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overlapping set question

Expert replies
by ohjoon2 » Sat Jul 17, 2010 7:09 pm
from the official guide (12th edition)

A marketing firm determined that, of 200 households surveyed, 80 used neither Brand A nor Brand B soap, 60 used only Brand A soap, and for every household that used both brands of soap, 3 used only Brand B soap. How many of the 200 households surveyed used both brands of soap?
(A) 15
(B) 20
(C) 30
(D) 40
(E) 45

the answer is A. i know how to get it by doing simple arithmetic and algebratic calculations.
but i wonder if there's a quicker, efficient way to answer this.
i learned of an overlapping set formula. total = group 1 + group 2 - Both + Neither.
i tried to use that formula on this question and i couldn't figure it out.
so my assumption is the formula can be used for most overlapping set questions, but not all including this one.
am i correct?
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Source: — Problem Solving |

by Stuart@KaplanGMAT » Sat Jul 17, 2010 7:30 pm
ohjoon2 wrote:from the official guide (12th edition)

A marketing firm determined that, of 200 households surveyed, 80 used neither Brand A nor Brand B soap, 60 used only Brand A soap, and for every household that used both brands of soap, 3 used only Brand B soap. How many of the 200 households surveyed used both brands of soap?
(A) 15
(B) 20
(C) 30
(D) 40
(E) 45

the answer is A. i know how to get it by doing simple arithmetic and algebratic calculations.
but i wonder if there's a quicker, efficient way to answer this.
i learned of an overlapping set formula. total = group 1 + group 2 - Both + Neither.
i tried to use that formula on this question and i couldn't figure it out.
so my assumption is the formula can be used for most overlapping set questions, but not all including this one.
am i correct?
Hi!

There are actually two different formulae for overlapping sets. The one you cited is the one most commonly applicable, but it's important to understand what each term stands for so you know when it applies. Here it is in expanded form:

Total = (everything in group 1) + (everything in group 2) - (things in both groups) + (things in neither group)

Here's the alternative formula:

Total = (things ONLY in group 1) + (things ONLY in group 2) + (things in both groups) + (things in neither group)

The reason why the first formula doesn't work for this question is because of the "only"s in the stem.
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by mourinhogmat1 » Sat Jul 17, 2010 8:57 pm
ohjoon2 wrote:from the official guide (12th edition)

A marketing firm determined that, of 200 households surveyed, 80 used neither Brand A nor Brand B soap, 60 used only Brand A soap, and for every household that used both brands of soap, 3 used only Brand B soap. How many of the 200 households surveyed used both brands of soap?
(A) 15
(B) 20
(C) 30
(D) 40
(E) 45

the answer is A. i know how to get it by doing simple arithmetic and algebratic calculations.
but i wonder if there's a quicker, efficient way to answer this.
i learned of an overlapping set formula. total = group 1 + group 2 - Both + Neither.
i tried to use that formula on this question and i couldn't figure it out.
so my assumption is the formula can be used for most overlapping set questions, but not all including this one.
am i correct?
You can use the sets diagrams to visualize so that you dont need to remember the formulae.
Join the discussion