Stiv
This is the question from GMATClub test. The explanation from the solution of the question is excellent, but I want to know is there more than one way to solve this question.
On the GMATClub test the explanation is next:
B = 10-men brigade
p = increase in the productivity = 10%
Solution: B x p = B x 1.1 = 1.1B -------> the productivity of 11 men brigade
1.1B x p = 1.1B x 1.1 = 1.21B -----> the productivity of 12 men brigade
The ratio of the productivity of a 12-men brigade to that of a 10-men brigade = 1.21B/B = 1.21
In percentages, you can assume a value of 100. It simplifies the thought process.
If you increase the brigade by 1 worker, productivity grows by 10%. So say initial productivity is 100. If one more worker joins, productivity will be 110. If one more joins it will be 121 etc.
Ratio of productivity of 12 person to 10 person must be 121/100 = 1.21 (whenever there is a difference of 2 in the number of people, the ratio of productivity will be 1.21 assuming positive number of people)
Also, this is a successive percentage increase so you can use the formula: a + b + ab/100 = 10 + 10 + 10*10/100 = 21% increase.
Hence the required ratio is 121/100 = 1.21