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 →

percentage

Expert replies
Post new topic Post Reply
Previous Topic Next Topic
Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
Posts: 26
Joined: Fri Feb 26, 2010 8:56 pm
Thanked: 2 times
by seanceserene » Sat Mar 06, 2010 1:21 am
In a corporation, 50 percent of the male employees and 40 percent of the female employees are at least 35 years old. If 42 percent of all the employees are at least 35 years old, what fraction of the employees in the corporation are females?
it is not an "alice in wonderland". it is real! i am going to freak GMAT out!
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Source: — Problem Solving |
User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 1560
Joined: Tue Nov 17, 2009 2:38 amFollowed by: 5 members
Thanked: 137 times

by thephoenix » Sat Mar 06, 2010 1:38 am
seanceserene wrote:In a corporation, 50 percent of the male employees and 40 percent of the female employees are at least 35 years old. If 42 percent of all the employees are at least 35 years old, what fraction of the employees in the corporation are females?
imo 80%

let mle=m
and female=f
total=m+f (t1)

now 50 percent of the male employees are at least 35 years old------>0.5 m
and 40 percent of the female employees are at least 35 years old----->0.4f

total employees >=35 yrs=0.5m+0.4f

now If 42 percent of all the employees are at least 35 years old--------> 0.42(m+f)=0.5m+0.4f

solving m=1/4(f)

total=5f/4

fraction reqd=f/[5f/4]=4/5=80%
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 1275
Joined: Thu Sep 21, 2006 11:13 pmFollowed by: 2 members
Location: Arabian Sea
Thanked: 125 times

by ajith » Sat Mar 06, 2010 1:40 am
seanceserene wrote:In a corporation, 50 percent of the male employees and 40 percent of the female employees are at least 35 years old. If 42 percent of all the employees are at least 35 years old, what fraction of the employees in the corporation are females?
say the company has x fraction of females , 1-x fraction of males and the company has total D employees

(xD*0.4 + (1-x)D*0.5)/D = 0.42

x*0.4 + (1-x)*0.5 = .42

0.1x = 0.08
x= 0.8 or 80%
Always borrow money from a pessimist, he doesn't expect to be paid back.
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Legendary Member
Posts: 610
Joined: Fri Jan 15, 2010 12:33 amFollowed by: 2 members
Thanked: 47 times

by kstv » Sat Mar 06, 2010 1:41 am
Female =y Male = x
0.42 (x+y)=0.5x+0.4y
0.02 y = 0.08 x or x/y = 1/4
y/x+y = 4/5
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
Posts: 11
Joined: Sun Jan 04, 2009 11:05 am
Location: VA
Thanked: 1 times

by dtwea » Sun Mar 07, 2010 5:49 am
It is always important to set up problems in a way that most naturally chimes with the principles involved.

42% is the least number of male and Females who are 35 years old. So we have fraction of male plus fraction of female over Total number of make and female (M+F). This hardly requires much thinking and the algebra flows naturally from it.

(.5M + .4F)/(M+F) =.42

Solving this gives F= 4M

But we want F/Total and since we now know the relationship b/w F and M we can solve easily in terms of F. M = F/4
So Total = F + F/4 = 5F/4

F/5F/4 = 4/5=80%.

Algebra can get messy so you want to stick as close to the Fundamental Principles as possible. If you make an error in the algebra, your principles should put u back on track.

For example, you know from above the number of women is four times that of men men so you expect a high percent as your answer. Suppose u didn't know this and calculated some thing like 45% due to error and you see this in the answer choice. You would go for it.
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Post new topic Post Reply
• Page 1 of 1