A manufacturer sells a pair of watches to a wholesale dealer at a profit of 18%. The wholesaler sells the same to retailer at a profit of 20%. The retailer in turn sells them to a customer for $30.09, there by earning a profit of 25%. The cost price for the manufacturer is:
Choose one
A) 16 B) 17 C) 18 D) 19 E) 20
B   17   Let the cost price for the manufacturer be $x.   Then, 125% of 120% of 118% of x = 30.09.   125/100 * 120/100 * 118/100 * x = 3009/100   177/100 x = 3009/100 =&gt; x = 17
<result>B</result>
A manufacturer sells a pair of watches to a wholesale dealer at a profit of 18%. The wholesaler sells the same to retailer at a profit of 20%. The retailer in turn sells them to a customer for $30.09, there by earning a profit of 25%. The cost price for the manufacturer is: