Official Guide Explanation:
Data Sufficiency #34

 

 

Background

This is just one of hundreds of free explanations I've created to the quantitative questions in The Official Guide for GMAT Review (12th ed.). Click the links on the question number, difficulty level, and categories to find explanations for other problems.

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Solution and Metadata

Question: 34
Page: 275
Difficulty: 5 (Moderate)
Category 1: Geometry > Rectangular Solids and Cylinders > Cylinders
Category 2: Word Problems > Geometry Problems >

Explanation: The height of the cans is the same as the height of the carton, so that dimension is irrelevant. To find the number of circles that fit in a 48 centimeter by 32 centimeter rectangle, you need some measurement pertaining to the circles, such as radius.

Statement (1) offers that: given the radius, you can figure out how many of the cans fit in the given rectangle. Statement (2) is also sufficient: if six of the cans fit along the length (of 48), that means that each can has a "length" (in the case of a circle, a diameter) of (48/6) = 8, or a radius of 4. Thus, the correct choice is (D).

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