Last visit was: 19 Nov 2025, 17:23 It is currently 19 Nov 2025, 17:23
Home
GMAT
Messages
Tests
Schools
Events
Rewards
Chat
My Profile
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.
Go to My Error Log Learn more
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel
Back to Forum
Create Topic
User avatar
Bunuel
User avatar
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Last visit: 19 Nov 2025
Posts: 105,390
Own Kudos:
778,370
 [37]
Given Kudos: 99,977
Products:
GMAT Club Tests Forum Quiz
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 105,390
Kudos: 778,370
 [37]
In 1979 approximately 1/3 of the 37.3 million airline passengers trave 02 Nov 2015, 08:45
7
Kudos
Add Kudos
30
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
00:00
Start Timer
Pause Timer
Resume Timer
Show Answer
Hide
Show
History
E
Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!

Difficulty:

35% (medium)

Question Stats:

75% (01:52) correct 25% (02:05) wrong based on 1728 sessions

History

Date
Time
Result
Not Attempted Yet
In 1979 approximately 1/3 of the 37.3 million airline passengers traveling to or from the United States used Kennedy Airport. If the number of such passengers that used Miami Airport was 1/2 the number that used Kennedy Airport and 4 times the number that used Logan Airport, approximately how many millions of these passengers used Logan Airport that year?

(A) 18.6
(B) 9.3
(C) 6.2
(D) 3.1
(E) 1.6
ShowHide Answer
Official Answer
E
Most Helpful Reply
User avatar
BrentGMATPrepNow
User avatar
Major Poster
Joined: 12 Sep 2015
Last visit: 31 Oct 2025
Posts: 6,739
Own Kudos:
35,355
 [13]
Given Kudos: 799
Location: Canada
Expert
Expert reply
Posts: 6,739
Kudos: 35,355
 [13]
In 1979 approximately 1/3 of the 37.3 million airline passengers trave Updated on: 11 Jan 2021, 11:19
Originally posted by BrentGMATPrepNow on 01 Jan 2019, 16:24.
Last edited by BrentGMATPrepNow on 11 Jan 2021, 11:19, edited 1 time in total.
8
Kudos
Add Kudos
5
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Bunuel
In 1979 approximately 1/3 of the 37.3 million airline passengers traveling to or from the United States used Kennedy Airport. If the number of such passengers that used Miami Airport was 1/2 the number that used Kennedy Airport and 4 times the number that used Logan Airport, approximately how many millions of these passengers used Logan Airport that year?

(A) 18.6
(B) 9.3
(C) 6.2
(D) 3.1
(E) 1.6
Show more

This question illustrates the importance of ALWAYS checking the answer choices BEFORE getting bogged down with time-consuming calculations.
For more on this important strategy, you can watch the video below

Since the answer choices are VERY spread apart, we can be quite aggressive in our rounding and estimation.

In 1979 approximately 1/3 of the 37.3 million airline passengers traveling to or from the United States used Kennedy Airport.
Let's say that "In 1979 approximately 1/3 of the 36 million airline passengers traveling to or from the United States used Kennedy Airport. "
1/3 of 36 = 12
So, 12 million passengers used Kennedy Airport

The number of such passengers that used Miami Airport was 1/2 the number that used Kennedy Airport
12 million passengers used Kennedy Airport
1/2 of 12 million = 6 million
So, 6 million passengers used Miami Airport

The number of such passengers that used Miami Airport was 4 times the number that used Logan Airport
In other words, the number of such passengers that used Logan Airport was 1/4 the number that used Miami Airport
1/4 of 6 million = 1.5 million

So, 1.5 million passengers used Logan Airport

Check the answer choices . . . only answer choice E is close to 1.5

Answer: E

RELATED VIDEO
General Discussion
User avatar
CounterSniper
User avatar
Joined: 20 Feb 2015
Last visit: 14 Apr 2023
Posts: 613
Own Kudos:
833
 [5]
Given Kudos: 74
Concentration: Strategy, General Management
Posts: 613
Kudos: 833
 [5]
In 1979 approximately 1/3 of the 37.3 million airline passengers trave 02 Nov 2015, 11:08
3
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
number of
passengers using Kennedy airport = 37/3 =~12.43
Passengers using Miami airport = 12.43/2=~6.2
passengers using logan airport = 6.2/4 =~1.54

so E
User avatar
Pritishd
User avatar
UNC Kenan Flagler Moderator
Joined: 18 Jul 2015
Last visit: 05 Jul 2025
Posts: 233
Own Kudos:
304
Given Kudos: 120
GMAT 1: 530 Q43 V20
WE:Analyst (Consumer Packaged Goods)
GMAT 1: 530 Q43 V20
Posts: 233
Kudos: 304
In 1979 approximately 1/3 of the 37.3 million airline passengers trave 18 May 2020, 12:25
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
BrentGMATPrepNow
Bunuel
In 1979 approximately 1/3 of the 37.3 million airline passengers traveling to or from the United States used Kennedy Airport. If the number of such passengers that used Miami Airport was 1/2 the number that used Kennedy Airport and 4 times the number that used Logan Airport, approximately how many millions of these passengers used Logan Airport that year?

