Official Guide Explanation:
Data Sufficiency #117

Background

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Solution and Metadata

Question: 117
Page: 161
Difficulty: 5 (Moderate)
Category 1: Word Problems > Other >
Category 2: Word Problems > Rate Problems > Speed

Explanation: Statement (1) is insufficient. The rate of leakage might come in handy later, but it gives us no clue as to how much water was in the tank.

Statement (2) is also insufficient. The time it took to empty might also be handy in conjunction with other information, but on its own, it doesn't help us determine how much water was in the tank.

Taken together, the statements are still sufficient. It's a classic rate question. We're looking for the amount, and the statements give us time and rate. However, note that the time is given as an inequality, so we won't get a solid answer, just a range of possible answers.

Start by converting 30 gallons to ounces: as the question tells us, it's (30)(128) ounces. (Don't do the math until you have to!) Next, convert the rate to hours instead of minutes: (6.4)(60). Using the rate formula:

amount = rate * time

amount = (6.4)(60)(12) [we're using 12, but remember (2) tells us "less than 12," so this expression will give us the maximum amount.]

amount = 4608

Because of the inequality in (2), we know that the amount is less than 4,608 ounces. The question asks us whether the water in the tank is more than 30(128) = 3840 ounces. It's possible, but it might not be. Choice (E) is correct.

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