BTGmoderatorDC wrote:A rope 40 feet long is cut into two pieces. If one piece is 18 feet longer than the other, what is the length, in feet, of the shorter piece?
(A) 9
(B) 11
(C) 18
(D) 22
(E) 29
We can also
test the answer choices
Start with the middle answer choice C
C) 18
If the shorter piece is 18 feet long, then the longer piece is 36 feet long
Sum of lengths = 18 + 36 = 54
NO GOOD. We want a sum of 40 feet (as per the question)
So, we can ELIMINATE C.
Also, since we need the two pieces to be SHORTER, we can also ELIMINATE D and E
Now try answer choice B
B) 11
If the shorter piece is 11 feet long, then the longer piece is 29 feet long
Sum of lengths = 11 + 29 = 40
PERFECT!!!
Answer: B
Cheers,
Brent
Brent Hanneson - Creator of GMATPrepNow.com
