Problem Solving

A square countertop has a square tile inlay in the center, leaving an untiled strip of uniform width around the tile. If the ratio of the tiled area to the total area of the countertop is 9 to 16, which of the following could be the width, in inches, of the strip?

I. 3
II. 5
III. 6

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

OA : E

manik11 wrote:A square countertop has a square tile inlay in the center, leaving an untiled strip of uniform width around the tile. If the ratio of the tiled area to the total area of the countertop is 9 to 16, which of the following could be the width, in inches, of the strip?

I. 3
II. 5
III. 6

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

OA : E

Very similar to this question here: https://www.beatthegmat.com/ds-geometry-t284497.html

The short of it: any of the above are valid: just imagine that you have a 3, 5, or 6 inch strip. Why couldn't you then simply tweak the dimensions of the inlay until you have your desired ratio? Any positive value is possible