(4z – 5) = 5 – 4z, whichever is positive

Because z is negative, 4z – 5 will be negative and 5 – 4z will be positive

|2z – 3| = 2z – 3 OR –(2z – 3) = 3 – 2z, whichever is positive

Because z is negative, 2z – 3 will be negative and 3 – 2z will be positive

|z| = z or –z, whichever is positive

Because z is negative, –z will be positive

So, the answer will be: 5 – 4z + 3 – 2z + (–z) which gives 8 – 7z. Ans. D

7. | | = (substitute x as – / 0 / + and verify)

8. | (substitute x as – / 0 / + and verify)

9. | | > (substitute x as – / 0 / + and verify)

10. | |> (substitute x as – / 0 / + and verify)

11. | (substitute x as – / 0 / + and verify)

12. | Imagine |x – 3| > 0 … this expression is true for all values of x except x = 3.
Try to substitute x = –10, –5, 0, 1, 2, 4, 10, 100 … all of these will satisfy |x – 3| > 0.
So, |x – 3| > 0 means

13. = 1 if x is positive Substitute any positive value of x and verify

| |

14.
if x is negative. Substitute any negative value of x and verify
| |
 Q. If x = y / |y|, what is |x|?
Sol. x = 1 or –1, so |x| = 1

15.| | = | = When we remove the mods, we substitute ±

So, we will have ±a = ±b which gives +a = +b, –a = –b, +a = –b, and –a = +b. So we get a = b or a = –b

16. If |x| = a, then x = a or x = –a.

a. If |x| < a, then x < a or x > –a so –a < x < a.

b. If |x – a| < b, then –b < x – a < b

c. If |x| > a, then x > a or x < –a.

d. If |x – a| > b, then x – a > b or x – a < –b.

Q. If |7 – 3j j?

– –

Subtract 7

– –

Divide by 3

– –

Multiply by a negative sign

– Ans.

Q. If |x|/|3| > 1, which of the following must be true?

A. x > 3
B. x < 3
C. x = 3
D.
E. x < –3

Cross multiply: |x| > 3, which means either x > 3 or x < – Ans. D
 Problems (Mods / Absolute Values)
1. –x |x|) is
A. –x B. –1 C. 1 D. x

2. Is |x| = y – z? (1) x + y = z (2) x < 0

3. x² – 8x + 21 = |x – 4| + 5. If the various values of x obtained from the equation above are the sides of a
triangle, then the triangle must be:
A. An acute–angled tringle
B. An obtuse–angled tringle
C. A right–angled tringle
D. An isosceles triangle
E. An equilateral triangle

–3)2] = 3–x? (2) –x |x| > 0

5. Which of the following inequalities has a solution set that when graphed on the number line, is a
single segment of finite length?
A. x4 B. x3 C. x2
E. 2

6. What is the average of x and |y|?

(1) x + y = 20 (2) |x + y| = 20

7. Is < ? (1) a < b (2) 1 < |a–b|

( )

8. Is |x| < 1? (1) |x + 1| = 2|x – 1| (2) |x – 3| > 0

9. Is |a| + |b| > |a + b|?

(1) a2 > b2 (2) |a| × b < 0

10. If a < y < z < b, is |y – a| < |y – b|? (1) |z – a| < |z – b| (2) |y – a| < |z – b|

11. Is |x – y| > |x| – |y|? (1) y < x (2) xy < 0

12. If |ab| > ab, which of the following must be true?

I. a < 0 II. b < 0 III. ab < 0
I only II only III only I and III II and III

13. Is x×|y| > (1) x > y (2) y > 0

14. Is (|x–1y–1|)–1 > xy? (1) xy > 1 (2) x2 > y2

15. If x is not equal to 0, is |x| less than 1? (2) |x| > x

16. If n is not equal to 0, is |n| < 4? (1) n2 > 16 (2) 1/|n| > n

17. If |x| + |y| = –x – y and xy does not equal 0, which of the following must be true?
x+y>0 x+y<0 x–y>0 x–y<0 x2 – y2 > 0
18. Is x > 0? (1) |x + 3| = 4x – 3 (2) |x – 3| = |2x – 3|

19. What is the value of |x|? (1) |x2 + 16| – 5 = 27 (2) x2 = 8x – 16

20. If r is not equal to 0, is r2 / |r| < 1

(1) r > –1 (2) r < 1

21. Is x > 0? (1) |x + 3| < 4 (2) |x – 3| < 4

22. Is a prime number?

(1) |3x – 7| = 2x + 2 (2) x2 = 9x

23. |k| is a prime number.

x and k are both integers
x>k
x-k = 625
What is the value of x?

24. If y = |x 1| and y = 3x + 3, then the sum of all possible values of x is:

(B) (D) 1/2 (E) 2

25. If a b, is > ?

(1) |a| > |b| (2) a < b

26. If q, s, and t are all different numbers, is q < s < t?

(2) t > q

27. If = for what value of x will the value of y be greatest?

A. –5
B. –3/5
C. 0
D. 3/5
E. 5/3

28.

On the number line, the shaded interval is the graph of which of the following inequalities?

D.
29. For how many
are x and y both integers?
A. 17
B. 10
C. 12
D. 13
E. 14

30. Is |a| < |b|?

(1)

(2) a + b < 0
Answer Key: Quant Session: Inequalities + Mods (Absolute Values)

Part 2: Mods / Absolute Values

1. A
2. C
3. C
4. B
5. E
6. E
7. A
8. C
9. E
10. D
11. B
12. C
13. C
14. A
15. C
16. A
17. B
18. A
19. D
20. C
21. E
22. C
23. 25
24. C
25. E
26. A
27. E
28. E
29. D
30. C
Inequalities Solutions

1.
In this question, don’t cross multiply as you don’t know whether x + y is positive or not.

So, we will have to combine:

If we take x = 1 and y = –2, we get

If we take x = 2 and y = –1, we get

Answer E.

2.
I.
x2 < 2x … cancel x from both sides (only because it is positive), we have x < 2

2x < 1/x
2x2 < 1
x2 < 1/2

x < 0.707

Combining, we have x < 2 and x < 0.7 … the common solution is x < 0.7 so statement I is possible.

