EMPOWERgmatRichC wrote:
Hi All,
While this question looks a bit "scary", it involves shapes and formulas that you probably know and can be easily solved by TESTing VALUES.
Since the entire setup involves variables, we can TEST any variables that we want, as long as we do all of the calculations correctly.
Let's start with the Square:
side of a square = 2
area of the square = (2)(2) = 4
Now, let's deal with Triangle:
Even though it's on the "side" of the square, this triangle has a "base" (the side of the square) and a height (segment BF)
the base = 2 (since it's the same length as the side of the square)
Let's TEST....
H = height = 1
Area of the triangle = (1/2)(base)(height) = (1/2)(2)(1) = 1
Q = Area = 1
We're asked for the area of the SQUARE (which we already know is 4), when H=1 and Q=1.
Answer A: (1)(1) = 1 NOT a match.
Answer B: 1/1 = 1 NOT a match.
Answer C: 2[(1/1)^2] = 2 NOT a match.
Answer D: 4[(1/1)^2] = 4 This IS a match.
Answer E: (1/4)[(1/1)^2] = 1/4 NOT a match.
Final Answer:
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
hi rich,
Its great to see your solutions and you as a strong advocate of testing values...
although testing values on various occasions does simplify the solution but at times does complicate things..
in this particular case, the algebric formulas are very simple and straight and takes very less time to get to solution..
however reading the solution through testing values in this particular question, a thing struck me....
here you may have been lucky that no other choice gives you 4 as solution..
If you would have these choices also apart from the correct answer,
a) 4*(h/Q)^2
b)4*(Q/h)^2
c)4*(Q/h)^3
d)4*(h/Q)
all these choices will give you 4 as answer..
would not things become more complicated now....will it not put the test taker into a dilemma..
i totally agree that testing values is a great concept but simpler problems may be better off with straight solutions...
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