Last year the price of a blouse in February was 15 percent less than t

Question

Last year the price of a blouse in February was 15 percent less than the original price of $60 and the price of the blouse in March was 6 percent greater than its price in February. What percent greater, or less, than the original price was the price of the blouse in March?

(A) 0.9% greater

(B) 8.1% greater

(C) 9.0% greater

(D) 9.0% less

(E) 9.9% less

(A) 0.9% greater

(B) 8.1% greater

(C) 9.0% greater

(D) 9.0% less

(E) 9.9% less

akshatcy · Accepted Answer

It is a fact that when there is a X% decrease in a value and then a X% increase for the decreased value, then the final value will surely be less than the original value. Ex: Value 100, 10% decrease is 90, 10% increase is 99, which is less than original value 100.

Here we have 15% decrease and a 6% increase, we know for sure price of blouse has to be less than the original price $60. We can eliminate option A,B,C.

Using successive percent change formula (+ for increase and - for decrease)
a + b +  \frac{ab}{100} 
(-15) + (+6) +  \frac{(-15)(+6)}{100} 
-9 +  \frac{(-90)}{100} 
 \frac{-990}{100} 
- 9.9% (-) represents a decrease of 9.9% (Option E)

shwetakoshija · Answer

Through this solution, I will show you how you should approach calculations as well. Efficient calculations can be great time savers!

Here, we use 10% and 1% of a number (super quick to calculate) to get all required values.

Original Price = $60

Price in Feb = 15% less than the original price ($60) 
• 10% of 60 = 6 
• 5% of 60 = 6/2 = 3 
So, 15% of 60 = 9

Hence, Price in Feb = $(60-9) = $51

Price in March = 6% more than in Feb (that is, 6% more than $51).
• 1% of 51 = 0.51 
• 6% of 51 = 6(0.51) = 3.06

Hence, Price in March = $(51 + 3.06) = $54.06.

Finally, we need to find what % less than $60 is $54.06.

First of all, since “less” is certain, we know that we’re only left with choices D and E. 
Let’s check these:

Choice D: 9% less 
• 9% of 60 = (10% of 60) - (1% of 60) 
 = 6 - 0.6 = 5.4
So, 9% less than 60 is 54.6 and NOT 54.06 as we need.

The % decrease must be wider and hence, choice E is correct!

stne · Answer

Original price  = 60

In Feb the price was  \frac{85}{100}*60= 51

In Mar price  = 1.06 *51 =54.06

That's a decrease of  60-54.06=5.94  from original price

Hence  \%  decrease =  \frac{5.94}{60}*100= 9.9 \%

Ans E

Hope it helped.

IshmaelJN · Answer

My approach:

Original:$60

February:
85/100*60 --> 
Reduce to 85/10*6-->
85*6=510/10 = 51

March:
6% more --> 1.06
Thus (106/100) reduces to 53/50
53/50*51--> 53*51 =2703
2703/50 = ~54

Change formula:
(54-60)/60=-6/60--> -1/10 = ~-(10%)

Answer E

MakB · Answer

We can simply make use of multipliers for this question:

Price was decreased 15% first and then increased to 6% later, 
So, 0.85 x 1.06 x 60 = 54.06
and 60-54.06 = 5.94
thus 5.94/60 x 100 = 9.9%

permsterino · Answer

I choose option E, as you can calculate the numbers quite quickly.

0.85 * 60 = 51

and

51 * 1.06 = 54.06

then the answer has to be either D or E and has 10% of 60 is 6, which is very close to what we have we can choose option E

Last year the price of a blouse in February was 15 percent less than t

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