II. x2 < 1/x

x3 < 1
x<1

1/x < 2x
2 x2 > 1
x2 > 1/2

x > 0.707

Combining, we have 0.707 < x < 1 … so statement II is possible.

III. 2x < x2 … cancel x from both sides (only because x is positive) so we have

x > 2.

x2 < 1/x x3 < 1 x < 1.

Combining: x > 2 and x < 1 … these 2 can’t be true together … so statement III is impossible.
Ans. D
 OR

you can try values: –2, –1, –0.9, –1/2, 0, 1/2, 0.9, 1, 2. Since x is positive, we may must try:
1/2, 0.9, 1, 2.
I. is true for x = 1/2
II. is possible for x = 0.9
III. is not possible for any value of x.
So, D

3.
If x > y2 we may have x > y or x < y both as valid. Refer to the concepts given
If y2 > z4, y > z2 (square roots will be positive) … if y > z2 we may have y > z or y < z both as valid.
Refer to the concepts given
If x > z4, we may have x > z or x < z both as valid. Refer to the concepts given
Ans. E

4.
(1) M – 3Z > 0, we may have M = 10, and Z = 1, M + Z = +ve
M – 3Z > 0, we may have M = 1, and Z = –2, M + Z = –ve NS

(2) 4Z – M > 0, we may have M = 1, and Z = 1, M + Z = +ve

4Z – M > 0, we may have M = –10, and Z = 1, M + Z = –ve NS

Combining… add the two statements…

M – 3Z > 0 Or M > 3Z
4Z – M > 0

Z>0

Substitute Z > 0 in M > 3Z, so M > 0

So, M + Z > 0
Sufficient. C

5.

If k is not equal to 0, 1, or –1, is 1/k > 0?

(1) 1 / (k – 1) > 0 (2) 1 / (k + 1) > 0

(1) tells that (k – 1) must be positive so (k – 1) > 0 so k > 1 … so 1/k > 0 always … sufficient.

(2) tells that (k + 1) must be positive so (k + 1) > 0 so k > –1 … k can be –1/2 or 2 … so 1/k can
be positive or negative. Ans. A
6.
This question deals with rounding–off.

– y < 1.5

But x could be 2.1 and the nearest integer will be 2

x could also be 2.9 and the nearest integer will be 3. NS

Ans. E

Top 1% expert replies to student queries (can skip)

(1) 4 is the integer that is closest to x+y
This should be 3.5<x+y<4.5;
we shouldn't take 3.5<=x+y<=4.5
4 is the integer that is closest to x+y i.e., there is a single integer that is closest to (x+y)
If (x+y) = 3.5, which integer is closest to it?
Both 3 and 4 are at equal distance i.e., they are both 0.5 away from (x+y).
But then, we cannot say that 4 is the integer closest to x+y.
Hence, x+y must be greater than 3.5. It must also be less than 4.5 due to the same reason.

Note: 3.5 is rounded up to 4 instead of 3 only because we generally follow the roundup
convention. If we follow the 'round down' convention, 3.5 will be rounded off to 3.
3.5 is equidistant from both 3 and 4. Ans. E
7.
Statement (1) can be rephrased: x – y = 1/2.

As x – y > 0, x > y 1/2 > 0, always

Sample values: x = 1, y = 1/2 and x and y are both positive

Sample values: x = –1/2 and y = –1 and x and y are both negative NS

Statement (2)

Imagine 2/1 = 2 > 1

In this case: x and y are both positive and x must be larger than y, so x > y > 0

Imagine –2/–1 = 2 > 1

In this case: x and y are both negative, then x is more negative than y
So, x < y < 0.

Because we don't know whether they are both positive or both negative, (2) alone is
insufficient.

From (1), we know that x > y. The only option in (2) for this to be true is if they are both
positive. (1) and (2) together are sufficient. (C) is the answer.

8.

This problem involves rounding–off.

"500 is the multiple of 100 that is closest to X"

This means that, of all multiples of 100, 500 comes closest to x.

In other words, 500 is closer to x than is 100, 200, 300, 400, or 600, 700, 800, ...

If you think about this for a sec, you'll realize that it means x has to be strictly between 450 and 550.

1. 450 < x < 500

2. 350 < y < 400

So, 800 < x + y < 900 …

if x + y = 810, our answer will be 800.
if x + y = 860, our answer will be 900.

NS
Ans. E
Top 1% expert replies to student queries (can skip)

If 500 is the multiple of 100 that is closest to X and 400 is the multiple of 100 closest to Y, then
which multiple of 100 is closest to X + Y ?

"500 is the multiple of 100 closest to X" --> 450<x<550;

"400 is the multiple of 100 closest to Y" --> 350<y<450.

(1) x<500 --> 450<x<500 --> add this inequality to inequality with y ( 350<y<450 )
800<x+y<950
If x+y=810 then closest multiple of 100 is 800 BUT if x+y=860 then closest multiple of 100 is
900. Not sufficient.

(2) y<400 --> 350<y<400 --> add this inequality to inequality with x ( 450<x<550 ) --
> 800<x+y<950. The same here: if x+y=810 then the closest multiple of 100 is 800 BUT if
x+y=860 then the closest multiple of 100 is 900. Not sufficient.

Combine: (1)+(2) Sum 450<x<500 and 350<x<400 --> 800<x+y<900 --> and again if x+y=810
then closest multiple of 100 is 800 BUT if x+y=860 then closest multiple of 100 is 900. Not
sufficient.

Answer: E.

Alternate Solution from Gmatclub

Top 1% expert replies to student queries (can skip)

450<X<550 and 350<Y<450
?<X+Y<?
(1) X < 500
Now, 450<X<500 and 350<Y<450
Examples of
Higher range => 490+440 = 930 (No closest: 900)
Lower range => 460+360 = 820 (No closest: 800)
Not sufficient

(2) Y < 400

Now,
450<X<550 and 350<Y<400
Examples of
Higher range =>540+390 = 930 (No closest: 900)
Lower range =>460+360 = 820 (No closest: 800 )
 Not sufficient

(1) + (2) combined.

