Smart Numbers

[QuinganZ341]

Hi,

For smart numbers or VIC problems, once I find an answer using the equation in the question and I am plugging the number into the choices to find a matching answer, can I just stop whenever an answer matches? Or do I need to go through all the answer choices first just to ensure that another answer choice doesn't match as well?

I ask because I always just stop whenever I find a matching answer, but the explanations in the CATs always go through all the answer choices. Please advise as to when I can just stop and when I need to go through all the choices.

Thank you,
Q

[RonPurewal]

consider:

What is x + x?
(A) x^2
(B) 2x

now plug in x = 2 and watch what happens. there's your answer.

[QuinganZ341]

but thank you...

[tim]

[RonPurewal]

note the most important take-home point here:
if some strategy point is unclear ... make up VERY EASY examples.

the point is that the example should be so easy that it cannot possibly pose any sort of challenge to your understanding. only in that kind of environment can you actually dedicate 100 per cent of your brainpower to thinking about the strategy, rather than the problem itself.