GMAT Diagnostic Test Question 45 Field: algebra Difficulty: 750 Rating: yellow/79377 5 boxes are placed in a stack by weight from lightest to heaviest. If the heaviest box weighs x kg, then the next heaviest weighs x% less than the heaviest box. If this second-heaviest box weighs y kg, then the next heaviest weighs y% less than this second-heaviest box. And so on, for all 5 boxes. If the heaviest box weighs 10kg, approximately what percent less weight is the lightest box than the heaviest one? A. 30 B. 40 C. 50 D. 60 E. 70 THIS QUESTION WAS REMOVED FROM THE TESTS

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.

Go to My Error Log Learn more

Request Expert Reply

Confirm Cancel

Apr 26
Score High on the GMAT with Target Test Prep
10:00 AM EDT
-
11:00 AM EDT
The Target Test Prep course represents a quantum leap forward in GMAT preparation, a radical reinterpretation of the way that students should study. Try before you buy with a 5-day, full-access trial of the course for FREE!
Apr 27
Try OnDemand GMAT Masterclass
11:00 AM EDT
-
12:00 PM EDT
Prefer video-based learning? The Target Test Prep OnDemand course is a one-of-a-kind video masterclass featuring 400 hours of lecture-style teaching by Scott Woodbury-Stewart, founder of Target Test Prep and one of the most accomplished GMAT instructors
Apr 28
Join - GMAT Day!
08:00 AM PDT
-
11:00 AM PDT
Whether you are just beginning your MBA journey or fine-tuning your path to a 700+ score, GMAT Day is designed to give you a competitive edge.

Back to Forum

Create Topic

GMAT Diagnostic Test Question 45

1 2

frank1

Joined: 24 Apr 2010

Last visit: 11 Dec 2010

Posts: 42

Own Kudos:

Posts: 42

Kudos: 24

04 Sep 2010, 05:27

Kudos

Bookmarks

the answer could be between 30 and 40 and we need to round off...so even decimal point numbers make difference here....even to guess...
so we need to calcuate so hope it is no good for 2 minutes solving ...that also at the end of the set ....unwise
thanks

rmangal

Joined: 13 Oct 2010

Last visit: 12 Nov 2010

Posts: 5

Own Kudos:

Given Kudos: 3

Posts: 5

Kudos: 8

16 Oct 2010, 20:54

Kudos

Bookmarks

Can anyone suggest a simple method to solve this problem.

MisterEko

Joined: 25 Oct 2010

Last visit: 04 Jan 2011

Posts: 151

Own Kudos:

1,085

Given Kudos: 36

Status:Fighting the beast.

Concentration: Accounting

Schools:Pitt, Oregon, LBS...

GPA: 3.8

Posts: 151

Kudos: 1,085

09 Dec 2010, 16:43

Kudos

Bookmarks

I believe there is a mistake in wording the question. It needs to be stated that x represents the weight of each box, and that each subsequent box weights x-x%, and perhaps even give example:

If box weighs 29kg, then the next box will weigh 29kg - 29%. With this, it is easier to comprehend. From the original stem, i concluded that each subsequent box weighs 10% less than the previous one, hence, 10, 9, 8,1, 7.29, and finally 6.561... (if my calculations are correct).
Bottom line, we need to make sure that x changes with the weight of each box, and is not at constant 10%.

toiysam

Joined: 16 Dec 2010

Last visit: 06 Aug 2013

Posts: 134

Own Kudos:

Given Kudos: 1

Schools: MIT (Sloan) - Class of 2014

GMAT 1: 750 Q50 V41 Verified score

GPA: 3.75

Schools: MIT (Sloan) - Class of 2014

GMAT 1: 750 Q50 V41 Verified score

Posts: 134

Kudos: 17

26 Jan 2011, 07:14

Kudos

Bookmarks

hey guys,
I havent done a CAT exam yet, is this really a 750 level question?

garimavyas

Joined: 21 Dec 2010

Last visit: 01 Feb 2012

Posts: 253

Own Kudos:

1,598

Given Kudos: 51

Posts: 253

Kudos: 1,598

30 Jan 2011, 13:08

Kudos

Bookmarks

is there any way to reduce the time spent on the calculations ? any technique for faster or more elegant calculation ?

