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

Redeem

Manhattan - Italian Suits

This topic has expert replies
Post new topic Post Reply
Previous Topic Next Topic
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 145
Joined: Fri Jan 18, 2013 8:27 am
Thanked: 7 times

Manhattan - Italian Suits

by sparkles3144 » Sun Aug 25, 2013 5:28 pm
The Italian size of a suit jacket is N centimeters, where N is the linear distance between the armpits. The American size of a suit jacket is 2.5P centimeters, where 2.5P is twice the linear distance between the armpits. If, for a particular jacket, N = P + 10, which of the following is closest to the value of N?

A. 36
B. 47
C. 58
D. 65
E. 72

I did this...

N = (1/2) (2.5 P) = 1.25 P

N = P + 10
1.25 P = P + 10
0.25 P = 10
P = 40
So, it is closest to A.

However, according to Manhattan solution, the answer is B.

N = 1.25P
N = 1.25(N - 10)
N = 1.25N - 12.5
12.5 = 1.25N - 1N
12.5 = 0.25N multiply both sides by 4
50 = N

The problem asks for the closest value. The closest answer choice to 50 is 47.

The correct answer is B.

Can someone please help me with this?

Thanks!
Top
Source: — Problem Solving |
User avatar
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 490
Joined: Thu Jul 04, 2013 7:30 am
Location: Chennai, India
Thanked: 83 times
Followed by:5 members

by Uva@90 » Sun Aug 25, 2013 7:47 pm
sparkles3144 wrote:The Italian size of a suit jacket is N centimeters, where N is the linear distance between the armpits. The American size of a suit jacket is 2.5P centimeters, where 2.5P is twice the linear distance between the armpits. If, for a particular jacket, N = P + 10, which of the following is closest to the value of N?

A. 36
B. 47
C. 58
D. 65
E. 72

I did this...

N = (1/2) (2.5 P) = 1.25 P

N = P + 10
1.25 P = P + 10
0.25 P = 10
P = 40
So, it is closest to A.

However, according to Manhattan solution, the answer is B.

N = 1.25P
N = 1.25(N - 10)
N = 1.25N - 12.5
12.5 = 1.25N - 1N
12.5 = 0.25N multiply both sides by 4
50 = N

The problem asks for the closest value. The closest answer choice to 50 is 47.

The correct answer is B.

Can someone please help me with this?

Thanks!

Sparkles,
What ever u did is exactly right. But, you didn't read question correctly. In question they asked to find the value of N not P.
So you found value of P that is 40.
N=P+10
=> N= 50 and closest to 50 is 47.
Hence OA is B

Regards,
Uva.
Top
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 145
Joined: Fri Jan 18, 2013 8:27 am
Thanked: 7 times

by sparkles3144 » Sun Aug 25, 2013 8:01 pm
Oh my god! My bad. I was solving for wrong variable! I did not notice that.

Thanks!
Top
User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 15539
Joined: Tue May 25, 2010 12:04 pm
Location: New York, NY
Thanked: 13060 times
Followed by:1906 members
GMAT Score:790

by GMATGuruNY » Mon Aug 26, 2013 3:49 am
sparkles3144 wrote:The Italian size of a suit jacket is N centimeters, where N is the linear distance between the armpits. The American size of a suit jacket is 2.5P centimeters, where 2.5P is twice the linear distance between the armpits. If, for a particular jacket, N = P + 10, which of the following is closest to the value of N?

A. 36
B. 47
C. 58
D. 65
E. 72
An alternate approach is to plug in the answers, which represent the linear distance.
When the correct answer choice is plugged in, N-P ≈ 10.

Answer choice C: 58
Since 2.5P is equal to twice the linear distance, we get:
(5/2)P = 2*58
P = (2*2)(58)/5) = 4 * (11.6) = 46.4.
Here, N-P = 58 - 46.4 ≈ 12.

Answer choice B: 47
Since 2.5P is equal to twice the linear distance, we get:
(5/2)P = 2*47
P = (2*2)(47/5) = 4 * (9.4) = 37.6.
Here, N-P = 47 - 37.6 ≈ 10.

Since the difference in B is closer to 10 than is the difference in C, eliminate C.
Notice the TREND:
The smaller the answer choice, the smaller the difference between N and P.
Thus, the correct answer cannot be D or E.
Eliminate D and E.

Answer choice A: 36
Since 2.5P is equal to twice the linear distance, we get:
(5/2)P = 2*36
P = (2*2)(36)/5) = 4 * (7.2) = 28.8.
Here, N-P = 36 - 28.8 ≈ 7.
Since the difference in B is closer to 10 than is the difference in A, eliminate A.

The correct answer is B.

Solving algebraically might be faster here, but when a problem involves two variables, there is a definite risk: more than a few test-takers will solve for the wrong variable.
A key advantage to plugging in the answers: the process virtually GUARANTEES that the correct answer will be chosen.
Private tutor exclusively for the GMAT and GRE, with over 20 years of experience.
Followed here and elsewhere by over 1900 test-takers.
I have worked with students based in the US, Australia, Taiwan, China, Tajikistan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia -- a long list of countries.
My students have been admitted to HBS, CBS, Tuck, Yale, Stern, Fuqua -- a long list of top programs.

As a tutor, I don't simply teach you how I would approach problems.
I unlock the best way for YOU to solve problems.

For more information, please email me (Mitch Hunt) at [email protected].
Student Review #1
Student Review #2
Student Review #3
Top
Post new topic Post Reply
• Page 1 of 1