ISEE Mathematics Achievement Question 318: Answer and Explanation

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Question: 318

2. Three people-Paul, Sara, and John-want to put their money together to buy a $90 radio. If Sara agrees to pay twice as much as John, and Paul agrees to pay three times as much as Sara, how much must Sara pay?

  • A. $10
  • B. $20
  • C. $30
  • D. $45

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:

B The question is asking for a specific value and there are real numbers in the choices, so use PITA to solve, starting with (C). The choices represent how much Sara pays. If Sara pays $30 and she pays twice as much as John, then John would have paid $15 since × 30 = 15. Paul paid three times as much as Sara, so he would have paid 3 × 30 = 90. This added together is more than $90, so eliminate (C) and (D), as these will amount to a total that is too much. Try (B): if Sara paid $20, John would have paid $10 since × 20 = 10. Paul paid 3 × 20 = 60. Add these amounts together to find that $20 + $10 + $60 = $90, which satisfies the question. The correct answer is (B).

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