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Maria had twice as many suits in the year 1995 as she did

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Maria had twice as many suits in the year 1995 as she did

by M7MBA » Wed May 16, 2018 1:24 am

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Maria had twice as many suits in the year 1995 as she did in the year 1990. How many suits did Maria have in the year 1990?

(1) Maria had twice as many suits in the year 2000 as she did in the year 1995.

(2) Maria had 2 more suits in the year 2000 than she did in the year 1995.

The OA is C.

Could someone tell me what are the equations that I should set here? I'd really appreciate it. <i class="em em---1"></i>
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Source: — Data Sufficiency |

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by Sionainn@PrincetonReview » Wed May 16, 2018 5:19 am

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If you solve this algebraically there are 3 unknowns introduced in the problem and statements.
x = number of suits in 1990
y = number of suits in 1995
z = number of suits in 2000

From the question we know y = 2x. The question asks to find the value of x.

With statement 1, we know z = 2y. Typically with systems of equations we need as many equations as there are variables. By recognizing this on the data sufficiency you don't need to waste valuable time actually solving to find the value. Just determine you have enough information. At this point we have 3 variables and 2 equations so not enough information. So statement 1 is not sufficient, so eliminate A and D.

With statement 2, we know z = 2 + y. Again just 2 equations and 3 variables, so eliminate B.

When we combine the information we have 3 variables with 3 equations. We have as many different equations as variable, so both statements are sufficient and the answer is C.

Take care,
Sionainn
BA - Stanford University, MPP - Harvard University
Instructor, tutor for Princeton Review and Airbnb host
In other words a blend of Jamie Escalante from Stand and Deliver, Julie from The Love Boat, and Schneider the Super from One Day at a Time.
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by Jeff@TargetTestPrep » Thu May 17, 2018 5:22 pm

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M7MBA wrote:Maria had twice as many suits in the year 1995 as she did in the year 1990. How many suits did Maria have in the year 1990?

(1) Maria had twice as many suits in the year 2000 as she did in the year 1995.

(2) Maria had 2 more suits in the year 2000 than she did in the year 1995.
We can let the number of suits in 1990 = x, and the number of suits in 1995 = 2x.

We need to determine x.

Statement One Alone:

Maria had twice as many suits in the year 2000 as she did in the year 1995.

Thus the number of suits in 2000 = 4x; however, we cannot determine x. Statement one alone is not sufficient to answer the question.

Statement Two Alone:

Maria had 2 more suits in the year 2000 than she did in the year 1995.

Thus the number of suits in 2000 = 2x + 2; however, we cannot determine x. Statement one alone is not sufficient to answer the question.

Statements One and Two Together:

Using the two statements together, we have:

4x = 2x + 2

2x = 2

x = 1

Answer: C

Jeffrey Miller
Head of GMAT Instruction
[email protected]

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