Baseline + Gap
GMAT glossary · Playbook
Definition
Assuming an extreme all-of-one baseline, measuring the dollar or unit gap, then converting that gap into how many swaps of each type you need.
Baseline + Gap in plain English
Pull Baseline + Gap on dual-total or coin/mixture stories where an all-of-one baseline reveals the gap. Clues include all dimes, all small, or how many of each denomination. Assume an extreme baseline, measure the dollar (or unit) gap, convert gap into swaps. Two-variable systems are fine but slower; the gap converts directly into counts once you know how much each swap changes the total. Choose the baseline that makes the arithmetic friendliest. Micro-example: 10 coins of dimes and nickels total 0.80. Baseline all dimes = 1.00. Gap = 0.20 too high. Each dime-to-nickel swap loses 0.05, so 0.20/0.05 = 4 nickels and 6 dimes.
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