jack and mark problem

by **gt7er** Sat Feb 23, 2008 11:40 pm

jack and mark both receive hourly wage increases of 6%. after the wage increase, jack's hourly wage was how many more dollars per hour than mark?

1. before the wage increases, jack's hourly rate was 5 more than mark's
2. before the wage increases, the ratio of jack's hourly wage to mark's hourly wage was 4 to 3

a, b, c, d, or e? please explain, thanks.

by **RonPurewal** Mon Feb 25, 2008 6:23 am

(1)
before wage increases:
jack = m + 5
mark = m
after wage increases:
jack = 1.06(m + 5)
mark = 1.06m
difference = 1.06(5)
= 5.30, but you're wasting your time if you calculate 1.06(5) (all you have to notice is that it's a constant; m drops out)
sufficient

(2)
before wage increases:
jack = 4x
mark = 3x
after wage increases:
jack = 1.06(4x) = 4.24x
mark = 1.06(3x) = 3.18x
difference = 1.06x
depends on x
insufficient

answer = a