Numbers and Percentages

[akalsi]

Hi,

I'm having a bit of difficulty knowing how to apply these strategies regarding numbers and percentages when doing an actual test under timed conditions. When I'm studying I understand the common misconceptions regarding numbers and percentages. However, when I'm approaching a problem, I can't seem to be able to apply it, especially in Must be True questions that deals with this concept .

What strategies would you recommend in terms of how to tackle questions like this an questions overall that deal with that concept on a test? It seems like it would take too much time to work out hypothetical numbers to figure out what the right answer would deal with.


Thanks,
Anoop

[David Boyle]

Hi,

I'm having a bit of difficulty knowing how to apply these strategies regarding numbers and percentages when doing an actual test under timed conditions. When I'm studying I understand the common misconceptions regarding numbers and percentages. However, when I'm approaching a problem, I can't seem to be able to apply it, especially in Must be True questions that deals with this concept .

What strategies would you recommend in terms of how to tackle questions like this an questions overall that deal with that concept on a test? It seems like it would take too much time to work out hypothetical numbers to figure out what the right answer would deal with.


Thanks,
Anoop

Hello Anoop,

There is no automatic solution, but practice may help. Reread carefully the theory at the beginning of chapter 9, and all the various examples interrelating numbers with percentages. If necessary, make up your own examples in order to familiarize yourself with how to understand such problems quickly. (E.g., if I eat 100% more ice cream this year than I used to, but I'm still eating less ice cream than broccoli, even though I'm eating 50% less broccoli than I used to:

Ice Cream
Last year: 2 units
This year: 4 units

Broccoli:
Last year: 100 units
This year: 50 units
)

Hope this helps,
David