Producing products

[alex.gellatly]

During 2005, a company produced an average of 2,000 products per month. How many products will the company need to produce from 2006 through 2008 in order to increase its monthly average for the period from 2005 through 2008 by 200% over its 2005 average?

148,000
172,000
200,000
264,000
288,000

[GMATGuruNY]

During 2005, a company produced an average of 2000 products per month. How many products will the company need to produce from 2006 through 2008 in order to increase its monthly average for the period from 2005 through 2008 by 200% over its 2005 average?

1) 148000 2) 172000 3) 200000 4) 264000 5) 288000

2005-2008 = 4 years.
To make the math easier, view the problem in terms of a 4-month period.
In the first month, 2000 units are produced.
The average for all 4 months = 200% more than the number produced in the first month = 2000 + 2(2000) = 6000.
Total for all 4 months = (number)(average) = (4)(6000) = 24,000.
Thus, the total produced during the other 3 months = 24,000-2000 = 22,000.

The result above implies the following: from 2006-2008, the number of units that must be produced every 3 months = 22,000.
Since the total number of months is 36, the result above must be multiplied by 12:
12*22,000 = 264,000.

The correct answer is D.

Here's a more traditional approach:

Monthly average over all 4 years = 2000 + 2*2000 = 6000.
Jan 2005 + Jan 2006 + Jan 2007 + Jan 2008 = 4*6000 = 24000.
Jan 2006 + Jan 2007 + Jan 2008 = 24000 - Jan 2005 = 24000-2000 = 22000.
Thus, monthly average for 2006, 2007 and 2008 = 22000/3.
Over 36 months, total for 2006, 2007 and 2008 = 36*(22000/3) = 264,000.

The correct answer is D.

[Anurag@Gurome]

During 2005, a company produced an average of 2,000 products per month. How many products will the company need to produce from 2006 through 2008 in order to increase its monthly average for the period from 2005 through 2008 by 200% over its 2005 average?

We need to make the monthly average (2,000 + 200% of 2,000) = (2,000 + 4,000) = 6,000

Hence, the company need to produce 6,000 products per month from 2005 to 2008, i.e. for 4 years = 4*12 months = 48 months

Hence, from 2005 to 2008, the company need to produce (6,000*48) = 288,000 products
Hence, from 2006 to 2008, the company need to produce (288,000 - 12*2,000) = (288,000 - 24,000) = 264,000 products

The correct answer is D.