fruits on top of each layer

Expert replies

Needgmat: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 234; Joined: Tue May 31, 2016 1:40 am; Thanked: 3 times

by Needgmat » Thu Sep 29, 2016 8:04 am

A certain cake has two layers with pieces of fruits on top of each layer. Of all the pieces of fruit on the cake, 25% are strawberries. How many pieces of fruit are on the first layer of the cake?

1) Of the pieces of fruit on the first layer, 6 are strawberries.

2) 20% of the 20 pieces of fruit on the second layer are strawberries.

OAC

Please explain.

Like this post

Source: Beat The GMAT — Data Sufficiency | Thu Sep 29, 2016 8:04 am

MartyMurray: Legendary Member; Posts: 2135; Joined: Mon Feb 03, 2014 9:26 amFollowed by: 140 members; Location: https://martymurraycoaching.com/; Thanked: 955 times; GMAT Score:800

by MartyMurray » Thu Sep 29, 2016 8:44 am

The key thing to notice in doing this question is that the number we are looking for is the number of pieces of fruit on the first layer only.

To get the question right, you have to be clear about what it is asking for.

Statement 1: Of the pieces of fruit on the first layer, 6 are strawberries.

From the question we know that 25% of the pieces are strawberries.

The combination of the information from the question with the information provided in this statement is not sufficient for determining how many pieces are on the first layer. The six strawberries could be the entirety of the fruit on the first layer. The six strawberries could be all of the strawberries or a fraction of the strawberries.

Insufficient.

Statement 2: 20% of the 20 pieces of fruit on the second layer are strawberries.

This provides us with two things.

Pieces Second Layer: 20

Strawberries Second Layer: 4

However, even with the information provided in the question still don't have enough to determine how many pieces are on the first layer. Here are two possibilities.

Pieces First Layer: 20

Strawberries First Layer: 6

Pieces On Cake: 20 + 20 = 40

Strawberries On Cake: 4 + 6 = 10

Strawberries %: 10/40 = 25%

or

Pieces First Layer: 4

Strawberries First Layer: 2

Pieces On Cake: 24

Strawberries On Cake: 6

Strawberries %: 6/24 = 25%

Two different totals on first layer.

Insufficient.

Statements Combined:

Strawberries On Cake: 6 + 4 = 10

Pieces On Cake: 10/25% = 40

Pieces Second Layer: 20

Pieces First Layer: 20

Sufficient.

The correct answer is C.

Marty Murray
Perfect Scoring Tutor With Over a Decade of Experience
MartyMurrayCoaching.com
Contact me at [email protected] for a free consultation.

Like this post

Post new topic Post Reply

• Page 1 of 1

GMAT Course Reviews

560 reviews

1168 reviews

431 reviews

359 reviews

147 reviews

5/5

5 Star (560 Reviews)

"Target Test Prep is the closest to the official version of the GMAT exam, about 99% accuracy in terms of the quality and quantity of information. The course has excellently created singular sets of focused lessons and tests for every possible topic that one could come across in the official GMAT exam."

"The TTP course maximizes the efficiency of the time you spend studying. It will take time and effort but I could almost guarantee that if you complete the course exactly as it is laid out you will get an amazing score. They also have a very responsive team willing to help with any questions you might have."

"TTP has two things that I think no other test prep company offers: A teaching approach that reinforces understanding and an attitude that will give you the mental preparedness needed to succeed on the test. TTP gives you a deep understanding of the concept you need to know while teaching you how to think."

Write a Review