GMAT Focus Edition – Sectional Mock

Quantitative Reasoning

Sectional Mock 2

Answer Key

1. E
2. E
3. D
4. D
5. D
6. D
7. D
8. E
9. E
10. E
11. B
12. C
13. E
14. C
15. D
16. D
17. B
18. C
19. B
20. B
21. A

Solutions

1. (E)

We're told that a sink holds 12 litres of water. Water is drained until the sink holds EXACTLY 6 litres
LESS than the quantity DRAINED AWAY. We're asked for the number of litres that were drained
away.
Let’s test the answers by trial and error

Answer B: 3

If 3 litres were drained away, then there would be 9 litres in the sink. Here, the water held is 6 litres
MORE than the quantity drained away. Since we need it to be 6 litres LESS, the numbers clearly need
to be 'reversed'... Let's just go to Answer E.....

Answer E: 9

IF 9 litres were drained away, then there would be 3 litres in the sink. Here, the water held is 6
litres LESS than the quantity drained away. This is a MATCH for what we were told, so this MUST be
the answer.

Answer: E

Alternate Solution:

Assuming amount of drained water is D, amount of water remaining is D-6

We know,
Total water = Drained + Holded
D + D - 6 = 12
2D = 18
D=9

2. (E)

Given Soda has w:1 ratio of Water to Syrup

Soda is made using m litres of Syrup. This means m*w litres of water. Therefore, total Soda made
in litres = w*m+m = m(1+w)

Selling price of soda per litre = j dollars

Selling price of m(1+w) litres of soda = j*m(1+w) dollars

Cost of syrup per litre = k dollars

Cost of m litres of syrup used = km dollars

Gross Profit = Selling price of Soda - Cost price of Syrup = jm(1+w) - km.

Answer: E

3. (D)

x + y = 2 (This is the first statement we are using)

y=x−2

Now, substituting this into the second equation

x2 – xy -10 – 2y2 = 10
x2 – x(2-x) – 10 - 2(x2 – 4x + 4) = 0
x2 – 2x + x2 -10 -2x2 + 8x – 8 = 0

Here, the quadratic conveniently cancels out, so we're left with a linear equation.

6x−18=0,

x=3

Using x = 3 and our first equation, we have that y = -1, and thus that x - 2y = 3 - 2(-1) = 3+2 =
5.

Answer: D

4. (D)

The remainder when x is divided by 12 is 7: x=12q+7 --> 2x=24q+14.

The remainder when y is divided by 12 is 3: y=12p+3.

2x+y
=(24q+14) +(12p+3)
=24q+12p+12+5
=12(2q+p+1)+5
=(multiple of 12)+5.
Only D is not a multiple of 12 plus 5.

Answer: D
5. (D)

Product of the first 50 positive multiples of 4

= 4*8*12*16*......200
= 4^50*(1*2*3….49*50)
= 2^100(50!)

Let’s check the options:

(A) 172 ==>we need two 17 ==>that can be found in FACTORIAL 50 (17,34)=>factor

(B) 114 ==>we need four 11==> that can be found in FACTORIAL 50 (11,22,33,44)=>factor

(C) 76 ==>we need six 7 ==>that can be found in FACTORIAL 50(7,14,21,28,35,42)=>factor

(D) 4712==>not a factor since we 47 is a prime and is only 1 time present in factorial 50

(E) 2124==>This can be found as we have 2^100 and in factorial 50 we have 25 even

numbers=>factor

Hence Answer: D

6. (D)

Sn = Sum of an arithmetic sequence with first term, 15 and last term, 35 and common difference 2

Here, for an AP,

T1= 15, l = 35, d = 2

We know,

l = a + (n-1)d
n = (l-a/d) + 1

Number of odd numbers from 15 to 35, n=(35−15)/2+1=11

Sn =11/2(15+35) =275
b=Number of even integers from 16 to 34 inclusive = (34−16)/2+1=10.

