Last visit was: 28 Apr 2026, 15:40 It is currently 28 Apr 2026, 15:40
Home
Messages
Tests
Schools
Events
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
Events & Promotions
Back to Forum
Create Topic
705-805 (Hard)|   Geometry|      
User avatar
smyarga
User avatar
Tutor
Joined: 20 Apr 2012
Last visit: 06 Aug 2020
Posts: 82
Own Kudos:
824
 [10]
Given Kudos: 39
Location: Ukraine
GMAT 1: 690 Q51 V31
GMAT 2: 730 Q51 V38
WE:Education (Education)
Expert
Expert reply
GMAT 2: 730 Q51 V38
Posts: 82
Kudos: 824
 [10]
In triangle JKL shown above, B divides side KL in such a way 25 Apr 2013, 03:32
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
9
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
00:00
Start Timer
Pause Timer
Resume Timer
Show Answer
Hide
Show
History
A
Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!

Difficulty:

75% (hard)

Question Stats:

50% (02:09) correct 50% (02:38) wrong based on 110 sessions

History

Date
Time
Result
Not Attempted Yet


In triangle JKL shown above, B divides side KL in such a way that KB : BL = 1 : 3 and C divides side JL in such a way that JC : CL = 1:2. What is the area of triangle BCL?

(1) The area of triangle JKL is 96

(2) The length of side KL is 24


It is very easy to solve this problem if you know the formula of triangle's area with sine. Any suggestions how to solve it quickly without trigonometry?

Source: GoGMAT

Show Spoiler
Attachment:
problem2.png
problem2.png [ 40.42 KiB | Viewed 4101 times ]
ShowHide Answer
Official Answer
A
Most Helpful Reply
User avatar
Bunuel
User avatar
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Last visit: 28 Apr 2026
Posts: 109,950
Own Kudos:
811,785
 [10]
Given Kudos: 105,927
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: 109,950
Kudos: 811,785
 [10]
In triangle JKL shown above, B divides side KL in such a way 25 Apr 2013, 03:50
6
Kudos
Add Kudos
4
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post

In triangle JKL shown above, B divides side KL in such a way that KB : BL = 1 : 3 and C divides side JL in such a way that JC : CL = 1:2. What is the area of triangle BCL?

(1) The area of triangle JKL is 96.

Notice that since KB:BL=1:3, then BL=3/4*KL and since JC:CL=1:2, then CL=2/3*JL.

\(area_{JKL}=\frac{1}{2}*(height)*KL=96\).
\(area_{JBL}=\frac{1}{2}*(height)*BL=\frac{1}{2}*(height)*(\frac{3}{4}*KL)=\frac{3}{4}*(\frac{1}{2}*(height)*KL)=\frac{3}{4}*area_{JKL}=72\).

Similarly, \(area_{BCL}=\frac{2}{3}*area_{JBL}=48\). Sufficient.


(2) The length of side KL is 24. Clearly insufficient.

Answer: A.

Hope it's clear.
General Discussion
User avatar
smyarga
User avatar
Tutor
Joined: 20 Apr 2012
Last visit: 06 Aug 2020
Posts: 82
Own Kudos:
824
Given Kudos: 39
Location: Ukraine
GMAT 1: 690 Q51 V31
GMAT 2: 730 Q51 V38
WE:Education (Education)
Expert
Expert reply
GMAT 2: 730 Q51 V38
Posts: 82
Kudos: 824
In triangle JKL shown above, B divides side KL in such a way 25 Apr 2013, 04:02
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Very clear! Thanks!

Anyway with trigonometry the solution is much faster:)
avatar
riskietech
avatar
Joined: 03 Dec 2013
Last visit: 26 May 2018
Posts: 42
Own Kudos:
240
 [1]
Given Kudos: 35
Posts: 42
Kudos: 240
 [1]
In triangle JKL shown above, B divides side KL in such a way 27 Mar 2014, 04:57
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Bunuel

In triangle JKL shown above, B divides side KL in such a way that KB : BL = 1 : 3 and C divides side JL in such a way that JC : CL = 1:2. What is the area of triangle BCL?

(1) The area of triangle JKL is 96.

Notice that since KB:BL=1:3, then BL=3/4*KL and since JC:CL=1:2, then CL=2/3*JL.

\(area_{JKL}=\frac{1}{2}*(height)*KL=96\).
\(area_{JBL}=\frac{1}{2}*(height)*BL=\frac{1}{2}*(height)*(\frac{3}{4}*KL)=\frac{3}{4}*(\frac{1}{2}*(height)*KL)=\frac{3}{4}*area_{JKL}=72\).

Similarly, \(area_{BCL}=\frac{2}{3}*area_{JBL}=48\). Sufficient.


(2) The length of side KL is 24. Clearly insufficient.

Answer: A.

Hope it's clear.
Show more

Hi,

I have a different method.

Let angle L = Ø
As we know area of triangle = (1/2) * Product of two sides * sin(included angle)
Let KB = x, BL = 3x, KL = 4x
Let JC = y, CL = 2y, JL = 3y

St1: The area of triangle JKL is 96.

area(JKL) = (1/2)* KL * JC * sinØ =
(1/2)*4x*3y*sinØ = 96 --- {1}
area(BCL) = (1/2)*BL*CL*sinØ =
(1/2)*3x*2y*sinØ = area(BCL) ---{2}

dividing eqn {1} by {2}, we get area(BCL) = 48

Sufficient!

ST2: length of side KL = 24. We need three factors to define a triangle (two sides and one angle).

Insufficient!

Answer: A
User avatar
bumpbot
User avatar
Non-Human User
Joined: 09 Sep 2013
Last visit: 04 Jan 2021
Posts: 38,986
Own Kudos:
1,119
Posts: 38,986
Kudos: 1,119
In triangle JKL shown above, B divides side KL in such a way 15 Feb 2019, 03:36
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Automated notice from GMAT Club BumpBot:

A member just gave Kudos to this thread, showing it’s still useful. I’ve bumped it to the top so more people can benefit. Feel free to add your own questions or solutions.

This post was generated automatically.
Moderators:
Bunuel
Math Expert
109950 posts
kingbucky
498 posts
Gmat860sanskar
212 posts