A store sells chairs and tables. If the price of 3 chairs and 1 table

Hi All,

While this question can certainly be solved algebraically, it can also be solved rather easily by TESTing THE ANSWERS and doing a little arithmetic...

We're given a few facts to work with:
1) 3 chairs + 1 table = 60% of the price of (1 chair + 3 tables)
2) 1 chair + 1 table = $60
3) Each chair has the same price and each table has the same price

We're asked for the price of 1 table.

Since 3 chairs and 1 table cost LESS than 1 chair and 3 tables, a chair MUST cost LESS than a table. Since 1 chair + 1 table = $60, that means that 1 chair costs LESS than $30 and 1 table costs MORE than $30. There are only two answers that fit THIS pattern....

Let's TEST Answer D: $40

IF....1 table = $40....
1 chair = $20
3 chairs + 1 table = $100
1 chair + 3 tables = $140
60% of $140 = $84 (not $100....so this CANNOT be the answer).

There's only one answer remaining....

Final Answer:

Here's the proof though....

IF....1 table = $45....
1 chair = $15
3 chairs + 1 table = $90
1 chair + 3 tables = $150
60% of $150 = $90 (this is a MATCH, so this MUST be the answer).

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich