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

Redeem

Boy n Girl

This topic has expert replies
Post new topic Post Reply
Previous Topic Next Topic
Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 8
Joined: Fri Aug 02, 2013 6:54 am

Boy n Girl

by nakul17 » Wed Oct 16, 2013 2:15 am
The ratio of boys to girls in Class A is 3 to 4. The ratio of boys to girls in Class B is 4 to 5. If the two classes were combined, the ratio of boys to girls in the combined class would be 17 to 22. If Class A has one more boy and two more girls than class B, how many girls are in Class A?



8

9

10

11

12
Top
Source: — Data Sufficiency |
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 269
Joined: Thu Sep 19, 2013 12:46 am
Thanked: 94 times
Followed by:7 members

by mevicks » Wed Oct 16, 2013 2:34 am
nakul17 wrote:The ratio of boys to girls in Class A is 3 to 4. The ratio of boys to girls in Class B is 4 to 5. If the two classes were combined, the ratio of boys to girls in the combined class would be 17 to 22. If Class A has one more boy and two more girls than class B, how many girls are in Class A?



8

9

10

11

12
Class A:
B/G = 3/4

Class B:
B/G = 4/5

For class B adding 1 to the numerator and 2 to the denominator to their multiples should yield a ratio of class A ie (3/4)

(4/5) *(2/2) => 8/10 => Add 1 to the numerator and 2 to teh denominator => 9/12 = 3/4

Thus the Number of girls in [spoiler]A = 12[/spoiler]

Regards,
Vivek
Top
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 269
Joined: Thu Sep 19, 2013 12:46 am
Thanked: 94 times
Followed by:7 members

by mevicks » Wed Oct 16, 2013 2:44 am
nakul17 wrote:The ratio of boys to girls in Class A is 3 to 4. The ratio of boys to girls in Class B is 4 to 5. If the two classes were combined, the ratio of boys to girls in the combined class would be 17 to 22. If Class A has one more boy and two more girls than class B, how many girls are in Class A?



8

9

10

11

12
Algebraic Approach:

Class A:
B/G = 3/4
B = 3x
G = 4x

Class B:
B/G = 4/5
B = 4y
G = 5y

Class A has one more boy and two more girls than class B:
3x = 4y + 1 ... (i)
4x = 5y + 2 ... (ii)

Multiply (i) by 5 and (ii) by 4:
15x = 20y + 5
16x = 20y + 8

Subtract (i) from (ii):
16x = 20y + 8
-15x = -20y - 5
x = 3
[spoiler]4x = 12 = Number of girls in A[/spoiler]
Top

GMAT/MBA Expert

User avatar
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

by [email protected] » Wed Oct 16, 2013 7:27 pm
Hi nakul17,

Ratio questions that have numerical answers often provide a Number Property shortcut that you can take advantage of.

Here, we're told that the ratio of boys to girls in Class A is 3:4...and some other ratio data (which we'll get to in a moment). We're asked for the number of girls in Class A. Since we have a ratio of 3:4, then the number of boys in Class A MUST be a multiple of 3 and the number of girls MUST be a multiple of 4. You can immediately eliminate B, C and D because they're not multiples of 4.

Now, we just have to "check" answer A and E against the rest of the question; whichever answer matches all of the facts is the answer:

The ratio of boys to girls in Class B is 4:5, so the number of boys MUST be a multiple of 4 and the number of girls MUST be a multiple of 5. We're also told that Class A has 1 more boy and 2 more girls than class B.

Answer A
Room A
Boys = 6
Girls = 8

Room B
Since Room A has 1 more boy....
Boys = 5
BUT the number of boys MUST be a multiple of 4. This DOES NOT MATCH the info, so answer A is incorrect.

Answer E
Room A
Boys = 9
Girls = 12

Room B
Since room A has 1 more boy and 2 more girls....
Boys = 8
Girls = 10
This MATCHES the ratio of 4:5

Total for both rooms:
Boys: 17
Girls: 22
This MATCHES the total ratio of 17:22

Final Answer:E

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
Contact Rich at [email protected]
Image
Top
Post new topic Post Reply
• Page 1 of 1