Al, Lew, and Karen pooled their funds to buy a gift for a friend. Al contributed $2 less than 1/3 of the cost of the gift and Lew contributed $2 more than 1/4 of the cost. If Karen contributed the remaining $15, what was the cost of the gift?
(A) $24
(B) $33
(C) $36
(D) $43
(E) $45
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Anurag@Gurome
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Say, the cost of the gift is $P.Captchar wrote:Al, Lew, and Karen pooled their funds to buy a gift for a friend. Al contributed $2 less than 1/3 of the cost of the gift and Lew contributed $2 more than 1/4 of the cost. If Karen contributed the remaining $15, what was the cost of the gift?
Hence, Al contributed $(P/3 - 2) and Lew contributed $(P/4 + 2).
So, P - (P/3 - 2) - (P/4 + 2) = 15
--> P - P/3 - P/4 = 15
--> P - 7P/12 = 15
--> 5P/12 = 15
--> P = 36
The correct answer is C.
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GMATGuruNY
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We can plug in the answers, which represent the total cost.Captchar wrote:Al, Lew, and Karen pooled their funds to buy a gift for a friend. Al contributed $2 less than 1/3 of the cost of the gift and Lew contributed $2 more than 1/4 of the cost. If Karen contributed the remaining $15, what was the cost of the gift?
(A) $24
(B) $33
(C) $36
(D) $43
(E) $45
The fractions in the problem (1/3 and 1/4) imply that total cost is a multiple of 3 and 4.
Thus, the correct answer almost certainly is A or C.
When the correct answer choice is plugged in, Karen's contribution will be $15.
Answer choice C: 36
Al = (1/3)36 - 2 = 10.
Lew = (1/4)36 + 2 = 11.
Karen = total - Al - Lew = 36 - 10 - 11 = 15.
Success!
The correct answer is C.
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As a tutor, I don't simply teach you how I would approach problems.
I unlock the best way for YOU to solve problems.
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The Iceman
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I have the same method for this problemGMATGuruNY wrote: We can plug in the answers, which represent the total cost.
The fractions in the problem (1/3 and 1/4) imply that total cost is a multiple of 3 and 4.
Thus, the correct answer almost certainly is A or C.
When the correct answer choice is plugged in, Karen's contribution will be $15.
