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GMAT Quant OGQR 2020 Question #86 with Solution -“When a rectangular vat that is 3 feet deep…”

A < 1 min read

PQID – PS95602.01 | OGQR 2020: Question No. 96

When a rectangular vat that is 3 feet deep is filled to (2/3) of its capacity, it contains 60 gallons of water. If 7 1/2 gallons of water occupies 1 cubic foot of space, what is the area, in square feet, of the base of the vat?

SourceOGQR 2020
TypeProblem Solving
TopicGeometry
Sub-TopicRectangular Solids
DifficultyMedium

Solution

Given

In this question, we are given

  • When a rectangular vat that is 3 feet deep is filled to 2/3 of its capacity, it contains 60 gallons of water.
  • 7(Ā½) gallons of water occupies 1 cubic foot of space.

To Find

We need to determine

  • The area, in square feet, of the base of the vat.

Approach & Working

When the vat is filled to 2/3 of its capacity, it contains 60 gallons of water.

  • Hence, the capacity of the vat = 60 * 3/2 = 90 gallons
  • The space occupied, when the vat is fully filled = 90/7.5 = 12 cubic feet

If the area of the base is n, then we can say

  • Area of the base * height = volume (or space occupied)

Or, n * 3 = 12

Or, n = 4

Hence, the correct answer is option A.

Takeaways:

  1. If 2/3rd of something is ā€˜Xā€™, then total of that = X * 3/2
  2. Volume = Area of base * height

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