Last visit was: 23 Apr 2024, 16:25 It is currently 23 Apr 2024, 16:25

Close
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel
SORT BY:
Kudos
User avatar
Intern
Intern
Joined: 16 Oct 2013
Status:Aiming for 750+
Posts: 21
Own Kudos [?]: 154 [110]
Given Kudos: 15
GMAT Date: 05-05-2014
Send PM
Most Helpful Reply
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Posts: 92883
Own Kudos [?]: 618586 [26]
Given Kudos: 81563
Send PM
General Discussion
Current Student
Joined: 17 Jun 2016
Posts: 474
Own Kudos [?]: 946 [5]
Given Kudos: 206
Location: India
GMAT 1: 720 Q49 V39
GMAT 2: 710 Q50 V37
GPA: 3.65
WE:Engineering (Energy and Utilities)
Send PM
GMAT Club Legend
GMAT Club Legend
Joined: 12 Sep 2015
Posts: 6821
Own Kudos [?]: 29893 [2]
Given Kudos: 799
Location: Canada
Send PM
Re: Three people took GMAT practice tests in which the minimum a [#permalink]
2
Kudos
Expert Reply
Top Contributor
flower07 wrote:
Three people took GMAT practice tests in which the minimum and maximum possible scores are 200 and 800, respectively. They each took a test 5 times, and no one scored below 500 or over 750. If the individual ranges of the three people's scores in those 5 practice tests were 50, 80 and 120, what is the difference between the maximum and minimum possible ranges of all their scores put together.

A. 50
B. 70
C. 80
D. 120
E. 130

Let's call the students A, B and C

SMALLEST RANGE
The smallest range occurs when there is complete overlap of scores.
For example let's say that:
- Student A's scores range from 500 to 550 (range of 50)
- Student B's scores range from 500 to 580 (range of 80)
- Student C's scores range from 500 to 620 (range of 120)
So, when we combine scores of all three students, the 15 scores range from 500 to 620.
Here, the range = 620 - 500 = 120


GREATEST RANGE
The smallest range occurs when there is zero overlap of scores.
For example let's say that:
- Student A's scores range from 500 to 550 (range of 50)
- Student B's scores range from 550 to 630 (range of 80)
- Student C's scores range from 630 to 750 (range of 120)
So, when we combine scores of all three students, the 15 scores range from 500 to 750.
Here, the range = 750 - 500 = 250

The difference between the maximum and minimum possible ranges = 250 - 120 = 130

Answer: E
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Posts: 92883
Own Kudos [?]: 618586 [1]
Given Kudos: 81563
Send PM
Re: Three people took GMAT practice tests in which the minimum a [#permalink]
1
Kudos
Expert Reply
flower07 wrote:
Hi,

Thank you! I understand the 1st paragraph. I have a question in the second paragraph, please.

You said right away that "This is also given: since the individual range of the third student was 120, then the range of all the scores put together cannot possibly be less than that. "

Unless we pick numbers and calculate (like how you did in the paragraph below that statement), how can we say that 120 is the minimum range? or we can conclude 120 is the minimum score only after working it out using the numbers picked?

Thank you!


For this particular problem we don't need to calculate. Ask yourself how can the overall range be less than any of the individual ranges?
User avatar
Intern
Intern
Joined: 16 Oct 2013
Status:Aiming for 750+
Posts: 21
Own Kudos [?]: 154 [0]
Given Kudos: 15
GMAT Date: 05-05-2014
Send PM
Re: Three people took GMAT practice tests in which the minimum a [#permalink]
I was successful in understanding this far...

There are three test takers. Each taken the test 5 times. So, there are 15 tests. Ranges for all 3 testers is given : 50, 80 and 120. This means the MAX score - MIN score of all the 5 tests each test takers has taken is 50, 80 and 120 respectively.

What we need to find out is the range of all 15 tests. So, we need the min value and max value of all 15 tests taken by the 3 testers. Is my understanding correct?

Also please explain step by step how to approach this problem. Though I understand the question, I cannot think of any concept to how I can resolve this. Im stumped! :x
User avatar
Intern
Intern
Joined: 16 Oct 2013
Status:Aiming for 750+
Posts: 21
Own Kudos [?]: 154 [0]
Given Kudos: 15
GMAT Date: 05-05-2014
Send PM
Re: Three people took GMAT practice tests in which the minimum a [#permalink]
Hi,

Thank you! I understand the 1st paragraph. I have a question in the second paragraph, please.

You said right away that "This is also given: since the individual range of the third student was 120, then the range of all the scores put together cannot possibly be less than that. "

Unless we pick numbers and calculate (like how you did in the paragraph below that statement), how can we say that 120 is the minimum range? or we can conclude 120 is the minimum score only after working it out using the numbers picked?

Thank you!
Intern
Intern
Joined: 14 Jun 2020
Posts: 26
Own Kudos [?]: 17 [0]
Given Kudos: 7
Location: India
GPA: 3.51
Send PM
Re: Three people took GMAT practice tests in which the minimum a [#permalink]
The main clue has already been dropped when it is said that the range of marks is between 500-750.

The maximum range is 250.

The minimum range when the marks of two other students with lower ranges lie within the third larger range i.e. 120 which is the minimum range.

Hence, Option E.
User avatar
Non-Human User
Joined: 09 Sep 2013
Posts: 32628
Own Kudos [?]: 821 [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Send PM
Re: Three people took GMAT practice tests in which the minimum a [#permalink]
Hello from the GMAT Club BumpBot!

Thanks to another GMAT Club member, I have just discovered this valuable topic, yet it had no discussion for over a year. I am now bumping it up - doing my job. I think you may find it valuable (esp those replies with Kudos).

Want to see all other topics I dig out? Follow me (click follow button on profile). You will receive a summary of all topics I bump in your profile area as well as via email.
GMAT Club Bot
Re: Three people took GMAT practice tests in which the minimum a [#permalink]
Moderators:
Math Expert
92883 posts
Senior Moderator - Masters Forum
3137 posts

Powered by phpBB © phpBB Group | Emoji artwork provided by EmojiOne