Percentage

Theory
( QB – Pages)
Chapter 9
Percentage
Percentage is an important concept that is not limited to theoretical mathematics, but has
a lot of practical applications too (profit-loss questions are mainly based on this concept).
Moreover, graphs are mostly based on percentage.

9.1 PERCENTAGE

Percentage questions mainly assess analysis skills. While solving the problem, be careful
in interpretation of the language and simplification of the problem.

Percent (per cent i.e. per 100), as the word implies, means out of 100. E.g. Adam got 70
70
marks out of 80, which means he got × 100 = 87.5%. (70 out of 80 is equivalent to 87.5
80
out of 100.)

a% of b is c
a
⇒ × b = c
100

i.e.% means 1/100; of means multiplication; is means equals to.

1 1
 To convert fraction to percentage, multiply by 100: E.g. = × 100% = 50%.
2 2
25 1
 To convert percentage to fraction, divide by 100: E.g. 25% = = .
100 4

Percentage to fraction helps to simplify the calculation. E.g. What is 125% of 792?
125
One way is to calculate × 792.
100
Another way is:
125% of 792 = (100 + 25) % of 792

= 100% of 792 + 25% of 792

= 792 + 25% of 792 (100% of 792 is 792.)

1
= 792 + × 792 = 990
4

QB - 79
Formula 1:

final  initial
Percentage change = × 100 %
initial

Note: If percentage change is negative, that means quantity decreases.

Formula 2:

If a quantity changes byp%, then:

p  p 
Final value = initial + × initial = 1   × initial
100  100 

Note: In case of decrease, p is negative. E.g. 700 decreases by 20%.

20
⇒ Final value = 700 − × 700
100

= 700 − 140 = 560

Example 9.1:

Tom invests $4000 in 1997, and receives $4800 in 1998. Find the percentage increase in
his investment.

Solution:

Initial value = 4000, and final value = 4800.

4800 4000
⇒ Percentage increase = × 100 %
4000
800
= × 100 %
4000

= 20%

QB - 80
Example 9.2:

Price of an object increases by 25% and becomes $100. Find the original price.

Solution:
Firstly, “Price of an object increases by 25% and becomes $100” does not mean original
price is 25% less than $100.
Let x be the original price of object. Now, price increases by 25%.
25
⇒ Final value = x + × x = 1.25x
100
However, final price of object is given as $100.
⇒ 1.25x = 100
100
⇒x = = 80
1.25
i.e. original price of object is $80.

Practice Set 9.1

1. If 10% of a number is 5, what is 30% of the same number?

2. A class has 10 boys and 20 girls. What percent of the total students in the class are
boys?

3. Last year Adam weighed 55 lbs. and now he weighs 65 lbs. Find the % increase in his
weight.

4. a) What percent of 50 is 20? b) What percent of 20 is 50?

c) By what percent is 50 greater than 20? d) By what percent is 20 less than 50?

5. After making 10% profit, Peter sold his computer for $100. How much did he buy it
for?

6. a% of b is 40, and b% of 80 is 48. Find the value of a.

7. A 40% discount reduces the price of a laptop by $300. If the discount would have been
20%, then what would be the selling price of laptop?

QB - 81
Answers: Practice Set 9.1

1. 15 4. b) 250 6. 200/3

2. 33.33% 4. c) 150 7. $600

3. 200/11 % 4. d) 60

4. a) 40 5. $ 1000/11

QB - 82
Solutions: Practice Set 9.1

1. 10% of the number is 5.

⇒ 30% of the number is 3 times of 5 i.e. 15.

Number of boys
2. % boys = × 100 %
Total students
10
= × 100 %
30
= 100/3 % = 33.33%

3. Initial weight = 55 lbs. Final weight = 65 lbs.

65 55
% increase = × 100 %
55
10
= × 100 %
55
= 200/11 %

4. a) What % of 50 is 20?

⇒ 50 goes to denominator, because 20 is to be compared with 50.

20
⇒ × 100 = 40%
50

b) What % of 20 is 50?

⇒ 20 goes to denominator, because 50 is to be compared with 20.

50
⇒ × 100 = 250%
20

c) By what % is 50 greater than 20?

50 is greater than 20 by 30. So, 30 is to be compared with 20, i.e. 20 goes to

denominator.

30
⇒ × 100 = 150%
20

QB - 83
 d) By what % is 20 less than 50?
20 is less than 50 by 30. So, 30 is to be compared with 50, i.e. 50 goes to
denominator.
30
⇒ × 100 = 60%
50

10
5. Let the cost price of computer be $x. He made a profit of 10%, i.e. profit is ×x=
100
0.1x
⇒ Selling price = cost price + profit = $100
⇒x + 0.1x = 100
100 1000
⇒x = $ or $
1.1 11

a
6. a% of b is 40 ⇒ × b = 40 … (1)
100
b
b% of 80 is 48 ⇒ × 80 = 48 … (2)
100
By solving equation (2) ⇒b = 60
Substituting b = 60 in equation (1)
⇒a = 200/3 or 66.66

7. Let the original price be $x. 40% discount reduces price by $300.
⇒ Discount of $300 is equal to 40% of original price.
40 300
⇒ × x = 300 ⇒x = = $750
100 0.4
20
20% discount is given ⇒ Selling price = 750 − × 750
100
= 750 − 150 = $600

QB - 84
Class Handout
( QH – Pages)
“TO BE SOLVED ONLY WHEN INSTRUCTED BY YOUR FACULTY : STRICT INSTRUCTION”

PERCENTAGES

If 10% of A is equal to 120% of B, then what Number of students in Mr. Charle’s class
percent of B is A? increased by 5% in the session 2009-2010.
For the next session, 2010-2011, number of
(A) 12%
students in his class, again increased by 5%.
(B) 110% What is the percentage increase in the number
of students for Mr. Charle’s class from 2009-
(C) 120% 2011?

