In the first part of this article, we took a look at how to read MSR passages and take some light notes. We finished off with a problem—now let’s talk about the solution! (Note: click on the link earlier in this paragraph; you’re going to want the tab text when reading through the solution.)

Here’s the problem again:

 “Based on the information in the passage and tables, it can be determined that the average monthly meat consumption, in pounds, by the residents of Barras in the AD 1000s was which of the following?

“(A) 9,600

“(B) 10,000

“(C) 16,000

“(D) 17,400

“(E) 18,000”

How did it go? Our first task is to figure out where to go. Which tab is likely to be most useful in answering this question? They ask about meat consumption and also specify Barras in the AD 1000s.

Both tables (in tabs 2 and 3) talk about Barras and meat consumption, but this question asks about pounds—that sends us to tab 3.

Read the key up at top. The table shows average monthly meat consumption (good, that’s what we want!) in pounds for a 4-person family. We want pounds. Do we want a 4-person family?

Nope. The question asks about the total consumption in pounds for the residents of Barras. We’re going to need to do a little calculating here.

In the 1000s, Barras’s average monthly consumption per 4-person family was 160 pounds. Per person, then, consumption was 160 /4 = 40 pounds. Hmm, now what?

We need to know the total number of residents in Barras in the 1000s. Where did they tell us that?

Right! Tab 1 gave some information about population at the end of the paragraph about Barras. The passage says that there were 400 residents, on average, in the AD 1000s.

400 residents multiplied by 40 pounds per resident is a total of 16,000 pounds.

The correct answer is (C).

What did you learn about MSRs from this problem? I think there are 3 key takeaways, which I list at the end of this article; try to come up with your own before you read them.

Let’s try another problem from this MSR; give yourself about 1.5 to 2 minutes total to answer all three parts of this problem.

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Here are the free GMAT events we’re holding this week. All times are local unless otherwise specified.

9/4/13– Washington, DC – Free Trial Class- 6:30PM- 9:30PM

9/4/13– San Francisco, CA- Free Trial Class– 6:30PM- 9:30PM

9/4/13– Online- Free Trial Class– 8:00PM- 11:00PM (EDT)

9/5/13–  Encino, CA – Free Trial Class– 6:30PM- 9:30PM

9/5/13– New York, NY –GMAT Preview at New York Center– 6:30PM- 8:30PM

9/5/13– GMAT Preview at Madison Center– 6:00PM- 8:00PM

9/5/13– Irvine, CA- Free Trial Class– 6:30PM- 9:30PM

9/5/13– Los Angeles, CA- Free Trial Class– 6:30PM- 9:30PM

9/7/13– Online- Free Trial Class– 2:00PM- 5:00PM (EDT)

9/7/13– Madison, WI – Free Trial Class– 2:00PM- 5:00PM

9/7/13– Boston, MA – Free Trial Class– 2:00PM- 5:00PM

9/8/13– Online- Free Trial Class– 10:00AM- 1:00PM (EDT)

9/8/13– London- Free Trial Class– 5:30PM- 8:30PM

9/8/13– Bellaire, TX- Free Trial Class – 6:00PM- 9:00PM
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We invite you to test your GMAT knowledge for a chance to win! Each week, we will post a new Challenge Problem for you to attempt. If you submit the correct answer, you will be entered into that week’s drawing for a free Manhattan GMAT Prep item. Tell your friends to get out their scrap paper and start solving!
Here is this week’s problem:

At 8am on Thursday, two workers, A and B, each start working independently to build identical decorative lamps. Worker A completes her lamp at 5pm on Friday, while Worker B completes her lamp sometime during the morning on Friday. If both workers adhere to working hours of 8am to 12pm and 1pm to 5pm each day, at which of the following times might the two workers have completed a single lamp had they worked together at their respective constant rates?

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