(A) 18.6
(B) 9.3
(C) 6.2
(D) 3.1
(E) 1.6

This question illustrates the importance of ALWAYS checking the answer choices BEFORE getting bogged down with time-consuming calculations.
For more on this important strategy, you can watch the video below

Since the answer choices are VERY spread apart, we can be quite aggressive in our rounding and estimation.

In 1979 approximately 1/3 of the 37.3 million airline passengers traveling to or from the United States used Kennedy Airport.
Let's say that "In 1979 approximately 1/3 of the 36 million airline passengers traveling to or from the United States used Kennedy Airport. "
1/3 of 36 = 12
So, 12 million passengers used Kennedy Airport

The number of such passengers that used Miami Airport was 1/2 the number that used Kennedy Airport
12 million passengers used Kennedy Airport
1/2 of 12 million = 6 million
So, 6 million passengers used Miami Airport

The number of such passengers that used Miami Airport was 4 times the number that used Logan Airport
In other words, the number of such passengers that used Logan Airport was 1/4 the number that used Miami Airport
1/4 of 6 million = 1.5 million

So, 1.5 million passengers used Logan Airport

Check the answer choices . . . only answer choice E is close to 1.5

Answer: E

RELATED VIDEO FROM OUR COURSE
Show more

Hi Brent,

In general when we have statements like 'Miami Airport was 1/2 the number that used Kennedy Airport and 4 times the number that used Logan Airport', we interpret them as \(M = \frac{1}{2}K + 4L\)

Any specific reason for spliting into two equations here?

Warm Regards,
Pritishd
User avatar
aggvipul
User avatar
Joined: 15 Nov 2017
Last visit: 13 Apr 2022
Posts: 229
Own Kudos:
418
 [1]
Given Kudos: 28
Status:Current Student
Concentration: Operations, Marketing
Schools: IIML-IPMX '22 (A)
WE:Operations (Retail: E-commerce)
Schools: IIML-IPMX '22 (A)
Posts: 229
Kudos: 418
 [1]
In 1979 approximately 1/3 of the 37.3 million airline passengers trave 18 May 2020, 12:53
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Bunuel
In 1979 approximately 1/3 of the 37.3 million airline passengers traveling to or from the United States used Kennedy Airport. If the number of such passengers that used Miami Airport was 1/2 the number that used Kennedy Airport and 4 times the number that used Logan Airport, approximately how many millions of these passengers used Logan Airport that year?

(A) 18.6
(B) 9.3
(C) 6.2
(D) 3.1
(E) 1.6
Show more

Lets not do calculations rather look at the kind of formula that emerges finally- \frac{37.3}{4*3*2}
Since, 4*3*2 = 24, therefore the division would result in 1 < number < 2, hence answer E
User avatar
BrentGMATPrepNow
User avatar
Major Poster
Joined: 12 Sep 2015
Last visit: 31 Oct 2025
Posts: 6,739
Own Kudos:
35,355
Given Kudos: 799
Location: Canada
Expert
Expert reply
Posts: 6,739
Kudos: 35,355
In 1979 approximately 1/3 of the 37.3 million airline passengers trave Updated on: 13 Oct 2022, 10:55
Originally posted by BrentGMATPrepNow on 18 May 2020, 13:57.
Last edited by BrentGMATPrepNow on 13 Oct 2022, 10:55, edited 1 time in total.
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Pritishd


Hi Brent,

In general when we have statements like 'Miami Airport was 1/2 the number that used Kennedy Airport and 4 times the number that used Logan Airport', we interpret them as \(M = \frac{1}{2}K + 4L\)

Any specific reason for spliting into two equations here?

Warm Regards,
Pritishd
Show more

EDIT: Someone just pointed out that my earlier response was incorrect. I should have read it better.
Here's my new response to the above question:

I think you may have misinterpreted information in the question.

