Last visit was: 08 Aug 2026, 14:57 It is currently 08 Aug 2026, 14:57
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: 08 Aug 2026
Posts: 112,619
Own Kudos:
832,950
 [8]
Given Kudos: 110,722
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 112,619
Kudos: 832,950
 [8]
Kudos
Add Kudos
8
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
Ujjwalk31
Joined: 05 Aug 2024
Last visit: 15 Jun 2026
Posts: 44
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 76
Posts: 44
Kudos: 31
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
Edskore
Joined: 29 Dec 2022
Last visit: 05 Aug 2026
Posts: 403
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 5
Posts: 403
Kudos: 211
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
Username1512
Joined: 18 Jan 2026
Last visit: 08 Aug 2026
Posts: 26
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 39
Products:
Posts: 26
Kudos: 4
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Does this mean we don't need the breakup of 1000g division of Brian and Dyon's resp quantities? I'm slightly confused.
Bunuel / KarishmaB can you please explain?
User avatar
egmat
User avatar
e-GMAT Representative
Joined: 02 Nov 2011
Last visit: 07 Aug 2026
Posts: 6,134
Own Kudos:
33,787
 [1]
Given Kudos: 714
GMAT Date: 08-19-2020
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 6,134
Kudos: 33,787
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Hi Username1512,

Good question, and you've actually spotted the heart of it. Edskore's solution boiled everything down to one equation: x = 10 / (B - 0.12), where B is Brian's ethanol percentage. That's the only unknown you need to pin down.

So the real question is: does knowing the 10-vs-990 split give you B? It doesn't - and that's why the breakdown isn't what solves the problem.

Why the split alone can't do it

Statement (2) tells you the tank is 10 gal Brian's + 990 gal Dyon, and together they average 11%. That gives one equation: 10·B + 990·D = 110, with two unknowns (Brian's % and Dyon's %). You can't isolate B from that. Watch what happens when I pick two different Brian percentages that both fit:

- Brian = 80% - Dyon = (110 - 8)/990 ≈ 10.3%. Then x = 10/(0.80 - 0.12) ≈ 14.7 gal.
- Brian = 20% - Dyon = (110 - 2)/990 ≈ 10.9%. Then x = 10/(0.20 - 0.12) = 125 gal.

Both splits are exactly 10 gal + 990 gal at an 11% average - both obey Statement (2) perfectly - yet the answer swings from about 15 gallons to 125 gallons. Same statement, two answers - not sufficient.

The takeaway

You're right: the breakup of the 1,000 gallons is not what you need. What you need is Brian's ethanol percentage, and only Statement (1) hands that to you directly. That's why the answer is A.

Rule of thumb for these: don't ask "does this statement tell me something true?" - ask "does it lock down the one quantity my equation actually needs?"

Answer: A

Username1512
Does this mean we don't need the breakup of 1000g division of Brian and Dyon's resp quantities? I'm slightly confused.
Bunuel / KarishmaB can you please explain?
Moderators:
Math Expert
112619 posts
DI Forum Moderator
409 posts