BMST - Basic Math and Science Ratios, Proportions, and Percentages Questions and Answers

Question 1

A chemical solution contains acid and water in a ratio of 4:5. If the total volume of the solution is 72 liters, what is the volume of acid in the solution?

Accepted Answer

32 liters

Answer

The ratio of acid to water is 4:5. This means there are 4 + 5 = 9 parts in total. To find the volume of one part, divide the total volume by the total number of parts: 72 liters / 9 parts = 8 liters per part. The volume of acid is 4 parts, so 4 parts * 8 liters/part = 32 liters.

Question 2

A new machine can produce 150 widgets in 6 minutes. If the machine maintains this constant rate, how many widgets can it produce in one hour?

Accepted Answer

1500

Answer

This is a proportion problem. First, find the rate per minute: 150 widgets / 6 minutes = 25 widgets per minute. Since there are 60 minutes in an hour, multiply the per-minute rate by 60: 25 widgets/minute * 60 minutes/hour = 1500 widgets.

Question 3

A laboratory sample initially weighed 120 grams. After a dehydration process, its weight was reduced to 96 grams. What was the percentage decrease in the weight of the sample?

Accepted Answer

20%

Answer

To find the percentage decrease, first calculate the amount of weight lost: 120 grams - 96 grams = 24 grams. Then, divide the amount of decrease by the original weight and multiply by 100: (24 / 120) * 100 = 0.20 * 100 = 20%.

Question 4

A technician is preparing a saline solution. Which of the following represents the highest concentration of salt?

Accepted Answer

10 grams of salt in 50 grams of water

Answer

To compare the concentrations, calculate the percentage of salt for each option. A) 15/115 ≈ 13.0%. B) 10/60 ≈ 16.7%. C) 25/175 ≈ 14.3%. D) 5/35 ≈ 14.3%. The highest concentration is 10 grams of salt in 50 grams of water (which is a total solution of 60 grams). Alternatively, simplify the ratios: A) 3:20, B) 1:5 or 4:20, C) 1:6, D) 1:6. The ratio 1:5 is the highest concentration of salt.

Question 5

In a manufacturing plant, 60% of the employees are machine operators. Of the remaining employees, 25% are in maintenance. If there are 120 employees in maintenance, what is the total number of employees in the plant?

Accepted Answer

1000

Answer

If 60% are operators, then 100% - 60% = 40% of employees are not operators. The maintenance staff is 25% of this remaining 40%. So, maintenance staff represents 0.25 * 40% = 10% of the total employees. If 120 employees represent 10% of the total, we can set up the equation 0.10 * Total = 120. Solving for Total gives Total = 120 / 0.10 = 1200 employees.

BMST - Basic Math and Science Test Practice Test

BMST - Basic Math and Science Test Practice Test

BMST - Basic Math and Science Ratios, Proportions, and Percentages Questions and Answers