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555-605 (Medium)|   Geometry|            
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The answer must be E.

Plug in M 100
N 50
P 10.

Correct me if I am wrong.
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Answer is E - (m-2p)(n-2p)

Area of floor is m*n
Length of rug = m - 2p (Distance of p on each side)
Width of rug = n - 2p (Distance of p on each side)

Thus area of rug = (m-2p)(n-2p)
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Q. A rectangular floor is covered by a rug except for a strip p meters wide along each of the four edges. If the floor is m meters by n meters, what is the area of the rug, in square meters?

1. mn-p(m+n)

2. mn-2p(m+n)

3. mn-p^2

4. (m-p)(n-p)

5.(m-2p)(n-2p)

Note: Please solve by explaining the concept.

Refer diagram below; we require to find area of the pink region

Answer = E
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1. mn-p(m+n) Depending on the size of \(m\),\(n\), and \(p\), the number could be positive or negative.
2. mn-2p(m+n) Again, depending on the size of \(m\),\(n\), and \(p\), the number could be positive or negative
3. mn-p^2 This is only the area in the top corner
4. (m-p)(n-p) Trick answer. Selected if one's coasting through the problem.
5.(m-2p)(n-2p) True, since \(p\) surrounds all four edges of the rug
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Bunuel , hi, where can i find some questions on similar triangles...?
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Bunuel , hi, where can i find some questions on similar triangles...?

Check GEOMETRY tags in our questions banks: viewforumtags.php

Hope it helps.
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Hi All,

We're told that a rectangular floor (that is M meters by N meters) is covered by a rug EXCEPT for a strip P meters along EACH of the four edges. We're asked for the area of the rug in square meters. This question can be solved in a couple of different ways, including by TESTing VALUES.

IF.... M=5 and N=4, then we have a 5x4 floor.

IF.... P=1, then there is a 1 meter space around EACH of the 4 sides, meaning that the area of the rug is....

(5-1-1) = 3 meters by (4-1-1) = 2 meters
Area of the rug is (3)(2) = 6 square meters

Based on the work I've done so far, you might recognize which answer is correct (since it's "formatted" almost identically to the above calculation). If you don't recognize it, then you just have to do enough work until you find the answer that equals 6 when you plug in M=5, N=4 and P=1... there's only one answer that matches. ..

Final Answer:

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A rectangular floor is covered by a rug except fo a strip p meters along each of the four edges. If the floor is m meters by n meteres, What is the area of the rug in square meters?

A) mn - p(m+n)
B) mn – 2p(m+n)
C) mn – p^2
D) (m - p)(n - p)
E) (m - 2p)(n - 2p)


The area of the rug is:

[length - 2(strip)] x [width - 2(strip)]

(m - 2p)(n - 2p)

Answer: E
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TheRob
A rectangular floor is covered by a rug except fo a strip p meters along each of the four edges. If the floor is m meters by n meteres, What is the area of the rug in square meters?

A) mn - p(m+n)
B) mn – 2p(m+n)
C) mn – p^2
D) (m - p)(n - p)
E) (m - 2p)(n - 2p)

Project PS Butler : Question #102


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can someone pls explain why m-2p or n-2p
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Hi ak2121,

There are a number of explanations in this thread that define how to get to the correct answer. Is there a particular aspect of this question that you are finding difficult to understand?

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
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