Each year, Carroll County gives an award to the town that has most inc

[quote="souvik101990"]Each year, Carroll County gives an award to the town that has most increased the area of its green space in the past 12 months. To earn the zoning designation “green space,” a lot must produce less carbon than it absorbs. Examples of land that qualifies as green space include parks, cemeteries, office buildings with highly efficient cooling systems, and homes with large gardens. 55% of the town of Arlington is designated as green space, while 45% of Barrington is designated as green space. Arlington officials have passed an ordinance declaring that any new office buildings built in Arlington in the next 12 months must have highly efficient cooling systems. Barrington officials have responded with a plan to open several new parks in the next 12 months. Barrington officials are confident that they will be ranked ahead of Arlington in the competition for the Carroll County award.

Which of the following, if true, would most justify the officials’ confidence that Barrington will beat Arlington in the award rankings?

(A) Barrington’s new parks will increase its green space by 30%, while Arlington’s new office buildings will increase its green space by only 15%.

(B) Arlington’s additional green space will not exceed 80% of Barrington’s additional green space.

(C) Arlington’s new office buildings will constitute 10% of its existing green space, while Barrington’s new parks will constitute 20% of its existing green space.

(D) The area of Arlington is no larger than that of Barrington.

(E) Barrington’s new parks will bring its percentage of green space to 65%, while Arlington’s new office buildings will bring its percentage of green space to only 60%.

Basically option A&E are same
Mathematically Option C will effect into same percentage of GA ie 65%
Option D is irrevent(area-no idea with passage)
So, we are left only with Option B..

Each year, Carroll County gives an award to the town that has most increased the area of its green space in the past 12 months. To earn the zoning designation “green space,” a lot must produce less carbon than it absorbs. Examples of land that qualifies as green space include parks, cemeteries, office buildings with highly efficient cooling systems, and homes with large gardens. 55% of the town of Arlington is designated as green space, while 45% of Barrington is designated as green space. Arlington officials have passed an ordinance declaring that any new office buildings built in Arlington in the next 12 months must have highly efficient cooling systems. Barrington officials have responded with a plan to open several new parks in the next 12 months. Barrington officials are confident that they will be ranked ahead of Arlington in the competition for the Carroll County award.

Which of the following, if true, would most justify the officials’ confidence that Barrington will beat Arlington in the award rankings?

A. Barrington’s new parks will increase its green space by 30%, while Arlington’s new office buildings will increase its green space by only 15%.

B. Arlington’s additional green space will not exceed 80% of Barrington’s additional green space.

C. Arlington’s new office buildings will constitute 10% of its existing green space, while Barrington’s new parks will constitute 20% of its existing green space.

D. The area of Arlington is no larger than that of Barrington.

E. Barrington’s new parks will bring its percentage of green space to 65%, while Arlington’s new office buildings will bring its percentage of green space to only 60%.

B, and D get eliminated easily.
case I: let A and B have an area of 100(say sqkm)

existing green areas
A=55
B=45

Coming to options
A. Barrington’s new parks will increase its green space by 30%, while Arlington’s new office buildings will increase its green space by only 15%.
current existing green area
B=45*(1.3)=58.5
A=55*1.15=63.25
Increased green area
B=58.5-45=13.5
A=63.25-55=8.25

C. Arlington’s new office buildings will constitute 10% of its existing green space, while Barrington’s new parks will constitute 20% of its existing green space.

increased green area
A= 10% of 55=5.5
B= 20% of 45=9

E. Barrington’s new parks will bring its percentage of green space to 65%, while Arlington’s new office buildings will bring its percentage of green space to only 60%.

increased green areas
B= 65-45=20
A=60-55=5

All these go in favor of B.

case II: let A and B have an area of 200 and 100(say sqkm)

existing green areas
A=110
B=45

Coming to options
A. Barrington’s new parks will increase its green space by 30%, while Arlington’s new office buildings will increase its green space by only 15%.
current existing green area
B=45*(1.3)=58.5
A=110*1.15=126.5

Increased green area
B=58.5-45=13.5
A=126.5-55=71.5

this goes in favor of A.

C. Arlington’s new office buildings will constitute 10% of its existing green space, while Barrington’s new parks will constitute 20% of its existing green space.

increased green area
A= 10% of 110=11
B= 20% of 45=9

this goes in favor of A.

E. Barrington’s new parks will bring its percentage of green space to 65%, while Arlington’s new office buildings will bring its percentage of green space to only 60%.

increased green areas
B= 65%-45%=20%100=20
A=5%200=10

this goes in favor of B.

case III: let A and B have an area of 100 and 200(say sqkm)

existing green areas
A=55
B=90

Coming to options
A. Barrington’s new parks will increase its green space by 30%, while Arlington’s new office buildings will increase its green space by only 15%.
current existing green area
B=90*(1.3)=117
A=55*1.15=63.25

Increased green area
B=117-90=27
A=63.25-55=8.25

this goes in favor of B.

C. Arlington’s new office buildings will constitute 10% of its existing green space, while Barrington’s new parks will constitute 20% of its existing green space.

increased green area
A= 10% of 55=5.5
B= 20% of 90=18

this goes in favor of B.

