VIC's

[resilient]

When dealing with VIC's, I notice that I almost always answer the question right IF I can see the equation given in the question. If I do not see the equation at hand, I usually find the wrong answer or cant even find my answer n teh answer choices. DO you have any pointers on how to extract the equation that I will plug numbers into, out of the given information? I keep trying to get a "lesson learned" out of my manhattan gmat cat exams and dont want to just say "pay more attention". Thanks for everything.

[beatthegmat]

Define VIC?

[Stacey Koprince]

VIC - variables in the answer choices. That is, those algebra problems on which you can just plug in a number (or numbers) of your choice for the variable and solve the problem via arithmetic instead of algebra.

Engin, if you're struggling with this, then what you are actually struggling with is Word Translations - how to translate words into math. It should actually be a problem for you on any problem of this type, not just when you can also use the "turn algebra into arithmetic" VIC technique.

So, one, you might want to go over chapter 1 of the WT book more carefully to make sure you can do the translation effectively every time.

For VIC, also do this: let's say the variable x is in the answer choices and you pick the number 2 to replace x. Every place in the problem where it used to say x, simply replace that x mentally with the number 2. Literally read the problem as though it says "2" in all of those places, NOT x. And just pretend that's it - it's an arithmetic problem using the number 2. Do the arithmetic. (Of course, if the problem just gives you a math equation straight out, use that. But otherwise, just pretend it's a word problem with numbers in it rather than variables.)

[resilient]

this has helped a lot. It has now become a habit actually. Thanks

[dumluck]

I have the same problem with VICS, in fact it's my weakest area by far!. I find picking smart numbers is fine if it's an obvious approach; such as when dealing with percentages and fractions. But looking at the example below..

if S>0 and sqrt(r/s) = s, what is r in terms of s. This is a VIC but the obvious way to solve it would be algebraically. How would you do a question like this, picking smart numbers?

Thanks,

[dumluck]

I just ate my own words

r = 8, s = 2 are good numbers to pick, gives you the answer which is s^3. Have no idea why I don't notice that in most questions.

So I guess my question really is; Is their situations where you are confronted with a VIC and you should not pick numbers?

[Wayward-Bound]

Picking numbers or using algebra are two different methods... the last is a hybrid of both. I for one usually pick values unless I can blatantly figure out the question in terms of algebra very quickly. Typically using "smart" numbers like 8/2 in the previous question are good examples but I try to use small primes. 3, 5, or 7 for example to ensure that I'm not losing to factors. Plug the numbers quickly see if you get result. By using primes you don't have to double dip and redo multiple answers.