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# A store currently charges the same price for each towel that

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A store currently charges the same price for each towel that [#permalink]

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27 Dec 2012, 04:47
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A store currently charges the same price for each towel that it sells. If the current price of each towel were to be increased by $1, 10 fewer of the towels could be bought for$120, excluding sales tax. What is the current price of each towel?

(A) $1 (B)$ 2
(C) $3 (D)$ 4
(E) $12 [Reveal] Spoiler: OA Kudos [?]: 3648 [0], given: 0 Intern Joined: 11 Apr 2013 Posts: 2 Kudos [?]: 7 [3], given: 4 Re: A store currently charges the same price for each towel that [#permalink] ### Show Tags 18 Oct 2013, 08:32 3 This post received KUDOS 1 This post was BOOKMARKED I thought it would be easier to just use a smart number. I picked the middle number option (C)$3 per towel and proceeded to divide $120 with$3 to make 40 towels.
Then I tried with (D) $4 which gave me 30 towels. Therefore the current price must be$3

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Re: A store currently charges the same price for each towel that [#permalink]

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15 May 2014, 09:27
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Bunuel wrote:
A store currently charges the same price for each towel that it sells. If the current price of each towel were to be increased by $1, 10 fewer of the towels could be bought for$120, excluding sales tax. What is the current price of each towel?

(A) $1 (B)$ 2
(C) $3 (D)$ 4
(E) $12 Let the current price be $$p$$ and the # of towels sold at this price be $$n$$. Then we would have two equations: $$pn=120$$ amd $$(p+1)(n-10)=120$$ at this point you can solve the system of equations for $$p$$ (you'll get quadratic equation to solve) or try to substitute answer choices. When substituting answer choices it's good to start with the middle value, so in our case$3. So, if $$p=3$$ then $$3n=120$$ --> $$n=40$$ --> $$(3+1)(40-10)=4*30=120$$, so this answer works.

Hope it helps.

Bunuel

Instead of two variables p,n cant it be solved in 1 variable as below

Say p = original price of 1 towel

so 120/p = 120/(p+1) + 10

putting values from options gives the value of p=3

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Re: A store currently charges the same price for each towel that [#permalink]

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27 Dec 2012, 04:49
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A store currently charges the same price for each towel that it sells. If the current price of each towel were to be increased by $1, 10 fewer of the towels could be bought for$120, excluding sales tax. What is the current price of each towel?

(A) $1 (B)$ 2
(C) $3 (D)$ 4
(E) $12 Let the current price be $$p$$ and the # of towels sold at this price be $$n$$. Then we would have two equations: $$pn=120$$ amd $$(p+1)(n-10)=120$$ at this point you can solve the system of equations for $$p$$ (you'll get quadratic equation to solve) or try to substitute answer choices. When substituting answer choices it's good to start with the middle value, so in our case$3. So, if $$p=3$$ then $$3n=120$$ --> $$n=40$$ --> $$(3+1)(40-10)=4*30=120$$, so this answer works.

Hope it helps.
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Re: A store currently charges the same price for each towel that [#permalink]

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30 Oct 2013, 05:45
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N = total no. of towel
P = Price of towel

NP=120…(1), ; N = 120/p
(N-10)(P+1) = 120…(2)

From 2,
NP+N-10P-10=120
120/P*P + 120/P -10P = 130 (Plugging from 1)
120/P -10P = 10
P^2+P-12 = 0
(P+4)(P-3)=0
Hence, P=3 (As price cannot be negative)

*This is indeed the long method, but I am comfortable with algebra, than plugging no.)

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Re: A store currently charges the same price for each towel that [#permalink]

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17 May 2016, 03:50
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A store currently charges the same price for each towel that it sells. If the current price of each towel were to be increased by $1, 10 fewer of the towels could be bought for$120, excluding sales tax. What is the current price of each towel?

