GMAT Question of the Day - Daily to your Mailbox; hard ones only

 It is currently 20 Oct 2019, 07:30

### 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

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

# Which of the following fractions is the largest?

Author Message
TAGS:

### Hide Tags

Manager
Joined: 24 May 2016
Posts: 134
Which of the following fractions is the largest?  [#permalink]

### Show Tags

06 Aug 2016, 12:54
6
00:00

Difficulty:

35% (medium)

Question Stats:

69% (01:35) correct 31% (01:59) wrong based on 270 sessions

### HideShow timer Statistics

Which of the following fractions is the largest?

A. 5/6

B. 11/14

C. 12/15

D. 17/21

E. 29/35
Intern
Joined: 02 Sep 2015
Posts: 37
Location: India
Concentration: General Management, Entrepreneurship
Schools: Sauder 'Dec 18
GPA: 3.79
WE: General Management (Energy and Utilities)
Re: Which of the following fractions is the largest?  [#permalink]

### Show Tags

04 Nov 2017, 22:17
8
2
I want to share a simpler approach.
Rule : out of 2 fractions F1 & F2, F1 is greater if (1/F1) is smaller or vice versa.
In this Question
F1 = 5/6, 1/F1 = 6/5 =1.2
F2 = 11/14, 1/F2 = 14/11 >1.2
F3 = 12/15 , 1/F3 = 15/12 >1.2
F4= 17/21, 1/F4 = 21/17 >1.2
F5 = 29/35, 1/F5 = 35/29 >1.2

Since 1/F1 is smallest, F1 is greatest.

PS: similarly to find the lowest fraction, 1/fraction shall be highest.

Give Kudos to motivate me...
##### General Discussion
Manager
Joined: 07 Jul 2016
Posts: 74
GPA: 4
Re: Which of the following fractions is the largest?  [#permalink]

### Show Tags

06 Aug 2016, 14:03
3
EBITDA wrote:
Which of the following fractions is the largest?

A) 5/6
B) 11/14
C) 12/15
D) 17/21
E) 29/35

Although unlikely to be a general method, I found inverting the fractions and finding the smallest to be useful and fast.

$$\text{(A) }\frac{1}{6} = \frac{3}{18} = 0.1\bar{6}\\ \text{(B) }\frac{3}{14}\\ \text{(C) }\frac{3}{15}\\ \text{(D) }\frac{4}{21}\\ \text{(E) }\frac{6}{35} = \frac{3}{17.5}$$

By setting the numerator to 3, we can eliminate all but one $$\Big(\frac{3}{18} < \frac{3}{17.5} < \frac{3}{15} < \frac{3}{14}\Big)$$.

We are left with $$\frac{4}{21}\text{ and }\frac{1}{6}$$. $$\frac{1}{6} = \frac{4}{24}$$.

Therefore $$\frac{1}{6}$$ is the smallest. $$\frac{5}{6}$$ is therefore the largest.
_________________
Please press +1 Kudos if this post helps.
Intern
Joined: 31 Jul 2016
Posts: 1
Re: Which of the following fractions is the largest?  [#permalink]

### Show Tags

06 Aug 2016, 19:47
1
A) 5/6 = 25/30 = 30/36 = 35/42

B) 11/14 - knowing fractions (adding one to each numerator and denominator) this is known to be less than choice C and can be eliminated

C) 12/15 = 24/30 so less than choice A

D) 17/21 = 34/42 so also less than choice A

E) 29/35 - same as choice B, we know this is less than 30/36 which is choice A

VP
Joined: 05 Mar 2015
Posts: 1000
Re: Which of the following fractions is the largest?  [#permalink]

### Show Tags

06 Aug 2016, 20:28
2
EBITDA wrote:
Which of the following fractions is the largest?

A) 5/6
B) 11/14
C) 12/15
D) 17/21
E) 29/35

Could you please explain what is the fastest way of solving this problem?

Thank you.

another way is by taking LCM of denominators(2*3*5*7)
(a) 175 (as lcm is 2*3*5*7 where 2*3 part is already in denominator just multiply 5*7 to numerator) ,similarly
(b) 165
(c)168
(d)170
(e)174

clearly (a) is largest..

Ans A
Manager
Joined: 24 May 2016
Posts: 134
Re: Which of the following fractions is the largest?  [#permalink]

### Show Tags

07 Aug 2016, 01:40
Rohit8865,

I also used your method. I wonder, however, if it is the fastest way to tackle this problem.
VP
Joined: 05 Mar 2015
Posts: 1000
Re: Which of the following fractions is the largest?  [#permalink]

### Show Tags

07 Aug 2016, 10:09
EBITDA wrote:
Rohit8865,

I also used your method. I wonder, however, if it is the fastest way to tackle this problem.

i find multiplication faster than divisiblity and more accurate and confident to answer
i would also love to know any faster method ,if any....
Director
Joined: 23 Jan 2013
Posts: 525
Schools: Cambridge'16
Re: Which of the following fractions is the largest?  [#permalink]

### Show Tags

02 Aug 2017, 00:49
4
cross multiplying numerator and denominator with putting sign according to numerator

5/6>11/14, bec 5*14>11*6
5/6>12/15, bec 5*15>12*6
5/6>17/21, bec 5*21>17*6
5/6>29/35, bec 5*35>29*6

A
Senior Manager
Joined: 24 Oct 2016
Posts: 251
Location: India
Schools: IIMB
GMAT 1: 550 Q42 V28
GPA: 3.96
WE: Human Resources (Retail Banking)
Re: Which of the following fractions is the largest?  [#permalink]

### Show Tags

02 Aug 2017, 05:18
1
the fastest way IMO is- to compare each with others such as
5/6 and 11/14 = 5*14>11*6
5/6 and 12/15 = 5*15>6*12
5/6 and 17/21= 5*21>17*6
5/6 and 29/35= 5*35>6*29

hence 5/6 is the greatest
Director
Joined: 02 Sep 2016
Posts: 649
Re: Which of the following fractions is the largest?  [#permalink]

### Show Tags

03 Sep 2017, 10:55
Convert the fractions to percentages and then compare.
_________________
Help me make my explanation better by providing a logical feedback.

