TEST PREPARATION GUIDE

Placement Exercise
Section 4: Numerical Computation
Test Preparation Guide 1
Section 4: Numerical Computation

CON EDISON
TEST PREPARATION GUIDE
INTRODUCTION

Welcome to the Con Edison Test Preparation Guide. The purpose of this Guide is to help you
prepare for Con Edison aptitude placement exercises.

The aptitude placement exercises in Con Edison generally consist of four to six sections, each of
which measures important underlying abilities necessary to complete Con Edison training
programs and to perform the work we do. Section 4 focuses on the ability of numerical
computation.

Questions included in this Guide are not the actual questions contained in the Con Edison
aptitude placement exercises. However these questions will enable you to apply and practice
questions similar in format, content, and ability to those that do appear in the aptitude
placement exercises. Your performance on the questions in this guide will provide you with
information about your strengths as well as those abilities that you wish to practice further.

Please view the questions in this guide as one source of practice and further study. Your local
library or bookstore is likely to contain other aptitude test practice resources. We encourage
you to take advantage of these other test preparation resources as well.

Section 4: Numerical Computation

The questions in Section 4 of the Test Preparation Guide are designed to measure the ability of
numerical computation. This ability is defined1 as follows:

Numerical Computation: The ability to make arithmetic computations including

addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions,
percentages, ratios, scales, word problems and
numerical reasoning and logic.

This ability is essential to perform the position you have applied for. Section 4 questions are
designed to measure your capacity to perform tasks requiring this ability. Some example tasks
that require this ability are:

1
These definitions are based on information appearing in the Threshold Traits Analysis Technical Manual (Revised
in Progress), © Lopez and Associates, Inc. 2016 All Rights Reserved.

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Test Preparation Guide 2
Section 4: Numerical Computation

 Determine actual dimensions by reference to the scale on the print (e.g., 1/4 inch = 1
foot).
 Determine equipment or system output or performance by reading instrumentation
values.
 Interpolate readings on instruments.
 Take measurements off prints, maps, plates, etc. to determine total measurements
(e.g., length of cable or mains from one manhole or pole to the next, etc.).
 Based on instrumentation readings, calculate other unknown values based on
formulas.
 Calculate or estimate the quantity of material needed for a job.
 Measure lengths or distances using appropriate measuring instruments.
 Take measurements with precision measuring tools (e.g., micrometer, calipers, etc.).
 Take measurements in terms of fractions (e.g., ½, ¼, 1/8, 1/16, etc.).
 Take measurements in terms of decimals (e.g., .001, .0005, etc.).
 Estimate or calculate quantities such as weights, sizes, distances, radius, etc.
 Understand and apply how basic numerical information impacts the safety and work
performed (e.g., stopping distances while driving, safe approach distances, effect of
weight on material or equipment handling, tolerances, test results, height of water
on pressure, boom length on lifting capacity, wire sag, etc.).

The ability of numerical computation is first necessary for all new employees to learn how to
perform these tasks on the job.

You may not use a calculator for this exercise in Con Edison.

IMPORTANT
The information in this Test Preparation Guide is for
exercise purposes only and is not intended to replicate
exact Con Edison work practices, diagrams, or
procedures.

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Test Preparation Guide 3
Section 4: Numerical Computation

ADDITION

Items 1 – 2 require you to calculate the total number of hours spent on a job. The example
shows you how to complete the items in this section.

Example:

The total number of hours spent on Job Q is:

Job Q Hours
1.5
1.5
4.0
2.5
1.0

A. 8.5
B. 10.5
C. 12.5
D. 13.0
E. None of the above.

To calculate the total number of hours spent on Job Q, you must add the column of numbers
listed for Job Q. Adding this column of numbers we find that 1.5 + 1.5 + 4.0 + 2.5 + 1.0 = "10.5."
Since 10.5 is presented as choice B, you would select choice B as your answer.

Now complete items 1 – 2 as shown in the example.

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Test Preparation Guide 4
Section 4: Numerical Computation

1. The total number of hours spent on Job R is:

Job R Hours
5.50
3.00
16.50
30.50
6.50

A. 42.0
B. 54.5
C. 62.0
D. 70.5
E. None of the above.

2. The total number of hours spent on Job P is:

Job P Hours
19.25
40.50
2.50
3.75
46.00

A. 106.50
B. 116.00
C. 108.25
D. 112.00
E. None of the above.

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Test Preparation Guide 5
Section 4: Numerical Computation

SUBTRACTION

Items 3 – 4 require you to calculate oil usage. The example shows you how to complete the
items in this section.

Example:

Given the information below, the amount of oil remaining is:

 Original Amount of Oil = 20,000 gallons

 Oil Used = 3,540 gallons

A. 15,230 gallons
B. 15,400 gallons
C. 16,000 gallons
D. 16,460 gallons
E. None of the above.

In the example above, the original amount of oil is 20,000 gallons. The oil used is 3,540 gallons.
To calculate the oil remaining you subtract 3,540 gallons from 20,000 gallons. 20,000 – 3,540 =
16,460. Since 16,460 is presented as choice D, you would select choice D as your answer.

