Official Guide Explanation:
Data Sufficiency #85

 

 

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.

These are the same explanations that are featured in my "Guides to the Official Guide" PDF booklets. However, because of the limitations of HTML and cross-browser compatibility, some mathematical concepts, such as fractions and roots, do not display as clearly online.

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Solution and Metadata

Question: 85
Page: 280
Difficulty: 4 (Moderately Easy)
Category 1: Word Problems > Mixture Problems >
Category 2: Arithmetic > Ratio and Proportion >

Explanation: The question gives us the equation p + s = 100. Two variables, one linear equation, so we'll need another linear equation to solve for p, the number of tickets Paula sold.

Statement (1) is sufficient: it offers another linear equation, s = (2/3)p. It can be combined with the initial equation to find p. Statement (2) is not sufficient: the total number of tickets sold for Club X is a third variable, so it can't be related back to the initial equation. Thus, choice (A) is correct.

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