If 9 marbles were added to a jar of marbles, the number of marbles would be greater than 3 times the original number of

[BTGmoderatorLU]

Source: GMAT Prep

If 9 marbles were added to a jar of marbles, the number of marbles would be greater than 3 times the original number of marbles. What is the greatest possible number of marbles that were in the jar originally?

A. 2
B. 3
C. 4
D. 5
E. 6

The OA is C

[Brent@GMATPrepNow]

Source: GMAT Prep

If 9 marbles were added to a jar of marbles, the number of marbles would be greater than 3 times the original number of marbles. What is the greatest possible number of marbles that were in the jar originally?

A. 2
B. 3
C. 4
D. 5
E. 6

The OA is C

If 9 marbles were added to a jar of marbles....
Let x = the ORIGINAL number of marbles in the jar
So, x + 9 = the NEW number of marbles in the jar

..., the number of marbles would be greater than 3 times the original number of marbles
In other words: (the NEW number of marbles in the jar) > 3(the ORIGINAL number of marbles in the jar)
In other words: x + 9 > 3x
Subtract x from both sides of the inequality to get: 9 > 2x
Divide both sides by 2 to get: 4.5 > x
In other words, the ORIGINAL number of marbles is less than 4.5

What is the greatest possible number of marbles that were in the jar originally?
4 is the biggest integer value that's less than 4.5

Answer: C

Cheers,
Brent