BREAKING: Target Test Prep releases Brand New 2026 On Demand GMAT prep course

Redeem
TTP OnDemand GMAT Video Course
Featured Course

Target Test Prep GMAT OnDemand

Scott Woodbury-Stewart’s private virtual classroom — 400 hours of master-class video lessons for the GMAT Focus Edition.

  • 715+ score guarantee — highest in the industry (99th percentile)
  • 52 chapters · 1,500+ lessons · 4,000+ practice questions
  • 400 hours of video · 1,500+ instructor-led HD smartboard lessons
  • 300,000+ students accepted to Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, Booth & Sloan & more
  • 24/7 live support + weekly Zoom office hours with GMAT instructors
  • TTP AI Assist — 24/7 AI-powered virtual tutor for instant help
  • 1,200+ flashcards + AI-powered study assistant & daily calendar
  • OnDemand, LiveTeach & GMAT Bootcamp formats available
  • Also: GRE, SAT Math & Executive Assessment courses
  • MBA Admissions Consulting now available
  • 🏆 2025 EdTech Breakthrough Award: Test Prep Solution Provider of the Year
  • 200,000+ students served
  • 5-day free trial — $0 to start, no auto-billing, cancel anytime
★★★★★ 5.0 (559 reviews)
130-pt guarantee
$0 to start then $127/mo
Start Free 5-Day Trial Read 559 Reviews →

allowed to enter 3

Expert replies
Post new topic Post Reply
Previous Topic Next Topic
User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 3650
Joined: Wed Jan 21, 2009 4:27 amFollowed by: 80 members
Location: India
Thanked: 267 times
GMAT Score:760
by sanju09 » Thu Mar 22, 2012 1:36 am
For a certain race, 3 teams were allowed to enter 3 members each. A team earned 6 - n points whenever one of its members finished in nth place, where 1 ≤ n ≤ 5, there were no ties, disqualifications, or withdrawals. If no team earned more than 6 points, what is the least possible score a team could have earned?
(A) 0
(B) 1
(C) 2
(D) 3
(E) 4


[spoiler]OA D[/spoiler]
Last edited by sanju09 on Fri Mar 23, 2012 1:41 am, edited 1 time in total.
The mind is everything. What you think you become. -Lord Buddha



Sanjeev K Saxena
Quantitative Instructor
The Princeton Review - Manya Abroad
Lucknow-226001

www.manyagroup.com
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Source: — Problem Solving |

GMAT/MBA Expert

User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 3835
Joined: Fri Apr 02, 2010 10:00 pmFollowed by: 523 members
Location: Milpitas, CA
Thanked: 1854 times
GMAT Score:770

by Anurag@Gurome » Thu Mar 22, 2012 2:26 am
sanju09 wrote:For a certain race, 3 teams were allowed to enter 3 members each. A team earned 6 - n points whenever one of its members finished in nth place, where 1 ≤ n ≤ 5, there were no ties, disqualifications, or withdrawals. If no team earned more than 5 points, what is the least possible score a team could have earned?
(A) 0
(B) 1
(C) 2
(D) 3
(E) 4
1 ≤ n ≤ 5
At the 1st place, n = 1, team earned 6 - 1 = 5 points
At the 2nd place, n = 2, team earned 6 - 2 = 4 points
At the 3rd place, n = 3, team earned 6 - 3 = 3 points
At the 4th place, n = 4, team earned 6 - 4 = 2 points
At the 5th place, n = 5, team earned 6 - 5 = 1 point

Therefore, total # of points earned = 5 + 4 + 3 + 2 + 1 = 15
Noe let us assign maximum possible scores to first two teams, so that the remaining scores is for the 3rd team.
So, possible scores for first two teams = 5 + 5 = 10 points
Hence scores for the third team = 15 - 10 = 5 points, which is not given in the present options.

If the question is: If no team earned more than 6 points, what is the least possible score a team could have earned?, then the maximum possible score for the first two teams = 6 + 6 = 12
So, the least score for the third team = 15 - 12 = 3 points
In that case, the answer would have been D.
Last edited by Anurag@Gurome on Thu Mar 22, 2012 2:53 am, edited 1 time in total.
Anurag Mairal, Ph.D., MBA
GMAT Expert, Admissions and Career Guidance
Gurome, Inc.
1-800-566-4043 (USA)

Join Our Facebook Groups
GMAT with Gurome
https://www.facebook.com/groups/272466352793633/
Admissions with Gurome
https://www.facebook.com/groups/461459690536574/
Career Advising with Gurome
https://www.facebook.com/groups/360435787349781/
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Legendary Member
Posts: 581
Joined: Sun Apr 03, 2011 7:53 amFollowed by: 5 members
Thanked: 52 times

by killer1387 » Thu Mar 22, 2012 2:35 am
@Anurag:

thanx for the clarifying,
I solved and ended up with each team scoring 5 as none of the other configurations were possible,
But none of options contained 5.
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY

