Last visit was: 01 May 2026, 14:00 It is currently 01 May 2026, 14:00
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: 01 May 2026
Posts: 110,001
Own Kudos:
812,332
 [2]
Given Kudos: 105,976
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 110,001
Kudos: 812,332
 [2]
Kudos
Add Kudos
2
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
nick1816
User avatar
Retired Moderator
Joined: 19 Oct 2018
Last visit: 12 Mar 2026
Posts: 1,841
Own Kudos:
8,521
 [1]
Given Kudos: 707
Location: India
Posts: 1,841
Kudos: 8,521
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
LeoN88
User avatar
BSchool Moderator
Joined: 08 Dec 2013
Last visit: 19 Oct 2025
Posts: 682
Own Kudos:
571
 [1]
Given Kudos: 227
Location: India
Concentration: Nonprofit, Sustainability
Schools: ISB '23
GMAT 1: 630 Q47 V30
WE:Operations (Non-Profit and Government)
Products:
Schools: ISB '23
GMAT 1: 630 Q47 V30
Posts: 682
Kudos: 571
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
Vinit800HBS
Joined: 29 Dec 2018
Last visit: 30 Apr 2026
Posts: 90
Own Kudos:
244
 [2]
Given Kudos: 195
Location: India
GRE 1: Q170 V163
Expert
Expert reply
GRE 1: Q170 V163
Posts: 90
Kudos: 244
 [2]
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
If the triangle is a right triangle then the ratio of the sides should necessarily be 3:4:5 as it’s already said that the ratio of shortest side to longest side is 3:5

Now,
If the two smaller sides are 3x and 4x,
Area = 0.5*3x*4x = 6x^2

Now, let’s evaluate the options:
If the smaller side is 9, the second side has to be 12 as the ratio is 3:4
So, the area is 0.5*9*12 = 54 which is within the given range.
So, 9 can be the shortest side.

If the smaller side is 12, the second side has to be 16 as the ratio is 3:4
So, the area is 0.5*12*16 = 96 which is within the given range.
So, 12 can be the shortest side.

If the smaller side is 15, the second side has to be 20 as the ratio is 3:4
So, the area is 0.5*15*20 = 150 which is not within the given range.
So, 15 cannot be the shortest side.

Hence, only 9 and 12 are the possible values.

Marking D safely and confidently.
Target: 780
Dream Colleges: HWS

Kudos will help me to reach there

Posted from my mobile device
User avatar
saurabh9gupta
Joined: 10 Jan 2013
Last visit: 28 Jul 2023
Posts: 251
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 201
Location: India
Concentration: General Management, Strategy
GRE 1: Q163 V155
GPA: 3.95
Products:
GRE 1: Q163 V155
Posts: 251
Kudos: 181
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Bunuel
In right triangle, ABC, the ratio of the longest side to the shortest side is 5 to 3. If the area of ABC is between 50 and 150 (50 and 150 not inclusive), which of the following could be the length of the shortest side?

I. 9
II. 12
III. 15

A. I only
B. II only
C. III only
D. I and II only
E. I, II and III

so let the ratio be 5x and 3x

since it is a right-angled triangle, so we have the third side as 4x ( \((3x^2 + 4x^2 = 5x^2\)) )

area becomes = \(1/2 * 3x * 4x\) = 6x^2


given
50 < 6x^2 < 150

we would need to key in integer values
x could be 2 and 3 only to satisfy the condition.

so answer is D
User avatar
ScottTargetTestPrep
User avatar
Target Test Prep Representative
Joined: 14 Oct 2015
Last visit: 01 May 2026
Posts: 22,310
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 302
Status:Founder & CEO
Affiliations: Target Test Prep
Location: United States (CA)
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 22,310
Kudos: 26,563
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Bunuel
In right triangle, ABC, the ratio of the longest side to the shortest side is 5 to 3. If the area of ABC is between 50 and 150 (50 and 150 not inclusive), which of the following could be the length of the shortest side?

I. 9
II. 12
III. 15

A. I only
B. II only
C. III only
D. I and II only
E. I, II and III

Since triangle ABC is a right triangle with ratio of the longest side to the shortest side of 5 to 3, it must be a 3-4-5 right triangle. Let’s analyze the Roman numerals now (keep in mind that the area of a right triangle is ½ of the product of the length of the two legs).

I. 9

If the shortest side (or leg) is 3 x 3 = 9, then the other leg is 4 x 3 = 12. Therefore, the area of the triangle would be ½(9)(12) = 54. This works since 54 is between 50 and 150.

II. 12

If the shortest side (or leg) is 3 x 4 = 12, then the other leg is 4 x 4 = 16. Therefore, the area of the triangle would be ½(12)(16) = 96. This works since 96 is between 50 and 150.

III. 15

If the shortest side (or leg) is 3 x 5 = 15, then the other leg is 4 x 5 = 20. Therefore, the area of the triangle would be ½(15)(20) = 150. This doesn’t work since 150 is NOT between 50 and 150.

Answer: D
Moderators:
Math Expert
110001 posts
Tuck School Moderator
852 posts