During the second quarter of 1984, a total of 2,976,000 domestic cars

Question

During the second quarter of 1984, a total of 2,976,000 domestic cars were sold. If this was 24% greater than the number sold during the first quarter of 1984, how many were sold during the first quarter ?

A. 714,240
B. 2,261,760
C. 2,400,000
D. 3,690,240
E. 3,915,790

A. 714,240
B. 2,261,760
C. 2,400,000
D. 3,690,240
E. 3,915,790

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Accepted Answer

Hi CharmiShah,

You'll see a couple of questions on Test Day that are essentially built around the idea of estimation (and NOT long-winded calculations). Sometimes the question writers literally tell you to estimate (look for the word "approximately" in the question). Here, even though we're not told to estimate, the numbers in the prompt and the 'spread' of the answer choices hint HEAVILY that you can take that approach here.

2,976,000 cars can be 'rounded off' to 3,000,000
24% can be 'rounded off' to 25% (or 1/4)

The question can be translated into the following:

A 25% increase of what number equals 3,000,000....

In algebraic terms, we would have...

(1.25)(X) = 3,000,000

Based on the given answer choices, there's only one answer that's close....

Final Answer:  C

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

BrushMyQuant · Answer

Let number of cars sold in 1st quarter = x
Number of cars sold in 2nd quarter = 24% greater than the number sold during the first quarter = (1 + 24/100)x = 1.24 x

1.24 x = 2,976,000
=> x = 2,400,000

So, answer will be C

Hope it helps!

chetan2u · Answer

straight equation 124x/100=2976000..
x=2400000.. C

PareshGmat · Answer

Answer = C = 2400000

2976000 * \frac{100}{124} = 2400000

swanidhi · Answer

In second quarter, the same was 24% GREATER. Thus, any option greater than the states value 2,976,000 is WRONG.
This rules out D and E.

It is easy to deduce that 24% of A cannot be equal to 2,976,000. A is OUT.

Options left are B and C. B seems complicated with the computation. So lets check for C.
24% = 124/100. We just need to check for the first few digits. So, we check for 124*24 = 2976.
Answer option C is correct.

RSOHAL · Answer

Cars sold in Q2 2976,000
Assume cares sold in Q1 x

equation formed

1.24X = 2976,000

Use PITA: Plugin Aswers:

A is too low. D and E is high and could not possible. Eliminate answers.
Come down to 50-50 choice.
Plugin Answer C
In 2400,000 * 1.24 last digits 4 * 4 = 16. 6 match with 297 6 ,000
where as 
Answer value
last digit 6 * 4 =24 4 does not match with 297 6 ,000

So, without even making large calculation, Answer C is correct.

mvictor · Answer

best approach is to think logically...
if 2.9mln is 1.24 of smth, then clearly that smth will be less than 2.9mln.
D and E are right away eliminated.
since 24% is not that much, I would suspect the number to be somewhere in the 2mlns+
A is out.
we are already down to 2 answer choices...50% of guessing the right answer...not bad!
let's take 2.4 mln, since it's an even number
240,000 will be 10%
480,000 will be 20%
so +20% will be 2,880,000
i say pretty close.
B would be too little, therefore, C is the answer!

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

We are given that 2,976,000 sold is 24% greater than the number of cars sold in the first quarter. If we let q = the number of cars sold in the first quarter, then:
 
1.24q = 2,976,000
 
q = 2,976,000/1.24
 
q = 2,400,000
 
Answer: C

CEdward · Answer

The equation is simple enough to set up...but I am not sure how others are dividing 3 million by 1.24 so quickly...

This question took me 2 minutes before I figured out a more logical way.

Another way to think about this is there is a 25% increase which means the starting amount must be less than 3 million. Try choice C.

2.4 x 1.25 = 2.976 roughly

C.

ArnauG · Answer

According to the given information, the number of cars sold during the second quarter is 24% greater than the number sold during the first quarter. Mathematically, this can be represented as:

X + 0.24X = 2,976,000

Simplifying the equation:

1.24X = 2,976,000

Dividing both sides by 1.24:

X = 2,976,000 / 1.24 ≈ 2,400,000

Therefore, approximately 2,400,000 cars were sold during the first quarter of 1984.

The answer is option C.

kokus · Answer

2976/1.24 (we can present as 3000/1.25, since we will be rounding up both the numerator and the denominator).

3000/1.25 -> 3000/(5/4) -> 3000*4/5 -> 12.000/5 = 2,400

bumpbot · Answer

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During the second quarter of 1984, a total of 2,976,000 domestic cars

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During the second quarter of 1984, a total of 2,976,000 domestic cars

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