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
Vote for Target Test Prep, Newsweek Readers’ Choice Awards 2026
NEWSWEEK READERS’ CHOICE 2026

BIG NEWS! Target Test Prep has been nominated, and they’d love your vote!

TTP has worked incredibly hard to build the best test prep experience possible, and winning Newsweek’s 2026 Readers’ Choice Award for Best Test Prep would mean a lot to them. If TTP has helped you, they’d be incredibly grateful for your vote. You can vote once each day through September 9.

Vote for TTP
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.

Machines A and B each produce tablets at their respective

Expert replies
by [email protected] » Sat Oct 05, 2013 12:25 am
Machines A and B each produce tablets at their respective constant rates. Machine A has produced 30 tablets when Machine B is turned on. Both machines continue to run until Machine B's total production catches up to Machine A's total production. How many tablets does Machine A produce in the time that it takes Machine B to catch up?

(1) Machine A's rate is twice the difference between the rates of the two machines.

(2) The sum of Machine A's rate and Machine B's rate is five times the difference between the two rates.

I am finding it very difficult to solve this question. I got it in one of my MGMAT Cat exams. Can some one please guide me step by step if possible using the tables?
Join the discussion
Source: — Data Sufficiency |

by theCodeToGMAT » Sat Oct 05, 2013 12:38 am
Time to Catch = Gap/Difference in Speed
Speed of A = A
Speed of B = B
GAP = 30

So, Time to Catch = 30/(B-A)

TO find --> Time to catch * A's rate = 30A/(B-A)

Statement 1:

A = 2(B-A)
A = 2B - 2A
B = 3A/2
A = 2B/3
So,

30A/(B-A) = 30 A / (A/2) = 60
SUFFICIENT


Statement 2:
A + B = 5 ( B - A )
A + B = 5B - 5A
B = 6A/4
SUFFICIENT

Answer [spoiler]{D}[/spoiler]
What is the oA?????
Last edited by theCodeToGMAT on Sat Oct 05, 2013 3:14 am, edited 2 times in total.
R A H U L
Join the discussion

by [email protected] » Sat Oct 05, 2013 12:40 am
The OA is D :) Thanks :)
Join the discussion

by theCodeToGMAT » Sat Oct 05, 2013 12:42 am
[email protected] wrote:The OA is D :) Thanks :)
Are the Solution Steps clear?
R A H U L
Join the discussion

by [email protected] » Sat Oct 05, 2013 12:43 am
Yes! They are. It's so simple. I was so good at these questions and suddenly they have started confusing me :(
Join the discussion

by theCodeToGMAT » Sat Oct 05, 2013 12:46 am
[email protected] wrote:Yes! They are. It's so simple. I was so good at these questions and suddenly they have started confusing me :(
It happens.. many a times I also fall in same pitfall..
R A H U L
Join the discussion

by [email protected] » Sat Oct 05, 2013 2:17 am
Just one questions, isn't B's rate more than A based on the info given in the question?
Join the discussion

by rakeshd347 » Sat Oct 05, 2013 2:32 am
[email protected] wrote:Just one questions, isn't B's rate more than A based on the info given in the question?
Hi Deepika,

I was about to type this error( according to me). I am sure whether it is correct or not. We can't assume anything in the question.
here in this question we are assuming that B's rate is more than A but I don't think it is a correct assumption.( if B's rate is less than A then B will never be able to catch up with A as A is already ahead of B)

Rahul solution should be like this based on the assumption A=2(B-A)
3A=2B
But out point is not to solve the question. yes there is an error but why would we assume that B's rate is more than A.
All the question says is the difference. Now the difference can be A-B or B-A....in those two cases we will have two different outcome. And if its A-B means A's rate is bigger than B than B will never be able to catch up with A.

So I think question is poorly worded.
However, I would like to see what experts say.
Join the discussion

by theCodeToGMAT » Sat Oct 05, 2013 2:39 am
[email protected] wrote:Just one questions, isn't B's rate more than A based on the info given in the question?
Deepika, rightly pointed out.. I have corrected my mistake it should have been B-A and not A-B.

However, since the question is asking something different than Rates.. so it won't have any effect on Answer.. because i was considering Modulus
And |5-4| = |4-5|
R A H U L
Join the discussion

by [email protected] » Sat Oct 05, 2013 2:42 am
Is there any other way to solve this question? I think i need more explanation here
Join the discussion

by theCodeToGMAT » Sat Oct 05, 2013 2:43 am
[email protected] wrote:Is there any other way to solve this question? I think i need more explanation here
I will think of other solutions.. but, by then, you can share your doubt.. I will try my best to rectify it
R A H U L
Join the discussion

by theCodeToGMAT » Sat Oct 05, 2013 2:48 am
rakeshd347 wrote:
[email protected] wrote:Just one questions, isn't B's rate more than A based on the info given in the question?
Hi Deepika,

I was about to type this error( according to me). I am sure whether it is correct or not. We can't assume anything in the question.
here in this question we are assuming that B's rate is more than A but I don't think it is a correct assumption.( if B's rate is less than A then B will never be able to catch up with A as A is already ahead of B)

Rahul solution should be like this based on the assumption A=2(B-A)
3A=2B
But out point is not to solve the question. yes there is an error but why would we assume that B's rate is more than A.
All the question says is the difference. Now the difference can be A-B or B-A....in those two cases we will have two different outcome. And if its A-B means A's rate is bigger than B than B will never be able to catch up with A.

