Hi late4thing,
Certain Quant questions become easier to deal with IF you can find a way to work with fewer variables.
After reading the initial prompt, there are 4 variables: the spouse and each of the 3 children. We're told that the sum of those 4 numbers is $200,000. We're asked for the amount that the YOUNGEST child received.
I'm going to list the initial variables as...
V = spouse
X = oldest child
Y = middle child
Z = youngest child
So, V+X+Y+Z = 200,000 and we're trying to figure out the value of Z.
1) The spouse received 1/2 of the sum from the estate, and the oldest child received 1/4 of the remainder.
From this, we know that...
V = (1/2)(200,000) = 100,000
X = (1/4)(100,000) = 25,000
This leaves us with Y+Z = 75,000 but we do NOT know the value of Z.
Fact 1 is INSUFFICIENT
2) Each of the two younger children received $12,500 more than the oldest child and $62,500 less than the spouse.
With this information, we can actually write a gigantic equation with just ONE variable.
The two youngest children received the same amount, so Z = Y.
They received 12,500 more than the oldest child, so Z = Y = X+12,500.
They received 62,500 less than the spouse, so Z = Y = X+12,500 = V - 62,500
All of this can be rewritten; instead of...
V+X+Y+Z = 200,000
we have....
(Z+62,500) + (Z-12,500) + Z + Z = 200,000
This is one variable and one equation, so we can solve it (and there will be just one answer).
Fact 2 is SUFFICIENT
Final Answer: B
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
