1955 AMC 12 Problem 26

Attempt Problem 26 of the 1955 AMC 12 below, then check your answer against the professionally curated solution from LIVE by Po-Shen Loh. You can also try the full timed exam, view all 1955 AMC 12 solutions, or check the answer key.

All problems are used with official legal permission of the Mathematical Association of America (MAA).

26.

Mr. AA owns a house worth $10,000.\$10{,}000. He sells it to Mr. BB at 10%10\% profit. Mr. BB sells the house back to Mr. AA at a 10%10\% loss. Then:
Mr. AA comes out even
Mr. AA makes $100\$100
Mr. AA makes $1,000\$1{,}000
Mr. BB loses $100\$100
none of the above is correct
Answer: E
Concepts:percentage profit and losssuccessive transactionsnet change
Small hint:
The first sale price is 1.10(10000)1.10(10000)
Big hint:
Mr. BB’s loss is 10%10\% of what he paid, not 10%10\% of the original house value
Solution:
Mr. AA first receives 1.10(10000)=110001.10(10000)=11000 dollars. Mr. BB then sells at a loss of 10%10\% of his 1100011000-dollar cost, so Mr. AA buys the house back for 0.90(11000)=9900 0.90(11000)=9900 dollars. Mr. AA again owns the house and has gained 11000−9900=110011000-9900=1100 dollars; Mr. BB has lost 11001100 dollars. None of the stated amounts is correct.
Thus, the correct answer is E.
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