Percentage:

The word percentage or per cent means for every one hundred. It is denoted by symbol %.
Thus 10 % means 10 out of hundred or 10/100.
Key Facts:
→ For converting a given percentage into a fraction, divide it by 100 or multiply by 1/100.
i.e. 25% can be converted in to fraction by dividing it by 100,
hence, 25%= 25/100= 0.25.
→ For converting a given fraction into percentage multiply it by 100. Thus, .25 =.25*100
=25%.
→ For converting one given quantity, say x as a percentage of another given quantity, say y
find (x/y)*100.
Concept of percentage change:
i) Absolute value change:
It is actual change in measured quantity. For instance, if sales in year 1 is Rs. 2500 crore and
sales in year 2 is Rs. 2600 crore, then the absolute value of the change is Rs. 100 crore.
ii) Percentage change:
It is got by,
Percentage change= (absolute change/original quantity)*100
= 100/2500 *100 =4%;
Calculation of percentage value through Addition:
It is best understandable by an example.
Example:
What is the percentage value of the ratio: 53/81.
Solution:
This process is based on 100%, 50%, 10%, 1%, 0.1 % and so forth values of the
denominator from the numerator.
53/81 can be rewritten as,
= (40.5+12.5)/81
= 40.5/81+12.5/81
= 50% + 12.5/81
=50% +(8.1+4.4)/81
= 50% + 10% + 4.4/81
= 60% + 4.4/81.
At this stage we can understand that the answer to the question lies between 60-70%
(since 4.4 is less than 10% of 81). The answer would be in this form, 6a.abcd....
In order to find the percentage value of 4.4/81, we can find it,
% value of 4.4/81= 4.4*100/81 =440/81. (Here we get 5 % with remainder 35)
Now, answer= 65.bcdde....
b =350/81 = 4 remainder 26.
c =260/100 =3 remainder 17 and so on.
Calculations of Multiplication by Numbers like 1.41, 0.83 and so on through addition:
Example: calculate 1.23*473.
Solution:
one should view this multiplication as an addition of 23% to the original number. This means;
473*1.23 =473+23% of 473 = 473+94.6 + 3% of 473;

= 567.6+14.19 =581.

Net percentage changes:

There are many situations where we have to deal with percentage changes, these changes
are called net percentage changes. We can deal it with a graphic. For example, you have to
increase a number 30 by 30 percentage then it can be visualized as;
30---10 %↑(3)--->33.
It is very useful in situation like:
i) Successive changes:-
Example 1: A trader gives successive discounts of 10%, 20% and 10% respectively. The
percentage of the original cost he will recover is:
Solution:
100---10%↓(-10)--->90---20%↓(-18)--->72---10%↓(-7.2)--->64.8
Example 2: A's salary increases by 20% and then decreases by 20%. What is the net
percentage change in A's salary?
100----20%↑--->120---20%↓--->96.
Hence, A's salary has gone down by 4%.
ii) A →B →A changes:
B's salary is 25% more than A's salary. By what percent is A's salary less than B's salary?
Solution:
100(A)----25%↑--->125(B)---(-25)--->100(A)
A drop of 25 on 125 gives a 20% drop.
Hence A's salary is 20% less than B salary.
iii) Product changes:
Let we have a product (10*10).
If the first variable changes to 12 and second variables changes to 11, what will be
percentage change in the product?
It has to notice that first variable 10 changes to 12 that mean 20 % increases and second
variable change 10 t0 11 means 10 % increases. Now situation can visualize as,
100---20%↑--->120----10%↑--->132
Hence, final product shows a 32 % increase.
Similarly, (10*10*10) becomes (11*12*13) then net product's percentage change:
100---30%↑--->130-----20%↑---156---10%↑--->171.6
Hence, the final product sees a 71.6 percent increase.
(Since, the product changes from 100 to 171.6)
iv) Final product constant changes:
The price of a commodity has gone up by 25%. In case you required keeping the total
expenditure on commodity constant, what percentage you need to cut down the
consumption?
100---25 %↑( price effect)--->125---(-25, consumption effect)--->100

Hence, consumption need to drop by, (25/125)*100= 20%.

