A certain company charges $6 per package to ship packages weighing les

Question

A certain company charges $6 per package to ship packages weighing less than 2 pounds each. For a package weighing 2 pounds or more, the company charges an initial fee of $6 plus $2 per pound. If the company charged $38 to ship a certain package, which of the following was the weight of the package, in pounds?

For a package weighing 2 pounds or more, Shipping charge = 6 + 2w, where w is weight in pound of the package
=> 38 = 6 + 2w
=> 32 = 2w
=> w = 16

Hence A

(A) 16 
(B) 17 
(C) 19 
(D) 20 
(E) 22

NagrajB · Answer

The total cost was 38 from which we subtract $6 fixed fee
That leaves us with 32 which is the amount paid per pound
@$2 per pound, the weight is 16 pounds

CounterSniper · Answer

total cost =38
one time cost =6
additional cost =38-6=32
32/2=16 in additional pounds

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi All,

This question can be solved by TESTing THE ANSWERS.

We're told that a certain company charges $6 per package to ship packages weighing less than 2 pounds each. However, for a package weighing 2 pounds or more, the company charges an initial fee of $6 plus $2 per pound. We're told that a certain package cost $38 to ship. We're asked for the weight, in pounds, of that package.

Let's TEST Answer B: 17 pounds

According to the pricing 'rules' a 17 pound package would cost $6 + 17($2) = $40. This is TOO EXPENSIVE. Thus, the package must weigh LESS than 17 pounds. There's only one answer that fits...

Final Answer:  A

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

peachfuzz · Answer

6+2x=38
x=16

(A) 16

MathRevolution · Answer

Forget conventional ways of solving math questions. In PS, IVY approach is the easiest and quickest way to find the answer.

A certain company charges $6 per package to ship packages weighing less than 2 pounds each. For a package weighing 2 pounds or more, the company charges an initial fee of $6 plus $2 per pound. If the company charged $38 to ship a certain package, which of the following was the weight of the package, in pounds?

For a package weighing 2 pounds or more, Shipping charge = 6 + 2w, where w is weight in pound of the package
=> 38 = 6 + 2w
=> 32 = 2w
=> w = 16

Hence A

(A) 16 
(B) 17 
(C) 19 
(D) 20 
(E) 22

Let the weight of the package be X. Then the cost is 2*X + 6= 38 ---> 2X=32 ---> X=16.

So the answer is (A).

stonecold · Answer

Here Price = 6+2*x=38
Hence 2x=32
x=16

Hence A

stne · Answer

Just another thought:
Good tricky question.Important thing to realize is that the package cannot be less than 2 pounds as then for a cost of $38 there would be more than one package.

Since there is only a single package whose cost is $38 hence the package must be over 2 pounds.
In this case only the second equation i.e. 6 + 2(y) = 38 is applicable 
where Y is the weight of the package and Y>2 , now we can easily get the weight of the package.

minatminat · Answer

Can i say the first sentence "A certain company charges $6 per package to ship packages weighing less than 2 pounds each. " is just there to confuse us?

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Letting n = the weight of the package, we can create the equation:

38 = 6 + 2n

32 = 2n

16 = n

Answer: A

Hoozan · Answer

EducationAisle  after reading the forum I notice that everyone has assumed the total weight of the package to be X and thus derived the equation $6 + $2X = $38. BUT isn't $6 charged for some weight less than 2? Shouldn't it be $6p + $2X = $38 where p < 2 pounds and X ≥ 2 pounds?

EducationAisle · Answer

Notice that the question says:

For a package weighing 2 pounds or more, the company charges an initial fee of $6 plus $2 per pound.

So, if a package weighs 3 pounds, total charges = 6 + 2*3
Similarly, if a package weighs 4 pounds, total charges = 6 + 2*4
Similarly, if a package weighs 7 pounds, total charges = 6 + 2*7
Similarly, if a package weighs x pounds, total charges = 6 + 2*x

Note that the question does  not  mention:  The company charges an initial fee of $6 plus $2 per  additional  pound .

Kimberly77 · Answer

Thanks  EducationAisle  and great explanation. 
If the question had been $2 per additional pound, will it be 6 + 2(n-1) = 38 ? Thanks for your time in advanced.

EducationAisle · Answer

Shouldn't the equation be:

6 + 2(n-  2  ) = 38

Kimberly77 · Answer

Ah my bad

thanks EducationAisle for your reply and yes it should be n-2 here since is $2 per additional pound. My main point is to confirm the equation format is right and thanks for your confirmation.

Paras96 · Answer

A certain company charges $6 per package to ship packages weighing less than 2 pounds each. For a package weighing 2 pounds or more, the company charges an initial fee of $6 plus $2 per pound. If the company charged $38 to ship a certain package, which of the following was the weight of the package, in pounds?

For a package weighing 2 pounds or more, Shipping charge = 6 + 2w, where w is weight in pound of the package
=> 38 = 6 + 2w
=> 32 = 2w
=> w = 16

Hence A

For a package weighing 2 pounds or more, Shipping charge = 6 + 2w, where w is weight in pound of the package
=> 38 = 6 + 2w
=> 32 = 2w
=> w = 16

Hence A

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A certain company charges $6 per package to ship packages weighing les

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A certain company charges $6 per package to ship packages weighing les

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