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
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.

Tricky questions - Needs logic rather than Algebra

Expert replies
Post new topic Post Reply
Previous Topic Next Topic
Legendary Member
Posts: 518
Joined: Tue May 12, 2015 8:25 pm
Thanked: 10 times
by nikhilgmat31 » Mon Aug 10, 2015 4:25 am
There were 5 candidates (Alexa, Bill, Charlie, Dan, and Ernie) vying for student council,
and 100 total votes were cast. Everyone received at least one vote, and no two
candidates received the same number of votes. Alexa won the election with 40 votes,
Bill came in 2nd, Charlie in 3rd, Dan in 4th, and Ernie in last.

1. What is the greatest number of votes that Bill could have received? What is the
least number?
2. What is the greatest number of votes that Charlie could have received? What is
the least number?
3. What is the greatest number of votes that Dan could have received? What is
the least number?
4. What is the greatest number of votes that Ernie could have received? What is
the least number?
5. If Bill received 25 votes, did Charlie get at least 13 votes?
6. If Charlie received 12 votes, did Dan get at least 5 votes?
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Source: — Problem Solving |

GMAT/MBA Expert

User avatar
Elite Legendary Member
Posts: 10392
Joined: Sun Jun 23, 2013 6:38 pmFollowed by: 511 members
Location: Palo Alto, CA
Thanked: 2867 times
GMAT Score:800

by [email protected] » Mon Aug 10, 2015 8:56 am
HI nikhilgmat31,

These questions can all be solved by TESTing VALUES and thinking about the 'limits' involved (how big or small one number can be AND how that would impact the other numbers).

From the prompt, we know a number of facts:

1) There are 100 total votes.
2) Everyone got AT LEAST 1 vote.
3) A+B+C+D+E = 100
4) A>B>C>D>E
5) A = 40

The first question asks for the maximum and minimum number of votes that Bill could have received....We know that Bill got FEWER than 40, so let's start with 39 and see if we can make all the facts 'fit' together...

A = 40
B = 39

That leaves 21 votes for the other 3 people...there are a number of ways to distribute those votes. Here's one...

C = 15
D = 5
E = 1

So, Bill COULD have gotten 39 votes.

The minimum number of votes will be a little trickier to determine (we have to maximize all of the other numbers while still making Bill the biggest of those 4 numbers)...

B+C+D+E = 60

This means the average would be 60/4 = 15. Using that information, we can 'bunch' the numbers close...this means that the minimum number of votes for Bill would be a little more than 15....

IF....
B = 16
C = 15
D = 14
E = 13
Total = 58, which is NOT enough votes. Thus, Bill had to have received MORE than 16 votes...

IF....
B = 17
C = 16
D = 15
E = 12
Total = 60, so the minimum number of votes for Bill would have to be 17.

You can use a similar approach for each of the other questions.

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
Contact Rich at [email protected]
Image
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Legendary Member
Posts: 518
Joined: Tue May 12, 2015 8:25 pm
Thanked: 10 times

by nikhilgmat31 » Tue Aug 11, 2015 3:39 am
Thanks Brent,
To continue on finding max & min for C

1) There are 100 total votes.
2) Everyone got AT LEAST 1 vote.
3) A+B+C+D+E = 100
4) A>B>C>D>E
5) A = 40


A = 40
E =1
D =2

A + E + D = 43 ; Remaining votes = 57
So B + C = 57

B = 29

C = 28 is maximum value for C. Please suggest If I am correct or not.


To find maximum for C & minimum of votes C

A = 40
B = 39

C + D + E = 100- 79 = 21

average is 7
so the value can be 8,7,6

C = 8, D = 7 , E = 6

C = 8 is minimum value for C. Please suggest If I am correct or not.
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Legendary Member
Posts: 518
Joined: Tue May 12, 2015 8:25 pm
Thanked: 10 times

by nikhilgmat31 » Tue Aug 11, 2015 3:48 am
Thanks Brent,
To continue on finding max & min for D

1) There are 100 total votes.
2) Everyone got AT LEAST 1 vote.
3) A+B+C+D+E = 100
4) A>B>C>D>E
5) A = 40


B + C + D + E = 60

E =1

B + C + D = 59

average = 59/3

possible numbers for B,C,D can 21,20,18

Maximum value for D is 18 , Please suggest if I am correct or not


To Find minimum value of D

E =1
D = 2

Minimum value for D is 2 , Please suggest if I am correct or not
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Legendary Member
Posts: 518
Joined: Tue May 12, 2015 8:25 pm
Thanked: 10 times

by nikhilgmat31 » Tue Aug 11, 2015 3:52 am
Thanks Brent,
To continue on finding max & min for E

1) There are 100 total votes.
2) Everyone got AT LEAST 1 vote.
3) A+B+C+D+E = 100
4) A>B>C>D>E
5) A = 40


B + C + D + E = 60

Average is 15

17,16,14,13

Maximum value for E is 13 , Please suggest if I am correct or not


To Find minimum value of E

E =1


Minimum value for E is 1 , Please suggest if I am correct or not
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Legendary Member
Posts: 518
Joined: Tue May 12, 2015 8:25 pm
Thanked: 10 times

by nikhilgmat31 » Tue Aug 11, 2015 3:54 am
If Bill received 25 votes, did Charlie get at least 13 votes?

A = 40
B = 25

C + D + E = 35

we need to maximize C , 13 12 10 C is always greater than 13.

20 10 5

Answer is YES
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Legendary Member
Posts: 518
Joined: Tue May 12, 2015 8:25 pm
Thanked: 10 times

by nikhilgmat31 » Tue Aug 11, 2015 3:57 am
If Charlie received 12 votes, did Dan get at least 5 votes?

A = 40
maximum for B = 29
C = 12

A + B + C = 40 + 39 + 12 = 91

remaining votes = 9

D + E = 9
5,4 or 6,3 or 7,2 or 8,1

YES D get atleast 5 votes.
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Post new topic Post Reply
• Page 1 of 1