(D) 1200%
%
(E) 12000%

60% of x is increased by 200% to give 450. What

is the value of x? In an experiment, a solution ‘P’ was observed.
In the 1st hour, 8% of solution ‘P’ evaporated.
In the 2nd hour, 5% of remaining solution ‘P’
evaporated. What percent of initial solution ‘P’
is left after 2 hours?

60% of 200 downloads of a mobile app ‘A’ were

on android platform in 2014, whereas 40% of
600 downloads of the mobile app ‘A’ were on
android platform in 2015. What was the percent
change from 2014 to 2015 in the number of A person earns $100 in a day, working for 10
downloads on android platform for the app ‘A’? hours at $10 per hour.
Quantity A Quantity B
% Earnings per day, if Earnings per day,
hourly wage is if working hours
increased by 40% increased by 10%
for working and hourly wage
10 hours increased by 30%

QH - 19
In year 1980, the price of an article was $X. The If radius of a right circular cylinder is increased
price was increased by 12% from 1980–1982 and by 20%, what is the percentage change in the
the increase in price from 1980–1984 was 24%. volume of the cylinder? (Note : Given that the
height of the cylinder remains same.)
Quantity A Quantity B
20%
Percentage change in 12%
price from 1982 - 1984 37%
44%
72.8%
64.8%

Grace is offered a series of two successive

discounts, 20% on sales price of movie ticket
and then x% on reduced price, which is
equivalent to net 40% discount on the sales price
Eddy bought a bicycle at discount for $Y from
of movie ticket.
ranger bicycles. But he sold it to his friend at
Quantity A Quantity B the initial marked price, thereby making 20%
profit on purchase price.
x 20
Quantity A Quantity B
Discount percentage 20%
offered by ranger
bicycles to Eddy

QH - 20
 ANSWER KEY

PERCENTAGE
1. D
2. 250
3. 100
4. 10.25
5. 87.4
6. B
7. B
8. A
9. C
10. B

QH - 62
Practice Questions
( Q – Pages)
 PERCENTAGE

What percent of 30 is 0.3? During an end of season sale, a company gives two
successive discounts of 20% and 30%, which are
0.001 %
equivalent to a net discount of?
0.01 %
20%
0.1 %
30%
1%
44%
10%
50%
56%

What percent of of 340 is 150?

If the length of a rectangle is increased by 25% and
50% the width is decreased by 20%, what is the change
100% in the area of rectangle?

150% 20% decrease

250% 10% decrease

350% 5% decrease
0%
5% increase

Adam paid $20, which was 20% of the cost of a

projector, then what is the remaining amount to be
paid?
Donald saves at least $800 on buying a car being
sold at 20% discount on marked price. What could
$
be the least possible marked price of the car in
dollars?

If length and width of a rectangle are increased by

10% and decreased by 10% respectively, then what
is the net percentage change in area?
2% decrease
1% decrease
0%
1% increase
2% increase
Q - 22
During an off season sale, the price of television is A person doesn’t have to pay any tax if his/her
decreased from $2000 to $1800. What is the income is less than $250,000. A tax of 15% is levied
percentage decrease in the price? on the income above $250,000. If a person pays a
tax of $22,500, what is the income of the person?
1%
2% $
9%
10%
20%

The table below lists the number of mobile phones

sold by different brands.
Samsung Sony HTC Apple
In a company, the number of non-technical 150 302 232 816
employees are one fourth the number of technical
employees. If the non-technical employees are According to the table, the number of Samsung
increased by 20% and technical employees are mobile phones sold was what percent of the total
decreased by 25% than what is the ratio of technical number of mobile phones sold?
to non-technical employees in the company?
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%

An educational institute made a profit of $24,118,

of which $18,174 was donated to charity. Four years ago, Adam bought a plot for an amount
Approximately what percent of the profit was which was 3 times the amount paid by Ben for
donated to charity? another plot. Today the price of Adam’s plot is twice
the price of Ben’s plot.
25%
Quantity A Quantity B
33%
Percent change Percent change
50% in the price of in the price of
66% Adam’s plot Ben’s plot

75%

Q - 23
The present salaries of John and Tom are $800 and A dealer sold 100 units of batteries for $a. If each of
$1500 respectively. the battery costs 20% less than the selling price to
the dealer, then in terms of a, cost of each battery is:
Quantity A Quantity B
(0.006)a
John’s salary after Tom’s salary after
an increase of a decrease of (0.007)a
10% followed by 10% followed by
an increase of 20% a decrease of 20% (0.008)a
(0.009)a
(0.010)a

Mr. Carlos sold a watch at 20% less than the

marked price. If the marked price was 30% more
than the cost price, the selling price was what
percent more than the cost price? During a regular season, product x is sold at a
discount of 10% on the marked price. And during
% off season an additional discount of upto 40% is
given. If the marked price of product x is $2000,
what is the least amount one needs to pay to buy the
product x during the off season?
900

In a festive season sale for a week, Leona got 1000

10% discount on each purchase throughout the 1030
week.
1080
Quantity A Quantity B
1100
Overall percentage 70 %
discount on purchases
by the end of the week

In a restaurant, a service tax of 8% is levied on a

bill of $150. What is the total amount to be paid
In 2007-2008 admission process, 40% of 3000 including the service tax? (in dollars)
seats were enrolled by atheletes and at least 20%
of those were swimmers. Which of the following 151.2
could be the number of seats not enrolled by 158
swimmers? (Note: All swimmers are atheletes.)
160
960
161.2
1200
162
1800
2040
2760

