Problem Solving

Aman verma wrote:Q: A shopkeeper told me when I asked about the total number of cellphones in his shop , that he had all Sony Erickson except 3,all Nokia except 3,all Samsung except 3 and all L.G except 3. The number of cellphones he had is

a)24

b) 256







Note: Unfortunately, I don't have all the options ; only had a portion of the problem. But all I know that the answer is definitely determinable and none of the above ,unfortunately don't have the answer either. Can anybody find the correct answer.

all Sony Erickson except 3,all Nokia except 3,all Samsung except 3 and all L.G except 3

harsh.champ wrote:

Aman verma wrote:Q: A shopkeeper told me when I asked about the total number of cellphones in his shop , that he had all Sony Erickson except 3,all Nokia except 3,all Samsung except 3 and all L.G except 3. The number of cellphones he had is

a)24

b) 256







Note: Unfortunately, I don't have all the options ; only had a portion of the problem. But all I know that the answer is definitely determinable and none of the above ,unfortunately don't have the answer either. Can anybody find the correct answer.

Well,it is quite apparent that he had 4 cellphones:-1 of each brand.
Hence,it will satisfy the statement:-

all Sony Erickson except 3,all Nokia except 3,all Samsung except 3 and all L.G except 3

So, the answer will be 4.

Note:-I am assuming that a cellphone belongs to a unique brand and no partnership is there among the companies.

Aman verma wrote:Q: A shopkeeper told me when I asked about the total number of cellphones in his shop , that he had all Sony Erickson except 3,all Nokia except 3,all Samsung except 3 and all L.G except 3. The number of cellphones he had is

a)24

b) 256

Stuart Kovinsky wrote:

Aman verma wrote:Q: A shopkeeper told me when I asked about the total number of cellphones in his shop , that he had all Sony Erickson except 3,all Nokia except 3,all Samsung except 3 and all L.G except 3. The number of cellphones he had is

a)24

b) 256

There are two possible correct answers.

He could have 3 cellphones that are none of the above, or he could have 1 of each brand; so, the answer could be 3 or 4.

If we know that those are the only 4 brands that he carries, then the answer is 4 (1 of each).

This isn't a real GMAT question, since the GMAT doesn't use brand names.

Stuart Kovinsky wrote:

Aman verma wrote:Q: A shopkeeper told me when I asked about the total number of cellphones in his shop , that he had all Sony Erickson except 3,all Nokia except 3,all Samsung except 3 and all L.G except 3. The number of cellphones he had is

a)24

b) 256

There are two possible correct answers.

He could have 3 cellphones that are none of the above, or he could have 1 of each brand; so, the answer could be 3 or 4.

If we know that those are the only 4 brands that he carries, then the answer is 4 (1 of each).

This isn't a real GMAT question, since the GMAT doesn't use brand names.

harsh.champ wrote:

Stuart Kovinsky wrote:

Aman verma wrote:Q: A shopkeeper told me when I asked about the total number of cellphones in his shop , that he had all Sony Erickson except 3,all Nokia except 3,all Samsung except 3 and all L.G except 3. The number of cellphones he had is

a)24

b) 256

There are two possible correct answers.

He could have 3 cellphones that are none of the above, or he could have 1 of each brand; so, the answer could be 3 or 4.

If we know that those are the only 4 brands that he carries, then the answer is 4 (1 of each).

This isn't a real GMAT question, since the GMAT doesn't use brand names.

Hey stuart,
I didn't understand the 2nd answer.
How could he have 3 cellphones?It doesn't satisfy all the conditions listed in the question.
I think the only answer should be 4.

lunarpower wrote:Stuart said:

There are two possible correct answers.

He could have 3 cellphones that are none of the above, or he could have 1 of each brand; so, the answer could be 3 or 4.

If we know that those are the only 4 brands that he carries, then the answer is 4 (1 of each).

This isn't a real GMAT question, since the GMAT doesn't use brand names.

ha! nicely done re: "3 cell phones that are none of the above".

two comments to add:

(1) the gmat will NEVER write problems that use intentionally deceptive / confusing wording. here are some examples of what i mean - all totally legitimate from a purely mathematical standpoint, but too "tricky" for the test:
* saying "all but 3 of the items are..." when there are only 3 items in the set
* saying "ALL of the items in the set" when there is only 1 item in the set
* testing whether 0, -5, -10, etc. are "multiples of 5"
* etc.

even if one of these were to sneak onto the test, it would be purged from the test after its experimental (provisional) period, since it wouldn't produce the correct profile of correct/incorrect answers from students.

(2) the gmat will NEVER include a "gimmick problem" such as this one. this problem is too long on verbal legerdemain (trying to confuse the test taker), and too short on actual mathematical insight.

this problem is absolutely useless as preparation for the gmat. nothing to see here - move on.