There were 36,000 hardback copies of a certain novel sold before the

Question

There were 36,000 hardback copies of a certain novel sold before the paperback version was issued. From the time the first paperback copy was sold until the last copy of the novel was sold 9 times as many paperback copies as hardback copies were sold. If a total of 441,000 copies of the novel were sold in all, how many paperback copies were sold?

A. 45,000
B. 360,000
C. 364,500
D. 392,000
E. 396,900

PS20502.01

Show Answer

Official Answer

C

A. 45,000 
B. 360,000
C. 364,500
D. 392,000
E. 396,900

PS20502.01

BrentGMATPrepNow · Accepted Answer

From the time the first paperback copy was sold until the last copy of the novel was sold 9 times as many paperback copies as hardback copies were sold  
Let x = number of hardback copies sold during this time
So 9x = number of paperback copies sold during this time
So, x + 9x = total number of copies sold DURING THIS TIME PERIOD

A total of 441,000 copies of the novel were sold in all  
GIVEN: 36,000 hardback copies sold BEFORE the paperback version was issued.
So, we get: 36,000 + x + 9x = 441,000
Simplify: 36,000 + 10x = 441,000
We get: 10x = 405,000
Solve: x = 40,500
This also means 9x = 9(40,500) = 364,500

So, 364,500 paperback copies were

Answer: C

Cheers,
Brent

Bunuel · Answer

Say x was the # of hardback copies sold from the time the first paperback copy was sold.

Then the total # of paperback copies sold was 9x;
Hence the total # of copies sold was (hardback)+(paperback)=(36+x)+(9x)=441 --> x=40.5.

So, the total # of paperback copies sold was 9x=9*40.5=364.5 or 364,500.

Answer: C.

Temurkhon · Answer

36+9x+x=441

10x=405

x=40.5

9x=40.5*9=364.5

C

JLAR2107 · Answer

I used reverse plugging in to solve this problem.

I started with answer B:
*PB = paperback *HC = hardcopy
360000 PB/ 9 PB per HC = 40000 HC sold
360000+40000+36000 = 436000 copies sold
436000 < 441000 so I know the answer must be higher

Answer D:
Not even divisible by 9 so not a logical answer

Answer E:
396900 PB/ 9 PB per HC = 44100 HC
396900 + 44100 + 36000 > 441000

---->  C  is the correct answer

hemantbafna · Answer

I will try to explain for the related question which says '9 times as many paperback copies as hardback copies were sold' We will take hardback as x. So Paperback is 9 times as many as hardback, i.e, 9x. Also, if you need help with translation, there is a superb video by GMATNINJA, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIERkRCbi64 I have added the link for the same. I hope it helps!

suminha · Answer

There were 36,000 hardback copies of a certain novel sold before the paperback version was issued. From the time the first paperback copy was sold until the last copy of the novel was sold 9 times as many paperback copies as hardback copies were sold. If a total of 441,000 copies of the novel were sold in all, how many paperback copies were sold?

A. 45,000
B. 360,000
C. 364,500
D. 392,000
E. 396,900

PS20502.01

Show Answer

Official Answer

C

Sold in all  -> 441,000 = {36,000 hardback copies of a certain novel sold before the paperback version was issued} + {# of copies from the time the first paperback copy was sold until the last copy of the novel was sold}

{Total # of copies from the time the first paperback copy was sold until the last copy of the novel was sold} 
= 441,000 — 36,000 = 405,000

Since “From the time the first paperback copy was sold until the last copy of the novel was sold 9 times as many paperback copies as hardback copies were sold.”, 405,000 copies are consisted of paper copies and hardback copies by 9:1.

Therefore, # of paper copies =  405,000*\frac{9}{10}=364,500

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Fdambro294 · Answer

Time period 1: before the paperback was even issued —> 36,000 H sold

Time Period 2: 9 times as many Paper as Hard were sold

P = 9 * H

For every 1 Hard sold———-> 9 Paper were sold

Given the Integer constraints of this physical item, the Ratio of Books Sold in Time Period 2 was:

Paper Sold : Hard Sold = 9g : 1g

Total Books Sold over the Two Time Periods:

441,000 = 36,000 + (9g + 1g)

405,000 = 10g

g = Unknown Ratio Multiplier = 40,500****

Total Paper Sold = 9g = 9 * (40,500) =

364,500

-C-

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DeeptiManyaExpert · Answer

The obvious method to solve this question is making equations and solving them to get the answer. However, the alternate way is to use answer choices to get the answer which works the conditions given in the problem.

