According to the directions on a packet of smoothie mix, 1 3-ounce packet of smoothie mix is to be combined with 15 ounces of water to make a smoothie. How many 3-ounce packets of smoothie mix are required to prepare 150 12-ounce smoothies?  Choose the correct choice.
A) 120	B) 150	C) 180	D) 240	E) 600

Rationale: "this question was n ' t particularly grueling , but i think it ' s the first where i had the opportunity to solve it via theory andinspectionthat many on this board suggest as strategy on the gmat . it actually came to me by accident . basically , if we thought that the 3 packets of powder were included in the 12 ounces of water , that would mean we would need 150 packets of smoothie mix ( along with 12 ( 150 ) ounces of water for a total of 150 packets . however , we know , after a more careful reading of the stimulus , that the 3 ounces are not included in the 12 ounces . as such , the answer has to be less than 150 packets , since 150 would be too much powder considering you already have 150 ( 12 ) ounces of water and need less packets than water to make a smoothie . as such , the only answer less than 150 is 120 , a . does this make sense ? or am i way off base ? c"
Answer: C