M47-107

Question

Elena, Marco, and Sofia each had one folder to copy to an external drive that was nearly full. From the sizes of the three folders, they knew that before any space was cleared, Sofia’s folder and exactly one of the other two folders could be copied to the drive, while the remaining folder would have to wait. Which folder could be copied along with Sofia’s folder before any space was cleared?

(1) Marco’s folder was smaller than Elena’s folder.

(2) After Sofia’s folder was copied, the remaining free space would be less than the size of Elena’s folder.

Show Answer

Official Answer

D

(1) Marco’s folder was smaller than Elena’s folder.
 
(2) After Sofia’s folder was copied, the remaining free space would be less than the size of Elena’s folder.

Bunuel · Answer

Official Solution:

Elena, Marco, and Sofia each had one folder to copy to an external drive that was nearly full. From the sizes of the three folders, they knew that before any space was cleared, Sofia’s folder and exactly one of the other two folders could be copied to the drive, while the remaining folder would have to wait. Which folder could be copied along with Sofia’s folder before any space was cleared? 
 
Only one of these two possibilities can work:
 
Sofia + Elena
 
Sofia + Marco
 
We need to determine which one.
 
(1) Marco’s folder was smaller than Elena’s folder.
 
Suppose Sofia’s folder could be copied with Elena’s folder. Then Sofia’s folder could also be copied with Marco’s folder, because Marco’s folder is smaller. But the stem says only one of those two pairings is possible. So Sofia’s folder cannot be copied with Elena’s folder. Therefore, Sofia’s folder must be copied with Marco’s folder. Sufficient.
 
(2) After Sofia’s folder was copied, the remaining free space would be less than the size of Elena’s folder.
 
That means Elena’s folder could not be copied after Sofia’s folder. Since one of the two folders can be copied with Sofia’s folder, it must be Marco’s folder. Sufficient.
 
Answer: D

ayushgee · Answer

It says, "Sofia’s folder and exactly one of the other two folders could be copied to the drive, while the remaining folder would have to wait."

This could mean that after Sophia's folder, only one of the 2 folders could be copied and they could be either one.

Considering (1) "Marco’s folder was smaller than Elena’s folder"
- We can say that the space is sufficient for Elena's folder but after that no space for Marco
and also,
- the space is sufficient for Marco's folder but after that no space for Elena
We are maintaining the conditions stated in the stimulus that exactly one of the other two folders could be copied to the drive.

If this is the case, the answer should be B.

Bunuel · Answer

That is  not  what the stem says. It says Sofia’s folder and   exactly  one of the other two folders could be copied , meaning only one of the two pairings, Sofia + Elena or Sofia + Marco, is possible.

So if Marco < Elena and Sofia + Elena fits, then Sofia + Marco must also fit, which would make both pairings possible and contradict the stem. Therefore, Sofia must be paired with Marco.

TrackPoint · Answer

I did not quite understand the question. Sofia + one other folder can fit, but it does not necessarily mean exactly one of Marco or Elena can fit.

Bunuel · Answer

The key word is  “exactly.”  The stem says Sofia’s folder and  exactly one of the other two folders could be copied , meaning only one of Marco or Elena can fit along with Sofia. If both pairings were possible, then it would not be true that exactly one of the other two could be copied.

annv09 · Answer

I like the solution - it’s helpful.

M47-107

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards