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 →

Ratio and Proportion Query

Expert replies
Post new topic Post Reply
Previous Topic Next Topic
Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
Posts: 13
Joined: Sat Mar 27, 2010 10:28 am
Location: Surat,Gujarat,India
Thanked: 1 times
by alaynaik » Mon Aug 08, 2011 7:31 am
Hello Guys,
I request you help me with the following query:

Q: A certain amount was to be divided between A,B & C in the ratio of 4:5:6 but by mistake, it was divided in such a way that 4 times A's share was equal to 5 times B's share and 6 times C's share. As a result, 'A' got $154 more than the expected amount. What was the amount that was divided among them?
a)$370
b)$450
c)$560
d)$1000
e)$1110

I request you to help me with the query.

Thanks.
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Source: — Problem Solving |
User avatar
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 312
Joined: Tue Aug 02, 2011 3:16 pmFollowed by: 33 members
Location: New York City
Thanked: 130 times
GMAT Score:780

by gmatboost » Mon Aug 08, 2011 9:24 pm
We know 4A = 5B = 6C
We need to figure out what ratio this implies for A:B:C

The easiest way is to set 4A = 5B = 6C = 60 (chosen because it is the LCM of 4, 5, 6)
Then, A = 15, B = 12, C = 10
Any other number would be fine, 60 was easiest to work with
So, A:B:C is 15:12:10
A gets 15/(15+12+10) of the money = 15/37.

A was supposed to get 4/(4+5+6) of the money = 4/15

So, (15/37)x - (4/15)x = 154, where x is the total amount of money
Use a common denominator of 15*37 on the left:

(15*15)/(15*37)x - (37*4)/(37*15)x = 154
225x/(15*37) - 148x/(15*37) = 154
(225x-148x)/(15*37) = 154
(77x)/(15*37) = 154 -> Recognize that both 77 and 154 are divisible by 77
x/(15*37) = 2
[spoiler]x = 15*37*2 = 30*37 = 1110[/spoiler]
Greg Michnikov, Founder of GMAT Boost

GMAT Boost offers 250+ challenging GMAT Math practice questions, each with a thorough video explanation, and 100+ GMAT Math video tips, each 90 seconds or less.
It's a total of 20+ hours of expert instruction for an introductory price of just $10.
View sample questions and tips without signing up, or sign up now for full access.

Also, check out the most useful GMAT Math blog on the internet here.
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
Posts: 13
Joined: Sat Mar 27, 2010 10:28 am
Location: Surat,Gujarat,India
Thanked: 1 times

by alaynaik » Tue Aug 09, 2011 1:16 am
Mr.Greg Michnikov
Thanks a lot for the help...
I appreciate the efforts you put in for addressing the query...
Regards,
Alay S. Naik
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 15539
Joined: Tue May 25, 2010 12:04 pmFollowed by: 1906 members
Location: New York, NY
Thanked: 13060 times
GMAT Score:790

by GMATGuruNY » Tue Aug 09, 2011 2:29 am
alaynaik wrote:Hello Guys,
I request you help me with the following query:

Q: A certain amount was to be divided between A,B & C in the ratio of 4:5:6 but by mistake, it was divided in such a way that 4 times A's share was equal to 5 times B's share and 6 times C's share. As a result, 'A' got $154 more than the expected amount. What was the amount that was divided among them?
a)$370
b)$450
c)$560
d)$1000
e)$1110

I request you to help me with the query.

Thanks.
We can plug in the answers, which represent the total amount.
Since the intended ratio was 4:5:6, and 4+5+6 = 15, the correct answer must be a multiple of 15.
Eliminate A, C and D.
Answer choice B seems way too small, given that A's amount is to be increased by 154, which is more than 1/3 of 450.

Answer choice E: 1110

The determine the values for A, B and C, use a ratio box:

...............................A.........B.........C........Total

Ratio.....................4..........5..........6........15

Multiplier

Actual....................................................1110


The multiplier for the box = 1110/15 = 74. Insert the multiplier and complete the box:

...............................A.........B.........C........Total

Ratio.....................4..........5..........6........15

Multiplier..........74........74.......74......74

Actual..............296......370.....444....1110


The bottom row of the box shows the intended values for A, B and C.
Now check the altered values for A, B and C:
Increased by 154, new A = 296+154 = 450.
Thus, 4A = 4*450 = 1800.
Since 4A = 5B, new B = 1800/5 = 360.
Since 4A = 6C, new C = 1800/6 = 300.
New A + new B + new C = 450+360+300 = 1110. Success!

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
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Legendary Member
Posts: 608
Joined: Sun Jun 19, 2011 11:16 amFollowed by: 8 members
Thanked: 37 times

by saketk » Tue Aug 09, 2011 10:43 am
As per the ques:-- A:B:C = 4:5:6. Let the total amount be X.
=> A's share -- 4x/15
B's share -- 5x/15
C's share -- 6x/15.

Also as per the condition given, 4A = 5B= 6C (LET THIS BE EQUAL TO P) -- equation 1
This gives, A = P/4 --- equation 2
Also, A+B+C = X ( total amount).
using equation 1, we get =

p [ (1/4) + (1/5) +(1/6)] = x

or, P = (37/60)X.

Using equation 2. we get A= 15x/37.

As per the question, final value of A - initial value = 154.

or, 15x/37- 4x/15 = 154.

Solve this (remember --Keep the RHS as it is for easy cancellation of numerator and denominator)

We will get X.

HENCE, Ans is option E
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Post new topic Post Reply
• Page 1 of 1