Question

The Italian size of a suit jacket is N centimeters, where N is the linear distance between the armpits. The American size of a suit jacket is 2.5P centimeters, where 2.5P is twice the linear distance between the armpits. If, for a particular jacket, N = P + 10, which of the following is closest to the value of N? (One inch is approximately 2.54 centimeters.)

A) 36B) 47C) 58D) 65E) 72

Answer 1

B) 47

Explanation:

If we assume the 2.5P is more accurately 2.54P, then we have two relations between N and P:

• 2.54P = 2N
• N = P +10

Solving the second for P gives ...

P = N -10

and substituting that into the first gives ...

2.54(N -10) = 2N

0.54N -25.4 = 0 . . . . . . subtract 2N

N -47.037... = 0 . . . . . . .divide by 0.54

N ≈ 47 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . add 47.037... and round

The closest value of N is 47.

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Comment on the problem

If you take the problem at face value, you compute N=50. The closest offered answer is still 47. In this scenario, the relationship between inches and centimeters is irrelevant, as there are no inches anywhere in the problem.