Therefore, a−b=265

Answer: D

7. (D)

Flights delayed = 75% = (43 +17 + 12 + 3)%

Flights on Time = 100% - 75% = 25%

We need to find Total Number Of flights first 75% of Total = 1200

Total => 1600

Flights on time = 25% of 1600 => 400

Answer: D

8. (E)

We are given that there are 150 pencils and 725 pens in container A.

We are also given that the ratio of pens to pencils in container B is 2 to 3.

Thus: pencils: pens = 2x: 3x

When all of the pens and pencils from container B are placed in container A, the number of pencils
in container A becomes 150 + 2x, and the number of pens in container B becomes 725 + 3x.

Since the new ratio of pencils to pens is 3 to 5, we have:

(150 + 2x)/(725 + 3x) = 3/5

3(725 + 3x) = 5(150 + 2x)
2175 + 9x = 750 + 10x
1,425 = x

There are 2(1425) = 2850 pencils and 3(1425) = 4275 pens in container B.
Thus, we have a total of 150 + 725 + 2850 + 4275 = 8,000 pens and pencils.

Answer: E
9. (E)

Amount of Forest Green paint = 14 L

B:Y ratio of Forest Green = 4:3

Now that we know this, the constituents of the 14L of paint is -

14 litres of forest green = 8 litres blue paint + 6 litres yellow paint

Similarly,
B:Y ratio of Verdant Green = 3:4

We're asked how many litres of YELLOW paint must be ADDED to the 14 litres of forest green paint
to convert that paint into verdant green paint.

Since Verdant green paint uses the ratio of blue to yellow as B/Y = 3/4, we can use the current
amount of blue paint that we have to figure out how much TOTAL yellow paint we need.

With 8 litres of blue, we can solve for TOTAL yellow:

8/Y = 3/4
3Y = 32
Y = 10 2/3 litres of TOTAL yellow paint is needed

We currently have 6 litres of yellow paint, so we need

10 2/3 - 6 = 4 2/3 = 14/3 MORE yellow paint.

Answer: E

10. (E)

Step 1: Understand the Question

We're asked to find the population of starlings in 1970, knowing that there were 256 starlings in
1890 and the population grows by 400% every 10 years.

Step 2: Figure out How to Solve

We can use a compound interest formula to solve this.

The formula is Total = Principal × (1 + growth rate)^(number of time periods).

Here, our final population is our total, the initial population is our principal (256), the growth rate is
400% (or 4.00 as a decimal), and the number of time periods is 8 (since it's from 1890 to 1970).

So, we have: 1970 population = 256×(1+4)^8 = 256×(5)^8.

Step 3: Simplify

Without a calculator, doing all this arithmetic could be tough. But if we realize 256 is a power of 2,
we can use exponent rules to make it easier: 256×(5)^8= 2^8×5^8 = (2×5)^8 = 10^8 =
100,000,000.

The correct answer is E.

11. (B)

Total Area = 1000*2000

1. Tillable Square's side horizontally = (2000-20-30-20)/2

= 1930/2 = 965

2. Tillable Square's side vertically = (1000-20-20)

= 960

Percentage of the field that is tillable = 100*(area of tillable land)/(total area of land)
= 100*(Area of 2 squares/ Total Area)
= 100*(2*965*960)/(1000*2000)
= 93% approx

Answer: B

12. (C)

Let's dive into option choices.

(A) x=2;y=6

x=2; If I have two consecutive no.s one will be even and the other will be odd thus it's sum would
be ODD.
y=6; I will have three odd no.s and three even no.s. Sum of 3 odds no.s is odd. Sum of 3 even no.s
is even. Combined sum would be ODD. Thus, Thus a and b can be equal.
(B) x=3;y=6

x=3, For three consecutive no.s two can be odd and can be even giving the sum EVEN OR it can be
two even and one odd and thus the sum will be ODD. Both possibilities are there.

y=6 Same as first option. Sum will be ODD. Thus a and b can be equal.