Q - 24
In a bakery shop, 100 chocolates were available. All
but 20 were sold on Monday. Of those sold, 80% is true for all real values of x, a, b and c.
were sold at a price of $15 each, and the remaining What will be the percentage change in the value of
were sold at $20 each. What was the revenue x if ‘a’ is halved, ‘b’ is tripled and ‘c’ is doubled?
generated on Monday from these chocolates?
Increase of 56.25%
1800
Increase of 43.75%
1280
No Change
1200
Decrease of 43.75%
1080
Decrease of 56.25%
1000

Mrs. William gave 24% of her $90 savings to charity

In an office that has 80 male and 120 female whereas the Mrs. George gave 90% of her $24
employees, 5% of the male employees and 10% of savings to charity
female employees got promoted. What percent of
total employees got promoted? Quantity A Quantity B

6% Amount given by Amount given by

Mrs. William Mrs. George
7% to charity to charity
8%
9%
15%
In a mixture having 35% milk and rest water, how
many litres of water must be added to reduce the
milk percentage to 20% of the total volume, if the
volume of the initial mixture is 100 litres?
The construction of a room costs $10,000, which 13 litres
includes cementing cost that is $6,000, wood work
36 litres
cost that is $1,500, and, miscellaneous costs. What
percent of the total cost is the miscellaneous cost? 52 litres
6% 65 litres
21% 75 litres
25%
37%
50%

Q - 25
If price of an article is first increased by x% and William gets two successive hikes of 10% and 20%
then decreased by x%, which of the following is/
in his salary, while his boss Kim gets a 10% hike.
are true for the final price of the article?
After these hikes William’s salary becomes of
It would remain same as the original price
the salary of his boss Kim. If the difference between
It would decrease by ( )% their original salaries is $30,000, what is the current
salary of Kim?
It would increase by ( )%
$45,000
$60,000
$66,000
Mr. Joseph invested $1,800 in share market and $90,000
bought a total of 120 equally priced shares of
company X. The stock value appreciated by 33.33% $160,000
and then depreciated by x%. If the final per unit
cost was $18, what is the value of x?
5%
7.67% In an organization HRA (House rent allowance) &
10% TA (travel allowance) are calculated by taking 30%
and 10% of the basic pay respectively. If after
12.5% promotion the HRA of a certain employee is
13.33% changed from $3000 to $4200. What was the
percentage increase in his TA?
10%
33.33%
40%
The price of a clock was increased first by a% and
then by b% to make it same as the price of another 75%
clock. The same change could have been brought
by just increasing the price of the clock by c%. Cannot be determined

Quantity A Quantity B
a+b c

Q - 26
Which of the following is equivalent to 40 times of For every life insurance scheme sold by an agent,
x percent of 300y ? he recieves $40 plus 20% of the selling price of the
scheme. During a particular week, the agent sold
3 times of 4xy 10 schemes such that the total selling price was
$4500. What was the agent’s commission for that
(10y)% of 12x week? (in dollars)
$ 450
of (4xy2) $ 800
$ 850
(300y) times of $ 940
$ 1300
(4xy)% of 30

Quantity A Quantity B
Maria spends a fixed amount on her outgoing calls Percentage change in Percentage change
every month. If the network provider increases the surface area of a sphere, in volume of right
call rates by 25%, by what percentage should she if radius is increased circular cylinder, if
reduce her time spent on calling to keep her amount by 10% radius is increased
spent on outgoing calls same ? (Total cost is directly by 10%, where height
proportional to talktime.) remains constant.
66.67%
33.33%
50%
25%
A cuboid with dimensions 16 x 14 x 10.
20%
Quantity A Quantity B
Volume of cuboid, if Volume of cuboid,
one of the sides is if one of the sides of
increased by 20% cuboid is increased
by 3 units
The length of a rectangle A is decreased by 40%
and width increased by 50% to form a rectangle B.
Quantity A Quantity B
Area of Area of the
rectangle A square B

Q - 27
The percentage of milk in 100ml. solution X is
twice the percentage of milk in 100ml. solution Y. Mr. William bought shares of two companies, Max
If solution X and solution Y are mixed in the ratio
3 : 2 and 40% of final mixture is milk, what would and Duke. The amount invested in Max was 3 times
be the percentage of milk in the solution Y ?
of the amount invested in Duke but after two year
25%
40% the profit from Max was of the profit from Duke.

52% If the profit from Duke was of the investment done

60%
in Max, what is his overall profit percentage?
68%
6.25%
12.5%
31.25%

A earns $200 per day and saves 40% of his earning 40%
and spends the rest, whereas B saves 45% less than None of the above
what A saves and spends the rest, which is 55% more
than what A spends.
Quantity A Quantity B
B’s earnings 200

The mileage of Joseph’s car is 12.5 miles/lt. on city

roads whereas the mileage goes up by 20% on
highways. Approximately how many litres of petrol
would be consumed if he drives 415 miles on
highway only?
21 litres
23 litres
28 litres
33 litres
42 litres

Q - 28
Wilson bought a microwave oven for x dollars, An item, when sold at a certain price, yields r%
which included 11% sales tax on the discounted profit on cost price. Had it been sold for $s more,
price. If the discounted price was 25% less than the the profit percentage would have been t% of cost
marked price, which of the following represents the price. What is its cost price?
marked price of the oven in terms of x?

Q - 29
Answers
 ANSWER KEY
TOPIC-WISE QUANTITATIVE PRACTIC QUESTIONS
PERCENTAGE 22 C
1 D 23 C
2 C 24 D

3 80 25 C

4 B 26 E

5 C 27 B

6 D 28 C

7 4000 29 B

8 D 30 C
31 C
9
32 D
10 E 33 E
11 400,000 34 A
12 B 35 E
13 B 36 C
14 B 37 D
15 4 38 A
16 B 39 A
17 C, D, E 40 C
18 C 41 C
19 D 42 E
20 E 43 B
21 B
 Answer
Explanations
Percentage
GRE Book 1 - SOLUTIONS
1. What Percent of 30 is 0.3
𝑥 % of 30 is 0.3 What is replaced by x.

