GMAT Question of the Day - Daily to your Mailbox; hard ones only

 It is currently 18 Sep 2018, 10:40

### 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

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

# If Company M ordered a total of 50 computers and printers an

Author Message
TAGS:

### Hide Tags

Intern
Joined: 03 Dec 2012
Posts: 4
If Company M ordered a total of 50 computers and printers an  [#permalink]

### Show Tags

Updated on: 21 Jan 2016, 05:34
14
00:00

Difficulty:

35% (medium)

Question Stats:

71% (01:02) correct 29% (00:47) wrong based on 271 sessions

### HideShow timer Statistics

If Company M ordered a total of 50 computers and printers and Company N ordered a total of 60 computers and printers, how many printers did company M order?

(1) Company M and Company N ordered the same number of computers
(2) Company N ordered 10 more printers than Company M

I get stuck in this one! Why is not C the right answer???

Thanks!!

Originally posted by mjg2110 on 29 Jan 2013, 11:38.
Last edited by ENGRTOMBA2018 on 21 Jan 2016, 05:34, edited 2 times in total.
Formatted the question.
Manager
Joined: 27 Feb 2012
Posts: 125
Re: If Company M ordered a total of 50 computers and printers an  [#permalink]

### Show Tags

29 Jan 2013, 12:54
mjg2110 wrote:
Hi

I get stuck in this one! Why is not C the right answer???
Thanks!!

If company M ordered a total of 50 computers and printers and company N order a total of 60 computers and printers. How many computers does company M order?

1) Company M and N order the same number of computers
2) Company N order 10 computers more than M.

I found this q weird.
For M, C(M) + P(M) = 50
For N, C(N)+ P(N) = 60

A does not say anything about printers for M and N. It can be 10 and 10, 20 and 20, 30 and 30 or any such combi
B same issue as A
On Combining, the info in both options is ambiguous. M and N computers are same where B says N has 10 more than M. How both of them can be true?
_________________

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Please +1 KUDO if my post helps. Thank you.

Board of Directors
Joined: 01 Sep 2010
Posts: 3466
Re: If Company M ordered a total of 50 computers and printers an  [#permalink]

### Show Tags

29 Jan 2013, 17:06
for me E should be the answer.......weird question, considering the source is from gmatprep....
_________________
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Posts: 49206
Re: If Company M ordered a total of 50 computers and printers an  [#permalink]

### Show Tags

30 Jan 2013, 04:45
mjg2110 wrote:
If Company M ordered a total of 50 computers and printers and Company N ordered a total of 60 computers and printers, how many printers did company M order?

(1) Company M and Company N ordered the same number of computers
(2) Company N ordered 10 more printers than Company M

I get stuck in this one! Why is not C the right answer???

Thanks!!

It's straight E. Consider the following cases:

#1: M ordered 5 computers and 45 printers, N ordered 5 computers and 55 printers;
#2: M ordered 10 computers and 40 printers, N ordered 10 computers and 50 printers;

_________________
Intern
Joined: 05 Dec 2013
Posts: 2
Re: If Company M ordered a total of 50 computers and printers an  [#permalink]

### Show Tags

08 Aug 2014, 02:51
This is absolute killer.
Intern
Joined: 19 Oct 2015
Posts: 2
Re: If Company M ordered a total of 50 computers and printers an  [#permalink]

### Show Tags

23 Oct 2015, 08:21
This looks straight forward at first. From the question, two equations are introduced and four variables are introduced.

Then (1) and (2) each introduce what appears to be an additional equation so we have four equations and four variables.

At this point I selected answer C without solving assuming that our variable could be solved by rules of solvability with 4 equations. The problem is that the equation that (2) introduces is in fact identical to the information you already have. In essence it is not a new equation and thus you are still left with 4 variables and only 3 equations.

