1997 AJHSME Problems/Problem 18

Problem

At the grocery store last week, small boxes of facial tissue were priced at 4 boxes for $5. This week they are on sale at 5 boxes for$ 4. The percent decrease in the price per box during the sale was closest to

$\text{(A)}\ 30\% \qquad \text{(B)}\ 35\% \qquad \text{(C)}\ 40\% \qquad \text{(D)}\ 45\% \qquad \text{(E)}\ 65\%$

Solution

Last week, each box was $\frac{5}{4} = 1.25$

This week, each box is $\frac{4}{5} = 0.80$

Percent decrease is given by $\frac{X_{old} - X_}{X_}} \cdot 100\%$ (Error compiling LaTeX. Unknown error_msg)

This, the percent decrease is $\frac{1.25 - 0.8}{1.25}\cdot 100\% = \frac{45}{125} \cdot 100\% = 36\%$ , which is closest to $\boxed{B}$

1997 AJHSME (Problems • Answer Key • Resources)
Preceded by Problem 17	Followed by Problem 19
1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8 • 9 • 10 • 11 • 12 • 13 • 14 • 15 • 16 • 17 • 18 • 19 • 20 • 21 • 22 • 23 • 24 • 25
All AJHSME/AMC 8 Problems and Solutions

These problems are copyrighted © by the Mathematical Association of America, as part of the American Mathematics Competitions.

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1997 AJHSME Problems/Problem 18

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