The ratio of two quantities is 2 to 5. If each of the quantities is in

Question

The ratio of two quantities is 2 to 5. If each of the quantities is increased by 3, what is the ratio of these two new quantities?

A. 2/5
B. 5/8
C. 7/13
D. 22/25
E. It cannot be determined from the information given.

GMATinsight · Accepted Answer

Let's say first Quantity = 2a
then Second Quantity = 5a

After Increasing each quantity by 3
Revised first Quantity = 2a+3
Revised Second Quantity = 5a+3

New ratio = (2a+3) / (5a+3)

for, a=1, New Ratio = 5/8
for, a=2, New Ratio = 7/13
for, a=3, New Ratio = 9/18 = 1/2

Since the New ratios are distinct for distinct values of a therefore Answer Can't be determined

Answer: Option  E

tgmatcrack · Answer

Ans is E
As the ratio is given, the original quantities maybe anything like(2,5);(4,10);(8,20) and hence can't be determined

GMATinsight · Answer

Another input for the knowledge of readers

1) If a/b >1 and x is a positive number
then (a+x) / (b+x) < (a/b)

2) If a/b <1 and x is a positive number
then (a+x) / (b+x) > (a/b)

3) If a/b =1 and x is a positive number
then (a+x) / (b+x) = (a/b)

chetan2u · Answer

ans E..
 since the ratio are in the simplest form and does not give us the actual quantity, adding and subtracting same amount to numerator and denominator will change the ratio and will depend on the actual quantity..
however multiplication and division same amount to numerator and denominator will would ofcourse give same ratio..

PareshGmat · Answer

Answer = E. It cannot be determined from the information given.

New equation would come up as  \frac{2x+3}{5x+3}

Since x is unknown, Answer = E

Bunuel · Answer

VERITAS PREP OFFICIAL SOLUTION:

Correct Answer: E

Let x and y be the two quantities such that x/y = 2/5. There is no algebraic operation that can be used to increase x and y each by 3 and determine what happens to the ratio 2/5.

For example, if x = 2 and y = 5, then (x+3)/(y+3) = (2+3)/(5+3) = 5/8. However, if x = 4 and y = 10 (which would still set x/y = 2/5), then (x+3)/(y+3) = (4+3)/(10+3) = 7/13. The ratio of the two new quantities cannot be uniquely determined from the information given, and the correct answer is (E).

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

We can let 2x and 5x be the two original quantities. Therefore, the ratio of the two new quantities is (2x + 3) / (5x + 3). However, since x can be any (positive) value, there is no way we can determine the new ratio.

Answer: E

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The ratio of two quantities is 2 to 5. If each of the quantities is in

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