(A) $1 (B)$ 2
(C) $3 (D)$ 4
(E) $12 Solution: We can start by creating some variables. Q = quantity of towels sold P = price per towel sold Next we can set up some equations. We know that at the current price: PQ = 120 We are next given that if the current price of each towel were to be increased by$1, 10 fewer of the towels could be bought for $120. From this we can say: (P + 1)(Q – 10) = 120 Since we need to determine the value of P, we should get the second equation in terms of P only. We can do this by manipulating the equation PQ = 120. So we can say: Q = 120/P Now we can plug in 120/P for Q in the equation (P + 1)(Q – 10) = 120. We now have: (P + 1)(120/P – 10) = 120 FOILing this, we get: 120 – 10P + 120/P – 10 = 120 –10P + 120/P – 10 = 0 We can multiply the entire equation by P to get rid of the denominators. This gives us: –10P^2 + 120 – 10P = 0 10P^2 + 10P – 120 = 0 P^2 + P – 12 = 0 (P + 4)(P – 3) = 0 P = -4 or P = 3 Since P can’t be negative, P = 3. Answer is C. _________________ Jeffery Miller Head of GMAT Instruction GMAT Quant Self-Study Course 500+ lessons 3000+ practice problems 800+ HD solutions Kudos [?]: 980 [1], given: 5 Manager Joined: 30 Dec 2015 Posts: 90 Kudos [?]: 23 [1], given: 153 GPA: 3.92 WE: Engineering (Aerospace and Defense) Re: A store currently charges the same price for each towel that [#permalink] ### Show Tags 16 Oct 2016, 18:19 1 This post received KUDOS Walkabout wrote: A store currently charges the same price for each towel that it sells. If the current price of each towel were to be increased by$1, 10 fewer of the towels could be bought for $120, excluding sales tax. What is the current price of each towel? (A)$ 1
(B) $2 (C)$ 3
(D) $4 (E)$12

Let the original cost of towels = x

$$\frac{120}{x}- \frac{120}{(x+1)} = 10$$
$$120 = 10(x^2 + x)$$
($$x^2 + x -12) = 0$$
$$(x+4)(x-3)=0$$
x=3
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Re: A store currently charges the same price for each towel that [#permalink]

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03 Dec 2017, 21:32
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Hi All,

Most GMAT questions can be solved in a variety of ways, so you should look for alternatives to "math" approaches (in many cases, the math approach takes the longest to set up and complete).

Here, we're essentially asked to spend $120 on towels. We're then asked to figure out the price point at which ADDING$1 to the price of a towel results in 10 FEWER towels purchased. Since the answers are NUMBERS (and almost all consecutive integers), we can TEST THE ANSWERS....

IF....
Towels are....
$1 each, then we can buy 120 towels$2 each, then we can buy 60 towels
$3 each, then we can buy 40 towels$4 each, then we can buy 30 towels
$5 each, then we can buy 24 towels Now, stop and look at the progression. We're looking for a point at which the DIFFERENCE is 10 towels. That only happens in one "spot" - when the price is increased from$3 to $4. The question asks for the current (re: lower) price. Final Answer: [Reveal] Spoiler: C GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made, Rich _________________ 760+: Learn What GMAT Assassins Do to Score at the Highest Levels Contact Rich at: Rich.C@empowergmat.com # Rich Cohen Co-Founder & GMAT Assassin Special Offer: Save$75 + GMAT Club Tests Free
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Re: A store currently charges the same price for each towel that [#permalink]

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19 Oct 2013, 08:23
psychedelictwirl wrote:
I thought it would be easier to just use a smart number.
I picked the middle number option (C) $3 per towel and proceeded to divide$120 with $3 to make 40 towels. Then I tried with (D)$4 which gave me 30 towels.
Therefore the current price must be $3 Answer: C. I agree. I think this problem is a textbook example for why reverse plugging in is a valuable strategy. _________________ Economist GMAT Tutor http://econgm.at/econgmat (866) 292-0660 Kudos [?]: 52 [0], given: 7 Senior Manager Joined: 23 Oct 2010 Posts: 380 Kudos [?]: 411 [0], given: 73 Location: Azerbaijan Concentration: Finance Schools: HEC '15 (A) GMAT 1: 690 Q47 V38 Re: A store currently charges the same price for each towel that [#permalink] ### Show Tags 20 Nov 2013, 04:29 (P+1)(N-10)=NP N-10P-10=0 NP=120 => N=P/120 N-10P-10=0 P^2+P-12=0 P=3 _________________ Happy are those who dream dreams and are ready to pay the price to make them come true I am still on all gmat forums. msg me if you want to ask me smth Kudos [?]: 411 [0], given: 73 Math Expert Joined: 02 Sep 2009 Posts: 42575 Kudos [?]: 135407 [0], given: 12692 Re: A store currently charges the same price for each towel that [#permalink] ### Show Tags 16 May 2014, 00:26 himanshujovi wrote: Bunuel wrote: Walkabout wrote: A store currently charges the same price for each towel that it sells. If the current price of each towel were to be increased by$1, 10 fewer of the towels could be bought for $120, excluding sales tax. What is the current price of each towel? (A)$ 1
(B) $2 (C)$ 3
(D) $4 (E)$12

Let the current price be $$p$$ and the # of towels sold at this price be $$n$$. Then we would have two equations:

$$pn=120$$ amd $$(p+1)(n-10)=120$$ at this point you can solve the system of equations for $$p$$ (you'll get quadratic equation to solve) or try to substitute answer choices.

