PSAT Math Multiple-Choice Question 292: Answer and Explanation

Question: 292

A stack of 50 kitchen serving trays forms a column that is approximately inches tall. What is closest to the number of kitchen trays that would be needed to form a column that is 14 inches tall?

• A. 70
• B. 83
• C. 100
• D. 113

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:

C

Difficulty: Easy

Category: Proportions

Strategic Advice: Because the answer choices are widely spaced apart, and the question asks for the answer that is "closest to the number," estimation will be a better approach than wading into unnecessarily detailed and tedious calculations.

Getting to the Answer: Notice the relationship between the stack of trays in the question and the stack of trays you are asked to solve for: you are given a stack of inches, and you are asked how many plates are needed for a 14-inch stack. The number 14 is very close to twice , so you will need nearly twice the 50 plates given in the question. Thus, 100 is the correct answer, which is (C).