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Since the question is asking for an approximate percentage

3:45+2:55 ~ 7 hours

% of day = 7*100/24 ~ 7*100/25= 28%

Answer is D.

If you had 27 and 29 as options you would probably need to do more accurate calculations. In this particular case while approximating values we increase both numerator and denominator so our calculations should be close
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Although I did it the way buffdaddy mentioned, I think the method that Travel09 mentioned would be the fastest.
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GGUY
I discovered that doing the math is a time consuming effort, reflecting on my overall speed in the test. Attached a Q from GMAT Paper Test 48, a very simple one.
Anyway, I'd appreciate a method to do the arithmetics quickly.

The sum of 3 hours 45 minutes and 2 hours 55
minutes is approximately what percent of a day?

(A) 14%
(B) 16%
(C) 24%
(D) 28%
(E) 72%

OA will follow.

5 hrs and 55+45 minutes 6 hrs and 40 mintues --> 6 2/3 hr/24 --> 6/24 --> 1/4 so u know its going to be greater than 25%. Therfore only answer is D.

Or u can do 20/3/24 --> 20/72 -> 10/36 --> 5/18 ~28%.
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GGUY
I discovered that doing the math is a time consuming effort, reflecting on my overall speed in the test. Attached a Q from GMAT Paper Test 48, a very simple one.
Anyway, I'd appreciate a method to do the arithmetics quickly.

The sum of 3 hours 45 minutes and 2 hours 55
minutes is approximately what percent of a day?

(A) 14%
(B) 16%
(C) 24%
(D) 28%
(E) 72%

OA will follow.

put everithing in minutes: 400/1440 equals 3 hours 45 minutes plus 2 hours 55. divide per 24*60 mins a day. therefore, simplify and obtain 250/9 which is somewhat less than 28.
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GGUY
I discovered that doing the math is a time consuming effort, reflecting on my overall speed in the test. Attached a Q from GMAT Paper Test 48, a very simple one.
Anyway, I'd appreciate a method to do the arithmetics quickly.

The sum of 3 hours 45 minutes and 2 hours 55
minutes is approximately what percent of a day?

(A) 14%
(B) 16%
(C) 24%
(D) 28%
(E) 72%

OA will follow.

Call 2 hours 55 minutes 3 hours. and round 3 hours 45 minutes down to 3 hours. Add them up and you get 6 hours. 24/6 = 1/4 but we rounded out 40 minutes, so the answer will be slightly higher than 25%. D is the only one that fits the bill. All in your head in a few seconds
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eschn3am
Call 2 hours 55 minutes 3 hours. and round 3 hours 45 minutes down to 3 hours. Add them up and you get 6 hours. 24/6 = 1/4 but we rounded out 40 minutes, so the answer will be slightly higher than 25%. D is the only one that fits the bill. All in your head in a few seconds
eschn3am, thanks. does that mean you look at the answers before you solve?
Travel09
Since the question is asking for an approximate percentage

3:45+2:55 ~ 7 hours

% of day = 7*100/24 ~ 7*100/25= 28%

Answer is D.

If you had 27 and 29 as options you would probably need to do more accurate calculations. In this particular case while approximating values we increase both numerator and denominator so our calculations should be close
I chose this one for me.

thanks all, each one got a kodus for his\hers efforts :lol:
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I actually run it through like this to get a ballpark number right off the bat. Then I look at the numbers. If there's only one possible answer that works I choose it and go on. If the answers are more detailed (which rarely happens with these types of problem) I'll go back and try a more mathematical approach.
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3H 45M and 2H 55M

adds up to 6H 40M


6H /24H = 25%

so our answer should be little over 25%

28% is the best fit for this question.
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Add the two times to get 6 hours and 40 mins. 40 mins is 2/3 of an hour. 6.67/24 is the answer. 6*4=24 so 6.67/24 is a little more than 25%.

D is the only answer that is a little more than 25%
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Sum is 6 hours 40 minutes: 6 * 60 + 40 = 400 minutes

In 1 day: 24 hours = 24 * 60 minutes

Percent: \(\frac{400 }{ 24} * 60 * 100 = 28%\)

Answer D
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Sum is 6 hours 40 minutes: 6 * 60 + 40 = 400 minutes

In 1 day: 24 hours = 24 * 60 minutes

Percent: \(\frac{400 }{ 24} * 60 * 100 = 28%\)

Answer D
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eschn3am
GGUY
I discovered that doing the math is a time consuming effort, reflecting on my overall speed in the test. Attached a Q from GMAT Paper Test 48, a very simple one.
Anyway, I'd appreciate a method to do the arithmetics quickly.

The sum of 3 hours 45 minutes and 2 hours 55
minutes is approximately what percent of a day?

(A) 14%
(B) 16%
(C) 24%
(D) 28%
(E) 72%

OA will follow.

Call 2 hours 55 minutes 3 hours. and round 3 hours 45 minutes down to 3 hours. Add them up and you get 6 hours. 24/6 = 1/4 but we rounded out 40 minutes, so the answer will be slightly higher than 25%. D is the only one that fits the bill. All in your head in a few seconds

Yes, perfect solution. It's an important timesaving habit to use the answer choices to your advantage. When we notice that the question says "approximately", rounding and estimation are especially useful.
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