Numerical Reasoning Aptitude 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An investment of $5,000 earns simple interest at 6% per year. What is the total value after 3 years?
- $5,600
- $5,900 (Correct answer)
- $5,800
- $6,100
Correct answer: $5,900
Interest = 5000 x 0.06 x 3 = $900; total = $5,900.
Question 2: A pipe can fill a tank in 6 hours and another can drain it in 9 hours. If both are open together, how many hours to fill the empty tank?
- 12
- 15
- 18 (Correct answer)
- 20
Correct answer: 18
Net fill rate = 1/6 minus 1/9 = 1/18 per hour; tank fills in 18 hours.
Question 3: If x squared equals 144 and x is positive, what is the value of 3x minus 5?
- 28
- 31 (Correct answer)
- 34
- 37
Correct answer: 31
x = 12; 3(12) minus 5 = 36 minus 5 = 31.
Question 4: A salesperson earns a $2,000 base salary plus 4% commission on sales. If total earnings were $3,400, what were total sales?
- $30,000
- $32,000
- $35,000 (Correct answer)
- $36,000
Correct answer: $35,000
Commission = $1,400; sales = 1400 / 0.04 = $35,000.
Question 5: A number is increased by 30% and then decreased by 20%. What is the net percentage change?
- 4% decrease
- 4% increase (Correct answer)
- 6% increase
- 10% decrease
Correct answer: 4% increase
Net multiplier = 1.30 x 0.80 = 1.04, which represents a 4% increase.
Question 6: Train A leaves at 8:00 AM at 60 mph. Train B leaves the same station at 9:00 AM at 90 mph in the same direction. When does Train B catch Train A?
- 10:00 AM
- 11:00 AM (Correct answer)
- 11:30 AM
- 12:00 PM
Correct answer: 11:00 AM
Train A has a 60-mile head start; closing speed = 30 mph; 60/30 = 2 hours after 9:00 AM = 11:00 AM.
Question 7: What is the least common multiple (LCM) of 12, 18, and 24?
- 36
- 48
- 72 (Correct answer)
- 144
Correct answer: 72
Prime factorizations give LCM = 2 cubed x 3 squared = 72.
Numerical Reasoning Aptitude 3
An investment of $5,000 earns simple interest at 6% per year.
What is the total value after 3 years?