The rectangle A has a (width) and b (height) and another rectangle B has c (width) and d (height). If a/c = b/d = 3/2, what is the ratio of the rectangle A's area to the rectangle B's?
A. 3/2
B. 3/4
C. 9/2
D. 9/4
E. 27/8
The OA is D.
Can I say that,
a = 3k, c = 2k, b = 3m and d = 2m, since a, b and c, d are multiples of 3 and 2 respectively.
Then the ratio of the area will be,
$$\frac{3k}{2k}:\frac{3m}{2m}=9km:4km=\frac{9}{4}$$
Is there another strategic approach to solve this PS question? Can any experts help, please? Thanks!
5-Day Free Trial
5-day free, full-access trial TTP
Available with Beat the GMAT members only code
MORE DETAILS
The rectangle A has a (width) and b (height) and another...
This topic has expert replies
-
DavidG@VeritasPrep
- Legendary Member
- Posts: 2663
- Joined: Wed Jan 14, 2015 8:25 am
- Location: Boston, MA
- Thanked: 1153 times
- Followed by:128 members
- GMAT Score:770
You could also just pick numbers.AAPL wrote:The rectangle A has a (width) and b (height) and another rectangle B has c (width) and d (height). If a/c = b/d = 3/2, what is the ratio of the rectangle A's area to the rectangle B's?
A. 3/2
B. 3/4
C. 9/2
D. 9/4
E. 27/8
The OA is D.
Can I say that,
a = 3k, c = 2k, b = 3m and d = 2m, since a, b and c, d are multiples of 3 and 2 respectively.
Then the ratio of the area will be,
$$\frac{3k}{2k}:\frac{3m}{2m}=9km:4km=\frac{9}{4}$$
Is there another strategic approach to solve this PS question? Can any experts help, please? Thanks!
If a/c = 3/2, say a = 3 and c = 2
If b/d = 3/2, say b = 3 and d = 2
If the first rectangle has sides of a and b, or 3 and 3, it will have an area = 3*3 = 9
If the second rectangle has sides of b and d, or 2 and 2, it will have an area = 2*2 = 4.
The ratio = 9/4. The answer is D
GMAT/MBA Expert
-
Brent@GMATPrepNow
- GMAT Instructor
- Posts: 16207
- Joined: Mon Dec 08, 2008 6:26 pm
- Location: Vancouver, BC
- Thanked: 5254 times
- Followed by:1268 members
- GMAT Score:770
Hi AAPL,AAPL wrote:The rectangle A has a (width) and b (height) and another rectangle B has c (width) and d (height). If a/c = b/d = 3/2, what is the ratio of the rectangle A's area to the rectangle B's?
A. 3/2
B. 3/4
C. 9/2
D. 9/4
E. 27/8
The OA is D.
Can I say that,
a = 3k, c = 2k, b = 3m and d = 2m, since a, b and c, d are multiples of 3 and 2 respectively.
Then the ratio of the area will be,
$$\frac{3k}{2k}:\frac{3m}{2m}=9km:4km=\frac{9}{4}$$
Is there another strategic approach to solve this PS question? Can any experts help, please? Thanks!
Your solution is perfect.
Once we know that a = 3k, c = 2k, b = 3m and d = 2m, then...
Area of rectangle A = ab = (3k)(3m) = 9km
Area of rectangle B = cd = (2k)(2m) = 4km
So, the ratio of the rectangle A's area to the rectangle B's = 9km/4km = 9/4
Answer: D
Cheers,
Brent
Brent Hanneson - Creator of GMATPrepNow.com
GMAT/MBA Expert
-
Scott@TargetTestPrep
- GMAT Instructor
- Posts: 7583
- Joined: Sat Apr 25, 2015 10:56 am
- Location: Los Angeles, CA
- Thanked: 43 times
- Followed by:29 members
We can let a = b = 12.AAPL wrote:The rectangle A has a (width) and b (height) and another rectangle B has c (width) and d (height). If a/c = b/d = 3/2, what is the ratio of the rectangle A's area to the rectangle B's?
A. 3/2
B. 3/4
C. 9/2
D. 9/4
E. 27/8
We can let c = d = 8.
The area of rectangle A is 12 x 12 = 144.
The area of rectangle B is 8 x 8 = 64.
The ratio of the area of rectangle A to that of rectangle B is:
144/64 = 18/8 = 9/4
Answer: D
Scott Woodbury-Stewart
Founder and CEO
[email protected]
See why Target Test Prep is rated 5 out of 5 stars on BEAT the GMAT. Read our reviews
