Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.
Customized for You
we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Track Your Progress
every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance
Practice Pays
we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Thank you for using the timer!
We noticed you are actually not timing your practice. Click the START button first next time you use the timer.
There are many benefits to timing your practice, including:
The Target Test Prep course represents a quantum leap forward in GMAT preparation, a radical reinterpretation of the way that students should study. Try before you buy with a 5-day, full-access trial of the course for FREE!
Prefer video-based learning? The Target Test Prep OnDemand course is a one-of-a-kind video masterclass featuring 400 hours of lecture-style teaching by Scott Woodbury-Stewart, founder of Target Test Prep and one of the most accomplished GMAT instructors
Still interested in this question? Check out the "Best Topics" block below for a better discussion on this exact question, as well as several more related questions.
this is formula based sum...use compound interest formula only add interval to this formula for compounding interval is generally 1 as annually compounded....but here it is compounded 4 months in year that is 3 times a year hence interval (i) = 3 no of years = 1
A = P (1+(r/100))^n.....where r = 8/i & n = i*no of years A = 2400*((1+(8/300))^3) = 2597.16 ......Then Interest = A -P........2597.16 - 2400 = 197.16 = $ 197 Hence OA C
Here is one other way of calculating CI to make calculations within 2 min timeframe. (In layman terms, CI is nothing but interest on the interest.) Based on this concept here is my approach -
Principle = 2400 Rate = 8% Compounded every 4 months. (ie in a year, interest is calculated 3 times)
Apply CI forumula thrice but every time, you calculate SI, new principle = principle + Interest.
Step 1 First term CI = 2400 + 2400 * 0.08/3 = 2400 + 64 Step 2 Second term CI = 2464 + 2464 * 0.08/3 = 2464 + 65.44 Ste 3 Third Term = 2529.44 + 2529.44 * 0.08/3 = 2529.44 + 67.45
So the CI interest paid = 64 + 65.44 + 67.45 = 196.89 close to 197.
When I looked at the question I forgot the CI formula but you can approximate the answer pretty accurately. The first 4 month cycle gives you $2400 x 8/100 x 1/3 = $64
So you know immediately that 3 x 64 is the minimum which is $192. The additional compound interest on top of $64 for each cycle is going to be pretty small (around $64 x 8/100 x 1/3) Looking at the answer choices only C fits.
Hey guys, I'm having a hard time coming up with a quicker way to figure out the Compound Interest problems within the 2 minutes mark.
For this particular question, yes you can use the simple interest version three times and you can get an answer fairly quickly, but when questions become much more complex, i doubt i'm going to be able to work out a quarterly interest for double digit years, all within 2 mins.
Heres the situation via the CI formula way and help me where I'm muddling or complicated it too much:
CI Formula states: \(2400(1+ \frac{.08}{3})^3^(^1^)\)
Then, according to PEMDAS, you do the inside parenthesis first. So: Step 1:\(\frac{.08}{3}= .02666666666\) OR \(.0267\) S2: \(1+.0267=1.0267\) S3: \(1.0267^3\) ? Am I seriously expected to do a 5 digit multiplication 4 times? And still finish within the 2 mins? regardless here we go: 1.027 x1.027 7189 20540 +1027000 1.054729 x1.027 7383103 21054580 +1054729000 1.083166683 after that, it's pretty simple, but come on, theres got to be an easier way of doing this. the multiplication while easy, is super prone to mistakes, and thus takes in itself, 3ish mins. i say again, there's got to be an easier way.
fractions? still the same thing:
\(1+\frac{8}{300}\) \(\frac{308}{300}^3\)
here we go again: 308 x308 2464 +110400 112864 x308 902892 +33859200 34762092
then the denominator is easy= 27000000
so now i have to quickly reduce \(\frac{34762092}{27000000}\) ? Come on you've got to be kidding me. just finding the reduction itself, will again, be very prone to mistakes, and could easily take over 3 mins.
can any of you guys help me out with figuring out where I'm going wrong here? is there a shortcut i'm not aware of? is there an estimating method that I dont' know?
Archived Topic
Hi there,
This topic has been closed and archived due to inactivity or violation of community quality standards. No more replies are possible here.
Still interested in this question? Check out the "Best Topics" block above for a better discussion on this exact question, as well as several more related questions.