OG12-PS-148 qn

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OG12-PS-148 qn

by kishokbabu » Fri Jan 06, 2012 11:33 am
If x, y, and k are positive numbers such that ((x/(X+Y))(10) +(y/(X+Y))(20)) = K
and if x < y,


which of the following could be the value of k ?
(A) 10
(B) 12
(C) 15
(D) 18
(E) 30

OG explanation for this qn is very big, is there any easy approach or is there any number plugging options for this qn?
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by GMATGuruNY » Fri Jan 06, 2012 11:39 am
kishokbabu wrote:If x, y, and k are positive numbers such that ((x/(X+Y))(10) +(y/(X+Y))(20)) = K
and if x < y,


which of the following could be the value of k ?
(A) 10
(B) 12
(C) 15
(D) 18
(E) 30

OG explanation for this qn is very big, is there any easy approach or is there any number plugging options for this qn?
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by pemdas » Fri Jan 06, 2012 11:53 am
restated q.
10x/(x+y)+20y/(x+y) = K and x < y
find k?
(10x+20y)/(x+y) = K, (10(x+y)+10y)/(x+y), 10 + 10y/(x+y)
since x<y, we deduce y/(x+y) could be min. 1/2 and max 1
x<y, say x=0,.000001 or some other small value, x is +ve and less than y, y(x+y) gives close to 1 then OR say x=9.99999999 or some other value, x <y and y/(x+y) gives close to 1/2 then

Hence 10y/(x+y) is min. 5 and max. 10

answer choice d suits here only

(A) 10
(B) 12
(C) 15
(D) 18
(E) 30

OG explanation for this qn is very big, is there any easy approach or is there any number plugging options for this qn?[/quote]
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by LalaB » Sat Jan 07, 2012 3:46 am
below is my very strange approach :) -

((x/(X+Y))(10) +(y/(X+Y))(20)) = K

10x/(x+y)+20y/(x+y)=k

10(x+2y)/(x+y)=k
((x+y)+y)/((x+y))=k/10

1+y/(x+y)=k/10

y/(x+y)=k/10-1

y/(x+y)=(k-10)/10 or

(x+y)/y=10/(k-10)

it means

x+y=10
y=k-10

now we see that our k cant be 10(then y=0) and 30 (then y=20 and x<0).so A and E are out

answ choice C is also out, since then x=y

answ choice B is also out, since then x>y

answ choice D k=18 .then y=18-10=8 x=10-8=2 bingo!