𝑥
× 30 = 0.3 To remove % symbol, divide by 100,
100

Is replaced by ‘=’ and

‘of‘ is for multiplication
0.3 ×10 3
𝑥= =3=1
3

Hence, 1 percent of 30 is 0.3.

Therefore, D is the answer.
Ans. (D)

5
2. What percent of 17of 340 is 150.
5
𝑥% of 17of 340 is 150 What is replaced by 𝑥 .

𝑥 5 To remove % symbol, divide by 100,

× × 340 = 150
100 17
Is replaced by ‘=’

𝑥=150 and ‘of‘ is for multiplication

5
Hence, 150 percent of 17of 340 is 150.
Therefore, C is the option.
Ans. (C)

3. Adam paid 20% of the cost of a projector.

→ Which means remaining amount = 80% of cost is to be paid.
If the cost of projector is P

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Percentage
GRE Book 1 - SOLUTIONS
Adam paid $20 = 20% of cost of projector
20
→ $20 = 100 𝑜𝑓 P To remove % symbol, divide by 100,
20
→ $20 = 100 × P and ‘of‘ is for multiplication
20×100
→$ =P
20

→ P = $100

Therefore, 80% of the cost of the projector is to be paid.

80
→ × $100
100

= $80
Ans. (80)

4. Given, in a rectangle length increased by 10% and width decreased by 10%

Area of rectangle = Length × Width
A=L×W

After 10% increase in length After 10% decrease in width

→ New length would be 110% → New width would be 90% of
of 𝐿. 𝑊.

Any change in length and width would impact the area, correspondingly the area will
change.
Since there is multiplication sign in between length and width, this indicates that
successive increase or decreases or one increase and one decrease is applicable.
𝐴𝐵
Net percentage change in area = (A + B + 100)%

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Percentage
GRE Book 1 - SOLUTIONS
Put, A = + 10% and B = - 10%

+ve sign indicates increase in value of 𝐿

-ve sign indicates decrease in value of 𝑊

−10 ×+10
Net percentage change in area = (+ 10 − 10 + )%
100
100
Net percentage change in area = (+ 10 − 10 −100)%
Net percentage change in area = (− 1) %

Hence, Net percentage change in area is 1% decrease.

Alternate approach
New area of rectangle will be
New Area = New length × New width
New Area = 110% of L × 90% of W
New Area = 110% × 90% × L × W
New Area = 99% × L × W
New Area = 99% of Original Area
Hence, Net percentage change in area is 1% decrease.
Therefore, B is the option.
Ans. (B)

5. Given the company is giving two successive discounts of 20% and 30%.
Which means price is first decreased by 20%, and then new price further decreased
by 30%

𝐴𝐵
Net or Overall % change = (𝐴 + 𝐵 + 100)%

Or
𝐴𝐵
Net or Overall discount % = (𝐴 + 𝐵 + 100)%

A = −20%, B = −30% (negative sign indicates decrease in value)

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Percentage
GRE Book 1 - SOLUTIONS
−20×−30
Net or Overall discount percentage = (− 20 − 30 + )%
100
600
Net or Overall discount percentage = (− 50 + )%
100

Net or Overall discount percentage = (− 50 +6) %

Net or Overall discount percentage = (−44) %
That means, net discount percentage is 44%.
Hence, the answer is C.
Ans. (C)
6. Given in a rectangle length increased by 25% and width decreased by 20%.
Area of rectangle = length × width
A=L×W

After 25% increase in length, After 20% decrease in width,

New length =125% of 𝐿 New width = 80% of 𝑊

Any change in length and width would impact the area, correspondingly area will
change. Since there is multiplication sign between length and width, formula of
successive increases/decreases or one increase and one decrease is applicable.

𝐴𝐵
Net percentage change in area = (A + B + 100)%
A=25%, B= -20%
+VE sign indicates increase in value of 𝐿
-VE sign indicates decrease in value of 𝑊

(25)(−20)
Net percentage change = (25 – 20 + )%
100
= (5 – 5) % = 0%.
Ans. (D)

Alternate approach
New Area of Rectangle= New length × New width

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Percentage
GRE Book 1 - SOLUTIONS
New area = (125% of L × 80% of W)
= 100% × L × W
= 100% of the original area.
Hence, net percentage change in area is 0% or we can also say that the area remains
the same.
Therefore, D is the option.
Ans. (D)

7. Donald saves at least $800 by 20% discount.

If 𝑀 is the marked price,
Discount at least $800.
Discount ≥ $800

As the discount is 20% on marked price.

20% of 𝑀 ≥ 800 To remove % symbol, divide by 100

and ‘of’ is for multiplication.
20
× 𝑀 ≥ 800
100
M ≥ 4000
The question is asking the least possible marked price of the car in dollars.
Therefore, the least value of the marked price would be $4000.

Ans. ($4000)

8. Original price of television =$2000

Decreased price during off season sale = $1800

Difference in prices = $2000 − $1800= $200.

If decrease in the price is 𝑥%, that means decrease is 𝑥% of 2000.
𝑥% of 2000 = 200

𝑥 To remove % symbol, divide by 100

× 2000= 200 and ‘of’ is for multiplication.
100

𝑥 = 10%
Ans. (D)

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Percentage
GRE Book 1 - SOLUTIONS

9. If number of non-technical employees =N

And number of technical employees =T
𝑇
Given N= 4
→ 𝑇 = 4𝑁 ………………… (1) To remove % symbol,
Number of non-technical employees divide by 100 and ‘of’
increased by 20%. means multiplication

→ Number of non-technical employees =120% of N = 120%×N

Number of technical employees decreased by 25%

Number of technical employees = 75% of T =75%×T
Ratio of technical and non-technical employees in the company
75%×𝑇 75%×4𝑁 300%𝑁 5
= 120%×𝑁 = 120%𝑁 = 2 (from (1))
120%×𝑁

𝟓
Ans. (𝟐)

10. Profit made by the educational institute = $24118

Profit donated to charity= $18174.
If 𝑥% of profit is donated to charity,
Since question is asked to
𝑥% of 24118 = 18174 find approximate value.
So, we will take approximate values
for 24118 and 18174

𝑥% of 24000 = 18000

𝑥 To remove % symbol, divide

× 24000 = 18000
100 by 100 and ‘of’ means
multiplication
18000 × 100
𝑥= = 75%
24000

Therefore, the answer is 75%.

