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Source: Official Guide for GMAT Review 2016 Problem Solving; #6

2

When 1/10 percent of 5,000 is subtracted

When 1/10 percent of 5,000 is subtracted from 1/10 of 5,000, the difference is

2 Explanations

1

BriAnne Borup

Hey Omar - I can see why you were confused, too.

In the question, it writes 1/10 percent of 5,000 first, and then 1/10 of 5000 second. When I solved on my own, I found 1/10 percent of 5,000 first and then 1/10 of 5000 after that.

Of course, the question states clearly that I need to subtract 1/10 percent of 5000 from 1/10 of 5000, which changes the order that I write the numbers.

Mike was just solving the fraction and percentage in the order they would be used for the subtraction, which at a glance could seem different than how the question presented it.

Feb 14, 2017 • Comment

Cydney Seigerman, Magoosh Tutor

Thanks for your post BriAnne! We really appreciate other students' perspectives to increase overall understanding of the question :D Happy studying!

Feb 14, 2017 • Reply

5

Gravatar Mike McGarry, Magoosh Tutor

Aug 13, 2015 • Comment

Omar Alothaim

Question please, the question mentioned that 1/10 percent of 5000 to be subtracted from 1/10 of 5000 where in the solution, you subtracted 1/10 of 5000 from 1/10 percent of 5000, does the order matter here?

Oct 7, 2016 • Reply

Sam Kinsman

Hi Omar,

Yes, the order matters! Actually, in the video Mike subtracted 1/10 of one percent of 5000 from 1/10 of 5000.

Mike showed in the video that:

1/10 of one percent of 5000 = 5

1/10 of 5000 = 500

He then did 500 - 5 = 495. So that's (1/10 of 5000) - (1/10 of one percent of 5000).

Oct 7, 2016 • Reply

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