Problem Solving

BTGModeratorVI wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 23, 2020 6:49 am

At an elite baseball camp, 60% of players can bat both right-handed and left-handed. If 25% of the players who bat left-handed do not bat right-handed, what is the probability that a player selected at random does not bat left-handed?

A.15%
B. 20%
C. 25%
D. 30%
E. 40%

Answer: B
Source: Veritas Prep

Say

R = No. of players who ONLY bat right-handed;
L = No. of players who ONLY bat left-handed;
B = No. of players who bat both right- and left-handed = 60%;

From the information, "25% of the players who bat left-handed do not bat right-handed," we know that

25% of (L + B) = L

(L + 60)/4 = L

L = 20%

Thus, R = 100 – 20 – 60 = 20%

Correct answer: B

Hope this helps!

-Jay
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BTGModeratorVI wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 23, 2020 6:49 am

At an elite baseball camp, 60% of players can bat both right-handed and left-handed. If 25% of the players who bat left-handed do not bat right-handed, what is the probability that a player selected at random does not bat left-handed?

A.15%
B. 20%
C. 25%
D. 30%
E. 40%


Answer: B

Solution:

We can let the total number of players = 100. So we have 60 players who can bat both right-handed and left-handed. We can let x = the number of players who can only bat left-handed. Thus, 40 - x = the number of players who can only bat right handed. We are given that 25% of the players who bat left-handed do not bat right-handed, which means they can only bat left-handed. Therefore, we can create the equation:

0.25(x + 60) = x

x + 60 = 4x

60 = 3x

20 = x

So we have 20 players who can only bat left-handed and also 40 - 20 = 20 players who can only bat right handed. We are asked for the probability that a player selected at random does not bat left-handed, i.e., who can only bat right-handed. Therefore, that probability is 20/100 = 20%.

Answer: B

BTGModeratorVI wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 23, 2020 6:49 am

At an elite baseball camp, 60% of players can bat both right-handed and left-handed. If 25% of the players who bat left-handed do not bat right-handed, what is the probability that a player selected at random does not bat left-handed?

A.15%
B. 20%
C. 25%
D. 30%
E. 40%


Answer: B
Source: Veritas Prep

We can solve using the Double Matrix Method.

The Double Matrix Method can be used for most questions featuring a population in which each member has two characteristics associated with it.
Here, we have a population of baseball players, and the two characteristics are:
- bats left-handed or DOESN'T bat left-handed
- bats right-handed or DOESN'T bat right-handed

NOTICE that the question does not ask us to find an actual number. It asks us to find a probability. This means we can assign whatever value we wish to the total number of couples.
So, let's say there are 100 players, which we'll add to our diagram:



60% of players can bat both right-handed and left-handed
60% of 100 = 60, so 60 players can bat both right-handed AND left-handed .
Add that to the diagram to get:


25% of the players who bat left-handed do not bat right-handed
Hmmm, we don't know the number of left-handed players, so we can't find 25% of that value.
So, let's assign a variable.
Let's let x = left-handed batters, and add it to our diagram:

So, x of the 100 players bat left handed.

25% of the players who bat left-handed do not bat right-handed
If x players bat left-handed, then 25% of x do not bat right-handed.
In other words, 0.25x = number of players who do not bat right-handed
Add this to our diagram:


At this point, we see that the two left-hand boxes add to x.
So, we can write the equation: 60 + 0.25x = x
Rearrange to get 60 = 0.75x
Rewrite 0.75 as fraction to get: 60 = (3/4)x
Multiply both sides by 4/3 to get: 80 = x
If x = 80, then we know that 80 of the 100 players bat left-handed.
This means that the remaining 20 players DO NOT bat left handed.


So, P(player doesn't bat left-handed) = 20/100 = 20%

Answer: B

This question type is VERY COMMON on the GMAT, so be sure to master the technique.

To learn more about the Double Matrix Method, watch this video: https://www.gmatprepnow.com/module/gmat- ... ems?id=919

Once you’re familiar with this technique, you can attempt these additional practice questions:

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Easy Data Sufficiency questions
- https://www.gmatprepnow.com/module/gmat- ... /video/943
- https://www.beatthegmat.com/for-what-per ... 70596.html
- https://www.beatthegmat.com/ds-quest-t187706.html

Medium Data Sufficiency questions
- https://www.beatthegmat.com/sets-matrix-ds-t271914.html
- https://www.beatthegmat.com/each-of-peop ... 71375.html
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- https://www.beatthegmat.com/mba/2011/05/ ... question-1

Difficult Data Sufficiency questions
- https://youtu.be/dsCeqF9Kbk8
- https://www.beatthegmat.com/double-set-m ... 71423.html
- https://youtu.be/dOZ9KM1m5Hs
- https://www.beatthegmat.com/sets-t269449.html
- https://www.beatthegmat.com/mba/2011/05/ ... question-3

Cheers,
Brent