Ratio of Tics and Tocs

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Ratio of Tics and Tocs

by cbenk121 » Sat Oct 03, 2009 7:02 pm
If 1 tic equals 3 tacs, and 2 tacs equal 5 tocs, what is the ratio of 1 tic to 1 toc?

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Here's the solution.

"Get both tics and tocs in terms of the same number of tacs. Since we are given the value of tics in terms of 3 tacs, and tocs in terms of 2 tacs, let's use the LCM of 2 and 3, or 6.

If 1 tic equals 3 tacs, then 2 tics equal 6 tacs. If 2 tacs equal 5 tocs, then 6 tacs equal 3 x 5 or 15 tocs. Therefore, 2 tics = 15 tocs.
"

That's what I got, so far so good.

"Divide to get the ratio of units on one side, and the numbers on the other side.

2 tics = 15 tocs

1 tic / 1 toc = 15 / 2
"

My question is, what does it mean when it asks for the ratio of 1 tic to 1 toc? Normally, I think a ratio would ask how many parts to a singular unit of another part, such as "How many tocs to 1 tic?", not a singular unit of both.

I'm just trying to identify this so if I see this in practice or on test, I know what it's asking for :). Thanks!

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by Jeff@TargetTestPrep » Fri Apr 06, 2018 7:52 am
cbenk121 wrote:If 1 tic equals 3 tacs, and 2 tacs equal 5 tocs, what is the ratio of 1 tic to 1 toc?
Since 1 tic = 3 tacs, then 2 tics = 6 tacs.

Since 2 tacs = 5 tocs, then 6 tacs = 15 tocs.

Thus, 2 tics = 15 tocs and hence 1 tic = 15/2 tocs.

Jeffrey Miller
Head of GMAT Instruction
[email protected]

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