It tells us that: the number of such passengers that used Miami Airport was 1/2 the number that used Kennedy Airport and 4 times the number that used Logan Airport
In other words: M = 0.5K and M = 4L

I believe you are reading the information as: the number of such passengers that used Miami Airport was 1/2 the number that used Kennedy Airport PLUS 4 times the number that used Logan Airport
User avatar
Kimberly77
User avatar
Joined: 16 Nov 2021
Last visit: 07 Sep 2024
Posts: 435
Own Kudos:
45
Given Kudos: 5,898
Location: United Kingdom
GMAT 1: 450 Q42 V34
Products:
My Reviews
GMAT 1: 450 Q42 V34
Posts: 435
Kudos: 45
In 1979 approximately 1/3 of the 37.3 million airline passengers trave 13 Oct 2022, 04:01
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Hi BrentGMATPrepNow, If I use M=1/2K+4L
M = 1/2 (12.4) + 4L
M = 6 + 4L or L = M-6/4
Not sure how to proceed from here in order to get 1/4 of 6 million = 1.5 million or have I missed something here? Thanks Brent.
User avatar
BrentGMATPrepNow
User avatar
Major Poster
Joined: 12 Sep 2015
Last visit: 31 Oct 2025
Posts: 6,739
Own Kudos:
35,355
Given Kudos: 799
Location: Canada
Expert
Expert reply
Posts: 6,739
Kudos: 35,355
In 1979 approximately 1/3 of the 37.3 million airline passengers trave Updated on: 13 Oct 2022, 10:54
Originally posted by BrentGMATPrepNow on 13 Oct 2022, 07:11.
Last edited by BrentGMATPrepNow on 13 Oct 2022, 10:54, edited 1 time in total.
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Kimberly77
Hi BrentGMATPrepNow, If I use M=1/2K+4L
M = 1/2 (12.4) + 4L
M = 6 + 4L or L = M-6/4
Not sure how to proceed from here in order to get 1/4 of 6 million = 1.5 million or have I missed something here? Thanks Brent.
Show more

I think you may have misinterpreted information in the question.

It tells us that: the number of such passengers that used Miami Airport was 1/2 the number that used Kennedy Airport and 4 times the number that used Logan Airport
In other words: M = 0.5K and M = 4L

I believe you are reading the information as: the number of such passengers that used Miami Airport was 1/2 the number that used Kennedy Airport PLUS 4 times the number that used Logan Airport
User avatar
Kimberly77
User avatar
Joined: 16 Nov 2021
Last visit: 07 Sep 2024
Posts: 435
Own Kudos:
45
Given Kudos: 5,898
Location: United Kingdom
GMAT 1: 450 Q42 V34
Products:
My Reviews
GMAT 1: 450 Q42 V34
Posts: 435
Kudos: 45
In 1979 approximately 1/3 of the 37.3 million airline passengers trave 13 Oct 2022, 10:16
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
BrentGMATPrepNow
Pritishd


Hi Brent,

In general when we have statements like 'Miami Airport was 1/2 the number that used Kennedy Airport and 4 times the number that used Logan Airport', we interpret them as \(M = \frac{1}{2}K + 4L\)

Any specific reason for spliting into two equations here?

Warm Regards,
Pritishd

I broke it into steps to make sure I didn't lose anyone.
That said, I broke that step into pieces (as you probably did).
When you read "Miami Airport was 1/2 the number that used Kennedy Airport," you got \(M = \frac{1}{2}K\)
When you continued reading "....and 4 times the number that used Logan Airport" you got \(M = \frac{1}{2}K + 4L\)

Same idea. Different execution.

Cheers,
Brent
Show more

Thanks Brent BrentGMATPrepNow . so M = 0.5K and M = 4L is not equal to \(M = \frac{1}{2}K + 4L\) ?
I followed calculation from this post therefore got stuck in M = 1/2 (12.4) + 4L
M = 6 + 4L or L = M-6/4 ?

So this is not correct then?
User avatar
BrentGMATPrepNow
User avatar
Major Poster
Joined: 12 Sep 2015
Last visit: 31 Oct 2025
Posts: 6,739
Own Kudos:
35,355
Given Kudos: 799
Location: Canada
Expert
Expert reply
Posts: 6,739
Kudos: 35,355
In 1979 approximately 1/3 of the 37.3 million airline passengers trave 13 Oct 2022, 11:00
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Kimberly77


Thanks Brent BrentGMATPrepNow . so M = 0.5K and M = 4L is not equal to \(M = \frac{1}{2}K + 4L\) ?
I followed calculation from this post therefore got stuck in M = 1/2 (12.4) + 4L
M = 6 + 4L or L = M-6/4 ?