asdfjk

Joined: 11 Jan 2011

Last visit: 12 Apr 2013

Posts: 1

Kudos: 0

20 Mar 2011, 11:39

Kudos

Bookmarks

"x - x%" makes no sense, you cannot substract percents from kilograms. This formula taken aside, the tests are really helpful

, thanks guys!

thuylinh

Joined: 21 Apr 2011

Last visit: 02 Mar 2017

Posts: 9

Own Kudos:

Given Kudos: 4

Schools: McCombs '19 Marshall '19 Owen '18 W. P. Carey Arizona State '18 Fisher '18 Smeal Penn State "19 Mays '18 Simon '19 Mendoza '19 NUS '19 (A)

GMAT 1: 200 Q1 V1 Verified score

Posts: 9

Kudos: 3

07 Jun 2012, 03:12

Kudos

Bookmarks

I saw this question in the new GMAT club test, which doesn't have % signal, making the question very akward:
5 boxes are placed in a stack by weight from lightest to heaviest. The heaviest box weighs x kg and then next heaviest weighs x less than the heaviest box and the next heaviest box weighs x−x less than the next heaviest, and so on. If the heaviest box weighs 10kg, approximately what percent less weight is the lightest box than the heaviest one?
Please correct the question poll, Admin.

manulath

Joined: 12 May 2012

Last visit: 05 May 2020

Posts: 55

Own Kudos:

261

Given Kudos: 14

Location: India

Concentration: General Management, Operations

GMAT 1: 650 Q51 V25 Verified score

GMAT 2: 730 Q50 V38 Verified score

GPA: 4

WE:General Management (Transportation)

GMAT 2: 730 Q50 V38 Verified score

Posts: 55

Kudos: 261

07 Jun 2012, 09:19

Kudos

Bookmarks

5 boxes are

Code:

placed

in a stack by weight from lightest to heaviest. The heaviest box weighs x kg and then ~~next~~heaviest weighs x less than the

Moderator Note: heaviest

box and the next heaviest box weighs x−x less than the next heaviest, and so on. If the heaviest box weighs 10kg, approximately what percent less weight is the lightest box than the heaviest one?

A 30
B 40
C 50
D 60
E 70

Archived Topic

Hi there,

This topic has been closed and archived due to inactivity or violation of community quality standards. No more replies are possible here.

Where to now? Join ongoing discussions on thousands of quality questions in our Problem Solving (PS) Forum

Still interested in this question? Check out the "Best Topics" block below for a better discussion on this exact question, as well as several more related questions.

Thank you for understanding, and happy exploring!

manulath

Joined: 12 May 2012

Last visit: 05 May 2020

Posts: 55

Own Kudos:

261

Given Kudos: 14

Location: India

Concentration: General Management, Operations

GMAT 1: 650 Q51 V25 Verified score

GMAT 2: 730 Q50 V38 Verified score

GPA: 4

WE:General Management (Transportation)

GMAT 2: 730 Q50 V38 Verified score

Posts: 55

Kudos: 261

07 Jun 2012, 09:20

Kudos

Bookmarks

manulath

5 boxes are placed in a stack by weight from lightest to heaviest. The heaviest box weighs x kg and then next heaviest weighs x less than the heaviest box and the next heaviest box weighs x−x less than the next heaviest, and so on. If the heaviest box weighs 10kg, approximately what percent less weight is the lightest box than the heaviest one?

A 30
B 40
C 50
D 60
E 70

Show Spoiler

OA = 30 = A

The question is as it appeared in my test.
I was unable to understand the question - what is it trying to say

rajiv2581

Joined: 07 Jun 2012

Last visit: 12 Jun 2012

Posts: 1

Given Kudos: 24

Posts: 1

Kudos: 0

07 Jun 2012, 12:23

Kudos

Bookmarks

manulath

Show Spoiler

OA = 30 = A

From where did you got this problem. you seem to type wrong.
x - x = 0, then weight is 0

Bunuel

Math Expert

Joined: 02 Sep 2009

Last visit: 21 Apr 2026

Posts: 109,740

Own Kudos:

810,512

Given Kudos: 105,816

Products:

Expert

Expert reply

Posts: 109,740

Kudos: 810,512

07 Jun 2012, 12:29

Kudos

Bookmarks

manulath

This question is removed from the tests. So, don't worry about it.

Archived Topic

Hi there,

This topic has been closed and archived due to inactivity or violation of community quality standards. No more replies are possible here.

