Last visit was: 25 Apr 2026, 14:09 It is currently 25 Apr 2026, 14:09
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: 25 Apr 2026
Posts: 109,831
Own Kudos:
811,266
 [3]
Given Kudos: 105,886
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 109,831
Kudos: 811,266
 [3]
Kudos
Add Kudos
3
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
BhishmaNaidu99
Joined: 22 Sep 2018
Last visit: 29 Jun 2020
Posts: 68
Own Kudos:
94
 [1]
Given Kudos: 95
Posts: 68
Kudos: 94
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
lmartinez105
Joined: 28 Jan 2020
Last visit: 08 Oct 2022
Posts: 3
Given Kudos: 18
GMAT 1: 660 Q44 V37
Products:
GMAT 1: 660 Q44 V37
Posts: 3
Kudos: 0
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
podidosa
Joined: 12 Nov 2025
Last visit: 16 Dec 2025
Posts: 2
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 13
Posts: 2
Kudos: 2
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
BhishmaNaidu99
statement 1

average = 55,

total words / total time = 55,
not sufficient ,

statement 2 ,

let x be rate ,

total words / total time - 12 min = orginal average - 4.. not sufficient

By combining , we have original average or rate = 55 words per min.

total words/ total time - 12 = 51.

52*total time / total time -12 = 51.

total time = 51*12 = 610 minutes.

OPTION C
Here, wouldn't it be wrong to consider the average rate as the actual speaking rate when combining the statements, I marked E as they are asking for his duration of speech and have given his average,

Statement 1 : He spoke an average of 55 words per minute.

This is total words / total time.

Statement (2 : If he had spoken 4 words less per minute...
This refers to instantaneous speaking rate, i.e., the actual rate at the moment right

and we cannot take the average original rate as = actual rate right ? so my question is, what is the logic behind plugging in R = 55 when combining the statements?
User avatar
Bunuel
User avatar
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Last visit: 25 Apr 2026
Posts: 109,831
Own Kudos:
811,266
 [1]
Given Kudos: 105,886
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 109,831
Kudos: 811,266
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
podidosa

Here, wouldn't it be wrong to consider the average rate as the actual speaking rate when combining the statements, I marked E as they are asking for his duration of speech and have given his average,

Statement 1 : He spoke an average of 55 words per minute.

This is total words / total time.

Statement (2 : If he had spoken 4 words less per minute...
This refers to instantaneous speaking rate, i.e., the actual rate at the moment right

and we cannot take the average original rate as = actual rate right ? so my question is, what is the logic behind plugging in R = 55 when combining the statements?

You are right, the wording would have been better if the second statement explicitly mentioned the average speaking rate. However, the intended meaning of the question is what the solution you quoted suggests.
Moderators:
Math Expert
109831 posts
498 posts
212 posts