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Last Updated on May 5, 2023
GMAT OFFICIAL GUIDE PS
Solution:
An easy way to solve this problem is to translate what is provided in the question into a mathematical equation. We know that the total bill for 15 people was 207 dollars including the 15 percent tip. We use the value 1.15 in the equation below to account for the meal itself plus the gratuity.
We can use x as the individual cost per person for the meal. Thus, we can say:
(1.15)(15)(x) = 207
(115/100)(15)(x) = 207
(115)(15)(x) = (207)(100)
We can divide the entire equation by 3. Doing so gives us:
(115)(5)(x) = (69)(100)
We can divide the entire equation by 5 and we get:
(115)x = (69)(20)
We can again divide the entire equation by 5 and we get:
(23)x = (69)(4)
23x = 276
x = 276/23
x = 12
Answer: B
