Bob makes?

[crackgmat007]

43) If Bob makes 36 or fewer items in a week, he is paid x dollars per item. If Bob produces more than 36 items in a week, he is paid x dollars per item for 1st 36 and 1.5x for each additional item. How many items did he produce last week?
a. Last week Bob was paid a total of $480
b. This week Bob made 2 more items than last week and was paid a total of $150

Source: 99+ GMAT question second set. OA - E

[robbie523]

both statement gave you the total paid dollar amount, since we have nothing given about the amount paid per item, and also nothing given about itmen amount

even if you try to cmobined the two stm together, you can still not be able to calculate the equation, since nothing no exact price is given out, we can't predict the exact amout items that's made, and tell us this week has made 2 more items, doesn't help us finding out that if the items make had exceeded 36 or not.

in order to solve this, either ration relationship in pirce or item amount is give, or one of the value is given out!

[robbie523]

I said the last senten wrong, the ratio of two different price is already give, but the other two varaibles of item amounts ratio is not given, so 4 variables, but only two variables relation is give. we can not calculate the other two variables.

the two equation must be deduct to two variables, but with both stm and the question, there are still three variables, that's why its answer is E