Total no of pencils sold = 32

So, J + K + L= 32

Also, K =2L --------1

J + 3L =32; L =(32-J)/3 -----------2

Now,

J(0.05)+K(0.10)+L(0.25)=3.40

5J + 20L +25L =340 (substituting K in terms of L from 1 )

5J + 45(32-J)/3=340 (substituting L in terms of J from 2)

Solving for J; J=14

https://goal-mba.blocked

This is probably a stupid question but why is it K=2L and not L=2K???

I cant get my head round it!

This is one of the question models that appears in GMAT.

"as many as" construction is used to confuse test takers.

Correlate with the following:

[b] "There will be more than twice as many applicants in round two as there were in round one; and they will be competing for fewer open spots."[/b]

Hope this helps.

_______________________

https://goal-mba.blocked

Urrrmmmm....actually i still dont get it! Is there another to understand it?

I hope this article will be of help.

https://null706.mbablogs.businessweek.co ... 55eyl7naoz

He says, A phrase like"three times as many as John has" can be translated as 3j...
Applying to the prob here,

"AS MANY" k pencils "AS L PENCILS"

__________________________________

https://goal-mba.blocked

Personally, I like to test using real numeric examples.

There are twice as many K pencils as L pencils in the box.

Assume you have four K pencils. These four K pencils are twice as many as L pencils.

L must be two.

These 4 pencils are twice as many as those 2 pencils in the box. Does that help?

Really hate to say this but from the evidence you have given me it appears that Twice as many =2K=L.


Heeellp...this is driving me nuts

kumard24 wrote:Really hate to say this but from the evidence you have given me it appears that Twice as many =2K=L.


Heeellp...this is driving me nuts

I am assuming you understand my comment:

These 4 [K] pencils are twice as many as those 2 [L] pencils in the box. (because 4 is twice 2)

Essentially, we find that
K=4
L=2

Let's put it to the test.


You want to know if 2*K = L or K = 2*L.

2*K = L
2*4 = 2
8 = 2
This is not the correct interpretation.

K = 2*L
4 = 2*2
4 = 4
This must be the correct interpretation.

Thats perfect. I finally get it. Apologies for beiing so silly. It seems obvious now.

I lied...i get the twice as many concept but now dont understand

5J + 45(32-J)/3=340 (substituting L in terms of J from 2)

Solving for J; J=14

I get 5j +1440+45j=1020

and then from here i dont get J=14.

help

1) Watch the + & - signs (you should have 1440 - 45J; NOT 1440 + 45J)
2) You're cross multiplying (3*340) when you should be dividing:

Step 1: You've gotten to this point already so you're good:

5J + {45(32 - J)/3} = 340

Step 2: We'll focus on the terms in these brackets { }

{((45 x 32)- (45 x J))/ 3}

which equals:

(1440-45J)/3

Dividing 1440 & 45J by 3 yields:

{480- 15J}; now plug this back into the whole equation:

5J + {480-15J} = 340

STEP 3: subtract 480 from 340 & 5J from -15J

-10J= -140

therefore J= 14

wow folks...what a thread. This is great. I learned how to translate math into english the manhattan gmat book (word translations) but i would get stuck on certain translations. THe test method works great by applying simple logical tests to prove your way.

Thanks a lot Kaunteya1