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

Redeem

Target Test Prep · GMAT

Choose how you want to prepare

Learn live with an expert or move at your own pace. Every option includes the complete TTP study system.

★★★★★5.0559 reviews
GMATLiveTeach 7 seats left
Chris Peckover
NEXT LIVE COHORT

Oct 13 to Jan 7, 2027

with Chris Peckover

Schedule
Tue, Thu · 8:00 to 10:00 PM ET
Included
40 live hours + 6 months of GMAT OnDemand
  • Live instruction and real-time questions
  • Class recordings and assigned practice
View class & enroll
Limited cohort · enrollment openTarget Test Prep
EALiveTeach 5 seats left
Logan Thompson
EXECUTIVE ASSESSMENT

Sep 6 to Dec 6, 2026

with Logan Thompson

Schedule
Sun · 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM ET
Included
Live EA class + 6 months of EA OnDemand
  • Expert-led weekly online sessions
  • EA Masterclass access between classes
View EA class & enroll
Limited cohort · enrollment openTarget Test Prep
GMATOnDemand Start anytime
SELF-PACED MASTERCLASS

Target Test Prep GMAT OnDemand

Complete access from day one. Study on your schedule.

130-point score guarantee
$0to start then $127/mo
  • Personalized study plan and analytics
  • Thousands of lessons and practice questions

Compare the format, schedule, and included access before enrolling. Prices and seat counts shown reflect the supplied offer details.

MGMAT CAT Exam PS | Another Way of doing it

Expert replies
by [email protected] » Thu Jun 28, 2012 2:50 pm
The number of antelope in a certain herd increases every year at a constant rate. If there are 500 antelope in the herd today, how many years will it take for the number of antelope to double?

(1) Ten years from now, there will be more than ten times the current number of antelope in the herd.

(2) If the herd were to grow in number at twice its current rate, there would be 980 antelope in the group in two years.





Statement (1) ALONE is sufficient, but statement (2) alone is not sufficient.


Statement (2) ALONE is sufficient, but statement (1) alone is not sufficient.




Both statements TOGETHER are sufficient, but NEITHER one ALONE is sufficient.


EACH statement ALONE is sufficient.



Statements (1) and (2) TOGETHER are NOT sufficient.


I do not understand the way this question has been answered on MGMAT CAT. Can someone make it simpler for me?
Join the discussion
Source: — GMAT Strategy |

by Mike@Magoosh » Thu Jun 28, 2012 3:12 pm
Hi, there. I'm happy to help with this. :)

Prompt:
The number of antelope in a certain herd increases every year at a constant rate. If there are 500 antelope in the herd today, how many years will it take for the number of antelope to double?

When we talk about populations growing at a rate, it always means a multiplier. The population is being multiplied by the same multiplier from one year to the next --- for example, it's multiplied by 1.2 each year (that would be a 20% growth rate).

Let's say that multiplier is r. The population now is 500, and we want to know, how many years (n) will it take to double?

1000 = 500*r^n
2 = r^n

Basically, if we knew the value of r, or had a way of finding the value of r, the multiplier, then we could find n.

Statement #1
Ten years from now, there will be more than ten times the current number of antelope in the herd.

This is an inequality, which is not going to help us solve an equation.

It's saying, essentially, 10 < (r^10) ---- so r could be just more than the tenth root of ten*, or r could be 1.5 or 2 or 3 or 14 or anything larger. If the multiplier is r = 2, then the population doubles in one year. If the multiplier is the square-root of two, then the population doubles in two years. Different values give different answers, which is not surprising since an inequality, by its very nature gives a whole infinity of possible values. This statements, by itself, is insufficient.

*the tenth root of ten --- the tenth root of anything is a really small root, and small roots are relatively close to 1. That's all you are expected to know about the tenth root of ten without a calculator. With a calculator, we can find: 10^(0.1) = 1.258925412

Statement #2
If the herd were to grow in number at twice its current rate, there would be 980 antelope in the group in two years.

Let R be the new multiplier.
This is telling us that 900 = 500*(R^2).
That's an equation, that would allow us to solve for R. (Admittedly, we can't actually find the decimal value of R without a calculator, but that's not the point on DS --- from pure logic, one has enough mathematical information to be able to solve for R.)
Once we find the value of R, we can easy find r --- for example, say R = 1.6 (it doesn't, but just for simplicity) --- that's a 60% growth rate, and half of that is a 30% growth rate, which means r = 1.3. So, if we know R, we can find r. If we know r, we can answer the prompt question. Therefore, this statement, by itself, is sufficient.

Answer = B

You may find these blogposts helpful:
a) https://magoosh.com/gmat/2012/understand ... -the-gmat/
b) https://magoosh.com/gmat/2012/percent-ch ... -the-gmat/

Does all this make sense? Let me know if you have any further questions.

Mike :-)
Magoosh GMAT Instructor
https://gmat.magoosh.com/
Join the discussion