Introduction

to GMAT Math

Approaching GMAT Math

Ofthefollowing,whichistheclosestapproximationof
201.8 0.39 ?
118.9 .511
1
3
2
5
1
2
4
3
10
3

INTRODUCTION TO GMAT QUANT

Approaching GMAT Math

Ofthefollowing,whichistheclosestapproximationof
201.8 0.39 ?
118.9 .511
1
3
2
5
1
2
4
3
10
3

200 0.4 =
120 .5

TAKEAWAY

INTRODUCTION TO GMAT QUANT

If you find yourself believing you need a calculator,

youre probably going about the problem wrong.

Data Sufficiency Questions

DATA SUFFICIENCY QUESTIONS comprise

slightly less than 50%

of the quantitative section on the GMAT.
You are tested not on your ability to solve the question,
but on your ability to determine whether you have enough
information to solve the question
question.

INTRODUCTION TO GMAT QUANT

Data Sufficiency: Question Structure

Doesx=y?

P
Prompt
t

1. 2x=2y
2. y=6

Statements

Statement (1) ALONE is sufficient, but statement (2) alone is not sufficient.
Statement(1)ALONEissufficient,butstatement(2)aloneisnotsufficient.
Statement(2)ALONEissufficient,butstatement(1)aloneisnotsufficient.
BOTHstatementsTOGETHERaresufficient,butNEITHERstatementALONE
BOTH
statements TOGETHER are sufficient but NEITHER statement ALONE
issufficient.
Answer Choices
EACHstatementALONEissufficient.
Statements(1)and(2)TOGETHERareNOTsufficient.

INTRODUCTION TO GMAT QUANT

Data Sufficiency: Question Structure

Doesx=y?
1. 2x=2y

It may be easier to think of the answer

choices in this shortened form.

2. y=6
A: Statement
a e e 1 Only.
O y
B: Statement 2 Only.
C: Both Statements Together.
Together

MEMORIZE THESE!

D: Each statement on its own.

E Insufficient
E:
I ffi i
on their
h i own or together.
h
STRATEGY TEST TIP: For Critical Reasoning, read the question

never contradict each other.

STRUCTURAL
before readingThe
theStatements
prompt.
TIP
Additionally the Statements are always true
Additionally,
true.
INTRODUCTION TO GMAT QUANT

Data Sufficiency: Strategy

Doesx=y?
1. 2x=2y
2. y=6
Start by analyzing the prompt to determine what information
you need to answer the question.
Then read each statement individually and determine
its sufficiency.
Do not allow information in one statement to influence
your evaluation of the other.
INTRODUCTION TO GMAT QUANT

Intro to Data Sufficiency: Question Categories

There are two categories of Data Sufficiency questions:
YES/NO

Isn aprimenumber?
Istheequationa =b true?
Isp lessthanzero?
l
h

A Statement in a Yes/No
question is SUFFICIENT if it allows
us to answer Yes
Yes or No
No to the
prompt with certainty.
Otherwise it is INSUFFICIENT.
Otherwise,
The same is true when we consider
the statements together.
together

STRATEGY TEST TIP: For Critical Reasoning, read the question before
STRATEGY
reading
TIP

not confuse No with Insufficiency. If you can

theDo
prompt.
ans er the q
answer
question
estion No,
No the statement is ssufficient.
fficient

INTRODUCTION TO GMAT QUANT

Yes/No DS Question
In1912,theBullmoose
h
ll
Partyhadatotalof
h d
l f 49,600 members.Wasthepercent
b
h
increaseinthetotalnumberofmembersinthepartyfrom1912to1913less
thanthatfrom1913to1914?
1. From1912to1913,thetotalnumberofmembersinthepartyincreased
by 4,464,andfrom1913to1914thetotalnumberofmembersintheparty
againincreasedby 4,464.
2. In1913thepartyhadatotalof 54,064 members,andin1914theparty
hadatotalof 58,528 members.

INTRODUCTION TO GMAT QUANT

Fractions
In2001,theMangyMuttGoatRanchhad5850goatsinHerdA.If106goats
h
hh d
d
f
inHerdAcontractedblacklegthatyear,whatwastherateofinfections,inthe
numberofblackleginfectionsper100goats,forHerdBin2001?
1. In2001theoverallblackleginfectionrateforHerdsAandBcombined
was1.25infectionsper100goats.
2 In
2.
In2001,HerdBhad9750goats,noneofwhomwerealsomembers
2001 Herd B had 9750 goats none of whom were also members
ofHerdA.

