Eckovation CAT Notes 819367

Topic: Percentage

Percentage
Points to Remember

Y
1) Y % is expressed as
100

x x
2) To find percent of = × 100 %
y y

Quick Tips and Tricks

1. Prices of Goods

(1) If the price of goods increases by R %, then the reduction in consumption so as not
to increase the expenditure can be calculated using the formula:

R
× 100 %
(100 + R)

(2) If the price of goods decreases by R %, then the increase in consumption so as not
to decrease the expenditure can be calculated using the formula:

R
× 100 %
(100 – R)

2. Numerical on Population: Population of a city at present is P and it increases at the

rate of R% per annum.

Eckovation CAT Notes 819367

Topic: Percentage

n
R
(1) To find population after n years = P 1+
100

R
-------- (After n years population increases, thus 1+ is used)
100

P
(2) To find population n years ago =
n
R
1 +
100

3. Numerical on Depreciation: Present value of machine is M, If it depreciates at the

rate of R% per annum.

n
R
(1) To find value of machine after n years = P 1–
100

R
-------- (After n years the value of machine decreases, thus 1– is used)
100

Eckovation CAT Notes 819367

Topic: Percentage

P
(2) To find the value of machine n years ago =
n
R
1 –
100

Question Variety

Generally 5 types of questions are asked from this chapter. Understanding these
concepts will help in solving the problems related to this chapter.

1.1.1) PERCENTAGE FOR COMPARISON:

Percentage helps us to compare between different fractions when the denominator or
the total number is different in each case. It is one of the simplest tools for the
comparison of data.
Take for example, this table below which shows the marks obtained by a student in 3
different subjects
subject MarksObtained

History 60

Math 25

English 45

From this data alone, we cannot compare the marks obtained for the various subjects..
Now suppose we have the data of the total marks obtained as follows
Subject Marks Obtained Total Marks Marks Obtained/total marks * 100

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Topic: Percentage

History 60 100 60%

Math 25 25 100%

English 45 90 50%

Now as all the three subjects are represented on a scale of 100, it is easy to compare
the marks for the three subjects, and decide which subject has the student scored the
maximum in.

1.1.2) REPRESENTATIONS OF PERCENTAGES

1) a% of b.
a% of b ( a percent of b) = b% of a
a% of b is represented mathematically as (a×b)/100.
Eg. 24% of 25 = [24×25/100]= 6 25% of 24 = [(25×24)/100]= 6

2) What percentage of a is b
This is represented as (b/a× 100)
Eg. What percentage of 75 is 25? (25/75)×100 = 33.33%

1.1.3) CONVERSIONS
1) To convert a fraction into a percentage
? Multiply and divide by 100.
? Keep the denominator as 100, the numerator you obtain is the required answer.
Take for example
21/22=(21/22 x100)/100=(2100/22)/100 = 95 6/11%

2) To find the fraction equivalent of a percentage

? Divide by 100(after removing the percentage sign) e.g. ) 11 3/8%=91/8×100=91/800
eg) 25% = 25/100=1/4

ILLUSTRATION:
1. Recently I went to buy a laptop for myself. The dealer said that he has
laptops of two companies: HP and Lenevo. He was selling the HP laptop
for Rs. 42000 and told me that he will offer me the same at 7/8 of that
price while the Lenevo laptop was for Rs. 46000 and he was offering it at

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Topic: Percentage

?4/5?^th of that price. I decided to buy the laptop on which I was getting
a better percentage discount. Which one should I buy?
Solution:
HP: 7/8 means (7×100)/8 = = 87.5% means a discount of 100 – 87.5 = 12.5%
LENEVO: 4/5 means 4×100/5 = 400/5= 80 % means a discount of 100 – 80 = 20%.
So I should buy the LENEVO laptop.

1.1.4) CONCEPT OF CHANGE

There are two types of change
1. Absolute value change:- It is the actual change in the quantity. For example, if
there are 10 rabbits in the first year and 15 rabbits in the second year, the absolute
change in the number of rabbits is 5
2. Percentage change:- This can be obtained by calculating the absolute change and
dividing it by the initial number of rabbits present e.g. ) percentage change =
(Absolute value change)/(Original quantity)×100= 5/10=1/2×100= 50%

1.1.5) PERCENTAGE CHANGE AND PERCENTAGE POINT CHANGE

If the pass percentage of a class was 75 % in 1991 and 85% in 1992, we can calculate
the percentage point change and the percentage change as follows
Percentage point change = Final percentage – Initial percentage= 85 %– 75% = 10
percentage points Percentage change= (Final percentage – Initial percentage)/(Initial
percentage)×100 = (85 – 75)/75 x 100 = 40/3%

1.1.6) TO INCREASE A NUMBER BY A GIVEN PERCENT

Use the formula: (100 + rate)/100
e.g.) Increase 40 by 20%
Here the rate = 20 Multiply the number by the above formula to get the answer 40 x
((100 + 20))/100=120×40/100 = 48. (We are effectively computing(40+20/100×40)
It is easier to remember that given the base value=x, the final value after increase can
be found as
20% increase?(x+0.2x= 1.2x) 30% increase?(x+0.3x=1.3x) 5%
increase?(x+0.05x=1.05x)

1.1.7) TO DECREASE A NUMBER BY A GIVEN PERCENT

Use the formula (100 – Rate)/100
e.g. ) Decrease 40 by 20%
Here the rate = 20. Multiply the number by the above formula to get the answer

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Topic: Percentage

40 x ((100- 20))/100=80×40/100=32. (We are effectively computing (40-20/100×40))
It is easier to remember that given the base value=x,the final value after decrease can
be found as
20% decrease? 0.8 x (0.8= 1-0.2) 30% decrease? 0.7x (0.7= 1-0.3) 5% decrease?
0.95x (0.95= 1-0.05)
TO FIND THE PERCENTAGE INCREASE OR DECREASE OF A GIVEN
NUMBER, WE USE THE CONCEPT OF PERCENTAGE CHANGE AS
EXPLAINED ABOVE
1) Percentage Increase = (Final Value – Initial Value)/(Initial Value) = (Total Increase
)/(Initial Value) x 100%
2) Percentage Decrease = (Initial Value – Final Value)/(Initial Value) = (Total
Decrease)/(Initial Value) x 100%

ILLUSTRATION:
2. In the IPL match an analysis was done for the two openers of both
teams: Delhi Daredevils (DD) and Deccan Chargers (DC). It was found
that the two DC openers Gilchrist and Gibbs together scored 20% more
than what the two DD openers Sehwag and Gambhir scored. Gambhir
scored 30 and Gibbs scored 40. How much percentage less/more did
Sehwag score than Gilchrist if Gilchrist scored 80?
Solution:
Say runs scored by Sehwag = a, Gambhir = b, Gilchrist = c and Gibbs = d.
Then (c + d) = 1.2 (a + b)
Also b = 30, d = 40, c = 80
80 + 40 = 1.2 (a + 30) => 120/1.2 = a + 30 => a = 70
So Sehwag = 70. So Sehwag scored (80 – 70)/80 x 100 = 10/80 x 100 = 12.5 % less
than Gilchrist.
Note: Here we took 80 as the denominator because we need to calculate how much
Sehwag scored less “than” Gilchrist. So Gilchrist’s score has to be made the
denominator as it is the base value we are comparing the difference to.

1.1.8) BASIC FORMULA

a) If the price of a commodity increases by r%, then the reduction in consumption so
as to not increase the expenditure is r/(100+r) x 100 .This formula can also be used to
compare incomes between two people.
e.g.) If P’s income is r% more than Q’s income, then Q’s income is less than P’s
income by r/(100+r) x 100

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Topic: Percentage

b) If the price of a commodity decreases by r%, then the increase in consumption so
as to not decrease the expenditure is r/(100-r) x 100 . This formula can also be used to
compare incomes between two people.
e.g.) If P’s income is r% less than Q’s income, then Q’s income is greater than P’s
income by r/(100-r) x 100
c) If there is a consecutive percentage change of a% and b%, the net change can be
calculate as
Net change= a + b + ab/100
ILLUSTRATIONS:

3. Anil is taking an examination which has two sections A and B. He

starts with section A and when he proceeds to section B he realizes that
the marks carried for each question has decreased by 40% as compared
to section A. How many more questions (in percentage) should he solve
in section B as compared to section A if he wants to score same marks
in section A and section B?
Solution:-
Given that both sections carry equal marks. Solution: Here marks per question
decreases by 40%, so using the formula (b), he should solve ((40/(100-40))×100)% =
66.66% more questions in section B if he wants to score same marks.

4. The petrol prices shot up by 20% due to Iraq War. Amit travels 2000
kms every month and his car gives a mileage of 20 kms per liter. By how
many kilometers should he reduce his travel to maintain his expenditure
to the previous level.
Solution:
At 20 kms per liter he bought 2000/20= 100 liters of petrol. Now the price the
increased by 20%; using formula (a), the consumption has to be reduced by
(20/(100+20))×100) % = 16.66%.
So, he should reduce his travel by (16.66×2000)/100= 333.33 kms to maintain the
same expenditure level.