Now,
450<X<500 and 350<Y<400
Examples of
Higher range =>490+390 = 880 (No closest: 900)
Lower range =>460+360 = 820 (No closest: 800 )
Not sufficient
Ans: E

9.
Is 1 / p > r/(r2 + 2) (1) p = r (2) r > 0

You shouldn’t cross multiply because you don’t know whether p is positive or not.

(1) imagine p = r = 2

1 / p > r/(r2 + 2) becomes 1/2 > 2 / (4 + 2) or 1/2 > 1/3 … YES

Imagine p = r = –2

1 / p > r/(r2 + 2) becomes –1/2 > –2 / (4 + 2) or –1/2 > –1/3 … NOOO

NS.

(2) doesn’t talk about p … NS

Combining: p = r and both p and r are positive.

The question becomes: “Is 1/p > p / (p2 + 2) … we can cross multiply here (all values positive)

p2 + 2 > p2 or 2 > 0, which is always true. We get a confirmed YES answer.

Ans. C

Top 1% expert replies to student queries (can skip) (additional)

When we combine, we know that p=r and r is positive

Question:
Is 1/p > r/(r2 +2) ?
Is 1/r > r/(r2 + 2) ?
Since r is positive, we can multiply r to the right and (r2 +2) to the left
Is (r2 + 2) > r2?
Clearly Left Hand Side is greater than Right Hand Side.
So always YES answer to the question stem.

Ans. C

10.
Is X + Y < 1? (1) X < 8 / 9 (2) Y < 1 / 8

Combining (1) and (2) x + y < 73/72 … x + y can be 72.5 / 72 … > 1 or can be 71 / 72 … < 1. NS.
Ans. E
11.
Simplify the question to is y < 1?

(1) NS
(2) Sufficient … if y < 0, y will surely be less than 1.
Ans. B

12. Is z the median of any 3 positive integers x, y and z? (1) x < y + z (2) y = z

This is the same as asking: is z equal to the middle number of the three numbers?

Statement (1)
x<y+z
Imagine the numbers 1, 2 and 3
We know that 2 is the median
1<2+3
2<1+3
1<3+2

We see that 2 can come in place of x or y or z. So any of the three values can be the median. NS

Statement (2)
If y and z are equal, there are three possibilities:

x=y=z
We can write the three numbers as z, z, z Median = z

x<y=z
We can write the three numbers as x, z, z Median = z

x>y=z
We can write the three numbers as z, z, x Median = z

The median is z in all the cases. Sufficient. B

Top 1% expert replies to student queries (can skip) (additional)

For Statement:2

We know that y = z.

Case 1 : y = z = 5 and x = 5. In this case, median = 5 = z

Case 2 : y = z = 5 and x = 4. In this case, median = 5 = z

Case 3 : y = z = 5 and x = 6. In this case, median = 5 = z

So sufficient!
Answer is B
 13.

Even if you satisfy all the conditions from both (1) and (2), we have these 2 possibilities

–1 0 1_ 2
x z y

z lies between x and y.

OR

–1 0 1_ 2
y x z

z doesn’t lie between x and y.

Ans. E

Top 1% expert replies to student queries (can skip)

The distance between x and y is greater than the distance between x and z, means that we can have one
of the following four scenarios:
A. y--------z--x (YES case);
B. x--z--------y (YES case);
C. y--------x--z (NO case);
D. z--x--------y (NO case);

The question asks whether we have scenarios A or B (z lies between x and y).
(1) xyz<0 --> either all three are negative or any two are positive and the third one is negative.
If we place zero between y and z in case A (making y negative and x, z positive), then the answer would
be YES but if we place zero between y and x in case C, then the answer would be NO. Not sufficient.

(2) xy<0 --> x and y have opposite signs. The same here: We can place zero between y and x in case A
and the answer would be YES but we can also place zero between y and x in case C and the answer
would be NO. Not sufficient.

Statements (1)+(2) Both case A (answer YES) and case C (answer NO) satisfy the statements. Not
sufficient.
Ans. E

14.
The expression + 4)2 can be simplified to |x + 4|, and the original equation can be solved accordingly.
If |x + 4| = 3

(x + 4) = 3 or (x + 4) = –3

x = –1 or x = –7

Watch out! Although –7 is an answer choice, it is not correct. The question does not ask for the value of x,
but rather for the value of x – 4 = –7 – 4 = –11.

The correct answer is A.

 15.
mv < 0 means m and v are of opposite signs
pv < 0 means p and v are of opposite signs

mv < pv

If v is positive, we can cancel v without changing the sign, so m < p

If v is negative, we can cancel v but we have to change the sign, so m > p

(1) gives m < p, so v has to be positive.

(2) gives m is negative so v has to be positive.

Ans. D

16.

(1) INSUFFICIENT: The fact that x2 is greater than y does not tell us whether x is greater than y. For
example, if x = 3 and y = 4, then x2 = 9, which is greater than y although x itself is less than y. But if x =
5 and y = 4, then x2 = 25, which is greater than y and x itself is also greater than y.

(2) INSUFFICIENT: We can square both sides to obtain x < y2. As we saw in the examples above, it is
possible for this statement to be true whether y is less than or greater than x (just substitute x for y and
vice–versa in the examples above).

(1) AND (2) INSUFFICIENT: Taking the statements together, we know that x < y2 and y < x2, but we do
not know whether x > y. For example, if x = 3 and y = 4, both of these inequalities hold (3 < 16 and 4 <
9) and x < y. But if x = 4 and y = 3, both of these inequalities still hold (4 < 9 and 3 < 16) but now x > y.

The correct answer is E.

17.
(1) INSUFFICIENT: If x = 2 and n = 2, xn = 22 = 4. If x = 2 and n = –2, xn = 2-2 = 1/(22) = 1/4.

(2) INSUFFICIENT: If x = 2 and n = 2, xn = 22 = 4. If x = 1/2 and n = 2, xn = (1/2)2 = 1/4.

(1) AND (2) SUFFICIENT: Taken together, the statements tell us that x is greater than 1 and n is
positive. Therefore, for any value of x and for any value of n, xn will be greater than 1 and we can
answer definitively "no" to the question.

The correct answer is C.

