GMAT question

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shamrocked

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I am about to take the GMAT and I have run across an old test question that I don't understand. Will you please help (thanks)? The answer is B but I don't know how to set up the problem.

Fox jeans regularly sell for $15 a pair and Pony jeans regularly sell for $18 a pair. During a sale these regular unit prices are discounted at different rates so that a total of $9 is saved by purchasing 5 pairs of jeans: 3 pairs of Fox jeans and 2 pairs of Pony jeans. If the sum of the two discounts rates is 22 percent, what is the discount rate on Pony jeans?

(A) 9%
(B) 10%
(C) 11%
(D) 12%
(E) 15%
 
I am about to take the GMAT and I have run across an old test question that I don't understand. Will you please help (thanks)? The answer is B but I don't know how to set up the problem.

Fox jeans regularly sell for $15 a pair and Pony jeans regularly sell for $18 a pair. During a sale these regular unit prices are discounted at different rates so that a total of $9 is saved by purchasing 5 pairs of jeans: 3 pairs of Fox jeans and 2 pairs of Pony jeans. If the sum of the two discounts rates is 22 percent, what is the discount rate on Pony jeans?

(A) 9%
(B) 10%
(C) 11%
(D) 12%
(E) 15%

Fox jeans normally sell at $15/pair
Pony jeans normally sell at $18/pair
3 Fox pairs plus 2 Pony jeans normally sell for $81.
On sale. Fox jeans sell at x% discouint.
On sale, Pony jeans sell at (22 - x)% discount.

Therefore, 3(15)(100 - x)/100 + 2(18))(100 - (22 - x)) = 81 - 9 = 72.
 
shamrocked said:
I am about to take the GMAT and I have run across an old test question that I don't understand. Will you please help (thanks)? The answer is B but I don't know how to set up the problem.

Fox jeans regularly sell for $15 a pair and Pony jeans regularly sell for $18 a pair. During a sale these regular unit prices are discounted at different rates so that a total of $9 is saved by purchasing 5 pairs of jeans: 3 pairs of Fox jeans and 2 pairs of Pony jeans. If the sum of the two discounts rates is 22 percent, what is the discount rate on Pony jeans?

(A) 9%
(B) 10%
(C) 11%
(D) 12%
(E) 15%
Click to expand...
Define the variables:

let the Pony jean discount = P

then Fox jean discount = 22 - P

and

3 * (15/100) * (22-P) + 2 * (18/100) * P = 9

Please show us your work, indicating exactly where you are stuck - so that we know where to begin to help you.
 
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