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I'm having trouble with basica math!!

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by Mclaughlin » Tue May 13, 2008 9:32 pm
I have no idea where to begin solving a question like this.

Al, Lew, and Karen pooled their funds to buy a gift for a friend. Al contributed $2 less than of the cost of the gift and Lew contributed $2 more than of the cost. If Karen contributed the remaining $15, what was the cost of the gift?
(A) $24
(B) $33
(C) $36
(D) $43
(E) $45
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by akshatsingh » Tue May 13, 2008 11:22 pm
I think something is not right in this question.. are u sure this is correct ?
Aks
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by shan_shine007 » Wed May 14, 2008 1:20 am
let cost for gift = x

Al -> $2 less than (1/3) of the cost of gift
=> (1/3)x-$2

Lew -> $2 greater than (1/4) of the cost of the gift
=> (1/4)x+$2

karen => $15

so, cost of the gift = Al + Lew + karen
i.e, x=[(x/3)-2]+[(x/4)+2]+[15]
solving this u get
x=36

hence the cost of gift is $36
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by Mclaughlin » Wed May 14, 2008 7:09 am
Thanks! but here's a question. You turned 1/4(x) into X/4. Why? And can you do that with any fraction times X?
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by VP_Tatiana » Wed May 14, 2008 3:07 pm
(1/4)x is equivalent to (1/4) * (x/1). When we multiply fractions, we multiply the numerators together, and the denominators together. That is how we get x/4.

Hope that helps!

Tatiana
Tatiana Becker | GMAT Instructor | Veritas Prep
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by akshatsingh » Wed May 14, 2008 10:13 pm
Hey... :shock:

Al, Lew, and Karen pooled their funds to buy a gift for a friend. Al contributed $2 less than of the cost of the gift and Lew contributed $2 more than of the cost. If Karen contributed the remaining $15, what was the cost of the gift?


Where is this written ?

Al -> $2 less than (1/3) of the cost of gift
Lew -> $2 greater than (1/4) of the cost of the gift
Aks
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by shan_shine007 » Wed May 14, 2008 10:48 pm
(1/4)*x = x/4
same as, (1/4) of 5 ... we write as (5/4)
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