To mail a package, the rate is x cents for the first pound and y cents : GMAT Problem Solving (PS)
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# To mail a package, the rate is x cents for the first pound and y cents

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To mail a package, the rate is x cents for the first pound and y cents [#permalink]

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20 Jan 2008, 09:31
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To mail a package, the rate is x cents for the first pound and y cents for each additional pound, where x > y. Two packages weighing 3 pounds and 5 pounds, respectively, can be mailed separately or combined as one package. Which method is cheaper, and how much money is saved?

(A) Combined, with a savings of x - y cents
(B) Combined, with a savings of y - x cents
(C) Combined, with a savings of x cents
(D) Separately, with a savings of x - y cents
(E) Separately, with a savings of y cents

OPEN DISCUSSION OF THIS QUESTION IS HERE: to-mail-a-package-the-rate-is-x-cents-for-the-first-pound-144264.html
[Reveal] Spoiler: OA

Last edited by Bunuel on 20 Oct 2014, 05:30, edited 1 time in total.
Renamed the topic, edited the question and added the OA.
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Re: To mail a package, the rate is x cents for the first pound and y cents [#permalink]

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20 Jan 2008, 10:54
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obviously A. the only difference is paying for the first pound of the second package. if it's included with the first one, its price is Y, if mailed separately X. Then the difference is X-Y.
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Re: To mail a package, the rate is x cents for the first pound and y cents [#permalink]

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20 Jan 2008, 18:35
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agree with A. I just did the math on paper.

separately, you have one pkg costing X+2Y, and the other costs X+4Y. Together, thats 2X+6Y.

Together, the cost is X+7Y. The difference btwn the two options ix X-Y.
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21 Nov 2011, 12:19
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Another way of solving this problem is using numbers in place of x and y
choose $$x = 3$$ and $$y = 2$$ as $$x>y$$

Shipping separately :
3 lb Package: $$3 + 2 *2 = 7$$
5 lb package: $$3 + 4*2 = 11$$
Total cost: 18 lbs

Shipping combined:
Cost = 3 + 7 * 2 = 17 lbs

So shipping combined is cheaper it is cheaper by 1cent(i.e 3-2 or x-y)

Looking at the answer choices - A
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Re: To mail a package, the rate is x cents for the first pound and y cents [#permalink]

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21 Nov 2011, 13:05
@icaniwill - thanks for alternate solution
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Re: To mail a package, the rate is x cents for the first pound and y cents [#permalink]

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21 Nov 2011, 13:35
A, try pluging in strategy and you will see that A is our man
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Re: To mail a package, the rate is x cents for the first pound and y cents [#permalink]

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20 Oct 2014, 04:25
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Re: To mail a package, the rate is x cents for the first pound and y cents [#permalink]

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20 Oct 2014, 05:31
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vermatanya wrote:
To mail a package, the rate is x cents for the first pound and y cents for each additional pound, where x > y. Two packages weighing 3 pounds and 5 pounds, respectively, can be mailed separately or combined as one package. Which method is cheaper, and how much money is saved?

(A) Combined, with a savings of x - y cents
(B) Combined, with a savings of y - x cents
(C) Combined, with a savings of x cents
(D) Separately, with a savings of x - y cents
(E) Separately, with a savings of y cents

Shipping separately costs $$1x+2y$$ for the 3 pounds package (x cents for the first pound and y cents for the additional 2 pounds) plus $$1x+4y$$ for the 5 pounds package (x cents for the first pound and y cents for the additional 4 pounds), so total cost of shipping separately is $$(x+2y)+(x+4y)=2x+6y$$;

Shipping together in one 8-pound package costs $$1x+7y$$ (x cents for the first pound and y cents for the additional 7 pounds);

Difference: $$Separately-Together=(2x+6y)-(x+7y)=x-y$$ --> as given that $$x>y$$ then this difference is positive, which makes shipping together cheaper by $$x-y$$ cents.

OPEN DISCUSSION OF THIS QUESTION IS HERE: to-mail-a-package-the-rate-is-x-cents-for-the-first-pound-144264.html
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Re: To mail a package, the rate is x cents for the first pound and y cents   [#permalink] 20 Oct 2014, 05:31
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