ps

This topic has expert replies
Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 44
Joined: Sat Mar 28, 2009 11:28 am

ps

by baller12q » Thu Apr 02, 2009 7:46 am
A grocer stacked oranges in a pile. the bottom layer was rectangular with 3 rows of 5 oranges each. In the second layer from the bottom, each orange rested on 4 oranges from the bottom layer and in the third layer each orange rested on 4 oranges from the second layer. Which of the following is the the maximum number of oranges that could have been in the third layer.

a. 5
b. 4
c. 3
d. 2
e. 1

OA C
how do i get the correct anwser

User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 3225
Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2008 2:40 pm
Location: Toronto
Thanked: 1710 times
Followed by:614 members
GMAT Score:800

Re: ps

by Stuart@KaplanGMAT » Thu Apr 02, 2009 10:53 am
baller12q wrote:A grocer stacked oranges in a pile. the bottom layer was rectangular with 3 rows of 5 oranges each. In the second layer from the bottom, each orange rested on 4 oranges from the bottom layer and in the third layer each orange rested on 4 oranges from the second layer. Which of the following is the the maximum number of oranges that could have been in the third layer.

a. 5
b. 4
c. 3
d. 2
e. 1

OA C
how do i get the correct anwser
I'm guessing the quickest way is to draw it out. It took me about 20 seconds to draw the diagram and find the correct answer.

A good general rule to follow is that when you've got a word problem that translates into a picture, draw it out. Many test takers find that visual representations make questions much easier to handle.
Image

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

Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 53
Joined: Mon Feb 09, 2009 12:18 am
Thanked: 1 times

by kaf » Thu Apr 02, 2009 11:28 am
Stuart could you please post the diagram you used for your solution so some of us can understand the solution

thanks

Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 322
Joined: Fri Mar 27, 2009 3:56 pm
Thanked: 24 times
GMAT Score:710

by mike22629 » Thu Apr 02, 2009 12:11 pm
F = First row oranges
S = Second row oranges
T = third row oranges


F F F F F
S S S S
F F F F F
S S S S
F F F F F

Since the second row is

S S S S
T T T
S S S S

There are maximum of 3 T
Hope this helps

Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 322
Joined: Fri Mar 27, 2009 3:56 pm
Thanked: 24 times
GMAT Score:710

by mike22629 » Thu Apr 02, 2009 12:12 pm
oops that didnt post the way i expected it would

sorry

Legendary Member
Posts: 621
Joined: Wed Apr 09, 2008 7:13 pm
Thanked: 33 times
Followed by:4 members

by vittalgmat » Thu Apr 02, 2009 12:34 pm
Could not find any way other than to draw a pic

First layer has 3 rows of 5 oranges each. Draw _ and a space for each orange in row 1.
Each orange in Second layer touches 4 oranges in 1st layer.
so max of 8 oranges. Draw squares connecting 4 _. This becomes ur 2nd row.

For third row, draw another set of squares which connect 4 squares from the 2nd layer. If u want u can choose to draw a rhombus or X to denote the connection.
Count the squares/X in 3d row. It will be 3.

Let me know if u can t picture this.

thanks
-V

User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 3225
Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2008 2:40 pm
Location: Toronto
Thanked: 1710 times
Followed by:614 members
GMAT Score:800

by Stuart@KaplanGMAT » Thu Apr 02, 2009 2:00 pm
Here's my diagram - fear my art skills!
Attachments
Scan001.PDF
(9.25 KiB) Downloaded 103 times
Image

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