Last visit was: 26 Apr 2026, 07:09 It is currently 26 Apr 2026, 07:09
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
User avatar
Bunuel
User avatar
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Last visit: 26 Apr 2026
Posts: 109,837
Own Kudos:
811,373
 [7]
Given Kudos: 105,895
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 109,837
Kudos: 811,373
 [7]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
6
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
Navski
Joined: 27 Jan 2017
Last visit: 22 Feb 2025
Posts: 42
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 31
GMAT 1: 570 Q44 V24
GMAT 2: 550 Q36 V29
GMAT 3: 560 Q36 V31
GMAT 4: 640 Q41 V37
GMAT 5: 690 Q48 V36
Products:
GMAT 5: 690 Q48 V36
Posts: 42
Kudos: 15
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
avatar
SoulSurfer
Joined: 22 Apr 2015
Last visit: 16 Nov 2017
Posts: 23
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 62
WE:Business Development (Internet and New Media)
Products:
Posts: 23
Kudos: 34
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
Navski
Joined: 27 Jan 2017
Last visit: 22 Feb 2025
Posts: 42
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 31
GMAT 1: 570 Q44 V24
GMAT 2: 550 Q36 V29
GMAT 3: 560 Q36 V31
GMAT 4: 640 Q41 V37
GMAT 5: 690 Q48 V36
Products:
GMAT 5: 690 Q48 V36
Posts: 42
Kudos: 15
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
SoulSurfer
Please refer to the attached image.
As per this maximum 7 non overlapping regions are possible. Ans (c)

What defines a overlapping region ?
User avatar
generis
User avatar
Senior SC Moderator
Joined: 22 May 2016
Last visit: 18 Jun 2022
Posts: 5,258
Own Kudos:
37,730
 [1]
Given Kudos: 9,464
Expert
Expert reply
Posts: 5,258
Kudos: 37,730
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Bunuel
What is the maximum number of nonoverlapping regions into which 3 lines can divide the interior of a circle?

(A) 4
(B) 6
(C) 7
(D) 8
(E) 9
Attachment:
regionscirc.png
regionscirc.png [ 7.94 KiB | Viewed 15975 times ]
In the diagram, one line makes two regions in the circle. 1 line adds one more region to the region already there (1 + 1 =2).

Two lines add two more regions (to the 2 regions already there, 2 + 2 = 4)); 2 lines create 4 regions.

Three line add three more regions (to the 4 regions already there, 4 + 3 = 7); 3 lines create 7 regions.

The pattern: Each Lth line adds L regions to the number of regions that already existed:

Line (+ line) --- Regions

1 (+ 1st line = adds 1 more region, 1+ 1 = 2) --> 2 regions
2 (+ 2nd line = adds 2 more regions, 2 + 2 = 4) --> 4 regions
3 ( + 3rd line = adds 3 more regions, 4 + 3 + 7) --> 7 regions

I cannot figure out a way to make 8 regions with three lines; and given the pattern, I think it is not possible.

Answer C

Navski , when I drew what you described, I counted six regions.
User avatar
Navski
Joined: 27 Jan 2017
Last visit: 22 Feb 2025
Posts: 42
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 31
GMAT 1: 570 Q44 V24
GMAT 2: 550 Q36 V29
GMAT 3: 560 Q36 V31
GMAT 4: 640 Q41 V37
GMAT 5: 690 Q48 V36
Products:
GMAT 5: 690 Q48 V36
Posts: 42
Kudos: 15
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
genxer123
Bunuel
What is the maximum number of nonoverlapping regions into which 3 lines can divide the interior of a circle?

(A) 4
(B) 6
(C) 7
(D) 8
(E) 9
Attachment:
regionscirc.png
In the diagram, one line makes two regions in the circle. 1 line adds one more region to the region already there (1 + 1 =2).

Two lines add two more regions (to the 2 regions already there, 2 + 2 = 4)); 2 lines create 4 regions.

Three line add three more regions (to the 4 regions already there, 4 + 3 = 7); 3 lines create 7 regions.

The pattern: Each Lth line adds L regions to the number of regions that already existed:

Line (+ line) --- Regions

1 (+ 1st line = adds 1 more region, 1+ 1 = 2) --> 2 regions
2 (+ 2nd line = adds 2 more regions, 2 + 2 = 4) --> 4 regions
3 ( + 3rd line = adds 3 more regions, 4 + 3 + 7) --> 7 regions

I cannot figure out a way to make 8 regions with three lines; and given the pattern, I think it is not possible.

Answer C

Navski , when I drew what you described, I counted six regions.

Looked over it again and it's my fault. You were right, thought I saw 8 for some reason.
User avatar
ShahadatHJ
Joined: 14 Aug 2019
Last visit: 19 Apr 2026
Posts: 155
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 256
Location: Bangladesh
GPA: 3.41
Posts: 155
Kudos: 131
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
SoulSurfer
Please refer to the attached image.
As per this maximum 7 non overlapping regions are possible. Ans (c)
Why the third line cannot go through the center of the circle?
avatar
Jayshoot
Joined: 28 Oct 2019
Last visit: 11 Feb 2020
Posts: 9
Own Kudos:
23
 [1]
Given Kudos: 8
Posts: 9
Kudos: 23
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
ShahadatHJ
SoulSurfer
Please refer to the attached image.
As per this maximum 7 non overlapping regions are possible. Ans (c)
Why the third line cannot go through the center of the circle?

Because if it does, it would be 6 regions. We want to look for the maximum, so by not going through the middle, we created a 7th region.
User avatar
ShahadatHJ
Joined: 14 Aug 2019
Last visit: 19 Apr 2026
Posts: 155
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 256
Location: Bangladesh
GPA: 3.41
Posts: 155
Kudos: 131
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Jayshoot
ShahadatHJ
SoulSurfer
Please refer to the attached image.
As per this maximum 7 non overlapping regions are possible. Ans (c)
Why the third line cannot go through the center of the circle?

Because if it does, it would be 6 regions. We want to look for the maximum, so by not going through the middle, we created a 7th region.

Thank you very much... I did not notice in this way.
User avatar
bumpbot
User avatar
Non-Human User
Joined: 09 Sep 2013
Last visit: 04 Jan 2021
Posts: 38,988
Own Kudos:
Posts: 38,988
Kudos: 1,118
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Automated notice from GMAT Club BumpBot:

A member just gave Kudos to this thread, showing it’s still useful. I’ve bumped it to the top so more people can benefit. Feel free to add your own questions or solutions.

This post was generated automatically.
Moderators:
Math Expert
109837 posts
Tuck School Moderator
852 posts