5. After receiving two successive pay hikes if Ashish’s salary becomes

15/8 of his initial salary. By how much percent was the salary raised the
first time if the second raise was twice as high (in %) as the first?
a) 15 % b) 20% c) 25% d) 30%

Eckovation CAT Notes 819367

Topic: Percentage

Solution:
We can solve this question using two approaches:
Approach 1: (conventional)
Suppose first raise was of a % then the second raise = 2a % Now, using formula (c)
net change: a + b + ab/100?a + 2a + 2axa/100
Now if initial salary was X, then % change = ((15 X)/8– X)/X×100=7/8× 100
So 3a + (2a^2)/100 = 700/8 solving we get a = 25%. So the first raise was of 25%.

Approach 2: (Recommended)
In these types of questions it is quicker to go from the answer options. First calculate
the net change ? ( (15 X)/8– X )×100 = 700/8% = 87.5 %
Start with option (b) 20% First year raise 20% next year raise= 40% Net change (use
formula (c)) 20 + 20 + 400/100 = 44% With option (d) Net change = 30 + 60 +
1800/100 = 108% This way, you will get option (c) 25% is the correct option.

Ex-1
Type 1: Numerical on numbers

Q 1. The difference between two numbers is 1550. If 8 % of one number is 10 % of the

other number, then find the two numbers

a. 4973, 6523
b. 5450, 7000
c. 6200, 7750
d. 6500, 4950

Q 2. Two numbers P and Q are such that, the sum of 2 % of P and Sum of 2 % of Q is
two-third of the sum of 2 % of P and 6 % of Q. Find the ratio of P and Q.

a. 2 : 5
b. 3 : 1
c. 1 : 4
d. 5 : 1

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Topic: Percentage

Q 3. 50 % of a number is 18 less than two-third of that number. Find the number.

a. 123
b. 119
c. 115
d. 108

Q 4. When 35 is subtracted from a number; it reduces to its 80 %. Find the four-fifth of

that number.

a. 140
b. 125
c. 137
d. 129

Type 2: Numerical on Depreciation

Q 5. The value of lathe machine depreciates at the rate of 10 % per annum. If the cost
of machine at present is Rs. 160,000, then what will be its worth after 2 years?

a. Rs. 122,365
b. Rs. 153,680
c. Rs. 129,600
d. Rs. 119,900

Q 6. The value of Xerox machine depreciates at the rate of 10 % per annum. If the cost
of machine at present is Rs. 75,000 then what was the value of machine before 2
years?
a. Rs. 90,000
b. Rs. 92,600
c. Rs. 93,800
d. Rs. 95,000

Type 3: Numerical on Population

Q 7. The current birth rate per thousand is 30, whereas corresponding death rate is 10 per
thousand. Find the net growth rate in terms of population increase in percent.

a. 1.5 %
b. 2 %

Eckovation CAT Notes 819367

Topic: Percentage

c. 2.5 %
d. 3%

Q 8. The total population of a city is 6500.The number of males and females increases by 5 % and
10 % respectively and consequently the population becomes 7000. Find the number of males in the
village.

a. 4000
b. 3000
c. 3500
d. 2950

Q 9. The present population of a country is 10 crores. If it rises to 17.28 crores during next 3 years,
then find uniform rate of growth in population.

a. 20 %
b. 30 %
c. 40 %
d. 60 %

Q 10. The population of different trees in a field increased by 10 % in first year, increased by 8 % in
second year and decreased by 10 % in third year. If at present the number of trees is 26730, then
find the number of tress in the beginning.

a. 30000
b. 25000
c. 27000
d. 27865

Eckovation CAT Notes 819367

Topic: Percentage

Type 4: Numerical on Prices of Goods

Q 11. The price of diesel increases by 50 %. Find by how much percent a truck owner must reduce
his consumption in order to maintain the same budget?

a. 11.11 %
b. 22.22 %
c. 33.33 %
d. 44.44 %

Q 12. The price of rice falls by 15 %. By what percentage a person can increase the consumption of
rice so that his overall budget does not change?

a. 10.74 %
b. 17.64 %
c. 20.46 %
d. 21.90 %

Type 5: Numericals based on Marks of students

Q 13. In an examination, P scored 30 % marks and failed by 15 marks. Q scored 40 % marks and
obtained 35 marks more than those required to pass. Find the pass percentage.

