Advanced Reverse Numeracy Percentage Questions
Many of the questions in numerical reasoning tests are built around different types of percentage problems. To succeed on these questions you need to have solid understanding of basic and advanced percentages to swiftly perform required calculations. In this tutorial we will present with example of advanced reverse percentage problem that you can easily find in virtually any numerical reasoning test. Achieving good results require systematic practice, determination and well shaped test taking strategy. The below will help you to ramp up your test taking techniques to work our advanced percentage questions in numeracy tests.
How to work out advanced reverse percentage questions
In essence, reverse percentages refer to algebraic operations where you have to solve for one unknown. For a new starter this may be a puzzling topic however the more problems you work out the clearer your understanding becomes.
To start with consider the below question which requires you to find the value of CD and DVD sales. Set your timer for 60 seconds and see whether you can arrive at the correct answer within time limit.
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If DVD sales increase at the rate of 5% per annum while CD sales increase at the rate of 10% per annum approximately what was the total value of CD and DVD sales two years ago in US Dollars?
Note that the way to calculate the value of DVD sales could be written as follows DVD sales $8,000 / (1 + 0.05) squared by 2 = $7,256.23. The same can be applied to CD sales $6,000 / (1 + 0.10) squared by 2 = $4,958.67. To make this calculation quicker mentally add 0.05 and 0.10 to 1 and 1. Mentally adding simple number in your head will make your computations faster and more efficient. So, to work out the question only input into your calculator 8,000 / 1.05 squared by 2 and you will get $7,256.23. The same applies for CD sales, only input into your calculator 6,000 / 1.1 squared by 2 to get $4,958.67; then add these together to get the answer.
You can also calculate in the following way divide $8,000 by 1.05 (2 times) and $6,000 by 1.1 (2 times) which will give you $7,256.23 and $4,958.67; then add these two values together to get the final answer. Nevertheless if you find these workings puzzling then see tutorial on percentages in numeracy aptitude tests where you can see step by step explanations on how to work our reverse percentage increase and decrease.
As indicated above always try to make as many mental calculation in your head as possible and remember to make use of memory function in your calculator. For example, once you get result for DVD sales store $7,256.23 in memory and then after you work out CD sales add DVD to CD sales by recalling $7,256.23 from memory of your calculator. If you are not sure how to do this you can review tutorial on how to use calculator in numerical reasoning test. It will provide you with step by step explanations as how to store and recall data from memory and present with real example to demonstrate how to make best use of your calculator in numeracy tests.