Does anyone have a more succinct way to explain this or identify this pattern in future problems?
Current Student
Joined: 20 Mar 2014
Posts: 2639
Concentration: Finance, Strategy
Schools: Kellogg '18 (M)
GMAT 1: 750 Q49 V44
GPA: 3.7
WE: Engineering (Aerospace and Defense)
Re: If Company M ordered a total of 50 computers and printers an  [#permalink]

### Show Tags

23 Oct 2015, 08:37
2
2
jbburf wrote:
This looks straight forward at first. From the question, two equations are introduced and four variables are introduced.

Then (1) and (2) each introduce what appears to be an additional equation so we have four equations and four variables.

At this point I selected answer C without solving assuming that our variable could be solved by rules of solvability with 4 equations. The problem is that the equation that (2) introduces is in fact identical to the information you already have. In essence it is not a new equation and thus you are still left with 4 variables and only 3 equations.

Does anyone have a more succinct way to explain this or identify this pattern in future problems?

The rule is that you need to have n "distinct" equations to solve to "n" variables. This is especially true for DS questions. Do not mark C or E in DS questions without actually loooking at the equations you get either from the question stem and the statements. This is the "pattern" you are talking about.

You get the same equations of $$C_m + P_m = 50$$ from the question stem+2 statements combined.

Thus, be very careful in DS questions when you are given 'n' variables and 'n' equations. These equations must be distinct to give any unique value.

Hope this helps.
Intern
Joined: 19 Oct 2015
Posts: 2
Re: If Company M ordered a total of 50 computers and printers an  [#permalink]

### Show Tags

23 Oct 2015, 13:00
Engr2012 wrote:
jbburf wrote:
This looks straight forward at first. From the question, two equations are introduced and four variables are introduced.

Then (1) and (2) each introduce what appears to be an additional equation so we have four equations and four variables.

At this point I selected answer C without solving assuming that our variable could be solved by rules of solvability with 4 equations. The problem is that the equation that (2) introduces is in fact identical to the information you already have. In essence it is not a new equation and thus you are still left with 4 variables and only 3 equations.

Does anyone have a more succinct way to explain this or identify this pattern in future problems?

The rule is that you need to have n "distinct" equations to solve to "n" variables. This is especially true for DS questions. Do not mark C or E in DS questions without actually loooking at the equations you get either from the question stem and the statements. This is the "pattern" you are talking about.

You get the same equations of $$C_m + P_m = 50$$ from the question stem+2 statements combined.

Thus, be very careful in DS questions when you are given 'n' variables and 'n' equations. These equations must be distinct to give any unique value.

Hope this helps.

Well said, and thank you for the response. The problem here was that an additional equation was introduced but it was not distinct.
Director
Joined: 10 Mar 2013
Posts: 550
Location: Germany
Concentration: Finance, Entrepreneurship
GMAT 1: 580 Q46 V24
GPA: 3.88
WE: Information Technology (Consulting)
Re: If Company M ordered a total of 50 computers and printers an  [#permalink]

### Show Tags

21 Jan 2016, 02:02
mjg2110 wrote:
If Company M ordered a total of 50 computers and printers and Company N ordered a total of 60 computers and printers, how many printers did company M order?

(1) Company M and Company N ordered the same number of computers
(2) Company N ordered 10 more printers than Company M

I get stuck in this one! Why is not C the right answer???

Thanks!!

Admins can you please edit this question take this part out "I get stuck in this one!Why is not C the right answer??? " sothat one cannot see the answer. Thanks.

Company M: a+b=50, Company N: x+y=60, b=?

(1) a=x, ok, y-b=10, not sufficient
(2) y=b+10 same information as above, not sufficient
(1)+(2) We have twice the same info, so still not sufficient.

_________________

When you’re up, your friends know who you are. When you’re down, you know who your friends are.