When substituting answer choices it's good to start with the middle value, so in our case $3. So, if $$p=3$$ then $$3n=120$$ --> $$n=40$$ --> $$(3+1)(40-10)=4*30=120$$, so this answer works. Answer: C. Hope it helps. Bunuel Instead of two variables p,n cant it be solved in 1 variable as below Say p = original price of 1 towel so 120/p = 120/(p+1) + 10 putting values from options gives the value of p=3 Yes, that's correct. _________________ Kudos [?]: 135407 [0], given: 12692 Intern Joined: 05 Feb 2014 Posts: 16 Kudos [?]: [0], given: 18 Location: India Concentration: Human Resources, General Management Schools: Tepper '20 (S) GMAT 1: 720 Q49 V40 GPA: 3.33 Re: A store currently charges the same price for each towel that [#permalink] ### Show Tags 17 Sep 2014, 09:07 Bunuel wrote: Walkabout wrote: A store currently charges the same price for each towel that it sells. If the current price of each towel were to be increased by$1, 10 fewer of the towels could be bought for $120, excluding sales tax. What is the current price of each towel? (A)$ 1
(B) $2 (C)$ 3
(D) $4 (E)$12

Let the current price be $$p$$ and the # of towels sold at this price be $$n$$. Then we would have two equations:

$$pn=120$$ amd $$(p+1)(n-10)=120$$ at this point you can solve the system of equations for $$p$$ (you'll get quadratic equation to solve) or try to substitute answer choices.

When substituting answer choices it's good to start with the middle value, so in our case $3. So, if $$p=3$$ then $$3n=120$$ --> $$n=40$$ --> $$(3+1)(40-10)=4*30=120$$, so this answer works. Answer: C. Hope it helps. Hi Bunnel How is pn=120 first equation ?? Kudos [?]: [0], given: 18 Math Expert Joined: 02 Sep 2009 Posts: 42575 Kudos [?]: 135407 [0], given: 12692 A store currently charges the same price for each towel that [#permalink] ### Show Tags 17 Sep 2014, 10:22 SunthoshiTejaswi wrote: Bunuel wrote: Walkabout wrote: A store currently charges the same price for each towel that it sells. If the current price of each towel were to be increased by$1, 10 fewer of the towels could be bought for $120, excluding sales tax. What is the current price of each towel? (A)$ 1
(B) $2 (C)$ 3
(D) $4 (E)$12

Let the current price be $$p$$ and the # of towels sold at this price be $$n$$. Then we would have two equations:

$$pn=120$$ amd $$(p+1)(n-10)=120$$ at this point you can solve the system of equations for $$p$$ (you'll get quadratic equation to solve) or try to substitute answer choices.

When substituting answer choices it's good to start with the middle value, so in our case $3. So, if $$p=3$$ then $$3n=120$$ --> $$n=40$$ --> $$(3+1)(40-10)=4*30=120$$, so this answer works. Answer: C. Hope it helps. Hi Bunnel How is pn=120 first equation ?? If the current price of each towel were to be increased by$1 (the current price p, new price p+1), 10 fewer of the towels (n for the current number of towels, n-10 for new number of towels) could be bought for $120. So, for$120 for the current price p, we can buy n towels: pn=120.
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Re: A store currently charges the same price for each towel that [#permalink]

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30 Sep 2017, 23:59
I understand pn = 120 but doesn't (p+1)(n−10)=120 assume that the new price divides 120 evenly? What if that is not the case?

Obviously in this problem it does divide evenly but what about a similar problem where the new price leaves us with some some money left over < p? Shouldn't the second equation be an inequality or something to do with remainders?

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Re: A store currently charges the same price for each towel that [#permalink]

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01 Oct 2017, 03:19
ThisandThat wrote:
I understand pn = 120 but doesn't (p+1)(n−10)=120 assume that the new price divides 120 evenly? What if that is not the case?

Obviously in this problem it does divide evenly but what about a similar problem where the new price leaves us with some some money left over < p? Shouldn't the second equation be an inequality or something to do with remainders?

We are told that "If the current price of each towel were to be increased by $1, 10 fewer of the towels could be bought for$120", so $120 is exactly how much you need to buy 10 fewer of the towels if the price of each towel were to be increased by$1.
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Re: A store currently charges the same price for each towel that   [#permalink] 01 Oct 2017, 03:19
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