BREAKING: Target Test Prep releases Brand New 2026 On Demand GMAT prep course

Redeem
TTP OnDemand GMAT Video Course
Featured Course

Target Test Prep GMAT OnDemand

Scott Woodbury-Stewart’s private virtual classroom — 400 hours of master-class video lessons for the GMAT Focus Edition.

  • 715+ score guarantee — highest in the industry (99th percentile)
  • 52 chapters · 1,500+ lessons · 4,000+ practice questions
  • 400 hours of video · 1,500+ instructor-led HD smartboard lessons
  • 300,000+ students accepted to Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, Booth & Sloan & more
  • 24/7 live support + weekly Zoom office hours with GMAT instructors
  • TTP AI Assist — 24/7 AI-powered virtual tutor for instant help
  • 1,200+ flashcards + AI-powered study assistant & daily calendar
  • OnDemand, LiveTeach & GMAT Bootcamp formats available
  • Also: GRE, SAT Math & Executive Assessment courses
  • MBA Admissions Consulting now available
  • 🏆 2025 EdTech Breakthrough Award: Test Prep Solution Provider of the Year
  • 200,000+ students served
  • 5-day free trial — $0 to start, no auto-billing, cancel anytime
★★★★★ 5.0 (559 reviews)
130-pt guarantee
$0 to start then $127/mo
Start Free 5-Day Trial Read 559 Reviews →

P & C

Expert replies
Post new topic Post Reply
Previous Topic Next Topic
User avatar
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 269
Joined: Sun Apr 27, 2014 10:33 pmFollowed by: 5 members
Thanked: 8 times
by prachi18oct » Sun Jul 12, 2015 10:18 am
Runners V, W, X, Y and Z are competing in the Bayville local triathlon. How many different ways are there for X to complete the race ahead of Y?
A 5
B 10
C 30
D 60
E 120

Shouldn't the OA be D ? There should be exactly half of the total ways in which X is ahead of Y.
Please explain.
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Source: — Problem Solving |

GMAT/MBA Expert

User avatar
Elite Legendary Member
Posts: 10392
Joined: Sun Jun 23, 2013 6:38 pmFollowed by: 511 members
Location: Palo Alto, CA
Thanked: 2867 times
GMAT Score:800

by [email protected] » Sun Jul 12, 2015 11:40 am
Hi prachi18oct,

Assuming that there are no "ties", the 5 runners would have 5! = 120 different outcomes. Since Runner X will finish ahead of Runner Y half the time, the number of options is 120/2 = 60

Final Answer: D

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
Contact Rich at [email protected]
Image
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 363
Joined: Sun Oct 17, 2010 3:24 pmFollowed by: 3 members
Thanked: 115 times

by theCEO » Sun Jul 12, 2015 1:07 pm
Alternative approach:

If X is in the 1st position - possibilities are 1 x 4 x 3 x 2 x 1 = 24
If X is in the 2nd position - possibilities are 3 x 1 x 3 x 2 x 1 = 18
If X is in the 3rd position - possibilities are 3 x 2 x 1 x 2 x 1 = 12
If X is in the 4st position - possibilities are 3 x 2 x 1 x 1 x 1 = 06
Total possibilities = 24+18+12+06=60
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Post new topic Post Reply
• Page 1 of 1