Formula for percentage

The formula for percentage is the following and it should be easy to use:

Study it below carefully before looking at the examples

We will take examples to illustrate.Let us start with the formula on the left

An important thing to remember: Cross multiply

It means to multiply the numerator of one fraction by the denominator of the other fraction

Examples #1:

25 % of 200 is____ 

In this problem, of = 200, is = ?, and % = 25

We get:

is/200 = 25/100

Since is in an unknown, you can replace it by y to make the problem more familiar
y/200 = 25/100

Cross multiply to get y × 100 = 200 × 25

y × 100 = 5000

Divide 5000 by 100 to get y

Since 5000/100 = 50, y = 50

So, 25 % of 200 is 50

Examples #2:

What number is 2% of 50 ?

This is just another way of saying 2% of 50 is___

So, set up the proportion as example #1:

is/50 = 2/100

Replace is by y and cross multiply to get:

y × 100 = 50 × 2

y × 100 = 100

Since 1 × 100 = 100, y = 1

Therefore, 1 is 2 % of 50

Examples #3:

24% of___ is 36

This time, notice that is = 36, but of is missing

After you set up the formula, you get:

36/of = 24/100

Replace of by y and cross multiply to get:

36/y = 24/100

y × 24 = 36 × 100

y × 24 = 3600

Divide 3600 by 24 to get y

3600/24 = 150, y = 150

Therefore, 24 % of 150 is 36

Now, we will take examples to illustrate how to use the formula for percentage on the right

Examples #4:
To use the other formula that says part and whole, just remember the following:

The number after of is always the whole

The number after is is always the part

If I say 25 % of___ is 60, we know that the whole is missing and part = 60

Your proportion will will like this:

60/whole = 25/100

After cross multiplying, we get:

whole × 25 = 60 × 100

whole × 25 = 6000

Divide 6000 by 25 to get whole

6000/25 = 240, so whole = 240

Therefore, 25 % of 240 is 60

Examples #5:

___% of 45 is 9

Here whole = 45 and part = 9, but % is missing

We get:

9/45 = %/100

Replacing % by x and cross multiplying gives:

9 × 100 = 45 × x

900 = 45 × x

Divide 900 by 45 to get x

900/45 = 20, so x = 20

Here we go!. I hope these formula for percentage were helpful. 

1. The price of sugar increases by 32%. A family reduces its consumption so that the expenditure of the sugar is up by 10%
only. If the total consumption of sugar before the price rise was 10 kg per month, then the consumption of sugar per month
at present (in kg) is

(a)8.33
(b)8.5
(c)8.75
(d)9

2. A ball pen factory decided to reduce its production by 10% over that of previous month for next 3 months starting from
February 1994. In January 1994, it produced 3000 ball pens. How many ball pens were
produced in March 1994?
(a) 2700
(b) 2430
(c) 2187
(d) 2400

3. A building worth Rs 133,100 is constructed on land worth Rs. 72,900. After how many years will the value of both be the
same if land appreciates at 10% pa. and building depreciates at 10% p.a. ?
(a)2.5
(b) 2
(c) 1.5
(d) 3

4. A man’s basic pay for a 40 hour week is Rs. 2000. Overtime is paid for at 25% above the basic rate. In a certain week, he
worked overtime and his total wage was Rs. 2500. He, therefore, worked for a total of:
(a)45 hours
(b) 47 hours
(c) 48 hours
(d) 50 hours

5. Salaries of A, B and C are in the ratio 1:2:3. Salary of B and C together is Rs. 60000. By what percent is salary of C more
than that of A?
(a)300
(b) 600
(c) 100
(d) 200

6. The price of a table is Rs. 400 more than that of a chair. If 6 tables and 6 chairs together cost Rs. 4800, by what percent is
the price of the chair less than that of the table?
(a)200
(b) 400
(c) 100
(d) None of these

7. The length and breadth of a square are increased by 40% and 30% respectively. The area of the resulting rectangle
exceeds the area of the square by?
(a)42%
(b) 62%
(c) 82%
(d) None of these

