dave13
dave13
Bunuel
A professional athlete was offered a three-year contract to play with Team K that provided for an annual salary of $100,000 in the first year, an increase in annual salary of 20% over the previous year for the next two years, and a bonus of $50,000 on signing. Team L offered a three-year contract providing for an annual salary of $150,000 in the first year, an increase in annual salary of 10% over the previous year for the next two years, and no signing bonus. If he accepts the offer of Team L and fulfills the three-year contract
terms, the athlete will receive how much more money by choosing Team L over Team if?
(A) $32,500
(B) $50,000
(C) $82,500
(D) $92,000
(E) $100,000
Ok, GMAT quant party starts here
Hello! Yes, you ! please read below and correct my mistake!
i am using formula , and exponent meant number of years
x = \(100, 000 (1+0,20)^2\)
x = 100,000*1.44 = 144,000 +bonus 50,000 = 194,000
x = \(150,000 (1+0,1)^2\)
x = 150,000 * 1,21
x= 181,500
194,000 - 181,500 = 12,500
so why this formula doesnt work ?

Hi
dave13 ,
Well, the formula didn't work because you calculated only his Year 3 salary (correctly, I might add).
You have to add the money he makes in Year 1 and Year 2.
Let's use Team K's deal.
You calculated Year 3 correctly: $144,000
You have to add
Year 1 = 100,000
Year 2 = 120,000 (= 100,000 * 1.2)
Year 3 = 144,000 (=100,00*1.44 OR 120,000*1.2)
Bonus = 50,000
--------------------
TOTAL = $414,000 for Team K's deal
Now do the same for Team L
Year 1:
Year 2: ----->(=150,000 * ____)
Year 3: $181,500 (= 150,000 * 1.21)
You've calculated a final amount FOR YEAR 3 based on accrued "interest" (really, just a percent increase) on initial salary -- but compounding interest, while cumulative, is not "additive" in the sense it needs to be here.
Hope that helps.