Where to now? Join ongoing discussions on thousands of quality questions in our Problem Solving (PS) Forum

Still interested in this question? Check out the "Best Topics" block above for a better discussion on this exact question, as well as several more related questions.

Thank you for understanding, and happy exploring!

Skientist

Joined: 02 May 2012

Last visit: 11 Feb 2014

Posts: 73

Own Kudos:

322

Given Kudos: 34

Location: United Kingdom

WE:Account Management (Other)

Posts: 73

Kudos: 322

23 Jul 2012, 09:12

Kudos

Bookmarks

Hi GMATers

5 boxes are placed in a stack by weight from lightest to heaviest. The heaviest box weighs x kg and then next heaviest weighs x less than the heaviest box and the next heaviest box weighs x−x less than the next heaviest, and so on. If the heaviest box weighs 10kg, approximately what percent less weight is the lightest box than the heaviest one? 30 40 50 60 70

Has anyone else had difficulty with this question and it's explaination? Rephrasing the question we're told that the heaviest box = x kgs, and x = 10. The second heaviest box weighs x less, which to me means x-x kgs, or 0 kg.

Also, in the explaination it's hard to follow the order of the deductions because the second heavies box is listed as x-x whilst the others are listed numerically.

I wonder if there is a missing x/10 somewhere, or perhaps its implied and I've missed it.
Interested in your thoughts

B.

Archived Topic

Hi there,

Archived GMAT Club Tests question - no more replies possible.

Where to now? Try our up-to-date Free Adaptive GMAT Club Tests for the latest questions.

Still interested? Check out the "Best Topics" block below for better discussion and related questions.

Thank you for understanding, and happy exploring!

Bunuel

Math Expert

Joined: 02 Sep 2009

Last visit: 21 Apr 2026

Posts: 109,740

Own Kudos:

810,512

Given Kudos: 105,816

Products:

Expert

Expert reply

Posts: 109,740

Kudos: 810,512

23 Jul 2012, 09:24

Kudos

Bookmarks

bradfris

This question will be removed from the tests soon, so I wouldn't worry about it at all.

Archived Topic

Hi there,

Archived GMAT Club Tests question - no more replies possible.

Where to now? Try our up-to-date Free Adaptive GMAT Club Tests for the latest questions.

Still interested? Check out the "Best Topics" block above for better discussion and related questions.

Thank you for understanding, and happy exploring!

Shini1

Joined: 16 Nov 2012

Last visit: 21 Mar 2020

Posts: 5

Own Kudos:

Given Kudos: 13

Posts: 5

Kudos: 5

11 Feb 2013, 16:42

Kudos

Bookmarks

thuylinh

Same question without % sign appeared in a test ( D01-45) for me as well.

Please correct it.

Dixon

Joined: 08 Mar 2013

Last visit: 09 Aug 2014

Posts: 10

Own Kudos:

Given Kudos: 7

Posts: 10

Kudos: 20

16 Jun 2013, 22:20

Kudos

Bookmarks

Is there a formula-based method for something like this? I solved it by calculating each weight individually, but wouldn't want to get stuck with an exam question that asks for weight of 10th box, or 30th box. Or would be beyond the scope of the GMAT?

Bunuel

Math Expert

Joined: 02 Sep 2009

Last visit: 21 Apr 2026

Posts: 109,740

Own Kudos:

810,512

Given Kudos: 105,816

Products:

Expert

Expert reply

Posts: 109,740

Kudos: 810,512

16 Jun 2013, 22:31

Kudos

Bookmarks

Dixon

This question was removed from the tests. So, I wouldn't worry about it at all.

Archived Topic

Hi there,

Archived GMAT Club Tests question - no more replies possible.

Where to now? Try our up-to-date Free Adaptive GMAT Club Tests for the latest questions.

Still interested? Check out the "Best Topics" block above for better discussion and related questions.

Thank you for understanding, and happy exploring!

bumpbot

Non-Human User

Joined: 09 Sep 2013

Last visit: 04 Jan 2021

Posts: 38,956

Own Kudos:

1,117

Posts: 38,956

Kudos: 1,117

24 Oct 2023, 05:47

Kudos

Bookmarks

Automated notice from GMAT Club BumpBot:

A member just gave Kudos to this thread, showing it’s still useful. I’ve bumped it to the top so more people can benefit. Feel free to add your own questions or solutions.

This post was generated automatically.

1 2

Moderator:

Bunuel

Math Expert

109740 posts