In western Europe, x bicycles were sold

rsarashi wrote:In western Europe, x bicycles were sold in each of the years 1990 and 1993. The bicycle producers of Western Europe had a 42 percent share of this market in 1990 and a 33 percent share in 1993. Which of the following represents the decrease in the annual number of bicycles produced and sold in Western Europe from 1990 to 1993?

A) 9% of (x/100)
B) 14% of (x/100)
C) 75% of (x/100)
D) 9% of x
E) 14% of x

OAD

1990: Western European bike manufacturers made 42% of the x bikes sold that year.
So, the TOTAL number of bikes produced by Western European bike manufacturers = 0.42x

1993: Western European bike manufacturers made 33% of the x bikes sold that year.
So, the TOTAL number of bikes produced by Western European bike manufacturers = 0.33x


Which of the following represents the decrease in the annual number of bicycles produced and sold in Western Europe from 1990 to 1993?
Decrease = (TOTAL sales by Western European bike manufacturers in 1990) - (TOTAL sales by Western European bike manufacturers in 1993)
= 0.42x - 0.33x
= 0.09x
= 9% of x

Answer: D

Hi rsarashi,

While this question is wordy, it can be solved by taking the proper notes and TESTing VALUES.

We're told that X bicycles were sold in each of the years 1990 and 1993.

IF.... X = 100

100 bicycles sold in 1990
100 bicycles sold in 1993

Next, we're told that the producers had a 42% share of the market in 1990 and a 33% share of the market in 1993....

1990 share = 42% of 100 = 42 bicycles
1993 share = 33% of 100 = 33 bicycles

We're asked for the DECREASE in the NUMBER of bicycles sold by those producers from 1990 to 1993. That number is 42 - 33 = 9, so we're looking for an answer that equals 9 when we place X = 100 into the answer choices. There's only one answer that matches...

Final Answer: D

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

rsarashi wrote:In western Europe, x bicycles were sold in each of the years 1990 and 1993. The bicycle producers of Western Europe had a 42 percent share of this market in 1990 and a 33 percent share in 1993. Which of the following represents the decrease in the annual number of bicycles produced and sold in Western Europe from 1990 to 1993?

A) 9% of (x/100)
B) 14% of (x/100)
C) 75% of (x/100)
D) 9% of x
E) 14% of x

OAD

Hi rsarashi,

Since we have to deal with percents, let us assume that the 100 numbers of bicycles were sold in W.E. in 1990 and in 1993.

Thus, market share in 1990 = 42% of 100 = 42;

And, market share in 1993 = 33% of 100 = 33

Decrease = 42 - 33 = 9.

Since this is a decrease on X = 100, we can rewrite 9 as 9% of X.

Correct answer: D

Beware of option A. it's incorrect. In option A, '%' is already taken into the consideration in 'X/100, there was no need of %.'

Relevant book: Manhattan Review GMAT Word Problems Guide

-Jay
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rsarashi wrote:In western Europe, x bicycles were sold in each of the years 1990 and 1993. The bicycle producers of Western Europe had a 42 percent share of this market in 1990 and a 33 percent share in 1993. Which of the following represents the decrease in the annual number of bicycles produced and sold in Western Europe from 1990 to 1993?

A) 9% of (x/100)
B) 14% of (x/100)
C) 75% of (x/100)
D) 9% of x
E) 14% of x

We are given that in 1990 the bicycle producers in Western Europe produced and sold 42 percent of the bicycles in that market, and in 1993 they produced and sold 33 percent of the bicycles in that market.

Thus, they produced 0.42(x) bicycles in 1990, and 0.33(x) bicycles in 1993.

The decrease in bicycles produced and sold in Western Europe from 1990 to 1993 was:

0.42(x) - 0.33(x) = 0.09x or 9 percent of x.

Answer: D