18.
Since 35 = 243 and 36 = 729, 3x will be less than 500 only if the integer x is less than 6. So, we can
rephrase the question as follows: "Is x < 6?"

(1) INSUFFICIENT: We can solve the inequality for x.

4x-1 < 4x – 120
4x-1 – 4x < –120
4x(4-1) – 4x < –120
4x(1/4) – 4x < –120
4x[(1/4) – 1] < –120
4x(–3/4) < –120
4x > 160

Since 43 = 64 and 44 = 256, x must be greater than 3. However, this is not enough to determine if x < 6.

x could be 4, 5, 6, 7 … anything
(2) INSUFFICIENT: If x2 = 36, then x = 6 or –6. Again, this is not enough to determine if x < 6.

(1) AND (2) SUFFICIENT: Statement (1) tells us that x > 3 and statement (2) tells us that
x = 6 or –6. Therefore, we can conclude that x = 6.
This is sufficient to answer the question "Is x < 6?" (Recall that the answer "no" is sufficient.)

The correct answer is C

19.
(1) SUFFICIENT: Statement (1) tells us that x > 234, so we want to prove that 234 > 1010. We'll prove
this by manipulating the expression 234.
234 = (24)(230) 234 = 16(210)3

Now 210 = 1024, and 1024 is greater than 103. Therefore:

234> 16(103)3 234 > 16(109) 234 > 1.6(1010).

Since 234 > 1.6(1010) and 1.6(1010) > 1010, then 234 > 1010.

(2) SUFFICIENT: Statement (2) tells us that that x = 235, so we need to determine if
235 > 1010. Statement (1) showed that 234 > 1010, therefore 235 > 1010.

The correct answer is D.

Top 1% expert replies to student queries (can skip) (additional)

20.
X–2Y < –6

Multiply by a –ve sign to change the sign

–X + 2Y > 6

Combined with X – Y > –2, we get

X – Y > –2 means X > Y – 2

–X + 2Y > 6

we get Y > 4

Substitute Y > 4 in the first, we get X > 2

Therefore, XY > 0

Answer is C

Alternate Solution from GMATCLUB

21.
Question: Do x and y have the opposite signs?

(1) INSUFFICIENT:
y = x4 – x3

If x = 2, y is +ve, and xy is +ve

If x = –2, y is positive, and xy is –ve
NS

(2) INSUFFICIENT:
–12y2 – y2x + x2y2 > 0
y2(–12 – x + x2) > 0
y2(x2 – x – 12) > 0
y2(x + 3)(x – 4) > 0
y2(x + 3)(x – 4) > 0 is satisfied if x = 5, and y +ve … xy = +ve
y2(x + 3)(x – 4) > 0 is also satisfied if x = 5, and y –ve … xy = –ve
NS
The correct answer is E.

Top 1% expert replies to student queries (can skip):

Why is Statement 2 insufficient?

12y^2 – y^2x + x^2y^2 > 0

= y^2 ( -12 -X + X^2 ) > 0

= y^2 ( X^2 -X -12 ) > 0
= y^2 { (X-4) (X+3) } > 0

When X=4 then XY = 0.

Therefore, X cannot be 4
Plug-in values depend on the conditions of the question as well (not just the values that you
mentioned), here we have to plug-in x=4, x>4 (so consider x=5) and x<0.
When X = 5 then y^2 { (X-4) (X+3) } = y^2 * 8 ; X is +ve and Y can be +ve or - ve
When X = -4 then y^2 { (X-4) (X+3) } = y^2 * 8 ; X is -ve and Y can be +ve or - ve

Statement 2 is insufficient.

y2(x + 3)(x – 4) > 0 or (x + 3)(x – 4) > 0 or [(x – (–3)][(x – 4)] > 0. x > 4 OR x < –3. This is obviously not
enough to determine the sign of x. The sign of y is anyway not determinable.

The correct answer is E.

Top 1% expert replies to student queries (can skip) (additional)

Query: How did we get values of x for which (x+3)(x+4) > 0 inequality is satisfied ?
Reply: We have (x+3)(x-4) > 0

For now, forget the inequality sign. What are the roots of the equation: (x+3)(x-4) = 0? Roots are x = -3
and x = 4. So the sign changes in the expression (x+3)(x-4) will happen around these points.

If x < -3,

(x+3) < 0 and (x-4) < 0. so (x+3)(x-4) > 0 [two negative numbers when multiplied give a positive result]

If -3 < x < 4,

(x+3) > 0 and (x-4) < 0. so (x+3)(x-4) < 0 [one positive and one negative number when multiplied give a
negative result]

If x > 4,

(x+3) > 0 and (x-4) > 0. so (x+3)(x-4) > 0 [two positive numbers when multiplied give a positive result]

So the solution to the inequality is: x<-3 and x > 4.

22.
(1) SUFFICIENT: We can combine the given inequality r + s > 2t with the first statement by adding the
two inequalities:

r + s > 2t
t>s
r + s + t > 2t +s
r>t

(2) SUFFICIENT: We can combine the given inequality r + s > 2t with the second statement by adding
the two inequalities:

r + s > 2t
r>s
2r + s > 2t + s
2r > 2t
r>t

The correct answer is D.

Alternate Solution from GMATCLUB

‘23.

From (1) or (2), we get p is –ve and q and r are positive.

Q. Is pqr < p?
We know that p is negative
Cancel but also change the sign
Q. Is qr > 1?
We know q and r are positive.
Take q = r = 2, we get qr = 4 > 1
Take q = r = 1/2, we get qr = 1/4 < 1
Answer. E

24.
0.04 = 1/25 = 5-2
We can rewrite the question in the following way: "Is 5 n < 5-2?"

OR "Is n < – 2"?

(1) SUFFICIENT: Let's simplify (or rephrase) the inequality given in this statement.

(1/5)n > 25
(1/5)n > 52
5-n > 52
 –n > 2
n < –2 (recall that the inequality sign flips when dividing by a negative number)

This is sufficient to answer our rephrased question.

(2) INSUFFICIENT: n3 will be smaller than n2 if n is either a negative number or a fraction between 0 and
1. We cannot tell if n is smaller than –2.

