Each of the 30 boxes in a certain shipment with either 10 pounds or 20 pounds, and the average (arithmetic mean) weight of the boxes in the shipment is 18 pounds. If the average weight of the boxes in the shipment is to be reduced to 14 pounds by removing some of the 20-pound boxes, how many 20-pound boxes must be removed?
A. 4
B. 6
C. 10
D. 20
E. 24
Please provide answers
This topic has expert replies
Source: Beat The GMAT — Problem Solving |
M = {-6, -5, -4, -3, -2}
T = {-2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3}
If an integer is to be randomly selected from set M above and an integer is to be randomly selected from set T above, what is the probability that the product of the two integers will be negative?
A. 0
B. 1/3
C. 2/5
D. 1/2
E. 3/5
T = {-2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3}
If an integer is to be randomly selected from set M above and an integer is to be randomly selected from set T above, what is the probability that the product of the two integers will be negative?
A. 0
B. 1/3
C. 2/5
D. 1/2
E. 3/5
- Stuart@KaplanGMAT
- GMAT Instructor
- Posts: 3225
- Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2008 2:40 pm
- Location: Toronto
- Thanked: 1710 times
- Followed by:614 members
- GMAT Score:800
Please review the posting guidelines and only post 1 question per thread.
Also, you can use the search function to find answers to frequently posted questions. The third question in your thread has been recently addressed on the forum.
Also, you can use the search function to find answers to frequently posted questions. The third question in your thread has been recently addressed on the forum.

Stuart Kovinsky | Kaplan GMAT Faculty | Toronto
Kaplan Exclusive: The Official Test Day Experience | Ready to Take a Free Practice Test? | Kaplan/Beat the GMAT Member Discount
BTG100 for $100 off a full course
-
JeffB
- Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
- Posts: 153
- Joined: Tue Jun 02, 2009 2:48 pm
- Location: Ohio
- Thanked: 16 times
Good ole weight average problems!Sanket05 wrote:Each of the 30 boxes in a certain shipment with either 10 pounds or 20 pounds, and the average (arithmetic mean) weight of the boxes in the shipment is 18 pounds. If the average weight of the boxes in the shipment is to be reduced to 14 pounds by removing some of the 20-pound boxes, how many 20-pound boxes must be removed?
A. 4
B. 6
C. 10
D. 20
E. 24
x = # of 10 pound boxes
y = # of 20 pound boxes
We know we have (30) total.
10x + 20y = 18(30)
10x + 20y = 540
Let r = number of boxes removed
10x + 20(y-r)/ 30-r = 14
10x + 20y - 20r =420 - 14r
Substitute, 540 for 10x + 20y
540 - 20r = 420 - 14r
120 = 6r
r = 20
D. 20 boxes?
- papgust
- Community Manager
- Posts: 1537
- Joined: Mon Aug 10, 2009 6:10 pm
- Thanked: 653 times
- Followed by:252 members
For the median qn, answer is (C)I and II
Explanation:
n could be anywhere among the 3 other integers.
If n < 150, then median is (150+200)/2 = 175 (I possible)
Take option II -->215, 200 will be another integer competing for median if n will be either in 2nd place or 3rd place. Considering option II - 215*2=430. Since 200 is another integer for median, n will be 230 (3rd place) (II also possible)
Take option III --> n goes to 4th place which has no control over median calculation (III not possible)
Explanation:
n could be anywhere among the 3 other integers.
If n < 150, then median is (150+200)/2 = 175 (I possible)
Take option II -->215, 200 will be another integer competing for median if n will be either in 2nd place or 3rd place. Considering option II - 215*2=430. Since 200 is another integer for median, n will be 230 (3rd place) (II also possible)
Take option III --> n goes to 4th place which has no control over median calculation (III not possible)
I'll take the last one standing, the set M and T.
Set M has 5 integers in it, set T has 6. The question is asking for the probability that the product of any 2 integers is negative.
Total possibilities of products = 5 * 6 = 30
A negative product for 2 integers only can happen when a negative integer is multiplied by a positive one. There are 3 positive integers in set T, and 5 in set M, so total number of possibilities = 5 * 3 = 15.
Hence, probability that 2 numbers chosen will have negative product = 15/30 = 1/2. Choice D.
Set M has 5 integers in it, set T has 6. The question is asking for the probability that the product of any 2 integers is negative.
Total possibilities of products = 5 * 6 = 30
A negative product for 2 integers only can happen when a negative integer is multiplied by a positive one. There are 3 positive integers in set T, and 5 in set M, so total number of possibilities = 5 * 3 = 15.
Hence, probability that 2 numbers chosen will have negative product = 15/30 = 1/2. Choice D.
-
Katrusya
- Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
- Posts: 49
- Joined: Tue May 19, 2009 10:48 am
- Location: Chicago
- Thanked: 1 times
- GMAT Score:680
Speaking of boxes.
Jeff, you made a mistake!
10x + 20y = 540 - that's right.
Then, we also know that x+y=30
Solving these two we get:
x=6, y=24 - before reduction of the average weight.
We are asked how many 20-pound boxes should be taken?
use again the formula for an average:
6*10+(24-r)*20 = 14*30
r - a number of bosex that has to be taken away in order to reduce average weight from 18 to 14 pounds
Solving it, we get r=6
Jeff, you made a mistake!
10x + 20y = 540 - that's right.
Then, we also know that x+y=30
Solving these two we get:
x=6, y=24 - before reduction of the average weight.
We are asked how many 20-pound boxes should be taken?
use again the formula for an average:
6*10+(24-r)*20 = 14*30
r - a number of bosex that has to be taken away in order to reduce average weight from 18 to 14 pounds
Solving it, we get r=6
-
NikolayZ
- Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
- Posts: 124
- Joined: Thu Jun 18, 2009 5:33 am
- Thanked: 35 times
Hey mate!mp2437 wrote:I'll take the last one standing, the set M and T.
Set M has 5 integers in it, set T has 6. The question is asking for the probability that the product of any 2 integers is negative.
Total possibilities of products = 5 * 6 = 30
A negative product for 2 integers only can happen when a negative integer is multiplied by a positive one. There are 3 positive integers in set T, and 5 in set M, so total number of possibilities = 5 * 3 = 15.
Hence, probability that 2 numbers chosen will have negative product = 15/30 = 1/2. Choice D.
I think it is a bit easier =)
There are only negatives in set M. So there is no chance that the product of these integers would be negative if the integer from set T is negative or "0". So we need just to know the probability of picking positive integer from T. It is (3/6=0.5)
I actually did it this way also, but for purposes of explaining it, I tried to show all possibilities.NikolayZ wrote: Hey mate!
I think it is a bit easier =)
There are only negatives in set M. So there is no chance that the product of these integers would be negative if the integer from set T is negative or "0". So we need just to know the probability of picking positive integer from T. It is (3/6=0.5)
Cheers!












