Probability Problem

This topic has expert replies
Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
Posts: 16
Joined: Fri Mar 28, 2008 6:01 am
Thanked: 1 times

Probability Problem

by richs_ca » Fri May 02, 2008 11:17 am
In a survey of students, each student selected from a list of 12 songs the 2 that the student liked best. If each song was selected 4 times, how many students were surveyed?

a) 96
b) 48
c) 32
d) 24
e) 18

I don't even know where to start!

Thanks
Source: — Problem Solving |

User avatar
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 423
Joined: Thu Dec 27, 2007 1:29 am
Location: Hyderabad, India
Thanked: 36 times
Followed by:2 members
GMAT Score:770

by simplyjat » Fri May 02, 2008 11:20 am
Total number of songs = 12
Each song was selected 4 times, so total selections = 12*4 = 48
One student can select 2 songs, so number of students = 48/2 = 24
simplyjat

Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 35
Joined: Wed May 21, 2008 10:37 am
Location: Chicago
Thanked: 3 times
GMAT Score:700

by chipjet » Fri Jun 13, 2008 12:49 pm
The best approach to this is to think what exactly is happening. If each student (x) gets to pick 2 songs each, that product can be divided by 12 to get to 4.

In a formula:
(2x)/12 = 4

Solve for x = 24