Linda and Angela contract to paint a neighbor's house.

Expert replies

M7MBA: Moderator; Posts: 2058; Joined: Sun Oct 29, 2017 4:24 amFollowed by: 5 members; Thanked: 1 times

by M7MBA » Sat Nov 25, 2017 8:22 am

Linda and Angela contract to paint a neighbor's house. Even though Linda spends 50% more time painting the house than Angela, each receives a payment of m dollars when the work is completed. If Angela decides to pay Linda n dollars so that they would have received the same compensation per hour worked, what is n in terms of m ?

A) 1/2 m
B) 1/3 m
C) 1/4 m
D) 1/5 m
E) 1/6 m

The OA is D .

I am really confuse here. I don't know how to solve it. Experts, I would love your help. Thanks in advance.

Like this post

Source: Beat The GMAT — Problem Solving | Sat Nov 25, 2017 8:22 am

GMAT/MBA Expert

[email protected]: Elite Legendary Member; Posts: 10392; Joined: Sun Jun 23, 2013 6:38 pmFollowed by: 511 members; Location: Palo Alto, CA; Thanked: 2867 times; GMAT Score:800

by [email protected] » Sat Nov 25, 2017 12:02 pm

Hi M7MBA,

We're told that Linda and Angela contract to paint a neighbor's house and Linda spends 50% more time painting the house than Angela does. We're also told that each receives a payment of M dollars when the work is completed and Angela decides to pay Linda N dollars so that they would have received the SAME compensation per HOUR worked. We're asked for the value of N in terms of M. This question can be solved in a couple of different ways. Here's how you can TEST VALUES to get the answer.

IF....
Angela works 2 hours
Linda works 3 hours
M = $25, so the TOTAL paid is $50

$50 for 5 total hours of work is $50/5 = $10/hour. Thus, Angela would pay Linda $5 (so that Angela would have $20 for 2 hours of work and Linda would have $30 for 3 hours of work). Thus, N = $5 when M = $25

Final Answer: D

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

Contact Rich at [email protected]

Like this post

GMAT/MBA Expert

Scott@TargetTestPrep: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 8139; Joined: Sat Apr 25, 2015 10:56 amFollowed by: 29 members; Location: Los Angeles, CA; Thanked: 43 times

by Scott@TargetTestPrep » Sat Oct 05, 2019 3:55 pm

M7MBA wrote:Linda and Angela contract to paint a neighbor's house. Even though Linda spends 50% more time painting the house than Angela, each receives a payment of m dollars when the work is completed. If Angela decides to pay Linda n dollars so that they would have received the same compensation per hour worked, what is n in terms of m ?

A) 1/2 m
B) 1/3 m
C) 1/4 m
D) 1/5 m
E) 1/6 m

The OA is D .

I am really confuse here. I don't know how to solve it. Experts, I would love your help. Thanks in advance.

We can let t = the amount of time Angela worked and create the equation:

(m - n)/t = (m + n)/(1.5t)

1.5t(m - n) = t(m + n)

1.5(m - n) = (m + n)

1.5m - 1.5n = m + n

0.5m = 2.5n

5m = 25n

5m/25 = n

m/5 = n

(1/5)m = n

Alternate Solution:

Let's assume that Angela worked 10 hours, and, thus, Linda worked 15 hours. After Angela gives n dollars to Linda, we see that Angela has (m - n) dollars, and Linda has (m + n) dollars. Since this exchange of dollars makes the hourly wage of each painter equal, we have:

Angela's hourly wage = Linda's hourly wage

(m - n)/10 = (m + n)/15

15m - 15n = 10m + 10n

5m = 25n

m/5 = n

(1/5)m = n

Answer: D

Scott Woodbury-Stewart
Founder and CEO
[email protected]

See why Target Test Prep is rated 5 out of 5 stars on BEAT the GMAT. Read our reviews

Like this post

Post new topic Post Reply

• Page 1 of 1

GMAT Course Reviews

560 reviews

1168 reviews

431 reviews

359 reviews

147 reviews

5/5

5 Star (560 Reviews)

"Target Test Prep is the closest to the official version of the GMAT exam, about 99% accuracy in terms of the quality and quantity of information. The course has excellently created singular sets of focused lessons and tests for every possible topic that one could come across in the official GMAT exam."

"The TTP course maximizes the efficiency of the time you spend studying. It will take time and effort but I could almost guarantee that if you complete the course exactly as it is laid out you will get an amazing score. They also have a very responsive team willing to help with any questions you might have."

"TTP has two things that I think no other test prep company offers: A teaching approach that reinforces understanding and an attitude that will give you the mental preparedness needed to succeed on the test. TTP gives you a deep understanding of the concept you need to know while teaching you how to think."

Write a Review