Tree problem from GMATPrep 1

This topic has expert replies
User avatar
Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
Posts: 20
Joined: Tue Feb 07, 2012 3:31 am

Tree problem from GMATPrep 1

by Mjkourtis » Wed Jul 11, 2012 7:35 am
When a tree was first planted, it was 4 ft. tall. The height increased by a constant each year for the next 6 years. At end, it was 1/5 taller than it was at the end of 4 years. By how many feet did the height increase each year?

A. 3/10
B. 2/5
C. 1/2
D. 2/3
E. 6/5
Source: — Problem Solving |

User avatar
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 342
Joined: Wed Jul 08, 2009 8:50 am
Thanked: 214 times
Followed by:19 members
GMAT Score:740

by Birottam Dutta » Wed Jul 11, 2012 7:45 am
Let the constant increase in height be X.

So, after 1st year, height = 4+X
2nd year, height = 4+2X
3rd year, height = 4+3X
4th year, height = 4+4X
5th year, height = 4+5X
6th year, height = 4+6X
By the question, height at 6th year is 1/5th more or 6/5th of height at 4th year

=> 4+6X = 6/5(4+4X)
Solving, we get, X=2/3.

Hence, answer is D!

User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 15539
Joined: Tue May 25, 2010 12:04 pm
Location: New York, NY
Thanked: 13060 times
Followed by:1906 members
GMAT Score:790

by GMATGuruNY » Wed Jul 11, 2012 10:13 am
Mjkourtis wrote:When a tree was first planted, it was 4 ft. tall. The height increased by a constant each year for the next 6 years. At end, it was 1/5 taller than it was at the end of 4 years. By how many feet did the height increase each year?

A. 3/10
B. 2/5
C. 1/2
D. 2/3
E. 6/5
We can plug in the answers, which represent the growth each year.
Since the height in the 6th year is 6/5 the height in the 4th year, the needed ratio is 6th year : 4th year = 6:5.

Answer choice C: 1/2 each year.
4th year = 4 + 4(1/2) = 6.
6th year = 6 + 2(1/2) = 7.
6th : 4th = 7:6.
Since 7/6 is just a bit less than 6/5, the difference between the 6th year and the 4th year needs to increase by just a little.

The correct answer is D.

Note that, to determine the correct answer, we had to try only ONE answer choice -- a very efficient way to solve the problem.

Answer choice D: 2/3 each year.
4th year = 4 + 4(2/3) = 20/3.
6th year = 20/3 + 2(2/3) = 24/3.
6th : 4th = 24:20 = 6:5.
Success!
Private tutor exclusively for the GMAT and GRE, with over 20 years of experience.
Followed here and elsewhere by over 1900 test-takers.
I have worked with students based in the US, Australia, Taiwan, China, Tajikistan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia -- a long list of countries.
My students have been admitted to HBS, CBS, Tuck, Yale, Stern, Fuqua -- a long list of top programs.

As a tutor, I don't simply teach you how I would approach problems.
I unlock the best way for YOU to solve problems.

For more information, please email me (Mitch Hunt) at [email protected].
Student Review #1
Student Review #2
Student Review #3

User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 979
Joined: Tue Apr 14, 2009 1:38 am
Location: Hyderabad, India
Thanked: 49 times
Followed by:12 members
GMAT Score:700

by bubbliiiiiiii » Wed Jul 18, 2012 5:05 am
Is there a typo in the question? Both of you have taken 6/5 while the question says 1/5! ? or am I missing something?
Regards,

Pranay

User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 15539
Joined: Tue May 25, 2010 12:04 pm
Location: New York, NY
Thanked: 13060 times
Followed by:1906 members
GMAT Score:790

by GMATGuruNY » Wed Jul 18, 2012 5:12 am
bubbliiiiiiii wrote:Is there a typo in the question? Both of you have taken 6/5 while the question says 1/5! ? or am I missing something?
1/5 more than x means x + (1/5)x = (6/5)x.
Similarly, 1/5 TALLER means 6/5 of the preceding height.
Private tutor exclusively for the GMAT and GRE, with over 20 years of experience.
Followed here and elsewhere by over 1900 test-takers.
I have worked with students based in the US, Australia, Taiwan, China, Tajikistan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia -- a long list of countries.
My students have been admitted to HBS, CBS, Tuck, Yale, Stern, Fuqua -- a long list of top programs.

As a tutor, I don't simply teach you how I would approach problems.
I unlock the best way for YOU to solve problems.

For more information, please email me (Mitch Hunt) at [email protected].
Student Review #1
Student Review #2
Student Review #3

User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 979
Joined: Tue Apr 14, 2009 1:38 am
Location: Hyderabad, India
Thanked: 49 times
Followed by:12 members
GMAT Score:700

by bubbliiiiiiii » Fri Jul 20, 2012 12:34 am
GMATGuruNY wrote:
bubbliiiiiiii wrote:Is there a typo in the question? Both of you have taken 6/5 while the question says 1/5! ? or am I missing something?
1/5 more than x means x + (1/5)x = (6/5)x.
Similarly, 1/5 TALLER means 6/5 of the preceding height.
Thanks. :)
Regards,

Pranay