A data center draws 240 megawatt-hours of electricity over one day. If its load is constant, how many megawatt-hours does it draw in one 8-hour shift?
Five fresh questions every day, your progress tracked, every miss explained. Free with an account.
QuantProblem Solving
Free GMAT Problem Solving Practice Question
PrepLattice is an independent test-preparation service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by GMAC, the organization that administers the GMAT. GMAT and GMAT Focus are trademarks of GMAC, used here only to name the exam this question is designed to prepare you for.
Answer & Explanation
Correct answer
C
A constant load spreads 240 megawatt-hours evenly across the 24 hours of the day, so each hour draws the same amount. Method 1, per hour: 240 ÷ 24 = 10 megawatt-hours per hour, then 10 × 8 = 80 over the shift. Method 2, fraction of the day: an 8-hour shift is 8 ÷ 24 = 1 ÷ 3 of the day, so 240 × (1 ÷ 3) = 80.
The wrong choices come from using the wrong divisor: dividing by 8 instead of 24 gives 30, treating the shift as a quarter of the day gives 60, and treating it as half the day gives 120.