karen and jason

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karen and jason

by Viper83 » Mon Jun 13, 2011 9:52 am
jason and karen's salary were each p percent greater in 1998 than in 1995. what is p?

1. in 1995 karens salary was 2000 dollars greater than jason's.
2. in 1998 karen's salary was 2440 dollars greater than jason's.

C
Source: — Data Sufficiency |

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by Frankenstein » Mon Jun 13, 2011 9:57 am
Hi,
Let the salaries of Karen and Jason be a and b respectively in 1995.
So, their salaries will be a(1+p/100) and b(1+p/100) in 1998
From(1): a-b = 2000. Can't find p
Insufficient
From(2): (a-b)(1+p/100) = 2440. Can't find p
Insufficient
Both (1)&(2): 2000(1+p/100) = 2440(enough to solve for p)
1+p/100 = 1.22 =>p=22
Sufficient

Hence, C
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by GMATGuruNY » Mon Jun 13, 2011 10:10 am
Viper83 wrote:jason and karen's salary were each p percent greater in 1998 than in 1995. what is p?

1. in 1995 karens salary was 2000 dollars greater than jason's.
2. in 1998 karen's salary was 2440 dollars greater than jason's.

C
Statement 1 tells us nothing about 1998.
Statement 2 tells us nothing about 1995.

Statements 1 and 2 combined:
Since each salary increased by p%, the difference between the two salaries also increased by p%.
Percent increase in the difference = (Difference in 1998 - Difference in 1995)/(Difference in 1995) * 100 = (2440-2000)/2000 * 100 = 440/2000 * 100 = 22%.

The correct answer is C.
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