Kaplan Math Question

Question

In the Kaplan GMAT math workbook 6th edition:

Chapter 5 page 281.

If 1 tic equals 3 tacs and 2 tacs equal 5 tocs, what is the ratio of one tic to one toc?

I can only think of one answer 2/15, but apparently that is not correct.

Please someone exlain!

Thanks

openbox1 · Answer

1 Tic = 3 Tacs
2 Tacs = 5 Tocs
1 Tic = 3/2 * 5 Tocs = 15/2 Tocs
Tic : Toc
15/2 : 1
= (15/2)/1
= 15/2 = 7.5

You were solving for the ratio of 1 toc to 1 tic which is not what the question is asking you.

believer · Answer

This is what I did:

Tic Tac Toc
 1 : 3 mulitply by 2

2 : 5 multiply by 3 
New Ratio
 2 : 6

6 : 15

Making tic to toc 2/15- Does this not work?

openbox1 · Answer

If 1 tic is 3 tacs (1 tic = 3 tacs) how can tic be smaller than tac as implied by your proportion of tic to tac as 1:3??? You got the translate english into math part of the question wrong. Try to write down everything you read into equation.

1 tic is 3 times tac means 1 Tic = 3 Tac so ratio of Tic to Tac is 3:1 not 1:3.

go2013gmat · Answer

Proportions can also be read like payouts in bets. For example, a 2 to 1 bet on a horserace can be seen as 2/1. This means that if you put in 1 dollar and you win, you get 2 dollars (or 2 times your bet) plus your initial stake (3 dollars total). In this case, you know the payout of 1 tic is greater than 1 toc. Draw out the proportions to see 1 tic is 7.5 times 1 toc, or for to see it a different way 15 to 2. If the answer were 2/15 that means a toc is larger than a tic which is not true. It took a while for me to differentiate between conversion problems and proportion problems. Step back and ask yourself what the question is asking and does my final answer make sense. Also to save time, my book only has 2 answers that have the numerater (tic) greater than the denominator (toc). With process of elimination you have a 50% shot of getting this problem correct. Choose (A) 15/2 as opposed to (B) 6/5. The spread between 6/5 is too close so 15/2 is the better choice.

	Manhattan Prep: $99 Bonus Score Higher on Your GMAT Exam. Guaranteed.
	Target Test Prep - Save up to $599 $400 Discount + $99 Bonus GMAT Club Tests
	e-GMAT: 60% Off on GMAT Focus Get to 735+ from any starting point
	Magoosh increases your score, guaranteed - 15% off ALL Magoosh GMAT plans with code GMATCLUB15 + Free GMAT Club Tests.
	Experts' Global - ~~$1720~~ $960 End-to-End GMAT Prep + App Support: 150+ Videos, 2000+ Questions, 15 FLTs +
	GMATWhiz - $299 ~~$499~~ Experience the course through a free trial.
	GMAT Club Tests - Free Included with every course purchase of $149+ View all deals

Kaplan Math Question

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards