If the sum of the annual salaries of n persons is $x and . .

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If the sum of the annual salaries of n persons is $x and the monthly salary per person is $y, what is the value of n in terms of x and y?

A. $x/12y
B. $12x/y
C. $12xy
D. $12y/x
E. $xy/12

The OA is A .

I didn't know how to set the equation. Experts, may you assist me here?

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by [email protected] » Sat Dec 02, 2017 11:47 am
Hi M7MBA,

We're told the SUM of the annual salaries of N persons is $X and the monthly salary per person is $Y. We're asked for the value of N in terms of X and Y. This question can be solved by TESTing VALUES.

IF....
N = 2
Y = 10
The total yearly salaries for these two people is (2)(12)($10) = $240
X = 240

So we're looking for an answer that equals 2 when Y=10 and X=240. There's only one answer that matches...

Final Answer: A

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by EconomistGMATTutor » Sat Dec 02, 2017 1:26 pm
If the sum of the annual salaries of n persons is $x and the monthly salary per person is $y, what is the value of n in terms of x and y?

A. $x/12y
B. $12x/y
C. $12xy
D. $12y/x
E. $xy/12

The OA is A .

I didn't know how to set the equation. Experts, may you assist me here?
Hi M7MBA,
Let's take a look at your question.

The sum of the annual salaries of n persons is $x, so the average annual salary of a person is
$$=\frac{x}{n} ... (i)$$

Monthly salary of a person = $y
Annual salary of a person = 12y ... (ii)

Equation (i) and (ii), both are representing the annual salary of a person, therefore, we can write:
$$\frac{x}{n}=12y$$
$$n=\frac{x}{12y}$$

Hence option A is correct.

Hope it helps.
I am available if you'd like any follow up.
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by Scott@TargetTestPrep » Thu Jan 11, 2018 2:11 pm
M7MBA wrote:If the sum of the annual salaries of n persons is $x and the monthly salary per person is $y, what is the value of n in terms of x and y?

A. $x/12y
B. $12x/y
C. $12xy
D. $12y/x
E. $xy/12
Since the monthly salary is $y, the annual salary for all n people is 12 * n * y = 12ny. Since we are also given that the sum of the annual salaries of the n people is $x , thus:

12ny = x

n = x/(12y)

Answer: A

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