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Source: Official Guide for the GMAT 13th Ed. Problem Solving; #15 Official Guide for the GMAT 2015 14th Ed. Problem Solving; #15

4

At a supermarket, John spent 1/2 of

At a supermarket, John spent 1/2 of his money on fresh fruits and vegetables, 1/3 on meat products, and 1/10 on bakery products. If he spent the remaining $6 on candy, how much did John spend at the supermarket?

5 Explanations

1

Abhishek Banerjee

Hi,
I took values from the options. Knowing the answer has to be multiple of 3, I first took 60 but it didn't fit. Then eliminated 80 (as it is not a multiple of 3). Then took 90 and it worked out.

Dec 16, 2019 • Comment

Adam

This is generally a fine idea! There's not too many options, so even just checking them straight up will get you the answer quickly. Once you see that $90 fits, you're done :)

Dec 24, 2019 • Reply

1

Ajosh John

let the total money be 'x'

1/2 of x + 1/3 of x +1/10 of x + 6 = 'X' dollars

therefore,

x/2 + x/3 + x/10 + 6 = x
solving for x,

x= 90

Dec 18, 2015 • Comment

Cydney Seigerman, Magoosh Tutor

Thanks for sharing your solution :) Great job!

Dec 20, 2015 • Reply

1

S S A Zahid

1/2+1/3+1/10 = 28/30 (or 14/15) is what he spent
2/30+28/30 = 30/30 = 1 is the Total
2/30 or 1/15 is the remaining, which is equal to $6
1/15 = 6, Total = (15)(6) = 90

Nov 9, 2015 • Comment

1

Usman Hamid

How come the remaining 6 is 1/15 of the total price? I'm confused! :/

Feb 4, 2015 • Comment

Sam Kinsman

Hi Usman, the question tells us that after spending 1/2, 1/10, and 1/3 of his money, John had $6 left. If we add up those fractions, we get 14/15. So we know that after spending 14/15 of his money, John had $6 left. We also know that if a person spends 14/15 of his or her money, the person will have 1/15 left (1 - 14/15 = 1/15). So therefore, we know that $6 = 1/15.

Oct 25, 2015 • Reply

2

Gravatar Mike McGarry, Magoosh Tutor

Dec 26, 2013 • Comment

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