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Next semester, Professors A and B will each teach two of the four nono 09 May 2024, 11:16
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Gives least PI: 8:00 and 10:00 Gives greatest PI: 9:00 and 11:00
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­Next semester, Professors A and B will each teach two of the four nonoverlapping sections of Econ 107, with no section taught by both professors. The sections will begin at 8:00, 9:00, 10:00, and 11:00. At their department chair's request, Professors A and B ranked their preferences for these sections on a 1 (greatest) to 4 (least) scale. For the beginning times 8:00, 9:00, 10:00, and 11:00, the rankings for Professor A were, respectively, 1, 2, 3, and 4, and the rankings for Professor B were, respectively, 4, 1, 3, and 2. For each teaching assignment of Econ 107, the department chair computed the preference index (PI)-the sum of all 4 rankings associated with that teaching assignment. For example, if Professor A teaches Econ 107 at 9:00 and 10:00 (and thus Professor B teaches Econ 107 at 8:00 and 11:00), then the PI would be (2+3) + (4+2) = 11.

Based on the information provided, select for Gives least Pl a choice of sections for Professor A to teach such that the associated PI is least, and select for Gives greatest PI a choice of sections for Professor A to teach such that the associated PI is greatest. Make only two selections, one in each column.
Gives least PI Gives greatest PI
8:00 and 9:00
8:00 and 10:00
8:00 and 11:00
9:00 and 10:00
9:00 and 11:00
10:00 and 11:00
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Gives least PI: 8:00 and 10:00 Gives greatest PI: 9:00 and 11:00
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Next semester, Professors A and B will each teach two of the four nono 09 May 2024, 19:14
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Swagatalaxmi
­Next semester, Professors A and B will each teach two of the four nonoverlapping sections of Econ 107, with no section taught by both professors. The sections will begin at 8:00, 9:00, 10:00, and 11:00. At their department chair's request, Professors A and B ranked their preferences for these sections on a 1 (greatest) to 4 (least) scale. For the beginning times 8:00, 9:00, 10:00, and 11:00, the rankings for Professor A were, respectively, 1, 2, 3, and 4, and the rankings for Professor B were, respectively, 4, 1, 3, and 2. For each teaching assignment of Econ 107, the department chair computed the preference index (PI)-the sum of all 4 rankings associated with that teaching assignment. For example, if Professor A teaches Econ 107 at 9:00 and 10:00 (and thus Professor B teaches Econ 107 at 8:00 and 11:00), then the PI would be (2+3) + (4+2) = 11.

Based on the information provided, select for Gives least Pl a choice of sections for Professor A to teach such that the associated PI is least, and select for Gives greatest PI a choice of sections for Professor A to teach such that the associated PI is greatest. Make only two selections, one in each column.
Show more

Least PI would be when we are able to take the least possible rankings for both, so we should try and contain 1 and 2 for each if possible.
The rankings are:
1,2,3,4
4,1,3,2
We can choose only one of the two in each column.
Let us pick 1,2 for professor A, then left for B are 3 and 2….Total 1+2+3+2 or 8
Let us pick 1,2 for professor B, then left for A are 1 and 3….Total 1+2+1+3 or 7
So answer is 1 and 3 for A or 8:00 and 10:00

Greatest PI would be when we are able to take the max possible rankings for both, so we should try and contain 3 and 4 for each if possible.
The rankings are:
1,2,3,4
4,1,3,2
We can choose only one of the two in each column.
Let us pick 3,4 for professor A, then left for B are 4 and 1….Total 12
Let us pick 3,4for professor B, then left for A are 2 and 4….Total 13
So answer is 2 and 4 for A or 9:00 and 11:00

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Next semester, Professors A and B will each teach two of the four nono 23 May 2024, 16:28
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The timings :-

8 9 10 11
1 2 3 4          Ranking based on preference
4 1 3 2

For the least , try with (1,2) and then (1,3) and then (1,4). Check the corresponding values , add and compare.

For the greatest , try with (4,3) and then (4,2) and then (4,1). Check the corresponding values , add and compare.­
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Next semester, Professors A and B will each teach two of the four nono 26 Jun 2024, 01:00
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chetan2u KarishmaB MartyTargetTestPrep GMATNinja Bunuel How do we solve such Qs under 2 min? It took me a total of 4 min to get the correct answer!

