Problem Solving Strategies Flashcards

A UMAT logic problem: 'No reptiles are mammals. All crocodiles are reptiles.' Which conclusion is valid?

Answer: No crocodiles are mammals

All crocodiles are reptiles (given), and no reptiles are mammals (given), therefore no crocodiles are mammals by syllogistic deduction.

In a UMAT working-forwards problem: A hospital opens at 8 AM, and the first consultation takes 20 minutes. Each subsequent consultation takes 15 minutes. What time does the 5th consultation end?

Answer: 9:10 AM

Consultation 1 ends at 8:20; consultations 2–5 each take 15 min: 8:20 + (4 × 15) = 8:20 + 60 = 9:20 AM.

A UMAT problem presents a Venn diagram with 3 overlapping sets. Region X (only A∩B, not C) contains 5 elements. Region Y (only A, not B or C) contains 8. How many elements are in A but not C?

Answer: 13

Elements in A but not C = (only A) + (A∩B but not C) = 8 + 5 = 13, assuming no other A-regions overlap with C.

In a UMAT distance-rate-time problem: Two clinics are 240 km apart. A patient travels at 80 km/h. How long does the journey take?

Answer: 3 hours

Time = Distance / Speed = 240 / 80 = 3 hours.

A UMAT question requires you to find the odd one out: 2, 4, 9, 16, 25. Which number does not fit?

Answer: 2

4 = 2², 9 = 3², 16 = 4², 25 = 5² are all perfect squares, but 2 is not a perfect square.

In a UMAT problem-solving question, you are given partial information and must identify what additional data is needed to solve it. A question asks for the average age of a group but gives only the youngest and oldest ages. What is the minimum additional information needed?

Answer: The age of every individual in the group

To calculate an average, you need the sum of all values divided by the count — knowing only the extreme values is insufficient without all individual values or their sum.