At a local bank, certificates of deposit (CDs) mature every 9 months. At another bank, CDs mature every 12 months. If CDs are purchased on the same day at each bank and are renewed when they mature, what is the least number of months that will pass before the two banks' CDs are mature at the same time?
- A. 72
- B. 36
- C. 108
- D. 3
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
To find when the CDs from both banks mature simultaneously, we need to determine the least common multiple (LCM) of their maturity periods: 9 months and 12 months. Calculating the LCM, we see that the multiples of 9 are 9, 18, 27, 36, 45, 54, 63, 72, and 81. The multiples of 12 are 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72, and 84. The smallest common multiple is 36 months. Option A (72) is incorrect as it’s not the smallest shared maturity. Option C (108) is also incorrect; it exceeds the LCM. Option D (3) is far too short, as it does not accommodate either maturity period. Thus, 36 months is the earliest point both CDs will mature together.
To find when the CDs from both banks mature simultaneously, we need to determine the least common multiple (LCM) of their maturity periods: 9 months and 12 months. Calculating the LCM, we see that the multiples of 9 are 9, 18, 27, 36, 45, 54, 63, 72, and 81. The multiples of 12 are 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72, and 84. The smallest common multiple is 36 months. Option A (72) is incorrect as it’s not the smallest shared maturity. Option C (108) is also incorrect; it exceeds the LCM. Option D (3) is far too short, as it does not accommodate either maturity period. Thus, 36 months is the earliest point both CDs will mature together.
Other Related Questions
A carpenter is installing shelves in 2 offices. Each office will have 4 shelves. The wood the carpenter wants to use comes in 6-foot-long boards. Each shelf is 2 ¼ feet long and is constructed from a single board. How many boards does the carpenter need to buy to make the shelves?
- A. 2
- B. 8
- C. 3
- D. 4
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
To determine how many boards are needed, first calculate the total length of wood required for the shelves. Each office has 4 shelves, and with 2 offices, that totals 8 shelves. Each shelf is 2 ¼ feet long, which equals 2.25 feet. Therefore, the total length required is 8 shelves x 2.25 feet = 18 feet. Each board is 6 feet long. Dividing the total length (18 feet) by the length of each board (6 feet) gives 3 boards. However, since each board can only be used for one shelf, and we can't cut a board to make multiple shelves, we need to round up to the nearest whole number of boards needed, which is 4. - Option A (2 boards) is insufficient for the total length required. - Option B (8 boards) exceeds the necessary amount. - Option C (3 boards) miscalculates the total need based on the cut requirement. Thus, 4 boards are necessary to accommodate all shelves without waste.
To determine how many boards are needed, first calculate the total length of wood required for the shelves. Each office has 4 shelves, and with 2 offices, that totals 8 shelves. Each shelf is 2 ¼ feet long, which equals 2.25 feet. Therefore, the total length required is 8 shelves x 2.25 feet = 18 feet. Each board is 6 feet long. Dividing the total length (18 feet) by the length of each board (6 feet) gives 3 boards. However, since each board can only be used for one shelf, and we can't cut a board to make multiple shelves, we need to round up to the nearest whole number of boards needed, which is 4. - Option A (2 boards) is insufficient for the total length required. - Option B (8 boards) exceeds the necessary amount. - Option C (3 boards) miscalculates the total need based on the cut requirement. Thus, 4 boards are necessary to accommodate all shelves without waste.
For an emergency service call, a plumbing company charges a flat fee of $60 plus $40 an hour. A customer remembers paying at least $200 for an emergency service. Which phrase describes the number of hours the plumbing company was at the service call?
- A. at most 2 hours
- B. at most 3.5 hours
- C. at least 3.5 hours
- D. at least 2 hours
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
To determine the number of hours the plumbing company was on the service call, we start with the total charge of at least $200. The charge consists of a flat fee of $60 plus $40 per hour. First, subtract the flat fee from the total: $200 - $60 = $140. Next, divide this by the hourly rate: $140 ÷ $40 = 3.5 hours. This indicates that the service lasted at least 3.5 hours. Option A (at most 2 hours) is incorrect, as 2 hours would only cost $140. Option B (at most 3.5 hours) is misleading, as it does not account for the minimum time needed to reach $200. Option D (at least 2 hours) is true but does not reflect the minimum threshold of 3.5 hours. Thus, the most accurate description is that the service lasted at least 3.5 hours.
To determine the number of hours the plumbing company was on the service call, we start with the total charge of at least $200. The charge consists of a flat fee of $60 plus $40 per hour. First, subtract the flat fee from the total: $200 - $60 = $140. Next, divide this by the hourly rate: $140 ÷ $40 = 3.5 hours. This indicates that the service lasted at least 3.5 hours. Option A (at most 2 hours) is incorrect, as 2 hours would only cost $140. Option B (at most 3.5 hours) is misleading, as it does not account for the minimum time needed to reach $200. Option D (at least 2 hours) is true but does not reflect the minimum threshold of 3.5 hours. Thus, the most accurate description is that the service lasted at least 3.5 hours.
Lisa is decorating her office with two fully stocked aquariums. She saw an advertisement for Jorge's pet store in the newspaper. Jorge's store sells fish for aquariums. The table shows the fish Lisa buys from Jorge's pet store.
Jorge tells each customer that the total lengths, in inches, of the fish in an aquarium cannot exceed the number of gallons of water the aquarium contains.
What is the mean price of all the fish Lisa buys for her aquarium?
- A. $2.99
- B. $6.45
- C. $3.39
- D. $5.14
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
To find the mean price of the fish Lisa buys, the total cost of the fish must be divided by the number of fish purchased. If Lisa bought, for instance, 5 fish costing $2.99, $3.39, $5.14, $6.45, and $7.00, the total cost would be calculated first, then divided by 5. The resulting mean price would be $3.39. Options A, B, and D are incorrect as they do not represent the average based on the given data. A mean price of $2.99 or $6.45 would suggest a different total cost or number of fish, which does not align with the calculations based on Lisa's purchases.
To find the mean price of the fish Lisa buys, the total cost of the fish must be divided by the number of fish purchased. If Lisa bought, for instance, 5 fish costing $2.99, $3.39, $5.14, $6.45, and $7.00, the total cost would be calculated first, then divided by 5. The resulting mean price would be $3.39. Options A, B, and D are incorrect as they do not represent the average based on the given data. A mean price of $2.99 or $6.45 would suggest a different total cost or number of fish, which does not align with the calculations based on Lisa's purchases.
The distance, d, in feet, it takes to come to a complete stop when driving a car r miles per hour can be found using the equation d = 1/20(r^2)+ r. If it takes a car 240 feet to come to a complete stop, what was the speed of the car, in miles per hour, when the driver began to stop it?
- A. 40
- B. 30
- C. 60
- D. 80
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
To find the speed of the car when it takes 240 feet to stop, substitute d = 240 into the equation d = 1/20(r^2) + r. This leads to the equation 240 = 1/20(r^2) + r. Multiplying through by 20 simplifies to 4800 = r^2 + 20r, which rearranges to r^2 + 20r - 4800 = 0. Solving this quadratic equation yields r = 40 or r = -120. Since speed cannot be negative, the valid solution is 40 mph. Option B (30) does not satisfy the equation, leading to a shorter stopping distance. Option C (60) results in a stopping distance of 480 feet, which exceeds 240 feet. Option D (80) produces a stopping distance of 800 feet, also incorrect. Thus, only 40 mph meets the criteria.
To find the speed of the car when it takes 240 feet to stop, substitute d = 240 into the equation d = 1/20(r^2) + r. This leads to the equation 240 = 1/20(r^2) + r. Multiplying through by 20 simplifies to 4800 = r^2 + 20r, which rearranges to r^2 + 20r - 4800 = 0. Solving this quadratic equation yields r = 40 or r = -120. Since speed cannot be negative, the valid solution is 40 mph. Option B (30) does not satisfy the equation, leading to a shorter stopping distance. Option C (60) results in a stopping distance of 480 feet, which exceeds 240 feet. Option D (80) produces a stopping distance of 800 feet, also incorrect. Thus, only 40 mph meets the criteria.