A certain country had a total annual expenditure of $1.2 x 10^12 last year. If the population of the country was 240

[BTGmoderatorDC]

A certain country had a total annual expenditure of $1.2 x 10^12 last year. If the population of the country was 240 million last year, what was the per capita expenditure?

(A) $ 500
(B) $1,000
(C) $2,000
(D) $3,000
(E) $5,000



OA E

Source: Official Guide

[Brent@GMATPrepNow]

A certain country had a total annual expenditure of $1.2 x 10^12 last year. If the population of the country was 240 million last year, what was the per capita expenditure?

(A) $ 500
(B) $1,000
(C) $2,000
(D) $3,000
(E) $5,000



OA E

Source: Official Guide

Let's use a nice rule that says: (ab)/(cd) = (a/c)(b/d)

Per capita expenditure = (total expenditure of country)/(total population of country)
= (1.2 x 10^12)/(240 million)
= (1.2 x 10^12)/(240 x 10^6)
= (1.2 x 10^3 x 10^9)/(240 x 10^6)
= (1.2 x 10^3 x 10^9)/(240 x 10^6)
= (1200 x 10^9)/(240 x 10^6)
= (1200/240)(10^9/10^6)
= (5)(10^3)
= (5)(1000)
= 5000

Answer: E