OG Quotient divided

AbeNeedsAnswers wrote:The quotient when a certain number is divided by 2/3 is 9/2. What is the number?

A) 4/27
B) 1/3
C) 3
D) 6
E) 27/4

C

Let x = the number

So, x divided by 2/3 = 9/2
In other words: x/(2/3) = 9/2
Multiply both sides by 2/3 to get: x = (9/2)(2/3) = 3

Answer: C

Cheers,
Brent

Hi All,

We're told that the quotient when a certain number is divided by 2/3 is 9/2. We are asked for that the number. This question is straight-forward enough that it be solved with some basic arithmetic. With tougher versions of this concept though, it can help to know the alternative approaches. Based on the 'spread' of the answer choices, you can also get the correct answer with a little 'logic' and some Number Property knowledge.

Here are 3 Number Property rules worth knowing:
1) When dividing a positive number by 1, the result is the same (for example, 9/1 = 9)
2) When dividing a positive number by a positive that is GREATER than 1, the result is smaller (for example, 9/3 = 3)
3) When dividing a positive number by a positive that is LESS than 1, the result is BIGGER (for example, 9/(1/3) = 27)

In this question, we're dividing a number by 2/3 - so whatever the result is, that result will be BIGGER than the initial number. The result here is 9/2, so the original number MUST be LESS than 9/2 = LESS than 4.5. Since 2/3 is relatively close to 1, we're looking for an answer that is smaller than 4.5 but is not that 'far away' from 4.5. There's only one answer that matches...

Final Answer: C

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich