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Hello my GMAT friends,
I learned from Manhattan Prep that you can use the following strategy for smart numbers:
1. For "must be true questions", you need to be ready to try a few cases
2.) For variables in the choices, you need to choose simple values and plug into every answer choice
3.) When no real numbers are given, you can pick anything you want
4.) When the variable "disappears" and you didn't solve for it, pick based on the rules, and you only have to test one value (or set of values)
To clarify, for 2.) and 3.) do you need to test more than one case?
KarishmaB
I learned from Manhattan Prep that you can use the following strategy for smart numbers:
1. For "must be true questions", you need to be ready to try a few cases
2.) For variables in the choices, you need to choose simple values and plug into every answer choice
3.) When no real numbers are given, you can pick anything you want
4.) When the variable "disappears" and you didn't solve for it, pick based on the rules, and you only have to test one value (or set of values)
To clarify, for 2.) and 3.) do you need to test more than one case?
KarishmaB
12 Jun 2022, 20:59
Kudos
Bookmarks
woohoo921
Hello my GMAT friends,
I learned from Manhattan Prep that you can use the following strategy for smart numbers:
1. For "must be true questions", you need to be ready to try a few cases
2.) For variables in the choices, you need to choose simple values and plug into every answer choice
3.) When no real numbers are given, you can pick anything you want
4.) When the variable "disappears" and you didn't solve for it, pick based on the rules, and you only have to test one value (or set of values)
To clarify, for 2.) and 3.) do you need to test more than one case?
KarishmaB
I learned from Manhattan Prep that you can use the following strategy for smart numbers:
1. For "must be true questions", you need to be ready to try a few cases
2.) For variables in the choices, you need to choose simple values and plug into every answer choice
3.) When no real numbers are given, you can pick anything you want
4.) When the variable "disappears" and you didn't solve for it, pick based on the rules, and you only have to test one value (or set of values)
To clarify, for 2.) and 3.) do you need to test more than one case?
KarishmaB
For point 2, depends on the need. When you choose simple numbers to plug into answer choices (0 and 1 are my favourite) if more than one answer choices work out, you need to try another set of numbers to find which of those is the correct answer. You keep reducing the list of possible options till only one answer choice works.
I don't understand point 3. Do you mean when only ratios/percentages are given? We often assume the total to be an LCM or 100 etc. It all depends on the given question and it is very difficult to formulate guidelines for the varied cases possible.
24 Jun 2022, 10:10
Kudos
Bookmarks
woohoo921
Hello my GMAT friends,
I learned from Manhattan Prep that you can use the following strategy for smart numbers:
1. For "must be true questions", you need to be ready to try a few cases
2.) For variables in the choices, you need to choose simple values and plug into every answer choice
3.) When no real numbers are given, you can pick anything you want
4.) When the variable "disappears" and you didn't solve for it, pick based on the rules, and you only have to test one value (or set of values)
To clarify, for 2.) and 3.) do you need to test more than one case?
KarishmaB
I learned from Manhattan Prep that you can use the following strategy for smart numbers:
1. For "must be true questions", you need to be ready to try a few cases
2.) For variables in the choices, you need to choose simple values and plug into every answer choice
3.) When no real numbers are given, you can pick anything you want
4.) When the variable "disappears" and you didn't solve for it, pick based on the rules, and you only have to test one value (or set of values)
To clarify, for 2.) and 3.) do you need to test more than one case?
KarishmaB
If I'm understanding the questions, here.
For 2, you only need to pick another set of numbers if the numbers you chose work for two answer choices. Typically this only happens if you pick *really* easy numbers, typically 1, 0, or a perfect 50-50 split.
For VIC (variable in choice) questions, what you are essentially doing is picking values for the scenario, and saying, "If these are the values, the answer to the question is ____." So, you can plug in those values, and at least one of the choices must give you that answer. Occasionally, with certain numbers, the GMAT has two answer choices that give that answer.
For a simple example, 'if Jane can buy 3 items of price p with her Q dollars, what is p in terms of Q?'
If you say, 'okay let's say p = 1, then Q=3, so when I plug in 3 I should get 1.'
Well, the GMAT might put these answers here:
A). Q - 2
B). Q/3
When you plug in 3 for these, both of these answer choices get you '1.' What this means is you shouldn't pick 1. Instead, pick p=2. Then Q = 6. So when you plug in 6 you should get 2. That only works with answer B, here.
So long as you avoid 0, 1, and perfect 50-50 splits, it's very unlikely you'll need to test a second case.
For your second question, about scenario 3, no, you do not need to pick a second round of numbers. If you pick numbers that fit the percentages/fractions/ratios/proportions given, the answer will be the same, every time.
