Live GMAT classes with Target Test Prep start Nov 21 and Nov 22. First class free.

See classes
Target Test Prep · GMAT

Choose how you want to prepare

Learn live with an expert or move at your own pace. Every option includes the complete TTP study system.

Newsweek Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 winner: Target Test Prep, #1 Test Prep

Target Test Prep was voted #1 Best Test Prep in the 2026 Newsweek Readers’ Choice™ Awards.

★★★★★5.0563 reviews
GMATLiveTeachStarts Nov 22
Josh Braslow, Target Test Prep GMAT expert
LIVE ONLINE CLASSES

Get Ready for GMAT Test Day Faster with Live Online Classes

with Josh Braslow, 20+ years in test prep

Nov 22 · Josh Braslow
Sun · 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM ET
Included
40 hours of live online classes + 6 months of TTP OnDemand
  • Attend the first class for free
  • Every class is recorded, so you never fall behind
View classes & enroll
Limited seats availableTarget Test Prep
EALiveTeachOnDemandStart anytime
EXECUTIVE ASSESSMENT

Target Test Prep EA OnDemand

Self-paced EA prep. Study on your schedule.

EXECUTIVE ASSESSMENT

with

165+ EA score guarantee
$05-day trial no automatic billing
Schedule
Included
40 hours of live online classes plus six months of access to the complete TTP EA OnDemand course.
  • 165+ EA Score Guarantee
  • 4,100+ Quant, Verbal, and Integrated Reasoning practice questions
  • 400+ hours of in-depth video lessons
  • 3,000+ step-by-step video solutions
View EA class & enroll Start free 5-day trial
Limited cohort · enrollment openTrial includes full course accessTarget Test Prep
GMATOnDemandStart anytime
SELF-PACED MASTERCLASS

Target Test Prep GMAT OnDemand

Complete access from day one. Study on your schedule.

715+ score guarantee
$0to start then $127/mo
  • Personalized study plan and analytics
  • Thousands of lessons and practice questions
Start free 5-day trial
Read 563 reviewsTarget Test Prep

Problem Solvin question

Expert replies
Post new topic Post Reply
Subscribe topic
Previous Topic Next Topic
Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 6
Joined: Tue Jul 24, 2007 6:17 am
by jcovarrubiasu » Tue Jul 24, 2007 7:27 am
Hi, Can you help me find out how to aprouch this question?

All of the stocks on the over-the-counter market are designated by either a 4-letter or a 5-letter code that is created by using the 26 letters of the alphabet. Which of the following gives you the maximum number of different stocks that can be designated with these codes?

a) 2(26^5)


b) 26(26^4)


c) 27(26^4)


d) 26(26^5)


e) 27(26^5)

How should I approuch this problem?

I would think that because the there are 5 convination letters, each one of them with 26 letters of the alphabet. the answer is "B", However this is not true.

Thanks!
Top
Join the discussion
Source: — Problem Solving |
User avatar
Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 91
Joined: Fri Apr 27, 2007 7:08 am
Location: Durham, NC
Thanked: 1 times

Re: Problem Solvin question

by Sadowski » Tue Jul 24, 2007 7:29 am
jcovarrubiasu wrote:Hi, Can you help me find out how to aprouch this question?

All of the stocks on the over-the-counter market are designated by either a 4-letter or a 5-letter code that is created by using the 26 letters of the alphabet. Which of the following gives you the maximum number of different stocks that can be designated with these codes?

a) 2(26^5)


b) 26(26^4)


c) 27(26^4)


d) 26(26^5)


e) 27(26^5)

How should I approuch this problem?

I would think that because the there are 5 convination letters, each one of them with 26 letters of the alphabet. the answer is "B", However this is not true.

Thanks!
26^4+26^5 = 26^4(1+26) = 26^4 * 27 = C
Top
Join the discussion
Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 6
Joined: Tue Jul 24, 2007 6:17 am

Re: Problem Solvin question

by jcovarrubiasu » Tue Jul 24, 2007 6:00 pm
What subject is this? convination, permutation, etc? I need practice. because that answer, I did not see it comming.
Top
Join the discussion
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 214
Joined: Fri Jul 20, 2007 1:35 am
Thanked: 3 times

by beny » Tue Jul 24, 2007 6:28 pm
Combinations (knowing how many combinations there are for 4-letter and 5-letter symbols) and Simple Algebra (distributive property).

The questions leans a lot more towards simple alebra than combinations (since you don't really need to know combinatins, just recognize that there are 26 potential matches per slot).
Top
Join the discussion
Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
Posts: 10
Joined: Tue Jun 20, 2006 8:52 am
Location: india

by manred » Tue Jul 24, 2007 8:47 pm
The code could be either 4 lettered or 5 lettered.

First take 4 letter codes _ _ _ _. Each letter (blank) can be filled in 26 ways since there are 26 alphabets. So total no.of combinations is 26*26*26*26 = 26^4.

Similarly total no.of combinations for 5 digit codes is 26*26*26*26*26 = 26^5.

Total no.of codes = 26^4 + 26^5 = 26^4 (1+26) = 26^4 * 27.

Answer is C
Top
Join the discussion