BREAKING: Target Test Prep releases Brand New 2026 On Demand GMAT prep course

Redeem

Target Test Prep · GMAT

Choose how you want to prepare

Learn live with an expert or move at your own pace. Every option includes the complete TTP study system.

★★★★★5.0559 reviews
GMATLiveTeach 7 seats left
Chris Peckover
NEXT LIVE COHORT

Oct 13 to Jan 7, 2027

with Chris Peckover

Schedule
Tue, Thu · 8:00 to 10:00 PM ET
Included
40 live hours + 6 months of GMAT OnDemand
  • Live instruction and real-time questions
  • Class recordings and assigned practice
View class & enroll
Limited cohort · enrollment openTarget Test Prep
EALiveTeach 5 seats left
Logan Thompson
EXECUTIVE ASSESSMENT

Sep 6 to Dec 6, 2026

with Logan Thompson

Schedule
Sun · 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM ET
Included
40 hours of live online classes plus six months of access to the complete TTP EA OnDemand course.
  • 165+ EA Score Guarantee
  • 4,100+ Quant, Verbal, and Integrated Reasoning practice questions
  • 400+ hours of in-depth video lessons
  • 3,000+ step-by-step video solutions
View EA class & enroll
Limited cohort · enrollment openTarget Test Prep
GMATOnDemand Start anytime
SELF-PACED MASTERCLASS

Target Test Prep GMAT OnDemand

Complete access from day one. Study on your schedule.

715+ score guarantee
$0to start then $127/mo
  • Personalized study plan and analytics
  • Thousands of lessons and practice questions
Start free 5-day trial
Read 559 reviewsTarget Test Prep

Compare the format, schedule, and included access before enrolling. Prices and seat counts shown reflect the supplied offer details.

In the Johnsons' monthly budget (OG2016)

Expert replies
Post new topic Post Reply
Previous Topic Next Topic
Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 93
Joined: Mon Apr 25, 2016 2:22 pmFollowed by: 1 member
Thanked: 1 times
by boomgoesthegmat » Fri May 06, 2016 12:32 pm

Timer

00:00

Answers

A

B

C

D

E

Stats

Difficulty—

In the Johnsons' monthly budget, the dollar amounts allocated to household expenses, food, and miscellaneous items are in the ratio 5:2:1, respectively. If the total amount allocated to these three categories is $1,800, what is the amount allocated to food?

A) 900
B) 720
C) 675
D) 450
E) 225

OA: D
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Source: — Problem Solving |
User avatar
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 410
Joined: Fri Mar 13, 2015 3:36 amFollowed by: 8 members
Location: Worldwide
Thanked: 120 times
GMAT Score:770

by OptimusPrep » Sat May 07, 2016 7:45 pm
boomgoesthegmat wrote:In the Johnsons' monthly budget, the dollar amounts allocated to household expenses, food, and miscellaneous items are in the ratio 5:2:1, respectively. If the total amount allocated to these three categories is $1,800, what is the amount allocated to food?

A) 900
B) 720
C) 675
D) 450
E) 225

OA: D
Household expenses : Food : Miscellaneous items are in the ratio 5:2:1
Amount allocated to food = (2/8)*1800 = 1800/4 = $450

Correct Option: D
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY

GMAT/MBA Expert

User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 16207
Joined: Mon Dec 08, 2008 6:26 pmFollowed by: 1268 members
Location: Vancouver, BC
Thanked: 5254 times
GMAT Score:770

by Brent@GMATPrepNow » Sun May 08, 2016 6:02 am
boomgoesthegmat wrote:In the Johnsons' monthly budget, the dollar amounts allocated to household expenses, food, and miscellaneous items are in the ratio 5:2:1, respectively. If the total amount allocated to these three categories is $1,800, what is the amount allocated to food?

A) 900
B) 720
C) 675
D) 450
E) 225

OA: D
GIVEN: household expenses $ : food $ : miscellaneous $ = 5:2:1
5 + 2 + 1 = 8.
So, for every $8 in the budget, $5 goes to household expenses, $2 goes to food and $1 goes to miscellaneous

$1800/8 = $225

So...
- household expenses = 5($225) = $1225
- food = 2($225) = $450
- miscellaneous = 1($225) = $225

Answer: D

RELATED RESOURCE: This video explains the technique for dividing amounts into specific ratios (as we did with this question): https://www.gmatprepnow.com/module/gmat ... video/1081

Cheers,
Brent
Brent Hanneson - Creator of GMATPrepNow.com
Image
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 199
Joined: Sat Apr 26, 2014 10:53 amFollowed by: 4 members
Thanked: 16 times
GMAT Score:780

by 800_or_bust » Sun May 08, 2016 7:41 pm
boomgoesthegmat wrote:In the Johnsons' monthly budget, the dollar amounts allocated to household expenses, food, and miscellaneous items are in the ratio 5:2:1, respectively. If the total amount allocated to these three categories is $1,800, what is the amount allocated to food?

