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16 Sep 2020, 14:57
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I have this issue where I am making a lot of careless calculation errors, in most cases it is because I am using the incorrect mathematical operation. I have noted that this problem occurs even if I put things down on paper.
Here are my workings for this most recent error, which prompted me to make this post.
Find the Greatest Prime Factor of \(9^{19}-3^{35}\)
\(3^{38}-3^{35}\)
\(3^{35}*(3^{3}-1)\)
\(3^{35}*(9-1)\) --> Here is where I made the error clearly I know that 3^3 = 27 but instead of raising 3 to the power of 3 I multiplied it by 3.
\(3^{35}*(8)\)
\(3^{35}*(2^3)\) --> Which gives me the wrong answer despite knowing how to approach this problem.
In recent memory I have also caught myself doing multiplication of a multi digit number that contains a 6 and another multi digit that contains a 3 and calculate 6x3 as 9 instead of 18.
Even on my most recent exam I calculated 90*1.5 as 120 (For some reason my thought process was 90 + half of 60) instead of 135. And I often don't realize until after I've completed the problem that something doesn't seem right, forcing me to dump questions I should be getting correct.
Its really hit or miss sometimes I don't make those mistakes and other times it happen consistently.
Anyone deal with something similar or have any possible ways to over come this?
Here are my workings for this most recent error, which prompted me to make this post.
Find the Greatest Prime Factor of \(9^{19}-3^{35}\)
\(3^{38}-3^{35}\)
\(3^{35}*(3^{3}-1)\)
\(3^{35}*(9-1)\) --> Here is where I made the error clearly I know that 3^3 = 27 but instead of raising 3 to the power of 3 I multiplied it by 3.
\(3^{35}*(8)\)
\(3^{35}*(2^3)\) --> Which gives me the wrong answer despite knowing how to approach this problem.
In recent memory I have also caught myself doing multiplication of a multi digit number that contains a 6 and another multi digit that contains a 3 and calculate 6x3 as 9 instead of 18.
Even on my most recent exam I calculated 90*1.5 as 120 (For some reason my thought process was 90 + half of 60) instead of 135. And I often don't realize until after I've completed the problem that something doesn't seem right, forcing me to dump questions I should be getting correct.
Its really hit or miss sometimes I don't make those mistakes and other times it happen consistently.
Anyone deal with something similar or have any possible ways to over come this?
16 Sep 2020, 17:46
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Hi Navski,
Regarding careless errors, the reality is that there are a multitude of possible reasons, from not reading carefully to writing sloppily to making mental math mistakes. It’s also entirely possible that your careless errors are due, in some part, to a relative lack of GMAT quant knowledge in certain areas. After all, on any GMAT, you must answer difficult and convoluted math questions in a timed and pressure-filled environment, so if you don’t know GMAT quant like the back of your hand, careless errors are likely, right? Take the following example:
14! is equal to which of the following?
(A) 87,178,291,200
(B) 88,180,293,207
(C) 89,181,294,209
(D) 90,000,000,003
(E) 91,114,114,114
Upon seeing this question, what is the first thing that comes to mind? Grabbing a calculator to add up the values in the expression? If you are able to quickly recognize that using the “5 x 2 pair rule” will allow you to efficiently attack the problem (see the solution below), the question becomes very basic, and you can avoid having to perform tedious calculations that are likely to result in a silly mistake.
Solution:
Notice that there is at least one (5 × 2) pair contained in the product of these numbers. It follows that the units digit must be a zero. The only number with zero as the units digit is 87,178,291,200.
Answer: A
This is just one example, but hopefully, you can see that by a) recognizing what the question is asking and b) properly attacking the question, your propensity to make a silly mistake greatly decreases.
Lastly, you may find it helpful to read the following article:
Improving Your Accuracy on the GMAT
Regarding careless errors, the reality is that there are a multitude of possible reasons, from not reading carefully to writing sloppily to making mental math mistakes. It’s also entirely possible that your careless errors are due, in some part, to a relative lack of GMAT quant knowledge in certain areas. After all, on any GMAT, you must answer difficult and convoluted math questions in a timed and pressure-filled environment, so if you don’t know GMAT quant like the back of your hand, careless errors are likely, right? Take the following example:
14! is equal to which of the following?
(A) 87,178,291,200
(B) 88,180,293,207
(C) 89,181,294,209
(D) 90,000,000,003
(E) 91,114,114,114
Upon seeing this question, what is the first thing that comes to mind? Grabbing a calculator to add up the values in the expression? If you are able to quickly recognize that using the “5 x 2 pair rule” will allow you to efficiently attack the problem (see the solution below), the question becomes very basic, and you can avoid having to perform tedious calculations that are likely to result in a silly mistake.
Solution:
Notice that there is at least one (5 × 2) pair contained in the product of these numbers. It follows that the units digit must be a zero. The only number with zero as the units digit is 87,178,291,200.
Answer: A
This is just one example, but hopefully, you can see that by a) recognizing what the question is asking and b) properly attacking the question, your propensity to make a silly mistake greatly decreases.
Lastly, you may find it helpful to read the following article:
Improving Your Accuracy on the GMAT
16 Sep 2020, 21:30
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Bookmarks
Hi Navski,
Most silly/little mistakes can be traced back to a lack of proper, organized note-taking. Doing work "in your head" is the WORST way to approach any GMAT question - and every time you decide to not write something down, you greatly increase the chances of making the types of little mistakes that you've noted.