8. The length of a rectangle is increased by 20% and the width is decreased by 20%. The area decreases by
(a)0.8%
(b) 1.2%
(c) 4%
(d) 8%

9. The length of a rectangle is increased by 60%. By what percent would the width have to be decreased to maintain the
same area ?
(a)37 %
(b) 60%
(c) 75%
(d) None of these

10. In a market survey, 20% opted for product A whereas 60% opted for product B. The remaining individuals were not
certain. If the difference between those who opted for product B and those who were uncertain was 720, how many
individuals were covered in the survey ?
(a)3600
(b) 1440
(c) 1800
(d) Data inadequate
11. Arun gave a portion of the money he had to Gopal. Gopal in turn gave 40% of what he got from Arun to Dinesh. How
much money did Dinesh get? To find out the answer, which of the following information’s given in statements (P) and (Q)
is/are sufficient 7
P:Arun had Rs. 4,000 with him.
Q : The difference between the amounts of Gopal and Dinesh was Rs. 500.
(a)Only Q is sufficient.
(b) Only P is sufficient.
(c)Either P or Q is sufficient.
(d) Both P and Q together are needed.
12. .02=?%
(a)20
(b)2
(c)0.02
(d)0.2

13. 5 out of 2250 parts of earth is sulphur. What is the percentage of sulphur in earth?
(a)11/50
(b)2/9
(c)1/45
(d)2/45

14. 45 x ? = 25% of 900

(a) 16.20
(b) 500
(c) 4
(d) 5

15. 218% of 1674 = ? x 1800

(a)4
(b) 0.5
(c) 6
(d) None of these

16. 13937.869 ÷ 199.54 + 15% of 201=?

(a)150
(b) 90
(c) 80
(d) 100

17 63% of 25/7 is ?
(a)2.25
(b) 2.40
(c) 2.50
(d) 2.75

18. If 30 % of a number is 12.6, then the number is?

(a)41
(b) 51
(c) 52
(d)42

19. 5% of (25% of Rs. 1600) is?

(a)Rs. 5
(b) Rs. 17.50
(c) Rs. 20
(d) Rs. 25

20. (25/3) % of ? = 150

(a)1250
(b) 1800
(c)1700
(d) 1400

21. 35% of 30=25% of ? +1

(a)28
(b)38
(c)42
(d)32

22. ?% of 6144 = 5/2 x 245.76

(a)16
(b) 20
(c)5
(d) 10

23. (30% of 80)/? =24

(a)3/10
(b) 3/17
(c)1
(d) 2

24. 45% of ? + 30% of 90 = 30% of 210.

(a)120
(b) 80
(c) 60
(d)90

25. One fourth of one third of two fifth of a number is 15. V/hat will be 40% of that number?
(a)120
(b) 350
(c) 270
(d) 180

26. If 37% of a number is 990.86, what will be approximately 19% of that

number?
(a) 600
(b) 400
(c) 500
(d) 700

27. If 15% of 40 is greater than 25% of a number by 2, the number is ?

(a) 16
(b) 20
(c) 24
(d) 32

28. What will be 160% of a number whose 200% is 140?

(a)200
(b) 160
(c) 140
(d) 112

29. If 75% of a number is added to 75, the result is the number itself. Then, the number is ?
(a) 400
(b) 300
(c) 60
(d) 50

30. Subtracting 40% of a number from the number, we get the result as 30. The number is?
(a) 28
(b) 50
(c) 52
(d) 70

31. If three fifth of a number is 40 more than 40% of the same number. What is the number?
(a) 100
(b) 150
(c) 200
(d) 400

32. A number, on subtracting 15 from it, reduces to its 80% What is 40%
of that number?
(a)60
(b) 45
(c) 30
(d) 90

33. The population of a town has increased from 133575 to 138918. The percent increase in population is ?
(a)2.5
(b) 3
(c) 3.5
(d) 4

