Question: The average weight of the women in a group is 60 kg and that of the men is 72 kg. If the average weight of the group is 68 kg, what is the ratio of women to men in the group?

1. 1 : 3
2. 1 : 2
3. 2 : 3
4. 3 : 2
5. 2 : 1

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

To solve this GMAT problem-solving question, you must use the information given in the question. The problems in this group come from many different areas of mathematics. This one has a lot to do with algebra.
The options are set up in a way that makes it hard to pick the best one. The candidates must know the right way to get the response they need. Only one of the five choices given is correct.

Given in the question that
In a group, the average weight of the men is 72 kg, while the average weight of the women is 60 kg. It is asked what the gender split is in the group, given that the average weight is 68 kg.

By using the weighted average formula,
let the number of women be w and the number of men be m.
w/m = 72 – 68/68 – 60 = 4/8 = ½
So, the ratio of women to men is 1:2.

B is the correct answer.

Approach Solution 2:

To solve this GMAT problem-solving question, you must use the information given in the question. The problems in this group come from many different areas of mathematics. This one has a lot to do with algebra.
The options are set up in a way that makes it hard to pick the best one. The candidates must know the right way to get the response they need. Only one of the five choices given is correct.

Given in the question that
In a group, the average weight of the men is 72 kg, while the average weight of the women is 60 kg. It is asked what the gender split is in the group, given that the average weight is 68 kg.

Let us assume that there are x men and y women.
Now the average of these many people is given to be 68kg
The average will be = (72 * x + 60 * y) / (x+y) = 72x + 60y / (x+y) = 68
We get,
72x + 60y = 68x + 68y
72x - 68x = 68y – 60y
4x = 8y
x/y = 2
The ratio of women : men will be y : x
Y : x = 1 : 2

B is the correct answer.

Approach Solution 3:

To solve this GMAT problem-solving question, you must use the information given in the question. The problems in this group come from many different areas of mathematics. This one has a lot to do with algebra.
The options are set up in a way that makes it hard to pick the best one. The candidates must know the right way to get the response they need. Only one of the five choices given is correct.

Given in the question that
In a group, the average weight of the men is 72 kg, while the average weight of the women is 60 kg. It is asked what the gender split is in the group, given that the average weight is 68 kg.

Let us assume that there is only 1 man and x women
Now the average of these many people is given to be 68kg
The average will be = (72 *1 + 60 * x) / (x+1) = 72 + 60x / (x+1) = 68
We get,
72 + 60x = 68x + 68
72 - 68 = 68x – 60x
4 = 8x
x = ½
The ratio of women : men will be x, in this case,

B is the correct answer.

“The average weight of the women in a group is 60 kg " - is a topic of the GMAT Quantitative reasoning section of GMAT. This question has been borrowed from the book “GMAT Official Guide Quantitative Review”.

To understand GMAT Problem Solving questions, applicants must possess fundamental qualitative skills. Quant tests a candidate's aptitude in reasoning and mathematics. The GMAT Quantitative test's problem-solving phase consists of a question and a list of possible responses. By using mathematics to answer the question, the candidate must select the appropriate response. The problem-solving section of the GMAT Quant topic is made up of very complicated math problems that must be solved by using the right math facts.

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