If 60 percent of a rectangular floor is covered by a rectangular rug that is 9 feet by 12 feet, what is the area, in square feet, of the floor?
(A) 65
(B) 108
(C) 180
(D) 270
(E) 300
The OA is C.
What is the equation I should establish to solve this PS question?
If 60 percent of a rectangular floor
This topic has expert replies
GMAT/MBA Expert
- Brent@GMATPrepNow
- GMAT Instructor
- Posts: 16207
- Joined: Mon Dec 08, 2008 6:26 pm
- Location: Vancouver, BC
- Thanked: 5254 times
- Followed by:1268 members
- GMAT Score:770
Area of rectangular RUG = (base)(height) = (9)(12) =108Vincen wrote:If 60 percent of a rectangular floor is covered by a rectangular rug that is 9 feet by 12 feet, what is the area, in square feet, of the floor?
(A) 65
(B) 108
(C) 180
(D) 270
(E) 300
This RUG covers 60% of the FLOOR
In other words, 108 = 60% of the area of the FLOOR
Or we can write: 108 = 0.6(area of FLOOR)
So, 108 /0.6 = area of FLOOR
Evaluate to get: 180 = area of FLOOR
Answer: C
Cheers,
Brent
GMAT/MBA Expert
- Brent@GMATPrepNow
- GMAT Instructor
- Posts: 16207
- Joined: Mon Dec 08, 2008 6:26 pm
- Location: Vancouver, BC
- Thanked: 5254 times
- Followed by:1268 members
- GMAT Score:770
PRO TIPVincen wrote:If 60 percent of a rectangular floor is covered by a rectangular rug that is 9 feet by 12 feet, what is the area, in square feet, of the floor?
(A) 65
(B) 108
(C) 180
(D) 270
(E) 300
Once we know that So, 108 /0.6 = area of FLOOR, we can apply some number sense to avoid dividing 0.6 into 108
Notice that 108 /0.5 = 216
Since 0.6 is a bit bigger than 0.5, we know that 108 /0.6 will be a little bit less than 216
Check the answer choices...only answer choice C is a bit less than 216
ASIDE: This shortcut works, because the answer choices are nicely spread apart.
For more on this strategy, watch our math tips video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GqcJGUVIk4
Cheers,
Brent
GMAT/MBA Expert
- [email protected]
- Elite Legendary Member
- Posts: 10392
- Joined: Sun Jun 23, 2013 6:38 pm
- Location: Palo Alto, CA
- Thanked: 2867 times
- Followed by:511 members
- GMAT Score:800
Hi Vincen,
With this question, we can use the answer choices 'against' the prompt and TEST THE ANSWERS. To start, we know that the area of the rug is...
(9 ft)(12 ft) = 108 ft^2
We're told that this value represents 60% of the area of the rug. Since we're asked to find the area of the rug, 108 is 60% of one of the answer choices.
Since 60% of 200 = 120, we're clearly looking for an answer that is LESS than200 (but not that much less).
Let's TEST Answer C: 180
(.6)(180) = 108
This is an exact match for what we were told, so this must be the answer.
Final Answer: C
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
With this question, we can use the answer choices 'against' the prompt and TEST THE ANSWERS. To start, we know that the area of the rug is...
(9 ft)(12 ft) = 108 ft^2
We're told that this value represents 60% of the area of the rug. Since we're asked to find the area of the rug, 108 is 60% of one of the answer choices.
Since 60% of 200 = 120, we're clearly looking for an answer that is LESS than200 (but not that much less).
Let's TEST Answer C: 180
(.6)(180) = 108
This is an exact match for what we were told, so this must be the answer.
Final Answer: C
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
- EconomistGMATTutor
- GMAT Instructor
- Posts: 555
- Joined: Wed Oct 04, 2017 4:18 pm
- Thanked: 180 times
- Followed by:12 members
Hi Vincen,Vincen wrote:If 60 percent of a rectangular floor is covered by a rectangular rug that is 9 feet by 12 feet, what is the area, in square feet, of the floor?
(A) 65
(B) 108
(C) 180
(D) 270
(E) 300
The OA is C.
What is the equation I should establish to solve this PS question?
Let's take a look at your question.
The question states,
"If 60 percent of a rectangular floor is covered by a rectangular rug that is 9 feet by 12 feet."
Let's first find the area of the rectangular rug.
Area of rectangular rug = 9 x 12 = 108 square feet
The area of rug is 60% of the area of floor.
Let area of floor be 'x' square feet.
Then,
60% of area of floor = area of rug
(60%)(x) = 108
(60/100) x = 108
(3/5) x = 108
x = 108 (5/3)
x = 36 (5)
x = 180 square feet
Area of floor = 180 square feet
Therefore, Option C is correct.
I am available if you'd like any follow up.
GMAT Prep From The Economist
We offer 70+ point score improvement money back guarantee.
Our average student improves 98 points.
We offer 70+ point score improvement money back guarantee.
Our average student improves 98 points.
GMAT/MBA Expert
- Jeff@TargetTestPrep
- GMAT Instructor
- Posts: 1462
- Joined: Thu Apr 09, 2015 9:34 am
- Location: New York, NY
- Thanked: 39 times
- Followed by:22 members
We are given that 60 percent of a rectangular floor is covered by a 9-foot by 12-foot rug. Thus, the area of the rug is 9 x 12 = 108 square feet. To determine the area of the floor, we can create the following equation in which the total area of the floor is n:Vincen wrote:If 60 percent of a rectangular floor is covered by a rectangular rug that is 9 feet by 12 feet, what is the area, in square feet, of the floor?
(A) 65
(B) 108
(C) 180
(D) 270
(E) 300
0.6n = 108
6n = 1,080
n = 1,080/6 = 180 square feet
Answer: C
Jeffrey Miller
Head of GMAT Instruction
[email protected]
See why Target Test Prep is rated 5 out of 5 stars on BEAT the GMAT. Read our reviews