34. If x% of y is the same as 4/5 of 80 , then the value of xy is

(a)320
(b) 400
(c) 640
(d) None

35. Subtracting 6% of x from xi s equivalent to multiplying x by how much?

(a)0 .94
(b) 9.4
(c) 0.094
(d) 94

36. If 8% of x=4% of y, then 20% of x is?

(a) 10% of y
(b) 16% of y
(c) 80% of y
(d) None of these

37. (x % of y+ y % of x ) is?
(a)x % of y
(b) y% of x
(c) 2 % of xy
(d) xy % of 3

38. It is known that 20% of the mangoes are rotten. If number of rotten mangoes is 35, then the total number of mangoes is
(a)150
(b) 175
(c) 180
(d) 185

39. A student has to secure 40% marks to pass. He gets 178 marks and fails by 22 marks. The maximum marks are?
(a)200
(b) 500
(c) 800
(d) 1000

40. A house-owner was having his house painted. He was advised that he would require 25 kg of paint. Allowing for 15%
wastage and assuming that the paint is available in 2kg cans, what would be the cost of paint purchased, if one can cost Rs.
16 ?
(a)Rs. 240
(b) Rs. 180
(c) Rs. 160
(d) Rs. 360

41. A reduction of 12.5% in the price of a dining table brought down its price to Rs. 4375. The original price (in Rs.) of the
table was?
(a)6000
(b) 5400
(c) 5200
(d) 5000

42. In a library, 20% books are Italian , 50% of the remaining are in English and the remaining 9000 are in various other
languages. What is the total number of books in English?
(a)4000
(b) 3000
(c) 2250
(d) None of these

43. Peter spends 30% of his income on scooter petrol, ¼ of the remaining
on house rent and the balance on food. If he spends Rs. 300 on petrol then what is the expenditure on house rent?
(a)Rs 525
(b) Rs. 1000
(c) Rs 675
(d)Rs. 175

44. The price of jute has been reduced by 20%. If the reduced price is Rs. 800 per quintal, the original price per quintal was?
(a)Rs. 900
(b) Rs. 640
(c) Rs. 960
(d) Rs. 1000

45. Sandy spends 40% of his salary on food articles and one third of the remaining on transport. If he saves Rs. 450 per
month which is half of the balance after spending on food items and transport, what is his monthly salary-?
(a)Rs. 4500
(b) Rs. 2250
(c) Rs. 1125
(d) Rs. 2500

46. In an examination, 1100 boys and 900 girls appeared. 50% of the boys
and 40% of the girls passed the examination. The percentage of candidates failed is ?
(a)45
(b) 45.5
(c) 54.5
(d) 59.2

47. Alex secured 50% marks in Hindi, 60% in English and 70% in Maths as well as in Science. What were his total marks if
the maximum marks obtainable in each of these 4 subjects was 50 ?
(a) 125
(b) 120
(c) 250
(d) 150

48. In a city, 35% of the population is composed of migrants, 20% of whom are from rural areas. Of the local population,
48% is female while this figure for rural and urban migrants is 30% and 40% respectively. If the total population of the city is
728400, what is its female population 7
(a)324138
(b) 349680
(c) 509940
(d) None
49. A’s marks in Biology are 20 less than 25% of the total marks obtained by him in Biology, Maths and Drawing. If his marks
in Drawing be 50, what are his marks in Maths 7
(a)40
(b) 45
(c) 50
(d) Can’t be determined

50. An increase of Rs. 60 in the monthly salary of Madan made it 50% of the monthly salary of Kamal. What is Madan’s
present monthly salary 7
(a)Rs. 180
(b) Rs. 240
(c) Rs. 300
(d) Data inadequate

51. A man bought a house for Rs. 5 lakhs and rents it. He puts 12.5% of each month’s rent aside for repairs, pays Rs. 1660
as annual taxes and realises 10% on his investment thereafter. The monthly rent of the house is?
(a)Rs. 5000
(b) Rs. 4920
(c) Rs. 2500
(d) Rs. 2460

52. In a public school, 1/5th of girls and 1/4th of boys are under 12 years of age. If the total strength of the school is 1000
and number of girls is 2/5th of the total, what part of the total strength of the school is accounted for by those which are 12
years or more of age ?
(a)23%
(b) 45%
(c) 55%
(d)77%

53. A debtor can pay 87 paise in the rupee, but if his creditors would take 20% of his debts, he could pay them and have Rs.
42 left. His debts and assets respectively are ?

