Solution to: All ApplesThe big pile of apples contains the same amount of large apples of a quarter of a euro each (from mrs. Jones), as smaller apples of one sixth euro each (from mrs. Smith). The average price is therefore (1/4 + 1/6) / 2 = 5/24 euro. But the apples are sold for 1/5 euro each (5 apples for 1 euro). This means that per sold apple there is a shortage of 5/24 - 1/5 = 1/120 euro. The total shortage is 3.50 euro, so the ladies together started out with 420 apples. These are worth 1/5 × 420 = 84 euro, or with equal division 42 euro for each. If Mrs. Jones would have sold her 210 apples herself, she would have received 52.50 euro.
Conclusion: Mrs. Jones loses 10.50 euro in this deal.
|
