P and Q are the only two applicants qualified for a short-term research project that pays 600 dollars in total. Candidate P has more experience and, if hired, would be paid 50 percent more per hour than candidate Q would be paid. Candidate Q, if hired, would require 10 hours more than candidate P to do the job. Candidate P's hourly wage is how many dollars greater than candidate Q's hourly wage?
A) $10
B) $15
C) $20
D) $25
E) $30
OA is a
Can option D truly be the correct answer or am I wrong somewhere in my calculation? I am really confused here. Can any expert help me out here?
Thanks
Work/Rate problem
This topic has expert replies
-
- Moderator
- Posts: 772
- Joined: Wed Aug 30, 2017 6:29 pm
- Followed by:6 members
GMAT/MBA Expert
- [email protected]
- Elite Legendary Member
- Posts: 10392
- Joined: Sun Jun 23, 2013 6:38 pm
- Location: Palo Alto, CA
- Thanked: 2867 times
- Followed by:511 members
- GMAT Score:800
Hi Roland2rule,
This question gives us a number of facts to work with:
1) The project pays 600 dollars in total.
2) Candidate P would be paid 50 percent more per hour than candidate Q would be paid.
3) Candidate Q would require 10 hours more than candidate P to do the job.
With this information, we can create two equations and solve using "system Algebra." We're asked for the difference between Candidate P's hourly wage and candidate Q's hourly wage.
X = pay per hour
T = number of hours
Candidate P = ($1.5X)(T) = 600
Candidate Q = ($X)(T+10) = 600
(1.5)(X)(T) = 600
XT + 10X = 600
In the first equation, we can divide both sides by 1.5, which gives us:
XT = 600/1.5 = 400
We can then substitute this value into the second equation:
400 + 10X = 600
10X = 200
X = 20
Since X = $20, 1.5X = $30 and the difference is $10
Final Answer: A
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
This question gives us a number of facts to work with:
1) The project pays 600 dollars in total.
2) Candidate P would be paid 50 percent more per hour than candidate Q would be paid.
3) Candidate Q would require 10 hours more than candidate P to do the job.
With this information, we can create two equations and solve using "system Algebra." We're asked for the difference between Candidate P's hourly wage and candidate Q's hourly wage.
X = pay per hour
T = number of hours
Candidate P = ($1.5X)(T) = 600
Candidate Q = ($X)(T+10) = 600
(1.5)(X)(T) = 600
XT + 10X = 600
In the first equation, we can divide both sides by 1.5, which gives us:
XT = 600/1.5 = 400
We can then substitute this value into the second equation:
400 + 10X = 600
10X = 200
X = 20
Since X = $20, 1.5X = $30 and the difference is $10
Final Answer: A
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
GMAT/MBA Expert
- Jeff@TargetTestPrep
- GMAT Instructor
- Posts: 1462
- Joined: Thu Apr 09, 2015 9:34 am
- Location: New York, NY
- Thanked: 39 times
- Followed by:22 members
We know that hourly wage = total paid/number of hours.Roland2rule wrote:P and Q are the only two applicants qualified for a short-term research project that pays 600 dollars in total. Candidate P has more experience and, if hired, would be paid 50 percent more per hour than candidate Q would be paid. Candidate Q, if hired, would require 10 hours more than candidate P to do the job. Candidate P's hourly wage is how many dollars greater than candidate Q's hourly wage?
A) $10
B) $15
C) $20
D) $25
E) $30
If we let h = the number of hours worked by P, then h + 10 = the number of hours worked by Q. Thus:
600/h = 1.5[600/(h+10)]
600/h = 900/(h + 10)
600(h + 10) = 900h
600h + 6000 = 900h
6000 = 300h
20 = h
Thus, P's hourly wage is 600/20 = $30 and Q's hourly wage is 600/30 = $20. Thus, P's hourly wage is 30 - 20 = 10 dollars greater than Q's hourly wage.
Answer: A
Jeffrey Miller
Head of GMAT Instruction
[email protected]
See why Target Test Prep is rated 5 out of 5 stars on BEAT the GMAT. Read our reviews