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

Redeem

The résumés of 40 people

This topic has expert replies
Post new topic Post Reply
Previous Topic Next Topic
Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
Posts: 13
Joined: Sun Nov 25, 2012 1:30 am

The résumés of 40 people

by mangomangodolly » Mon Nov 26, 2012 10:05 am
The résumés of 40 people who applied for a position requiring expertise in both math and English were summarized in a table. A checkrnark was entered in the math column for each person with a degree in math and in the English column for each person with a degree in English. In the table, 50% of the people had checkrnarks in the math column, 15% had checkrnarks in both the math and English columns, and 5% had checkmarks in neither column. How many of the 40 people had checkrnarks in the English column?

A. 6
B. 14
C. 18
D. 20
E. 24
Top
Source: — Problem Solving |
Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
Posts: 12
Joined: Mon Oct 01, 2012 4:23 pm
Thanked: 1 times

by granite » Mon Nov 26, 2012 11:18 am
You can either draw out a Venn diagram or use the formula [Grp 1 + Grp 2 - Both + Neither]. We know the formula has to equal 40 since it's given there were 40 applicants. I converted the percents to real numbers before plugging them into the equation (example 50% of 40 is 20).

Grp 1 = English
Grp 2 = Math

20 + Grp 2 - 6 +2 = 40

Solve for Grp 2 to get 24. Choose answer E.

You can work backwards to confirm the answer.
Top
User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 1248
Joined: Thu Mar 29, 2012 2:57 pm
Location: Everywhere
Thanked: 503 times
Followed by:192 members
GMAT Score:780

by Bill@VeritasPrep » Mon Nov 26, 2012 11:15 pm
You could also solve by adding the percentages:

Math-only + English-only + Both + Neither = 100%

Since the 50% in Math includes those with only math and those with both, we can subtract the 15% for Both to get 35% for Math-only. We have:

35% + English-only + 15% + 5% = 100%

English-only then has to be 45%.

This means that 60% of the people have a checkmark in the English column, and 60% * 40 = 24.
Join Veritas Prep's 2010 Instructor of the Year, Matt Douglas for GMATT Mondays

Visit the Veritas Prep Blog

Try the FREE Veritas Prep Practice Test
Top
Post new topic Post Reply
• Page 1 of 1