Live GMAT classes with Target Test Prep start Nov 21 and Nov 22. First class free.

See classes
Target Test Prep · GMAT

Choose how you want to prepare

Learn live with an expert or move at your own pace. Every option includes the complete TTP study system.

Newsweek Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 winner: Target Test Prep, #1 Test Prep

Target Test Prep was voted #1 Best Test Prep in the 2026 Newsweek Readers’ Choice™ Awards.

★★★★★5.0563 reviews
GMATLiveTeachStarts Nov 22
Josh Braslow, Target Test Prep GMAT expert
LIVE ONLINE CLASSES

Get Ready for GMAT Test Day Faster with Live Online Classes

with Josh Braslow, 20+ years in test prep

Nov 22 · Josh Braslow
Sun · 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM ET
Included
40 hours of live online classes + 6 months of TTP OnDemand
  • Attend the first class for free
  • Every class is recorded, so you never fall behind
View classes & enroll
Limited seats availableTarget Test Prep
EALiveTeachOnDemandStart anytime
EXECUTIVE ASSESSMENT

Target Test Prep EA OnDemand

Self-paced EA prep. Study on your schedule.

EXECUTIVE ASSESSMENT

with

165+ EA score guarantee
$05-day trial no automatic billing
Schedule
Included
40 hours of live online classes plus six months of access to the complete TTP EA OnDemand course.
  • 165+ EA Score Guarantee
  • 4,100+ Quant, Verbal, and Integrated Reasoning practice questions
  • 400+ hours of in-depth video lessons
  • 3,000+ step-by-step video solutions
View EA class & enroll Start free 5-day trial
Limited cohort · enrollment openTrial includes full course accessTarget Test Prep
GMATOnDemandStart anytime
SELF-PACED MASTERCLASS

Target Test Prep GMAT OnDemand

Complete access from day one. Study on your schedule.

715+ score guarantee
$0to start then $127/mo
  • Personalized study plan and analytics
  • Thousands of lessons and practice questions
Start free 5-day trial
Read 563 reviewsTarget Test Prep

Word problem

Expert replies
Post new topic Post Reply
Subscribe topic
Previous Topic Next Topic
Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 53
Joined: Wed May 28, 2014 9:36 pmFollowed by: 1 member
by datonman » Thu Sep 24, 2015 11:55 am
It's these word problems that I feel are tricky. This one I feel would be solved either using an equation or picking numbers. I'm not sure.

If you hire Mary's Car Service to drive you across town, you will be charged $10 plus an additional $2, for each 1/4 mile. Which of the following represents the total number of dollars that you would be charged if the trip is 'n' miles?

A)2n
B)10+2n
C)10+4n
D)10+8n
E)12n
Top
Join the discussion
Source: — Problem Solving |
User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 2663
Joined: Wed Jan 14, 2015 8:25 amFollowed by: 128 members
Location: Boston, MA
Thanked: 1153 times
GMAT Score:770

by DavidG@VeritasPrep » Thu Sep 24, 2015 12:15 pm
It's these word problems that I feel are tricky. This one I feel would be solved either using an equation or picking numbers. I'm not sure.

If you hire Mary's Car Service to drive you across town, you will be charged $10 plus an additional $2, for each 1/4 mile. Which of the following represents the total number of dollars that you would be charged if the trip is 'n' miles?

A)2n
B)10+2n
C)10+4n
D)10+8n
E)12n
Algebra: We know there are 4 quarter-miles in each mile. If there are n miles, there are a total of 4n quarter-miles. If the charge is $2/quarter mile, that means 4n*2 = 8n dollars beyond the initial $10 charge. Answer: 10 + 8n, D
Veritas Prep | GMAT Instructor

Veritas Prep Reviews
Save $100 off any live Veritas Prep GMAT Course
Top
Join the discussion
User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 2663
Joined: Wed Jan 14, 2015 8:25 amFollowed by: 128 members
Location: Boston, MA
Thanked: 1153 times
GMAT Score:770

by DavidG@VeritasPrep » Thu Sep 24, 2015 12:17 pm
Or say n= 1 mile. So you're going 4 quarter-miles. And you're paying $2/quarter mile, so that's $8. Add that to the initial 10, and your cost is $18. Substitute n=1 into the answers and D will give you 18.
Veritas Prep | GMAT Instructor

Veritas Prep Reviews
Save $100 off any live Veritas Prep GMAT Course
Top
Join the discussion
User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 15539
Joined: Tue May 25, 2010 12:04 pmFollowed by: 1906 members
Location: New York, NY
Thanked: 13060 times
GMAT Score:790

by GMATGuruNY » Thu Sep 24, 2015 12:17 pm
datonman wrote:It's these word problems that I feel are tricky. This one I feel would be solved either using an equation or picking numbers. I'm not sure.

If you hire Mary's Car Service to drive you across town, you will be charged $10 plus an additional $2, for each 1/4 mile. Which of the following represents the total number of dollars that you would be charged if the trip is 'n' miles?

A)2n
B)10+2n
C)10+4n
D)10+8n
E)12n
A $2 surcharge per 1/4 mile implies an $8 surcharge per mile.
Let n = 1 mile.
Cost for a 1-mile trip = ($10 base fee) + ($8 surcharge per mile) = 10+8 = 18. This is our target.
Now plug n=1 into the answers to see which yields our target of 18.
Only D works:
10 + 8n = 10 + 8*1 = 18.

The correct answer is D.
Private tutor exclusively for the GMAT and GRE, with over 20 years of experience.
Followed here and elsewhere by over 1900 test-takers.
I have worked with students based in the US, Australia, Taiwan, China, Tajikistan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia -- a long list of countries.
My students have been admitted to HBS, CBS, Tuck, Yale, Stern, Fuqua -- a long list of top programs.

As a tutor, I don't simply teach you how I would approach problems.
I unlock the best way for YOU to solve problems.

For more information, please email me (Mitch Hunt) at [email protected].
Student Review #1
Student Review #2
Student Review #3
Top
Join the discussion
User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 2135
Joined: Mon Feb 03, 2014 9:26 amFollowed by: 140 members
Location: https://martymurraycoaching.com/
Thanked: 955 times
GMAT Score:800

by MartyMurray » Thu Sep 24, 2015 12:19 pm
Myself, in this case I would just convert $2 per quarter mile to $8 per mile, and add $10 to get 10 + 8n and be done with it.

For a more complex one it might make sense to plug in numbers if you are not sure how to make the math work otherwise, but getting to the answer to this one is pretty straightforward.
Marty Murray
Perfect Scoring Tutor With Over a Decade of Experience
MartyMurrayCoaching.com
Contact me at [email protected] for a free consultation.
Top
Join the discussion