800Score ONLY QUANT CAT1 51, CAT2 50, CAT3 50
GMAT PREP 670
MGMAT CAT 630
KAPLAN CAT 660

Manager
Joined: 07 Mar 2016
Posts: 72
Re: If Company M ordered a total of 50 computers and printers an  [#permalink]

### Show Tags

23 Jun 2016, 03:36
Bunuel wrote:
mjg2110 wrote:
If Company M ordered a total of 50 computers and printers and Company N ordered a total of 60 computers and printers, how many printers did company M order?

(1) Company M and Company N ordered the same number of computers
(2) Company N ordered 10 more printers than Company M

I get stuck in this one! Why is not C the right answer???

Thanks!!

It's straight E. Consider the following cases:

#1: M ordered 5 computers and 45 printers, N ordered 5 computers and 55 printers;
#2: M ordered 10 computers and 40 printers, N ordered 10 computers and 50 printers;

Bunuel

Hey!
I am also stuck with this question. The above statements that you mentioned didn't give us a unique answer on their own. But when i am combining them, i am using this approach and reaching to an answer.

Let (M computers) MC = x
therefore, (M Printers) MP = 50-x .......(eq1)
On other hand NC = y
and NP= 60-y

Now statement 1 says : x=y ie. Company M and N ordered same number of computer.
Thus NP becomes 60-x (because NP WAS "60-y" and now x=y)
so now, NP= 60-x .........(eq2)

statement 2 says: NP=10MP

Now combining 1 and 2 gives us:
ie (60-x) = 10(50-x)

Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Posts: 49206
Re: If Company M ordered a total of 50 computers and printers an  [#permalink]

### Show Tags

23 Jun 2016, 03:42
ashutoshsh wrote:
Bunuel wrote:
mjg2110 wrote:
If Company M ordered a total of 50 computers and printers and Company N ordered a total of 60 computers and printers, how many printers did company M order?

(1) Company M and Company N ordered the same number of computers
(2) Company N ordered 10 more printers than Company M

I get stuck in this one! Why is not C the right answer???

Thanks!!

It's straight E. Consider the following cases:

#1: M ordered 5 computers and 45 printers, N ordered 5 computers and 55 printers;
#2: M ordered 10 computers and 40 printers, N ordered 10 computers and 50 printers;

Bunuel

Hey!
I am also stuck with this question. The above statements that you mentioned didn't give us a unique answer on their own. But when i am combining them, i am using this approach and reaching to an answer.

Let (M computers) MC = x
therefore, (M Printers) MP = 50-x .......(eq1)
On other hand NC = y
and NP= 60-y

Now statement 1 says : x=y ie. Company M and N ordered same number of computer.
Thus NP becomes 60-x (because NP WAS "60-y" and now x=y)
so now, NP= 60-x .........(eq2)

statement 2 says: NP=10MP

Now combining 1 and 2 gives us:
ie (60-x) = 10(50-x)

(2) says: Company N ordered 10 more printers than Company M, not 10 times as many.
_________________
Director
Joined: 04 Jun 2016
Posts: 583
GMAT 1: 750 Q49 V43
Re: If Company M ordered a total of 50 computers and printers an  [#permalink]

### Show Tags

23 Jun 2016, 09:28
Straight E
(1) M and N bought same number of computer = {Both 20 computers} or {30 computers} or {40 computers} ..etc etc. Cannot find no. of printers by this information INSUFFICIENT
(2) N bought 10 more printers than N= {M-30 N-40} or {M-44 N-54} or {M-1 N-11} No. of printers is again variable INSUFFICIENT

COMBINE
MC & NC=25 MP=25 NP=35 [MP+MC= 50 NP+NC=60]
or
MC & NC=10 MP=40 NP=50 [MP+MC= 50 NP+NC=60]
or
MC & NC=1 MP=49 NP=59 [MP+MC= 50 NP+NC=60]
or
MC & NC=0 MP=50 NP=60 [MP+MC= 50 NP+NC=60]

Even afer combining the two statements number of printers that company M bought can be anything from 1 to 50

HENCE 0

DO NOT BE AFRAID TO CHOOSE E WHEN CALCULATIONS OBVIOUSLY POINTS THAT THE OPTION IS INDEED E

mjg2110 wrote:
If Company M ordered a total of 50 computers and printers and Company N ordered a total of 60 computers and printers, how many printers did company M order?

