Last Updated on May 3, 2023
GMAT OFFICIAL GUIDE PS
Solution:
We are given the following:
1) The ratio of the number of second graders to the number of fourth graders is 8 to 5.
2) The ratio of the number of first graders to the number of second graders is 3 to 4.
3) The ratio of the number of third graders to the number of fourth graders is 3 to 2.
We can use this information to create three different ratio expressions with variable multipliers. We have:
1) 2nd : 4th = 8x : 5x
2) 1st : 2nd = 3x : 4x
3) 3rd : 4th = 3x : 2x
We must determine the ratio of 1st to 3rd.
To determine this, we must manipulate our ratios. Let’s start with our first two ratios. We have:
1) 2nd : 4th = 8x : 5x
2) 1st : 2nd = 3x : 4x
Notice “2nd” is common to both ratios. So if we make 2nd the same in both ratios we can create a 3 part ratio comparing 1st to 2nd to 4th. To make the 2nd the same in both ratios, we can multiply 1st : 2nd by 2. That is:
1st : 2nd = 3x : 4x
1st : 2nd = 2(3x : 4x)
1st : 2nd = 6x : 8x
Because we know that 2nd : 4th = 8x : 5x, we can say that:
1st : 2nd : 4th = 6x : 8x : 5x
Eliminate the “2nd”, and we have:
1st : 4th = 6x : 5x
Now, recall that we were originally given:
3rd : 4th = 3x : 2x
We should notice that the common term in our two ratios is “4th”. Thus if we can make those values the same, we can compare 1st to 4th to 3rd, and this will be enough for us to calculate the ratio of 1st to 3rd. The easiest way to do this is to turn 5x and 2x into 10x. Let’s first adjust 1st : 4th
1st : 4th = 6x : 5x
1st : 4th = 2(6x : 5x)
1st : 4th = 12x : 10x
Next we can adjust 3rd : 4th.
3rd : 4th = 3x : 2x
3rd : 4th = 5(3x : 2x)
3rd : 4th = 15x : 10x
Since the “4th” is now 10x in both ratios, we can say:
1st : 4th : 3rd = 12x : 10x : 15x
By eliminating the “4th”, we can see that 1st : 3rd = 12x : 15x = 4x : 5x = 4 to 5
Answer: E
