Lori and Jim dollars

[kobel51]

Lori has x dollars more than Jim has, and together they have a total of y dollars. Which of the following represents the number of dollars that Jim has?

A) (y-x)/2

B) y - x/2

C) y/2 - x

D) 2y - x

E) y - 2x

[Brent@GMATPrepNow]

Lori has x dollars more than Jim has, and together they have a total of y dollars. Which of the following represents the number of dollars that Jim has?

A) (y-x)/2
B) y - x/2
C) y/2 - x
D) 2y - x
E) y - 2x

Let ]J = the number of dollars that Jim has

Lori has x dollars more than Jim has
So, J + x = the number of dollars that Lori has

Together they have a total of y dollars
In other words, (Jim's money) + (Lori's money) = x
So, (J) + (J + x) = y

Which of the following represents the number of dollars that Jim has?
Take J + J + x = y, and solve for J

First simplify the equation to get: 2J + x = y
Subtract x from both sides: 2J = y - x
Divide both sides by 2 to get: J = (y - x)/2

Answer: A

Cheers,
Brent

[Patrick_GMATFix]

There are a few ways to solve:
You could plug-in simple numbers (eg: Lori has x=2 more, and together they have y=5), solve and select the answer choice that matches your solution
You could use word translations to build equations that reflect the info given. In this case, use as few variables as possible (e: no need to use two variables for Jim and Lori since we can use J and J+x).

The full solution below is taken from the GMATFix App.



-Patrick

[[email protected]]

Hi kobel51,

This question is perfect for TESTing Values. Here's how...

Lori has X dollars more than Jim has and together they have a total of Y dollars. How many dollars does Jim have?

Lori has MORE dollars than Jim....

Let's say:
Jim = 2 dollars
Lori = 3 dollars

So....
X = 1
Y = 5

Now, plug in these values into the answer choices and find the one that equals 2...

Answer A = 4/2 = 2
Answer B = 5 - 1/2 = 4.5
Answer C = 5/2 - 1 = 1.5
Answer D = 10 - 1 = 9
Answer E = 5 - 2 = 3

Final Answer: A

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

[Abhishek009]

Lori has x dollars more than Jim

Let the amount with Lori and Jim be L and J respectively

So L = J + x ------------> ( 1 )

together they have a total of y dollars.

L + J = y ------------> ( 2 )

Equating ( 1 ) and ( 2 ) we have -

J + x + J = y

2J = y - x

So J = ( y - x ) / 2

IMO (A)..

[theCodeToGMAT]

L = J + x

L + J = y

TO find: J's Money

J = L - x

J = y - J - x

J = (y-x)/2

[spoiler]{A}[/spoiler]