The correct answer is A.

Top 1% expert replies to student queries (can skip)

In an inequality equation, the base has to be a positive integer to strike out bases and reduce the equation
to their powers. e.g 2^x > 2^3, therefore x>3(strike out the bases 2^x > 2^3).
Let's consider x=4 (because x>3).
This will satisfy the equation 2^x > 2^3
2^4 > 2^3
16>8 Correct.

In an inequality equation, if the base is a fraction between 0 and 1, then we cannot strike out the bases and
reduce the equation to their powers. e.g. we cannot write (1/2)^x > (1/2)^3 as x>3 (we can't strike out the
bases (1/2)^x > (1/2)^3

Because, this will not satisfy the equation: Let's consider x=4 (because x>3).
This will not satisfy the equation (1/2)^x > (1/2)^3 --> (1/2)^x > (1/2)^3 -->(1/16)>(1/8)--> Incorrect

Lets consider n=1 (because (n>-2)), then the equation becomes (1/5)^1 > (1/5)^-2 --> (1/5) >25-->
Incorrect.
The correct answer is A.

Summary: In an inequality equation, you have to convert the base to positive integers to strike out the
base and reduce the equation to their powers.

25.
The question can first be rewritten as “Is p(pq) > q(pq)?”

If pq is negative, and p is negative, we know that q is positive.

We can cancel pq and change the direction of the inequality sign and the question becomes:

“Is p < q?”

If p is –ve and q is +ve, so p < q

The correct answer is C.

26.
We can rephrase the question: "Is m – n > 0?"

(1) INSUFFICIENT: If we solve this inequality for m – n, we get m – n < 2. This does not answer the
question "Is m – n > 0?".

(2) SUFFICIENT: If we solve this inequality for m – n, we get m – n < –2. This answers the question "Is
m – n > 0?" with an absolute NO.

The correct answer is B.

Alternate sol from gmatclub (additional)

27.

(1) INSUFFICIENT: We can substitute 2p for q in the inequality in the question: 3p > 22p.
This can be simplified to 3p > (22)p or 3p > 4p.

If p > 0, 3p < 4p (for example 32 < 42 and 30.5 < 40.5)

If p < 0, 3p > 4p (for example 3-1 > 4-1)

So the question becomes: is p < 0?

(2) INSUFFICIENT: This tells us nothing about p.

(1) AND (2) SUFFICIENT: If q > 0, then p is also greater than zero since p = q/2 = +ve / 2 = +ve.

If p > 0, then 3p < 4p. The answer to the question is a definite NO.

The correct answer is C.

28.

Simplify the question

Cancel m (as m and p are both positive)

The question becomes: is p > 1?

If we combine, we get 0 < p < 1, So we get a confirmed NO answer.

Ans. C
Top 1% expert replies to student queries (can skip)

Plug-in Method:
Solved by plugging in some values -
If m > p > 0
Let, 2 > 1 > 0
So, mp = 2 and m = 2
Now, mp is not greater than m
Again -
If m > p > 0
Let, 3 > 2 > 0
So, mp = 6 and m = 3
Now, mp is greater than m
Thus option (1) alone can not be used...
From (2) we get nothing -
Using (1) and (2)
If If m > p > 0 and p < 1
Let, 1/3 > 1/2 > 0
So, mp = 1/6 and m = 1/3
Thus , mp will always be greater than m
So, BOTH statements (1) and (2) TOGETHER are sufficient to answer the question asked, but NEITHER
statement ALONE is sufficient to answer the question asked to solve this question..
Answer will be (C)

Conceptual method:
There are some great takeaways on number properties in this question. Let's look at them:
Question: Is mp greater than m?
Forget greater, think less because it is less intuitive so there will be fewer cases to worry about. When
will the product of 2 numbers be less than one of them? Two simple cases we can think of are 6*(1/2) =
3 or 6*(-3) = -18.
(One number is greater than 1 and the other is less than 1, one number is positive and the other is
negative)
Numbers between 0 to 1 when multiplied to positive numbers, make the product smaller.
Numbers between 0 to 1 when multiplied to negative numbers, make the product greater because the
product becomes 'less negative'.
Negative numbers when multiplied to positive numbers make the product smaller (negative).
Now go on to the statements:
(1) m > p > 0
This only tells us that both the numbers are positive. We don't know whether p is less than 1 or greater
than 1. Not sufficient.
(2) p is less than 1
If p is less than 1, it will make the product mp less than m if m is positive. But if m is negative, the
product will become greater. Not sufficient.
Using both, given that m is positive and p is less than 1, we can say that the product mp will be less than
m. Hence, together both the statements are sufficient.
Answer (C)

Algebraic method:
The question (mp>m?) can be rephrased as "Is or which is the same as asking
whether m have the same sign?"
(1) Not sufficient. In order to know the sign of we have to know whether p is greater or less than 1.
(2) Not sufficient. We know nothing about m.
(1) and (2): Now we know for sure that m is negative. Hence,
>0 or (mp) is not >m. This gives a definite NO.
Sufficient.
Answer C
 Top 1% expert replies to student queries (can skip) (additional)

So we need to check if m(p-1) > 0

Statement 1:

m>p>0

Case 1: m = 5, p = 2 . In this case, m(p-1) = 5 * 1 = 5 > 0

Case 2: m = 5, p = 0.5 . In this case, m(p-1) = 5 * (-0.5) = -2.5 < 0

Since we do not have a conclusive answer, statement 1 is insufficient.

Statement 2 :

p < 1.

So (p-1) < 0

But we do not know m's sign. If m > 0, then m(p-1) < 0 and if m < 0, then m(p-1) > 0. Insufficient!

Combining the two,

m > p > 0 and p < 1.

So, 1 > p > 0 OR p lies between 0 and 1. So (p-1) < 0.

We also know that m > 0.

So m(p-1) = positive * negative < 0. Sufficient!

The answer is C.

29.

Given equation can be written as: is x 2 – 2x + 3y > 0?

(1) 2x–3y = –2

The given equation becomes x2 – (2x – 3y) = x^2 + 2, which is always > 0 … (SUFF)

(2) x > 2 and y > 0

Given equation can be written as x(x – 2) + 3y, which is also always > 0, if x > 2 and y > 0.

Sufficient

Answer D.
30.

Ans. A
(Mods / Absolute Values) – Solutions

1.
The quick way to approach will be pick a number x < 0.
Let’s pick –5. So, we know x = –5.
– –(–5)|– –(–5) = –x so Answer A.

Shortcut: Seemingly the answer can be only x or –x … but the square root can’t be negative … if x is
given to be negative, –x will be positive. So, the answer has to be –x.

2.

As the value of |x| is never negative, we may rephrase the question as: “Is y – z > 0?”.
(1) gives y – z = –x NS
(2) gives x < 0 NS
Combine y – z > 0 Ans.
YES
Ans. C

3.
x² – 8x + 21 = |x – 4| + 5
x² – 8x + 16 = |x – 4|
(x – 4)(x – 4) = |x – 4|
(x – 4)² = |x – 4|
There are only three solutions to y2 = |y| … y = 0, 1 and –1
So, x – 4 = –1, 0, or 1 x = 3, 4, or 5
These make a right–angled triangle. Ans. C

4.

As square roots cannot be negative, the question reduces to: “Is 3 – x > 0?”
(1) x
If x = 2, 3 – x is positive
If x = 4, 3 – x is negative
So, NS
(2) –x |x| > 0 means x is negative so 3 – x is positive … Suff.
Ans. B
2
OR if we take x – = –y? Or Is |y| = –y Or is y negative?

(1) If x = 2, 3 – x is positive means y is negative

If x = 4, 3 – x is negative means y is positive
So, NS

(2) –x |x| > 0 means x is negative so 3 – x is positive so y is negative. … Suff.

5. A, B, C will give infinite graphs. D will give a graph that will consist of two line segments …

–5________–2 0 2________5

The highlighted portion above gives the graph for D.

– – 3 … this will be a
single finite line (line segment).

–2/3______0_______+2/3

Top 1% expert replies to student queries (can skip)

gives

This images could help:

A. x^4 >= 1 --> or

B. x^3 <= 27 -->

C. x^2 >= 16 --> or

D. 2 <= |x| <= 5 --> or

E. 2 <= 3x+4 <= 6 --> -->

OR

The key words in the stem are: "a single line segment of finite length"

Now, answer choices A, B, and C can not be correct answers as solutions sets for these
exponential functions are not limited at all (>= for even powers and <= for odd power) and
thus cannot be finite (x can go to + or -infinity for A and C and x can got to -infinity for B).
As for D: We have that absolute value of x is between two positive values, thus the solution
set for x (because of absolute value) will be two line segments which will be mirror images of
each other.

Answer: E.

6.

(1) INSUFFICIENT: We know that the sum of x and y is 20. Here are two possible scenarios, yielding
different answers to the question:
X y Sum Average of x and |y|
10 10 20 10
25 –5 20 15

(2) INSUFFICIENT: We know that |x + y| = 20. The same scenarios listed for statement (1) still apply
here. There is more than one possible value for the average of x and |y|,
(1) AND (2) INSUFFICIENT: We still have the same scenarios listed above. Since there is more than
one possible value for the average of x and |y|, both statements taken together are NOT sufficient.
The correct answer is E.

Top 1% expert replies to student queries (can skip)

1. if x=30 and y=-10, then average of x and |y| is (x + |y|)/2, i.e {30 +|-10|} / 2 =30+10 /2 =20

2. On the GMAT, the radical sign always indicates the positive square root, but a squared variable
has both positive and negative roots.
E.g.
i.e. = 5 (not -5)
but
if (x)^2 = 25, then x can be both 5 and -5.
The correct answer is E.

7.
If a – b = x, the question becomes
Is 1/x < –x
This is valid only if x is negative.
Substitute x as –ve / 0 / +ve to verify.
So, the question becomes: is x negative?

(1) if a < b, a – b < 0 or x < 0, sufficient.

(2) |a – b| > 1 means |x| > 1, so x can be 2 or –2, so x can be positive or negative. NS
Ans. A

8.
We can rephrase the question: “Is –1 < x < 1?”

(1) |a| = |b| means a = b or a = –b. So, we have

x + 1 = 2(x – 1) or x = 3

OR

x + 1 = 2[–(x – 1)] or x = 1/3.

If x = 1/3, |x| < 1, but if x = 3, |x| > 1. Thus, we cannot answer the question.

(2) INSUFFICIENT: |x – Refer to the concepts.

This does not answer the question as to whether x is between –1 and 1. x could be ½ and |x| < 1 or x could be
10 and |x| > 1.

(1) AND (2) SUFFICIENT: According to statement (1), x can be 3 or 1/3.

According to statement (2), x cannot be 3. Thus, using both statements, we know that x = 1/3 which IS
between –1 and 1.
Ans. C
Alternate sol from gmatclub (additional)

9.

You may try (a, b) as (2, 1), (–2, –1) and (–2, 1) … you will see that |a| + |b| > |a + b| is true only for
(–2, 1).

So, for |a| + |b| > |a + b| to be true, a and b must have opposite signs. If a and b have the same signs
(i.e. both positive or both negative), the expressions on either side of the inequality will be the same.
The question is really asking if a and b have opposite signs.

(1) INSUFFICIENT: This tells us that |a| > |b|. This implies nothing about the signs of a and b.

(2) INSUFFICIENT: Since the absolute value of a is always positive, this tells us that b < 0. Since we
don't know the sign of a, we can't answer the question.

(1) AND (2) INSUFFICIENT: We know the sign of b from statement 2 but statement 1 does not tell us
the sign of a. For example, if b = –4, a could be 5 or –5.

The correct answer is E

10. Assume a number line with a, y, z, b in the increasing order as plotted below:

a y z b
D1 D2 D3

|y – a| = distance between y and a = D1

|z – y| = distance between z and y = D2
|z – b| = distance between z and b = D3

We also know that D1, D2, D3 are all positive.

So, the question translates to: “Is D1 < D2 + D3?”

(1) gives D1 + D2 < D3 so D1 < D3 – D2 … this automatically means D1 < D3 + D2 … sufficient.

(imagine 1 < 5 – 3 … so obviously 1 < 5 + 3)

(2) gives D1 < D3 … this automatically means D1 < D2 + D3 … sufficient.

(imagine 1 < 2 … so obviously 1 < 2 + 3)

Ans. D

11.

(1)
Let’s take (x, y) as (4, 2) … we get 2 = 2 … so we get NO for the main question.

Let’s take (x, y) as (4, –2) … we get 6 > 2 … so we get YES for the main question.

Not sufficient.

(2) means x and y are of opposite signs.

In this case, |x – y| will result in addition of x and y (overall positive sign) but |x| – |y| will result in a
subtraction of 2 positive quantities … hence LHS will always be bigger than RHS.

Take all possible cases

(1, –2) we get 3 > –1
(2, –1) we get 3 > 1
(–1, 2) we get 3 > –1
(–2, 1) we get 3 > 1.

Sufficient … Ans. B
Top 1% expert replies to student queries (can skip)

12. Assume ab = x, so |x| > x, means x is negative.

So, |ab| > ab, ab must be negative.

We can rephrase this question: "Is ab < 0?"

I. UNCERTAIN: We know nothing about the sign of b.

II. UNCERTAIN: We know nothing about the sign of a.

III. TRUE: This answers the question directly.

The correct answer is C.

13.

14.
We can rephrase the question by manipulating it algebraically:
(|x-1 * y-1|)–1 > xy
(|1/x * 1/y|)-1 > xy
(|1/xy|)-1 > xy
1/(|1/(xy)|) > xy

Is |xy| > xy? If xy = z, then this is asking, is |z| > z? Or is z negative?

Or is xy < 0? Or do x and y have opposite signs?

(1) SUFFICIENT: If xy > 1, xy is definitely positive. Confirmed NO

(2) INSUFFICIENT: x2 > y2

Algebraically, this inequality reduces to |x| > |y|. This tells us nothing about the sign of x and y. They could
have the same signs or opposite signs.

The correct answer is A

15.

x / |x| = 1 if x is positive and x/ |x| = –1 if x is negative.

x > x / |x| means

x > 1 if x is positive … let’s say x = 2, 3, 4 …

and

x > –1 if x is negative … so –1 < x < 0, if x is negative. For example, x = –1/2. Note the range can’t be
beyond 0.

(1) x = – ½ and x = 2 both satisfy (1) but with x = – ½, |x| < 1 and with x = 2, |x| > 1 so insufficient.

(2) means x is negative. With x = – ½, |x| < 1 and with x = –2, |x| > 1 so insufficient.

Combining, x has to be negative and any value less than –1 (such as –2, –3 etc.) don’t satisfy (1), so the
combination will mean that x can lie only between –1 and 0.

–1 < x < 0. In this case, |x| < 1 always.

Ans. C

Top 1% Expert Replies to Student Queries + Sol from Gmatclub

Summary:
Range from (1): -----(-1)----(0)----(1)---- or x>1, green area;
Range from (2): -----(-1)----(0)----(1)---- x<0, blue area;
From (1) and (2): ----(-1)----(0)----(1)---- x from (1) and (2) (intersection of
ranges from (1) and (2)), red area.
Detailed explanation:

16.

The question is: “Is –4 < n < 4?” (n is not equal to 0)

(1) SUFFICIENT: The solution to this inequality is n > 4 (if n > 0) or n < –4 (if n < 0). This provides us
with enough information to guarantee that n is definitely NOT between –4 and 4. Remember that an
absolute no is sufficient!
 (2) INSUFFICIENT: n can be any negative value. This is already enough to show that the statement is
insufficient because n might not be between –4 and 4.

The correct answer is A.

17.
|x| = –x, means x is negative, |y| = –y means y is negative. So, x + y will also be negative.
Ans. B

18.
(1) Sufficient

x + 3 = 4x – 3 or x = 2 … valid solution

–(x + 3) = 4x – 3 or x = 0 … invalid solution.

We know that 2 is the only solution possible and we can say that x is definitely positive. OR

4x –

(2) INSUFFICIENT:

x – 3 = 2x – 3 so x = 0 (valid solution)

x – 3 = –(2x – 3) … x = 2 (valid solution)

Therefore, both 2 and 0 are valid solutions and we cannot determine whether x is positive, since one value
of x is zero, which is not positive, and one is positive.
The correct answer is A.

19.

Note that the question is asking for the absolute value of x rather than just the value of x. Keep this in
mind when you analyse each statement.

(1) SUFFICIENT: Since the value of x2 must be non–negative, the value of (x2 + 16) is always positive,
therefore | x2 + 16| can be written x2 +16. Using this information, we can solve for x:
| x2 + 16| – 5 = 27
x2 + 16 – 5 = 27
x2 + 11 = 27
x2 = 16
x = 4 or x = –4

Since |–4| = |4| = 4, we know that |x| = 4; this statement is sufficient.

(2) SUFFICIENT:
x2 = 8x – 16
x2 – 8x + 16 = 0
(x – 4)2 = 0
(x – 4)(x – 4) = 0
x=4

Therefore, |x| = 4; this statement is sufficient. The correct answer is D.

20.
We may write r2 = |r| * |r|
And as r isn’t 0, |r| will always be positive
So, we can cancel |r| from numerator and denominator
So, the question becomes: Is |r| < 1?

(1) r can be –1/2 or 10, so |r| can be 1/2 and 10 … NS

(2) r can be 1/2 or –10, so |r| can be 1/2 and 10 … NS

(1) AND (2) SUFFICIENT: –1 < r < 1, so |r| < 1 always

The correct answer is C.

Alternate sol from gmatclub (additional)

21.
(1) INSUFFICIENT:

–4 < x + 3 < 4

Subtract 3

–7 < x < 1

(2) INSUFFICIENT:

–4 < x – 3 < 4

Add 3

–1 < x < 7

If we combine the solutions from statements (1) and (2) we get an overlapping range of –1 < x < 1.
We still can’t tell whether x is positive.
The correct answer is E.

Top 1% expert replies to student queries (can skip) (additional)

Question: Is x positive?

