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Julie is Putting M Marbles in a Row in a Repeating Pattern GMAT Problem Solving

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Question: Julie is putting M marbles in a row in a repeating pattern: blue, white, red, green, black, yellow, pink. If the row begins with blue marble and ends with red marble, then which of the following could be the value of M?

  1. 22
  2. 30
  3. 38
  4. 46
  5. 54

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

The problem statement states that:

Given:

  • Julie is putting M marbles in a row in a repeating pattern: blue, white, red, green, black, yellow, pink.
  • The row begins with blue marble and ends with red marble.

Find out

  • The value of M.

Since Julie is putting M marbles in a pattern that includes blue, white, red, green, black, yellow, and pink, therefore, we can say;
There is an aggregate of 7 different coloured marbles in a pattern.
Now, the question states that the row begins with blue marble and ends with red marble. Therefore it ends with 3rd marble in a pattern. Therefore we can infer that:
M =7k+3.

Therefore, we can say that the only answer choice will be the multiple of 7 plus 3 is
38 = 7*5 + 3 = 35 + 3

Hence, the value of M = 38.

Approach Solution 2:

The problem statement informs that:

Given:

  • Julie is putting M marbles in a row in a repeating pattern: blue, white, red, green, black, yellow, pink.
  • The row begins with blue marble and ends with red marble.

Find out

  • The value of M.

As per the question, Julie is putting M marbles in a pattern that includes blue, white, red, green, black, yellow, and pink.
By considering the string of Blue, White, Red, Green, Black, Yellow and Pink marbles, we can infer that the string is 7 long.
Since the string repeats, it is required to divide all of the answers by seven.
Then it is necessary to note the way the actual string starts and ends.
As per the question, it starts with Blue (1st position) and ends with Red (3rd position).
Therefore, to solve the question we need to look for an answer that will be a multiple of seven, and have three leftover i.e remainder 3.
Therefore, the only option C = 38 = (7*5 + 3) justifies the fact.
Hence, the value of M = 38

Approach Solution 3:

The problem statement discloses that:

Given:

  • Julie is putting M marbles in a row in a repeating pattern: blue, white, red, green, black, yellow, pink.
  • The row begins with blue marble and ends with red marble.

Find out

  • The value of M.

Since the row begins with blue marble and ends with red marble, let us list a few and examine for a PATTERN:

Marble 1: blue
Marble 2: white
Marble 3: red
Marble 4: green
Marble 5: black
Marble 6: yellow
Marble 7: pink
Marble 8: blue
Marble 9: white
Marble 10: red
Marble 11: green
Marble 12: black
Marble 13: yellow
Marble 14: pink
Marble 15: blue
Marble 16: white
Marble 17: red
.
.
.

Therefore, it is analysed from the list that the position of the red marble is 3 plus some multiple of 7.
In other words, we can say that the position of the red marble will equal 7n + 3
It is required to look at the answer choices to find the correct answer to this problem.
Therefore, the only answer choice C = 38 can be written as 7(5) + 3.
Therefore it must be the correct answer.
Hence, the value of M = 38

“Julie is putting M marbles in a row in a repeating pattern”- is a topic of the GMAT Quantitative reasoning section of the GMAT exam. The candidates can figure out the GMAT Problem Solving questions in order to develop their skills in arithmetic, algebra and geometry. It helps the candidates to improve their mathematical knowledge and abilities. It tests candidates’ skills and efficiency in calculating quantitative problems. GMAT Quant practice papers enable the candidates to become familiar with different sorts of questions. This further helps the candidates to score better in the GMAT exam.

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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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