A certain town’s economic development council has 21 members. If the n

Question

A certain town’s economic development council has 21 members. If the number of females on the council is 3 less than 3 times the number of males on the council, then the town’s economic development council has how many male members?

(A) 5
(B) 6
(C) 7
(D) 9
(E) 15

(A) 5
(B) 6
(C) 7
(D) 9
(E) 15

BrushMyQuant · Answer

Let males be m and females be f
The number of females on the council is 3 less than 3 times the number of males on the council
f = 3m - 3
Total = m + f = 21
m + (3m-3) = 21
4m = 21+3 = 24
=> m = 6
So, answer will be B.
Hope it helps!

Abhishek009 · Answer

Total   =   Males (m)   +   Females (f)

21 = m + f

Or,  21 = m + ( 3m - 3 )

Or,  4m = 24

So,  m = 6  and  f = 15

Thus, the town’s economic development council has 6 male members , answer will be (B) 6

AK92 · Answer

You have 21 members and you are given from the prompt the following equation:
f=3m-3 where f stands for the # of females and m for the # of males and m+f=21.
That's a 2V2E you can solve, two variables and two equations so you can do algebra, but here is a test the answer approach.
Now as the answer choices provide only values it is a good opportunity to test the answers, as you are looking for one value.
Start with B or D to see where you have to move.
B) 6 If there are 6 males you get f=(3*6) -3 --> f=15
Now sum the values to see if you get the desired value 15+6=21. 
Thats a match and you don't have to test the other answers anymore.

JeffTargetTestPrep · Answer

We can let the number of females on the council = f and the number of males on the council = m.
 
Since the number of females on the council is 3 less than 3 times the number of males on the council:
 
f = 3m - 3
 
Since the total number of people on the council is 21:
 
f + m = 21
 
Thus:
 
3m - 3 + m = 21
 
4m = 24
 
m = 6
 
Answer: B

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi All,

We're told that a certain town’s economic development council has 21 members and that the number of females on the council is 3 LESS than 3 TIMES the number of males on the council. We're asked for the number of male members on the council. This question can be solved in a couple of different ways, including by TESTing THE ANSWERS.

Let's start with Answer B: 6 members

IF.... there are 6 male members... 
the number of female members is (3)(6) - 3 = 18 - 3 = 15 
6 + 15 = 21 total members

This is an exact match for what we were told, so this MUST be the answer.

Final Answer:  B

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

BrentGMATPrepNow · Answer

Let M = the number of males

The number of females on the council is 3 less than 3 times the number of males on the council  
So, 3M - 3 = the number of females

The town’s economic development council has 21 members.  
So, (# of males) + (# of females) = 21
We get: M + (3M - 3) = 21
Simplify: 4M - 3 = 21
So: 4M = 24
Solve: M = 6

Answer: B

Cheers,
Brent

A certain town’s economic development council has 21 members. If the n

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards

GMAT Problem Solving (PS) Questions

A certain town’s economic development council has 21 members. If the n

Prep Toolkit

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards