OG16 - DS 160

This topic has expert replies
Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 31
Joined: Sat Apr 23, 2016 9:06 pm

OG16 - DS 160

by amina.shaikh309 » Tue May 24, 2016 7:42 am

Timer

00:00

Your Answer

A

B

C

D

E

Global Stats


User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 15539
Joined: Tue May 25, 2010 12:04 pm
Location: New York, NY
Thanked: 13060 times
Followed by:1906 members
GMAT Score:790

by GMATGuruNY » Tue May 24, 2016 8:09 am

Timer

00:00

Your Answer

A

B

C

D

E

Global Stats

What amount did Jean earn from the commission on her sales in the first half of 1988 ?

(1) In 1988 Jean's commission was 5 percent of the total amount of her sales.
(2) The amount of Jean's sales in the second half of 1988 averaged $10,000 per month more than in the first half
Statement 1:
If Jean's total sales = $100, then her commission = 5% of 100 = $5.
If Jean's total sales = $1000, then her commission = 5% of 1000 = $50.
Since her commission can be different values, INSUFFICIENT.

Statement 2:
Since the commission rate is unknown, INSUFFICIENT.

Statements combined:
Case 1: Sales for the first half of the year = $10000 per month, sales for the second half of the year = $20000 per month
In this case:
Total sales = (6*10000) + (6*20000) = $180,000.
Commission = 5% of 180,000 = $9,000.

Case 2: Sales for the first half of the year = $20000 per month, sales for the second half of the year = $30000 per month
In this case:
Total sales = (6*20000) + (6*30000) = $300,000.
Commission = 5% of $300,000 = $15,000.

Since the commission can be different values, INSUFFICIENT.

The correct answer is E.
Private tutor exclusively for the GMAT and GRE, with over 20 years of experience.
Followed here and elsewhere by over 1900 test-takers.
I have worked with students based in the US, Australia, Taiwan, China, Tajikistan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia -- a long list of countries.
My students have been admitted to HBS, CBS, Tuck, Yale, Stern, Fuqua -- a long list of top programs.

As a tutor, I don't simply teach you how I would approach problems.
I unlock the best way for YOU to solve problems.

For more information, please email me (Mitch Hunt) at [email protected].
Student Review #1
Student Review #2
Student Review #3

User avatar
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 410
Joined: Fri Mar 13, 2015 3:36 am
Location: Worldwide
Thanked: 120 times
Followed by:8 members
GMAT Score:770

by OptimusPrep » Thu May 26, 2016 7:10 pm

Timer

00:00

Your Answer

A

B

C

D

E

Global Stats

amina.shaikh309 wrote:Image
Required: How much did Jean earn in commission in first half of 1988

Statement 1: In 1988 Jean's commission was 5 percent of the total amount of her sales
Since we do not know the total sales, we cannot find the commission.
INSUFFICIENT

Statement 2: The amount of Jean's sales in the second half of 1988 averaged $10,000 per month more than in the first half
Nothing discussed about the commission percentage.
Clearly INSUFFICIENT

Combining both statements:
We just know the difference between the sales of both halves, but not the absolute values.
The commission will depend on the absolute values.
Still INSUFFICIENT

Correct Option: E

User avatar
Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 44
Joined: Fri Apr 17, 2015 8:16 pm
Thanked: 6 times
Followed by:2 members
GMAT Score:740

by nchaswal » Sat May 28, 2016 5:48 am

Timer

00:00

Your Answer

A

B

C

D

E

Global Stats

Amina

I have a question for you. How long did it take you to solve this ? And did you solve this correctly ?

This is hardly a 1 Min question and just like I explained in one of the problems you posted, if some key principles are etched in your mind you do not have to spend much time on a problem. It is just like knowing multiplication table of 5. You can never forget it and it is always at ur finger tips that any multiple of 5 can either have last digit as 5 or 0.

Statement 1:INSUFFICIENT ( 10 secs)

Again as the question is EXACT value Q, only % will not give you answer.

Statement 2: INSUFFICIENT (15 secs)

The variable X is first half sales. This statement gives no info about X.

COMBINE: INSUFFICIENT (20-30 secs)

You have the % but you still do not have X so no point thinking further.

Answer : E

You saved almost more than 1 min by keeping some simple rules at tips.

Cheers
It is GMAT. So what?