2 min for reading the passage & comprehending it
and 2 min for substituting various options­
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Next semester, Professors A and B will each teach two of the four nono 26 Jun 2024, 02:45
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Swagatalaxmi
­Next semester, Professors A and B will each teach two of the four nonoverlapping sections of Econ 107, with no section taught by both professors. The sections will begin at 8:00, 9:00, 10:00, and 11:00. At their department chair's request, Professors A and B ranked their preferences for these sections on a 1 (greatest) to 4 (least) scale. For the beginning times 8:00, 9:00, 10:00, and 11:00, the rankings for Professor A were, respectively, 1, 2, 3, and 4, and the rankings for Professor B were, respectively, 4, 1, 3, and 2. For each teaching assignment of Econ 107, the department chair computed the preference index (PI)-the sum of all 4 rankings associated with that teaching assignment. For example, if Professor A teaches Econ 107 at 9:00 and 10:00 (and thus Professor B teaches Econ 107 at 8:00 and 11:00), then the PI would be (2+3) + (4+2) = 11.

Based on the information provided, select for Gives least Pl a choice of sections for Professor A to teach such that the associated PI is least, and select for Gives greatest PI a choice of sections for Professor A to teach such that the associated PI is greatest. Make only two selections, one in each column.
Show more
­
I strongly advise against using option in two part analysis until and unless you are stuck. There are too many to try.

Key points:

For the beginning times 8:00, 9:00, 10:00, and 11:00,
the rankings for Professor A were, respectively, 1, 2, 3, and 4, 
the rankings for Professor B were, respectively, 4, 1, 3, and 2.

Calculation of PI: if Professor A teaches Econ 107 at 9:00 and 10:00 (and thus Professor B teaches Econ 107 at 8:00 and 11:00), then the PI would be (2+3) + (4+2) = 11.

The minimum PI will be 6 (1 + 2 + 1 + 2) such that both get their top 2 choices. But that is not possible because both have 9:00 am in their top 2 choices. 
Next best would be 7 and that works A (1, 3) and B (1, 2)
ANSWER: So A gets 8:00 am and 10:00 am

The maximum PI would be (4 + 3 + 4 + 3) = 14. But this is not possible because both 3s are at 10:00 am. 
Next would be 13 if we select 2 for one of them which works A (2, 4) and B(4, 3)
ANSWER: So A gets 9:00 am and 11:00 am

Here is a discussion on Two Part Analysis: https://youtu.be/O-iV8Vv4svY
 ­
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Next semester, Professors A and B will each teach two of the four nono 02 Jul 2024, 01:38
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KarishmaB

Swagatalaxmi
­Next semester, Professors A and B will each teach two of the four nonoverlapping sections of Econ 107, with no section taught by both professors. The sections will begin at 8:00, 9:00, 10:00, and 11:00. At their department chair's request, Professors A and B ranked their preferences for these sections on a 1 (greatest) to 4 (least) scale. For the beginning times 8:00, 9:00, 10:00, and 11:00, the rankings for Professor A were, respectively, 1, 2, 3, and 4, and the rankings for Professor B were, respectively, 4, 1, 3, and 2. For each teaching assignment of Econ 107, the department chair computed the preference index (PI)-the sum of all 4 rankings associated with that teaching assignment. For example, if Professor A teaches Econ 107 at 9:00 and 10:00 (and thus Professor B teaches Econ 107 at 8:00 and 11:00), then the PI would be (2+3) + (4+2) = 11.

Based on the information provided, select for Gives least Pl a choice of sections for Professor A to teach such that the associated PI is least, and select for Gives greatest PI a choice of sections for Professor A to teach such that the associated PI is greatest. Make only two selections, one in each column.
­
I strongly advise against using option in two part analysis until and unless you are stuck. There are too many to try.

Key points:

For the beginning times 8:00, 9:00, 10:00, and 11:00,
the rankings for Professor A were, respectively, 1, 2, 3, and 4, 
the rankings for Professor B were, respectively, 4, 1, 3, and 2.

Calculation of PI: if Professor A teaches Econ 107 at 9:00 and 10:00 (and thus Professor B teaches Econ 107 at 8:00 and 11:00), then the PI would be (2+3) + (4+2) = 11.

The minimum PI will be 6 (1 + 2 + 1 + 2) such that both get their top 2 choices. But that is not possible because both have 9:00 am in their top 2 choices. 
Next best would be 7 and that works A (1, 3) and B (1, 2)
ANSWER: So A gets 8:00 am and 10:00 am

The maximum PI would be (4 + 3 + 4 + 3) = 14. But this is not possible because both 3s are at 10:00 am. 
Next would be 13 if we select 2 for one of them which works A (2, 4) and B(4, 3)
ANSWER: So A gets 9:00 am and 11:00 am

Here is a discussion on Two Part Analysis: https://youtu.be/O-iV8Vv4svY
 ­
Show more
­
chetan2u and KarishmaB - I find this question to be flawed because of the language, the Q stem states that least PI is when it is highest in absolute value and greatest PI is when it is least in absolute value. If we have to get the 'least' PI it means the highest abs. value i.e., 8 and 10am for the Professor A and vice versa. When I was solving this Q it was not tough but I chose reverse options because of this nuanced understanding, there is so much of word play in the GMAT universe, so I wanted to make sure I think through what I select. 