Now complete items 3 – 4 as shown in the example.

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Test Preparation Guide 6
Section 4: Numerical Computation

3. Given the information below, the amount of oil remaining is:

 Original Amount of Oil = 6,250 gallons

 Oil Used = 738 gallons

A. 3,476 gallons
B. 5,512 gallons
C. 5,518 gallons
D. 5,718 gallons
E. None of the above.

4. Given the information below, the amount of oil remaining is:

 Original Amount of Oil = 43,183.50 gallons

 Oil Used = 12,261.50 gallons

A. 30,422 gallons
B. 30,866 gallons
C. 30,922 gallons
D. 31,466 gallons
E. None of the above.

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Test Preparation Guide 7
Section 4: Numerical Computation

MULTIPLICATION

Items 5 – 6 require you to calculate the amount of oil required to fill a cooling system. The
example shows you how to complete the items in this section.

Example:

Given the information below, the amount of oil required to fill the cooling system is:

 Dipstick Reading = 2 inches below full level

 Amount Factor = 16.5 gallons/inch

A. 31 gallons
B. 32 gallons
C. 33 gallons
D. 34 gallons
E. None of the above.

To calculate the amount of oil required, you multiply the dipstick reading by the amount factor.
In the Example, the dipstick reading is "2 inches below full level" and the amount factor is
"16.5". Therefore you would multiply 2 inches by 16.5 gallons/inch. The answer is 2 x 16.5 = 33
gallons. Since 33 gallons is presented as choice C, you would select choice C as your answer.

Now complete items 5 – 6 as shown in the example.

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Test Preparation Guide 8
Section 4: Numerical Computation

5. Given the information below, the amount of oil required to fill the cooling system is:

 Dipstick Reading = 4 inches below full level

 Amount Factor = 24.4 gallons/inch

A. 97.6 gallons
B. 114.6 gallons
C. 95 gallons
D. 116.6 gallons
E. None of the above.

6. Given the information below, the amount of oil required to fill the cooling system is:

 Dipstick Reading = 1.75 inches below full level

 Amount Factor = 0.32 gallons/inch

A. 0.24 gallons
B. 0.48 gallons
C. 0.52 gallons
D. 0.56 gallons
E. None of the above.

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Test Preparation Guide 9
Section 4: Numerical Computation

DIVISION

Items 7 – 8 require you to calculate the number of trips required to fill a shipment pallet. The
example shows you how to complete the items in this section.

Example:

Given the information below, the number of trips required to fill a shipment pallet is:

 Total Number of Boxes Per Shipment Pallet = 125 boxes

 Number of Boxes Moved Per Trip = 5 boxes

A. 10 trips
B. 15 trips
C. 20 trips
D. 25 trips
E. None of the above.

To calculate the number of trips required to fill a shipment pallet, you divide the total number
of boxes per shipment pallet (125) by the number of boxes moved per trip (5), 125  5 = 25.
Since 25 is presented as choice D, you would select choice D as your answer.

Now complete items 7 – 8 as shown in the example.

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Test Preparation Guide 10
Section 4: Numerical Computation

7. Given the information below, the number of trips required to fill a shipment pallet is:

 Total Number of Boxes Per Shipment Pallet = 221 boxes

 Number of Boxes Moved Per Trip = 13 boxes

A. 9 trips
B. 11 trips
C. 15 trips
D. 17 trips
E. None of the above.

8. Given the information below, the number of trips required to fill a shipment pallet is:

 Total Number of Boxes Per Shipment Pallet = 576 boxes

 Number of Boxes Moved Per Trip = 24 boxes

A. 12 trips
B. 18 trips
C. 24 trips
D. 36 trips
E. None of the above.

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Test Preparation Guide 11
Section 4: Numerical Computation

MAP SCALES

Items 9 – 10 require you to determine distances given a map scale. The example shows you
how to complete the items in this section.

Please note that the " symbol refers to inches. The ' symbol refers to feet. So 2" = 2 inches
and 3' = 3 feet.

Example:

Given the information below, the total distance in the field is:

 Map Scale: 2" = 5'

 Measured Distance on the Map: 4"

A. 10'
B. 50'
C. 100'
D. 1000'
E. None of the above.

To calculate the total distance in the field, note that the map scale states that 2" on the map
equals a distance of 5' in the field. The distance doubles for 4". The measured distance on the
map is 4", therefore the total distance in the field is 10'. Since 10' is presented as choice A, you
would select choice A as your answer.

Now complete items 9 – 10 as shown in the example.

