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

Redeem

Target Test Prep · GMAT

Choose how you want to prepare

Learn live with an expert or move at your own pace. Every option includes the complete TTP study system.

★★★★★5.0559 reviews
GMATLiveTeach 7 seats left
Chris Peckover
NEXT LIVE COHORT

Oct 13 to Jan 7, 2027

with Chris Peckover

Schedule
Tue, Thu · 8:00 to 10:00 PM ET
Included
40 live hours + 6 months of GMAT OnDemand
  • Live instruction and real-time questions
  • Class recordings and assigned practice
View class & enroll
Limited cohort · enrollment openTarget Test Prep
EALiveTeach 5 seats left
Logan Thompson
EXECUTIVE ASSESSMENT

Sep 6 to Dec 6, 2026

with Logan Thompson

Schedule
Sun · 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM ET
Included
40 hours of live online classes plus six months of access to the complete TTP EA OnDemand course.
  • 165+ EA Score Guarantee
  • 4,100+ Quant, Verbal, and Integrated Reasoning practice questions
  • 400+ hours of in-depth video lessons
  • 3,000+ step-by-step video solutions
View EA class & enroll
Limited cohort · enrollment openTarget Test Prep
GMATOnDemand Start anytime
SELF-PACED MASTERCLASS

Target Test Prep GMAT OnDemand

Complete access from day one. Study on your schedule.

715+ score guarantee
$0to start then $127/mo
  • Personalized study plan and analytics
  • Thousands of lessons and practice questions

Compare the format, schedule, and included access before enrolling. Prices and seat counts shown reflect the supplied offer details.

tough gmat problem

Expert replies
by quantskillsgmat » Thu May 17, 2012 11:05 pm
Q The value of x and y vary with z so that each addictive increase of 2 in value of z correspondecnces to value of x increased by a factor of 2 and value of y increases by a factor of 3.If x and y are positive for each z>0, what is x/(x+y) when z=12
a)z=6 then x=5y
b)when z=0,x=y+1
Join the discussion
Source: — Problem Solving |

by joeyndu » Fri Jun 01, 2012 1:00 pm
Good question that is easier too intuit than to prove. I'll give it a shot.

So, we know that as z increases, x and y scale via multiplication, but at different rates, so if in know initial conditions I might be able to do something here.

1. I know how many times larger x is than y when z = 6. I also know that it takes 3 steps of adding 2 to get from z=6 to z= 12, so x will increase by a factor of 8 and y by a factor of 27. I can see that this will be sufficient. Here's why.
I need to know x/(x+y). Substation will work great if I have no additive terms and since I know x=5y, I won't have a problem.
8(5y)
------
(8(5y) + 27y)

All y terms so I can cancel the variable and I'll be left w/ numbers only

2. Very similar to statement one but with more steps to reach z= 12 so my factor increases are much larger. The key difference, however, is that I now have x = y+1 and when I substitute in, I'll maintain an additive term that won't allow me to reduce the y's out leaving only numbers. Therefore, insufficient

A.
Join the discussion

by Birottam Dutta » Fri Jun 01, 2012 11:55 pm
Q The value of x and y vary with z so that each addictive increase of 2 in value of z correspondecnces to value of x increased by a factor of 2 and value of y increases by a factor of 3.If x and y are positive for each z>0, what is x/(x+y) when z=12
a)z=6 then x=5y
b)when z=0,x=y+1

We have to find x/(x+y)when z=12

a) z=6, then x=5y.

When z increases from 6 to 12, we see than z has increased by 2 thrice.
So, X will also increase by a factor of 2 thrice and y will increase by a factor of 3 thrice.
Therefore, x becomes 2*2*2x= 8x, and y becomes 3*3*3y = 27Y
Also, we know x=5Y.
Then, x/(x+y) = 8X/(8X+27Y). We can replace x=5Y and get 8(5Y)/{8(5Y) + 27Y}. This equation is totally in Y, so Y will cancel in the numerator and denominator and we will get a ratio.

Hence, a is sufficient.

b) when z=0, x=y+1.

In this case, we see that z will increase six times be 2 to become 12. So,x will increase 6 times by a factor of 2 and y will increase six times by a factor of 3.

However, the equation will not reduce to a firm ratio because the equation relating x and y in this case contains an additive term 1, so it will not allow cancelling of Y from the numerator and denominator.

Hence, b is insufficient.
Join the discussion

by GMATGuruNY » Sat Jun 02, 2012 3:08 am
quantskillsgmat wrote:Q The value of x and y vary with z so that each addictive increase of 2 in value of z correspondecnces to value of x increased by a factor of 2 and value of y increases by a factor of 3.If x and y are positive for each z>0, what is x/(x+y) when z=12
a)z=6 then x=5y
b)when z=0,x=y+1
To determine x/(x+y) when z=12, we need to know x/y when z=12.
To illustrate:
If x/y = 1/2, then x/(x+y) = 1/(1+2) = 1/3.
If x/y = 2/5, then x/(x+y) = 2/(2+5) = 2/7.

Statement 1: When z=6, x=5y.
Thus, when z=6, x/y = 5.
Every time z increases by 2, x will increase by a factor of 2 and y will increase by a factor of 3.
Thus, we can determine x/y when z=12.
SUFFICIENT.

Statement 2: When z=0, x=y+1.
No way to determine x/y.
INSUFFICIENT.

The correct answer is A.
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
Join the discussion