JustMe123 Posted November 25, 2006 Share Posted November 25, 2006 The ratio of the number of registered publican to the number of registered democrats is 3/5. IF 600 Publican and 500 Democrats were added in, the ratio became 4/5. What is the difference between the two current numbers? Let's set it up. R: 3x D: 5x IF 600 Rs and 500 Ds are added, then R: 3x + 600 D: 5x + 500 and (3x+600)/(5x+500) = 4/5 solve for x viola! Okay it's all groovy. Now I'm curious how you guys interpret the last statement? Do you think it's asking for 1) the difference between 3x and 5x OR 2) the difference between 3x+600 and 5x + 500 Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tank Posted November 26, 2006 Share Posted November 26, 2006 In this case current refers to the last/latest number (after addition) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustMe123 Posted November 26, 2006 Author Share Posted November 26, 2006 Thanks. But my interpretation is that since those numbers are hypothetical, introduced by "IF" - if this were to happen, then 4/5 is the ratio, maybe currently there aren't any extra 600 Republicans and 500 Democrats. I don't know how a hypothetical situation can be qualified as current. The OA is taking your interpretation too but i don't get it. I hope real GMAT questions aren't ambiguous as this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maverick312 Posted November 30, 2006 Share Posted November 30, 2006 X/Y = 3/5 (X+600)/(Y+500) = 4/5 if we solve this I think X = 600 , Y = 1000 Y-x = 400 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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