E. Barrington’s new parks will bring its percentage of green space to 65%, while Arlington’s new office buildings will bring its percentage of green space to only 60%.

increased green areas
B= 65%-45%=20%200=40
A=5%100=5

this goes in favor of B.


Selected E.
waiting for OA.

Experts your insight plz

stem says 55% of the town of Arlington is designated as green space, while 45% of Barrington is designated as green space

option says Arlington’s additional green space will not exceed 80% of Barrington’s additional green space.

let say Barrington’s additional green space increased by 50% then the max % for Arlington’s additional green space will be 40
now total Arlington’s green space will be 40 +55 % and total Barrington’s green space will be 45 + 50 % , both are equal
hence i think reasoning with option B is flawed

I could not decide between B and E and I will explain myself:

"B" states that Arlington’s additional green space will not exceed 80% of Barrington’s additional green space, so the increase will be lower for Arlington than for Barrington >>> Correct

"E" states that Barrington’s new parks will bring its percentage of green space to 65%, while Arlington’s new office buildings will bring its percentage of green space to only 60% so we don't know exactly the green space area for each but we know from the passage that 55% of the town of Arlington is designated as green space, while 45% of Barrington is designated as green space. So if you want know the percentage increase of green space for Arlington >>> [(60% x A - 55% x A) / 55% x A] x 100%; and if you want to know the percentage increase in green space for Barrington >>> [(65% x B - 45% x B) / 45% x B] you would get a greater percentage increase for B (Barrington)?

I might be wrong...

Just wanted to share this with you.

This question is great. It's veritas, no wonder.
A. Barrington’s new parks will increase its green space by 30%, while Arlington’s new office buildings will increase its green space by only 15%.
this means that Barrighton will increase by13.5 to become 58.5 while Albrighton will increase by 8.25 to become 63.25. the B city is still far behind the A city
B. Arlington’s additional green space will not exceed 80% of Barrington’s additional green space. taking the maximum value of 80, it means that Alb will get 80 + 55 = 135 while Barrinton gets 100 + 45 = 145. B has beaten A. This is a sure fire one. Answer
B

The rest dont matter to me at all. You can take your disappearing CAT time reading C D E. Who cares.

Great Question!!

I chose 'A', but the answer is 'B'

After several readings I understood the reason that why 'B' is the answer. And, here is my reason:-

Award will be given to the county that will most INCREASE its area of green space. Basically, the county that will add more green space will be the winner. Choice 'B' says- Arlington additional space </= 80% Barrington's additional space, meaning Barrington has added more green space than Arlington did. And Barrington will be the winner

Analysis of other choices is as below. Please suggest if I am wrong anywhere in the analysis:-

(A) Barrington’s new parks will increase its green space by 30%, while Arlington’s new office buildings will increase its green space by only 15%.
Increase in % doesn't mean increase in area. It could be possible that total Barrington's green space is significantly lower than the total green space of Arlington. And, hence 30% increase (in Barrington Green area) could be less than the 15% increase (Arlington Green area)

(B) Arlington’s additional green space will not exceed 80% of Barrington’s additional green space.

(C) Arlington’s new office buildings will constitute 10% of its existing green space, while Barrington’s new parks will constitute 20% of its existing green space.
Again as discussed in choice 'A' % increase doesn't promise increase in actual area.

(D) The area of Arlington is no larger than that of Barrington.
OOS. We are concerned about Green Space.

(E) Barrington’s new parks will bring its percentage of green space to 65%, while Arlington’s new office buildings will bring its percentage of green space to only 60%. As in Choice 'A' and 'C' % increase doesn't promise area increase.

Each year, Carroll County gives an award to the town that has most increased the area of its green space in the past 12 months. To earn the zoning designation “green space,” a lot must produce less carbon than it absorbs. Examples of land that qualifies as green space include parks, cemeteries, office buildings with highly efficient cooling systems, and homes with large gardens. 55% of the town of Arlington is designated as green space, while 45% of Barrington is designated as green space. Arlington officials have passed an ordinance declaring that any new office buildings built in Arlington in the next 12 months must have highly efficient cooling systems. Barrington officials have responded with a plan to open several new parks in the next 12 months. Barrington officials are confident that they will be ranked ahead of Arlington in the competition for the Carroll County award.

Less carbon => Green Space

has most increased the area of its green space in the past 12 months => Award goes to that
so area doesn't matter, what matters is of increase in area

A = total area of Arlington
B = total area of Barrington

Assuming that total Area A & B will remain same after the implementation.

Current situation:
Arington Barrington
green space A(55%) B(45%)

After situation:
Arington Barrington
green space A(x%) B(y%)

Barington will win if B(y-45)> A(x-55)

So there are total 4 variables that could alter the result.

Which of the following, if true, would most justify the officials’ confidence that Barrington will beat Arlington in the award rankings?


(A) Barrington’s new parks will increase its green space by 30%, while Arlington’s new office buildings will increase its green space by only 15%.

(B) Arlington’s additional green space will not exceed 80% of Barrington’s additional green space.



