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

The ratio of a to b to c is 2 to 3 to 4, and a, b, c are pos

Expert replies
Post new topic Post Reply
Subscribe topic
Previous Topic Next Topic
User avatar
Elite Legendary Member
Posts: 3991
Joined: Fri Jul 24, 2015 2:28 amFollowed by: 37 members
Location: Las Vegas, USA
Thanked: 19 times
by Max@Math Revolution » Wed Jun 29, 2016 7:23 pm
The ratio of a to b to c is 2 to 3 to 4, and a, b, c are positive integers. If the average (arithmetic mean) of them is 18, what is the value of a?
A. 3
B. 6
C. 9
D. 12
E. 15

*An answer will be posted in 2 days.
Top
Join the discussion
Source: — Problem Solving |
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 199
Joined: Sat Apr 26, 2014 10:53 amFollowed by: 4 members
Thanked: 16 times
GMAT Score:780

by 800_or_bust » Thu Jun 30, 2016 6:20 am
Max@Math Revolution wrote:The ratio of a to b to c is 2 to 3 to 4, and a, b, c are positive integers. If the average (arithmetic mean) of them is 18, what is the value of a?
A. 3
B. 6
C. 9
D. 12
E. 15

*An answer will be posted in 2 days.
I'm sure it can be solved algebraically, but I just recognized that since a is an even number in the given ratio, it would have to be an even number in order to make b an integer. That left just B & D, and B seemed way too low to give an arithmetic mean of 18. So I tested 12 and it worked perfectly. 12:18:24. Mean = 18. Answer: D
800 or bust!
Top
Join the discussion
User avatar
Elite Legendary Member
Posts: 3991
Joined: Fri Jul 24, 2015 2:28 amFollowed by: 37 members
Location: Las Vegas, USA
Thanked: 19 times

by Max@Math Revolution » Sun Jul 03, 2016 4:43 am
a=2k, b=3k, c=4k, a+b+c=2k+3k+4k=(18)(3), 9k=18(3), k=6. Therefore, a=2k=2(6)=12, and the correct answer is D.
Top
Join the discussion
Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
Posts: 23
Joined: Tue Jun 28, 2016 6:39 amFollowed by: 3 members
Thanked: 8 times
GMAT Score:780

by Danny@GMATAcademy » Sun Jul 03, 2016 7:08 am
If the numbers in a list are 'evenly spaced out,' then the average equals the median. (e.g. in the list {7, 14, 21, 28, 25}, 21 is immediately apparent as the average because each term is separated from the preceding term by the same number)

In this question, a, b and c are evenly spaced out, so we know that b is the average. Therefore b's real value is 18. this means our multiplier is 6. So a is 2*6=12.
Top
Join the discussion