Ans. (E)

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Percentage
GRE Book 1 - SOLUTIONS
11. If S represents the total salary (both taxable and non-taxable)
And given, there is no tax for an income of $250000 or less.
= $(𝑆 − 250000) is taxable income.
Given 15% of taxable income is 22500
15% of (𝑆 − 250000) = 22500
15
× (𝑆 − 250000) = 22500
100

22500 × 100
𝑆 – 250000 =
15
𝑆 – 250000 = 150000
Therefore, income of person S = 400000.
Ans. (400,000)

12. Given Samsung mobiles sold=150

Total number of mobiles sold=150 + 302 + 232 + 816 = 1500
If𝑥% of total mobiles sold are of Samsung,
𝑥% of 1500=150 To remove % symbol,
𝑥
× 1500 = 150 divide by 100 and ‘of’
100 means multiplication
𝑥 = 10%
Option B is the answer
Ans. (B)

13. As the question says,

Ben’s plot cost Adam’s plot cost

4 years ago B (initial value) 3B (initial value)

Today’s cost P (final value) 2P (final value)

7
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GRE Book 1 - SOLUTIONS
Quantity A Quantity B
Percentage change in the Price of Percentage change in the Price of Ben’s
Adam’s plot plot
𝐹𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙−𝐼𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙
Percentage change= × 100
𝐼𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙

2𝑃 − 3𝐵 𝑃−𝐵
× 100 × 100
3𝐵 𝐵
2𝑃 − 3𝐵 𝑃−𝐵
3 1
2𝑃 − 3𝐵 3𝑃 − 3𝐵
3 3

Quantity B is greater.
Ans. (B)

14. Present salary of John =$800

Present salary of Tom=$1500
Quantity A Quantity B
John’s salary after a increase of Tom’s salary after a decrease of 10%
10%followed by an increase of 20% followed by a decrease of 20%

110 120 90 80
800 × × 1500 × ×
100 100 100 100
8×11×12 15×9×8
132 135

Quantity B is greater.
Ans.(B)

15. Given selling price = 20% less than marked price.

Also, marked price is 30% more than cost price
Cost price =100
Since the complete data is given in %ages.
Marked price =130 Cost price can be taken as 100. So that
calculation becomes

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GRE Book 1 - SOLUTIONS
Selling price is 20% less than marked price
20×130
Selling Price =130 − = 104 Selling price is $4 more than cost price
100
If the selling price is x% more than cost
price
𝑥 To remove % symbol, divide by 100
× 100 = 4
100
𝑥 = 4%
Ans. (4)

16. Given Liona got a 10% discount on each purchase throughout the week.
If T is the total of all the purchases, then Liona got a 10% discount on total T.
If Liona buys N products in one bill in a day with a discount 10% or Liona buys N
products in multiple bills on different days, but discount percentage would remain
10%.
For example, we buy 5 denims in one bill or 5 bills, and the discount percentage
remains the same. By purchasing all products in different bills does not mean
discount will increase.

10% of (500) = 10% of (100 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 100)

Quantity A Quantity B
Overall percentage discount on 70%
purchase by the end of the week
= 10%

Quantity B is greater.
Ans.(B)

17. It is given that the total number of seats = 3000

Number of athletes = 40% of 3000
40
= 100 × 3000 = 1200
Given that at least 20% of the athletes are swimmers.

Therefore, minimum number of swimmers = 20% of 1200

20
= 100 × 1200 = 240

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GRE Book 1 - SOLUTIONS

And the maximum number of swimmers =1200 (since at least 20% of athletes are
swimmers)

Maximum number of seats = Total seats – Minimum seats enrolled by swimmers

= 3000 – 240 = 2760

Minimum number of seats = Total seats – Maximum seats enrolled by swimmers

= 3000 – 1200 = 1800
Number of seats not enrolled by swimmers:
1800≤Number of seats enrolled by non-swimmers ≤ 2760
Ans. (C, D and E)

18. Selling price of 100 units of batteries = a

𝑎
Selling price of 1 unit =100
Given that the cost price is 20% less than the selling price of each battery.
If the cost price is C, 80% of selling price is cost price
80 𝑎
C = 100 × 100 = 0.008𝑎
Ans.(C)

19. It is given that Marked price =2000

Discount of 10% on marked price = 2000 – 10% of 2000
= 2000 – 200
=1800
To pay the least amount, one should get maximum possible discount which is 40%
40×1800
Least possible price = 1800 – 100
= 1800 – 720 = 1080
Ans.(D)

Alternate solution

Marked price = $2000

Discount of 10% is given on marked price
90
i.e. 90% of marked price is selling price = 100 × 2000 = 1800
During off season additional discount of 40% is given

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GRE Book 1 - SOLUTIONS
= 60% of 1800
60×1800 % symbol means divide by 100,
= = 1080
100 ‘of’ means multiplication

Ans.(D)
20. Given that the bill = $150
Total amount = Bill+ Service tax
= 150 + 8% of 150 Or, 108% of 150
8
= 150 + 100 × 150
= 150 + 12
= 162
Ans.(E)