So this is not correct then?
Show more

Sorry, Kimberly77.
One of my earlier responses to a student's question was incorrect. Please see above.

The answer to your question is no, the pair of equations \(M = 0.5K\) and \(M = 4L\) cannot be combined to get \(M = \frac{1}{2}K + 4L\)

Consider these values: M = 20, K = 40 and L = 5
Notice that these values satisfy the equations \(M = 0.5K\) and \(M = 4L\)

If we plug the same values into the equation \(M = \frac{1}{2}K + 4L\), we get: \(20 = (\frac{1}{2})40 + 4(5)\)
Simplify to get: \(20 = 20 + 20\), which is not true.
User avatar
Kimberly77
User avatar
Joined: 16 Nov 2021
Last visit: 07 Sep 2024
Posts: 435
Own Kudos:
45
Given Kudos: 5,898
Location: United Kingdom
GMAT 1: 450 Q42 V34
Products:
My Reviews
GMAT 1: 450 Q42 V34
Posts: 435
Kudos: 45
In 1979 approximately 1/3 of the 37.3 million airline passengers trave 13 Oct 2022, 11:28
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
BrentGMATPrepNow
Kimberly77


Thanks Brent BrentGMATPrepNow . so M = 0.5K and M = 4L is not equal to \(M = \frac{1}{2}K + 4L\) ?
I followed calculation from this post therefore got stuck in M = 1/2 (12.4) + 4L
M = 6 + 4L or L = M-6/4 ?

So this is not correct then?

Sorry, Kimberly77.
One of my earlier responses to a student's question was incorrect. Please see above.

The answer to your question is no, the pair of equations \(M = 0.5K\) and \(M = 4L\) cannot be combined to get \(M = \frac{1}{2}K + 4L\)

Consider these values: M = 20, K = 40 and L = 5
Notice that these values satisfy the equations \(M = 0.5K\) and \(M = 4L\)

If we plug the same values into the equation \(M = \frac{1}{2}K + 4L\), we get: \(20 = (\frac{1}{2})40 + 4(5)\)
Simplify to get: \(20 = 20 + 20\), which is not true.
Show more

Brilliant thanks BrentGMATPrepNow. Crystal clear now.
So "and" & "Plus" do not mean the same thing in Maths generally?
User avatar
BrentGMATPrepNow
User avatar
Major Poster
Joined: 12 Sep 2015
Last visit: 31 Oct 2025
Posts: 6,739
Own Kudos:
35,355
Given Kudos: 799
Location: Canada
Expert
Expert reply
Posts: 6,739
Kudos: 35,355
In 1979 approximately 1/3 of the 37.3 million airline passengers trave 13 Oct 2022, 11:31
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Kimberly77


Brilliant thanks BrentGMATPrepNow. Crystal clear now.
So "and" & "Plus" do not mean the same thing in Maths generally?
Show more

Tricky question!
It really depends on the context.
If I say I have 3 cats and 5 dogs, and then the total number of pets I have = 3 + 5
User avatar
Kimberly77
User avatar
Joined: 16 Nov 2021
Last visit: 07 Sep 2024
Posts: 435
Own Kudos:
45
Given Kudos: 5,898
Location: United Kingdom
GMAT 1: 450 Q42 V34
Products:
My Reviews
GMAT 1: 450 Q42 V34
Posts: 435
Kudos: 45
In 1979 approximately 1/3 of the 37.3 million airline passengers trave 13 Oct 2022, 11:34
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
BrentGMATPrepNow
Kimberly77


Brilliant thanks BrentGMATPrepNow. Crystal clear now.
So "and" & "Plus" do not mean the same thing in Maths generally?

Tricky question!
It really depends on the context.
If I say I have 3 cats and 5 dogs, and then the total number of pets I have = 3 + 5
Show more


Noted thanks BrentGMATPrepNow :please: :)
User avatar
bumpbot
User avatar
Non-Human User
Joined: 09 Sep 2013
Last visit: 04 Jan 2021
Posts: 38,588
Own Kudos:
1,079
Posts: 38,588
Kudos: 1,079
In 1979 approximately 1/3 of the 37.3 million airline passengers trave 05 Nov 2024, 01:07
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
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.
Moderators:
Bunuel
Math Expert
105390 posts
Krunaal
Tuck School Moderator
805 posts