The total cost was 38 from which we subtract $6 fixed fee
That leaves us with 32 which is the amount paid per pound
@$2 per pound, the weight is 16 pounds

total cost =38
one time cost =6
additional cost =38-6=32
32/2=16 in additional pounds

Hi All,

This question can be solved by TESTing THE ANSWERS.

We're told that a certain company charges $6 per package to ship packages weighing less than 2 pounds each. However, for a package weighing 2 pounds or more, the company charges an initial fee of $6 plus $2 per pound. We're told that a certain package cost $38 to ship. We're asked for the weight, in pounds, of that package.

Let's TEST Answer B: 17 pounds

According to the pricing 'rules' a 17 pound package would cost $6 + 17($2) = $40. This is TOO EXPENSIVE. Thus, the package must weigh LESS than 17 pounds. There's only one answer that fits...

Final Answer:

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
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6+2x=38
x=16

(A) 16

Forget conventional ways of solving math questions. In PS, IVY approach is the easiest and quickest way to find the answer.


A certain company charges $6 per package to ship packages weighing less than 2 pounds each. For a package weighing 2 pounds or more, the company charges an initial fee of $6 plus $2 per pound. If the company charged $38 to ship a certain package, which of the following was the weight of the package, in pounds?

(A) 16
(B) 17
(C) 19
(D) 20
(E) 22


Let the weight of the package be X. Then the cost is 2*X + 6= 38 ---> 2X=32 ---> X=16.

So the answer is (A).
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Here Price = 6+2*x=38
Hence 2x=32
x=16

Hence A
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Just another thought:
Good tricky question.Important thing to realize is that the package cannot be less than 2 pounds as then for a cost of $38 there would be more than one package.

Since there is only a single package whose cost is $38 hence the package must be over 2 pounds.
In this case only the second equation i.e. 6 + 2(y) = 38 is applicable
where Y is the weight of the package and Y>2 , now we can easily get the weight of the package.
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Can i say the first sentence "A certain company charges $6 per package to ship packages weighing less than 2 pounds each. " is just there to confuse us?

Letting n = the weight of the package, we can create the equation:

38 = 6 + 2n

32 = 2n

16 = n

Answer: A
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EducationAisle after reading the forum I notice that everyone has assumed the total weight of the package to be X and thus derived the equation $6 + $2X = $38. BUT isn't $6 charged for some weight less than 2? Shouldn't it be $6p + $2X = $38 where p < 2 pounds and X ≥ 2 pounds?

Notice that the question says:

For a package weighing 2 pounds or more, the company charges an initial fee of $6 plus $2 per pound.

So, if a package weighs 3 pounds, total charges = 6 + 2*3
Similarly, if a package weighs 4 pounds, total charges = 6 + 2*4
Similarly, if a package weighs 7 pounds, total charges = 6 + 2*7
Similarly, if a package weighs x pounds, total charges = 6 + 2*x

Note that the question does not mention: The company charges an initial fee of $6 plus $2 per additional pound.
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