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Test Preparation Guide 12
Section 4: Numerical Computation

9. Given the information below, the total distance in the field is:

 Map Scale: 5" = 100'

 Measured Distance on the Map: 12.5"

A. 125'
B. 150'
C. 200'
D. 250'
E. None of the above.

10. Given the information below, the total distance in the field is:

 Map Scale: 1/2" = 50'

 Measured Distance on the Map: 3"

A. 150'
B. 200'
C. 250'
D. 300'
E. None of the above.

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Test Preparation Guide 13
Section 4: Numerical Computation

MEASURING INSTRUMENTS

Items 11 – 12 require you to read a measuring instrument. The example shows you how to
complete the items in this section.

Example:

The reading on the instrument below is:

A. 125
B. 130
C. 135
D. 140
E. None of the above.

To answer the example, you must interpret the instrument above. Careful interpretation shows
that the reading on the instrument is 130 since every long line represents 10. Since 130 is
presented as choice B, you would select choice B as your answer.

Now complete items 11 – 12 as shown in the example.

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Test Preparation Guide 14
Section 4: Numerical Computation

11. The readings on the instruments below are respectively:

A. 25 and 28
B. 30 and 35
C. 30 and 45
D. 45 and 26
E. None of the above.

12. The reading on Instrument A minus the reading on Instrument B is equal to:

A. 3/4 or 0.75
B. 1/2 or 0.50
C. 5/8 or 0.625
D. 1/4 or 0.25
E. None of the above.

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Test Preparation Guide 15
Section 4: Numerical Computation

FRACTIONS

Items 13 – 14 require you to work with fractions. The example shows you how to complete the
items in this section.

Example:

1/2 + 3/4 =

A. 1/2
B. 1/4
C. 3/4
D. 1-1/4
E. None of the above.

To calculate the sum of 1/2 and 3/4, first find the least common denominator to convert the
fractions into common terms. In the example above, 1/2 will convert to 2/4. 2/4 can then be
added to 3/4 (2/4 + 3/4 = 5/4 or 1-1/4). Since 1-1/4 is presented as choice D, you would
select choice D as your answer.

Now complete items 13 – 14 as shown in the example.

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Test Preparation Guide 16
Section 4: Numerical Computation

13. 7/8 – 9/16 =

A. 6/8
B. 11/16
C. 5/8
D. 5/16
E. None of the above.

14. 3/64 + 2/32 + 5/16 =

A. 18/32
B. 20/64
C. 27/64
D. 13/16
E. None of the above.

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Test Preparation Guide 17
Section 4: Numerical Computation

WORD PROBLEMS

Items 15 – 16 require you to answer questions based on the information provided. The
example shows you how to complete the items in this section.

Example:

Four times as many Type 1 connectors fail compared to Type 2 connectors. If 10 Type 2
connectors recently failed out of 100 total connectors, how many of the 100 connectors
would have failed if they were all Type 1?

A. 10
B. 20
C. 30
D. 40
E. None of the above.

For every one Type 2 connector that fails, we can expect four Type 1 connectors to fail.
Therefore, if 10 Type 2 connectors fail, 4 x 10 or 40 Type 1 connects should fail. The answer is
D, 40. You would select choice D as your answer.

Now complete items 15 – 16 as shown in the example.

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Test Preparation Guide 18
Section 4: Numerical Computation

15. Company A completed 535 jobs in January, 780 jobs in February and 650 jobs in March.
Company B completed 575 jobs in January, 684 jobs in February and 810 jobs in March.
The average number of jobs completed by Company A per month is approximately
_____ of the average number of jobs completed by Company B per month.

A. 95%
B. 105%
C. .95%
D. 1.05%
E. None of the above.

16. Tank A fills at a rate of 6 gallons per hour and discharges water at a rate of 69 gallons
per day. If the tank starts out empty, how much water would be in the tank after 24
hours?

A. 0 gallons
B. 60 gallons
C. 75 gallons
D. 100 gallons
E. None of the above.

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Test Preparation Guide 19
Section 4: Numerical Computation

DISTANCES

Items 17 – 18 require you to determine distances from a diagram. The example shows you how
to complete the items in this section.
Example:

The distance of B is:

A. 18 feet
B. 15 feet
C. 22 feet
D. 65 feet
E. None of the above.

To answer the example, you must first examine the diagram above. The distance of B would be
determined by subtracting 47 feet from 65 feet (65 – 47 = 18). Since 18 feet is presented as
choice A, you would select choice A as your answer.
Now complete items 17 – 18 as shown in the example.

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Test Preparation Guide 20
Section 4: Numerical Computation

17. The distance of C is:

A. 105 feet
B. 23 feet
C. 57 feet
D. 86 feet
E. None of the above.

18. The distance of A is:

A. 23 feet
B. 42 feet
C. 57 feet
D. 18 feet
E. None of the above.

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Test Preparation Guide 21
Section 4: Numerical Computation

Test Preparation Guide

Section 4: Numerical Computation
Answer Key
1 C
2 D
3 B
4 C
5 A
6 D
7 D
8 C
9 D
10 D
11 B
12 A
13 D
14 C
15 A
16 C
17 D
18 A

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