Category: GMAT Word Problems

In my last couple of posts (Using Diagrams to Solve GMAT Rate Problems Part 1 and Part 2) I used a Rate-Time-Distance table, (or RTD table) to solve the most common sort of rate problem: a combined-rate problem in which two travelers move in opposite directions simultaneously.  (If you haven’t read those posts and aren’t…

In Part 1 we used what is called an RTD table to solve a fairly typical rate problem. Today I want to revisit the problem in Part 1 to make a simple point:   There’s more than one correct way to use the table. If you keep in mind a few simple truth about the…

Diagrams are great! Like all types of scratch-work, diagrams can forestall cognitive fatigue because working a problem out on paper is much less demanding than doing all the work in your head. Diagrams can also help you to visualize relationships, and can make problems more concrete. Generally though, we use diagrams to generate equations, which…

First, a few practice problems.  Remember: no calculator! 1) If $5,000,000 is the initial amount placed in an account that collects 7% annual interest, which of the following compounding rates would produce the largest total amount after two years? (A) compounding annually (B) compounding quarterly (C) compounding monthly (D) compounding daily (E) All four of…

First, here are eight practice problems exploring typical percent word problems on the GMAT. 1. The original price of a suit is $200.  The price increased 30%, and after this increase, the store published a 30% off coupon for a one-day sale.  Given that the consumers who used the coupon on sale day were getting…

First, a few practice GMAT math questions. 1) Last year, the price of a vacation package was P.  At the beginning of this year, the price went up 40%.  Lucas used a travel voucher to purchase the vacation package at 30% off this year’s price.   In terms of P, how much did Lucas pay? (A)…

First, try these challenging GMAT Quantitative problems, all variations on a theme, as you will see. 1) Seven children — A, B, C, D, E, F, and G — are going to sit in seven chairs in a row.  The children C & F have to sit next to each other, and the others can…

Attention, mad scientists out there!  Consider these two practice questions.   1) A scientist has 400 units of a 6% phosphoric acid solution, and an unlimited supply of 12% phosphoric acid solution.  How many units of the latter must she add to the former to produce a 10% phosphoric acid solution? (A) 200 (B) 400…

Understand this common type of special counting on the GMAT!  Question #1: On Monday, there were 29 bananas in the cafeteria.  No new bananas were brought in after Monday.  Two days later, on Wednesday, there were 14 bananas left.  How many were eaten in that time? Question #2: In January of last year, MicroCorp start-up…

Learn this powerful method for unlocking devilishly complicated problems about sets.    Practice questions First, try these challenging 700-level practice questions. 1) At Veridux Corporation, there are 250 employees. Of these, 90 are female, and the rest are males.  There are a total of 40 managers, and the rest of the employees are associates.  If…