In the second example that you noted (re: miscalculating 90 x 1.5), the idea that you could take 90 and 'half of 90' is a smart idea - so I think that you probably have the content knowledge that you need to score higher. What did you ACTUALLY write on your pad at this point in the process though (and what parts did you choose not to write down?)?
If you're going to use that idea, then you should be writing...
(90)(1.5) =
90 + (1/2)(90) = .... and you shouldn't be doing ANY of this math 'in your head' either; you should write 90/2 = 45 on your pad
90 + 45 =
135
Based on your prior Quant Scaled Scores, I don't think that you're consistently doing that work. You do NOT need to be a 'fast' reader or 'fast calculator' on Test Day to score a lot higher, but you do NOT have time to read questions over-and-over and you do NOT have time to risk on doing work without notes (especially when you have to go back and 'start over' when your answer is not among the 5 choices). This might all stem from some earlier 'bad habits' that you developed when you first started studying for the GMAT, so depending on your Score Goal, you might need to restart your studies with an emphasis on consistent note-taking AND using Tactics that will make the overall task of answering questions easier.
1) What is your current Score Goal?
2) When are you planning to take the GMAT?
3) When did you last take a practice CAT/mock and how did you Score?
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
Most silly/little mistakes can be traced back to a lack of proper, organized note-taking. Doing work "in your head" is the WORST way to approach any GMAT question - and every time you decide to not write something down, you greatly increase the chances of making the types of little mistakes that you've noted.
In the second example that you noted (re: miscalculating 90 x 1.5), the idea that you could take 90 and 'half of 90' is a smart idea - so I think that you probably have the content knowledge that you need to score higher. What did you ACTUALLY write on your pad at this point in the process though (and what parts did you choose not to write down?)?
If you're going to use that idea, then you should be writing...
(90)(1.5) =
90 + (1/2)(90) = .... and you shouldn't be doing ANY of this math 'in your head' either; you should write 90/2 = 45 on your pad
90 + 45 =
135
Based on your prior Quant Scaled Scores, I don't think that you're consistently doing that work. You do NOT need to be a 'fast' reader or 'fast calculator' on Test Day to score a lot higher, but you do NOT have time to read questions over-and-over and you do NOT have time to risk on doing work without notes (especially when you have to go back and 'start over' when your answer is not among the 5 choices). This might all stem from some earlier 'bad habits' that you developed when you first started studying for the GMAT, so depending on your Score Goal, you might need to restart your studies with an emphasis on consistent note-taking AND using Tactics that will make the overall task of answering questions easier.
1) What is your current Score Goal?
2) When are you planning to take the GMAT?
3) When did you last take a practice CAT/mock and how did you Score?
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
17 Sep 2020, 02:59
Kudos
Bookmarks
Thanks for sharing that article ScottTargetTestPrep I found it very helpful. I don't think my errors are due to a relative lack of GMAT quant knowledge in certain areas but more an uncomfortableness around certain topics. I have a consistent solution path for most problem types but getting my speed between 2-3 minutes is the challenge. Sometimes that leads me to try problems a quicker way where I am doing less work on the pad. I know that is an area I can clearly improve on but maybe even on concepts I tackle quickly I should write out all the math i.e 3^3 = 3x3x3 = 27.
For the specific problem you mentioned, I noticed that all the answers had different last digits so I only had to focus on what the unit digit of the multiplication would be. If I tried solving this problem I would most likely first write out the digits where I would have noticed a 10 & 5x2.
EMPOWERgmatRichC You're right I think I definitely need to get better at writing more on the pad but also get better at slowing down the simple calculations, because even if I write them on paper i.e 3^3, I still end up doing that last piece in my head.
Also to answer your questions
1) What is your current Score Goal?
I don't have a specific score, I just really want my abilities to show through on test day and improve as much as I can before my next exam.
2) When are you planning to take the GMAT?
I am planning to give one final go in 4-5 weeks.
3.) When did you last take a practice CAT/mock and how did you Score?
Following Mocks are in the Order I took them, most recent being last. (Between June 2020 - Sep 2020)
EGMAT SIGMA-X 1 : 670 Q46 v35
EGMAT SIGMA-X 2 : 570 Q38 v30
EGMAT SIGMA-X3 : 600 Q40 v30
MBA.COM 6 (Take 2 previous take Dec 2019): 680 Q44 v40
MBA.COM 5 (Take 2 previous take Nov 2019): 690 Q47 v38
GMAT Online Sep 10: 640 Q41 v37
For the specific problem you mentioned, I noticed that all the answers had different last digits so I only had to focus on what the unit digit of the multiplication would be. If I tried solving this problem I would most likely first write out the digits where I would have noticed a 10 & 5x2.
EMPOWERgmatRichC You're right I think I definitely need to get better at writing more on the pad but also get better at slowing down the simple calculations, because even if I write them on paper i.e 3^3, I still end up doing that last piece in my head.
Also to answer your questions
1) What is your current Score Goal?
I don't have a specific score, I just really want my abilities to show through on test day and improve as much as I can before my next exam.
2) When are you planning to take the GMAT?
I am planning to give one final go in 4-5 weeks.
3.) When did you last take a practice CAT/mock and how did you Score?
Following Mocks are in the Order I took them, most recent being last. (Between June 2020 - Sep 2020)
EGMAT SIGMA-X 1 : 670 Q46 v35
EGMAT SIGMA-X 2 : 570 Q38 v30
EGMAT SIGMA-X3 : 600 Q40 v30
MBA.COM 6 (Take 2 previous take Dec 2019): 680 Q44 v40
MBA.COM 5 (Take 2 previous take Nov 2019): 690 Q47 v38
GMAT Online Sep 10: 640 Q41 v37
