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manik11 Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Joined
07 Dec 2011
Posted:
113 messages
3
Thu Nov 12, 2015 7:46 am
GMATGuruNY wrote:
This is a mixture problem.
An average of 40 and an average of 60 are being mixed to yield an average of 56 in the first case and of 52 in the second case.
To determine the ratio of apples to oranges in each case, use ALLIGATION.
Mitch,
Could you please post links to some problems, which can be solved using ALLIGATION method.
I want to familiarize myself with different situations in which I can use this method.

Thanks!
Manik

### GMAT/MBA Expert

DavidG@VeritasPrep Legendary Member
Joined
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Posted:
2453 messages
Followed by:
115 members
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GMAT Score:
770
Thu Nov 12, 2015 4:22 pm
manik11 wrote:
GMATGuruNY wrote:
This is a mixture problem.
An average of 40 and an average of 60 are being mixed to yield an average of 56 in the first case and of 52 in the second case.
To determine the ratio of apples to oranges in each case, use ALLIGATION.
Mitch,
Could you please post links to some problems, which can be solved using ALLIGATION method.
I want to familiarize myself with different situations in which I can use this method.

Thanks!
Manik
See here: http://www.beatthegmat.com/seed-mixture-t21603.html
And here: http://www.beatthegmat.com/managers-and-directors-t38687.html
And here: http://gmatclub.com/forum/during-a-certain-season-a-team-won-80-percent-of-its-first-144454.html

_________________
Veritas Prep | GMAT Instructor

Veritas Prep Reviews
Save \$100 off any live Veritas Prep GMAT Course

Thanked by: manik11
Enroll in a Veritas Prep GMAT class completely for FREE. Wondering if a GMAT course is right for you? Attend the first class session of an actual GMAT course, either in-person or live online, and see for yourself why so many students choose to work with Veritas Prep. Find a class now!

### GMAT/MBA Expert

GMATGuruNY GMAT Instructor
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Thu Nov 12, 2015 3:29 am
datonman wrote:
At a certain fruit stand, the price of each apple is 40 cents and the price of each orange is 60 cents. Mary selects a total of 10 apples and oranges from the fruit stand, and the average (arithmetic mean) price of the 10 pieces of fruit is 56 cents. How many oranges must Mary put back so that the average price of the pieces of fruit that she keeps is 52 cents?

(A) 1
(B) 2
(C) 3
(D) 4
(E) 5
An alternate approach is to PLUG IN THE ANSWERS, which represent the number of oranges that must be put back.
Before any oranges are put back, the total cost of the 10 pieces of fruit = 10*56 = 560.
When the correct answer choice is plugged in, the average cost will decrease to 52 cents.

Answer choice D: 4 oranges put back
Resulting total cost after 4 60-cent oranges are put back = 560 - (4*60) = 320.
Average price of the remaining 6 pieces of fruit = 320/6 = 53+.
The average price is too high.
Eliminate D.

Since oranges are more expensive than apples, the average price will decrease to 52 cents only if MORE oranges are put back.

Answer choice E: 5 oranges put back
Resulting total cost after 5 60-cent oranges are put back = 560 - (5*60) = 260.
Average price of the remaining 5 pieces of fruit = 260/5 = 52.
Success!

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GMATGuruNY GMAT Instructor
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Thu Nov 12, 2015 3:15 am
Quote:
At a certain fruit stand, the price of each apple is 40 cents and the price of each orange is 60 cents. Mary selects a total of 10 apples and oranges from the fruit stand, and the average (arithmetic mean) price of the 10 pieces of fruit is 56 cents. How many oranges must Mary put back so that the average price of the pieces of fruit that she keeps is 52 cents?

(A) 1
(B) 2
(C) 3
(D) 4
(E) 5
Alternate approach:

The original total cost of the 10 pieces of fruit = 10*56 = 560.
According to the answers, after 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 pieces are removed -- so that 9, 8, 7, 6, or 5 pieces remain -- the average cost decreases to 52.
Since the prices are each a multiple of 10, the new total cost after the oranges are removed must also be a multiple of 10.
Only the option in red -- implying 5 remaining pieces of fruit -- will yield a new total cost that is a multiple of 10:
5*52 = 260.

_________________
Mitch Hunt
GMAT Private Tutor
GMATGuruNY@gmail.com
If you find one of my posts helpful, please take a moment to click on the "Thank" icon.
Available for tutoring in NYC and long-distance.

Free GMAT Practice Test How can you improve your test score if you don't know your baseline score? Take a free online practice exam. Get started on achieving your dream score today! Sign up now.

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