Civil Service Numerical Reasoning Test Percentages and Ratios 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A product is sold for £336 after a 40% mark-up on cost. What was the original cost?
- £240 (Correct answer)
- £250
- £280
- £260
Correct answer: £240
If cost = C, then 1.40C = 336. C = 336 ÷ 1.40 = £240.
Question 2: Three people share a prize in a ratio of 2:3:5. The total prize is £4,000. How much does the person with the largest share receive?
- £2,000 (Correct answer)
- £1,200
- £800
- £1,600
Correct answer: £2,000
Total parts = 10. Largest share (5 parts) = (5/10) × £4,000 = £2,000.
Question 3: A car's value depreciates by 15% per year. It is currently worth £20,000. What will it be worth after one year?
- £17,000 (Correct answer)
- £16,000
- £18,000
- £15,000
Correct answer: £17,000
15% of £20,000 = £3,000. Value after one year = £20,000 − £3,000 = £17,000.
Question 4: A workforce of 500 is 60% female. How many male workers are there?
- 200 (Correct answer)
- 250
- 300
- 150
Correct answer: 200
If 60% are female, 40% are male. 40% of 500 = 200.
Question 5: A ratio problem: If 3 printers produce 270 pages per hour, how many pages would 7 printers produce in an hour?
- 630 (Correct answer)
- 540
- 700
- 490
Correct answer: 630
Each printer produces 270 ÷ 3 = 90 pages/hour. 7 printers = 7 × 90 = 630 pages/hour.
Question 6: A house price rose by 8% last year and a further 5% this year. What is the overall percentage increase?
- 13.4% (Correct answer)
- 13%
- 14%
- 12.5%
Correct answer: 13.4%
After 8%: price = 1.08P. After 5%: price = 1.05 × 1.08P = 1.134P. Overall increase = 13.4%.
Civil Service Numerical Reasoning Test Percentages and Ratios 4
A product is sold for £336 after a 40% mark-up on cost.
What was the original cost?