BSEP - Basic Skills Education Program Arithmetic Reasoning Word Problems Questions and Answers

Question 1

A supply clerk issues 3/5 of his stock of 2,500 pencils. The following day, he issues 1/4 of the remaining pencils. How many pencils are left in stock?

Accepted Answer

750

Answer

First, calculate the number of pencils issued on the first day: (3/5) * 2500 = 1500 pencils. Then, find the remaining stock: 2500 - 1500 = 1000 pencils. On the second day, he issues 1/4 of the remaining pencils: (1/4) * 1000 = 250 pencils. Finally, subtract the second day's issue from the remaining stock to find the final amount: 1000 - 250 = 750 pencils.

Question 2

A vehicle travels at a rate of 60 miles per hour. If a trip takes 4 hours and 30 minutes, what is the total distance traveled in miles?

Accepted Answer

270 miles

Answer

To solve this, use the formula Distance = Rate × Time. First, convert the time to hours. 30 minutes is 0.5 hours, so the total time is 4.5 hours. Then, multiply the rate by the time: 60 mph * 4.5 hours = 270 miles.

Question 3

A rectangular storage room is 15 feet long and 8 feet wide. If boxes that are each 2 feet by 2 feet need to be stored flat on the floor, what is the maximum number of boxes that can fit?

Accepted Answer

30

Answer

First, find the area of the storage room: Area = Length × Width = 15 ft × 8 ft = 120 square feet. Next, find the area of one box: 2 ft × 2 ft = 4 square feet. To find how many boxes can fit, divide the total area of the room by the area of one box: 120 sq ft / 4 sq ft = 30 boxes.

Question 4

If a soldier can complete a training course in 8 hours, what fraction of the course can they complete in 6 hours?

Accepted Answer

3/4

Answer

The problem can be set up as a ratio of the time spent to the total time required. The fraction is 6 hours / 8 hours. This fraction can be simplified by dividing both the numerator and the denominator by their greatest common divisor, which is 2. So, 6 ÷ 2 / 8 ÷ 2 = 3/4.

Question 5

A team of 5 people can process 150 applications in a day. If 2 more people join the team, and everyone works at the same rate, how many applications can the team process in one day?

Accepted Answer

210

Answer

First, determine the rate of work for one person. If 5 people process 150 applications, then one person processes 150 / 5 = 30 applications per day. With 2 more people, the team has 5 + 2 = 7 people. Now, multiply the number of people by the individual rate: 7 people * 30 applications/person = 210 applications.

BSEP - Basic Skills Education Program Practice Test

BSEP - Basic Skills Education Program Practice Test

BSEP - Basic Skills Education Program Arithmetic Reasoning Word Problems Questions and Answers