Taniuca wrote:I found this problem on the Kaplan. Worth sharing it! answer=$50

At the end of August, a store discounts all swimsuits by 40% to 50%. At the beginning of October, all remaining swimsuits are discounted by an additional 10%. What is the lowest possible original price of a swimsuit that cost $27 in October?
a) $30
b) $45
c) $50
d) $55
e) $60

is that full problem or sthg was missed?

x1 - price after 1st discount.
x2 - original price.

x1(0.9) = 27, x1 = 30.
2 discounts 60% price or 50% price, calculate both and pick the lowest.
x2(0.6) = 30 or x2(0.5)=30.
x2=50 or x2=60.
lowest - 50.

Nice problem.

Rahul@gurome wrote:

Taniuca wrote: At the end of August, a store discounts all swimsuits by 40% to 50%. At the beginning of October, all remaining swimsuits are discounted by an additional 10%. What is the lowest possible original price of a swimsuit that cost $27 in October?
a) $30
b) $45
c) $50
d) $55
e) $60

As the question is asking for lowest possible original price, we have to consider the lowest possible discounts are given on that swimsuit. Thus, first discount of 40% and then 10%.

Say, the original price was $100x.
After a discount of 40%, the price is = $60x.
After a discount of 10%, the price is = $54x.

Now, 54x = 27 => x = 0.5.
Therefore, original price = $100x = $100*0.5 = $50

The correct answer is C.

I missed that point and marked E,
Thanks Rahul...

Taniuca wrote:I found this problem on the Kaplan. Worth sharing it! answer=$50

At the end of August, a store discounts all swimsuits by 40% to 50%. At the beginning of October, all remaining swimsuits are discounted by an additional 10%. What is the lowest possible original price of a swimsuit that cost $27 in October?
a) $30
b) $45
c) $50
d) $55
e) $60

We can plug in the answer choices, which represent the lowest possible original price. The correct answer will be a multiple of 10, since the percentages given are multiples of 10 and the final price is an integer. Eliminate B and D. Since we're being asked for the lowest possible original price, we should start with answer choice A, the smallest answer choice, and apply the lowest possible combination of discounts, 40% in August and 10% in October.

Answer choice A: 30
Discounted price in August = 30 - .4(30) = 30-12 = 18. Too small, since the final price in October must be 27.

Answer choice C: 50
Discounted price in August = 50 - .4(50) = 30.
Discounted price in October = 30 - .1(30) = 27. Success!

The correct answer is C.