GMAT/MBA Expert

User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 3835
Joined: Fri Apr 02, 2010 10:00 pmFollowed by: 523 members
Location: Milpitas, CA
Thanked: 1854 times
GMAT Score:770

by Anurag@Gurome » Thu Mar 22, 2012 2:43 am
killer1387 wrote:@Anurag:

thanx for the clarifying,
I solved and ended up with each team scoring 5 as none of the other configurations were possible,
But none of options contained 5.
You are welcome!
Anurag Mairal, Ph.D., MBA
GMAT Expert, Admissions and Career Guidance
Gurome, Inc.
1-800-566-4043 (USA)

Join Our Facebook Groups
GMAT with Gurome
https://www.facebook.com/groups/272466352793633/
Admissions with Gurome
https://www.facebook.com/groups/461459690536574/
Career Advising with Gurome
https://www.facebook.com/groups/360435787349781/
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 3650
Joined: Wed Jan 21, 2009 4:27 amFollowed by: 80 members
Location: India
Thanked: 267 times
GMAT Score:760

by sanju09 » Thu Mar 22, 2012 2:51 am
Anurag@Gurome wrote:
sanju09 wrote:For a certain race, 3 teams were allowed to enter 3 members each. A team earned 6 - n points whenever one of its members finished in nth place, where 1 ≤ n ≤ 5, there were no ties, disqualifications, or withdrawals. If no team earned more than 5 points, what is the least possible score a team could have earned?
(A) 0
(B) 1
(C) 2
(D) 3
(E) 4
1 ≤ n ≤ 5
At the 1st place, n = 1, team earned 6 - 1 = 5 points
At the 1st place, n = 2, team earned 6 - 2 = 4 points
At the 1st place, n = 3, team earned 6 - 3 = 3 points
At the 1st place, n = 4, team earned 6 - 4 = 2 points
At the 1st place, n = 5, team earned 6 - 5 = 1 point

Therefore, total # of points earned = 5 + 4 + 3 + 2 + 1 = 15
Noe let us assign maximum possible scores to first two teams, so that the remaining scores is for the 3rd team.
So, possible scores for first two teams = 5 + 5 = 10 points
Hence scores for the third team = 15 - 10 = 5 points, which is not given in the present options.

If the question is: If no team earned more than 6 points, what is the least possible score a team could have earned?, then the maximum possible score for the first two teams = 6 + 6 = 12
So, the least score for the third team = 15 - 12 = 3 points
In that case, the answer would have been D.
Supplied answer is [spoiler]D[/spoiler]; and the correct wordings are "If no team earned more than 6 points, what is the least possible score a team could have earned?" But, Anurag! Is it just me not getting your explanation or the class is par excellence with both the question and your explanation? Please steer or recommend me take rest.
The mind is everything. What you think you become. -Lord Buddha



Sanjeev K Saxena
Quantitative Instructor
The Princeton Review - Manya Abroad
Lucknow-226001

www.manyagroup.com
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY

GMAT/MBA Expert

User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 3835
Joined: Fri Apr 02, 2010 10:00 pmFollowed by: 523 members
Location: Milpitas, CA
Thanked: 1854 times
GMAT Score:770

by Anurag@Gurome » Thu Mar 22, 2012 2:54 am
sanju09 wrote: Supplied answer is [spoiler]D[/spoiler]; and the correct wordings are "If no team earned more than 6 points, what is the least possible score a team could have earned?" But, Anurag! Is it just me not getting your explanation or the class is par excellence with both the question and your explanation? Please steer or recommend me take rest.
Thanks for pointing that, I have edited my reply.
Anurag Mairal, Ph.D., MBA
GMAT Expert, Admissions and Career Guidance
Gurome, Inc.
1-800-566-4043 (USA)

Join Our Facebook Groups
GMAT with Gurome
https://www.facebook.com/groups/272466352793633/
Admissions with Gurome
https://www.facebook.com/groups/461459690536574/
Career Advising with Gurome
https://www.facebook.com/groups/360435787349781/
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 3650
Joined: Wed Jan 21, 2009 4:27 amFollowed by: 80 members
Location: India
Thanked: 267 times
GMAT Score:760

by sanju09 » Thu Mar 22, 2012 3:07 am
Anurag@Gurome wrote:
sanju09 wrote: Supplied answer is [spoiler]D[/spoiler]; and the correct wordings are "If no team earned more than 6 points, what is the least possible score a team could have earned?" But, Anurag! Is it just me not getting your explanation or the class is par excellence with both the question and your explanation? Please steer or recommend me take rest.
Thanks for pointing that, I have edited my reply.

How can a team possibly earn 6 points under the following conditions?

