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1. Essential GMAT Quant Skills

Given a fraction, multiplying or dividing the numerator and denominator by a nonzero constant will
not change the value of the fraction. For example, if the given fraction is 2 , and if we multiply both
3
the numerator and denominator by 4, the fraction becomes 12 8 . Notice that 8 = 2 since 8 can be
12 3 12
reduced to 2 . Similarly, if the given fraction is 9 , and if we divide both the numerator and
3 12
denominator by 3, the fraction becomes 34 . Notice that 34 = 12
9 since 3 is 9 in lowest terms.
4 12

Must Know
Given a fraction, multiplying or dividing both the numerator and denominator by a
nonzero constant will not change the value of the fraction.

However, given a fraction, adding to or subtracting from the numerator and denominator a nonzero
constant will change the value of the fraction. For example, consider the fraction 2 . If we add 4 to
3
both the numerator and denominator, the fraction becomes 6 . Notice that 6 ≠ 2 . Similarly, consider
7 7 3
the fraction 12 . If we subtract 3 from the numerator and denominator, the fraction becomes 6
9 .
9
Notice that 6 ≠ 9 since 6 = 2 and 9 = 3 .
9 12 9 3 12 4

Must Know
Given a fraction, adding to or subtracting from the numerator and denominator a
nonzero constant will change the value of the fraction.

Of course, if we know the two fractions won’t be equal when we add or subtract a nonzero constant
in this manner, we may want to know which fraction is larger, the new one or the original one. We
can use some simple rules to determine which fraction is larger.

If a fraction is positive, adding a positive constant to the numerator and the denominator will bring
the fraction closer to 1. That is, if the fraction is less than 1, it will get larger, but if it’s more than 1, it will
get smaller.

If a fraction is positive, subtracting a positive constant from the numerator and the denominator will
move the fraction away from 1, assuming the resulting numerator and denominator are both still
positive. That is, if the fraction is less than 1, it will get smaller, but if it’s more than 1, it will get larger.

For example, consider the fraction 34 . Adding 6 to the numerator and denominator will make the
fraction become 109 . Notice that 9 is greater than 3 since 9 = 0.9 and 3 = 0.75. Similarly, if we
10 4 10 4
subtract 2 from the numerator and denominator, the fraction becomes 21 . Notice that 21 < 34 since 21
= 0.5 and 34 = 0.75. Now consider the fraction 10 . Subtracting 1 from the numerator and denominator
3
will make the fraction 9 , which is more than 10 since 9 = 4 1 and 10 = 3 1 .
2 3 2 2 3 3

Must Know
If a fraction is between 0 and 1, adding to the numerator and the denominator a positive
constant will make the fraction larger. Subtracting from the numerator and the
denominator a positive constant will make the fraction smaller as long as the new
fraction is still positive. If a fraction is more than 1, adding to the numerator and the
denominator a positive constant will make the fraction smaller. Subtracting from the
numerator and the denominator a positive constant will make the fraction larger as long
as the new fraction is still positive.

Let’s consider the following example.

Example 40 Hard ! #

If x = 21 , and m and k are positive numbers and m ≠ 2, does the value of x get larger?
$ %
1) k is added to both the numerator and denominator of x.

2) m is subtracted from both the numerator and denominator of x.

! Statement (1) ALONE is sufficient, but statement (2) alone is not sufficient.

Statement (2) ALONE is sufficient, but statement (1) alone is not sufficient.

BOTH statements TOGETHER are sufficient, but NEITHER statement ALONE is sufficient.

EACH statement ALONE is sufficient.

Statements (1) and (2) TOGETHER are NOT sufficient.

Hide solution "

02:03

Solution:

Question Stem Analysis:

The stem tells us that x = 1 . We’re attempting to determine whether the result is larger. No
2
other useful information is provided.

Statement One Alone:

k is added to both the numerator and denominator of x.

Since x is a positive fraction and k is a positive constant, adding k to both the numerator and
denominator of x will make the result larger. We know that adding a positive constant to the
numerator and the denominator of a positive fraction that is less than one will make the
fraction larger. Statement one alone is sufficient.

Eliminate answer choices B, C, and E.

Statement Two Alone:

m is subtracted from both the numerator and denominator of x.

If m = 1, then 1 becomes 0 , which is 0. Thus, the result is smaller. However, if m = 3, then 1

Correct answer: A

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