GMAT prep - Rate of chemical

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GMAT prep - Rate of chemical

by auntsom » Mon Jul 21, 2008 7:46 am
A rate of a certain chemical reaction is directly proportional to the square of tge concentration of chemical A present and inversely proportional to a concentration of chemical B present. If the concentration of chemical B is increased by 100%, which of the following is clost to the percent change in the concentration of chemical A required to keep the reaction rate unchanged?

1. 100% decrease
2. 50% decrease
3. 40% decrease
4. 40% increase
5. 50% increase

I have no idea what it is about. Thanks for explanation.

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by auntsom » Mon Jul 21, 2008 7:54 am
I'm so sorry, I should have posted it in problem solving section.

Sorry for my mistake.

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by cubicle_bound_misfit » Mon Jul 21, 2008 8:58 am
Option D.

sqauare root of 2 (approx)= 1.4

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by Vinni » Mon Jul 21, 2008 10:27 am
Lets say rate = K * (a^2 / b) - Eq1
Now b is increased by 100%

therefore new
rate = K * (a1^2/2b) - Eq2
where new a is = a1

Eq1 = Eq2
(a^2 / b) = (a1^2/2b)

a1 = Sqrt(2) * a = 1.414a

Clearly a is approx 40% increased!
D is the answer!

OA please?

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by auntsom » Mon Jul 21, 2008 7:25 pm
You're right, answer is D.

Thanks guys for explanation.