A team earned 6 - n points whenever one of its members finished in nth place, where 1 ≤ n ≤ 5.
The mind is everything. What you think you become. -Lord Buddha



Sanjeev K Saxena
Quantitative Instructor
The Princeton Review - Manya Abroad
Lucknow-226001

www.manyagroup.com
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Legendary Member
Posts: 581
Joined: Sun Apr 03, 2011 7:53 amFollowed by: 5 members
Thanked: 52 times

by killer1387 » Thu Mar 22, 2012 7:56 am
sanju09 wrote:
Anurag@Gurome wrote:
sanju09 wrote: Supplied answer is [spoiler]D[/spoiler]; and the correct wordings are "If no team earned more than 6 points, what is the least possible score a team could have earned?" But, Anurag! Is it just me not getting your explanation or the class is par excellence with both the question and your explanation? Please steer or recommend me take rest.
Thanks for pointing that, I have edited my reply.

How can a team possibly earn 6 points under the following conditions?

A team earned 6 - n points whenever one of its members finished in nth place, where 1 ≤ n ≤ 5.
its definitely possible suppose three members come at 3rd,4th and 5th then the total score a team gets is (6-3)+(6-4)+(6-5)=6.

the question stem clearly states this thing for scoring. But if maximum is 5, we can never ever make a race for three teams with three members each, involved in the race, getting different scores other than each getting 5.

hence IMO: No offence but this question with presented options is not correct. We need to add an option with numeral 5 for this question to stand.
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
Posts: 19
Joined: Sun Oct 30, 2011 6:52 pm

by ubhanja » Thu Mar 22, 2012 10:00 am
why can't it be zero? 3 teams with 3 members each. It could happen that one team has all the 3 members in 7,8,9 position. what would be the score? since
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 3650
Joined: Wed Jan 21, 2009 4:27 amFollowed by: 80 members
Location: India
Thanked: 267 times
GMAT Score:760

by sanju09 » Fri Mar 23, 2012 1:45 am
killer1387 wrote:
sanju09 wrote:
Anurag@Gurome wrote:
sanju09 wrote: Supplied answer is [spoiler]D[/spoiler]; and the correct wordings are "If no team earned more than 6 points, what is the least possible score a team could have earned?" But, Anurag! Is it just me not getting your explanation or the class is par excellence with both the question and your explanation? Please steer or recommend me take rest.
Thanks for pointing that, I have edited my reply.

How can a team possibly earn 6 points under the following conditions?

A team earned 6 - n points whenever one of its members finished in nth place, where 1 ≤ n ≤ 5.
its definitely possible suppose three members come at 3rd,4th and 5th then the total score a team gets is (6-3)+(6-4)+(6-5)=6.

the question stem clearly states this thing for scoring. But if maximum is 5, we can never ever make a race for three teams with three members each, involved in the race, getting different scores other than each getting 5.

hence IMO: No offence but this question with presented options is not correct. We need to add an option with numeral 5 for this question to stand.
Thanks killer1387, happy to see you writing beyond IMOs. I have already come clean with the needed correction in the stem, in the court of Anurag Sir. In fact all of you collectively rocked in making me understand the question finally.
The mind is everything. What you think you become. -Lord Buddha



Sanjeev K Saxena
Quantitative Instructor
The Princeton Review - Manya Abroad
Lucknow-226001

www.manyagroup.com
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Legendary Member
Posts: 581
Joined: Sun Apr 03, 2011 7:53 amFollowed by: 5 members
Thanked: 52 times

by killer1387 » Fri Mar 23, 2012 1:58 am
sanju09 wrote:
killer1387 wrote:
sanju09 wrote:
Anurag@Gurome wrote:
sanju09 wrote: Supplied answer is [spoiler]D[/spoiler]; and the correct wordings are "If no team earned more than 6 points, what is the least possible score a team could have earned?" But, Anurag! Is it just me not getting your explanation or the class is par excellence with both the question and your explanation? Please steer or recommend me take rest.
Thanks for pointing that, I have edited my reply.

How can a team possibly earn 6 points under the following conditions?

A team earned 6 - n points whenever one of its members finished in nth place, where 1 ≤ n ≤ 5.
its definitely possible suppose three members come at 3rd,4th and 5th then the total score a team gets is (6-3)+(6-4)+(6-5)=6.

the question stem clearly states this thing for scoring. But if maximum is 5, we can never ever make a race for three teams with three members each, involved in the race, getting different scores other than each getting 5.

hence IMO: No offence but this question with presented options is not correct. We need to add an option with numeral 5 for this question to stand.
Thanks killer1387, happy to see you writing beyond IMOs. I have already come clean with the needed correction in the stem, in the court of Anurag Sir. In fact all of you collectively rocked in making me understand the question finally.
Its nice we finally arrived a consensus for the question after this long discussion.
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Post new topic Post Reply
• Page 1 of 1