Translating Word Problems

Is there a recommended strategy or resource to check out for translating word problems?

I came across this in the MGMAT Strategy Guide:

Retailer only has radios and clocks, total of 44 items.

(1) The retailer has less than twice as many radios as clocks in inventory

The book says: R < 2C

Is this just a poorly worded question or is there a strategy I could use here?

Thank you!

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GMAT/MBA Expert

Brent@GMATPrepNow: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 16207; Joined: Mon Dec 08, 2008 6:26 pm; Location: Vancouver, BC; Thanked: 5254 times; Followed by:1268 members; GMAT Score:770

by Brent@GMATPrepNow » Sat Jan 02, 2016 1:03 pm

The retailer has less than twice as many radios as clocks in inventory

If you're having problems with this one, I suggest you ignore certain parts and then gradually consider each on its own. Here's what I mean:

The retailer has twice as many radios . . .
So, the number of radios is greater than something.
In fact, the number of radios is twice some other number.
So, # of radios = 2(something)

The retailer has twice as many radios as clocks
So, # of radios = 2(# of clocks)

The retailer has less than twice as many radios as clocks in inventory
So, # of radios < 2(# of clocks)

Now replace with variables to get: r < 2c

Brent Hanneson - Creator of GMATPrepNow.com

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GMAT/MBA Expert

Brent@GMATPrepNow: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 16207; Joined: Mon Dec 08, 2008 6:26 pm; Location: Vancouver, BC; Thanked: 5254 times; Followed by:1268 members; GMAT Score:770

by Brent@GMATPrepNow » Sat Jan 02, 2016 1:04 pm

If you're interested, we have a free video on translating words to equations: https://www.gmatprepnow.com/module/gmat- ... /video/903

Cheers,
Brent

Brent Hanneson - Creator of GMATPrepNow.com

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