GMAT PS

[imadummy]

I bet this is kind of easy and I can solve by backsolving but was hoping for some help on the "real" way.

A retailer has a sale on hooded sweatshirts. When you buy one you get a second identical sweatshirt for 25 percent. Andrew buys two and pays a total of 175 dollars. How much did he pay for the first sweatshirt?

43.75
75
100
131.25
140

[VP_RedSoxFan]

The algebra here is pretty straightforward, I think, so stop me if I put up something crazy here:

Original sweatshirt price = x
Price of second, discounted sweatshirt = 0.75x

Therefore, since the two sweatshirts cost $175, we can write x + 0.75x = 175.

x = 100, Answer = [C]

[imadummy]

Duh. Grrr. I knew that would be easy. Thanks.

[llewellyn27]

is the second sweater 25% off or does the sweater cost 25%

Depending

The answer could be 140

[zacharyz]

is the second sweater 25% off or does the sweater cost 25%

Depending

The answer could be 140

I agree. It sounds like the sweater is 25% (of the original cost). In this case, $140 is the right answer:

original shirt: x
discounted shirt: .25 x

Therefore $175 = x(1+.25) => x = $140

One of them is a trick answer, depending on its wording. As written, I think $140 is right. If you left off the 'off,' then revert back to $100.

[niraj_a]

agreed

i wish gmat would give that question in the first 10, i would be a happy camper....