PSAT Math Multiple-Choice Question 641: Answer and Explanation

Question: 641

A student writes a double-spaced typed paper using Times New Roman 12-point font. He finds that each page contains an average of 240 words. If the student changes to Comic Sans 12-point font, each page contains an average of only 170 words. If the student is required to write a 10-page double-spaced report, how many fewer words would he be required to write if the teacher accepts Comic Sans 12-point font instead of Times New Roman 12-point font?

• A. 70
• B. 170
• C. 700
• D. 1,700

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:

(C) First, figure out the number of words that each report would have. We know the number of words per page. So if we multiply this by the number of pages, the pages unit will cancel from the top and bottom. This will leave us with the number of words. If the student uses Times New Roman, he will write:

240(10) = 2,400 words

However, if he uses Comic Sans, he will write only:

170(10) = 1,700 words

We want to know how many fewer words he will write in the second situation.

2,400 - 1,700 = 700 words

So choice (C) is correct.