A) 900
B) 720
C) 675
D) 450
E) 225

OA: D
I would approach this by simply setting up an equation. Set x = the total spent on miscellaneous items. Given the ratios, we know they spent 5 times this amount on household expenses and 2 times this amount on food. Therefore, 5x = total spent on household items, and 2x = total spent on food. We need to solve for 2x. Finally, we are given that the total amount spent was $1800.00.

Therefore, we can set up the following equation and solve for 2x.

5x+2x+x = 1800, which simplifies to 8x = 1800.

Next, divide both sides of the equation by 4 to solve for 2x.

8x/4 = 1800/4

2x = 450.

Accordingly, the answer is D.
800 or bust!
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 1462
Joined: Thu Apr 09, 2015 9:34 amFollowed by: 22 members
Location: New York, NY
Thanked: 39 times

by Jeff@TargetTestPrep » Mon May 09, 2016 10:40 am
boomgoesthegmat wrote:In the Johnsons' monthly budget, the dollar amounts allocated to household expenses, food, and miscellaneous items are in the ratio 5:2:1, respectively. If the total amount allocated to these three categories is $1,800, what is the amount allocated to food?

A) 900
B) 720
C) 675
D) 450
E) 225

OA: D
To solve this question, it will be best to first express the given ratio using variable multipliers. Thus, we have:

Household Expenses : Food : Miscellaneous = 5x : 2x : x

Since we are told that the TOTAL amount allocated to these categories is $1,800 we can set up the equation:

5x + 2x + x = 1,800

8x = 1,800

x = 225

Thus, the total amount allocated to food is 2 x 225 = $450.

Answer D

Jeffrey Miller
Head of GMAT Instruction
[email protected]

Image

See why Target Test Prep is rated 5 out of 5 stars on BEAT the GMAT. Read our reviews
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 2630
Joined: Wed Sep 12, 2012 3:32 pmFollowed by: 119 members
Location: East Bay all the way
Thanked: 625 times
GMAT Score:780

by Matt@VeritasPrep » Wed May 11, 2016 11:57 pm
Since this is a ratio, each term has the same multiple: we'll call it x.

5x + 2x + 1x = 1800, so x = 225.

Food = 2x, so 2*225, or 450.
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY

GMAT/MBA Expert

User avatar
Elite Legendary Member
Posts: 10392
Joined: Sun Jun 23, 2013 6:38 pmFollowed by: 511 members
Location: Palo Alto, CA
Thanked: 2867 times
GMAT Score:800

by [email protected] » Tue Mar 20, 2018 2:24 pm
Hi All,

We're told that in the Johnsons' monthly budget, the dollar amounts allocated to household expenses, food, and miscellaneous items are in the ratio 5:2:1, respectively and that the total amount allocated to these three categories is $1,800. We're asked for the amount allocated to food. This is a standard ratio question and the 'math' behind it can be done in a variety of ways (depending on how you "see" the relationships involved).

To start, with a ratio of 5:2:1, it's highly likely that....
The amount spent on household expenses is a multiple of $5
The amount spent on food is a multiple of $2
The amount spent on miscellaneous items is a multiple of $1
The TOTAL spent will be a multiple of $5+$2+1 = $8

This means that for every $8 that is spent $2 will be on food. $2/$8 = 1/4, so 1/4 of the $1800 total will be spent on food.

(1/4)($1800) = $450

Final Answer: D

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
Contact Rich at [email protected]
Image
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Legendary Member
Posts: 2214
Joined: Fri Mar 02, 2018 2:22 pmFollowed by: 5 members

by deloitte247 » Fri Mar 23, 2018 11:56 pm
Household expenses:food:miscellaneous: 5:2:1
Let the amount allocated be =$x
$1800= 5($x) : 2($x) : 1($x)
$1800= $5x + $2x + $1x
$1800= $8x
Divide both sides by coefficient of x
$1800/8 = x
x= $225

Expenses= 5* $225 =$1,125
Food= 2* $225 =$450 (This is the correct answer...option D)
Miscellaneous= 1* $225 =$225

Total= $1800
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Post new topic Post Reply
• Page 1 of 1