GRE question: Fun fun fun!

[imported_Tomato]

Is the quantity in column A greater, Column B greater, both columns are of equal value, or the relationship cannot be determined from the information given?


Q: A printer numbered consecutively the pages of a book begining with 1 on the first page. In numbering the pages, he printed a total of 189 digits.

A. The number of pages in the book
B. 100
C. Equal value
D. Relationship cannot be determined from information given

 

[new2AMD]

B is greater

1-9 are printed once and then its 2 digits from 10 thru 99

189-9=180
180/2=90
9+90=99

is that right?

 

[Regs]

Edit: ^Above Formula is correct

Pages 1-9 = 1 digit
Pages 10-189= 2 digits

Doing the math between counting the possible digits between 189 pages... is not 100 either.

This sounds like stats class.

I would agree, A it's greater.

 

[DaveSimmons]

new2AMD's math is correct, as Regs realized in the nick of time (saved by the edit) 🙂

 

[new2AMD]

Originally posted by: Regs
Edit: ^Above Formula is correct

Pages 1-9 = 1 digit
Pages 10-189= 2 digits

Doing the math between counting the possible digits between 189 pages... is not 100 either.

This sounds like stats class.

I would agree, A it's greater.

You agree but then say A is greater. Isnt B greater?

 

[skarydrunkguy]

b is greater. there are 99 pages in the book. 100 is greater than 99.

 

[DrPizza]

Agreed. But, although the math is nearly identical, I think starting with 100 pages and seeing how many digits would be required is a little quicker, mentally. 1-9 = 9 digits 10-99 = 2 digits each = 180 digits, and 100 = 3 digits. Total = 192 digits. Therefore 100 is more.

 

[imported_Tomato]

Originally posted by: DrPizza
Agreed. But, although the math is nearly identical, I think starting with 100 pages and seeing how many digits would be required is a little quicker, mentally. 1-9 = 9 digits 10-99 = 2 digits each = 180 digits, and 100 = 3 digits. Total = 192 digits. Therefore 100 is more.

I didn't think of approaching it that way initially, but you are right. 🙂