A certain plumber charges $92 for each job completed in 4 hours or

Question

A certain plumber charges $92 for each job completed in 4 hours or less and $23 per hour for each job completed in more than 4 hours. If it took the plumber a total of 7 hours to complete two separate jobs, what was the total amount charged by the plumber for the two jobs?

(1) The plumber charged $92 for one of the two jobs.
(2) The plumber charged $138 for one of the two jobs.

(1) The plumber charged $92 for one of the two jobs.
(2) The plumber charged $138 for one of the two jobs.

ScottTargetTestPrep · Accepted Answer

We are given that a certain plumber charges $92 for each job completed in 4 hours or less and $23 per hour for each job completed in more than 4 hours. We are also given that it took the plumber a total of 7 hours to complete two separate jobs, and we need to determine the total amount the plumber charged for the two jobs.

Statement One Alone:

The plumber charged $92 for one of the two jobs.

We see that the job for which he charged $92 could be 1, 2, 3, or even 4 hours long, which means the other job was 6, 5, 4, or 3 hours, respectively. Thus, we cannot determine the total amount charged for the two jobs. Statement one alone is not sufficient to answer the question.

Statement Two Alone:

The plumber charged $138 for one of the two jobs.

We see that the job for which he charged $138 must be longer than 4 hours. Since he charges $23 per hour for a job that is longer than 4 hours, we have:

138 = 23(number of hours)

6 = number of hours

Thus, the other job must have taken 1 hour, with a cost of $92. The two jobs will cost a total of $138 + $92 = $230. Statement two is sufficient to answer the question.

Answer: B

BrentGMATPrepNow · Answer

Target question : What was the total amount charged by the plumber for the two jobs? Given : $92 for each job completed in 4 hours or less. $23 per hour for each job completed in more than 4 hours. Total work time was 7 hours Statement 1 : The plumber charged $92 for one of the two jobs This statement doesn't FEEL sufficient, so I'll TEST some values. There are several scenarios that satisfy statement 1. Here are two: Case a: the plumber spent 1 hour on one job (and received $92) and spent 6 hours on the other job (at $23/hours). In this case, the TOTAL amount charged = $92 + (6)($23) = $230 Case b: the plumber spent 2 hours on one job (and received $92) and spent 5 hours on the other job (at $23/hours). In this case, the TOTAL amount charged = $92 + (5)($23) = $207 Since we cannot answer the target question with certainty, statement 1 is NOT SUFFICIENT Aside: For more on this idea of plugging in values when a statement doesn't feel sufficient, read my article: https://www.gmatprepnow.com/articles/dat ... lug-values Statement 2 : The plumber charged $138 for one of the two jobs. This means the plumber MUST have spent more than 4 hours on this job So, the rate charged is $23/hour $138/23 = 6. So, the plumber spent 6 hours on this job (and received $138), which means he spent 1 hour on the other job (and received $92) So, the TOTAL amount charged = $138 + $92 = $230 Since we can answer the target question with certainty, statement 2 is SUFFICIENT Answer: B Cheers, Brent

pushpitkc · Answer

Since the plumber charges 92$ for less than 4 hours, 
it could be for a job which finishes in 1,2,3 or 4 hours.
The additional 23$ is charged for every additional hour that the plumber works.
We have been asked to find out, how much the plumber charges for both the work.

1. The plumber charged $92 for one of the two jobs.
If the plumber charges 92$ for one of the jobs, he could have finished the work in 1 hour or 4 hours.

If he had finished the work in 1 hour, he would have 6 hours to do the other work
(making the charge for the second work 92 + 2*23= 138$)
  Total(Amount charged) : 92 + 138 = 230$

However, If he had finished the work in 3.5 hours, he would have 3.5 hours to do the other work
(making the charge for the second work 92$ only)
  Total(Amount charged) : 92 + 92 = 184$  Clearly insufficient

2. The plumber charged $138 for one of the two jobs.
If the plumber charges 138$ for one of the jobs, he could have finished the work in 6 hours.
Charges for the work(which lasted 6 hours) 92 + 2*23= 138$)
  Total(Amount charged) : 92 + 138 = 230$ 
As minimum charges for any work is 92$, if it takes less then 4 hours.  (Sufficient) (Option B)

RaguramanS · Answer

A certain plumber charges $92 for each job completed in 4 hours or less and $23 per hour for each job completed in more than 4 hours. If it took the plumber a total of 7 hours to complete two separate jobs, what was the total amount charged by the plumber for the two jobs?

(1) The plumber charged $92 for one of the two jobs.
(2) The plumber charged $138 for one of the two jobs.

