Qn 218 OG

---------------------I think of this as a tough Min Max Problem. Well as a student taking the test, I
look at this question in one way i.e. where all the decimal numbers are
different. I mean they can all be different i.e. 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7,
1.8, 1.9, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.8, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.7,
3.9, 4.1, 4.3, 4.5, 4.7, 4.9

Here, for the distinct set, we've 10 even tenth decimal digit numbers, i.e,
1.2, 1,4, 1.6, 1.8 who will be rounded up to 2*4 = 8
2.2, 2.8, 2.6, 2.8 who will be rounded up to 3*4 = 12
3.2, 3.4 who will be rounded up to 4*2 = 8

the distinct odd integers are:

1.1, 1.3, 1.5, 1.7, 1.9 who will be rounded down to 1*5 = 5
2.1, 2.3, 2.5, 2.5, 2.9 who will be rounded down to 2*5 = 10
3.1, 3.3, 3.5, 3.7, 3.9 who will be rounded down to 3*5 = 15
4.1, 4.3, 4.5, 4.7, 4.9 who will be rounded down to 4*5 = 20

Now S = 83
and E = 78
which gives us E-S = -5
Now the problem with distinct decimal numbers is that it is cumbersome to
take everything into account. During the GMAT we just have 1:20mins to
2:00mins to solve. So we can't afford to take distinct values.
---------------------------------------------------------------------Alternate Route: Take one value for even and one value for odd that is

repetitive.

Suppose 2.1 is taken as the odd tenth place decimal value 20 times.
and 2.2 is taken as the even place decimal value 10 times.

but again the qn arises : This will also give me only one value, then what
should i do?
think like this: the left side of the decimal really doesnt matter, it can be
anything 2 or 3 or 8 or whatever. its what is on the right of the decimal that
counts.... So I need a RANGE of E-S.

So for that I'll pick 2.1 and 2.9 AND 2.2 and 2.8

Case 1: 2.2 10 times = 22

Rounded off will give me 30

2.1 20 times = 42
Rounded off will give me 40
E-S = 70 - 64 = 6 (one of the options!!)

Case 2: 2.8 10 times = 28

Rounded off will give 30

2.9 20 times = 58
Rounded off will give me 40

E-S = 70 - 86 = -16 (Again one of the options!)

So E-S can have I. and II. value not III (10)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------I've written it like this because as a student and fellow companion of every
student like me prepping for GMAT, it is important to show that no thought
process is wrong. The trick is to bring it on track. Many like me would have
thought "oh!, I can take distinct values" but wait! Is the GMAT testing me for
working out cumbersome numbers? NO!
So what can i do? Take repeated numbers! -> but that gives me only one
value! So take the least and highest of the range (2.1...2.9) and (2.2....2.8)
and work it out!

Hope this helps (someone who is like me, and thinks a little too much while
solving problems, lol :) )