Lee's total income

[Deepthi Subbu]

In May , Mrs.Lee's earnings was 60 % of Lee family's total income.In June , Lee earned 20% more than in May . If the rest of the family's income was the same both months , then in June, Lee's earnings were approximately what percent of Lee family's total income ?

a. 64
b. 68
c .72
d. 76
e. 80

OA A

[bblast]

confusing....

Mrs.Lee's earnings was 60 % of Lee's family

For May, If take Mrs lee's income as 0.6 X and family's income as 0.4X, and then solve further.

I arrive at answer 72% which is wrong obviously.


For May, If take Mrs lee's income as 0.6 X and family's income as X, and then solve further.

I arrive at answer 45% which is again wrong. God!!

[Anurag@Gurome]

In May , Mrs.Lee's earnings was 60 % of Lee's family.In June , Lee earned 20% more than in May . If the total income for both months are the same , then in June, Lee's income was what percent of her family's total income ?

a. 64
b. 68
c .72
d. 76
e. 80

Total income for both the months are same, say $100.
Thus, Lee's income in May = 60% of $100 = $60

In June, Lee's income = $60 + 20% of $60 = $72 = 72% of $100 = 72% of total income in June

The correct answer is C.

Note: If OA is A, i.e. 64%, you might want to check the wordings of the problem. Only if the problem says "...If rest of the family's income did not change, then, in June, Mrs Lee's earnings were approximately what percent of the Lee family's total income ?". And if the problem is as it is posted, the correct answer is C, 72%.

[Anurag@Gurome]

For May, If take Mrs lee's income as 0.6 X and family's income as X, and then solve further.

I arrive at answer 45% which is again wrong. God!!

Check again.
Your second assumption is same as the first one and both leads to 72%.

[Deepthi Subbu]

Anurag , I just verified and initially , I was equally surprised to know that the OA is 64% . Hence , I assumed that my method of approach is incorrect . This question is actually from GMATPrep . I just edited my post on the question to match the question from the Prep , however I dont see subtle differences too .

I marked the answer to be 72% but the Prep says its incorrect . Can Prep make mistakes?

[bblast]

For May, If take Mrs lee's income as 0.6 X and family's income as X, and then solve further.

I arrive at answer 45% which is again wrong. God!!

Check again.
Your second assumption is same as the first one and both leads to 72%.

second method:

family in may->x
lee in may->.6 x
total->1.6x


lee in june->0.6(1.2)= .72
total->1.6x(given)

% = .72/1.6 * 100
=45%

[bblast]

Anurag , I just verified and initially , I was equally surprised to know that the OA is 64% . Hence , I assumed that my method of approach is incorrect . This question is actually from GMATPrep . I just edited my post on the question to match the question from the Prep , however I dont see subtle differences too .

I marked the answer to be 72% but the Prep says its incorrect . Can Prep make mistakes?

Dont show me gmat prep questions.
i am about to take 1 tmrw (

please put in subject line if ques's are from prep Deepthi , then people like me can stay away from those ques's

[Anurag@Gurome]

second method:

family in may->x
lee in may->.6 x
total->1.6x

Mrs. Lee's income is 60% of the total income of Lee family's income.
Once you assume the family income is x, that means the total family income right?

[Anurag@Gurome]

... however I dont see subtle differences too .

Yes, there is a difference.

According to the problem you posted, total income of the Lee family is constant for both the months. Which means increase in Mrs. Lee's income does not causes a increase in the total family income.

But in the actual GMATPrep problem, rest of the Lee family's income remains constant in both the months. Which means increase in Mrs. Lee's income causes a increase in the total family income.

[bblast]

second method:

family in may->x
lee in may->.6 x
total->1.6x

Mrs. Lee's income is 60% of the total income of Lee family's income.
Once you assume the family income is x, that means the total family income right?

oops yes,,, the word i missed is TOTAL

anyways this was just an alternative way i was trying to get to the answer, and it went hopelessly wrong, I would agree to C 72% if the question were as initially stated.

[GMATGuruNY]

In May , Mrs.Lee's earnings was 60 % of Lee family's total income.In June , Lee earned 20% more than in May . If the rest of the family's income was the same both months , then in June, Lee's earnings were approximately what percent of Lee family's total income ?

a. 64
b. 68
c .72
d. 76
e. 80

OA A

We can plug in our own values that follow the conditions in the problem.

Family income in May = 100.
Mrs. Lee in May = .6*100 = 60.
Rest of the family = 100-60 = 40.
Mrs. Lee in June = 1.2(60) = 72.
Rest of the family is unchanged = 40.
Total family income in June = 72+40 = 112.
Percentage for Mrs. Lee = 72/112 * 100 ≈ 64%.

The correct answer is A.

[Deepthi Subbu]

Oh ya , I see the difference now . Thanks a lot

bblast - Am sorry , going forward Il definitely make sure that I mention the source of the questions that I post

[anshumishra]

In May , Mrs.Lee's earnings was 60 % of Lee's family.In June , Lee earned 20% more than in May . If the total income for both months are the same , then in June, Lee's income was what percent of her family's total income ?

a. 64
b. 68
c .72
d. 76
e. 80

Total income for both the months are same, say $100.
Thus, Lee's income in May = 60% of $100 = $60

In June, Lee's income = $60 + 12% of $60 = $72 = 72% of $100 = 72% of total income in June

The correct answer is C.

Note: If OA is A, i.e. 64%, you might want to check the wordings of the problem. Only if the problem says "...If rest of the family's income did not change, then, in June, Mrs Lee's earnings were approximately what percent of the Lee family's total income ?". And if the problem is as it is posted, the correct answer is C, 72%.

Should be 20%. Right?

[karthikgmat]

@Mitch and @Anurag

You both gave different explanations.. I did have a doubt when I read this question but convinced with OA C.


The total income is same for both months. But the question didn't say the rest of family's income was same..

So, I hope it should be C.

[tomada]

If the rest of the family income stays constant for May and June, then the answer is (A) 64%.