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

Redeem

Can a certain rectangular sheet of glass be positioned on a

Expert replies
by Zach.J.Dragone » Thu Dec 05, 2013 1:20 pm
Can a certain rectangular sheet of glass be positioned on a rectangular tabletop so that it covers the entire tabletop and its edges are parallel to the edges of the tabletop?

(1) The tabletop is 36 inches wide by 60 inches long.
(2) The area of one side of the sheet of glass is 2,400 square inches.

D

Ok, I'm a bit confused here.

I see why (1) and (2) alone are insufficient...

However, the maximum area of the table is 2160 while the stated area of the glass is 2400. Even if we were to manipulate the glass perimeter, we could never get it to be 36*60.

The wording is a bit ambiguous when it talks about "parallel to the edges." For example I have seen proving it can be done took a 40*60 piece of glass and put it on a table. l However, the other example used to prove insufficiency was a piece of glass 1*2400. Though slightly hard to visualize, wouldn't the edges still be parallel to the table? Unless of course they are being really obtuse and assuming you could place it at an angle to the table...[/spoiler]
Join the discussion
Source: — Problem Solving |

by [email protected] » Thu Dec 05, 2013 1:26 pm
Hi Zach,

First off, you should double-check the answer that you listed, as it's incorrect. Second, it's important to not lose sight of the actual question that is asked: Can the sheet of glass....cover the ENTIRE tabletop....?

We'll need specific info about both the sheet of glass AND the tabletop to answer this question.

As you've noted, both Fact 1 and Fact 2 are INSUFFICIENT.

Combined, we know the dimensions of the tabletop (36 x 60), but we don't know the dimensions of the sheet of glass (area = 2,400)

IF the glass is 40x60, then the answer to the question is YES
IF the glass is 10x240, then the answer to the question is NO

Final Answer: E

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
Contact Rich at [email protected]
Image
Join the discussion

by Mathsbuddy » Mon Dec 09, 2013 12:21 am
[email protected] wrote:Hi Zach,

First off, you should double-check the answer that you listed, as it's incorrect. Second, it's important to not lose sight of the actual question that is asked: Can the sheet of glass....cover the ENTIRE tabletop....?

We'll need specific info about both the sheet of glass AND the tabletop to answer this question.

As you've noted, both Fact 1 and Fact 2 are INSUFFICIENT.

Combined, we know the dimensions of the tabletop (36 x 60), but we don't know the dimensions of the sheet of glass (area = 2,400)

IF the glass is 40x60, then the answer to the question is YES
IF the glass is 10x240, then the answer to the question is NO

Final Answer: E

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
Hi Rich,

While I agree with your answer, I see Zach's point too. The question might mean
EITHER
Parameter = parallel edges, QUESTION = does it cover? (As we both read it)
OR
Parameter = the table is covered, QUESTION = are the edges parallel? (as Zach saw it might mean).
However, to answer Zach, it is an AND statement, not and OR statement, therefore the former is what is required - as explained by Rich.
Join the discussion