Mastering Cost Calculations for Your Border Patrol Exam

What is the total price paid by an agency for 100 printers, knowing every 20th printer costs 40% less?

• A. 22000
• B. 20800
• C. 22000 - 880
• D. 21000

Answer: (B)

To determine the total price paid by the agency for 100 printers, it's important to first calculate the cost of the regular printers and then account for the discounted printers. If we assume that the regular price of each printer is a certain amount (let's call it P), then for 100 printers, the cost would originally be 100P. However, every 20th printer is sold at a 40% discount. This means for every batch of 20 printers, one printer will cost 60% of the original price (since 100% - 40% = 60%). Thus, the cost for each of these 20-printer groups is: - 19 printers at full price: 19P - 1 printer at a discounted price: 0.6P The total for one group of 20 printers becomes: 19P + 0.6P = 19.6P. Since there are 100 printers, this means there are 5 groups of 20 printers. Therefore, the total cost for all 100 printers is: 5 * 19.6P = 98P. If we assume a base price for P, the total can be computed. If the

The journey to becoming a Border Patrol agent is both exciting and challenging. As part of your preparation, you may encounter problems involving cost calculations, such as determining total prices when discounts are involved. Let's break this down with a relatable example—calculating the total price for 100 printers while accounting for a special discount on every 20th printer.

Now, hang on, it might sound a bit technical, but it’s really a simple math challenge that can actually pop up in various scenarios, whether you’re managing budgets or making purchases at work. So, here’s the scoop: suppose we have a printer company where every 20th printer comes at a significant discount of 40%. This kind of setup can often lead to questions that test your critical thinking and math skills on exams like the Border Patrol.

Picture this: if each printer costs a standard price, let's call it (P). Automatically, for 100 printers, you’d assume the cost would hit (100P). However, here comes the twist. Every 20th printer costs significantly less. Specifically, you’re paying only 60% of that regular price for one out of every twenty printers. What does this mean for your total?

To break it down step-by-step, let’s consider a batch of 20 printers. In this group, you’d typically buy 19 at full price ( (19P) ) and then snag one at a discounted rate, which is ( 0.6P )—just 60% of the original price. That gives us an expense calculation of ( 19P + 0.6P = 19.6P ) for every group of 20.

Since our goal is to compute the cost for 100 printers, you’ll notice that you effectively have five of these 20-printer groups. That’s right—( 5 \times 19.6P = 98P ). Isn’t it fascinating how that adds up? It’s like piecing together a puzzle where each piece counts.

So, if you plug in the price for (P), you can find the total expenditure your agency is responsible for. But let’s stay focused on that insightful price point. If you only knew that price point or simply needed to understand the approach instead, you would still feel confident recognizing that the answer to the exam question was ( 20800 ) (assuming the context gave you the pricing details or base price).

It’s these kinds of calculations that may show up on the Border Patrol exam, where your math skills aren't just tested—they’re put into practice. And let's be real: while the thrill of protecting borders is paramount, understanding the numbers will arm you with knowledge that extends beyond the exam.

Moreover, think of how crucial budgeting and cost management are in real-life situations. Whether you’re calculating expenses for a team of agents or figuring out how many resources you can allocate, every bit of math prepares you for decisions that matter.

So, as you gear up for the exam, keep tinkering with problems that require a blend of math and logical reasoning. Before you know it, those numbers won’t just be figures on a page—they’ll be pivotal in your journey to becoming a Border Patrol agent!