a. 30 %
b. 33 %
c. 35 %
d. 40 %

Eckovation CAT Notes 819367

Topic: Percentage

Q 14. In a science examination, the average obtained by entire class was 80 marks. If 10 % of
students scored 92 marks and 20 % of students scored 90 marks, then what was the average of
remaining students?

a. 65.32
b. 70.56
c. 75.43
d. 77.96

Q 15. A student attempts x number of questions. He answers 15 correctly out of first 20 questions
and of the remaining questions, he answers 1/3 correctly. If all questions have same credit and the
student gets 50 % marks, then find the value of x.

a. 30
b. 35
c. 45
d. 50

Solution
1. Correct Option: (c)

Let two numbers be x and y.

It is given that, 8 % of x = 10 % of y
Therefore,
10 5
x= y= y
8 4

Eckovation CAT Notes 819367

Topic: Percentage

Difference between two numbers (x – y)= 1550
Substituting the value of x, we get
5
– y = 1550
4

y
= 1550
4
y=1550×4=6200
5
x= × 6200 = 7750
4

The two numbers whose difference is 1550 are 6200 and 7750.

2. Correct Option: (b)

The sum of 2 % of P and Sum of 2% of Q is two-third of the sum of 2 % of P and 6 % of Q.

This sentence means that,
2
2% of P + 2% of Q = (2% of P + 6% of Q)
3

2 2 2 2 6
P+ Q= P+ Q
100 100 3 100 100

1 1 1 1
P+ Q= P+ Q
50 50 75 25

1 1 1 1
– P= –
50 75 25 50

1 1
P= Q
150 50

P 150 3
= =
Q 50 1

Eckovation CAT Notes 819367

Topic: Percentage

Alternate method
2 2 2 2 6
P+ Q= P+ Q
100 100 3 100 100
Simply eliminate 100 from both the sides, we get
3(2P + 2Q) = 2(2P + 6Q)
6P + 6Q = 4P + 12Q
6P – 4P =12Q – 6Q
2P = 6Q
P 6 3
= =
Q 2 1

3. Correct Option: (d)

Let the number be x.

It is given that, 50 % of a number is 18, less than two-third of that number. This means
that,
2
x – (50% of x) = 18
3

2 50
x– x = 18
3 100
50x=5400
x=108
The number is 108

4. Correct Option: (a)

We are given, 35 when subtracted from a number, reduces to its 80 %.

Therefore,
Let the number be x.
80
x – 35 = x
100
Solving, we get the value of x

Eckovation CAT Notes 819367

Topic: Percentage

80
x– x = 35
100

35 × 100
x= x = 175
20
Now, we are asked to find the four-fifth of that number i.e x
4 4
x= × 175 = 140
5 5
Hence, the number is 140.

5. Correct Option: (c)

Hint: Present value of machine is M. If the cost depreciates at the rate of R% per annum,
then
n
R
The value of machine after n years = P 1–
100
In this numerical, we are given the present cost of the machine i.e 160,000 and the cost
decreases by 10 % per annum. We have to find the cost of this machine after 2 years.
We can solve this numerical in a minute, if we know the trick used to solve such
numerical related to depreciation of cost.

Given:
Present amount = Rs. 1,60,000
Rate of depreciation = 10 %
Substituting the given values, we get
n
R
The value of machine after n years = P 1–
100
2
10
= 1,60,000 × 1–
100
= Rs. 129,600
After 2 years, the cost of machine = Rs. 129,600

Eckovation CAT Notes 819367

Topic: Percentage

6. Correct Option: (b)

Hint: Present value of machine is M. If the cost depreciates at the rate of R% per annum,
then

P
The value of machine n years ago =
n
R
1–
100

Given:
Cost of Xerox machine at present = Rs. 75,000
Rate of depreciation = 10 %
Substituting the given values, we get

P
The value of machine n years ago =
n
R
1–
100

75000
=
2
10
1–
100

=Rs.92592.60
Therefore, the value of machine before 2 years = Rs. 92592.60
But this value is not available in the given options. Hence, select the nearby
value to the amount of Rs. 92592.60. Among the listed options option (b) is the
correct answer.

