Question

Last year, sales at Company X were 10% greater in February than in January, 15% less in March than in Feb, 20% greater in April than in March, 10% less in May than in April, and 5% greater in June than in May. In which month were sales closest to Jan?a. Febb. Marc. Aprd. Maye. June

Answer 1

May

Explanation:

Let x be the sales in January,

∵ Sales were 10% greater in February than in January,

So, the sales in February = (100 +10)% of x

= 110% of x

=
`(110x)/(100)`

= 1.1x

∵ it is 15% less in March than in Feb,

Sales in march = (100-15)% sales in February

= 85% of 1.1x

= 0.935x

∵ It is 20% greater in April than in March,

Sales in April = (100+20)% of sales in march

= 120% of 0.935x

= 1.122x,

∵ It is 10% less in May than in April

Sales in May = (100-10)% of sales in march

= 90% of 1.122x,

= 1.0098x,

∵ It is 5% greater in June than in May

Sales in June = (100+5)% of sales in march

= 105% of 1.0098x,

= 1.5147x

∵ 1.0098x is much closure to x than 1.1x, 0.935x, 1.122x and 1.5147x

Hence, the sales in May is closest to sales in January.