Question

Joe earned x dollars the first day he worked in December, where x is an integer. For each day after the first that he worked in December, Joe earned twice the amount he earned on the previous day. Did Joe earn less than $35 on the 4th day he worked in December?

(1) Joe earned more than $120 in total for the first five days he worked in December.
(2) Joe earned less than $148 on the 6th day he worked in December.

Answer 1

1. Always translate the question stem, set up equations (limit the number of variables) and breakdown the question stem of possible

2. Never overlook the constraints the question provides.

Now the question stem tells us that on the

1st day Joe earned = x

2nd day = 2x

3rd day = 4x

4th day = 8x

Question stem: Did Joe earn less than $35 on the 4th day -----> 8x < 35 ----> x < 4.375

Since x is an integer, the question becomes 'Is x <= 4

Statement 1 : Joe earned more than $120 in total for the first five days he worked in December.

x + 2x + 4x + 8x + 16x > 120

31x > 120 ---> x > 3.9....

This gives us both a YES and a NO since x can be 4 or any integer greater than 4

Statement 2: Joe earned less than $148 on the 6th day he worked in December

32x < 148 ----> x < 4.625

Since x is an integer, x <=4. Sufficient.

hope this helps

-lvr