Questions about the world of GRE Math from other sources and general math related questions.
ayjayar
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Confusing Wording in GRE also?

by ayjayar Tue Mar 18, 2014 10:30 am

I've been going through all the 3rd Edition Manhattan Prep Books and have been getting tripped up time to time over (supposedly) inaccurate wording. Since I'm in Guide 5 now, I'll give two of the most recent examples. The second example is better than the first (as it is what got me to come here).

Guide 5, pg 147 Drill Set 3, #6.
"3 lawyers earn an average of $300 per hour. How much money have they earned in total after they each worked 4 hours?"

My first interpretation was that all three averaged $300 total, especially since the word "each" was used later. However, I decided it was a bit too easy that way, so I decided it meant "3 lawyers each earn an average of $300 per hour" and that ended up being the case.

Guide 5, pg 162 Easy Practice Question Set, #9.
"At the Golden Buffet, diners can choose either soup or salad for an appetizer; beef, chicken, fish, or pasta for an entree; and pie or ice cream for dessert. What is the maximum number of days that a diner can eat a combination of one appetizer, one entree, and one dessert at the Golden Buffet without repeating the same combination twice?"

Can you guess what tripped me up? "Repeating the same combination twice." That actually means doing a combination once, then repeating, then repeating a second time, correct? It would, make the answer 2*4*2*2. However, since it was in the Easy section, I suppose I should have figured out it was simpler.

Are these questions taken directly from past GREs, so the wording is the same as can be expected on the GRE, or is the GRE normally more accurate with its questions, or what? I am sure I'm nitpicking, as 99% of the content is pretty clear.

Thanks!
tommywallach
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Re: Confusing Wording in GRE also?

by tommywallach Sun Mar 23, 2014 8:49 pm

Hey Ajy,

Hmm. Well, I 50% agree with you! I don't think the first question is confusing, particularly because it wouldn't make a difference! If each one averages $300, then they would also individually average $300. Now it's true that it wouldn't work the other way (if the group averages $300, we don't know if each individual person averages $300), but the question wouldn't be answerable if there were another interpretation, so I think it's fair.

The other example seems more dangerous, because "repeat twice" is technically redundant. For what it's worth, I've never seen a question MEAN anything other than "without repeating," but I agree with you that this one is confusing. I'll get errata on it!

-t
ayjayar
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Re: Confusing Wording in GRE also?

by ayjayar Wed Mar 26, 2014 3:19 pm

Thanks for your reply! I had a feeling I was probably overthinking it a bit. I appreciate the input.
tommywallach
Manhattan Prep Staff
 
Posts: 1917
Joined: Thu Mar 31, 2011 11:18 am
 

Re: Confusing Wording in GRE also?

by tommywallach Sat Mar 29, 2014 10:28 pm

Thank you for the catches. We really appreciate it, and are now planning to adjust the wording in both places moving forward. Thanks!