RBC Assessment: Numerical Reasoning 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A bar chart shows employee headcount: 2021=320, 2022=344, 2023=371, 2024=400. What is the approximate average annual growth rate?
- 6.5%
- 7.7% (Correct answer)
- 8.5%
- 9.1%
Correct answer: 7.7%
Total growth over 3 years = (400−320)/320 = 25%; average ≈ 25%/3 ≈ 7.7% per year (arithmetic approximation).
Question 2: A client's net worth is $250,000. If 40% is in equities, 35% in bonds, and the rest in cash, how much is held in cash?
- $62,500 (Correct answer)
- $37,500
- $50,000
- $25,000
Correct answer: $62,500
Cash = 100% − 40% − 35% = 25%; 25% × $250,000 = $62,500.
Question 3: Operating costs rose from $1.2M to $1.5M while revenue stayed at $4.0M. By how many percentage points did the operating cost ratio change?
- 5 pp
- 7.5 pp (Correct answer)
- 6 pp
- 8 pp
Correct answer: 7.5 pp
Old ratio = 1.2/4.0 = 30%; new ratio = 1.5/4.0 = 37.5%; change = 7.5 percentage points.
Question 4: An index fund returned −8% in Year 1 and +15% in Year 2. What is the net return on a $10,000 investment after both years?
- $580 (Correct answer)
- $700
- $510
- $650
Correct answer: $580
After Year 1: $10,000 × 0.92 = $9,200; after Year 2: $9,200 × 1.15 = $10,580; net gain = $580.
Question 5: A pie chart shows loan types: Mortgage 55%, Auto 20%, Personal 15%, Student 10%. If total loans = $80M, what is the combined value of Auto and Personal loans?
- $24M
- $28M (Correct answer)
- $32M
- $20M
Correct answer: $28M
Auto + Personal = (20% + 15%) × $80M = 35% × $80M = $28M.
Question 6: A teller processes 240 transactions in a 6-hour shift. At this rate, how many transactions would be processed in 8 hours?
- 280
- 300
- 320 (Correct answer)
- 360
Correct answer: 320
Rate = 240/6 = 40 per hour; 40 × 8 = 320 transactions.
Question 7: A savings account balance doubles every 12 years at compound interest. If the balance is $5,000 today, what will it be in 36 years?
- $20,000
- $30,000
- $40,000 (Correct answer)
- $15,000
Correct answer: $40,000
36 years = 3 doubling periods; $5,000 × 2³ = $5,000 × 8 = $40,000.
RBC Assessment: Numerical Reasoning 3
A bar chart shows employee headcount: 2021=320, 2022=344, 2023=371, 2024=400.
What is the approximate average annual growth rate?