Question

The secret to the ultimate paper plane is best summed up as: A. a plane with delta-shaped wings B. getting the balance and shape right C. the design of the nose and wing D. using sticky tape, glue and weights E. complex aerodynamic principles captured by simplicity of design

Short answer

B. getting the balance and shape right

Step-by-step solution

- Understand the keywords

Read the question carefully and identify key terms that may hint at the correct answer. The key phrase is 'ultimate paper plane'.

- Analyze each option

Examine each provided option to see which best fits the description of creating the 'ultimate' paper plane.

- Eliminate clearly incorrect options

Look for options that do not directly contribute to the effectiveness of the plane or are unrelated to the question.

- Compare remaining options

Narrow down to the most relevant choices by considering what is essential to making a paper plane fly well.

- Select the best answer

From the narrowed down options, choose the one that succinctly captures the essence of a well-performing paper plane.

Key concepts

Problem-solving strategies

When approaching GMAT questions, having a clear problem-solving strategy is crucial. This involves several steps such as understanding the question, analyzing the options, and using logical reasoning to arrive at the correct answer.
First, read the question carefully, identifying keywords and phrases that are crucial to understanding what is being asked. For instance, in our example, the phrase 'ultimate paper plane' is significant.
Next, analyze each option to see which best fits the criteria. In the case of the paper plane question, you would consider elements that contribute to the performance of a paper plane. This might include balance, shape, aerodynamic principles, and construction materials.
After analyzing the options, start eliminating those that do not directly address the problem or seem less relevant. This will help narrow down your choices to the most promising options.
Finally, compare the remaining choices critically and select the one that best captures the essence of the question. Practice these strategies regularly to improve your problem-solving skills in the GMAT exam.

Answer elimination techniques

Answer elimination is a practical technique that increases accuracy when dealing with multiple-choice questions. It involves systematically ruling out options that are clearly incorrect.
Start by reviewing each answer choice in relation to the question. For example, in the question about the ultimate paper plane, options like 'using sticky tape, glue and weights' can be ruled out as they don't directly relate to the key aspect of what makes a paper plane 'ultimate'.
Next, remove any choices that are irrelevant or too specific. Answers that focus on a minor detail instead of addressing the overall requirement of the question are usually incorrect.
Look at the remaining answers and see if any two are similar. This can be a signal that one of these might be correct, as exams often include similar but slightly varying answers to test your attention to detail.
Finally, re-read the question with the remaining answers to see which one fits best. This approach reduces the chances of making a guess and helps you focus on the most likely correct answer.

Critical analysis skills

Critical analysis skills are essential for excelling in the GMAT exam. These skills involve breaking down complex problems into manageable parts and evaluating each part carefully.
Begin by understanding the question and identifying the main problem. For example, determining what constitutes the 'ultimate' paper plane involves looking beyond the obvious and considering all factors that contribute to its performance.
Evaluate the relevance and significance of each part of the problem. Determine whether specific details in the options directly contribute to solving the problem. In our example, 'getting the balance and shape right' and 'the design of the nose and wing' are more relevant to performance than 'complex aerodynamic principles'.
Develop a logical reasoning approach to solve the problem. Compare the options using this logical framework, assess the effectiveness of each one, and see which best fits the problem's requirements.
Finally, practice this method with various questions to build and strengthen your critical analysis skills. This will enable you to tackle any GMAT problem efficiently and effectively.