Problem Solving

boomgoesthegmat wrote:The ratio of the length to the width of a rectangular advertising display is approximately 3.3 to 2. If the width of the display is 8 meters, what is the approximate length of the display, in meters?

A) 7
B) 11
C) 13
D) 16
E) 26

OA: C

This is a matter of EQUIVALENT RATIOS:
length/width: 3.3/2 = x/8

Approach #1: Notice that the width increases by a factor of 4 (from 2 to 8)
So, the length must increase be a factor of 4 as well.
3.3(4) = 13.2

Answer: C

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Approach #2
3.3/2 = x/8
Cross multiply: (3.3)(8) = (2)(x)
Evaluate: 26.4 = 2x
Solve: x = 13.2

Answer: C

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RELATED RESOURCE (video)
- Intro to ratios: https://www.gmatprepnow.com/module/gmat ... video/1081

Cheers,
Brent

Hi boomgoesthegmat,

This question gives us a ratio and asks us for the APPROXIMATE length of a display. The given ratio of length:width is 3.3:2 and the width is 8 meters. Since 8 is 4 times 2, the actual measurements of the length and width are (4)(3.3) and (4)(2) respectively (that gives us a length of 13.2 and a width of 8).

Final Answer: C

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Rich