(C) x=6;y=4

x=6 Sum will be ODD. Refer above.

y = 4 For four consecutive no.s there will be 2 odd no.s and 2 even no.s. Thus the sum will be EVEN.

Here a and b can NOT be equal, and thus this is our answer.

You can similarly check for other answer choices and eliminate them with the same logic used above.

Answer: C

13. (E)

(A)
a^2 < b^2
= a^2 - b^2 <0
= (a+b)(a-b) < 0
= (-ve)*(-ve)<0 ;

The multiplication of two negative integers is a positive integer, greater than 0. Eliminate.

(B)

b − 10 < a

= b-a < 10,

Since we know that a and b are negative integers, let us assume values to check.

Let a=-1000 and b=-1;

then b-a=999

This violates our condition (b-a < 10). Eliminate.

(C)
b+a>a
= b>0

Not possible, this violates the assumption given by the question. Eliminate.

(D)
ab < b^2
= ab - b^2 <0
= b*(a-b) <0;
(-ive)*(-ive)<0 ;

Eliminate.

(E)
ab < a^2
= a*(b-a)<0;
= (-ive)*(+ive) <0

Multiplication of two -ve integers is always positive. This is our answer.

Answer: E

14. (C)

Since m is a negative number, then it must be less than 1.

Other options:

(A) –100 < m < 100 --> if m=-1,000, then this option is not true.

(B) m ≤ –1 --> if m=-1/2, then this option is not true.

(D) m^2 ≥ 1/4

= (m≤-1/2 or m≥1/2)

If m=-1/4, then this option is not true.

(E) –100 < m < 0 --> if m=-1,000, then this option is not true.
Answer: C
15. (D)

Consider a circle with a radius of 1 and a square inscribed within it. Visualize the base of the square
aligned with the x-axis and the left side of the square aligned with the y-axis.

Our goal is to determine the ratio of the area of the circle without the shaded parts to the area of
the entire circle.

The area of a circle is given by the formula A = πr^2, where r represents the radius.
In this case, the radius is 1, so the area of the circle is simply π. (Keep in mind, π is pi here.)

Now, let's focus on the square. The area of a square is half of the product of its diagonals.

Since the diagonal of our square equals 2r, which is 2 in this scenario, the area of the square (S) can
be calculated as S = 2^2/2, resulting in an area of 2.

To find the area of the circle without the shaded parts, we subtract the area of the shaded region from the total area

of the circle. The shaded area is equal to half the difference between the area of the circle and the area of the

square. So, it is π−(π−2)/2, which simplifies to (π+2)/2.

Finally, to determine the ratio of this region's area to the area of the entire circle, we divide the area
of the region by the area of the circle. Thus, the ratio is (π+2)/2π.

Answer: D

16. (D)

We have five students, labeled A, B, C, D, and E, seated in the front row. The arrangements for these
five students can be done in 5! ways.
Additionally, there is a boy named G who is known for misbehaving. He can either be seated to the
right or left of the coach, labeled X, which remains fixed in the middle. Therefore, there are two
options for placing G.

In the back row, there are three other boys named F, H, and I. They can be arranged in 3! ways.

To find the total number of possible arrangements, we multiply the number of arrangements for the
front row (5!), the options for placing G (2), and the arrangements for the back row (3!). This gives
us a total of 1,440 possible arrangements.

Answer: D

17. (B)

Since it is more time consuming and error prone to find ways Betsy and E not sitting together, It is
better we find ways in which they will be together and then subtract from total ways.

Total ways = 6!

Ways B and E will be sitting together.

Take both B and E as one, then these two together with other 4 can sit in 5! ways . Also B and E can
sit within themselves in 2! ways.

So the answer required = 6! -2*5! =480.

Answer: B

18. (C)

To find the probability of selecting at least 1 but no more than 3 blue disks out of 4 bags, we can
first calculate the probability of selecting either 0 or 4 blue disks, and then subtract that from 1 to
get the desired probability.