(1) Company M and Company N ordered the same number of computers
(2) Company N ordered 10 more printers than Company M

I get stuck in this one! Why is not C the right answer???

Thanks!!

_________________

Posting an answer without an explanation is "GOD COMPLEX". The world doesn't need any more gods. Please explain you answers properly.
FINAL GOODBYE :- 17th SEPTEMBER 2016. .. 16 March 2017 - I am back but for all purposes please consider me semi-retired.

Director
Joined: 04 Jun 2016
Posts: 583
GMAT 1: 750 Q49 V43
Re: If Company M ordered a total of 50 computers and printers an  [#permalink]

### Show Tags

02 Aug 2016, 01:31
1
mjg2110 wrote:
If Company M ordered a total of 50 computers and printers and Company N ordered a total of 60 computers and printers, how many printers did company M order?

(1) Company M and Company N ordered the same number of computers
(2) Company N ordered 10 more printers than Company M

I get stuck in this one! Why is not C the right answer???

Thanks!!

From stimulus
mp+mc=50
np+nc=60
(1) Company M and Company N ordered the same number of computers
2*c +mp+np=110 ------------------> because (50+60=110)
INSUFFICIENT
(2) Company N ordered 10 more printers than Company M
mc+nc+2p=100--------------------------->because (110-10=100)
INSUFFICIENT

2C+2P=210
C+P=105

CANNOT FIGURE INDIVIDUAL VALUE OF COMPUTER AND PRINTERS

INSUFFICIENT

_________________

Posting an answer without an explanation is "GOD COMPLEX". The world doesn't need any more gods. Please explain you answers properly.
FINAL GOODBYE :- 17th SEPTEMBER 2016. .. 16 March 2017 - I am back but for all purposes please consider me semi-retired.

Intern
Joined: 22 Jul 2016
Posts: 24
If Company M ordered a total of 50 computers and printers an  [#permalink]

### Show Tags

08 Jan 2017, 07:22
Given :

Company M :
C1 + P1 = 50 >> C1=50 - P1 --------(1)
Company N :
C2 + P2 = 60 >> C2=60 - P2 --------(2)

To find : C1 = ?

Basically statement(1) and statement(2) are representing the same information
Hence, definitely (C) cannot be the answer.

statement(1) : Company M and Company N ordered the same number of computers
C1=C2
from(1) & (2)
50 - P1 = 60 - P2 >> P2 - P1 = 10
not sufficient to calculate C1.

statement(2) : Company N ordered 10 more printers than Company M
Algebraically , P2 - P1 = 10 (same as statement (2))

Hence, none of the statements are sufficient to answer the question

Ans : E
Non-Human User
Joined: 09 Sep 2013
Posts: 8065
Re: If Company M ordered a total of 50 computers and printers an  [#permalink]

### Show Tags

01 Jul 2018, 23:45
Hello from the GMAT Club BumpBot!

Thanks to another GMAT Club member, I have just discovered this valuable topic, yet it had no discussion for over a year. I am now bumping it up - doing my job. I think you may find it valuable (esp those replies with Kudos).

Want to see all other topics I dig out? Follow me (click follow button on profile). You will receive a summary of all topics I bump in your profile area as well as via email.
_________________
Re: If Company M ordered a total of 50 computers and printers an &nbs [#permalink] 01 Jul 2018, 23:45
Display posts from previous: Sort by

# Events & Promotions

 Powered by phpBB © phpBB Group | Emoji artwork provided by EmojiOne Kindly note that the GMAT® test is a registered trademark of the Graduate Management Admission Council®, and this site has neither been reviewed nor endorsed by GMAC®.