When |x| <1

=>-1<x<1 (explained in the basic videos)
Statement 1: so, when |x+3|<4
=> -4 < (x+3) <4
=> -7< x < 1
(x can be positive or negative)
Not Sufficient

Similarly for Statement 2: -4< (x-3)<4

=> -1< x <7
(x can be positive or negative)
Not sufficient

Combining (we want those values of x which satisfies both inequalities; hence we need intersection
of both the solutions)

-7——————— {(-1) ————— 1} —————-7

The common solution would be -1 < x <1

Again, x can be positive or negative. (We are combining 2 ranges not 4)
The correct answer is E.

22.
(1) |3x – 7| = 2x + 2

So, either 3x – 7 = 2x + 2 or 3x – 7 = – (2x+2), so x may be 1 or 9.

ossible to answer the

original question using statement one, alone.

(2) x2 NOT
possible to answer the original question using statement two, alone.

(1) and (2)

3
Ans. C

23.
625 = 252, so you immediately know one of the possibilities. x could be 25, and k could be -2.
Also, notice that 25 can be factored down more. 252 = 54. So, finally, x could be 5, and k could be -4.

List all the possibilities on your paper (Note: cases like x=-5, k=-4 aren't possible since we are given that
x>k):
x = 25, k = -2
x = 625, k = -1
x = 5, k = -4
2 is the only prime value for k in our list. So, if we know that |k| is prime, then the first possibility is the only
one that works.
So, x = 25

24.

Ans. C

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After getting x = -2, Plug in the value of x in the equation to cross-verify.
| 1|= 3x + 3
| 2 1|=(3*-2) + 3
| 3|= -6 +3
| 3|= -3
'Mod' of any value cannot be zero. Hence, it is invalid.
| 3|= -3
3 = -3 (therefore, x cannot be -2)

Ans. C

25.
a b Is 1/(a–b)>ab?

Ans. E

Top 1% expert replies to student queries (can skip)

For these kinds of problems, use number plugging at one point or another.
If a is not equal to b, is 1/(a-b) > ab?
(1) |a| > |b|. This statement implies that a is further from 0 then b. We can have 4 cases:
--------0--b--a--
-----b--0-----a--
--a-----0--b-----
--a--b--0--------
For the second case the LHS is positive, while RHS is negative: 1/(a-b) > ab;
For the fourth case the LHS is negative, while RHS is positive: 1/(a-b) < ab.
Two different answers. Not sufficient.
(2) a < b --> a - b < 0. The LHS is negative:
If a=-2 and b=1, then (1/(a-b)=-1/3) > (ab=-2);
If a=-2 and b=-1, then (1/(a-b)=-1) < (ab=2).
Two different answers. Not sufficient.
(1)+(2) We can have only the third or fourth cases from (1):
--a-----0--b-----
--a--b--0--------
We can use the same example as for (2):
If a=-2 and b=1, then (1/(a-b)=-1/3) > (ab=-2);
If a=-2 and b=-1, then (1/(a-b)=-1) < (ab=2).
Two different answers. Not sufficient.
Answer: E.
26.

(1)

exclusive and collectively exhaustive cases by making use of the algebraic definition of absolute value.
Recall that |x| = x if x > 0, and |x| = –x –

Case 1
which t > s and s > q is consistent

Case 2:
= q, which is not consistent with the assumption that q, s, and t are all different
numbers. Therefore, the case for which t > s and s < q is not consistent with the given information and

Case 3: t < s and s > q.

–
numbers. Therefore, the case for which t < s and s > q is not consistent with the given information and

Case 4:
– is not consistent with the assumption that q, s, and t are all
different numbers. Therefore, the case for which t < s and s < q is not consistent with the given information
the given information and

q < s < t; SUFFICIENT.

(2)

Given that t > q, it is possible that q < s < t is true (for example, when s is between t and q) and it is possible
that q < s < t is false (for example, when s is greater than t); NOT sufficient. Ans. A

27.

Square of any number is positive (if x is positive or negative) or zero (if x is zero).
This means x^2 is positive or zero.
Denominator: -(x^2) -3 = -(positive) -3 OR -(zero) -3 = -(Positive+3) OR -(zero+3) = -positive OR -
positive = negative OR negative
Irrespective of the value of x, [-(x^2) -3] will always be negative.
28.
to 4, inclusive, is –

magnitude. This c

The correct answer is E

29.

in the set S = {±12, ±11, ±10, …, ±3, ±2, ±1, 0}.

Since 2x + y = 12, then x = (12 – is,
s all odd
integers from S, leaving only the even integers ±12, ±10, ±8, ±6, ±4, ±2, and 0. Thus, there are 13 possible
integer y–values, each with a corresponding integer x–value and, therefore, there are 13 ordered pairs (x,
y), where x and y are both integers, that solve the system.
The correct answer is D.

30. C
(1)
a = 4, b = 2, then |a| > |b|
a = 2, b = –10, then |a| < |b|
NS
(2)
a = –3, b = –4, then |a| < |b| a
= –4, b = –3, then |a| > |b|
NS

Combined:
a > b and a + b < 0
Or a – b > 0 and a + b < 0
Multiplying
a2 – b2 < 0 or a2 < b2 or |a| < |b|
SUFF

OR

Both a and b can be negative or a can be positive and b can be negative.

If a and b are both negative
We have to satisfy a > b and a + b < 0
imagine a = –3 and b = –4
then |a| < |b|
But
If a is positive and b is negative, we have to satisfy a > b and a + b < 0
Imagine a = 2 and b = –3
then also |a| < |b|
Sufficient
Ans. C

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Statement 1:
"Multiply both sides by (a - b) then (b - a)" but we don't know if these two terms are positive or
negative. We wouldn't know if the inequality should result in ">" or "<", thus we wouldn't be allowed to
"move" these terms without knowing the signs.
However, we do know (a - b) and (b - a) have OPPOSITE signs so no matter what the result
is for this expression and we get b<a.

Statement 2:
a + b < 0 -->

Combine 1 and 2:-

We may write statement 2 as b<a from statement 1 we have b which means b
must be negative.
Since a is between both b's, a's magnitude must be less than that of b, which we can translate to |a|<|b|.
Sufficient.
Ans: C