BTGmoderatorDC wrote:A restaurant meal cost $35.50 and there was no tax. If the tip was more than 10 percent but less than 15 percent of the cost of the meal, then the total amount paid must have been between
(A) $40 and $42
(B) $39 and $41
(C) $38 and $40
(D) $37 and $39
(E) $36 and $37
Let's first see what happens when the tip is 10%
10% of $35.50 = $3.55
So, the total cost (WITH a 10% tip) = $35.50 + $3.55 = $39.05
So, the total cost must be GREATER THAN $39.05
This means the TOTAL cost
could be $39.06
Check the answer choices....
A, D and E do not allow for the total cost to be $39.06, so we can ELIMINATE them.
Looks like we need to consider the 15% option as well.
If 10% of $35.50 = $3.55, then 5% of $35.50 = a little more than $1.75
So, a 15% tip ≈ $3.55 + $1.75 ≈ $5.30
So, the total cost (WITH a 15% tip) = $35.50 + $5.30 ≈ $40.80
So, the total cost must be LESS THAN $40.80
This means the TOTAL cost
could be $40.20
Check the answer choices....
C does not allow for the total cost to be $40.20, so we can ELIMINATE C.
Answer: B
ASIDE: Here's an article about calculating percentages in your head:
https://www.gmatprepnow.com/articles/me ... -percent-y
Cheers,
Brent