21. It is given that the total chocolates = 100

All but 20 were sold i.e. 100 – 20 = 80 were sold.
80% of 80 were sold at $15 each

80
i.e. 100 × 80 = 64 chocolates were sold at $15 each.
Selling Price of 80 chocolates = 64 ×15 =960

Remaining chocolates = 80– 64 = 16

Selling Price of the 16 chocolates = 16 × 20 = 320

So, total revenue = Selling Price of 64 chocolates + Selling Price of the 16 chocolates
= 960+320
=1080
Ans.(D)

22. Number of male employees = 80

5% of male employees got promoted
5×80
⇨ 5% of 80 = =4
100
Number of female employees = 120
10% of female employees got promoted
10×120
⇨ 10% of 120 = = 12
100
Total number of employees who got promoted
= Number of female employees promoted + Number of male employees
promoted
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GRE Book 1 - SOLUTIONS
= 12 + 4
=16

𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑚𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑒𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑜𝑦𝑒𝑒𝑠
Percentage of employees who got promoted = × 100
𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑒𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑜𝑦𝑒𝑒𝑠
16 16
=80+120 × 100 = × 100 = 8%
200

Ans.(C)

23. Cost of construction of room = $10000

Cost of cementing = $6000
Cost of wood work = $1500
Now, Cost of construction of the room = Cost of cementing + Cost of wood work +
cost of miscellaneous work
Then, the cost of miscellaneous work = Cost of construction of the room – (Cost of
cementing + Cost of woodwork)
= $ 10000 – $(6000+1500)
= $ 2500
𝐶𝑜𝑠𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑖𝑠𝑐𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑒𝑜𝑢𝑠 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑘
% of total spent on miscellaneous work = × 100
𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑡
2500
= 10000 × 100 = 25%
Ans.(C)

2𝑥 3𝑎𝑏2 27 𝑎𝑏2
24. We are given that = i.e. 𝑥=
9 𝑐3 2 𝑐3
𝑎
Given a is halved, = ‘a’ becomes 2
b is tripled = ‘b’ becomes 3b
c is doubled = ‘c’ becomes 2c

𝑎 2
27 2 (3𝑏) 27𝑎×9𝑏2 27 ×9 𝑎𝑏2
the final value of 𝑥, 𝑥1 = = =
2 (2𝑐)3 2×2×23 ×𝑐 3 32 𝑐3

𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒−𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒

Percentage change in 𝑥= × 100
𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒
27×9𝑎𝑏2 27𝑎𝑏2
− 2 3
32𝑐3 𝑐
= 27𝑎𝑏2
× 100
2 𝑐3
27𝑎𝑏2 9
( − 1)×100
2 𝑐3 16
= 27𝑎𝑏2
2 𝑐3

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GRE Book 1 - SOLUTIONS
9
= (16 − 1) × 100
7
= − 16 × 100 = −0.4375 × 100
= 43.75% decrease
Ans.(B)

25. Given Mrs. Williams gave 24% of her $90 savings to charity.
Mrs. George gave 90% of her $24 savings to charity.

Quantity A Quantity B
Amount given by Mrs. Williams to Amount given by Mrs. George to
charity charity

To remove % symbol divide by

100, ‘of’ means multiplication
24×90 90×24
= =
100 100

Quantity A is equal to Quantity B.

Ans.(C)

26. It is given that initial volume of the mixture = 100 litre, of which 35% is milk, i.e.
35
× 100 = 35 litres, and rest is water.
100

Let us assume ‘x’ litres of water is added and so the new volume of mixture becomes
= (100 + 𝑥) litres

Since only water is added, we can say that the volume of milk in new solution
remains unchanged. i.e. 35 litres.
35
So, the milk % in the new volume (100+𝑥) is given as 20%,
35
Therefore, (100+𝑥) × 100 = 20
35 20
i.e. 100+𝑥 = 100
35 1
i.e. =
100+𝑥 5
i.e. 175 = 100 + 𝑥
i.e. 𝑥 = 75 litres

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GRE Book 1 - SOLUTIONS
Hence, 75 litres of water is added and the answer is E.
Ans.(E)

27. Net successive percent change when something changes by 𝑥% and then changes by
𝑦% is given by:
𝑥𝑦
(𝑥 + 𝑦 + 100 ) %
Given that the price first increased by x% and then decreased by 𝑥%
𝑥(−𝑥)
Change in price = (𝑥 – 𝑥 + )%
100
(-ve sign indicates decrease in value)
−𝑥 2
= 100 % (+ve sign indicates increase in value)

Ans.(B)

28. It is given that Mr. Joseph invested $1800 in the market, in 120 equally priced shares.
1800
Hence, price of each share = = $15
120
Final price of the unit is given as $18.

Let us calculate the % increase in price using the formula:

𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒−𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒
Percent increase = ( ) × 100
𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒
18 − 15
= ( ) × 100
15
= 20%
Question mentions, stock value (i.e. $15 initially) increased by 33.33% and then
decreased by 𝑥%, and net % change from final to initial value is 20% (calculated
above).

Using the formula: 𝑎% change followed by 𝑏% change,

𝑎𝑏
Then net change = (𝑎 + 𝑏 + 100)% (decrease should be taken as negative)
33.33𝑥
20 = 33.33 – 𝑥 –
100
3333 − 100𝑥 − 33.33𝑥
20 =
100
133.33𝑥 = 1333

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GRE Book 1 - SOLUTIONS
1333
𝑥 = = 10%
133.33
Hence, the answer is C.
Ans.(C)

29. Two successive increase of 𝑎% and 𝑏% is overall equal to the net percentage change
𝑎𝑏
of (𝑎 + 𝑏 + ) % = 𝑐%
100
𝑎𝑏
i.e. 𝑎 + 𝑏 + = 𝑐
100
𝑎𝑏
Since a and b are positive, so 100> 0.
𝑎𝑏
As we are adding some positive value to a and b to get c, therefore 𝑎 + 𝑏 < 𝑐
100
Hence, Quantity B is more than Quantity A.
Ans.(B)

30. Let us assume the original salary of William is x.

Then, original salary of Kim = 30,000 + x

It is given that William gets two successive hikes of 10% and 20% in his salary while
Kim gets a 10% hike.

