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# A bug is traveling between 2 points so that the distance...

tagged by: swerve

### Top Member

#### A bug is traveling between 2 points so that the distance...

A bug is traveling between 2 points so that the distance it travels every day is half of the distance it traveled the day before. If the distance between the 2 points is 14 units, how much should it travel on the first day in order to reach its destination in 3 days?

A. 4
B. 14/3
C. 6
D. 7
E. 8

The OA is E.

Please, can any expert explain this PS question for me? I can't get the correct answer. I need your help. Thanks.

### GMAT/MBA Expert

Elite Legendary Member
Joined
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Posted:
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Hi swerve,

We're told that a bug is traveling between 2 points so that the distance it travels every day is HALF of the distance it traveled the day before and that the distance between the 2 points is 14 units. We're asked how far the bug should travel on the first day in order to reach its destination in 3 days. This question can be solved by TESTing THE ANSWERS.

Let's TEST Answer D: 7 units
IF... the bug travels 7 units on the 1st day, then...
the bug travels 3.5 units on the 2nd day and...
the bug travels 1.75 units on the 3rd day.

7+3.5 + 1.75 = 12.25 units. This distance is TOO SMALL - meaning that bug has to travel FARTHER on the first day to hit 14 total units in three days. There's only one answer that fits....

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

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Contact Rich at Rich.C@empowergmat.com

### GMAT/MBA Expert

GMAT Instructor
Joined
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Posted:
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Followed by:
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swerve wrote:
A bug is traveling between 2 points so that the distance it travels every day is half of the distance it traveled the day before. If the distance between the 2 points is 14 units, how much should it travel on the first day in order to reach its destination in 3 days?

A. 4
B. 14/3
C. 6
D. 7
E. 8
We can let x = the distance the bug travels on the first day.

Day 1 = x

Day 2 = (1/2)x

Day 3 = (1/2)(1/2)x = (1/4)x

We can create the following equation:

x + (1/2)x + (1/4)x = 14

Multiplying the entire equation by 4, we have:

4x + 2x + x = 56

7x = 56

x = 8

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