felippemed
On June 1 a bicycle dealer noted that the number of bicycles in stock had decreased by 4 for each of the past 5 months. If the stock continues to decrease at the same rate for the rest of the year, how many fewer bicycles will be in stock on September 1 than were in stock on January 1?
(A) 8
(B) 12
(C) 20
(D) 32
(E) 36
I feel like most of the solutions here do not capture the importance of a trick or a trap in this question.
it says that as of June 1st number of bicycles in stock had decreased by 4 for each of the past 5 months.
which means 5 months before June is Jan and in jan there was 4 less bicycles, cause it says "4 for each of the past 5 months"
now that would bring us the below
Say no of bicycles in stock be "x"
Jan = x -4
Feb = x - 8
.................June = x - 24 & Sep = x - 36
now the question asks us how many fewer bicycles will be in stock on September 1 than were in stock on January 1?
Diffrence of no of cycles between Jan and Sept = (x-4) - (x-36) = x-4-x+36 = 32
hence the diffrence is 32.
most or all soultions forgot to consider that even Jan is included in the 5 month period of 4 cycles short in the stock. (Remember its a trap)