GMAT Math : Problem-Solving Questions

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GMAT Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #26 : Counting Methods

We want to create a five-character-long password using only numerical digits  through . How many different passwords can we create?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

For each of the five "slots" that we want to have for our password, we have ten different digits to choose from. The number of passwords is given by calculating  or  , which equals .

Example Question #22 : Counting Methods

We want to create a three-character-long password using only the twenty-six letters from the English alphabet. How many different passwords can be created?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

A three-letter-long password can be created in  ways, since there are 26 letters to choose from and the password is three letters long.

Example Question #23 : Understanding Counting Methods

We have four keys and are asked to open four locks with those keys. Each key only opens one lock; however, we don't know which key opens which lock. At most, how many attempts must we make before we can be sure to have all locks opened?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

We are asked to find the number of ways in which the keys can be used on the locks. There are four keys and four locks. This is just like looking for the number of permutations of four different letters. Therefore, it is given by 4!

Indeed, if we start with the first lock, we have four keys, and if we only use the right key last, then we have made four attempts on the first lock. Assuming that we leave the key in the first lock, we then have three keys remaining for the second lock. Similarly, if we pick the wrong key twice, then the third opens the lock, and so on and so forth. We can then multiply all these possibilities  to obtain .

Example Question #30 : Counting Methods

A college cafeteria offers three sizes of pizza - small, medium, or large. With a small pizza, up to one topping is included without additional charge; for a medium or large, up to two different toppings are included without additional charge.

The cafeteria offers two meat toppings - pepperoni and sausage. If the cafeteria offers  other toppings, then how many ways can someone order a pizza - choosing a size and up to the maximum number of toppings - without having to pay extra?

Assume that double toppings are not an option.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

If a small pizza is chosen, one topping out of  can be ordered for no additional charge.

If a medium pizza is ordered, up to two different toppings out of  can be ordered for no additional charge - this is

If a large pizza is ordered, up to two different toppings can be ordered for no additional charge - again, this numbers .

Add these expressions:

Example Question #1901 : Problem Solving Questions

A pizza parlor is offering a five-topping large pizza for $14.59. The toppings must be different, and they must include two meats and two vegetables; the fifth can be either. The meat toppings are pepperoni, beef, and sausage; the vegetable toppings are mushrooms, olives, onions, and green peppers. 

How many possible ways can the toppings be chosen?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Apply combinations and the multiplication principle here.

One possibility is to order three of three meats, which can only be done one way, and two of four vegetables, which can be done

 ways

The number of possible pizzas with three meats and two vegetables is .

The other possibility is to order two of three meats, which can be done 

 ways,

and three of four vegetables, which can be done 

 ways.

The number of possible pizzas with two meats and three vegetables is  ways.

This is a total of  ways to build a pizza to the given specifications.

Example Question #32 : Understanding Counting Methods

A college cafeteria offers  sizes of pizza - small, medium, and large. With a small pizza, up to one topping is included without additional charge; for a medium or large, up to two toppings are included without additional charge. The cafeteria allows a double topping (i.e. double mushrooms) to count as two toppings.

The cafeteria offers three meat toppings - pepperoni, beef, and sausage. If the cafeteria offers  other toppings, then how many ways can someone order a pizza -choosing a size and up to the maximum number of toppings- without having to pay extra?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

There are  toppings overall. 

For a small pizza, since one topping is allowed, there are  possible choices.

For a medium pizza, there are 

ways to order two different toppings, and  ways to order a double topping. The same numbers hold for a large pizza.

Add these:

Example Question #33 : Understanding Counting Methods

What is the 58th digit of the following repeating decimal?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

What is the 58th digit of the following repeating decimal?

Begin this problem by realizing there is an easier way than counting out to the 58th digit.

The easier way requires us  to divide 58 by the number of digits in the repeating decimal. In this case, we have 6.

So, perform the following:

9 remainder 4 means that the pattern will repeat 9 times before the 58th digit, and will then go 4 more. That means our answer must be 8, because 8 is the 4th digit in the sequence.

Example Question #1 : Understanding Fractions

If \dpi{100} \small x=\frac{1}{2} and \dpi{100} \small y=\frac{1}{3}, which of the following is the smallest?

Possible Answers:

\dpi{100} \small x+y

\dpi{100} \small x-y

\dpi{100} \small (xy)^{2}

\dpi{100} \small (x+y)^{2}

\dpi{100} \small x^{2}+y^{2}

Correct answer:

\dpi{100} \small (xy)^{2}

Explanation:

It can be solved by calculating all five answers:

\dpi{100} \small x+y = \frac{5}{6}

\dpi{100} \small x-y=\frac{1}{6}

\dpi{100} \small (xy)^{2}=\frac{1}{36}

\dpi{100} \small x^{2}+y^{2}=\frac{13}{36}

\dpi{100} \small (x+y)^{2}=\frac{25}{36}

The smallest is \dpi{100} \small \frac{1}{36}.

Example Question #1901 : Problem Solving Questions

What is \dpi{100} \small 66\frac{2}{3}% of 18?

Possible Answers:

12

10

8

12

15

Correct answer:

12

Explanation:

We need to convert this percentage into a fraction.  This is one of the conversions you should remember.

\dpi{100} \small 66\frac{2}{3}% = 0.666666 = \dpi{100} \small \frac{2}{3}

18 \ast \frac{2}{3} = 6 \ast 2 = 12

Example Question #2 : Fractions

Which of the following is less than \small \frac{3}{8}?

Possible Answers:

\small \frac{2}{5}

\small \frac{2}{4}

\small 0.25

\small 0.40

Correct answer:

\small 0.25

Explanation:

It's easiest to convert the fractions into decimals.

\small \frac{3}{8}\ =\ 0.375

\small \frac{2}{4}\ =\ 0.50

\small \frac{2}{5}\ =\ 0.40

Therefore, the correct answer is 0.25.

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