The trick is to multiply the denominator to a series of 9s
1/3 or 2/3 = 3/9 or 6/9 = .33333 or .99999
2/11 = 18/99 = .181818181818
41/99 = .414141414141
23/37 = 621/999 = .621621621621
If the denominator is all 9s, the repeating digit is just the numerator.
I have a question or the above, how come the answer to all the fractions is the numerator once 9 is the denominator except for the first one, 6/9 where it is not .66666 but .99999?
Thanks!
Is calculator use permitted on the GMAT exam?
GMAT/MBA Expert
- Ian Stewart
- GMAT Instructor
- Posts: 2621
- Joined: Mon Jun 02, 2008 3:17 am
- Location: Montreal
- Thanked: 1090 times
- Followed by:355 members
- GMAT Score:780
That must have been a typo. 2/3 is equal to 0.6666666.....Sarahcbl wrote:
Why is the first answer not .666666 but .99999 when the answer to the rest is the numerator when the denominator is a series of 9s?
Thanks!
For online GMAT math tutoring, or to buy my higher-level Quant books and problem sets, contact me at ianstewartgmat at gmail.com
ianstewartgmat.com
ianstewartgmat.com
- fcabanski
- Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
- Posts: 104
- Joined: Fri Oct 07, 2011 10:23 pm
- Thanked: 36 times
- Followed by:4 members
"And, technically, after you see that options A and C each have a 2-digit repeater... you know E must be right without trying it, b/c there's only one right answer - A and C can't both be it. But you should probably still try E just to be sure."
That is the best answer in this thread. GMAT, much like SAT, tests simple math in tricky ways. That includes in ways a person won't have seen in class work. It tests reasoning using math as a medium.
As Stacey mentioned, the key to GMAT math is using your noodle. Identify the problem type, set up the problem (that's a key for this type), make sure all the work you've written is correct and you know what the problem asks, then complete it and double check the answer.
With problems that appear to be long series, including fraction problems of this nature, finding the first 3-5 digits or numbers will generally reveal the pattern.
For example, this problem someone mentioned: "Last week manhattan GMAT challenging problem was to find the 18th number in 1/37 on which I wasted 2 mins. or some. then too wrong answer. I should have simply multiplied 27 to numerator & denominator. I would hv got
027/999 = .027027027027027027"
1 divided by 37, in long division after 5 digits you suspect it keeps repeating, after 6 you know it repeats. Then it's an easy matter to count to 18 to know a 7 will be in that place.
The only reason long division takes people more time is that they don't practice with it. In a problem like this it's likely a 6th grader, who is constantly working long division, would solve it quickly. That's the first thing he would try and he's pretty quick with it.
That is the best answer in this thread. GMAT, much like SAT, tests simple math in tricky ways. That includes in ways a person won't have seen in class work. It tests reasoning using math as a medium.
As Stacey mentioned, the key to GMAT math is using your noodle. Identify the problem type, set up the problem (that's a key for this type), make sure all the work you've written is correct and you know what the problem asks, then complete it and double check the answer.
With problems that appear to be long series, including fraction problems of this nature, finding the first 3-5 digits or numbers will generally reveal the pattern.
For example, this problem someone mentioned: "Last week manhattan GMAT challenging problem was to find the 18th number in 1/37 on which I wasted 2 mins. or some. then too wrong answer. I should have simply multiplied 27 to numerator & denominator. I would hv got
027/999 = .027027027027027027"
1 divided by 37, in long division after 5 digits you suspect it keeps repeating, after 6 you know it repeats. Then it's an easy matter to count to 18 to know a 7 will be in that place.
The only reason long division takes people more time is that they don't practice with it. In a problem like this it's likely a 6th grader, who is constantly working long division, would solve it quickly. That's the first thing he would try and he's pretty quick with it.
- MIKEMARKSAVER
- Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Mon Jun 24, 2013 12:57 pm
An online calculator with basic functions is available for Integrated Reasoning, but not for the Quantitative section. You are not allowed to bring calculators into the testing room.