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mikemcgarry
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At the beginning of the year, an item had a price of A. At the end of 02 Mar 2017, 11:45
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76% (02:29) correct 24% (02:40) wrong based on 429 sessions

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At the beginning of the year, an item had a price of A. At the end of January, the price was increased by 60%. At the end of February, the new price was decreased by 60%. At the end of March, the new price was increased by 60%. At the end of April, the new price was decreased by 60%. On May 1st, the final price was approximately what percent of A?

(A) 41%
(B) 64%
(C) 100%
(D) 136%
(E) 159%

This is one of a set of 15 challenging GMAT Quant problems. For the whole collection, as well as the OE for this particular question, see:
Challenging GMAT Math Practice Questions

Mike :-)
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A
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At the beginning of the year, an item had a price of A. At the end of 02 Mar 2017, 12:13
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The original price was (A)
Increased by 60% then it becomes 1.6(A)
Decreased by 40% then it becomes 0.4*1.6(A)
Again increase by 60% then it becomes 1.6^2 * 0.4 * (A)
Again decrease of 60% means final price is 1.6^2 * 0.4^2 * (A)
==> (1.6* 0.4)^2 *(A)
==> .4096 (A)
.4096 is approximately equal to .41
Hence , 41 % is the right answer.

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At the beginning of the year, an item had a price of A. At the end of 02 Mar 2017, 12:25
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mikemcgarry
At the beginning of the year, an item had a price of A. At the end of January, the price was increased by 60%. At the end of February, the new price was decreased by 60%. At the end of March, the new price was increased by 60%. At the end of April, the new price was decreased by 60%. On May 1st, the final price was approximately what percent of A?

(A) 41%
(B) 64%
(C) 100%
(D) 136%
(E) 159%

This is one of a set of 15 challenging GMAT Quant problems. For the whole collection, as well as the OE for this particular question, see:
Challenging GMAT Math Practice Questions

Mike :-)
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Let the initial price be 100
at the end of april = 100* (160/100)(40/100)(160/100)(40/100)
=16^3/100
thus A% of 100 = 16^3/100
A =~41%

Ans A
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At the beginning of the year, an item had a price of A. At the end of 02 Mar 2017, 12:33
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mikemcgarry
At the beginning of the year, an item had a price of A. At the end of January, the price was increased by 60%. At the end of February, the new price was decreased by 60%. At the end of March, the new price was increased by 60%. At the end of April, the new price was decreased by 60%. On May 1st, the final price was approximately what percent of A?

(A) 41%
(B) 64%
(C) 100%
(D) 136%
(E) 159%
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Price in the beginning of the year = 100

Price in January end is = 160 ( 160% of 100 )
Price in February end is = 64 ( 40% of 160 )
Price in March end is = 102.4 ( 160% of 64 )
Price in April end is = 40.96 ( 40% of 102.4 )

Thus, in May ( beginning ) price of the item was 41% of the Price in the beginning of the year , so answer must be (A)
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At the beginning of the year, an item had a price of A. At the end of 22 Nov 2018, 14:08
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mikemcgarry
At the beginning of the year, an item had a price of A. At the end of January, the price was increased by 60%. At the end of February, the new price was decreased by 60%. At the end of March, the new price was increased by 60%. At the end of April, the new price was decreased by 60%. On May 1st, the final price was approximately what percent of A?

(A) 41%
(B) 64%
(C) 100%
(D) 136%
(E) 159%

This is one of a set of 15 challenging GMAT Quant problems. For the whole collection, as well as the OE for this particular question, see:
Challenging GMAT Math Practice Questions

Mike :-)
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Let the price at the beginning of the year be $100

The changes are:

100 + 60% = 160
160 - 60% = 64
64 + 60% = 64 x 1.6 = 102.4

102.4 / 100 = 102.4%

C is the closest choice.
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At the beginning of the year, an item had a price of A. At the end of 10 Sep 2024, 16:47
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This question actually doesn't need much calculation. when you increase a price by 60% and then subsequently decrease it by the same percentage, the decrease will be bigger than the increase because the decrease is taken on a higher base number. So you work out after the first increase the price becomes 160, I supposed the original price is 100, and then after the first decrease the price becomes 64. This is where you can stop, because you know when you increase this by another 60% and then subsequent decreases it, the final number will be lower than 64 and the only answer that fits this bill is 41%

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At the beginning of the year, an item had a price of A. At the end of 27 Feb 2026, 07:39
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