How must a grocer mix 4 types . . .

[Vincen]

How must a grocer mix 4 types of peanuts worth 54 c, 72 c, $1.2 and $1.44 per pound so as to obtain a mixture at 96 cents per pound?

(A) 8:4:4:7
(B) 24:12:12:50
(C) 4:8:7:4
(D) 16:42:28:10
(E) Cannot be uniquely determined

The OA is E.

I've got confused with the notation. I need someone to explain it to me.

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Hi Vincen,

To start, this question is awkwardly designed (and I've noticed similar awkward designs in other questions that you've posted), so if you're actually studying for the GMAT then you might want to work with more reputable study materials. That having been said, the concept behind this question has to do with how the individual costs relate to the 'goal average.'

Relative to the goal of $0.96/pound, the 4 types of nuts are:
$0.42/pound below average
$0.24/pound below average
$0.24/pound above average
$0.48/pound above average

Once you 'lock in' the amounts of any two of the types of nuts, you could then change the amounts of the other two types of nuts. This means that there are LOTS of different ratios that would lead to an average of $0.96/pound.

Final Answer: E

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich