John worked at a bookstore for two weeks. The second week he earned 20 percent more than he did the first week. If he earned $300 the second week, how much did he earn the first week?
- A. 240
- B. 250
- C. 280
- D. 380
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
To determine John’s earnings for the first week, we know that his second week earnings were 20% more than the first week. If he earned $300 in the second week, we can calculate his first week earnings by setting up the equation: Let x be the first week’s earnings. Then, x + 0.2x = 300. This simplifies to 1.2x = 300. Dividing both sides by 1.2 gives x = 250. Option A ($240) is too low, as it would not result in a $300 second week. Option C ($280) would imply a second week earning of $336, which exceeds $300. Option D ($380) is also incorrect as it suggests a second week earning of $456. Thus, $250 is the only viable answer.
To determine John’s earnings for the first week, we know that his second week earnings were 20% more than the first week. If he earned $300 in the second week, we can calculate his first week earnings by setting up the equation: Let x be the first week’s earnings. Then, x + 0.2x = 300. This simplifies to 1.2x = 300. Dividing both sides by 1.2 gives x = 250. Option A ($240) is too low, as it would not result in a $300 second week. Option C ($280) would imply a second week earning of $336, which exceeds $300. Option D ($380) is also incorrect as it suggests a second week earning of $456. Thus, $250 is the only viable answer.
Other Related Questions
The large square above has area 1 and is divided into 25 squares of equal area. Which of the following represents the area of the shaded region?
- A. 0.8
- B. 0.16
- C. 0.24
- D. 0.32
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
In a large square with an area of 1, each of the 25 smaller squares has an area of \( \frac{1}{25} = 0.04 \). To find the area of the shaded region, count the number of shaded squares. If there are 8 shaded squares, then the area of the shaded region is \( 8 \times 0.04 = 0.32 \). Option A (0.8) is incorrect as it exceeds the total area of the large square. Option B (0.16) represents 4 shaded squares, which is not consistent with the given information. Option C (0.24) suggests 6 shaded squares, which also does not match. Thus, the area of the shaded region is accurately represented by option D, 0.32.
In a large square with an area of 1, each of the 25 smaller squares has an area of \( \frac{1}{25} = 0.04 \). To find the area of the shaded region, count the number of shaded squares. If there are 8 shaded squares, then the area of the shaded region is \( 8 \times 0.04 = 0.32 \). Option A (0.8) is incorrect as it exceeds the total area of the large square. Option B (0.16) represents 4 shaded squares, which is not consistent with the given information. Option C (0.24) suggests 6 shaded squares, which also does not match. Thus, the area of the shaded region is accurately represented by option D, 0.32.
Alexia, Bob, and Comelia recorded the number of pages of books they read last month. Alexia read 135 pages, Bob read 26 pages less than Alexia, and Comelia read 3 and one-half times more pages than Alexia and Bob combined. Which of the following represents the total number of pages that Alexia, Bob, and Comelia read last month?
- A. 3.5(135 + 26)
- B. 3.5[2(135) - 26]
- C. 4.5[2(135) - 26]
- D. 4.5[2(135) + 26]
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
To determine the total number of pages read, first calculate Bob's pages: he read 135 - 26 = 109 pages. The combined pages of Alexia and Bob is 135 + 109 = 244 pages. Comelia read 3.5 times this total, resulting in 3.5 × 244. Option A incorrectly uses 135 + 26, which does not account for Bob's actual pages read. Option B mistakenly uses a subtraction instead of addition for the combined total. Option D incorrectly adds Bob's pages instead of using the correct combined total for Comelia's calculation. Thus, C accurately represents the total with 3.5(244), leading to the correct final total.
To determine the total number of pages read, first calculate Bob's pages: he read 135 - 26 = 109 pages. The combined pages of Alexia and Bob is 135 + 109 = 244 pages. Comelia read 3.5 times this total, resulting in 3.5 × 244. Option A incorrectly uses 135 + 26, which does not account for Bob's actual pages read. Option B mistakenly uses a subtraction instead of addition for the combined total. Option D incorrectly adds Bob's pages instead of using the correct combined total for Comelia's calculation. Thus, C accurately represents the total with 3.5(244), leading to the correct final total.
A record store sold 100 copies of a CD in January. In February, the store's sales of the CD increased by 10 percent over the January sales. In March, the store sold 20 percent more copies of the CD than it sold in February. How many copies of the CD did the store sell in March?
- A. 120
- B. 122
- C. 130
- D. 132
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
To find the number of CDs sold in March, start with January's sales of 100 copies. February's sales increased by 10%, resulting in 100 + (10% of 100) = 110 copies sold. In March, the store sold 20% more than February's sales: 110 + (20% of 110) = 110 + 22 = 132 copies. Option A (120) incorrectly assumes a lower percentage increase in February. Option B (122) miscalculates the increase in March. Option C (130) underestimates the sales for March by not applying the correct percentage increase. Thus, the accurate calculation leads to 132 copies sold in March.
To find the number of CDs sold in March, start with January's sales of 100 copies. February's sales increased by 10%, resulting in 100 + (10% of 100) = 110 copies sold. In March, the store sold 20% more than February's sales: 110 + (20% of 110) = 110 + 22 = 132 copies. Option A (120) incorrectly assumes a lower percentage increase in February. Option B (122) miscalculates the increase in March. Option C (130) underestimates the sales for March by not applying the correct percentage increase. Thus, the accurate calculation leads to 132 copies sold in March.
If 3 < a < 7 < b, which of the following must be greater than 20?
- A. a²
- B. 2b
- C. ab
- D. b + a
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
To determine which option must be greater than 20, we analyze each one based on the inequalities provided (3 < a < 7 < b). **Option A: a²** Since a is less than 7, the maximum value for a² is 49 (when a=7), and the minimum value is 16 (when a=4). Thus, a² can be less than 20. **Option B: 2b** With b being greater than 7, the minimum value for 2b is 16 (when b=8). Therefore, 2b can also be less than 20. **Option C: ab** Given a is at least 4 and b is at least 8, the minimum value of ab is 32 (4*8). This must be greater than 20. **Option D: b + a** The minimum value for b + a is 11 (when a=4 and b=7), which is less than 20. Thus, only ab must consistently exceed 20.
To determine which option must be greater than 20, we analyze each one based on the inequalities provided (3 < a < 7 < b). **Option A: a²** Since a is less than 7, the maximum value for a² is 49 (when a=7), and the minimum value is 16 (when a=4). Thus, a² can be less than 20. **Option B: 2b** With b being greater than 7, the minimum value for 2b is 16 (when b=8). Therefore, 2b can also be less than 20. **Option C: ab** Given a is at least 4 and b is at least 8, the minimum value of ab is 32 (4*8). This must be greater than 20. **Option D: b + a** The minimum value for b + a is 11 (when a=4 and b=7), which is less than 20. Thus, only ab must consistently exceed 20.