INTRODUCTION TO GMAT QUANT

Percentages
Percentages, Ratios, Decimals and Fractions are all
interchangeable.

1 = 0.5 = 50%
2

STRATEGY TEST TIP: For Critical Reasoning, read the question before
CONCEPT
reading
TIP

the Memorize
prompt
prompt. all common fraction-decimal-percent
equivalents (thirds, fourths, fifths, etc.).

INTRODUCTION TO GMAT QUANT

Multiple Percentage Increases and Decreases

Twoyearsago,1,350peoplelivedinPleasantville.Lastyear,the
l l d
l
ll
h
populationincreasedby10percent.Thisyear,thepopulationagain
increased,thistimeby20percent.Howmanypeoplenowlivein
Pleasantville?
405
432
1,485
1,755
1,782

INTRODUCTION TO GMAT QUANT

Multiple Percentage Increases and Decreases

Twoyearsago,1,350peoplelivedinPleasantville.Lastyear,the
l l d
l
ll
h
populationincreasedby10percent.Thisyear,thepopulationagain
increased,thistimeby20percent.Howmanypeoplenowlivein
Pleasantville?
405
432
1,485
1,755
1,782

STRUCTURAL
TIP

A 30% increase on 1,350 is 1,755.

The GMAT often includes at least one multiple percent change

question. This question almost always includes a trap answer
choice
h i th
thatt iis th
the sum or diff
difference off the
th percentages.
t

INTRODUCTION TO GMAT QUANT

Multiple Percentage Increases and Decreases

Awaitressworksatarestaurantthatcharges12.5%taxonallfoodand
k
h h
ll f d d
drink.Ifaparticularcustomerincludesatipofbetween16%and24%
ontheaftertaxbill,thenthetotaltaxesandtippaidbythecustomer
mustbebetween
118%and126%
34.5%and42.5%
30.5%and39.5%
28.5%and36.5%
18%and26.5%

INTRODUCTION TO GMAT QUANT

Multiple Percentage Increases and Decreases

Awaitressworksatarestaurantthatcharges12.5%taxonallfoodand
k
h h
ll f d d
drink.Ifaparticularcustomerincludesatipofbetween16%and24%
ontheaftertaxbill,thenthetotaltaxesandtippaidbythecustomer
mustbebetween
118%and126%
34.5%and42.5%
30.5%and39.5%
28.5%and36.5%
18%and26.5%

STRATEGY
TIP

On percentage questions, plug in 100 to simplify your

calculations.
ca
cu a o s

INTRODUCTION TO GMAT QUANT

Fractions

1 7
4 , 13
IMPROPER
FRACTIONS:
PROPER FRACTIONS:,
3 10
9 12

MIXED NUMBERS:

11 , 6 2
4

RECIPROCALS:

6
5

5 1
,
6 2

2
1

Recall that you can always convert from fractions to percentages

and vice versa.

INTRODUCTION TO GMAT QUANT

Fractions

2 3
3
Ifn isequaltoeither,,or,whatdoesn
equal?
5 5
4

1
2
1. n isnolessthanandnogreaterthan.
3

2. Thereciprocalofn isnolessthan1and
no greater than 2
nogreaterthan2.

INTRODUCTION TO GMAT QUANT

Fractions
0.4 0.6 0.75
2 3
3
Ifn isequaltoeither,,or,whatdoesn
equal?
5 5
4

Value Question!

1
2
1. n isnolessthanandnogreaterthan.
3

2. Thereciprocalofn isnolessthan1and
no greater than 2
nogreaterthan2.
STRATEGY TEST TIP: For Critical Reasoning, read the question
STRATEGY
before
TIP

It is usually
easier to compare decimals than it is to
reading
the prompt.
compare
co
pa e fractions.
ac o s

INTRODUCTION TO GMAT QUANT

Comparing Fractions
WhichofthefollowingquantitiesisGREATEST?
11
17
12
19
2

3
3

5
4
7

INTRODUCTION TO GMAT QUANT

Comparing Fractions
WhichofthefollowingquantitiesisGREATEST?
11
17
12
19
2

3
3

5
4
7
STRUCTURAL
TIP

The GMAT lists answer choices in order of size EXCEPT

when the exam asks for the relative size of the answers
answers.

INTRODUCTION TO GMAT QUANT

Ratios
Whatistheratiooftonsofmetaltotonsofconcreteinacertain
skyscraper?
1. Thenumberoftonsofmetalintheskyscraperis325percent
ofthenumberoftonsofconcreteintheskyscraper.
y
p
2. Theskyscrapercontains153moretonsofmetalthantons
ofconcrete.

