LUANDATO wrote:Bert left the house with N dollars. He spent 1/4 of this at the hardware store, then $7 at the dry cleaners, and then half of what was left at the grocery store. When he got home, he had $10 left in his pocket. What was the value of N?
A. $36
B. $44
C. $52
D. $60
E. $68
We can PLUG IN THE ANSWERS, which represent the total amount of money.
When the correct answer is plugged in, the amount left in Bert's pocket = 10.
B: 44
Amount spent at the hardware store = (1/4)(44) = 11.
Amount spent at the dry cleaners = 7.
Remaining amount = 44-11-7 = 26.
Since 1/2 of the remaining amount is spent at the grocery store, 1/2 of the remaining amount is left in Bert's pocket:
(1/2)(26) = 13.
The amount left in Bert's pocket is TOO BIG.
Thus, the correct answer must be LESS THAN 44.
The correct answer is
A.
A: 36
Amount spent at the hardware store = (1/4)(36) = 9.
Amount spent at the dry cleaners = 7.
Remaining amount = 36-9-7 = 20.
Since 1/2 of the remaining amount is spent at the grocery store, 1/2 of the remaining amount is left in Bert's pocket:
(1/2)(20) = 10.
Success!
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