Why should you avoid solving the columns in isolation?
GMAC describes Two-Part Analysis as two related problems. Sometimes the same choice can fit both columns: follow the case’s constraints rather than ruling that out by default. Other cases require different choices. The prompt determines which.
Start by writing down what each column represents: quantity A and quantity B, condition and result, or morning and afternoon roles. The choices are a pool of answers, not definitions of the unknowns. Our approach is to solve the relationships first, then check where each answer belongs.
How can you find two quantities from two totals?
The first case is numerical. The shared answer choices appear in a table; you can record an answer for each column before viewing the explanation.
| Possible value |
|---|
| 4 |
| 6 |
| 8 |
| 10 |
| 12 |
| 14 |
A museum sold 20 tickets. Adult tickets cost $18 and student tickets cost $12. Total ticket revenue was $288. Select the number of adult tickets and the number of student tickets.
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The solution, step by step
Adult tickets: 8. Student tickets: 12.
The method in action
- If all tickets were student tickets, the 20 tickets would bring in $240. The difference is $48. Each adult ticket adds $6, so there are 48/6 = 8 adult tickets.
- That leaves 20 − 8 = 12 student tickets. Check: 8 × 18 + 12 × 12 = 144 + 144 = $288.
- The pair is unique: the relationship 18a + 12(20 − a) = 288 gives 6a = 48. Reversing 8 and 12 gives $312, not $288. The other pairs that add to 20 do not match the revenue.
How can you use a constraint table without calculating?
The second case asks you to assign two different people. A required qualification is necessary, but not enough if the schedule does not work. Cross-check qualifications and availability before choosing.
| Employee | Qualification | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Amina | First aid | Morning only |
| Bruno | Technical inspection | Afternoon only |
| Chloe | First aid and technical inspection | Morning only |
| Diego | No listed qualification | All day |
A venue needs a technical inspector in the morning and a first-aid officer in the morning. The two roles must be assigned to different employees. Select the technical inspector and the first-aid officer.
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The solution, step by step
Technical inspector: Chloe. First-aid officer: Amina.
The method in action
- The morning technical role requires both conditions. Bruno has the qualification but not the availability; only Chloe meets both requirements.
- For the morning first-aid role, Amina and Chloe are qualified and available. But Chloe already has the other role, and the people must be different, so Amina is required.
- Amina is not qualified for inspection; Bruno is unavailable; Diego lacks the qualifications. Choosing Chloe twice violates an explicit condition in the case. The remaining pair is unique.
The pitfall
A correct answer in the wrong column becomes incorrect
In the ticket problem, both values matter, but they are not interchangeable. In the assignment problem, Chloe can serve as the first-aid officer, but using her for that role leaves the inspection role unfilled. A valid choice for one part may not fit the complete problem.
As a final check, reread both column headings and test the pair against every constraint. This is more reliable than merely checking whether each name or number appears somewhere in the table.
What should you record after the exercise?
Write one sentence explaining what determined the first answer, then what required the second. If you found both at the same time, show both relationships. You should be able to justify why the pair is unique without listing combinations at random.
On a new question, first look for the most restrictive constraint. In the verbal case, the morning inspection role leaves only one person. In the numerical case, the price difference directly reveals the number of adult tickets. Recognizing these constraints reduces work without dropping any conditions.
Key takeaways
- Define the columns before looking at the answer choices.
- Find a solution that satisfies every constraint.
- Check the pair and the order of its answers.