The sides of a square region, measured to the nearest centimeter, are 6 centimeters long. The least possible value of

[Gmat_mission]

The sides of a square region, measured to the nearest centimeter, are 6 centimeters long. The least possible value of the actual area of the square region is

(A) 36.00 sq cm
(B) 35.00 sq cm
(C) 33.75 sq cm
(D) 30.25 sq cm
(E) 25.00 sq cm

[spoiler]OA=D[/spoiler]

Source: Official Guide

[deloitte247]

A square has 4 equal sides, given that the sides are measured to the nearest centimeters as 6cm


$$Let\ 1\ side=x$$
$$5.5cm\ \le x\le6.4cm$$
This means the length of a side of the square can be any value between 5.5cm and 6.4cm because any value in this range can be rounded to 6.0cm as the nearest


Therefore, the least possible value of the actual area = minimum length * minimum breadth
= 5.5cm * 5.5cm
$$=30.25\ cm^2$$
$$Answer\ =\ D$$

[Scott@TargetTestPrep]

The sides of a square region, measured to the nearest centimeter, are 6 centimeters long. The least possible value of the actual area of the square region is

(A) 36.00 sq cm
(B) 35.00 sq cm
(C) 33.75 sq cm
(D) 30.25 sq cm
(E) 25.00 sq cm

[spoiler]OA=D[/spoiler]

Source: Official Guide

Solution:

The least side length of the square is 5.5 cm long (notice that 5.5 cm can be rounded to 6 cm when rounded to the nearest centimeter), so the least possible value of the area of the square is 5.5^2 = 30.25 sq cm.

Answer: D