Official Guide Explanation:
Problem Solving #64

 

 

Background

This is just one of hundreds of free explanations I've created to the quantitative questions in The Official Guide for GMAT Review (12th ed.). Click the links on the question number, difficulty level, and categories to find explanations for other problems.

These are the same explanations that are featured in my "Guides to the Official Guide" PDF booklets. However, because of the limitations of HTML and cross-browser compatibility, some mathematical concepts, such as fractions and roots, do not display as clearly online.

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Solution and Metadata

Question: 64
Page: 161
Difficulty: 4 (Moderately Easy)
Category 1: Word Problems > Discount >
Category 2: Arithmetic > Percents > Percent Change

Explanation: When working with percents like 10% and 5%, there's no faster method than mental math. Work through the steps one at a time: first, increase $10,000 by 10%. 10% of $10,000 is $1,000, so the new total is $11,000. Second, increase by 5%. 5% of $11,000 is $550 (half of $1,100), so the new total is $11,550. Last, decrease by 10%. 10% of $11,550 is $1,155, so the new total is $11,550 - $1,155 = $10,395, choice (B).

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