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Steve has 4 pens. The values of the pens are $2,$4, $7, and [#permalink] Show Tags 15 Nov 2008, 13:38 This topic is locked. If you want to discuss this question please re-post it in the respective forum. Steve has 4 pens. The values of the pens are$2, $4,$7, and $12. Which of the following could NOT be the total value of any collection of these pens?$14
$16$17
$21$23
I just can't understand the answer. My answer was D because with four given prices, you can't make 21 dollars.

hoice (A): $14 =$12 + $2. Discard choice (A). Choice (B):$16 = $12 +$4. Discard choice (B).

Choice (C): $17. There does not appear any way to obtain a total of$17. Let's look at the remaining choices to be sure that this choice is the value that cannot be obtained.

Choice (D): $21 =$12 + $7 +$2. Discard choice (D).

Choice (E): $23 =$12 + $7 +$4. Discard choice (E).Now that all 4 incorrect answer choices have been eliminated, we know that choice (C) must be correct.

Am I just not thinking hard enough?
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Re: Quantative: Kaplan practice question [#permalink]

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15 Nov 2008, 13:57
hwiya320 wrote:
Steve has 4 pens. The values of the pens are $2,$4, $7, and$12. Which of the following could NOT be the total value of any collection of these pens?

$14$16
$17$21
$23 I just can't understand the answer. My answer was D because with four given prices, you can't make 21 dollars. The kaplan answer is.. hoice (A):$14 = $12 +$2. Discard choice (A).

Choice (B): $16 =$12 + $4. Discard choice (B). Choice (C):$17. There does not appear any way to obtain a total of $17. Let's look at the remaining choices to be sure that this choice is the value that cannot be obtained. Choice (D):$21 = $12 +$7 + $2. Discard choice (D). Choice (E):$23 = $12 +$7 + $4. Discard choice (E).Now that all 4 incorrect answer choices have been eliminated, we know that choice (C) must be correct. Am I just not thinking hard enough? Please do not post answers and your doubts as they cut into the thoughts of others. You can start asking Q's once others show their approach. Most of the times, such doubts will be addressed in the responses. If not you are more than welcome to have a discussion. 17 can be obtained if steve had 7 + 2 + 4 +4 So discard C B T W, the way I understood the Q is Steve has to have 4 pens of some value. He just cannot have all the value in 1 pen or 2 pens with value of 3rd and 4th equal to 0. 16 = 4 X 4 12 = 3 X4 + 2 17 = 2 X4 + 2 + 7 21 23 = 12 + 7 + 2 +2 21 remains Current Student Joined: 28 Dec 2004 Posts: 3384 Location: New York City Schools: Wharton'11 HBS'12 Followers: 15 Kudos [?]: 286 [0], given: 2 Re: Quantative: Kaplan practice question [#permalink] Show Tags 15 Nov 2008, 17:11 kaplan got it wrong it has to be 21..otherwise the question doesnt make sense if he has 4 pens.. SVP Joined: 29 Aug 2007 Posts: 2492 Followers: 69 Kudos [?]: 747 [0], given: 19 Re: Quantative: Kaplan practice question [#permalink] Show Tags 15 Nov 2008, 17:37 icandy wrote: hwiya320 wrote: Steve has 4 pens. The values of the pens are$2, $4,$7, and $12. Which of the following could NOT be the total value of any collection of these pens?$14
$16$17
$21$23
I just can't understand the answer. My answer was D because with four given prices, you can't make 21 dollars.

hoice (A): $14 =$12 + $2. Discard choice (A). Choice (B):$16 = $12 +$4. Discard choice (B).

Choice (C): $17. There does not appear any way to obtain a total of$17. Let's look at the remaining choices to be sure that this choice is the value that cannot be obtained.

Choice (D): $21 =$12 + $7 +$2. Discard choice (D).

Choice (E): $23 =$12 + $7 +$4. Discard choice (E).Now that all 4 incorrect answer choices have been eliminated, we know that choice (C) must be correct.

Am I just not thinking hard enough?

Please do not post answers and your doubts as they cut into the thoughts of others. You can start asking Q's once others show their approach. Most of the times, such doubts will be addressed in the responses. If not you are more than welcome to have a discussion.

17 can be obtained if steve had 7 + 2 + 4 +4 So discard C

B T W, the way I understood the Q is Steve has to have 4 pens of some value. He just cannot have all the value in 1 pen or 2 pens with value of 3rd and 4th equal to 0.

16 = 4 X 4

12 = 3 X4 + 2

17 = 2 X4 + 2 + 7

21

23 = 12 + 7 + 2 +2

21 remains

D. 21 is convincing...

I was understanding the problem differently as the question is ambigious........
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Re: Quantative: Kaplan practice question [#permalink]

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16 Nov 2008, 18:48
icandy wrote:

Please do not post answers and your doubts as they cut into the thoughts of others. You can start asking Q's once others show their approach. Most of the times, such doubts will be addressed in the responses. If not you are more than welcome to have a discussion.

I'll remember to do that next time. I was just so frustrated after getting problems wrong.
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Re: Quantative: Kaplan practice question [#permalink]

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17 Nov 2008, 01:40
Choice C is correct and the explanation is very clear

17 = 7 + 2 + 4 +4