Arithmetic Reasoning Word Problems Flashcards

A train leaves Station A at 8:00 AM traveling at 60 mph. Another train leaves Station A at 9:00 AM traveling in the same direction at 80 mph. At what time will the second train catch up to the first?

Answer: 12:00 PM

The first train has a 60-mile head start; the gap closes at 20 mph, so 60 ÷ 20 = 3 hours after 9:00 AM = 12:00 PM.

A store bought 200 shirts for $8 each and sold them for $15 each. What was the total profit?

Answer: $1,400

Profit per shirt = $15 − $8 = $7; total profit = 200 × $7 = $1,400.

If John can paint a fence in 4 hours and Jane can paint the same fence in 6 hours, how long will it take them working together?

Answer: 2 hours 24 minutes

Combined rate = 1/4 + 1/6 = 5/12 fence per hour; time = 12/5 = 2.4 hours = 2 hours 24 minutes.

A box of cereal weighs 18 ounces. If a serving size is 1.5 ounces, how many servings are in the box?

Answer: 12 servings

18 ÷ 1.5 = 12 servings per box.

A bus travels from City A to City B, a distance of 240 miles, in 4 hours. On the return trip, it takes 5 hours. What is the average speed for the entire round trip?

Answer: 53⅓ mph

Total distance = 480 miles; total time = 9 hours; average speed = 480 ÷ 9 ≈ 53⅓ mph.

Kevin earns $2,400 per month. He spends 30% on rent and 15% on groceries. How much money does he have left after these two expenses?

Answer: $1,320

Rent = $720, groceries = $360; $2,400 − $720 − $360 = $1,320 remaining.

A rectangular garden is 15 feet long and 10 feet wide. Fencing costs $3.50 per foot. How much will it cost to fence the entire garden?

Answer: $175

Perimeter = 2(15 + 10) = 50 feet; cost = 50 × $3.50 = $175.