INTRODUCTION TO GMAT QUANT

Ratios
m
c
Whatistheratiooftonsofmetaltotonsofconcreteinacertain
skyscraper?
m
What is m : c or c ?
1. Thenumberoftonsofmetalintheskyscraperis325percent
ofthenumberoftonsofconcreteintheskyscraper.
y
p
2. Theskyscrapercontains153moretonsofmetalthantons
ofconcrete.

STRATEGY TEST TIP: For Critical Reasoning

Reasoning, read the question before

STRATEGY
reading
TIP

of ratios as fractions in a different format.

theThink
prompt.

INTRODUCTION TO GMAT QUANT

Absolute vs. Relative Amounts

A ratio compares the relative amounts of two things.
RELATIVE

amounts:

JohnhastwiceasmuchmilkasSally.
RohitsCDcollectionis40%largerthanJoannas.
ABSOLUTE amounts:

John has four gallons of milk while Sally has two gallons
Johnhasfourgallonsofmilk,whileSallyhastwogallons.
Rohitowns280CDs,andJoannahas200.

STRATEGY
TIP

On Data Sufficiency, you can often determine the ratio

of two entities without knowing their absolute amounts.
amounts

INTRODUCTION TO GMAT QUANT

Ratio Dont Solve

Ifa,b,andc arepositiveintegers,whatistheratioofa:b:c ?
1. b =4andac =21
a 3
c 7
2. c =and=
7
b 4

STRATEGY
TIP

When the GMAT asks you to solve for an expression

(x+y or z2), avoid trying to solve for the individual variables.

INTRODUCTION TO GMAT QUANT

Ratios
Attheendof2004,acertainfarmhad24hens,12cows,30sheep,
and14pigs.Bytheendof2005,22newanimalseacheitherahen,
cow,sheeporpigwerebroughttothefarm.Noanimalsleftthefarm.
Howmanypigswerethereonthefarmattheendof2005?
1. Theratioofcowstopigsandtheratioofhenstosheepwere
thesameattheendof2004and2005.

1
2. Thenumberofsheepincreasedbyfromtheendof2004
6
to the end of 2005
totheendof2005.

INTRODUCTION TO GMAT QUANT

Ratios
Attheendof2004,acertainfarmhad24hens,12cows,30sheep,
and14pigs.Bytheendof2005,22newanimalseacheitherahen,
cow,sheeporpigwerebroughttothefarm.Noanimalsleftthefarm.
Howmanypigswerethereonthefarmattheendof2005?
1. Theratioofcowstopigsandtheratioofhenstosheepwere
thesameattheendof2004and2005.

1
2. Thenumberofsheepincreasedbyfromtheendof2004
6
to the end of 2005
totheendof2005.

STRUCTURAL
TIP

If it is too obvious that the Statements are sufficient

together the answer is generally not C.
together,
C

INTRODUCTION TO GMAT QUANT

Proportions
GavinandSherylwereeachgivend dollarstospendduringavacation.Though
theyleftonthesameday,Sheryldecidedtoreturn4dayssoonerthanGavin,
andGavinspent14daysonvacation.IfSherylgaveGavinkdollarsofherallow
ance so that they would have had the same total amount to spend per day of
ancesothattheywouldhavehadthesametotalamounttospendperdayof
vacation,whatwasthedollaramount,intermsofk,thatSherylwasgivenin
advance?
6k
8k
9k
10k
12k

INTRODUCTION TO GMAT QUANT

Proportions
GavinandSherylwereeachgivend dollarstospendduringavacation.Though
theyleftonthesameday,Sheryldecidedtoreturn4dayssoonerthanGavin,
andGavinspent14daysonvacation.IfSherylgaveGavinkdollarsofherallow
ance so that they would have had the same total amount to spend per day of
ancesothattheywouldhavehadthesametotalamounttospendperdayof
vacation,whatwasthedollaramount,intermsofk,thatSherylwasgivenin
advance?
6k
8k
9k
10k
12k
STRATEGY TEST TIP: For Critical Reasoning, read the question before
STRATEGY
reading
TIP

