PSAT Math : Percentage
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Math
All PSAT Math Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #31 : Percentage
Three salesmen, Gor, Levon, and Raffi, competed to sell the highest number of cars in the month of August. A total of 250 cars were sold.
Gor sold 100 cars. Levon sold 62% of the remaining cars, and Raffi sold the rest.
How many cars did Raffi sell?
57
77
93
75
39
57
We first subtract the 100 cars that Gor sold from the total of 250 sold. We are left with 150 cars, and we know that Levon sold 62% of them. 100% – 62% = 38%. Hence, Raffi sold 38% of 150 cars. 150 * 0.38 = 57
Example Question #1 : How To Find The Part From The Whole With Percentage
The above graph represents the results of a general election for mayor of Washington City. Hall is a Republican; Johns is a Democrat; the other three are independents.
5,328 people voted for independent candidates. Which is the best estimate for the number of people who voted for Hall?
The green wedge, which represents Hall, is about 45% of the circle. The three wedges representing independents Carson, Franklin, and Lamont - dark red, bright red, and turquoise, respectively - together comprise about 40% of the circle. We can set up, and solve for the unknown in, a proportion statement as follows:
The best estimate of the five is 6,000.
Example Question #1 : How To Find The Part From The Whole With Percentage
The above graph represents the results of a general election for two seats on the city council of Lincoln City. Frankllin and Hall are Democrats; Johns and Lamont are Republicans; Carson is an independent.
6,219 people voted for Republicans. Which of the following is the best estimate for the number of people who voted for Democrats?
The two wedges that represent the Democratic candidates - green (Hall) and dark red (Franklin) - together make up about 60% of the circle. The two wedges that represent the Republican candidates - purple (Johns) and blue (Lamont) - make up about 35% of the circle. We can estimate the number of people who voted for a Democrat using a proportion statement:
10,660 is the best estimate.
Example Question #4 : Whole And Part
A school is made up of 400 students. Each student must belong to one of the four clubs shown in the chart below. How many students are in chorus?
You must first determine the percentage of the students in chorus. To do this, subtract the other percentages from 100: 100 – (35 + 29 + 24) = 12.
Therefore, 12% of the 400 students at this school attend chorus.
To determine the number of students in the chorus, multiply .12 (12%) by 400.
0.12(400) = 48
Certified Tutor
All PSAT Math Resources