(a)Rs. 600, Rs. 522

(b) Rs. 500 , Rs. 521
(c)Rs. 400, Rs. 520
(d) Rs. 1000, Rs. 525

54. 300 grams of sugar solution has 40% sugar in it. How much sugar should be added to make it 50% in the solution ?
(a)10 gms
(b) 40 gms
(c) 60 gms
(d) 80 gms

55. The price of an article is cut by 20%. To restore it to the former value, the new price must be increased by?
(a)20%
(b) 25 %
(c) 16
(d) 24%

56. In an examination, there are 3 papers of Mathematics of 100 marks each. A boy secures 60% in the first paper and 70%
in the second paper. In order to secure 70% in the aggregate the percentage of marks he should secure in third paper will
be?
(a)90%
(b) 80%
(c) 75%
(d) 70%

57. 5% of income of A is equal to 15% of income of B and 10% of income of B is equal to 20% of income of C. If income of
C is Rs. 2000, then total income of A, B & C is?
(a)Rs. 6000
(b) Rs. 18000
(c) Rs. 20000
(d) Rs. 14000

58. In an examination, A got 10% marks less than B, B got 25% marks more than C and C got 20% less than D. If A got 360
marks out of 500, the percentage of marks obtained by D was?
(a)70
(b)75
(c) 80
(d) 85

59. In an examination, 80% of the students passed in English, 85% in Mathematics and 75% in both English and
Mathematics. If 40 students failed in both the subjects, the total number of students is
(a)200
(b) 400
(c) 600
(d) 800

60. In an examination, 35% candidates failed in one subject and 42% failed in another subject while 15% failed in both the
subjects. If 2500 candidates appeared at the examination, how many passed in either subject but not in both?
(a)325
(b) 1175
(c) 2125
(d) None of these

61. In an election between two candidates, one got 55% of total valid votes. 20% of the votes were invalid. If the total
number of votes was 7500, the number of valid votes that the other candidate got was
(a)2700
(b) 2900
(c) 3000
(d) 3100

62. At an election involving two candidates, 68 votes were declared invalid. The winning candidate scores 52% and wins by
98 votes. The total number of votes polled is ?
(a)2518
(b) 2450
(c) 2382
(d) None of these

63. A’s income is 25% more than B’s income. B income in terms of A’s
income is?
(a)75%
(b) 80 %.
(c) 90%
(d) 96%

64. Water tax is increased by 20% but its consumption is decreased by 20%.
Then, the increase or decrease in the expenditure of the money is
(a)No change
(b) 5% decrease
(c)4% increase
(d) 4% decrease

65. On increasing the price of T.V. sets by 30%, their sale decreases by 20%.
What is the effect on the revenue receipts of the shop 7
(a)4% increase
(b) 4% decrease
(c)8% increase
(d) 8% decrease

66. The price of sugar increases by 20%. By what percent must a house wife reduce the consumption of sugar, so that the
expenditure on sugar is the same as before 7
(a)16.66
(b)20
(c) 80
(d) 83.33

67. The price of sugar is increased by 20%. As a result, a family decreases its consumption by 25%. The expenditure of the
family on sugar will be decreased by
(a) 10%
(b) 5%
(c) 14%
(d) 15%

Answers :

1 a 16 d 31 c 46 c
2 c 17 a 32 c 47 a
3 d 18 d 33 d 48 d
4 c 19 c 34 d 49 d
5 d 20 b 35 a 50 d
6 d 21 b 36 d 51 b
7 c 22 d 37 c 52 d
8 c 23 c 38 b 53 a
9 a 24 b 39 b 54 c
10 c 25 d 40 a 55 b
11 a 26 c 41 d 56 b
12 b 27 a 42 d 57 b
13 b 28 d 43 d 58 c
14 d 29 b 44 d 59 b
15 d 30 b 45 b 60 b
61 a
62 a
63 b
64 d
65 a
66 a
67 a