Start by trying option B as it is easier to work it as compared to option C (Ideally, we start with option C when we use this method).

If P = 360,000, then H = 360,000/9 = 40,000. P + H = 400,000. Not matching. Eliminate B.
We want a slightly bigger answer. So, the answer is C. Option D is too big.

Answer: C

Hope this helps!

Hoozan · Answer

"From the time the first paperback copy was sold until the last copy of the novel was sold 9 times as many paperback copies as hardback copies were sold"

Why can't we interpret the above to be saying 36000 + x + 9  = 441000 ??

In other words, why can't we interpret the statement as from the time the first paperback was sold, the number of paperbacks = the total number of hard copy sold?

BrentGMATPrepNow · Answer

The question tells us that 36,000  hardback  copies of a certain novel sold BEFORE the  paperback  version was issued.

Later the question says "From the time the FIRST paperback copy was sold until the last copy of the novel was sold ....."
This time period doesn't include any sales of hardback copies because all of the hardback copies were sold BEFORE the first paperback copies were sold. \
Does that help?

MartyMurray · Answer

There were 36,000 hardback copies of a certain novel sold before the paperback version was issued. From the time the first paperback copy was sold until the last copy of the novel was sold 9 times as many paperback copies as hardback copies were sold. If a total of 441,000 copies of the novel were sold in all, how many paperback copies were sold?

A. 45,000
B. 360,000
C. 364,500
D. 392,000
E. 396,900

PS20502.01

Show Answer

Official Answer

C

Total copies sold: 441,000

Total copies sold from the time the first paperback copy was sold: 441,000 - 36,000 = 405,000

9/10 were paperbacks: 405,000 - 405,000/10 = 405,000 - 40,500 = 364,500 paperbacks sold

A. 45,000
B. 360,000
C. 364,500
D. 392,000
E. 396,900

Correct answer:  C

saaiid · Answer

Hardback & paperback =x & 9x
So,
9x+x = 441000-3600
10x = 405,000
x= 40500
9x =9*40500
= 364,500
Answer : C

egmat · Answer

The Key Insight You Need:

The most important thing to recognize here is  when  that "9 times" ratio applies. Notice the problem says  "From the time the first paperback copy was sold until the last copy...9 times as many paperback copies as hardback copies were sold."

This means the 9:1 ratio is  only  between paperback sales and the  additional  hardback sales that happened  after  the paperback launched. It doesn't include those initial 36,000 hardbacks.

Let's Work Through This Step by Step:

Step 1: Identify What's Happening in Two Phases

Think of this as two distinct time periods:
 
  Phase 1 (Before paperback):  36,000 hardback copies sold 
  Phase 2 (After paperback launch):  Both hardback AND paperback copies sold, with paperback sales being 9 times the additional hardback sales

Step 2: Set Up Your Variable

Let  x  = the number of additional hardback copies sold  after  the paperback version was issued

Since paperback sales were 9 times this amount:
Paperback copies sold =  9x

This makes sense because you're told the ratio is 9 paperbacks for every 1 additional hardback.

Step 3: Create Your Total Sales Equation

Now you need to add up everything to equal 441,000 total copies:

Total = Initial hardbacks + Additional hardbacks + Paperbacks

441,000 = 36,000 + x + 9x

Simplifying the right side:
 441,000 = 36,000 + 10x

Step 4: Solve for x

441,000 - 36,000 = 10x

405,000 = 10x

x = 40,500

Step 5: Find Paperback Copies (Don't Stop at x!)

Here's where students often make a mistake -  x  represents additional hardback copies, but the question asks for paperback copies.

Paperback copies =  9x = 9 × 40,500 = 364,500

Answer: C. 364,500

Quick verification:
 
 Initial hardbacks: 36,000 
 Additional hardbacks: 40,500  
 Paperbacks: 364,500 
 Total:  36,000 + 40,500 + 364,500 = 441,000  ✓ 
 Ratio check:  364,500 ÷ 40,500 = 9  ✓

Want to Master This Question Type?

While this solution shows you the core approach, understanding the systematic framework for timeline-based ratio problems will help you tackle similar questions much faster. You can check out the  complete step-by-step solution on Neuron by e-GMAT  to see the strategic approach that works across all multi-phase word problems, plus learn how to spot the common traps in these questions. You can also explore other GMAT official questions with detailed solutions on Neuron for structured practice  here .

Hope this helps! 🎯

There were 36,000 hardback copies of a certain novel sold before the

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There were 36,000 hardback copies of a certain novel sold before the

Prep Toolkit

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