OG12 #59 PS

This topic has expert replies
Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
Posts: 11
Joined: Wed May 27, 2009 7:52 am

OG12 #59 PS

by jimmynicho » Tue Jun 16, 2009 5:42 pm
Each week, Harry is paid x dollars per hour for the first 30 hours and 1.5x dollars for each additional hour worked that week. Each week, James is paid x dollars per hour for the first 40 hours and 2x dollars for each additional hour worked that week. Lat week, James worked a total of 41 hrs. If Harry & James were paid the same amount last week, how many hours did Harry work last week?

a)35

b)36

c)37

d)38

e)39

Thanks guys!

Legendary Member
Posts: 752
Joined: Sun May 17, 2009 11:04 pm
Location: Tokyo
Thanked: 81 times
GMAT Score:680

by tohellandback » Tue Jun 16, 2009 6:57 pm
IMO B
plug in numbers

x=1
so james woks for 41 hours
james gets paid 40+2=42 dolalrs
harry gets paid 30 dollars for the first 30 hours
rest 12 dollars must be the overtime.
8*1.5=12
so total 38 hours
The powers of two are bloody impolite!!

Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 122
Joined: Fri May 22, 2009 10:38 pm
Thanked: 8 times
GMAT Score:700

by rah_pandey » Tue Jun 16, 2009 9:31 pm
Harry-->x dollars for first 30 hrs and 1.5x for additional hrs
James--->x for first 40 hrs and 2x for any additional hrs

since James worked 41 hours
earnings=40*x+(41-40)*2x=42x

now let Harry workes y hours

assume y>30 since for y<30 his earning will be less than 30x which will contradict the preposition.

earnings=30*x+(y-30)*1.5x=42x
12x=(y-30)3/2*x
8=y-30
=>y=38

User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 682
Joined: Fri Jan 16, 2009 2:40 am
Thanked: 32 times
Followed by:1 members

by Vemuri » Wed Jun 17, 2009 12:57 am
IMO D

Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
Posts: 18
Joined: Mon May 18, 2009 3:21 am

by hazpazfaz » Wed Jun 17, 2009 1:16 am
38

James: 40 hrs times x (40x) + 1 hr times 2x (2x) --> 42x
Harry: 30 hrs times x (30x) + 8 hrs times 1.5x (12x) --> 42x

Just fill in the answer options and that will get you there the quickest...

Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
Posts: 11
Joined: Wed May 27, 2009 7:52 am

by jimmynicho » Fri Jun 19, 2009 10:33 am
Thanks! i liked both explanation, the plug in and solving it with algebra