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Data InsightsTwo-Part Analysis

Free GMAT Two-Part Analysis Practice Question

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A workshop finishes small wind-turbine blades on two independent CNC stations that do not share work. Station 1 finishes one blade every 40 minutes. Station 2 finishes one blade every 60 minutes. Each station runs on its own throughout a single 8-hour shift. In the table, select the number of blades Station 1 finishes during the shift and the number of blades Station 2 finishes during the shift. Make one selection in each column; the columns are independent.

Blades Station 1 finishes during the shift: . Blades Station 2 finishes during the shift: .

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Answer & Explanation

Correct answer

1: 12 · 2: 8

An 8-hour shift is 480 minutes, and each station's count is found entirely from its own cycle time. Station 1 finishes a blade every 40 minutes, so it makes 480 ÷ 40 = 12. Station 2 finishes a blade every 60 minutes, so it makes 480 ÷ 60 = 8. Neither figure can be read off the other, because the two stations run at different speeds with no shared work.

The selection of 16 comes from misreading a station as finishing one blade every 30 minutes, 480 ÷ 30 = 16, rather than at its true cycle time. The selection of 20 is the two outputs added together, the answer to a different question (combined output) that neither column asks for. The selection of 24 comes from treating a station as if it ran at one blade every 20 minutes, 480 ÷ 20 = 24. Reading 8 for Station 1 or 12 for Station 2 swaps the two cycle times.