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

Redeem

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.

★★★★★5.0559 reviews
Vote for Target Test Prep, Newsweek Readers’ Choice Awards 2026
NEWSWEEK READERS’ CHOICE 2026

BIG NEWS! Target Test Prep has been nominated, and they’d love your vote!

TTP has worked incredibly hard to build the best test prep experience possible, and winning Newsweek’s 2026 Readers’ Choice Award for Best Test Prep would mean a lot to them. If TTP has helped you, they’d be incredibly grateful for your vote. You can vote once each day through September 9.

Vote for TTP
GMATLiveTeach 7 seats left
Chris Peckover
NEXT LIVE COHORT

Oct 13 to Jan 7, 2027

with Chris Peckover

Schedule
Tue, Thu · 8:00 to 10:00 PM ET
Included
40 live hours + 6 months of GMAT OnDemand
  • Live instruction and real-time questions
  • Class recordings and assigned practice
View class & enroll
Limited cohort · enrollment openTarget Test Prep
EALiveTeach 5 seats left
Logan Thompson
EXECUTIVE ASSESSMENT

Sep 6 to Dec 6, 2026

with Logan Thompson

Schedule
Sun · 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM ET
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
Limited cohort · enrollment openTarget Test Prep
GMATOnDemand Start 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 559 reviewsTarget Test Prep

Compare the format, schedule, and included access before enrolling. Prices and seat counts shown reflect the supplied offer details.

Tough word problem - dividing $

Expert replies
Post new topic Post Reply
Previous Topic Next Topic
Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 1
Joined: Mon Jan 03, 2011 1:53 am

by [email protected] » Mon Jan 17, 2011 11:39 pm
Hi,
Answer is A. $20.
My approach is: A receives 4 +x/2. where let x be remaining amount.
after A receives the amount, remaining amount would be x/2.
Bob will receive now 4+1/3*(x/2)=4+x/6.
after deducting bob's amount leftover is given to C.
hence $32= x-{x/2+x/6}=x/3
thus x=$96
Therefore Bob receives=$4+$96/6=4+16=$20.
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 5
Joined: Sat Mar 05, 2011 6:44 am

by DarylB » Sun Mar 13, 2011 12:57 pm
kamu wrote:Bob took $4 + 1/3 of leftover..

that implies 2/3rds is left for Chloe..

if 2/3 of leftover = $32

1/3 of leftover = $16

$16+$4 = $20.
That's the way I did it, too. Well done, kamu, that's the quickest way.
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
User avatar
Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
Posts: 12
Joined: Thu Mar 10, 2011 2:50 am
GMAT Score:540

by svsan_81 » Wed Mar 23, 2011 10:11 pm
4+(x-4)/2 = A

we have (X-4) /2 remaining from this 4 is subtracted so we have 4+1/3((x-12)/2)= B

now A+B+32 =X

ie x=108

so b= 20
--------------------------------

good question
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 65
Joined: Mon Apr 04, 2011 6:22 am
Thanked: 4 times

by krishnakumar.ks » Sun Apr 17, 2011 11:26 pm
Brent@GMATPrepNow wrote:Nice work, Logitech
My solution is below. Note that we don�t need to consider Ann�s portion in the solution. We can just let K be the money remaining after Ann has received her portion and go from there.
Our equation will use the fact that, once we remove Bob�s portion, we have $32 for Chloe.
So, we get K � Bob�s $ = 32
The equation is K-4 � (K-4)/3 = 32
Solve for K (K=52) and then determine Bob�s portion ($20).
The answer is, indeed, A
Great approach. It really helps. Thanks Brent
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 1
Joined: Mon Jun 22, 2009 11:49 am
Location: Columbus, Ohio, USA

by v_eshwar » Mon Apr 18, 2011 7:31 am
Thank you :-)
Brent@GMATPrepNow wrote:Nice work, Logitech
My solution is below. Note that we don�t need to consider Ann�s portion in the solution. We can just let K be the money remaining after Ann has received her portion and go from there.
Our equation will use the fact that, once we remove Bob�s portion, we have $32 for Chloe.
So, we get K � Bob�s $ = 32
The equation is K-4 � (K-4)/3 = 32
Solve for K (K=52) and then determine Bob�s portion ($20).
The answer is, indeed, A
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 112
Joined: Sun Nov 08, 2009 9:39 pm
Location: Delhi
Thanked: 2 times

by dv2020 » Tue Apr 26, 2011 11:06 pm
That's brilliant indeed
I am solving algebraically somehow unable to solve it.....
kamu wrote:Bob took $4 + 1/3 of leftover..

that implies 2/3rds is left for Chloe..

if 2/3 of leftover = $32

1/3 of leftover = $16

$16+$4 = $20.
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
Posts: 23
Joined: Wed Jan 06, 2010 3:36 am

by sugmomo » Wed Apr 27, 2011 1:22 am
Hi everyone..

