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Bunuel
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Bunuel
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My experience with these kinds of questions is that I can do them, but I feel like it is a lot of number crunching. Between reading the question, constructing the equations and reading the statements, I feel like I am already over the 135s quota. Is there a way to be more efficient with questions that require a lot of computation? I have found myself strapped for time on data insights questions.
I think Bunuel's explanation on this question is really efficient one, have you reviewed it ?
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I think Bunuel's explanation on this question is really efficient one, have you reviewed it ?
I did see his explanation. In fact, it is the same method that I used to solve this problem. However, between reading the question, counting the number of tiles, formulating the required equations, and then checking against both the statements, I seem to be losing a lot of time. Especially because I have to be careful not to make any mistakes. I solved the problem in 3:24 and the average time for this problem is 2:41, so this question already takes more time than usual and I am losing time in addition to that. My concern is that this deficit will add up during the exam and I will not be able to give other questions time.
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DizzyLoop

I did see his explanation. In fact, it is the same method that I used to solve this problem. However, between reading the question, counting the number of tiles, formulating the required equations, and then checking against both the statements, I seem to be losing a lot of time. Especially because I have to be careful not to make any mistakes. I solved the problem in 3:24 and the average time for this problem is 2:41, so this question already takes more time than usual and I am losing time in addition to that. My concern is that this deficit will add up during the exam and I will not be able to give other questions time.
There is one way to speed this up a little bit, and that’s with some rephrasing. Once you have the equations, simplify as much as you can and ask yourself: What do I need to know in order to solve?

Simplify the given information:
6x + 3y + 3z = 30 → 2x + y + z = 15

And the question:
16x + 7y + 7z = ? → 16x +7(y + z) = ?

In order to solve, you’ll need the value of x and the value of y + z. Look at the given to determine what would get you those values. If you are given x, you’ll be able to solve for y + z. And you’ll have been given x! So Statement 1 is sufficient without the need for any further substitution.

If you’re given y, you’ll be left with 2x + z = some number. That doesn’t provide you with what you’re looking for. Statement 2 is insufficient, not further calculation needed.

On most DS problems, the complexity is either in the question or in the statements. In this case, the complexity is in the question, so that usually means there’s a way to simplify down to the point where the statements automatically answer the questions, no extra work required.

To get a deep dive of this approach in action, check out one of ManhattanPrep's Free Trial Classes. The first, free class includes an hour+ lesson on Data Sufficiency that includes the essential strategy of rephrasing described above.

Happy studying,
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