Given such sort of Qs I am really confused, should we read into the finer details on GMAT FE Qs or just use common sense / logic i.e., least means lowest absolute value and greatest means highest absolute value. 

MartyMurray and GMATNinja it would be great to understand your take on this too! Thanks a lot in advance to you all. 
 ­
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Next semester, Professors A and B will each teach two of the four nono 02 Jul 2024, 01:59
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Purple_Wizard

KarishmaB

Swagatalaxmi
­Next semester, Professors A and B will each teach two of the four nonoverlapping sections of Econ 107, with no section taught by both professors. The sections will begin at 8:00, 9:00, 10:00, and 11:00. At their department chair's request, Professors A and B ranked their preferences for these sections on a 1 (greatest) to 4 (least) scale. For the beginning times 8:00, 9:00, 10:00, and 11:00, the rankings for Professor A were, respectively, 1, 2, 3, and 4, and the rankings for Professor B were, respectively, 4, 1, 3, and 2. For each teaching assignment of Econ 107, the department chair computed the preference index (PI)-the sum of all 4 rankings associated with that teaching assignment. For example, if Professor A teaches Econ 107 at 9:00 and 10:00 (and thus Professor B teaches Econ 107 at 8:00 and 11:00), then the PI would be (2+3) + (4+2) = 11.

Based on the information provided, select for Gives least Pl a choice of sections for Professor A to teach such that the associated PI is least, and select for Gives greatest PI a choice of sections for Professor A to teach such that the associated PI is greatest. Make only two selections, one in each column.
­
I strongly advise against using option in two part analysis until and unless you are stuck. There are too many to try.

Key points:

For the beginning times 8:00, 9:00, 10:00, and 11:00,
the rankings for Professor A were, respectively, 1, 2, 3, and 4, 
the rankings for Professor B were, respectively, 4, 1, 3, and 2.

Calculation of PI: if Professor A teaches Econ 107 at 9:00 and 10:00 (and thus Professor B teaches Econ 107 at 8:00 and 11:00), then the PI would be (2+3) + (4+2) = 11.

The minimum PI will be 6 (1 + 2 + 1 + 2) such that both get their top 2 choices. But that is not possible because both have 9:00 am in their top 2 choices. 
Next best would be 7 and that works A (1, 3) and B (1, 2)
ANSWER: So A gets 8:00 am and 10:00 am

The maximum PI would be (4 + 3 + 4 + 3) = 14. But this is not possible because both 3s are at 10:00 am. 
Next would be 13 if we select 2 for one of them which works A (2, 4) and B(4, 3)
ANSWER: So A gets 9:00 am and 11:00 am

Here is a discussion on Two Part Analysis: https://youtu.be/O-iV8Vv4svY
 ­
­
chetan2u and KarishmaB - I find this question to be flawed because of the language, the Q stem states that least PI is when it is highest in absolute value and greatest PI is when it is least in absolute value. If we have to get the 'least' PI it means the highest abs. value i.e., 8 and 10am for the Professor A and vice versa. When I was solving this Q it was not tough but I chose reverse options because of this nuanced understanding, there is so much of word play in the GMAT universe, so I wanted to make sure I think through what I select. 

Given such sort of Qs I am really confused, should we read into the finer details on GMAT FE Qs or just use common sense / logic i.e., least means lowest absolute value and greatest means highest absolute value. 

MartyMurray and GMATNinja it would be great to understand your take on this too! Thanks a lot in advance to you all. 
 ­
Show more
I understand where you are coming from, but ­I am quite comfortable with the language of the question and did not think twice about it till you mentioned. 

...  Professors A and B ranked their preferences for these sections on a 1 (greatest) to 4 (least) scale. ...For each teaching assignment of Econ 107, the department chair computed the preference index (PI) -the sum of all 4 rankings associated with that teaching assignment.
Based on the information provided, select for Gives least Pl a choice of sections for Professor A to teach such that the associated PI is least,

On the scale of preference, least = greatest value and that is how it has been defined. Every scale clarifies this. Say a scale of 1 to 10 for job performance has to clarify whether 1 is the best or 10. Both work equally well. 

