In the Excel Manufacturing Company, 46 percent of the employ

Let's assume that there is total 100 people. We know that 46% are men and 54% are women ==> number of men is 46 and that of women is 54. Also we know that out of 100 60% are union members (i.e 60 people) and 70% of them are men ==> number of union men is 42, hence 18 are women. Since there is 54 women total,hence 36 women are non-union workers. Since total number of non-union workers is 40 (100-60) then women's share is (36/40)*100=90. Answer A

Hi All,

This is an example of an Overlapping Sets question. The math behind it is fairly straightforward, but you will have to take thorough notes and answer the SPECIFIC question that is asked (which is NOT a standard question in these situations). The Tic-Tac-Toe board is a great way to keep track of the information (as Bunuel shows) and is arguably THE approach that you should use on most Overlapping Sets questions. This particular prompt focuses on information that we need to use the Overlapping Sets Formula though:

Total = GroupA + GroupB - Both + Neither

So here's how this approach can be applied....

We're told a number of facts (take notes and write down your deductions!):
At a company:
1) 46% percent of employees are men (thus, 54% are women)
2) 60% of employees are unionized (thus, 40% are NOT unionized)
3) 70% of the UNIONIZED are men. This means....
A) 70%(60%) = 42% of EMPLOYEES are UNIONIZED MEN

We're asked what percent of NON-UNIONIZED workers are WOMEN

Using the Overlapping Sets Formula....

GroupA = Men
GroupB = Unionized
Both = Men & Unionized
Neither = Women & Non-unionized

Total = GroupA + GroupB - Both + Neither
100% = 46% + 60% - 42% + Neither
100% = 64% + Neither
36% = Neither

This tells us that 36% of EMPLOYEES are NON-UNIONIZED WOMEN.

This is NOT the answer to the question though. The question asks what percent of NON-UNIONIZED workers are WOMEN.

Non-unionized women = 36% of EMPLOYEES
Non-unionized workers = 40% of EMPLOYEES

36%/40% = 36/40 = 9/10 = 90%

Final Answer:
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

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.