7. Correct Option: (b)

We are given that,

1) Current birth rate per thousand is 30

Eckovation CAT Notes 819367

Topic: Percentage

2) Corresponding death rate is 10 per thousand

Hence, net growth on 1000 = Current birth rate - death rate

= 30 – 10 =20
We are asked to find, net growth rate in terms of population increase in
percent (which means net growth on 100)
Net worth on 1000
Net worth on 100 = × 100
1000

20
Net worth on 100 = × 100 = 2%
1000

8. Correct Option: (b)

We are given that,

1) Total population of city = 6500
2) Increase in male and female population = 5 % & 10% respectively.
3) Final population of city = 7000
Hence,
Let’s assume that number of males = x
Number of female = 6500 – x
Therefore, after increase in 5 % male and 10 % female, the population becomes 7000
5 % male +10 % female = Difference between new and original population
5 10
x+ (6500 – x) = 7000 – 6500
100 100
5x+65000-10x=50000
5x= 15000
x=3000
Number of males = 3000
Number of females = 3500

Eckovation CAT Notes 819367

Topic: Percentage

9. Correct Option: (a)

Hint:
n
R
To find population after n years = P 1+
100

Here, we know
1) Present population of country = 10 crores
2) After 3 years, population of country = 17.28 crores
To find: Rate of growth R%
After 3 years, the population is 17.28 crores. Therefore,
n
R
P 1+ = 17.28
100
3
R
10 1+ = 17.28
100
3 3
R 17.28 1728 12
1+ = = =
100 10 1000 10

R 12
1+ =
100 10

R 2
1+ =1+
100 10

R 2
=
100 10
R=20%
Rate of growth in population = 20 %

10. Correct Option: (b)

Hint:

To find population n years ago =

P

Eckovation CAT Notes 819367

Topic: Percentage

n
R
1+
100

We are given, number of trees increased in

1) First year = increased by 10 %
2) Second year = increased by 8 %
3) Third year = decreased by 10 %

Therefore, to find number of trees in the beginning use the trick.

26730
Population n years ago =
10 8 10
1+ 1+ 1+
100 100 100

10 25 10
= 26730 × × ×
11 27 9
= 25000

11. Correct Option: (c)

Hint: If the price of goods increases by R %, then the reduction in consumption so as not
to increase the expenditure can be calculated using the formula:
R
× 100 %
(100 + R)

50
= × 100 %
(100 + 50)
= 33.33 %

The truck owner must reduce its consumption in order to maintain the same
budget by 33.33 %

Eckovation CAT Notes 819367

Topic: Percentage

12. Correct Option: (b)

Hint: If the price of goods decreases by R %, then the increase in consumption so as not to
decrease the expenditure can be calculated using the formula:
R
× 100 %
(100 – R)

Using this trick, we can easily solve such type of numerical.

The price of rice falls by 15 %, therefore substituting this value, we get
15
× 100 % = 17.64 %
(100 – 15)
Therefore, the person can increase his consumption by 17.64 %

13. Correct Option: (b)

We have to calculate the pass percentage.

In case of P: He scores 30 % out of total marks, but fails by 15 marks. Hence, the simple
equation formed is (30 % of x) + 15
In case of Q: He scores 40 % out of total marks, but gets 35 marks more than required to
pass. Hence, the simple equation formed is (40 % of x) – 35

1) First calculate total marks.

Let total marks be x.
(30 % of x) + 15 = (40 % of x) – 35
30 40
× x + 15 = × x – 35
100 100

40 30
35 + 15 = ×x– ×x
100 100

1
50 = x
10
x=500
Total marks = 500

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Topic: Percentage

2) As we know the total marks, we can calculate the passing.

30
Passing Marks = × x + 15
100

30
Passing Marks = × 500 + 15 = 165
100
Therefore,
165
Passing Percentage = × 100 = 33%
500

Required pass percentage = 33 %

14. Correct Option: (c)

Here, we do not know the number of students in the class. So let the number of
students be 100 and the required average is y.
1) 10 % of students scored 92 marks
2) 20 % of students scored 90 marks
3) Therefore, from 100 students, the remaining students are 70
4) Average obtained by 100 students = 80 marks

Considering the given parameters, form the equation.

(10 x 92) + (20 x 90) + (70 x y) = (100 x 80)
70 y = 8000 – (1800 + 920)
y = 75.43
The average of remaining students = 75.43

15. Correct Option: (d)

Given:
1) Student attempts x questions.
2) Out of 20 questions he answers 15 correctly and of (x – 20) questions he answered 1/3
correctly.
3) The student gets 50 % marks.
Therefore,

Eckovation CAT Notes 819367

Topic: Percentage

1
15 + (x – 20) = 50% of x
3

1 50
15 + (x – 20) = ×x
3 100

1 x
15 + (x – 20) =
3 2
90+2 (x-20)=3x
Solving this equation, we get
x=50
Hence, the number of question attempted by the students = 50