Joan, Kylie, Lillian, and Miriam all celebrate their birthda

Answer D

total- x+x+1+x+2+x+3
total= 4x+6
birthdays at the same day, so total = integer
54 -6 = 48, which is divisible by 4
so, x= 12
4*12 +6 = 54

D

K = J + 2
K = L + 3
M = J + 1
Total = K + J + M + L = K + K - 2 + K - 2 + 1 + K - 3 = 4K - 6

I tried out all numbers and only 54 works as an integer of K.
(54 + 6)/4 = K = integer
The rest give fractions.

the way i did is very similar to Bkk's approach..

j=k-2
k=L+3
m=1+J
L=L

j=L+1; M=L+2

total sum of ages= (L+1+L+2+L+3+L=4L+6

then i subtract 6 from all the answer choices..the resulting number should be divisible by 4..

54 is the only one

D it is..

I'd say 54 as well...

J= K-2 = K-2
K= L+3 = K
L= K-3 = K-3
M= J+1 = K-1

Then, I gave K=15 so 15+14+13+12= 54

i was just thinking..if you are in a tight spot and have to quickly think..maybe you have 3 questions left and only 1 minute left to do em..

you know that one of the girls is 2 years younger and one is 3 years older..

so then of the answer choice..1 of these choices must be divisble by 3..now look at 2..the answer choice has to be even..so 54 is the best choice..51 is close but its not divisible by 2..

Let present age of Kylie = x, then present ages of....

Joan = x-2

Lillian = x-3

Miriam = x-1

Total age = x + x-1 + x-2 + x-3

= 4x - 6

Option A, C, E are odd, hence can be discarded

54 + 6 = 60 which is divisible by 4

Answer = D

Hi All,

The first part of this question requires translating sentences into formulas:

J + 2 = K
L + 3 = K
J + 1 = M

Even if you translated these formulas differently (but correctly), you still have a relationship among the 4 variables that needs to be discovered. You can TEST VALUES to figure out the relationship:

If K = 10, then
J = 8
L = 7
M = 9

Now we know that the 4 values are consecutive.

To solve, you can either use "brute-force" (since the answers are small) or algebra:

Brute-Force:
11 + 12 + 13 + 14 = 50 NOT ENOUGH BASED ON THE ANSWERS
12 + 13 + 14 + 15 = 54 WINNER

Algebra:
Call the youngest person X
X + (X+1) + (X+2) + (X+3) = 4X + 6
If X = 11, total = 50 NOT ENOUGH BASED ON THE ANSWERS
If X = 12, total = 54 WINNER

Either way, you have the correct answer.

Final Answer:

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

the problem is solved as soon as the data, given, are elegantly simplified

given
j = k -2
k = L + 3
m = j + 1

So

j = k-2 so far so good
k = L +3
L = k - 3 now manageable
m = j + 1
or m = k-2 + 1 putting the value of j
or m = k - 1

now we are in business

j + k + L + m
= k -2 + k + k-3 + k-1
=4k - 6

only D fits in

VeritasKarishma can you pls provide your solution

Say Joan's age = J
Kylie = J + 2
Lillian = (J + 2) - 3 = J - 1
Miriam = J + 1

If you add them all, you get 4J + 2 ( a multiple of 2 but not of 4)
So only 54 is possible.

Answer (D)

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