GMAT Math : Problem-Solving Questions

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GMAT Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #61 : Percents

What is \(\displaystyle 20\%\textup{ of } \frac{4}{5}\)?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle \frac{1}{5}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{6}{25}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{4}{25}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{2}{25}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{3}{25}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle \frac{4}{25}\)

Explanation:

\(\displaystyle 20\%\textup{ of }\) \(\displaystyle \frac{4}{5}\) is equal to

\(\displaystyle \frac{20}{100} \cdot \frac{4}{5} = \frac{80}{500} = \frac{80 \div 20 }{500 \div 20} = \frac{4}{25}\)

Example Question #132 : Arithmetic

\(\displaystyle \frac{4}{5}\) is \(\displaystyle 20\%\) of what number?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 4 \frac{4}{5}\)

\(\displaystyle \textup{None of the other responses gives the correct answer.}\)

\(\displaystyle 3\frac{1}{5}\)

\(\displaystyle 5\)

\(\displaystyle 4\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 4\)

Explanation:

Let \(\displaystyle N\) be the number in question. \(\displaystyle 20\%\) of this number is equal to \(\displaystyle \frac{4}{5}\), so

\(\displaystyle \frac{20}{100} \cdot N = \frac{4}{5}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{100} {20} \cdot \frac{20}{100} \cdot N =\frac{100} {20} \cdot \frac{4}{5}\)

\(\displaystyle N =\frac{400} {100} = 4\)

Example Question #61 : Percents

Jill buys a new tablet for \(\displaystyle \$156.45\). If she used a coupon and received \(\displaystyle \$35\) off of the original price, what was the percent discount she received?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 77.6\%\)

\(\displaystyle 18.3\%\)

\(\displaystyle 22.4\%\)

\(\displaystyle 35.5\%\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 18.3\%\)

Explanation:

Jill buys a new tablet for \(\displaystyle \$156.45\). If she used a coupon and received \(\displaystyle \$35\) off of the original price, what was the percent discount she received?

So, to find percent discount, we need to calculate the original price. 

\(\displaystyle 156.45+35=191.45\)

Then, we need to find the percent of the discount. To do so, simply divide the amount of the discount by the original amount, then multiply by 100

\(\displaystyle \frac{35}{191.45}*100=18.3\%\)

Example Question #62 : Percents

\(\displaystyle 12\%\) of a certain number is \(\displaystyle 138\). What is the number? 

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 16.56\)

\(\displaystyle 126\)

\(\displaystyle 11.5\)

\(\displaystyle 1656\)

\(\displaystyle 1150\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 1150\)

Explanation:

Here, we need to first convert the percent into a fraction. Then, we will solve the equation. \(\displaystyle 12\%=\frac{12}{100}.\) Our number is unknown, so I will call it \(\displaystyle x.\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{12x}{100}=138.\)  \(\displaystyle x=\frac{138*100}{12}=1150.\)

Example Question #63 : Percents

Given a number \(\displaystyle x\), which of these is the greatest quantity of the three?

(a) 30% of 40% of 50% of \(\displaystyle x\)

(b) 40% of 50% of 30% of \(\displaystyle x\)

(c) 50% of 30% of 40% of \(\displaystyle x\)

Possible Answers:

30% of 40% of 50% of \(\displaystyle x\)

40% of 50% of 30% of \(\displaystyle x\)

50% of 30% of 40% of \(\displaystyle x\)

It is impossible to tell without knowing the value of \(\displaystyle x\)

All three are equal to one another

Correct answer:

All three are equal to one another

Explanation:

All three are equal.

 

30% of 40% of 50% of \(\displaystyle x\) is \(\displaystyle \frac{3}{10}\) of \(\displaystyle \frac{2}{5}\) of \(\displaystyle \frac{1}{2}\) of \(\displaystyle x\): that is, \(\displaystyle \frac{3}{10} \cdot\frac{2}{5}\cdot\frac{1}{2} \cdot x = \frac{6}{100} x\)

 

40% of 50% of 30% of \(\displaystyle x\) is \(\displaystyle \frac{2}{5}\) of \(\displaystyle \frac{1}{2}\) of \(\displaystyle \frac{3}{10}\) of \(\displaystyle x\): that is, \(\displaystyle \frac {2}{5} \cdot\frac{1}{2} \cdot\ \frac{3}{10} \cdot x = \frac{6}{100} x\)

 

 50% of 30% of 40% of \(\displaystyle x\) is \(\displaystyle \frac{1}{2}\) of \(\displaystyle \frac{3}{10}\) of \(\displaystyle \frac{2}{5}\) of \(\displaystyle x\): that is \(\displaystyle \frac{1}{2} \cdot\ \frac{3}{10} \cdot \frac {2}{5} \cdot x = \frac{6}{100} x\)

Example Question #1 : Calculating Ratio And Proportion

The ratio 4 to \frac{1}{4}\(\displaystyle \frac{1}{4}\) is equal to which of the following ratios?

