In a group of 60 scientists, 50 percent will… | GMAT Sprint

Free Practice Question

PS · Problem Solving

505-555

Algebra

In a group of 60 scientists, 50 percent will be assigned to Group X and the remaining 50 percent to Group Y. However, 80 percent of the scientists prefer Group X and 20 percent prefer Group Y. What is the lowest possible number of scientists who will NOT be assigned to the group they prefer?

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Official Explanation

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To find the lowest possible number of scientists who will not be assigned to the group they prefer, we first calculate the number of scientists assigned to each group and their preferences. There are 60 scientists in total. 50 percent assigned to Group X means 30 scientists (60 * 0.5 = 30) will be in Group X, and the same for Group Y. 80 percent prefer Group X, which is 48 scientists (60 * 0.8 = 48), and 20 percent prefer Group Y, which is 12 scientists (60 * 0.2 = 12). To minimize the number of scientists not…

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Comments

DevanganaFeb 18, 2025

thanks

AlejandroApr 1, 2025

Greatt

chungJan 17, 2025

Great!

NiharikaMay 4, 2025

this helped me

NikhilJul 6, 2024

Good question

ShivamFeb 16, 2025

thanks

KaustavJun 30

thanks, this one was pretty quick once i realized 30 and 30

HaleyJul 10

same, the 50/50 split is the key part

AryamanAug 26

wait how is it not 12? i keep getting 12 lol

AadishAug 30

the X people who miss out are forced too, not just the Y ones

SharadJul 10

is this really only 505-555? felt harder than that to me

AbhiApr 27

Nice, the trap answer choices 10 and 12 got me at first. Good reminder to check what the question is actually minimizing.

What this question tests

What it tests

Your ability to manipulate linear and quadratic expressions, substitute unknowns, and solve equations under time pressure.

Common trap

Losing a sign when moving terms across the equals sign, or dividing both sides by a variable that could equal zero.