The total price of a basic computer and a printer was $2,500. If the

The total price of a basic computer and printer are $2,500. If the same printer had been purchased with an enhanced computer whose price was $500 more than the price of the basic computer, then the price of the printer would have been 1/5 of that total. What was the price of the basic computer?
A. 1500
B. 1600
C. 1750
D. 1900
E. 2000

Let the price of basic computer be C and the price of the printer be P: C+P=$2,500.

The price of the enhanced computer will be C+500 and total price for that computer and the printer will be 2,500+500=$3,000. Now, we are told that the price of the printer is 1/5 of that new total price: P=1/5*$3,000=$600.

Plug this value in the first equation: C+600=$2,500 --> C=$1,900.

Answer: D.
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My try:

Here you have:
c=computer
p=price
Total price of the combo 1: c+p=2500
Total price of the combo 2: c+p+500 = 3000 (here you are not changing any price, only adding 500)

p=3000/5=600

Then:

C+600 = 2500
C=1900

Let B, and P be price of basic computer and printer resp.
given B+P=2500

also advanced computer price = B+500 and P= 1/5(2500 + 500) = 600
Substituting this value in the first equation we get

B = 2500 -600 = 1900 hence D.

p +c=2500
p+c+2500=total(T)

Hence T= 3000

P= 1/5*3000=600

HENCE c=1900

Did using one variable:

Price of basic computer = x

Price of printer = (2500 - x)

Price of enhanced computer = x + 500

Setting up the equation

\(2500 - x = \frac{1}{5} * (x+500+2500-x)\)

x = 1900 = Answer = D

[quote="enigma123"]The total price of a basic computer and printer are $2,500. If the same printer had been purchased with an enhanced computer whose price was $500 more than the price of the basic computer, then the price of the printer would have been 1/5 of that total. What was the price of the basic computer?

A. 1500
B. 1600
C. 1750
D. 1900
E. 2000

]

total price = Bc + Printer = 2500-------1

\(1/5(Enhance Comp + P) = P\)
E.c + p =5p
4p = Ec
4p= B.c + 500
4.p = 2500 - p + 500 (from 1)
p =600
Bc = 1900

Attached is a visual that should help.

Where does the $3,000 comes from??

It's explained in this post: https://gmatclub.com/forum/the-total-pr ... l#p1061990


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OK, I saw that answer, but I am sorry if I am missunderstanding, it might be because I am not an English native-speaker. The question says :
The total price of a basic computer and printer are $2,500. >> Total price = CB + P = $2,500. Ok
...If the same printer had been purchased with an enhanced computer whose price was $500 more than the price of the basic computer, >> CE = CB+ 500, hence New Total Price = (CB + 500) + P. Here, from what I undestand, it doesn't say that the new total price is $500 more, just the isolated Computer Enhanced.
...,then the price of the printer would have been 1/5 of that total. >> And here it says that THE PRICE OF THE PRINTER, only the printer, is 1/5 of THAT TOTAL. So I was doing P = 1/5*2,500.

I am confused with the wording I think...

We are given that the total price of a basic computer and a printer was $2,500. If we let a = the price of the basic computer and b = the price of the printer, we can create the following equation:

a + b = 2,500

We are next given that if the same printer had been purchased with an enhanced computer whose price was $500 more than the price of the basic computer, then the price of the printer would have been 1/5 of that total.

If we let the price of the enhanced computer = 500 + a, then we can create the following equation:

(1/5)(500 + a + b) = b

Since a + b = 2,500, we can substitute 2,500 for a + b into the equation (1/5)(500 + a + b) = b.

(1/5)(500 + 2,500) = b

(1/5)(3,000) = b

600 = b

Since b = 600 and a + b = 2,500, we can determine the value of a.

a + 600 = 2,500

a = 1,900

Alternate Solution

The package price of the enhanced computer + printer is $3000. One-fifth of that total is $600, which is the price of the printer by itself. Since the package price of the basic computer + printer is $2,500, we subtract the printer price of $600, getting $1,900 as the price of the basic computer only.

Answer: D
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Even I thought the same. There's no where written that the price increased. I assumed it to be the same as well

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