A truck has a maximum payload of 50 kilograms. A manifest lists shipment weights of 12, 7, 9, 15, and 14 kilograms. How many shipments can be loaded without exceeding the limit?

A truck has a maximum payload of 50 kilograms. A manifest lists shipment weights of 12, 7, 9, 15, and 14 kilograms. How many shipments can be loaded without exceeding the limit?

• A. 4 shipments
• B. 3 shipments
• C. 5 shipments
• D. 6 shipments

Answer: (A)

The concept being tested is staying within a fixed weight limit by adding items one by one until you would exceed the limit. Start with zero and add each shipment in the order listed: 12 kg, then 7 kg (total 19 kg), then 9 kg (total 28 kg), then 15 kg (total 43 kg). The next shipment weighs 14 kg, but adding it would bring the total to 57 kg, which is over the 50 kg limit. So you can load four shipments, and the fifth cannot be added without exceeding the limit.

The concept being tested is staying within a fixed weight limit by adding items one by one until you would exceed the limit. Start with zero and add each shipment in the order listed: 12 kg, then 7 kg (total 19 kg), then 9 kg (total 28 kg), then 15 kg (total 43 kg). The next shipment weighs 14 kg, but adding it would bring the total to 57 kg, which is over the 50 kg limit. So you can load four shipments, and the fifth cannot be added without exceeding the limit.