Is this Simplified to Simplest form answer is right?

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krishdpi: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 2; Joined: Fri Oct 03, 2008 12:22 am

by krishdpi » Sat Nov 22, 2008 11:03 am

Q: If 0.56/1.26 = a/b, where a and b are positive whole numbers, what is the value of b?

(1) a = 4
(2) a/b has been simplified to simplest form

What do you think the answer is?

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Source: Beat The GMAT — Data Sufficiency | Sat Nov 22, 2008 11:03 am

Stuart@KaplanGMAT: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 3225; Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2008 2:40 pmFollowed by: 614 members; Location: Toronto; Thanked: 1710 times; GMAT Score:800

Re: Is this Simplified to Simplest form answer is right?

by Stuart@KaplanGMAT » Sat Nov 22, 2008 5:40 pm

krishdpi wrote:Q: If 0.56/1.26 = a/b, where a and b are positive whole numbers, what is the value of b?

(1) a = 4
(2) a/b has been simplified to simplest form

What do you think the answer is?

(1) if we know a, we can certainly solve for b... sufficient.

(2) a/b has been simplifed to its simplest form means that a and b are the smallest positive integers that satisfy the ratio. Since we know the ratio, it has to be possible to figure out what the smallest integers are that work... sufficient.

Each of (1) and (2) are sufficient: choose (D).

Stuart Kovinsky | Kaplan GMAT Faculty | Toronto

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cramya: Legendary Member; Posts: 2467; Joined: Thu Aug 28, 2008 6:14 pmFollowed by: 11 members; Thanked: 331 times

by cramya » Sat Nov 22, 2008 6:08 pm

2) a/b has been simplifed to its simplest form means that a and b are the smallest positive integers that satisfy the ratio. Since we know the ratio, it has to be possible to figure out what the smallest integers are that work... sufficient.

Stuart,
Could u please help me undertsand stmt II better?

I was thinking when it says 0.56/1.26 = a/b is in simplest form
then I can multiply numerator and denominator by 2 or 3 or 4 any intgeger. i.e a and b could have been any of those values before which they were simplified to the simplest form. There is more than 1 answer hence INSUFF

A)

Could u please let me know where the mistake is in my statement above?

Regards,
Cramya

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logitech: Legendary Member; Posts: 2134; Joined: Mon Oct 20, 2008 11:26 pmFollowed by: 25 members; Thanked: 237 times; GMAT Score:730

by logitech » Sat Nov 22, 2008 6:58 pm

cramya wrote:
2) a/b has been simplifed to its simplest form means that a and b are the smallest positive integers that satisfy the ratio. Since we know the ratio, it has to be possible to figure out what the smallest integers are that work... sufficient.
Stuart,
Could u please help me undertsand stmt II better?

I was thinking when it says 0.56/1.26 = a/b is in simplest form
then I can multiply numerator and denominator by 2 or 3 or 4 any intgeger. i.e a and b could have been any of those values before which they were simplified to the simplest form. There is more than 1 answer hence INSUFF

A)

Could u please let me know where the mistake is in my statement above?

Regards,
Cramya

Cramya,

a/b has been simplified to simplest form means they are both integers:

actually the simples form of a/b ( as taking a hint from statement 1) is

4/9

this expression does not get any simpler than this. so in your thinking, you are multiplying this ratio with 2 ,3 , 4 but they won't be integers until you multiplied the both sides with

4 / 0.56 = 7.143

LGTCH
---------------------
"DON'T LET ANYONE STEAL YOUR DREAM!"

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Stuart@KaplanGMAT: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 3225; Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2008 2:40 pmFollowed by: 614 members; Location: Toronto; Thanked: 1710 times; GMAT Score:800

by Stuart@KaplanGMAT » Sat Nov 22, 2008 10:31 pm

cramya wrote:
2) a/b has been simplifed to its simplest form means that a and b are the smallest positive integers that satisfy the ratio. Since we know the ratio, it has to be possible to figure out what the smallest integers are that work... sufficient.
Stuart,
Could u please help me undertsand stmt II better?

I was thinking when it says 0.56/1.26 = a/b is in simplest form
then I can multiply numerator and denominator by 2 or 3 or 4 any intgeger. i.e a and b could have been any of those values before which they were simplified to the simplest form. There is more than 1 answer hence INSUFF

A)

Could u please let me know where the mistake is in my statement above?

Regards,
Cramya

Don't forget, we know from the stem that a and b are both positive whole numbers, so the "simplest form" will be the smallest positive whole numbers that satisfy the ratio.

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cramya: Legendary Member; Posts: 2467; Joined: Thu Aug 28, 2008 6:14 pmFollowed by: 11 members; Thanked: 331 times

by cramya » Sun Nov 23, 2008 4:21 am

Thanks Stuart and Logitech!

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