Now, two successive increase of a% and b% is overall equal to the net percentage
𝑎𝑏
change of (𝑎 + 𝑏 + 100) %

So, Net percent increase in William’s salary after two successive hikes
10 × 20
= 10 + 20 +
100
= 30 + 2
= 32

William’s salary after hikes = 132% of 𝑥

Kim’s salary after 10% hike = 110% of (30,000 + 𝑥)

3
Also, William’s salary after hike = 5 salary of Kim after hike

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GRE Book 1 - SOLUTIONS
3
132% 𝑜𝑓 𝑥 = × 110% × (30,000 + 𝑥)
5
132 3 110
× 𝑥 = × × (30,000 + 𝑥)
100 5 100
3
132𝑥 = × 110 × (30,000 + 𝑥)
5
3
12𝑥 = × 10 × (30,000 + 𝑥)
5
12𝑥 = 6 × (30,000 + 𝑥)
2𝑥 = 30,000 + 𝑥
𝑥 = 30,000

Original Salary of Kim = 30,000 + 30,000 = 60,000

110
Salary after hike of 10% = 100 × 60,000 = 66,000
Hence, the answer is C.
Ans.(C)

31. It is given that HRA and TA are calculated by taking 30% and 10% of the basic pay
respectively.
After promotion of a certain employee, HRA is changed from $3000 to $4200.
Now, we can say that the percent increase will be the same for the basic pay, HRA
and TA.
(4200−3000)
Percent increase in HRA = × 100=40%
3000
𝐹𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑉𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒−𝐼𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒
(percent change = × 100)
𝐼𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒
If HRA increases by 40%, then TA also increases by 40%.
Ans.(C)

32. Here, we need to convert verbal description into mathematical form.

40 times means multiplied by 40
40 times of 𝑥 percent of 300y
𝑥
= 40 × 100 × 300𝑦 Percent means out of 100,

= 120𝑥𝑦 ‘of’ means multiplication

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GRE Book 1 - SOLUTIONS
A) 3 times 4𝑥𝑦 = 3 × 4𝑥𝑦 = 12𝑥𝑦

10𝑦 12𝑥𝑦
B) (10𝑦)% of 12𝑥 = 100 × 12𝑥 = 10

30 30 12𝑥𝑦
C) ( 𝑦 ) % 𝑜𝑓 4𝑥𝑦 2 = 𝑦×100 4𝑥𝑦 2 = 10

2 300𝑦×2𝑥
D) 300𝑦 times of (5𝑥)= = 120𝑥𝑦
5

4𝑥𝑦 12𝑥𝑦
E) 4𝑥𝑦% of 30 = 100 × 30 = 10
Ans.(D)

33. Amount spent = call rate × talk time

Given call rates are increased by 25%
There is a multiplication sign between call rate and talk time.
Now, we know that if something changes by 𝑥% and then changes by 𝑦% then the
net percent change is given by;
𝑥𝑦
Net percent change = (𝑥 + 𝑦 + 100 ) %
Here, the call rate is increasing by 25% and to get the amount spent the same, we
need to decrease the talk time by let us say y% which gives us two successive percent
changes.
Since, the net impact is 0. So, the formula gives us
25𝑦
25 + 𝑦 + =0
100
𝑦 = − 20%
Ans.(E)

34. We know that the area of rectangle = length × width

Given length is decreased by 40% that means the area is decreased by 40%
And width is increased by 50% that means the area is increased by 50%
Now, we know that if something changes by𝑥% and then changes by 𝑦% then the
net percent change is given by
𝑥𝑦
Net percent change = (𝑥 + 𝑦 + )%
100

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GRE Book 1 - SOLUTIONS
(−40)(50)
So, the net percent change in the area of A = (- 40 + 50 + )%
100
(negative sign indicates decrease in value)
= (10 – 20) %
= - 10% i.e. 10 % decrease
= 90% of the area of rectangle A

Quantity A Quantity B
Area of rectangle A Area of rectangle B
100% 90%

Quantity A is greater.
Ans.(A)

Alternate method
It is given that the length of rectangle is decreased by 40%
40𝑙
New length 𝑙1 = 0.6𝑙 (𝑙1 = 𝑙 − 100)
And width of reactance increased by 50%
50𝑤
New width 𝑤1 = 1.5𝑤 (𝑤1 = 𝑤 + )
100
Quantity A Quantity B
Area of rectangle A Area of rectangle B
𝑙×𝑤 (0.6𝑙) (1.5𝑤) = 0.9𝑙𝑤

Since, 𝑙 × 𝑤 >0.9𝑙𝑤, Quantity A is greater.

Ans.(A)

35. Given an agent receives 20% of the selling price of the scheme and $40 per scheme.
Total selling price = $4500
Since, he is getting 20% of the selling price of each scheme.
That means, 20% of(SP1 +SP1 +SP3 +. . .. + SP9 +SP10) = 20% of Total selling price

SP1 ,SP2,SP3,SP4 …. SP10 are selling prices of 10 schemes.

20×4500
20% of selling price = = 900 To remove % symbol divide by
100
100 and ‘of’ means multiplication
Also, on 1 scheme he got = $10.

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GRE Book 1 - SOLUTIONS
So, on 10 schemes the amount he will get = 10 × 40 = $400
∴ Total commission = $400 + $900 = $1300
Ans.(E)

36.