The probability of selecting 0 blue disks from each bag can be calculated by multiplying the probability
of selecting a non-blue disk from each bag. Since each bag contains 25 disks of each color (blue,
green, orange, yellow), the probability of selecting a non-blue disk from a bag is 75/100.
So, the probability of selecting 0 blue disks from all 4 bags is (75/100) * (75/100) * (75/100) *
(75/100).

Similarly, the probability of selecting 4 blue disks from all 4 bags is (25/100) * (25/100) * (25/100)
* (25/100), as each bag contains 25 blue disks out of 100 disks in total.

Now, we subtract the combined probability of selecting either 0 or 4 blue disks from 1 to find the
probability of selecting 1, 2, or 3 blue disks.

So, the desired probability P(0 < blue < 4) = 1 - [P(blue = 0) + P(blue = 4)].

Substituting the probabilities calculated earlier, we get:

P(0 < blue < 4) = 1 - [(75/100)^4 + (25/100)^4] = 1 - [(75/100)^4 + (25/100)^4]

= 1 - [(0.75)^4 + (0.25)^4].

After computing the values, we find that the probability is 87/128.

Answer: C

19. (B)

Given:
A circular stopwatch with 60-second marks and a single hand.
The hand is set randomly to one of the marks and allowed to count exactly 10 seconds.

To find:
The probability that the hand stops less than 10 marks from the 53-second mark.

Approach and Working:

We'll identify the range of possible positions where the hand stops less than 10 marks from the 53-
second mark.

These positions range from the 44-second mark to the 02-second mark, inclusive.
Counting these positions, we find a total of 19 favorable outcomes.

Since there are 60 possible positions for the hand (each corresponding to a second mark on the
stopwatch), we can calculate the probability.

Probability = Number of favorable outcomes / Total number of possible outcomes

Probability = 19/60

Therefore, the probability that the hand stops less than 10 marks from the 53-second mark is 19/60.

20. (B)

Given:
Mohammad's work weeks in 2013 consisted of 2, 4, or 5 days of work.
He worked for exactly 25 weeks with 2 workdays, 13 weeks with 4 workdays, and 12 weeks with 5
workdays.

To find:
The closest approximation to Mohammad's average number of days worked per week for the year.

Approach and Working:

We'll calculate the weighted average of the number of workdays per week.

Since Mohammad worked for a total of 50 weeks (25 + 13 + 12), we'll consider the proportion of
each type of workweek.
We'll express the proportions as fractions of the total number of weeks:

Weeks with 2 workdays: 25/50 = 1/2

Weeks with 4 workdays: 13/50
Weeks with 5 workdays: 12/50

Now, we'll calculate the weighted sum of the workdays:

(1/2) * 2 + (13/50) * 4 + (12/50) * 5

Simplifying the expression, we get:

1 + 26/25 + 6/5
Adding up the fractions, we get 81/25 or approximately 3.24.

Since the options are in decimal format, we can also represent this as 3.24.

Answer: B

21. (A)
Given:

● A set consists of 9 numbers.

● Both the median and the mean of the set are 15.
● The largest number in the set is 3 less than twice the smallest number.

To Find:
The largest possible number in the set.

Approach and Working:

● Since both the median and the mean of the set are 15, the sum of all 9 numbers in the set
must be 135.

● Let's assume the smallest number in the set is x, and the largest number is 2x−3.

● To maximize the largest number, we want the other 7 numbers to be as small as possible. So, we assume

that 4 of the 9 numbers are x, 4 numbers are the median (which is also 15), and the last number is the

largest, 2x−3.

● The sum of all numbers in the set can be expressed as: 4x+60+2x−3=135

● Solving the equation:

○ 6x+57=135

○ 6x=135−57

○ 6x=78
○ x=13
● Finally, we find the largest number in the set:

○ Largest number=2x−3

○ Largest number=2×13−3

○ Largest number = 23

Conclusion:

The largest possible number in the set is 23.

Answer: A