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In 10 real SATs there's this tricky problem involving a table. This is question number 7 in section 7 on page 391 of the third edition. I put down answer D, and still don't see why the answer could possibly be B.

here is the explanation offered on the internet http://www.studyhall.com/webpage2000/p539-q7.htm

Can anyone help me out?

By the way this is how i reached my answer...

36 + 17 = 53
- + 26 = 26 so four entries right?
- + 21 = 21

By Serene (Serene) on Friday, July 04, 2003 - 02:02 pm: Edit

I would like to help but I don't have the book. (Do people expect others to have every single edition of every prep book there is?) Do post the question if you can.

By Xiggi (Xiggi) on Friday, July 04, 2003 - 02:24 pm: Edit

Jshifton~

What studyhall.com is telling you is that IF you would assign A hypothetical value to each of Column 1, Row 1 and Column 1, Row 2, that would sufficient to complete the table.

In this case, they used x and y. They demonstrated that you can solve the remaining value in terms of x and y.

Since you can SOLVE the remaining values IF you know x and y, you would only need to be given the values for x and y. In other words, you only NEED x and y, and that is TWO entries.

It is one of those tricky problems that is sooooo simple when you get it but is puzzling when you draw a blank at the logic.

BTW, congrats in working thru the book.

Xig

By Xiggi (Xiggi) on Friday, July 04, 2003 - 02:32 pm: Edit

Just a slight addendum :

This is a question Number 7 out of 10. So, it must be a "difficult" question.

Remember that CB wants you to GUESS wrong. It is obvious that 6 cannot be one of the correct answers. Too simple. It is also very doubtful that an odd number like 1 or 3 would work. This leaves you with 2 possible answers.

Your answer of 4 would work but it would be an OVERLY simplistic solution. Needing 4 entries to find 6 values that are cross-tabulated is indeed TOO simple.

The answer must be TWO entries.

So, there are two ways to solve this problem. One is by thinking and solving using x and y. The other one is by using deduction and knowledge of ETS devilish ways to beat them. If I had time, I would try to solve it but if running out of time, the other solution would work MOST of the time to your advantage.

By Aoe2guy (Aoe2guy) on Friday, July 04, 2003 - 03:49 pm: Edit

yea i looked at the question - its in section 7 of november '96 and #7..this question just tests the common math idea that: a+b=c..in other words, if they give u "B" u can solve for a, if they give u a and b u get c... so if u take choice B's (2 numbers only) u put 2 numbers in the same column.. this way u solve for the last number in this column with the idea that a +b+c=d, and u can solve across for all 3 rows with c - a = b

By Jshifton (Jshifton) on Saturday, July 05, 2003 - 03:28 pm: Edit

thanks a lot serene, xiggi, and aoe2guy! I really appreciate your help.