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word problem - kaplan book error?

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by brunoguiomar » Sat Aug 21, 2010 7:01 am
I was studying the "Word Problems" on the KAPLAN book and came across the following sentence in one problem:
John received half the number of presents as Betty and Sue averaged.
GMAT Premier 2010-2011 edition, page 515

The way this is translated to an equation in the book is: J = (Betty + S) / 2

But the way I did it was: J = (Beety + S) / 4 as it says it is half of the average.

Could someone confirm or give me your opinion about which one is right?
Many thanks in advance.
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by Gurpinder » Sat Aug 21, 2010 7:04 am
brunoguiomar wrote:I was studying the "Word Problems" on the KAPLAN book and came across the following sentence in one problem:
John received half the number of presents as Betty and Sue averaged.
GMAT Premier 2010-2011 edition, page 515

The way this is translated to an equation in the book is: J = (Betty + S) / 2

But the way I did it was: J = (Beety + S) / 4 as it says it is half of the average.

Could someone confirm or give me your opinion about which one is right?
Many thanks in advance.
I would say you are right!

it should be J = ((Betty + S) / 2)(1/2).

Are the giving you the average scores for Betty and Sue or individual scores?
"Do not confuse motion and progress. A rocking horse keeps moving but does not make any progress."
- Alfred A. Montapert, Philosopher.
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by kvcpk » Sat Aug 21, 2010 7:05 am
I remember seeing this earlier. One representative from Kaplan agreed to correct this error in their future editions.

Cheers!!
"Once you start working on something,
don't be afraid of failure and don't abandon it.
People who work sincerely are the happiest."
Chanakya quotes (Indian politician, strategist and writer, 350 BC-275BC)
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by KapTeacherEli » Sat Aug 21, 2010 6:20 pm
kvcpk wrote:I remember seeing this earlier. One representative from Kaplan agreed to correct this error in their future editions.

Cheers!!
That was me, and you're correct! Thanks to the OP for his watchful eyes, but we've already got this one on our list, and it will be fixed in the next printing.
Eli Meyer
Kaplan GMAT Teacher
Cambridge, MA
www.kaptest.com/gmat

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