MGMAT - FDP Strategies Error

This topic has expert replies
User avatar
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 113
Joined: Sun Nov 24, 2013 9:19 pm
Thanked: 1 times
Followed by:5 members

MGMAT - FDP Strategies Error

by bml1105 » Thu Dec 19, 2013 2:01 pm
From MGMAT - Fractions, Decimals & Percents Guide = pg 99 Q#6

Bradley owns b video game cartridges. If Bradley's total is 1/3 the total owned by Andrew and four times the total owned by Charlie, how many video game cartridges do the three of them own altogether, in terms of b?

(A) 16/3(b)
(B) 17/4(b)
(C) 13/4(b)
(D) 19/12(b)
(E) 7/12(b)

MGMAT says the answer is C
I think the answer is [spoiler]B (because when I set it up as a ratio - with sample numbers - C:B:A = 1:4:12 we can see there is a total of 17 divided by the 4 that Bradley has)[/spoiler]. If need be I can show my work as well. Can anyone explain how to get the correct answer?
Source: — Problem Solving |

User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 15539
Joined: Tue May 25, 2010 12:04 pm
Location: New York, NY
Thanked: 13060 times
Followed by:1906 members
GMAT Score:790

by GMATGuruNY » Thu Dec 19, 2013 4:04 pm
Your solution is perfect.
The correct answer should be B.
The answer listed in the book is a typo:
https://www.manhattangmat.com/errata-fdp-5ed.cfm
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

User avatar
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 113
Joined: Sun Nov 24, 2013 9:19 pm
Thanked: 1 times
Followed by:5 members

by bml1105 » Thu Dec 19, 2013 6:18 pm
Thanks! I was starting to go crazy thinking how it could have been the answer they put.