Combinatorics

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student22: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 216; Joined: Mon Dec 21, 2009 10:26 am; Thanked: 16 times

Combinatorics

by student22 » Thu Apr 15, 2010 8:42 pm

I'm taking the GMAT in a few weeks, and after going over my strengths and weaknesses, I found that I'm still having trouble with combinatorics. I can do the easy to medium ones, even a few hard ones. But the really hard ones, kick my ass.

One problem, I found is that I'm memorizing the steps on how to solve each type of combinatorics problem. Thats why on really hard ones, that are a little bit different, I'm completely stuck.

The reason that I'm memorizing them is that even after several stat classes, I never really "got" them. Anybody have any ideas on how to address this weakness given the limited time I have left to study?

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Source: Beat The GMAT — Quantitative Reasoning | Thu Apr 15, 2010 8:42 pm

MFaulkner: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 38; Joined: Sat Nov 21, 2009 1:56 pm; Location: Indianapolis; Thanked: 2 times; GMAT Score:760

by MFaulkner » Fri Apr 16, 2010 2:04 am

I had trouble with combinatorics for months, the only thing that finally allowed me to understand the various concepts was 'MGMT's Word Translations'

That's my recommendation if you have the time.

The combinatorics chapter alone is probably worth the $26 book. I also know that you can find certain chapters of the book on googlebooks--might be worth looking into.

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student22: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 216; Joined: Mon Dec 21, 2009 10:26 am; Thanked: 16 times

by student22 » Fri Apr 16, 2010 7:31 am

MFaulkner, I have the MGMAT word translations book. It did help alot in the beginning. I'll try re-reading that chapter again, maybe it'll sink in better this time.

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dj_vinayak: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 51; Joined: Mon Jan 25, 2010 9:46 am; Thanked: 1 times; GMAT Score:720

by dj_vinayak » Sun Jul 15, 2012 9:18 pm

Is there any other source material that we can refer to other than MGMAT, for working on Combinatorics..

Stay Hungry Stay Foolish

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tutorphd: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 126; Joined: Sun Jun 24, 2012 10:11 am; Location: Chicago, IL; Thanked: 36 times; Followed by:7 members

by tutorphd » Sun Jul 15, 2012 11:48 pm

The Veritas book on Combinatorics and Probability is the best text for those on GMAT. The MGMAT "Word Translations" covers only the beginner to intermediate level of those.

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