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Re: gmatprep ps

by jayhawk2001 » Fri Jul 13, 2007 3:25 pm
I'm guessing it is "median" and not "medium" that is 140.

Let the sizes of the 5 pieces of wood be as below in increasing length

a b 140 c d

For max value of a : c = d = median = 140 and a=b

a+b+c+d+140 = 124*5

a+b = 200
2a = 200, a = 100

Hence B
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by maolivie » Fri Jul 13, 2007 3:32 pm
that is what confused me, why would c and d have to equal 140 as well? Can't C equal 150, and D equal 160 thus making a even smaller?
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by jayhawk2001 » Fri Jul 13, 2007 3:38 pm
maolivie wrote:that is what confused me, why would c and d have to equal 140 as well? Can't C equal 150, and D equal 160 thus making a even smaller?
We are asked to find the "maximum possible" length of the shortest piece
of wood i.e. maximum value of a. If c and d are > 140, a will reduce and
hence will not be the max value.
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by maolivie » Fri Jul 13, 2007 3:42 pm
ahhh, thanks for clarifying. I read the problem like an idiot since I saw "shortest" next to maximum...

Thanks again Jay
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