The word "closest" suggests that we can use some estimation here.

Let's first estimate the number of tickets sold PER WEEK
41,000 tickets per day on weekdays
(5)(41,000) = 205,000

18,000 tickets per day on weekends
(2)(18,000) = 36,000

So, total tickets sold PER WEEK = 205,000 + 36,000 = 241,000
To make our calculations easier, let's round it off to 240,000 tickets per week

There are 52 weeks in the years, so the TOTAL (annual) ticket sales is (52)(240,000)
HOWEVER, since the GMAT is not testing whether or not you are a human calculator, we can probably just say there are 50 weeks in a year.

(50)(240,000) = 12,000,000
Of course, there are actually 52 weeks in the year, so the correct answer is a BIT MORE than 12,000,000

Choose D

RELATED VIDEO

_________________

With the answer choices provided, I would say it is safe to approximate in this manner...

41,000 x 5 + 18,000 x 2 = 241,000 (approx to 240,000)

52 weeks in a year (approx to 50)

Now, since 50 is much like .50 we have 12,000,000

Knowing that we lessened both values in our approximation, 12.5 million is apparent.

Hope this helps!

I guess 10 mil is the corest answer:

(2/7)*365*18,000+(5/7)*365*41,000=10,6 mil

If you type that into the calculator, it results in 12.6 mil

[D], 12.5 mil, is the correct answer... see 2 posts above for quick approx method

One year = 52 weeks
1K = 10^3
1M = 10^6
1 week sale = weekend sale + weekday sale = (41K * 5) + (18K * 2) = 205K + 36K = 241K
One year sale = 241K *52 = (241*52)K

241 * 52 = 12.5K (approx)

One year sale = 12.5K * K = 12.5 M

Last year, a certain public transportation system sold an average (arithmetic mean) of 41 000 tickets per day on weekdays (Monday through Friday) and an average of 18 000 tickets per day on Saturday and Sunday. Which of the following is closest to the total number of tickets sold last year?

average = sum/# of terms

weekdays
41000 = x/5 days
205,000 = x (total tickets sold per week)

weekend
18000 = x/2 days
36000 = x (total tickets sold per week)

so...205k+36k * 52 weeks = 12.5 mil

41000*5+1800*2=241000*52=12532000/1000000=12.532
So, D 12.5
_________________

For whole week:

41,000 * 5 + 18,000 * 2

1000 = K
Ballpark now to simplify calculations:
40K*5 + 18K*2 =200K + 36K= 236K

Number of weeks in year 52, ballpark and let's calculate with 50

236K * 50 = 11,800,K
~ 12 M. which is closest to 12.5 M answer D.
_________________

Why are you counting 52 weeks ? there are 4 weeks in month and 12 month in a year hence 4*12 = 48

How many days are there in one year? Divide that by 7. What do you get?
_________________

The total number of tickets sold in a week is:

41,000 x 5 + 18,000 x 2 = 205,000 + 36,000 = 241,000

Since there are 52 weeks in a year, then the total number of tickets sold in a year is:

241,000 x 52 ≈ 250,000 x 50 = 12,500,000

Answer: D
_________________

Hi All,

We're told that last year, a certain public transportation system sold an average (arithmetic mean) of 41,000 tickets per day on weekdays (Monday through Friday) and an average of 18,000 tickets per day on Saturday and Sunday. We're asked which of the following is closest to the total number of tickets sold last YEAR. Since the answer choices are rather 'spread out', we can use a bit of estimation and some Arithmetic to answer this question.

To start, we can calculate the average number of tickets sold each WEEK:
(5)(41,000) + (2)(18,000) = 205,000 + 36,000 = 241,000/week

241,000 is a little less than 250,000. Thus, since each MONTH will be a little MORE than 4 weeks (with the exception of February, which would be 4 weeks exactly), in a typical month, a bit MORE than 1 million tickets will be sold. Over the course of a full year, the 12 months would lead to total sales over 12 million. There's only one answer that matches...

Final Answer:

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

Hello from the GMAT Club BumpBot!

Thanks to another GMAT Club member, I have just discovered this valuable topic, yet it had no discussion for over a year. I am now bumping it up - doing my job. I think you may find it valuable (esp those replies with Kudos).

Want to see all other topics I dig out? Follow me (click follow button on profile). You will receive a summary of all topics I bump in your profile area as well as via email.
_________________