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GMATPrep Problem

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by phoenix9801 » Wed Jun 09, 2010 7:11 pm
Can anyone help me please explain in details Ste-by-Step Instructions.


Problem

The value of -3 - (-10) is how much greater Than th value of -10 - (-3) ?

Solution:

-3-(-10) = 7

-10 - (-3) = -7

7 - (-7) = 14


The problem I do not understand where did they get the Negative between 7 and (-7) = 14????????????????

____________________________________


Another Problem

How can you solve this ???

(3^2) (3^3) (2^4)
_______________ =
96^2
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Source: — Problem Solving |

by Rich@VeritasPrep » Wed Jun 09, 2010 8:03 pm
Hi there,

Regarding the first problem, you end up having to figure out how much greater 7 is than -7.

If you were asked how much greater 3 is than 1, you'd know right away the answer is 2, right? How did you get that 2? By subtracting 1 from 3.

Likewise, the distance between 7 and -7 is 14. You must subtract -7 from 7 to get this 14.

Regarding the second problem, you need to break down 96^2 into its prime factorization. Prime factorization, by the way, comes up on so many problems on the GMAT, often in places you wouldn't expect ...

(3^2) (3^3) (2^4)
_______________ =
96^2


(3^2) (3^3) (2^4)
_______________ =
(2*2*2*2*2*3)^2


(3^2) (3^3) (2^4)
_______________ =
(2^5 * 3)^2


(3^2) (3^3) (2^4)
_______________ =
2^10 * 3^2


(3^3) (2^4)
_______________ =
2^10


(3^3)
_______________ =
(2^6)


27/64

Let me know if all that makes sense, and feel free to ask follow-up quesitons!
Rich Zwelling
GMAT Instructor, Veritas Prep
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by monusangeeta » Thu Jun 10, 2010 8:52 am
Dear Raz1024,

Please help me with this question:

Q2: At the end of the year, a certain credit card company pays a bonus of each of its credit card holders based on the amount, up to 10,00$, that a cardholder charged throughout the year. A 0.5% bonus is paid on the first 1000$ charged, a 1% bonus is paid on the next 2000$ charged and so on. What is the maximum annual bonus, in $?
Ans: 150$

According to me: The answer should be 200$; maximum annual bonus could be calculated on maximum amount i.e. 10,000$. hence 10,000X2% = 200$

Please suggest.

Thanks
Sangeeta
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by Patrick_GMATFix » Fri Jun 11, 2010 5:18 am
Hi Sangeeta,

To get the best response from your question, don't post an entirely new question within the thread of an existing question. Instead, start a new topic for your question. Also, please post the source of the question.

You are correct to deduce that to get the max bonus we need to use 10,000 as the base amount. The reason the total bonus is not $200 is that the company does not give 2% of the entire 10,000 as bonus. Only the amount from $6,000.01 to 10,000 yields 2% bonus.

To find the max bonus, you must calculate the bonus for each bracket individually. For example, the first $1,000 only yield 0.5% or $5. The next $2,000 yield 1%, or $20... Only the last $4,000 yield 2% in bonus. This explains why $150 is the answer.

You can see a detailed solution as well as video solution at GMATPrep question 1072. If you have trouble solving complex percentages, use the Drill Engine to generate timed drills; set topic='FDPs & Ratios' and difficulty='600-700'

Hope that helped,
-Patrick
  • Ask me about tutoring.
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by siddhans » Sat Jul 23, 2011 9:53 pm
Please explain
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