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Register now and save up to $200 Available with Beat the GMAT members only code • 5-Day Free Trial 5-day free, full-access trial TTP Quant Available with Beat the GMAT members only code • Free Veritas GMAT Class Experience Lesson 1 Live Free Available with Beat the GMAT members only code Math vs English This topic has 1 expert reply and 2 member replies jng1103 Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts Joined 21 Jan 2007 Posted: 2 messages Math vs English Tue Feb 06, 2007 12:56 am While working on Math questions from OG, I've been very frustrated on several occassions that the questions were written in a very confusing way to understand, especially for those non-English students like myself. Here is one good example. (Perhpas I am too dumb to understand) A shipment of 1500 heads of cabbage, each of which was approximately the same size, was purchased for$600. The day the shipment arrived, 2/3 of the heads were sold, each at 25% above the cost per head. The following day, the rest were sold at a price per head equal to 10% less than the price each head sold for on the day before. What was the gross profit on this shipment?
A. $100 B.$115
C. $125 D.$130
E. $135 This question isnt tough at all. However, the statement "...10% less ... sold for on the day before" is very confusing. If you chose 10% less than 25%, the answer would be$130(D). If you chose 10% less than original price (=90%), the answer would be $125 (C). Based on my understanding (sorry for my poor English), the statement clearly stated that "10% less than the day before" which should be 15% (25%-10%). I was wrong, not because I got stuck with the Math, but with the poorly structured on this question. I'd like to avoid this kinda mistake in the near future, and what's the best solution? Jimbo Top Member Roland2rule Legendary Member Joined 30 Aug 2017 Posted: 667 messages Followed by: 3 members Sun Nov 05, 2017 11:29 am Total cost price for 1500 heads =$1500
cost price per head = 600/1500 = $0.4 on the 1st day, two-third were sold i.e 2/3 of 1500 heads =1000 heads were sold selling price per head = cost price per head + %profit = 0.4 + 25% of$0.4
= 1.25 (0.4) = $0.5 Total selling price = 1000 *$0.5 = $500 on the 2nd day, the rest were sold. i.e 1500-1000 = 500heads selling price per head = 10% less than selling price on 1st day =$0.5 - 10% of $0.5 = 0.9 (0.5) =$0.45
Total selling price on 2nd day = 500 * $0.45 =$225
Total selling price for 1500 heads = $500 +$225 = $725 therefore, Gross profit = selling price - cost price =$725 - $600 =$125

GMAT/MBA Expert

Stacey Koprince GMAT Instructor
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Wed Feb 07, 2007 10:08 pm
Redh is right - you have to read every single word. The test is actually pretty precise with its language - if they had meant us to use percentage, they would have said percentage, not price.

Just remember that every single word you read is there for a reason.

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redh Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Joined
28 Oct 2006
Posted:
2 messages
Wed Feb 07, 2007 6:03 am
True this is a relatively easy or more like average math exercise.

I am not a native speaker also and what I can see as your mistake is the following:

The question did not clearly state what you said!

Not "... 10% than the day before" BUT

....sold at a price per head equal to 10% less than the price each head sold for on the day before.

The emphasis of the statement is ..,10% discount on the price of \$ 0.5 and NOT 10% discount on the PERCENTAGE ITSELF the 25%.

I actually disagree with you I think it is quite clear what the question asks. Try to read slowly and carefully and you will definitely see how this goes!

MY SOLUTION PATH BRIEFLY
600/1500= 0.4
125% of 0.4 = 0.5
10% discount ON 0.5 equals 0.45

1000 x 0.5 = 500
500 x 0.45 = 225

725-600= 125

Good luck to you....
Good luck to me ...my examination is 16 february!!

Peace

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