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There is no math to be done here; just use common sense. Why couldn't the width of the strip be any value? We could choose a width for the strip, then shrink or expand the inlay until the ratio of inlay area:strip area = 25:39.tonebeeze wrote:A square wooden plaque has a brass inlay in the center, leaving a wooden strip of uniform width around the brass square. If the ratio of the brass area to the wooden area is 25 to 39, which of the following could be the width, in inches of the wooden strip?
I. 1
II. 3
III. 4
a. I only
b. II only
c. I and II only
d. I and III only
e. I, II, and III
Perfect ! Makes sense !GMATGuruNY wrote:There is no math to be done here; just use common sense. Why couldn't the width of the strip be any value? We could choose a width for the strip, then shrink or expand the inlay until the ratio of inlay area:strip area = 25:39.tonebeeze wrote:A square wooden plaque has a brass inlay in the center, leaving a wooden strip of uniform width around the brass square. If the ratio of the brass area to the wooden area is 25 to 39, which of the following could be the width, in inches of the wooden strip?
I. 1
II. 3
III. 4
a. I only
b. II only
c. I and II only
d. I and III only
e. I, II, and III
The correct answer is E.
Exactly! I got the answer correct intuitively, however the answer in the book made me feel as if I did not understand the underlying logic. Thanks.GMATGuruNY wrote:There is no math to be done here; just use common sense. Why couldn't the width of the strip be any value? We could choose a width for the strip, then shrink or expand the inlay until the ratio of inlay area:strip area = 25:39.tonebeeze wrote:A square wooden plaque has a brass inlay in the center, leaving a wooden strip of uniform width around the brass square. If the ratio of the brass area to the wooden area is 25 to 39, which of the following could be the width, in inches of the wooden strip?
I. 1
II. 3
III. 4
a. I only
b. II only
c. I and II only
d. I and III only
e. I, II, and III
The correct answer is E.
