GMAT Focus EditionData InsightsEasy
A logistics company is optimizing its delivery routes. They have collected data on the average time taken for deliveries and the number of packages delivered per route for three different regions: North, South, and West. | Region | Average Delivery Time (minutes) | Number of Packages | |---|---|---| | North | 45 | 120 | | South | 60 | 90 | | West | 30 | 150 | The company wants to determine which region has the most efficient deliveries, defined as the shortest average time per package. Which region is the most efficient, and what is its average time per package (in seconds)?
- AWest, 12 seconds/package
- BWest, 15 seconds/package
- CSouth, 40 seconds/package
- DNorth, 22.5 seconds/package
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. West, 12 seconds/package
To determine efficiency, calculate the average time per package for each region by dividing the total delivery time (average delivery time * number of packages) by the number of packages, then convert minutes to seconds.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. West: 30 minutes / 150 packages = 0.2 minutes/package. 0.2 * 60 = 12 seconds/package. The calculation is incorrect. This option is incorrect.
- C. South: 60 minutes / 90 packages = 0.667 minutes/package = 40 seconds/package. This is not the most efficient. This option is incorrect.
- D. North: 45 minutes / 120 packages = 0.375 minutes/package = 22.5 seconds/package. This is not the most efficient. This option is incorrect.
Per-Unit Metric Calculation
A per-unit metric expresses a quantity or value in relation to a single unit of another quantity, often used to compare efficiency or cost.
- Calculated by dividing a total quantity by the number of units.
- Examples include cost per item, time per task, or revenue per customer.
- Essential for performance analysis and benchmarking.
Memory trick: Efficiency is all about how much you get per unit of effort or time.