GMAT Prep(Used Car Dealer)

[dferm]

A used-car dealer sold one car at a profit of 25% of the dealer's purchase price for that car and sold another car a loss of 20% of the dealer's purchase price for that car. If the dealer sold each car for $20,000, what was the dealer's total profit or loss in dollars, for the two transactions combined?

A. $1000 Profit
B. $2000 Profit
C. $1000 Loss
D. $2000 Loss
E. $3334 Loss

Can someone please shed some light to this problem...?

My answer is A but it is incorrect...

Thanks...

[Rosen_Kralev]

if car 1's purchase price is x, then 20000 -x is the profit from the first car (equaling 25% of x); thus, x + 25% of x = 20000 and so x = 16000
if car 2's pruchase price is y, then y - 20000 is the loss from the second car (equal to 20% of y) and so y - 20% of y = 20000 and thus y = 25000

the dealer paid x+y to buy the cars, i.e. 41000, and sold them for a total of 40000, and so he lost 1000.

[BlueRain]

IMO C.

Car A: profit of 25% on the purchase price (a)
a * (1 + 0.25) = 20000
a = 16000
profit of (20000-16000) = 4000

Car B: loss of 20% on the purchase price (b)
b * (1 - 0.20) = 20000
b = 25000
loss of (25000-20000) = 5000

[dbart06]

IMO C

Total sales = 40000
total cost: car 1) 20000=x(1.25) car sold for a profit of 25%
total cost: car 2) 20000=x(.8) car sold for a loss
total cost for car 1 & 2 is 41000 - told selling price of 40000 = 1000 loss

Let me know if correct & if you have any questions

[dferm]

Thanks this was a very easy question indeed.....just made it clearer to me guys....