Master ratio problems and percent calculations on SAT
How can I study Ratios, Proportions, and Percents effectively?โพ
Start by reading the study notes and working through the examples on this page. Then use the flashcards to test your recall. Practice with the 21 problems provided, checking solutions as you go. Regular review and active practice are key to retention.
Is this Ratios, Proportions, and Percents study guide free?โพ
Yes โ all study notes, flashcards, and practice problems for Ratios, Proportions, and Percents on Study Mondo are 100% free. No account is needed to access the content.
What course covers Ratios, Proportions, and Percents?โพ
Ratios, Proportions, and Percents is part of the SAT Prep course on Study Mondo, specifically in the Problem Solving and Data Analysis section. You can explore the full course for more related topics and practice resources.
Are there practice problems for Ratios, Proportions, and Percents?
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Ratio Problems Strategy
If the ratio of cats to dogs is 3:5 and there are 40 animals total:
Total parts = 3+5=8
Each part = 840โ=5
Cats = 3ร5=15
Dogs = 5ร5=25
Part-to-Part vs. Part-to-Whole
Part-to-Part: cats to dogs = 3:5
Part-to-Whole: cats to total = 3:8 or 83โ
Proportions
A proportion is an equation stating two ratios are equal:
baโ=dcโ
SAT Tip: Use multipliers for efficiency. Discount of 20% โ multiply by 0.80. Tax of 8% โ multiply by 1.08.
13Problem 13medium
โ Question:
A population increased from 12,000 to 15,600 over 5 years. What was the percent increase?
๐ก Show Solution
Use the percent change formula:Percentย Change=OriginalNewโOriginalโร100
=12,00015,600โ12,000โร100
=12,0003,600โร100
=0.30ร100=30%
Answer: 30% increase
Key: Always divide by the ORIGINAL value, not the new value.
14Problem 14medium
โ Question:
A population increased from 12,000 to 15,600 over 5 years. What was the percent increase?
๐ก Show Solution
Use the percent change formula:Percentย Change=OriginalNewโOriginalโร100
=12,00015,600โ12,000โร100
=12,0003,600โร100
=0.30ร100=30%
Answer: 30% increase
Key: Always divide by the ORIGINAL value, not the new value.
15Problem 15medium
โ Question:
A population increased from 12,000 to 15,600 over 5 years. What was the percent increase?
๐ก Show Solution
Use the percent change formula:Percentย Change=OriginalNewโOriginalโร100
=12,00015,600โ12,000โร100
=12,0003,600โร100
=0.30ร100=30%
Answer: 30% increase
Key: Always divide by the ORIGINAL value, not the new value.
16Problem 16hard
โ Question:
After a 15% discount, a laptop costs $680. What was the original price?
๐ก Show Solution
Step 1: A 15% discount means the customer pays 85% of the original price.
Originalร0.85=680
Step 2: Solve for the original price:
Original=0.85680โ=$800
Check:800ร0.85=680 โ
Answer: $800
Common mistake: Don't calculate 15% of 680 and add it. That gives 680+102=782, which is WRONG because the 15% should be based on the original price, not the sale price.
17Problem 17hard
โ Question:
After a 15% discount, a laptop costs $680. What was the original price?
๐ก Show Solution
Step 1: A 15% discount means the customer pays 85% of the original price.
Originalร0.85=680
Step 2: Solve for the original price:
Original=0.85680โ=$800
Check:800ร0.85=680 โ
Answer: $800
Common mistake: Don't calculate 15% of 680 and add it. That gives 680+102=782, which is WRONG because the 15% should be based on the original price, not the sale price.
18Problem 18hard
โ Question:
After a 15% discount, a laptop costs $680. What was the original price?
๐ก Show Solution
Step 1: A 15% discount means the customer pays 85% of the original price.
Originalร0.85=680
Step 2: Solve for the original price:
Original=0.85680โ=$800
Check:800ร0.85=680 โ
Answer: $800
Common mistake: Don't calculate 15% of 680 and add it. That gives 680+102=782, which is WRONG because the 15% should be based on the original price, not the sale price.
19Problem 19expert
โ Question:
The value of an investment increases by 10% in the first year and decreases by 10% in the second year. If the initial investment was $1,000, what is the value after two years, and what is the net percent change?
๐ก Show Solution
Step 1: After year 1 (10% increase):
$1,000ร1.10=$1,100
Step 2: After year 2 (10% decrease):
$1,100ร0.90=$990
Step 3: Net percent change:
1000990โ1000โร100=โ1%
Answer: $990 after two years; net change is a 1% DECREASE.
Key Insight: A 10% increase followed by a 10% decrease does NOT return to the original value! The multiplier is 1.10ร0.90=0.99, which is a 1% net decrease. This is because the 10% decrease is applied to a LARGER number.
20Problem 20expert
โ Question:
The value of an investment increases by 10% in the first year and decreases by 10% in the second year. If the initial investment was $1,000, what is the value after two years, and what is the net percent change?
๐ก Show Solution
Step 1: After year 1 (10% increase):
$1,000ร1.10=$1,100
Step 2: After year 2 (10% decrease):
$1,100ร0.90=$990
Step 3: Net percent change:
1000990โ1000โร100=โ1%
Answer: $990 after two years; net change is a 1% DECREASE.
Key Insight: A 10% increase followed by a 10% decrease does NOT return to the original value! The multiplier is 1.10ร0.90=0.99, which is a 1% net decrease. This is because the 10% decrease is applied to a LARGER number.
21Problem 21expert
โ Question:
The value of an investment increases by 10% in the first year and decreases by 10% in the second year. If the initial investment was $1,000, what is the value after two years, and what is the net percent change?
๐ก Show Solution
Step 1: After year 1 (10% increase):
$1,000ร1.10=$1,100
Step 2: After year 2 (10% decrease):
$1,100ร0.90=$990
Step 3: Net percent change:
1000990โ1000โร100=โ1%
Answer: $990 after two years; net change is a 1% DECREASE.
Key Insight: A 10% increase followed by a 10% decrease does NOT return to the original value! The multiplier is 1.10ร0.90=0.99, which is a 1% net decrease. This is because the 10% decrease is applied to a LARGER number.
โพ
Yes, this page includes 21 practice problems with detailed solutions. Each problem includes a step-by-step explanation to help you understand the approach.