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EgmatQuantExpert

For any purchase of less than $1000, a person doesn’t need to pay any tax. However, if the purchase value is between $1000 and $2000 included, then the tax is 5% of the excess value over $1000. Also, if the purchase value is more than $2000, then one needs to pay an additional tax of 10% on the excess value over $2000. Which of the following can be the possible purchase value, such that the total tax paid is not more than 4% of the total purchase value?

    A. 2499
    B. 2599
    C. 2699
    D. 2799
    E. 2801

Since all the answer choices are between 2000 and 3000. let us assume that the value would be $(2000+x)
Now calculating the tax.
5% of 1000 + 10% of x. Now this tax should be less than 4% of the whole amount !
= 50 +0.1x < 4% of (2000+x)
= 50 +0.1x < 80 + 0.04x
=0.06x < 30
or x<500

Hence, Answer Choice A is the answer!
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Solution


Given:
    • We are given three cases,
      o Case 1: If the purchase value < $1000, then no need to pay tax
      o Case 2: If the purchase value is between $1000 and $2000, then the tax = 5% of the excess value over $1000
      o Case 3: If the purchase value > $2000, then the tax = 5% of ($2000 – $1000) + 10% of the excess value over $2000.

To find:
    • Possible purchase value, such that the total tax paid ≤ 4% of the total purchase value

Approach and Working:
    • So, if we observe, all the options given are greater than $2000
    • Thus, we can directly consider Case-2, where the purchase value is greater than $2000
    • Now, let us assume that the purchase value = $x, such that x > $2000
    • So, the total tax paid = 5% of $1000 + 10% of ($x – $2000)
    • This value should be less than or equal to 4% of x,
      o 5% of $1000 + 10% of ($x – $2000) ≤ 4% of x
      o \($50 + \frac{10x}{100} - $200 ≤ \frac{4x}{100}\)
      o Implies, \(\frac{6x}{100} ≤ $150\)
      o Thus, x ≤ $2500

Therefore, the purchase value must be less than or equal to $2500

Hence, the correct answer is option A.

Answer: A

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EgmatQuantExpert

Solution


Given:
    • We are given three cases,
    • o Case 1: If the purchase value < $1000, then no need to pay taxo Case 2: If the purchase value is between $1000 and $2000, then the tax = 5% of the excess value over $1000o Case 3: If the purchase value > $2000, then the tax = 5% of ($2000 – $1000) + 10% of the excess value over $2000.

To find:

• Possible purchase value, such that the total tax paid ≤ 4% of the total purchase value

Approach and Working:
    • So, if we observe, all the options given are greater than $2000• Thus, we can directly consider Case-2, where the purchase value is greater than $2000• Now, let us assume that the purchase value = $x, such that x > $2000• So, the total tax paid = 5% of $1000 + 10% of ($x – $2000)• This value should be less than or equal to 4% of x,
    • o 5% of $1000 + 10% of ($x – $2000) ≤ 4% of xo \($50 + \frac{10x}{100} - $200 ≤ \frac{4x}{100}\)o Implies, \(\frac{6x}{100} ≤ $150\)o Thus, x ≤ $2500

Therefore, the purchase value must be less than or equal to $2500

Hence, the correct answer is option A.

Answer: A

The question is not phrased properly. It's mentioned that the tax will apply to the amount above 1000, and not between 1000 and 2000.
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You need to fix the wording. The question reads such that the 5% tax is on anything in excess of a $1000 and the additional 10% tax is on anything in excess of $2000. With that logic, the tax on an item priced at $2499 is 5% of $1499 + 10% of $499 = $124.85. This tax figure is 4.99% of the total item price. The question should clearly state that the 5% tax is applied on the amount in excess of $1000 UPTO $2000 (included).
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