So I think question is poorly worded.
However, I would like to see what experts say.
Rakesh, it hardly matters whether it's A-B or B-A.. the important part is .. you consider Modulus..
While solving the question i used |A-B| so.. it doesn't have any impact on What question is asking..
Also, B > A .. or else it's never possible for B to catch A.

Earlier, my equation was : Time to catch * A's rate = 30A/|A-B|

Now suppose A = 60 & B = 30 .. |60-30| = 30 & |30-60| = 30..
R A H U L
Join the discussion

by [email protected] » Sat Oct 05, 2013 2:53 am
[color=red]Time to Catch = Gap/Difference in Speed [/color]
[b]
What does gap mean here?[/b]

Speed of A = A
Speed of B = B
[color=red]GAP = 3
[/color]

So, Time to Catch = 30/|A-B|[color=red] ( So this means time = Work / Difference in Rate?)[/color]

TO find --> Time to catch * A's rate = 30A/|A-B|
[b][color=red]So we need to find the work done by Machine A in the time period that it takes Machine B to catch up?
I want to understand how to solve this better.
So basically, A's Rate * Time to catchup = 30 / (A-B)
Why is it 30A?[/color]
[/b]
Statement 1:

A = 2(A-B)
A = 2A - 2B
A = 2B
So,

30A/|A-B| = 30 A / (A - A/2) = 60
SUFFICIENT


Statement 2:
A + B = 5 ( A - B )
A + B = 5A - 5B
4A = 6B
B = 2A/3
SUFFICIENT [color=red][/color]
Join the discussion

by theCodeToGMAT » Sat Oct 05, 2013 3:06 am
I have solved this question using Speed,Distance & Time Method..

There's logic of CATCH & MEET
MEET: If two objects are moving towards each other then Time taken = (Difference of Distance)/SUM OF SPEED

CATCH: If two objects are moving in same direction then Time taken = (Difference of Distance)/DIFFERENCE OF SPEED

Since, A & B are moving towards target... So CATCH has to be used

What does gap mean here?
--> GAP is the Difference of Distance = 30 [number of tablets]

I want to understand how to solve this better.
--> Question is asking for HOW MANY TABS DOES MACHINE A mAKE WHILE B WAS CATCHING UP.
basically Time Taken to catch x Rate of A will give us that figure..
So, Time taken to Catch = 30/(B-A)
we assumed A's Rate as A
So, total production in that time = 30A/(B-A)
R A H U L
Join the discussion

by GMATGuruNY » Sat Oct 05, 2013 1:25 pm
[email protected] wrote:Machines A and B each produce tablets at their respective constant rates. Machine A has produced 30 tablets when Machine B is turned on. Both machines continue to run until Machine B's total production catches up to Machine A's total production. How many tablets does Machine A produce in the time that it takes Machine B to catch up?

(1) Machine A's rate is twice the difference between the rates of the two machines.

(2) The sum of Machine A's rate and Machine B's rate is five times the difference between the two rates.
For B to catch up to A, B's rate MUST be faster than A's rate.
The rate at which B will CATCH UP to A is equal to the DIFFERENCE between the two rates: B-A.

Statement 1: Machine A's rate is twice the difference between the rates of the two machines.
Test TWO cases.

Case 1: A's rate = 2 tablets per hour
Since A's rate is twice the difference between the two rates, B's rate = 3 tablets per hour, so that B-A = 3-2 = 1.
Time for B to catch up = w/(rate difference) = 30/1 = 30 hours.
Work produced by A in 30 hours = r*t = 2*30 = 60 tablets.

Case 2: A's rate = 4 tablets per hour
Since A's rate is twice the difference between the two rates, B's rate = 6 tablets per hour, so that B-A = 6-4 = 2.
Time for B to catch up = w/(rate difference) = 30/2 = 15 hours.
Work produced by A in 15 hours = r*t = 4*15 = 60 tablets.

Since Machine A produces the same number of tablets in each case, SUFFICIENT.

Statement 2: The sum of Machine A's rate and Machine B's rate is five times the difference between the two rates.
Both Case 1 and Case 2 also satisfy statement 2.
Case 1: (B+A)/(B-A) = (3+2)/(3-2) = 5.
Case 2: (B+A)/(B-A) = (6+4)/(6-4) = 5.
Thus -- like statement 1 -- statement 2 is SUFFICIENT.

The correct answer is D.
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