If you liked the post, HIT KUDOS !!

Don't quit.............Do it.
Retired Moderator
Joined: 25 Feb 2013
Posts: 1178
Location: India
GPA: 3.82
Which of the following fractions is the largest?  [#permalink]

### Show Tags

29 Oct 2017, 11:53
1
Bunuel wrote:
Which of the following fractions is the largest?

A. 5/6

B. 11/14

C. 12/15

D. 17/21

E. 29/35

LCM of denominators of all the fractions i.e LCM of 6, 14, 15, 21, 35 = 210

As a next stem we need to make all denominators equal to the LCM

A. $$\frac{5}{6} => \frac{5}{6}*\frac{35}{35}=\frac{175}{210}$$

B. $$\frac{11}{14} =>\frac{11}{14}*\frac{15}{15}=\frac{165}{210}$$

C. $$\frac{12}{15} =>\frac{12}{15}*\frac{14}{14}=\frac{168}{210}$$

D. $$\frac{17}{21} =>\frac{17}{21}*\frac{10}{10}=\frac{170}{210}$$

E. $$\frac{29}{35} => \frac{29}{35}*\frac{6}{6}=\frac{174}{210}$$

Clearly option A is the greatest

Status: Preparing for GMAT
Joined: 25 Nov 2015
Posts: 1044
Location: India
GPA: 3.64
Re: Which of the following fractions is the largest?  [#permalink]

### Show Tags

30 Oct 2017, 08:28
Bunuel wrote:
Which of the following fractions is the largest?

A. 5/6

B. 11/14

C. 12/15

D. 17/21

E. 29/35

In order to compare fractions, take LCM of all denominators, 6,14,15,21,35.
LCM=210
A) $$\frac{5}{6}$$ = $$\frac{5*35}{6*35}$$=$$\frac{175}{210}$$
B) $$\frac{11}{14}$$ = $$\frac{11*15}{14*15}$$=$$\frac{165}{210}$$
C) $$\frac{12}{15}$$= $$\frac{12*14}{15*14}$$= $$\frac{166}{210}$$
D) $$\frac{17}{21}$$ = $$\frac{17*10}{21*10}$$ = $$\frac{170}{210}$$
E) $$\frac{29}{35}$$ = $$\frac{29*6}{35*6}$$= $$\frac{174}{210}$$

We see that A is the largest.
_________________
Please give kudos, if you like my post

When the going gets tough, the tough gets going...
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Aug 2009
Posts: 7988
Which of the following fractions is the largest?  [#permalink]

### Show Tags

30 Oct 2017, 08:48
2
1
Bunuel wrote:
Which of the following fractions is the largest?

A. 5/6

B. 11/14

C. 12/15

D. 17/21

E. 29/35

hi..

the fractions are such that you can do away with LCM and thus some sort of calculations..

Remember - when we add SIMILAR quantity to BOTH numerator and denominator the resulting number is BIGGER
example $$1/2 <\frac{1+1}{2+1}<\frac{1+3}{2+3}$$

now lets see the choices..

Compare B and C as both have a difference of 3 in numerator and denominator.. 11/14 and 12/15 $$\frac{12}{15}= \frac{11+1}{14+1}$$, so 12/15 is bigger
Now $$\frac{5}{6}= \frac{5*3}{6*3}=\frac{15}{18}$$... similarly 15/18>12/15
so A is the greatest in A,B and C..

lets check A with D and E...

D 17/21..... difference of 4 in numerator and denominator, so multiply 5/6 with 4/4.... $$\frac{5*4}{6*4}=\frac{20}{24}=\frac{17+3}{21+3}>\frac{17}{21}$$.... so A is greater

compare with E.
E 29/35...... $$\frac{5}{6} = \frac{30}{36}=\frac{29+1}{35+1}>\frac{29}{35}$$
so A is greater

ans A
_________________
Intern
Joined: 15 Jul 2015
Posts: 1
Re: Which of the following fractions is the largest?  [#permalink]

### Show Tags

01 Nov 2017, 06:35
Check the difference between the numerator and denominator.

Fraction with least difference with be the highest fraction.
Retired Moderator
Joined: 25 Feb 2013
Posts: 1178
Location: India
GPA: 3.82
Re: Which of the following fractions is the largest?  [#permalink]

### Show Tags

01 Nov 2017, 07:36
nehasri wrote:
Check the difference between the numerator and denominator.

Fraction with least difference with be the highest fraction.

Hi nehasri,

This logic will not be useful when the difference between numerator and denominator will be the same for different fractions
E.g. 1/2 & 2/3

In this question also if option E had been 30/35 which is 6/7 then the approach would have to be changed

Posted from my mobile device
Intern
Joined: 21 Aug 2018
Posts: 17
Location: France
Schools: Erasmus '20
GMAT 1: 390 Q22 V23
GPA: 2.8
Re: Which of the following fractions is the largest?  [#permalink]

### Show Tags

14 May 2019, 10:05
A simple and fast way is to determine quickly an approximate value of each an every fractions: 5/6=0.8, which won't be reached by any of the other fractions which are all below 0.8, either 0.7 or 0.6! Hope this helped you, however I definitely suck at quant...
Re: Which of the following fractions is the largest?   [#permalink] 14 May 2019, 10:05
Display posts from previous: Sort by