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DOUBLE POST, SEE BELOW
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A jewel necklace contains only emeralds, rubies, and diamonds. If the ratio of emeralds to diamonds is 2:7 and the ratio of diamonds to rubies is 3:2, then which of the following could not be the number of jewels on the necklace?

(A) 41

(B) 81

(C) 82

(D) 123

(E) 205
Emeralds : Diamonds = 2:7 and
Diamonds : Rubies = 3:2

Before you can figure out how many total jewels might be on a necklace, you have to know the relationship among emeralds and diamonds and rubies.

But because the ratio number for diamonds doesn't match, you can't figure out that relationship until you make a common term.

The method is derivable, but maybe just writing it out will help.

There are two ratios that share a common element , diamonds. To find the combined relationship, find the equivalent of the least common multiple.

That is, figure out how to make diamonds equal in both ratios, and then you can combine ratios .

1. Write the ratios as you have them, putting the element they have in common in the middle

|__E__|__D__|__R__|
|__2__|__7__|-------|
|-------|__3__|__2__|

2. You need the Ds (diamonds) to be equal. Take the LCM of 3 and 7 = 21.

3. Then multiply each row by the number that will get you to D = 21: multiply both parts of the first row by 3, and both parts of the second row by 7

|__E__|__D__|__R__|---------------->|__E__|__D__|__R__|
|__2__|__7__|-------| ---- x 3------->|__6__|__21__|--------|
|-------|__3__|__2__| ---- x 7------->|--------|__21__|__14__|

The right hand chart shows the combined ratio where E: D: R = 6x: 21x: 14x

Total parts of combined ratio: 6x + 21x + 14x = 41x

So the answer has to be a multiple of 41.

81 is not a multiple of 41.

Answer B

P.S. If you're on a phone, turn it to landscape. Then the charts will line up. (Wow is it hard to make charts . . . .)
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Let the emeralds in the necklace be represented by E,
the rubies in the necklace be represented by R and diamonds in the necklace by D.
Therefore,
E:D = 2x:7x
D:R = 3x:2x

Since we need to find a common ratio, we need to multiply the emerald, diamond ratio by a factor of 3 and the diamond, ruby ratio by a factor of 7.
E:D also equals 6x : 21x and D:R equals 21x : 14x
Hence, the common ratio is 6x : 21x : 14x.

Therefore, the total number of jewels in the necklace is a mutliple of 41(6x + 21x +14x = 41x)
Of the answer options(Only B, 81) is not a multiple of 41 and is our answer.
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Deconstructing the Question

Given:
E : D = 2 : 7
D : R = 3 : 2

Match the common term (diamonds).

Step-by-step

LCM of 7 and 3 is 21.

Multiply first ratio by 3:
\(E:"D"= 6:21\)

Multiply second ratio by 7:
\(D:R = 21:14\)

So:
\(E:"D":R = 6:21:14\)

Total parts:
\(6+21+14=41\)

Total jewels must be a multiple of \(41\).

Check options:
\(41, 82, 123, 205\) are multiples
\(81\) is not

Answer: B (81)
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