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similar question here - though the differences are strange. https://gmatclub.com/forum/alejandra-is ... 22148.html
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can you elaborate and break this down more please?
EugeneTheGuy
The formula is basically like this :
=> (B/B+R) x (B-1/B+R-1) x (R/B+R-2) = 2 x (B/B+R) x (R/B+R-1) x (R-1/B+R-2)
When we ignore the denominator, it becomes this
=> B^2R - BR = 2BR^2-2BR
=>BR(2R-1-B)=0
Since we only need the ratio between B and R, so we neglect BR.
=> B=2R-1 ##

This is how I solved it. Is there any faster method?­
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andrewjohn8
­Alejandra is designing a game of chance. For one part of the game, a player is to randomly choose 3 marbles, without replacement, from a box containing B blue marbles, R red marbles, and no other marbles. Alejandra correctly determined the positive integers B and R so that the number of possible selections in which 2 blue marble and 1 red marbles are chosen is twice the number of possible selections in which 1 blue marbles and 2 red marble are chosen.

The positive integers B and R that Alejandra determined must be such that B is the number that is __ 1 __ the number that is __ 2 __R.

Based on the information provided, select for 1 and for 2 the options that create the most accurate statement. Make only two selections, one in each column.­

Attachment:
Screenshot 1 2024-07-13 174337.png
­

B blue marbles, R red marbles

P(2 Blue and 1 Red) = \(\frac{BC2 * RC1 }{ (B+R)C3}\)

P(1 Blue and 2 Red) = \(\frac{BC1 * RC2 }{ (B+R)C3}\)

Given: BC2 * RC1 = 2 * BC1 * RC2

\(\frac{B(B-1)}{2} * R = 2 * B * \frac{R(R - 1)}{2}\)

\(B + 1 = 2R\)

Let's say B + 1 = 2R = x

So B is a number that is 1 less than the number (x) that is twice R.

Try this same concept on another such question here: https://youtu.be/Mk9mabFnKHU
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Hi, I thought this answer was so useful but I do not understand why we remove the denominators 2 in the second step, how is it possible that we can just remove those?
HarshavardhanR
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Harsha
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andrewjohn8
­Alejandra is designing a game of chance. For one part of the game, a player is to randomly choose 3 marbles, without replacement, from a box containing B blue marbles, R red marbles, and no other marbles. Alejandra correctly determined the positive integers B and R so that the number of possible selections in which 2 blue marble and 1 red marbles are chosen is twice the number of possible selections in which 1 blue marbles and 2 red marble are chosen.

The positive integers B and R that Alejandra determined must be such that B is the number that is __1__ the number that is __ 2 __ R.

Based on the information provided, select for 1 and for 2 the options that create the most accurate statement. Make only two selections, one in each column.­

Attachment:
Screenshot 1 2024-07-13 174337.png
­

We don’t just drop the denominators, they cancel out.

Left-hand side: \(\frac{B(B-1)R}{2}\).

Right-hand side: \(\frac{2BR(R-1)}{2}\).

\(\frac{B(B-1)R}{2}=\frac{2BR(R-1)}{2}\)

\(BR(B-1)=2BR(R-1)\)

\(B-1=2(R-1)\)

\(B+1=2R\)
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@Bunel, the question should ask about the probability and not the number of selection. Please rectify.
Bunuel


We don’t just drop the denominators, they cancel out.

Left-hand side: \(\frac{B(B-1)R}{2}\).

Right-hand side: \(\frac{2BR(R-1)}{2}\).

\(\frac{B(B-1)R}{2}=\frac{2BR(R-1)}{2}\)

\(BR(B-1)=2BR(R-1)\)

\(B-1=2(R-1)\)

\(B+1=2R\)
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Stormik1
@Bunel, the question should ask about the probability and not the number of selection. Please rectify.


The question is correct as written. It asks for the number of possible selections, which is exactly what the combinations count.

If the question asked for probabilities instead, we would divide both counts by the same total number of possible 3-marble selections, so that denominator would cancel and give the same equation.
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