Arlington’s additional green space <= (.8) * Barrington’s additional green space.
A(x-55) <= (.8) B(y-45)

Now we have additional green space increase for both A & B. Whatever increase of B , A will be below 80% of that. Directly implying "Increase" of B will be greater than A.

(C) Arlington’s new office buildings will constitute 10% of its existing green space, while Barrington’s new parks will constitute 20% of its existing green space.
Green space area up by for A = 5.5A
Green space area up by for B = 9B

But there is a catch, we only know what "additional factor mentioned in the question stem is contributing" We dont know the actual green space for both the cities.


(D) The area of Arlington is no larger than that of Barrington. :- Area is not the point

(E) Barrington’s new parks will bring its percentage of green space to 65%, while Arlington’s new office buildings will bring its percentage of green space to only 60%.
Same as C

But there is a catch, we only know what "additional factor mentioned in the question stem is contributing" We don't know the actual green space for both the cities.

I just want to know my reasoning for C & E is ok.

I think A and E is wrong not because % increase of green space - increase of green area thing. I thing it's wrong because it only talk about new park and new office building contribution, and not overall picture.

I still feel that only mentioning change by new parks & new office buildings is a problem because there is other factors also that can affect the increase in green space area. We can't assume that. so A , C & E is wrong.

The whole game is on the 1st line of the argument. It is talking about MOST Increased in area of its green space, implying if A increases its area of green space by 200 sq m and B by 300 sq m then B will be the winner.

(A) Barrington’s new parks will increase its green space by 30%, while Arlington’s new office buildings will increase its green space by only 15%. --> Do we know if 30% increase of one would exceed the area covered by 15% increased by one. No, right. We need to focus on the additional increase not the overall. Hence, Incorrect.

(B) Arlington’s additional green space will not exceed 80% of Barrington’s additional green space. --> talking ONLY about the additional green space. hence, a much stronger answer.

(C) Arlington’s new office buildings will constitute 10% of its existing green space, while Barrington’s new parks will constitute 20% of its existing green space. --> Same as A.

(D) The area of Arlington is no larger than that of Barrington. -- Irrelevant.

(E) Barrington’s new parks will bring its percentage of green space to 65%, while Arlington’s new office buildings will bring its percentage of green space to only 60%. --> Same as A.

Isnt there ambiguity in the question. The argument says the award will go to those who have most increased the area
of its green space now I am confused does that mean award will go to the town that have largest green space area
or it means that award will go to the town whose increase of green space is highest.

Sorry if my query is bit wordy and confusing. I am self confused. I did the calculation based on the fact
that award will go to the town that has largest green space area .

Please help how that is not the case.

Hey megha_2709,

The first line of the argument states "most increased the area of its green space in the past 12 months". What I believe we should infer from this is the change that happened in the past 12 months rather than the twon with the largest green space. It may happen that the smaller town has 50% increase in are while the other town has just 20% increase. And the former town new area is still less than the latter town. BUT since the increase in the former is the MOST, we will consider the former town for our case. I hope it's clear now.

Chose E, but looks like i missed the fine prints.
1) an award to the town that has most increased the area of its green space in the past 12 months - It is the increase that is compared and not the overall greenspace of the area.

B very explicitly says that 80% of B Greenspace => Increase in A greenspace. which in turn means B is always going to have more increase than A.

Subtle, very subtle.

"award to the town that has most increased the area of its green space in the past 12 months" is the key word here => B is correct.
In this question, test takers must be good at paying attentions to the right detail.

Dear VeritasKarishma GMATGuruNY IanStewart,

What is the meaning of "constitute" in choice C.?

(C) Arlington’s new office buildings will constitute 10% of its existing green space, while Barrington’s new parks will constitute 20% of its existing green space.

According to Oxford dictionary (https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries. ... constitute)


So I think choice C. means all of the new office buildings and parks will be WITHIN or be PART OF the existing green space. So, these new buildings and parks do not increase any green space at all! They are in the existing green space area!

However, according to what Mitch wrote, he took "constitute" to mean "be equal to".

How do I know which meaning I should use? Both meaning make sense!

Thank you sir! :please :please :please

The argument tells us that office buildings with efficient system are "green space". Since new buildings with efficient systems are coming up, how can they be a part of existing green space? They are new, additional green space. They will be equal to 10% of the current green space. So currently if A has 100k sq. ft. green space, there will be 10k sq. ft. additional green space.

You are right; they are not using the word "constitute" correctly. It is not a synonym for "is equal to". If the word "existing" were deleted, then the sentence would be fine, though that would change its meaning from what I presume they intend. As the sentence is written, your interpretation of it is correct: it is literally saying that the new buildings will be built within the existing green space. But that doesn't make sense, so there's a problem with the writing.

There is a sense in which "constitute" can mean "is equivalent to", but only in a non-numerical (and usually legal) context, when actions are categorized. "The court ruled that Anna's actions constitute fraud" for example uses "constitute" in that sense. But that's not how the word is being used in this answer choice.

it's a simple question if you note they are talking about THE NEW INCREASED SPACE and not the percentage increase in their area.