In 1980 the government spent $12 billion for direct cash payments to

Question

In 1980 the government spent $12 billion for direct cash payments to single parents with dependent children. If this was 2,000 percent of the amount spent in 1956, what was the amount spent in 1956? (1 billion = 1,000,000,000)

(A) $6 million
(B) $24 million
(C) $60 million
(D) $240 million
(E) $600 million

(A) $6 million
(B) $24 million
(C) $60 million
(D) $240 million
(E) $600 million

urshi · Answer

In 1980 the government spent $12 billion for direct cash payments to single parents with dependent children. If this was 2,000 percent of the amount spent in 1956, what was the amount spent in 1956? (1 billion = 1,000,000,000)
Let the amount spent in 1956 be x

2000/100 X x = 12 X 10^9
x= (12 X 1000 X 10^8)/2000
= 6 X 10^8

=> the amount spent in 1956 is 600,000,000 i.e $600 million

OPTION E

KartikeyaRai · Answer

Let the amount spent in 1956 be x
As, 2000% of x could be written as 20x
Therefore, 20x= 12*10^9 
=> 2x=12*10^8
=> x=6*10^8 or 600*10^6, i.e. 600 mln.

Therefore Option E is the correct answer.

Abhishek009 · Answer

2000% represents  12*10^9  
So, 100% represents  \frac{12*10^9}{20*100} = \frac{12*10^9}{2*10^3} = 6^10^6  , Answer will be (E)

Akioharu · Answer

Hi  Bunuel ,
the multiplier for 2000% is 21. so the answer is 4billion/7. but there is no "approximately" in the question.

Bunuel · Answer

The question does not say  2,000%  more  of the amount spent in 1956 , it says  2,000% of the amount spent in 1956 , so the multiplier is 20, not 21. For instance, replace 2,000% with, say, 10%, and it would be easier to grasp.

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In 1980 the government spent $12 billion for direct cash payments to

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