In a certain large company, the ratio of college graduates with a graduate

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In a certain large company, the ratio of college graduates with a graduate degree to non-college graduates is 1:8, and ratio of college graduates without a graduate degree to non-college graduates is 2:3. If one picks a random college graduate at this large company, what is the probability this college graduate has a graduate degree?

A) 1/11
B) 1/12
C) 1/13
D) 3/19
E) 3/43


Answer: D
Source: Magoosh
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In a certain large company, the ratio of college graduates with a graduate degree to non-college graduates is 1:8, and ratio of college graduates without a graduate degree to non-college graduates is 2:3. If one picks a random college graduate at this large company, what is the probability this college graduate has a graduate degree?

First we combine the two statements to form 1 ratio of 3 terms.
The common term in both the statements is non-college graduates so we use that to combine.
The lcm of 8 and 3 is 24.
The first ratio can be written as 3:24
The second ratio can be written as 16:24
The combines ration is
college gradauate with a college degree : non-college graduates : college graduates without a college degree
3:24:16

We want the probability that a randomly selected college graduate has a graduate degree. That is equal to:


$$\frac{3}{3+24+16}=\frac{3}{43}$$

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BTGModeratorVI wrote:
Thu Aug 27, 2020 12:13 pm
In a certain large company, the ratio of college graduates with a graduate degree to non-college graduates is 1:8, and ratio of college graduates without a graduate degree to non-college graduates is 2:3. If one picks a random college graduate at this large company, what is the probability this college graduate has a graduate degree?

A) 1/11
B) 1/12
C) 1/13
D) 3/19
E) 3/43


Answer: D
Solution:

We can let the number of non-college graduates be 24. Therefore, the number of college graduates with a graduate degree is 1/8 x 24 = 3, and the number of college graduates without a graduate degree 2/3 x 24 = 16. Therefore, there are 3 + 16 = 19 college graduates, and the probability a randomly selected college graduate will have a graduate degree is 3/19.

Answer: D

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BTGModeratorVI wrote:
Thu Aug 27, 2020 12:13 pm
In a certain large company, the ratio of college graduates with a graduate degree to non-college graduates is 1:8, and ratio of college graduates without a graduate degree to non-college graduates is 2:3. If one picks a random college graduate at this large company, what is the probability this college graduate has a graduate degree?

A) 1/11
B) 1/12
C) 1/13
D) 3/19
E) 3/43


Answer: D
Source: Magoosh
It took me a while to see there are, indeed, 3 types of worker.
Let A = # of college graduates with a graduate degree
Let B = # of non-college graduates
Let C = # of college graduates without a graduate degree

Given: A : B = 1 : 8
Given: C : B = 2 : 3

Since both ratios share B, we need to create equivalent fractions that have the same value for B.
A : B = 1 : 8 = 3 : 24
C : B = 2 : 3 = 16 : 24

So, A : B : C = 3 : 24 : 16
3 + 24 + 16 = 43

So, for every 43 workers, there are:
- 3 college graduates with a graduate degree
- 24 non-college graduates
- 16 of college graduates without a graduate degree

If one picks a random college graduate at this large company, what is the probability this college graduate has a graduate degree?
We are picking a college graduate.
From the above info, we ignore the number of non-college graduates.
So, for every 19 college graduates, 3 have a graduate degree and 16 do not.

P(this college graduate has a graduate degree) = 3/19

Answer: D

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Brent
Brent Hanneson - Creator of GMATPrepNow.com
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