Last visit was: 19 Nov 2025, 10:52 It is currently 19 Nov 2025, 10:52
Close
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel
User avatar
Bunuel
User avatar
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Last visit: 19 Nov 2025
Posts: 105,390
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 99,977
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 105,390
Kudos: 778,306
 [89]
6
Kudos
Add Kudos
82
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Most Helpful Reply
User avatar
yashikaaggarwal
User avatar
Senior Moderator - Masters Forum
Joined: 19 Jan 2020
Last visit: 17 Jul 2025
Posts: 3,086
Own Kudos:
3,103
 [23]
Given Kudos: 1,510
Location: India
GPA: 4
WE:Analyst (Internet and New Media)
Posts: 3,086
Kudos: 3,103
 [23]
15
Kudos
Add Kudos
8
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
chetan2u
User avatar
GMAT Expert
Joined: 02 Aug 2009
Last visit: 15 Nov 2025
Posts: 11,238
Own Kudos:
43,704
 [7]
Given Kudos: 335
Status:Math and DI Expert
Location: India
Concentration: Human Resources, General Management
GMAT Focus 1: 735 Q90 V89 DI81
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
GMAT Focus 1: 735 Q90 V89 DI81
Posts: 11,238
Kudos: 43,704
 [7]
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
5
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
General Discussion
User avatar
sanjitscorps18
Joined: 26 Jan 2019
Last visit: 19 Nov 2025
Posts: 637
Own Kudos:
623
 [1]
Given Kudos: 128
Location: India
Schools: IMD'26
Products:
Schools: IMD'26
Posts: 637
Kudos: 623
 [1]
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Bunuel
A certain firm has 28 lawyers in three states. These lawyers have license either in only one state or all three states. If 10 have license in state X, 11 have license in Y, 13 have license in Z. How many lawyers have license only in state Z ?

A. 3
B. 6
C. 10
D. 11
E. 13

X = 10
Y = 11
Z = 13

X U Y U Z = X + Y + Z - X ∩ Y - Y ∩ Z - Z ∩ X + X ∩ Y ∩ Z

Now no two cities share lawyers, hence X ∩ Y - Y ∩ Z - Z ∩ X = 0

As a result of this scenario, we'll have to tweak the original formula and subtract the 2 * X Y Z as the segments don't overlap between 2 cities hence, we cannot subtract twice the tri-overlap area.

Hence X U Y U Z = X + Y + Z - 0 - 2 * X ∩ Y ∩ Z
=> 28 = 10 + 11+ 13 - 2 * X ∩ Y ∩ Z
=> 6 = 2 * X ∩ Y ∩ Z
=> X ∩ Y ∩ Z = 3

In order to find lawyers working only in City Z, we have to subtract lawyers working in all 3 cities from the total lawyers from City Z

Z - X ∩ Y ∩ Z
=> 13 - 3 = 10

Option C
User avatar
AnkurGMAT20
Joined: 12 Jul 2020
Last visit: 13 Mar 2025
Posts: 137
Own Kudos:
1,204
 [1]
Given Kudos: 263
Location: India
Schools: IIM IIM IIM IIM
GMAT Focus 1: 615 Q79 V83 DI79
GMAT 1: 530 Q42 V20
GMAT 2: 640 Q48 V29
GPA: 6.23
Schools: IIM IIM IIM IIM
GMAT Focus 1: 615 Q79 V83 DI79
GMAT 2: 640 Q48 V29
Posts: 137
Kudos: 1,204
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Bunuel, this is a GMAT Prep Focus mock question, please tag it.
User avatar
Bunuel
User avatar
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Last visit: 19 Nov 2025
Posts: 105,390
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 99,977
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 105,390
Kudos: 778,306
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
AnkurGMAT20
Bunuel, this is a GMAT Prep Focus mock question, please tag it.
________________________
Added the tag. Thank you!
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Can someone explain why the formula "Total=A+B+C−(AnB+AnC+BnC)+AnBnC+Neither" cannot be used to solve this question?
User avatar
Bunuel
User avatar
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Last visit: 19 Nov 2025
Posts: 105,390
Own Kudos:
778,306
 [5]
Given Kudos: 99,977
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 105,390
Kudos: 778,306
 [5]
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
3
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
 
zaprico
A certain firm has 28 lawyers in three states. These lawyers have license either in only one state or all three states. If 10 have license in state X, 11 have license in Y, 13 have license in Z. How many lawyers have license only in state Z ?

A. 3
B. 6
C. 10
D. 11
E. 13

Can someone explain why the formula "Total=A+B+C−(AnB+AnC+BnC)+AnBnC+Neither" cannot be used to solve this question?
Because each of AnB, AnC, and BnC also includes AnBnC, and thus the sum of AnB + AnC + BnC won't be 0. You should use the second formula for three overlapping sets:

\(Total = A + B + C - (sum \ of \ EXACTLY \ 2-group \ overlaps) - 2*(all \ three) + Neither\).

28 = 10 + 11 + 13 - 0 - 2*(all three) + 0

(all three) = 3

Only Z = Z - (all three) = 13 - 3 = 10.

Answer: C.

For further insights into the distinctions between these two formulas, check out ADVANCED OVERLAPPING SETS PROBLEMS.

Hope it helps.­
User avatar
cs87956
Joined: 30 Jan 2024
Last visit: 09 Jun 2024
Posts: 1
Posts: 1
Kudos: 0
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
zaprico
Can someone explain why the formula "Total=A+B+C−(AnB+AnC+BnC)+AnBnC+Neither" cannot be used to solve this question?
­Because it's either 1 or all 3 --> there's no option of 2 which the formula includes
User avatar
DanTheGMATMan
Joined: 02 Oct 2015
Last visit: 18 Nov 2025
Posts: 378
Own Kudos:
226
 [4]
Given Kudos: 9
Expert
Expert reply
Posts: 378
Kudos: 226
 [4]
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
2
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Pretty standard 3 group overlapping sets problem:

User avatar
GMATinsight
User avatar
Major Poster
Joined: 08 Jul 2010
Last visit: 19 Nov 2025
Posts: 6,839
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 128
Status:GMAT/GRE Tutor l Admission Consultant l On-Demand Course creator
Location: India
GMAT: QUANT+DI EXPERT
Schools: IIM (A) ISB '24
GMAT 1: 750 Q51 V41
WE:Education (Education)
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
Schools: IIM (A) ISB '24
GMAT 1: 750 Q51 V41
Posts: 6,839
Kudos: 16,354
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
10+11+13-2*(License in all states) = 28

i.e. (License in all states) = 3

Licence only in state Z = 13-3 = 10

Answer: Option C

Bunuel
A certain firm has 28 lawyers in three states. These lawyers have license either in only one state or all three states. If 10 have license in state X, 11 have license in Y, 13 have license in Z. How many lawyers have license only in state Z ?

A. 3
B. 6
C. 10
D. 11
E. 13
User avatar
NEYR0N
Joined: 12 Feb 2025
Last visit: 18 Nov 2025
Posts: 94
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 66
Posts: 94
Kudos: 9
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
"These lawyers have license either in only one state or all three states."


[*]This rules out “exactly two states.”
[*]It also rules out “no states.”




laughingcowgirl
Can someone explain why the formula "Total=A+B+C−(AnB+AnC+BnC)+AnBnC+Neither" cannot be used to solve this question?
Moderators:
Math Expert
105390 posts
Tuck School Moderator
805 posts