I din't quite get this one..

kamu wrote:
Bob took $4 + 1/3 of leftover..

that implies 2/3rds is left for Chloe.. ( Shudn't it be 2/3rd - 4 is left for Chole ?? )

if 2/3 of leftover = $32

1/3 of leftover = $16

$16+$4 = $20.
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
User avatar
Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 41
Joined: Sat Jan 08, 2011 7:34 amFollowed by: 1 member
Thanked: 2 times

by Warlock007 » Mon May 02, 2011 10:39 am
Brent@GMATPrepNow wrote:Nice work, Logitech
My solution is below. Note that we don�t need to consider Ann�s portion in the solution. We can just let K be the money remaining after Ann has received her portion and go from there.
Our equation will use the fact that, once we remove Bob�s portion, we have $32 for Chloe.
So, we get K � Bob�s $ = 32
The equation is K-4 � (K-4)/3 = 32
Solve for K (K=52) and then determine Bob�s portion ($20).
The answer is, indeed, A
Thats cool explaination
couldn't even think this can be this much simple....... :) :)
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 1
Joined: Sun Apr 03, 2011 11:28 pm
Thanked: 1 times

by Keerthibme » Mon May 09, 2011 7:58 pm
Please let me know where I went wrong
let total amount = x
Ann's share = 4+(x-4)/2
amount remaining now = x-ann's share = x-4-(x-4)/2= x/2-2=(x-4)/2
Bob's share = 4+1/3((x-4)/2)=4+(x-4)/6
chole's share = 32
Sum of Ann's, Bob's and chole's share is total amount
32+4+(x-4)/2+4+(x-4)/6 = x

This gives me x (total amount) as 112 and hence bob's share as 22.

Its quite long but still I am not getting how x-12/2 is obtained in the previous posts and same is asked by few other participants.

Regards,
Keerthi
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 516
Joined: Fri Jul 31, 2009 3:22 pmFollowed by: 13 members
Thanked: 112 times

by smackmartine » Mon May 09, 2011 11:03 pm
I also did some kinda back solving :

As Bob had $4+1/3 of Remaining--------> Chole was left with 2/3 of Remaining = 32

=> Remaining =(3/2)*32 = 48
Now, Bob's share = 4+ 1/3 of 48 = 4+16=20 (A)
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
Posts: 21
Joined: Sun Jun 05, 2011 10:39 pmFollowed by: 1 member
Thanked: 2 times

by worldpeace93 » Tue Jun 28, 2011 10:54 pm
A
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
User avatar
Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 41
Joined: Sat Jan 08, 2011 7:34 amFollowed by: 1 member
Thanked: 2 times

by Warlock007 » Wed Jun 29, 2011 12:22 am
Brent@GMATPrepNow wrote:A sum of money is to be divided among Ann, Bob and Chloe. First, Ann receives $4 plus one-half of what remains. Next, Bob receives $4 plus one-third of what remains. Finally, Chloe receives the remaining $32. How much money did Bob receive?
A) 20
B) 22
C) 24
D) 26
E) 52
Here is my simplest magical solution
Bob receives $4 plus one-third of what remains.
Finally, Chloe receives the remaining $32

since bob receives $4 + 1/3 (what remains =suppose it is 'R')
then 32 should be equal to the 2/3rd of the sum 'R'
now R => 2/3(R)=32 so R = 48 and 1/3rd of R is =16
so BOB receives 4+16=20 $

A is the answer
hope it helps
:) :) :) :) :) :) :)
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
Posts: 26
Joined: Mon Jan 11, 2010 11:09 pm
Thanked: 2 times

by nubu » Wed Jun 29, 2011 1:13 am
kamu wrote:Bob took $4 + 1/3 of leftover..

that implies 2/3rds is left for Chloe..

if 2/3 of leftover = $32

1/3 of leftover = $16

$16+$4 = $20.
Excellent approach!
Thank you
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY

GMAT/MBA Expert

User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 16207
Joined: Mon Dec 08, 2008 6:26 pmFollowed by: 1268 members
Location: Vancouver, BC
Thanked: 5254 times
GMAT Score:770

by Brent@GMATPrepNow » Wed Jun 29, 2011 6:27 am
Brent@GMATPrepNow wrote:A sum of money is to be divided among Ann, Bob and Chloe. First, Ann receives $4 plus one-half of what remains. Next, Bob receives $4 plus one-third of what remains. Finally, Chloe receives the remaining $32. How much money did Bob receive?
A) 20
B) 22
C) 24
D) 26
E) 52
I received a message asking me to explain how Logitech arrived at the following amount for Bob: 4 + 1/3 [(X-12)/2]

To do this, let's first simplify the amount that Logitech says Ann received.

If we let x = the original sum of money, then Ann receives 4 + (x-4)/2
To simplify this, we can rewrite this as 8/2 + (x-4)/2 which equals (8+x-4)/2 = (x+4)/2

So, Ann received (x+4)/2

Bob receives $4 plus 1/3 of what remains.
Well, what remains?
We began with x dollars and gave (x+4)/2 to Ann, which leaves x - (x+4)/2
Also, we just gave Bob $4, which leaves x - (x+4)/2 - 4
Bob gets 1/3 of x - (x+4)/2 - 4
To simplify x -(x+4)/2 - 4, we can rewrite it as 2x/2 - (x+4)/2 - 8/2
This equals (2x-x-4-8)/2 = (x-12)/2

So, Bob gets 4 plus 1/3 of (x-12)/2
In other words, Bob gets 4 + 1/3[(x-12)/2]

Of course, we've now seen a faster solution. But Logitech's method works too.

Cheers,
Brent
Brent Hanneson - Creator of GMATPrepNow.com
Image
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 370
Joined: Sat Jun 11, 2011 8:50 pmFollowed by: 2 members
Location: Arlington, MA.
Thanked: 27 times

by winniethepooh » Wed Jun 29, 2011 6:46 am
Hey Brent,
Thanks for the reply, you've been really helpful!
Does this mean that I am wrong if I say:
Bob's share = 4 + x-{[x+4/2]-4}* 1/3 ??
I am talking about the placement of brackets.
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Post new topic Post Reply