2007 AMC 12A Problem 5

Below is the professionally curated solution for Problem 5 of the 2007 AMC 12A, from LIVE by Po-Shen Loh. You can also try the full timed exam, view all 2007 AMC 12A solutions, or check the answer key.

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Concepts:percentagework backwards

Difficulty rating: 1200

5.

Last year Mr. John Q. Public received an inheritance. He paid 20%20\% in federal taxes on the inheritance, and paid 10%10\% of what he had left in state taxes. He paid a total of $10,500\$10{,}500 for both taxes. How many dollars was the inheritance?

30,00030{,}000

32,50032{,}500

35,00035{,}000

37,50037{,}500

40,00040{,}000

Solution:

After federal taxes, Mr. Public keeps 80%80\% of his inheritance.

He pays 10%10\% of that in state taxes, which is 8%8\% of the inheritance.

His total tax is 20%+8%=28%20\%+8\%=28\% of the inheritance, so the inheritance is $10,500/0.28=$37,500.\$10{,}500/0.28=\$37{,}500.

Thus, the correct answer is D.

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