here say we have 3 variable as in x,y,z .where x>y>z
as per the statement1 :- x+y =12 And
as per the statement2 :- y+z = 12
Subtracting both Equation we will get x-z = 1
But we don't know what is x or z , This make for the Answer as E
ds - value question
- Abhijeet03
- Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Thu Nov 10, 2011 1:34 am
- Thanked: 1 times
-
- Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
- Posts: 171
- Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2013 7:24 am
- Thanked: 1 times
The question clearly states that the three pieces are unequal in length.So,we cant assume 6 and 6.Even in unequal lengths,there will be numerous options.
Nijeesh wrote:why can't it be C
(1) The combined length of the longer two pieces of rope is 12 meters.
this statements gives Y+Z=12, so let say 6+6=12 (length of longer ropes 6 and 6)
(2) The combined length of the shorter two pieces of rope is 11 meters.
this gives us X+Y=11 or X+Z=11 , now X can be only 5..so 5+6=11
so shorter rope length is 5
another set of values
1) Y+Z=12, say 7+5=12 (longer ropes 7 and 5)
2) X+z=11, here we can't have X as 6 (to make X+Z as 11 we need X as 6 and Z=5 from (1) )since according to the given data..these are shorter ropes..
so only possible values are Y+Z=12, 6+6=12 (length of longer ropes 6 and 6)
X+Y=11 or X+Z=11 , so 5+6=11
is this not right ?
Hey Stuart,Stuart Kovinsky wrote:Hi,cgc wrote:If a rope is cut into three pieces of unequal length, what is the length of the shortest of these pieces of rope?
(1) The combined length of the longer two pieces of rope is 12 meters.
(2) The combined length of the shorter two pieces of rope is 11 meters.
for rope x + y + z = a
1. x + y = 12
2. y + z = 11
c. can you combine the two equations to create another separate equation? For example...
y = 12 -x
(12-x) + z = 11
Are these not distinct equations to satisfy the equation/variable rule?
Please help explain.
thanks,
you still only have 3 distinct equations for your 4 variables; you cannot create the 4th equation as you've attempted.
What you've done is a more complicated variation of taking:
y = x + 3
and
4 = 4
and combining them to get:
y + 4 = x + 7
and then using:
y = x + 3
and
y + 4 = x + 7
to solve for x and y; you'll end up with 0=0 if you try to solve those equations.
You'll find if you try to solve the equations you've set up, the same thing will happen; since the third equation is a combination of the first two, it's not distinct.
So, here's the rule:
to solve for a system of n variables, one requires n distinct, linear, equations.
This rule is THE most powerful tool for data sufficiency; the better you know it (and all the exceptions), the fewer calculations you'll have to make on DS questions.
I totally agree with your answer and the rule.
I was just a little unclear with the portion of your description where you say:
y = x + 3
and
4 = 4
and combining them to get:
y + 4 = x + 7
and then using:
y = x + 3
and
y + 4 = x + 7
Could you explain that portion?
3 pieces with 3 lengths: a<b<c
2 stats: using each of them independently obviously cannot figure out the shortest length.
Combine 2 stats:
a+b=11
b+c=12
If the lengths are integers => combining 2 stats can solve the issue
However, nowhere in the question did the author mention that criterion.
Hence, choose E
2 stats: using each of them independently obviously cannot figure out the shortest length.
Combine 2 stats:
a+b=11
b+c=12
If the lengths are integers => combining 2 stats can solve the issue
However, nowhere in the question did the author mention that criterion.
Hence, choose E
-
- Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
- Posts: 26
- Joined: Sat Apr 20, 2013 9:34 pm
Answer is E because from the given data:
a+b+c = d
a+12 =d
11 +c =d
we cannot solve 4 variables with three equations
a+b+c = d
a+12 =d
11 +c =d
we cannot solve 4 variables with three equations
- jaspreetsra
- Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
- Posts: 164
- Joined: Sat Sep 20, 2014 10:26 pm
- Thanked: 1 times
-
- GMAT Instructor
- Posts: 2630
- Joined: Wed Sep 12, 2012 3:32 pm
- Location: East Bay all the way
- Thanked: 625 times
- Followed by:119 members
- GMAT Score:780
Let's sort this out arithmetically and algebraically.cgc wrote:If a rope is cut into three pieces of unequal length, what is the length of the shortest of these pieces of rope?
(1) The combined length of the longer two pieces of rope is 12 meters.
(2) The combined length of the shorter two pieces of rope is 11 meters.
Taking the two statements together, I could have either of these possibilities:
Longest piece = 6.1
Middle piece = 5.9
Shortest piece = 5.1
OR
Longest piece = 6.2
Middle piece = 5.8
Shortest piece = 5.2
So the two statements together are INSUFFICIENT.
Algebraically, we have the equations
a + b = 12
b + c = 11
This is TWO equations for THREE variables, so we can't determine a unique value for any of the three variables.
- deepak4mba
- Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
- Posts: 56
- Joined: Thu Jul 16, 2009 9:42 am
- Location: London