Answer:
The information given in the question to solve it is insufficient.
The complete question related to this found at GMAT club forum is stated below:
Steve works at an apple orchard and is paid by the bushel for the apples he harvests each day. For the first 42 bushels Steve harvests each day, he is paid y dollars per bushel. For each additional bushel over 42, he is paid 1.5y. How many bushels of apples did Steve harvest yesterday?
1. Yesterday, Steve was paid $180 for the apples he harvested.
2. Today, Steve was paid $240, and he harvested 10 more bushels of apples than he harvested yesterday.
Step-by-step explanation:
1st 42 bushels Steve harvests each day:
Payment of 1 bushel = y dollar
Payment of ≤ 42 bushel = 42× y = $42y
Payment for Additional bushel after the 1st 42 bushels = 1.5y per bushel
Yesterday's Payment = $180
Today's payment = $240
Let the total number Steve harvested yesterday = p
Today he harvested 10 more bushels than he did yesterday
Total number Steve harvested today = p + 10
Now looking at the information in the question:
First statement did not tell us the amount he harvested that got him that pay, so it's insufficient. Second statement alone two is not sufficient to determine yesterdays pay.
In both statement, we were not told if he harvested more or less than 42 yesterday. Neither were we told if the additional 10 bushels was after he had harvested more than 42 bushels.
Let's assume the additional 10 bushels was after he had harvested more than 42 bushels (that is he harvested 42 yesterday) .
Difference in payment = 240-180 = 60
For the additional 10bushels, he was paid $60
10(1.5y) = 60
15y = 60
y = 60/15 = 4
If y = $4 per bushel and he was paid $180, the number he harvested will be:
4 × number of bushels = $180
4p = 180
p = 180/4 = 45 bushels
p = 45bushels isn't possible because the amount for the first bushels should either be less than or equal to 42
If we make another assumption, let's say he harvested more than 42 yesterday (42 + an additional number), we would get a different answer.
Thus the information given in the question to solve it is insufficient.