a word problem uses the word same, it often implies

theWhen
prompt.
that an equation can be created.
created

INTRODUCTION TO GMAT QUANT

Common Decimal-Fraction-Percent Equivalences

1 =0.5=50%
2

1
4 =0.25=25%

1
8 =0.125=12.5%

1 =0.33=33.3%
3

2 =0.5=50%
4

2 =0.25=25%
8

2 =0.66=66.6%
3

3 =0.75=75%
4

3 =0.375=37.5%
8

1 =0.16=16.6%
6

1 =0.2=20%
5

4 =0.5=50%
8

2 =0.33
33.3%
6 0.33 =33.3%

2 =0.4
40%
5 0.4 =40%

5 =0.625
62.5%
8 0.625 =62.5%

3 =0.5=50%
6

3 =0.6=60%
5

6 =0.75=75%
8

4 =0.66=66.6%
6

4 =0.8=80%
5

7 =0.875=87.5%
8

5
0 83 83 3%
6 =0.83=83.3%
INTRODUCTION TO GMAT QUANT

Common Powers and Roots

12 =1

62 =36

112 =121

162 =256

22 =4

72 =49

122 =144

172 =289

32 =9

82 =64

132 =169

182 =324

42 =16

92 =81

142 =196

192 =361

52 =25

102 =100

152 =225

202 =400

INTRODUCTION TO GMAT QUANT

Common Powers and Roots

21 =2

26 =64

31 =3

41 =4

51 =5

22 =4

27 =128

32 =9

42 =16

52 =25

23 =8

28 =256

33 =27

43 =64

53 =125

24 =16

29 =512

34 =81

44 =256

54 =625

25 =32

210 =1024

INTRODUCTION TO GMAT QUANT

Data Sufficiency Review

Data Sufficiency Questions assess your ability to determine
if a problem can be solved.

STRATEGY
TIP

If you are 100% sure of your answer to a math question,

you probably took too long to answer the question. If you
are 90
90-95%
95% sure,
s re move
mo e on.
on

INTRODUCTION TO GMAT QUANT

Lesson Review
Takeaways From Quant Lesson 1
Convert from decimals to p
percentages
g to fractions to ratios
Set up a proportion if possible
Distinguish between Relative and Absolute Amounts
Plug in 100 on percentage questions
Choose round numbers to make calculations easier
Avoid trap answers on Multiple Percentage Change questions
Know when you dont have to do real math

INTRODUCTION TO GMAT QUANT

Take Aways
TAKEAWAY

If you find yourself believing you need a calculator,

calculator
youre probably going about the problem wrong.

STRATEGY TEST TIP: For Critical Reasoning, read the question

never contradict each other.

other
STRUCTURAL
before readingThe
the Statements
prompt
prompt.
TIP
Additionally, the Statements are always true.

STRATEGY TEST TIP: For Critical Reasoning, read the question before

not confuse No with Insufficiency.

y If you
y can
theDo
prompt
prompt.
answer the question No, the statement is sufficient.
STRATEGY TEST TIP: For Critical Reasoning, read the question before
all common fraction-decimal-percent
CONCEPT
reading
g the Memorize
prompt.
p
p
TIP
equivalents (thirds,
(
fourths, fifths, etc.).
)
STRATEGY
reading
TIP

The GMAT often includes at least one multiple percent change

STRUCTURAL question.
question This question almost always includes a trap answer
TIP
choice that is the sum or difference of the percentages.
STRATEGY
TIP

On percentage questions
questions, plug in 100 to simplify your
calculations.

INTRODUCTION TO GMAT QUANT

Take Aways
STRATEGY TEST TIP: For Critical Reasoning, read the question
STRATEGY
before
TIP

STRUCTURAL
TIP

It is usually
easier to compare decimals than it is to
reading
the prompt
prompt.
compare fractions.
The GMAT lists answer choices in order of size EXCEPT
when the exam asks for the relative size of the answers.

STRATEGY TEST TIP: For Critical Reasoning, read the question before

STRATEGY
reading
TIP
STRATEGY
TIP

STRATEGY
TIP

of ratios as fractions in a different format

format.
theThink
prompt
prompt.
On Data Sufficiency, you can often determine the ratio
of two
t o entities without
itho t kno
knowing
ing their absol
absolute
te amo
amounts.
nts
When the GMAT asks you to solve for an expression
(
(x+y
or z
2),
) avoid
id ttrying
i tto solve
l ffor th
the iindividual
di id l variables.
i bl

STRATEGY TEST TIP: For Critical Reasoning, read the question before
STRATEGY
reading
g
TIP

ap word problem uses the word same, it often implies

theWhen
prompt.
p
that an equation can be created.

INTRODUCTION TO GMAT QUANT