Removing books

This topic has expert replies
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 116
Joined: Sat Sep 22, 2012 9:48 pm
Thanked: 3 times

Removing books

by neeti2711 » Fri Oct 26, 2012 3:13 am
Of the science books in a certain supply room, 50 are botany, 65 are on zoology, 90 are on physics, 50 are on geology and 110 are on chemistry. If science books are removed randomly from the supply room, how many must be removed to ensure that 80 of the books removed are on the same science?

(A) 81
(B) 159
(C) 166
(D) 285
(E) 324
Source: — Problem Solving |

User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 15539
Joined: Tue May 25, 2010 12:04 pm
Location: New York, NY
Thanked: 13060 times
Followed by:1906 members
GMAT Score:790

by GMATGuruNY » Fri Oct 26, 2012 4:51 am
neeti2711 wrote:Of the science books in a certain supply room, 50 are botany, 65 are on zoology, 90 are on physics, 50 are on geology and 110 are on chemistry. If science books are removed randomly from the supply room, how many must be removed to ensure that 80 of the books removed are on the same science?

(A) 81
(B) 159
(C) 166
(D) 285
(E) 324
Determine the WORST-CASE-SCENARIO -- for each type of book, the MAXIMUM number that can be removed WITHOUT removing 80 of the same science:
50 botany
65 zoology
79 physics
50 geology
79 chemistry
Sum = 50+65+79+50+79 = 323.

Thus, it is possible to remove 323 books without selecting 80 of the same science.
Thus, to GUARANTEE that 80 of the same science are removed, we must remove ONE MORE book:
323+1 = 324.

The correct answer is E.
Private tutor exclusively for the GMAT and GRE, with over 20 years of experience.
Followed here and elsewhere by over 1900 test-takers.
I have worked with students based in the US, Australia, Taiwan, China, Tajikistan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia -- a long list of countries.
My students have been admitted to HBS, CBS, Tuck, Yale, Stern, Fuqua -- a long list of top programs.

As a tutor, I don't simply teach you how I would approach problems.
I unlock the best way for YOU to solve problems.

For more information, please email me (Mitch Hunt) at [email protected].
Student Review #1
Student Review #2
Student Review #3