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

Redeem

least possible score a team could have erarned

This topic has expert replies
Post new topic Post Reply
Previous Topic Next Topic
Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
Posts: 23
Joined: Fri Jun 18, 2010 10:26 am
Followed by:1 members

least possible score a team could have erarned

by enriqueta26 » Sat Jul 17, 2010 10:17 am
Could someone explain this problem, please?

For a certain race, 03 teams were allowed to enter 03 member each. A team earned 6*n points whenever one of its members finished in n th place. We have: 1<=n<=5. There were no ties, disqualifications or withdrawals.
If no team earned more than 6 points, what is the least possible score a team could have earned?
Source : gmat practice exam

[spoiler]A:31[/spoiler]
Top
Source: — Problem Solving |
User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 1052
Joined: Fri May 21, 2010 1:30 am
Thanked: 335 times
Followed by:98 members

by Patrick_GMATFix » Sat Jul 17, 2010 10:28 am
Hi Enriqueta,

As a general rule, if you are asked to find the 'least' that a value can be, maximize all the other values. Conversely, if you're trying to find the 'most' that a value can be, minimize all the other values.

In this case, to find the least possible score that a team could have earned, maximize the other teams' scores. In this case, we're told that the max for any team is 6 points. So the question can simply be restated as "if team A and team B earn 6 points each, what will be team C's score?"

To represent this clearly, a table would work. Essentially team A can earn 5 (1st place finish) and 1 (5th place). Team B can earn 4 (2nd place finish) and 2 (4th place). Therefore team C will have a member finish 3rd place and earn 3 points. The other team C member will finish last and earn no point.

The least possible score for a team is 3 points. The answer is D.

An illustration (table) and a video solution are available at GMATPrep Question 1580. To practice similar questions, set topic='Functions & Sequences' and difficulty='500-600' in the Drill Engine.

Hope this helps,
-Patrick

This question is also discussed at https://www.beatthegmat.com/for-a-certai ... 59866.html
  • Ask me about tutoring.
Top
Post new topic Post Reply
• Page 1 of 1