Quantity A Quantity B
Percentage change in the surface Percentage change in volume of
area of a sphere, if radius is right circular if, radius is
increased by 10% increased by 10%, height being
constant.
Surface area of sphere = Volume of a right circular
4× 𝜋𝑟 2 cylinder = 𝜋𝑟 2 ℎ
=4×π×r×r =π×r×r×h
Since, the formula is giving Since, the formula is giving
us successive percent us successive percent
increase if radius is increase if radius is
increased by 10%, so we increased by 10%, height
can use the formula for being constant, so we can
net percent change which use the formula for net
is given by, percent change which is
Net percent change = given by,
𝑥𝑦
(𝑥 + 𝑦 + 100 ) % Net percent change =
𝑥𝑦
(𝑥 + 𝑦 + 100 ) %

Net percent change = Net percent change =

(10)(10) (10)(10)
10+10+[ ]% 10+10+[ ]%
100 100

Net percent change = 21% Net percent change = 21%

Since both quantities are equal, the answer is C.

Ans.(C)

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GRE Book 1 - SOLUTIONS

37. Dimensions of cuboid is given as 16× 14 × 10.

Quantity A Quantity B
Volume of the cuboid if one of the Volume of the cuboid if one of the
sides is increased by 20% sides is increased by 3 units

Since, we don’t know which side we are increasing by 10% and by 3 units so
we cannot compare the quantities. For example, if we increase 16 in both
the quantities then we get,
(120% × 16) × 14 × 10 (16 +3) × 14 × 10

19.2 × 14 × 10 19× 14 × 10

19.2 19

Here, we can see that Quantity A is greater.

If we increase 16 in Quantity A and 14 in Quantity B, then we get

(120% × 16) × 14 × 10 16 × (14 + 3) × 10

19.2 × 14 × 10 16 × 17 × 10

19.2 × 14 16 × 17
268.8 272
Here, Quantity B is greater than Quantity A.

Ans.(D)
38. As percentage of milk in solution 𝑋istwice the percentage of milk insolution 𝑌.
Let us assume percentage of milk in solution 𝑌 = 𝑎%
Then, percentage of milk in solution 𝑋 = 2𝑎%
Since, Solution 𝑋and solution 𝑌are mixed in the ratio 3:2
i.e. 3 portions of solution 𝑋 and 2 portions of solution 𝑌.

300ml of solution 𝑋 and 200 ml of solution 𝑌.

→ final mixture is 500ml

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GRE Book 1 - SOLUTIONS

Also, the quantity of milk in the final mixture is 40%.

So, we get:2𝑎% of 300ml+ 𝑎% of 200ml = 40% of (500 ml)

2𝑎 ×300ml+ 𝑎 × 200ml = 40 × (500 ml)
6𝑎 + 2𝑎 = 200
8 𝑎 = 200
𝑎 = 25
i.e. 25% milk in solution 𝑌
Ans.(A)

39. Earnings of A = $200

Savings of A = 40% of earnings
40×200
= 100
= 80

The amount spent by A = Earnings – Savings

= 200 - 80 = 120

Given B saves 45% less than what A saves

= 55% of A’s savings
55
= 100 × 80 = $44

Then, the amount B spends = 155% of the amount spend by A

155×120
= = 120 + 66 = 186
100

B’s earnings = B’s expenditure + B’s savings

= 180 + 44
= 230
Quantity A Quantity B
B’s earnings 200
230 200

Quantity A is greater.
Ans.(A)

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GRE Book 1 - SOLUTIONS
40. Mileage increases by 20% on highways
i.e. mileage on highways = 120% of 12.5
= 1.2(12.5) = 15 miles/litre
Total number of miles driven on highway = 415
𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑑
∴ Amount of petrol consumed = 𝑀𝑖𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑜𝑛 ℎ𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑤𝑎𝑦

415 450
= or Approximately less than To make calculations simple, 415 approximated
15 15
to 450. So that 450 can be divisible by 15.
= 27.66 or less than 30
Therefore, option C, 28 is closest.
Ans.(C)

41. Since we have many categories in the question, let us use the table approach.
Max Duke
Investment
Profit

Let us assume the amount invested in Duke is d.

Then the amount invested in Max = 3d

Max Duke
Investment 3d d
Profit

1 3𝑑
Also, it is given that profit from Duke = 4 of 3𝑑 = 4
3𝑑 𝑑
Then, the profit from Max = 2/3 ( ) =
4 2
So, we get
Max Duke
Investment 3d d
Profit 𝑑 3𝑑
2 4

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Percentage
GRE Book 1 - SOLUTIONS
He has to find total profit is what percent of total investment.

𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑓𝑖𝑡
Profit % = 𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑖𝑛𝑣𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 × 100
𝑑 3𝑑
(2 + 4 )
= × 100
3𝑑+𝑑
5𝑑
= 16×𝑑 × 100
= 31.25%
Ans.(C)

42. Let us assume ‘m’ is the marked price of oven.

Given that 25% discount is given on marked price
Hence the reduced price = 75% of marked price
75𝑚
= = 0.75𝑚
100
And there is a sales tax of 11% on discount price i.e. 11% more is paid
Selling Price = 111% of 0.75𝑚
𝑥 = (1.11) × 0.75𝑚
(11% more means multiply the number by 1.11)
𝑥
𝑚 =
(0.75) × (1.11)
Ans.(E)

43. If ‘c’ is the cost price, and sold at r % profit,

𝑡
Selling price =c[1 + 100]
Had it been sold for $s more, profit is t%
𝑟 𝑡
c[1 + 100] + 𝑠 = 𝑐 [1 + 100]

𝑡 𝑟
c[1 + 100]- c[1 + 100]=s

𝑡 𝑟
c(1 + 100 − 1 − 100)=s

𝑐(𝑡−𝑟)
=𝑠
100

100𝑠
C = 𝑡−𝑟
Ans.(B)

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