use algebra and set up equations.

Try doing that, show us what you get, then we'll tell you where you went wrong.

More helpful than reading answers because the answers won't stick as well

.....way to put someone in an uncomfortable position lol: but thanks!

I gave it a shot and here's what I have:

C= cost of Cuban cigar
A= cost of Arabian cigar
F= cost of French cigar

C=1.5F-1
A=1.5C+ (.5)
F= F-(.7) ???(this one confused me...)

74.7=C+A+F

74.7= (1.5F-1) + (1.5 (1.5F-1) +(.5)) + (F-(.7))
74.7= (3/2F-1) + (9/4F -2) + (F-(.7))
74.7= 19/4F-2.7
F= 4(77.4)/19
F=16.3 ?????(close enough?)

If I did this correctly than thats a lot of cals for under 2 minutes...

kath_the_great4 wrote:A Cuban cigar would cost 1 dollar less than 1.5 times a French cigar, had the French cigar cost 0.7 dollar less than it does now. An Arabian cigar costs 50 cents more than 1.5 times the Cuban cigar. The 3 cigars togethor cost $74.70. What is the price of the French cigar?

A)16.7
B)23
C)24
D)35
E)37.4

please help:) OA: A)

you're pretty close. the equations should be as follows (you don't need one for F)

C=1.5(F-.7)-1=>1.5F-1.05-1 => 1.5F-2.05
A=.5+1.5C=> .5+1.5(1.5F-2.05)=>0.5+2.25F-(~3)=>2.25F-~2.5
A+F+C=74.7

2.25F-2.5+1.5F-2.05+F=74.7
4.75F-4.5=74.7
4.75F=79.2
19/4*F=~80
F=~80/~5=~16

its ok to round to make calc easier when you see that the answers are not close together.

In terms of time, you should be able to read the question and setup the equations as you read it, which should take about 20 secs max.
Solving the equation will likely take ~60-90 secs so although this is one of the more calculation heavy questions, its definitely doable in under 2 min.

Or, for this particular problem, if you're good at numbers you probably barely have to do any calculation. You know the total price is <$75, so you know the avg price is <25. That already eliminates D/E.

Then you can either backsolve by plugging in 24 (if its right, then you know b, if its not, you'll know if its too high or too low), OR you may be able to tell that A is >> F/C just from reading the question, and know that the answer must be >>25 =>16.7.