Possible Answers:

\dpi{100} \small 16\(\displaystyle \dpi{100} \small 16\) to \dpi{100} \small 1\(\displaystyle \dpi{100} \small 1\)

\dpi{100} \small 6\(\displaystyle \dpi{100} \small 6\) to \dpi{100} \small 1\(\displaystyle \dpi{100} \small 1\)

\dpi{100} \small 12\(\displaystyle \dpi{100} \small 12\) to \dpi{100} \small 1\(\displaystyle \dpi{100} \small 1\)

\dpi{100} \small 8\(\displaystyle \dpi{100} \small 8\) to \dpi{100} \small 1\(\displaystyle \dpi{100} \small 1\)

\dpi{100} \small 16\(\displaystyle \dpi{100} \small 16\) to \dpi{100} \small 3\(\displaystyle \dpi{100} \small 3\)

Correct answer:

\dpi{100} \small 16\(\displaystyle \dpi{100} \small 16\) to \dpi{100} \small 1\(\displaystyle \dpi{100} \small 1\)

Explanation:

The ratio \dpi{100} \small 4\(\displaystyle \dpi{100} \small 4\) to \frac{1}{4}\(\displaystyle \frac{1}{4}\) is equal to \frac{4}{\frac{1}{4}}\(\displaystyle \frac{4}{\frac{1}{4}}\) which is  4\left ( \frac{4}{1} \right )= 16\(\displaystyle 4\left ( \frac{4}{1} \right )= 16\).

\dpi{100} \small 16\(\displaystyle \dpi{100} \small 16\) can be written as the ratio \dpi{100} \small 16\(\displaystyle \dpi{100} \small 16\) to \dpi{100} \small 1\(\displaystyle \dpi{100} \small 1\).

Example Question #1 : Calculating Ratio And Proportion

The annual budget for a road construction project is $25,200 budgeted equally over 12 months. If by the end of the third month the actual expenses have been $7,420, how much has the construction project gone over budget?

Possible Answers:

\dpi{100} \small \$3340\(\displaystyle \dpi{100} \small \$3340\)

\dpi{100} \small \$ 980\(\displaystyle \dpi{100} \small \$ 980\)

\dpi{100} \small \$1640\(\displaystyle \dpi{100} \small \$1640\)

\dpi{100} \small \$ 1120\(\displaystyle \dpi{100} \small \$ 1120\)

\dpi{100} \small \$2150\(\displaystyle \dpi{100} \small \$2150\)

Correct answer:

\dpi{100} \small \$ 1120\(\displaystyle \dpi{100} \small \$ 1120\)

Explanation:

The monthly budget is found by:

\frac{25,200}{12}=2,100\(\displaystyle \frac{25,200}{12}=2,100\)

which for 3 months is a budget of:

2,100\cdot 3= 6,300\(\displaystyle 2,100\cdot 3= 6,300\)

To find out how much they are over budget the budgeted amount is subtracted from the actual expenses.
7,420 - 6,300 = 1,120\(\displaystyle 7,420 - 6,300 = 1,120\)

Example Question #1 : Ratio & Proportions

The ratio \dpi{100} \small 3\(\displaystyle \dpi{100} \small 3\) to \dpi{100} \small \frac{1}{2}\(\displaystyle \dpi{100} \small \frac{1}{2}\) is equal to the ratio:

Possible Answers:

\dpi{100} \small 5\ to\ 1\(\displaystyle \dpi{100} \small 5\ to\ 1\)

\dpi{100} \small 2\ to\ 3\(\displaystyle \dpi{100} \small 2\ to\ 3\)

\dpi{100} \small 6\ to\ 1\(\displaystyle \dpi{100} \small 6\ to\ 1\)

\dpi{100} \small 3\ to\ 2\(\displaystyle \dpi{100} \small 3\ to\ 2\)

\dpi{100} \small 1\ to\ 6\(\displaystyle \dpi{100} \small 1\ to\ 6\)

Correct answer:

\dpi{100} \small 6\ to\ 1\(\displaystyle \dpi{100} \small 6\ to\ 1\)

Explanation:

The ratio \dpi{100} \small 3\(\displaystyle \dpi{100} \small 3\) to \dpi{100} \small \frac{1}{2}\(\displaystyle \dpi{100} \small \frac{1}{2}\) is the same as \dpi{100} \small \frac{3}{\frac{1}{2}}=3\times \frac{2}{1}=6\(\displaystyle \dpi{100} \small \frac{3}{\frac{1}{2}}=3\times \frac{2}{1}=6\),
which equals a ratio of \dpi{100} \small 6\(\displaystyle \dpi{100} \small 6\) to \dpi{100} \small 1\(\displaystyle \dpi{100} \small 1\).

Also, if you double both sides of the ratio, you get \dpi{100} \small 6\(\displaystyle \dpi{100} \small 6\) to \dpi{100} \small 1\(\displaystyle \dpi{100} \small 1\)

Example Question #1 : Ratio & Proportions

Nishita has necklaces, bracelets, and rings in a ratio of 7:5:4. If she has 64 jewelry items total, how many bracelets does she have?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 16\)

\(\displaystyle 28\)

\(\displaystyle 5\)

\(\displaystyle 20\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 20\)

Explanation:

\(\displaystyle 7x + 5x+4x= 64\)

\(\displaystyle 16x=64\)

\(\displaystyle x=4\)

bracelets: \(\displaystyle 5x=5(4)=20\)

Example Question #2 : Calculating Ratio And Proportion

A box contains red and blue marbles.  The probablity of picking a red is \(\displaystyle \frac{1}{3}\).  There are 30 blue marbles.  How many total marbles are there?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 45\)

\(\displaystyle 40\)

\(\displaystyle 90\)

\(\displaystyle 60\)

\(\displaystyle 50\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 45\)

Explanation:

If \(\displaystyle \frac{1}{3}\) are red, then \(\displaystyle \frac{2}{3}\) are blue, and the number of blue marbles can be written as

\(\displaystyle blue=\frac{2}{3}*total marbles\)

Plug in the number of blue marbles, 30, and solve for the total marbles.

\(\displaystyle 30 = \frac{2}{3}*total\rightarrow total = \frac{30}{\frac{2}{3}} =45 marbles\)

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