vivekvijayan wrote:Q. Danny has boxes colored either red or blue. In each blue box there is a fixed number of blueberries. In each red box there is a fixed number of strawberries. If Danny disposed of one blue box for one additional red box, the total number of berries (of both kinds) would increase by 25, and the difference between the total number of strawberries and the total number of blueberries would increase by 95. Each blue box contains how many blueberries?
35
40
45
50
60
Let B = the number in each blue box and R = the number in each red box.
If Danny disposed of one blue box for one additional red box, the total number of berries (of both kinds) would increase by 25.
Implication:
R - B = 25.
To illustrate:
If R=30 and B=5, then increasing the total by 30 red berries while decreasing the total by 5 blueberries will yield a net increase of 25 berries.
If R=35 and B=10, then increasing the total by 35 red berries while decreasing the total by 10 blueberries will yield a net increase of 25 berries.
To determine the value of B, we can PLUG IN THE ANSWERS.
To make the math easier, let there be 1 blue box and 1 red box.
If Danny disposed of one blue box for one additional red box, the difference between the total number of strawberries and the total number of blueberries would increase by 95.
Implication:
When the correct answer choice is plugged in, trading the 1 blue box for 1 additional red box will increase the value of R-B by 95 (from 25 to 120).
D: B=50
Thus:
R = B+25= 50+25 = 75.
After 1 blue box is traded for 1 red box, we get:
New B = 50-50 = 0.
New R = 75+75 = 150.
New R-B = 150-0 = 150.
The value of new R-B is too great.
B: B=40
Thus:
R = B+25= 40+25 = 65.
After 1 blue box is traded for 1 red box, we get:
New B = 40-40 = 0.
New R = 65+65 = 130.
New R-B = 130-0 = 130.
The value of new R-B is still too great.
As the value of B decreases, the value of new R-B also decreases (from 150 in answer choice D to 130 in answer choice B).
Thus, to decrease the value of new R-B to 120, the correct answer choice must be SMALLER than B=40.
The correct answer is
A.
A: B=35
Thus:
R = B+25= 35+25 = 60.
After 1 blue box is traded for 1 red box, we get:
New B = 35-35 = 0.
New R = 60+60 = 120.
New R-B = 120-0 = 120.
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
