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If It Takes a Machine 2/3 Minute to Produce One Item, How Many Items GMAT Problem Solving

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Question: If it takes a machine 2⁄3 minute to produce one item, how many items will it produce in 2 hours?

  1. 1⁄3
  2. 4⁄3
  3. 80
  4. 120
  5. 180

Correct Answer: E
Solution and Explanation:
Approach Solution 1:

The problem statement states that:

Given:

  • A machine takes 2⁄3 minute to produce one item.

Find out:

  • The number of items produced in 2 hours.

We know that the machine takes 2⁄3 minute to produce one item
Therefore, we can say, ⅔ minute = 1 item produced

If 3 is multiplied on both sides, we get:
=> ⅔ x 3 = 1 x 3
=> 2 minutes = 3 items produced

Now we know what occurs every 2 minutes, so we can work up to 2 hours.
We know that 2 hours = 120 minutes.

Therefore, we can say:
=> 2 minutes = 3 items produced
=> 60 minutes = 90 items produced
=> 120 minutes = 180 items produced

Hence, 180 items can be produced in 2 hours.

Approach Solution 2:

The problem statement informs that:

Given:

  • A machine takes 2⁄3 minute to produce one item.

Find out:

  • The number of items produced in 2 hours.

To produce 1 item the machine takes 2/3 min
The question asks to find the number of items produced by the machine in 2 hours i.e 120 minutes.
Let's consider that the machine takes 120 min to produce x

Therefore we can say:
\(\frac{2x}{3} = 120\)
then x = \(\frac{120 * 3}{2}\)
Therefore, x = 180
Hence, the machine can produce 180 items in 2 hours.

Approach Solution 3:

The problem statement implies that:

Given:

  • A machine takes 2⁄3 minute to produce one item.

Find out:

  • The number of items produced in 2 hours.

As per the conditions of the question, we can say:
In ⅔ minute, the machine can produce = 1 item
Therefore, in 2 minutes, the machine can produce = 3 items
Then in 1 minute, the machine can produce = 3/2 item
Hence, in 120 minutes, the machine can produce = 3/2 * 120 = 180

Therefore, the machine can produce 180 items in 2 hours.

Approach Solution 4:

The problem statement suggests that:

Given:

  • A machine takes 2⁄3 minute to produce one item.

Find out:

  • The number of items produced in 2 hours.

Since the machine produces a little more than 1 item a minute, in 2 hours it must be more than 120 items.

Therefore, E is the only option.
Hence, the machine can produce 180 items in 2 hours.

“If it takes a machine 2⁄3 minute to produce one item, how many items”- is a topic of the GMAT Quantitative reasoning section of the GMAT exam. This question has been taken from the book “The Official Guide for GMAT Review”. To solve the GMAT Problem Solving questions, the candidates must have a basic knowledge of mathematics. The candidates can follow GMAT Quant practice papers to go through different types of questions to improve their mathematical skills.

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*The article might have information for the previous academic years, please refer the official website of the exam.

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