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tagged by: AAPL

# Forum: Which of the following fractions is greater than 1/4?

Which of the following fractions is greater than 1/4?

A. 12/50
B. 3/11
C. 2/9
D. 4/17
E. 6/24

The OA is B.

Is there a quick and strategic approach to solve this question? Can any experts help, please?

I try to solve as follows:
A. 12/50
12.5/50 = 1/4 thus 12/50 < 1/4

B. 3/11
3/12 = 1/4 thus 3/11 > 1/4

C. 2/9
2/8 = 1/4 thus 2/9 < 1/4

D. 4/17
4/16 = 1/4 thus 4/17 < 1/4

E. 6/24
6/24 = 1/4

I think that it's a long way.

### GMAT/MBA Expert

Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
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AAPL wrote:
Which of the following fractions is greater than 1/4?

A. 12/50
B. 3/11
C. 2/9
D. 4/17
E. 6/24

The OA is B.

Is there a quick and strategic approach to solve this question? Can any experts help, please?

I try to solve as follows:
A. 12/50
12.5/50 = 1/4 thus 12/50 < 1/4

B. 3/11
3/12 = 1/4 thus 3/11 > 1/4

C. 2/9
2/8 = 1/4 thus 2/9 < 1/4

D. 4/17
4/16 = 1/4 thus 4/17 < 1/4

E. 6/24
6/24 = 1/4

I think that it's a long way.
Multiply each of the numerators by 4 and see if it is bigger than the denominator:

A. 12/50: 12*4 = 48, 48 > 50 NO
B. 3/11: 3*4 = 12, 12 > 11 YES
C. 2/9: 2*4 = 8, 8 > 9 NO
D. 4/17: 4*4 = 16, 16 > 17 NO
E. 6/24: 6*4 = 24, 24 > 24 NO

Once you get to B and find a YES you can stop.

### GMAT/MBA Expert

GMAT Instructor
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AAPL wrote:
Which of the following fractions is greater than 1/4?

A. 12/50
B. 3/11
C. 2/9
D. 4/17
E. 6/24
A. 12/50
Notice that 12/48 = 1/4
So, 12/50 will be LESS THAN 1/4
Eliminate A

B. 3/11
3/12 = 1/4
So, 3/11 will be GREATER THAN 1/4

Cheers,
Brent

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### GMAT/MBA Expert

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Hi AAPL,

We're asked to find the fractions that is GREATER than 1/4. The 'math' behind this question can be done in a number of different ways - and you can use a Number Property pattern to save some time. It's worth noting that once you find the answer that is greater than 1/4, you can STOP working.

For a fraction to equal 1/4, the denominator must be exactly 4 times the value of the numerator. For example 1/4, 2/8, 3/12, etc. are all exactly equal to 1/4. If you INCREASE the denominator, then the fraction becomes SMALLER. If you DECREASE the denominator, then the fraction becomes bigger. Thus, we're looking for a fraction in which the denominator is LESS than 4 times the value of the numerator.

Answer A: 12/50... (12)(4) = 48..... 50 is greater than 48, so this fraction is LESS than 1/4

Answer B: 3/11... (3)(4) = 12.... 11 is SMALLER than 12, so this fraction is GREATER than 1/4

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

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### GMAT/MBA Expert

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AAPL wrote:
Which of the following fractions is greater than 1/4?

A. 12/50
B. 3/11
C. 2/9
D. 4/17
E. 6/24
We see that 1/4 is equivalent to 12/48, 3/12, 2/8, 4/16, and 6/24.

We use the property that when we compare two fractions whose numerators are equal, the larger fraction has the smaller denominator. Thus, we see that 3/11 is greater than 3/12, and thus, 3/11 is greater than 1/4.

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Jeffrey Miller Head of GMAT Instruction

Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Joined
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Posted:
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I think more economical way is to take reciprocal of all the ratio and find which ratio is less than 4.
advantage is we need not work out ...just intuition is enough
ie, 50/12 >4, 9/2>4, 17/4>4,24/6>4,so the answer is 11/3 -> three point some thing.
 

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