92X+28Y= Total amount

#X: No of hours spent (first 4 hours or less)
#Y: No of hours spent in addition to first 4 hours 
From data total number of hours after finishing two jobs = 7

(1) The plumber charged $92 for one of the two jobs.
So the plumber might have done 4 hours or less in one of the two jobs
 Case1:  If he spent 4 hours in 1st job X=4: Y=3 for 2nd job and 
 Total=92 ( 1st job 4 hours) + 92 (2nd job 3 hours) = 184
 
 Case2:  if he spent 1 hour ( <4); X=4 and Y=2
 Total=92 ( 1st job 1 hour) + 92(2nd job 4 hours)+23*2(Additional 2 hours)=230

Two different answers  NS

St2:The plumber charged $138 for one of the two jobs.
Six hours spent on one of the projects and 1 hour on the other so case 1 from above is avoided
Total amount=230
Suff

Option B

MarkusKarl · Answer

I - just tells us one job was done in less than 4 hours. NS.

II - tells us the exact time it took for one of the jobs. As there are only two for a given time, We can answer the question.

Answer - B

Posted from my mobile device

preethikakade7 · Answer

What I don't understand is he could have charged $138 in 2 ways :

1. if he worked for 1.5 hours then he will charge 92*1.5= 138 so for remaining 5.5 hrs he charged 23*5.5= 126.5 . so total charged amount will be 138+126.5=264.5$

2. he worked for 6 hrs and charged 23*6= 138 and for next 1 hr he charged 92$ so total charged amount is 92+138= 230$ .... so we are not getting any unique answer so how come statement b alone is sufficient??????

MSIMBA · Answer

As given 4hr or less = 92$ and for each extra hr = 23 $

2 jobs = 7 hr

so, 3 combination there 7 hr = 6+ 1 , 5 + 2 & 4 + 3

1. for 1 job = 92 $ 
 
as per three combination above all three having less than 4 hr working

for example , 6 hr ,1hr combination , 1 hr = 92 & 6 hr = 92 + 23 + 23

same for other two combinations so, one answer not sufficient

2.For 1 job = 138 $

as per three combination of jobs

6,1 combination = 6 (92 + 23 + 23 =138 ) and other 1 = 92

easily identified the combination

Hence B is Corerct

MHIKER · Answer

(1) another job may take 2-6 hours; Insufficient.

(2) For the first 4 hours the plumber take $92 rest dollar is 138-92=46, which is given for 2 hours. So the hour left for another job (7-6) =1, which will require $92. Total amount =138+92=$230; Sufficient.

The answer is B

JessicaDavies · Answer

I didn't understand this task, even after reading all answers. However, I have called plumbers in real life. Where have you seen such prices? Living in Sydney, I have learned to appreciate all jobs, especially plumbing services. It's complicated to find licensed plumbers for a low cost, especially in winter. Only guys from  https://www.wilcoplumbing.com.au/plumber-lane-cove/  are always ready to help their clients. You can compare the prices from the task and on their website(please, consider that they have the best prices on the market). Still, help me, someone, to explain the task.

GMATinsight · Answer

Answer: Option B

Video solution by  GMATinsight

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIgyGie53f4

ntngocanh19 · Answer

I have the same question. @Bunnel Could you please help us clarify?

Posted from my mobile device

MBAB123 · Answer

I have the same question. @Bunnel Could you please help us clarify?

ntngocanh19 , the first way that you're suggesting is wrong. If he works for 1.5 hours, then he will charge $92 and not $138. He isn't charging $92 per hour. He has a flat rate of $92 for any job that takes 4 or less than 4 hours. Also, the rate for any hours exceeding 4 is an hourly rate. The total amount charged for 4.5 hours will be equal to the total amount charged for 5 hours.

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

I have the same question. @Bunnel Could you please help us clarify?

Response:

I think you misinterpreted the $92 fee as the hourly fee for jobs under 4 hours. The question tells us that if the job takes 4 hours or less, then the plumber will charge $92 for the entire job. Since 1.5 hours is less than 4, that job would cost $92, not $138. The only way this plumber can charge $138 for a job is if the job took exactly 6 hours to complete.

avigutman · Answer

Video solution from Quant Reasoning: Subscribe for more: https://www.youtube.com/QuantReasoning? ... irmation=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKpDfnQf060

ManishaPrepMinds · Answer

Statement One Alone:     The plumber charged $92 for one of the two jobs.
  
 We know that one job cost $92, meaning it took ≤ 4 hours. But we don't know exactly how many hours. This job could be 1, 2, 3, or 4 hours long, which means the other job was 6, 5, 4, or 3 hours respectively. Each of these scenarios would result in a different total charge: 
 
  If first job = 1 hour, second job = 6 hours: $92 + $23(6) = $230  
  If first job = 2 hours, second job = 5 hours: $92 + $23(5) = $207   
  Since we get multiple possible answers, Statement One alone is not sufficient.

Statement Two Alone:   The plumber charged $138 for one of the two jobs.

This means the plumber MUST have spent more than 4 hours on this job
So, the rate charged is $23/hour: $138 = $23 × (number of hours)
Number of hours = 6

Therefore, this job took 6 hours, leaving exactly 1 hour for the other job.   
Since the second job took less than 4 hours, it cost $92.
The total charge is $138 + $92 = $230.

Statement Two alone is sufficient to determine the total amount charged.
 
 The answer is B (Statement 2 alone is sufficient).

A certain plumber charges $92 for each job completed in 4 hours or

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A certain plumber charges $92 for each job completed in 4 hours or

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