GMAT Math : Calculating percents

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GMAT Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #51 : Percents

Anthony is trying to decide if he should use a coupon for  off  or a coupon for a % discount on the same item. The item costs  before any discounts are applied. Which coupon will save him the most money?

Possible Answers:

 off coupon

The % discount code

Both will save Anthony the same amount

Correct answer:

The % discount code

Explanation:

In order to solve this problem we need to know how much he'll be saving when he uses each:

We already know he can save  with a coupon but what about the discount code?

So, using the discount code he would save  more than using the coupon

Example Question #52 : Percents

In a bag, Mary has  red marbles,  blue marbles, and  green marbles. What percent of the marbles are red?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To calculate the percentage, you must first find the fraction of marbles that are red and then convert the fraction to a percent.

 

Example Question #53 : Percents

In a bag, Mary has  red marbles,  blue marbles, and  green marbles. What percent of the marbles are blue?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To calculate the percentage, you must first find the fraction of marbles that are blue and then convert the fraction to a percent.

 

Example Question #54 : Percents

In a bag, Mary has  red marbles,  blue marbles, and  green marbles. What percent of the marbles are green?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To calculate the percentage, you must first find the fraction of marbles that are green and then convert the fraction to a percent.

 

Example Question #51 : Percents

Convert the following fraction into a percent:

 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To convert a fraction into a percent, you must make the demoniator 100, and then the numerator is the percent. Thus,

Example Question #52 : Percents

Decrease four fifths by twenty percent. What is the result?

Possible Answers:

None of the other responses gives the correct answer.

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Decreasing a number by 20% is the same as taking  of that number. 80% of  is

,

the correct choice.

Example Question #57 : Percents

Four fifths is what percent of twenty?

Possible Answers:

None of the other responses gives the correct answer.

Correct answer:

Explanation:

If  is  percent of 20, then 

Therefore, the correct choice is 4%.

Example Question #58 : Percents

Increase a number by twenty percent to yield four fifths. What is that number?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Increasing a number by 20% is the same as taking  of that number, which we will call . 120% of  is , so

Example Question #53 : Percents

Change the following decimal into a percent.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To convert a decimal into a percent, simply multiply by . Thus,

Example Question #60 : Percents

Decrease a number by  to yield . What is that number?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Decreasing a number by  is the same as taking  of that number, which we will call .  of  is , so

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