But all we know about the preference index is that it is calculated by adding all rankings. Hence when I read "such that the associated PI is least", I read it as least value of the PI. They are not looking for the least preferred index value. They are looking for the lowest value of the index. 
Though, take heart from the fact that in official questions (during experimental stage), if they find many people making such a mistake, they will clarify. ­
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Next semester, Professors A and B will each teach two of the four nono 02 Jul 2024, 03:46
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chetan2u and KarishmaB - I find this question to be flawed because of the language, the Q stem states that least PI is when it is highest in absolute value and greatest PI is when it is least in absolute value. If we have to get the 'least' PI it means the highest abs. value i.e., 8 and 10am for the Professor A and vice versa. When I was solving this Q it was not tough but I chose reverse options because of this nuanced understanding, there is so much of word play in the GMAT universe, so I wanted to make sure I think through what I select. 

Given such sort of Qs I am really confused, should we read into the finer details on GMAT FE Qs or just use common sense / logic i.e., least means lowest absolute value and greatest means highest absolute value. 

MartyMurray and GMATNinja it would be great to understand your take on this too! Thanks a lot in advance to you all. 
 ­
I understand where you are coming from, but ­I am quite comfortable with the language of the question and did not think twice about it till you mentioned. 

...  Professors A and B ranked their preferences for these sections on a 1 (greatest) to 4 (least) scale. ...For each teaching assignment of Econ 107, the department chair computed the preference index (PI) -the sum of all 4 rankings associated with that teaching assignment.
Based on the information provided, select for Gives least Pl a choice of sections for Professor A to teach such that the associated PI is least,

On the scale of preference, least = greatest value and that is how it has been defined. Every scale clarifies this. Say a scale of 1 to 10 for job performance has to clarify whether 1 is the best or 10. Both work equally well. 

But all we know about the preference index is that it is calculated by adding all rankings. Hence when I read "such that the associated PI is least", I read it as least value of the PI. They are not looking for the least preferred index value. They are looking for the lowest value of the index. 
Though, take heart from the fact that in official questions (during experimental stage), if they find many people making such a mistake, they will clarify. ­
Show more
­Thanks a lot for your prompt response, KarishmaB! Your explanation is helpful, it makes sense when I think about scale being different from the index value. But given the time pressure on the exam day,  I hope I don't make any such mistakes. ­
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Next semester, Professors A and B will each teach two of the four nono 02 Jul 2024, 08:11
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Purple_Wizard

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chetan2u and KarishmaB - I find this question to be flawed because of the language, the Q stem states that least PI is when it is highest in absolute value and greatest PI is when it is least in absolute value. If we have to get the 'least' PI it means the highest abs. value i.e., 8 and 10am for the Professor A and vice versa. When I was solving this Q it was not tough but I chose reverse options because of this nuanced understanding, there is so much of word play in the GMAT universe, so I wanted to make sure I think through what I select. 

Given such sort of Qs I am really confused, should we read into the finer details on GMAT FE Qs or just use common sense / logic i.e., least means lowest absolute value and greatest means highest absolute value. 

MartyMurray and GMATNinja it would be great to understand your take on this too! Thanks a lot in advance to you all. 
 ­
I understand where you are coming from, but ­I am quite comfortable with the language of the question and did not think twice about it till you mentioned. 

...  Professors A and B ranked their preferences for these sections on a 1 (greatest) to 4 (least) scale. ...For each teaching assignment of Econ 107, the department chair computed the preference index (PI) -the sum of all 4 rankings associated with that teaching assignment.
Based on the information provided, select for Gives least Pl a choice of sections for Professor A to teach such that the associated PI is least,

On the scale of preference, least = greatest value and that is how it has been defined. Every scale clarifies this. Say a scale of 1 to 10 for job performance has to clarify whether 1 is the best or 10. Both work equally well. 

But all we know about the preference index is that it is calculated by adding all rankings. Hence when I read "such that the associated PI is least", I read it as least value of the PI. They are not looking for the least preferred index value. They are looking for the lowest value of the index. 
Though, take heart from the fact that in official questions (during experimental stage), if they find many people making such a mistake, they will clarify. ­
­Thanks a lot for your prompt response, KarishmaB! Your explanation is helpful, it makes sense when I think about scale being different from the index value. But given the time pressure on the exam day,  I hope I don't make any such mistakes. ­
Show more
­Just keep in mind that the questions likely will provide opportunities for you to reverse things said, and be careful not to put your own spin on the information provided.
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Next semester, Professors A and B will each teach two of the four nono 24 Jul 2025, 18:34
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