Quantitative Aptitude

Placement Preparation Guide

Percentages | Ratio & Proportion | Averages | Profit & Loss

Concepts • Formulas • 50+ Practice Questions with Solutions

 Chapter 1: Percentages

Master the basics of percent calculation

Core Concepts
A percentage is a fraction with denominator 100. The word comes from Latin per centum meaning 'per
hundred'. It is used to express proportions, changes, and comparisons.

Key Formulas
Percentage = (Part / Whole) x 100

Value of X% of N = (X / 100) x N

% Increase = [(New - Old) / Old] x 100

% Decrease = [(Old - New) / Old] x 100

If A is X% more than B => B is [X/(100+X)] x 100 % less than A

If A is X% less than B => B is [X/(100-X)] x 100 % more than A

Successive % change: (a + b + ab/100) %

Important Fraction-Percentage Equivalents

Fraction % Fraction % Fraction %

1/2 50% 1/3 33.33% 1/4 25%

1/5 20% 1/6 16.67% 1/7 14.28%

1/8 12.5% 1/9 11.11% 1/10 10%

1/11 9.09% 1/12 8.33% 3/4 75%

Practice Questions
Q1. What is 35% of 480?

Answer: 168

Solution: (35/100) x 480 = 0.35 x 480 = 168

Q2. A number is increased by 20% and then decreased by 20%. What is the net % change?

Answer: 4% decrease

Solution: Using successive formula: 20 + (-20) + (20x-20)/100 = 0 - 4 = -4%. Net decrease of 4%.
Q3. If 60% of A = 75% of B, find A : B.

Answer: 5 : 4

Solution: 60A/100 = 75B/100 => A/B = 75/60 = 5/4. So A:B = 5:4.

Q4. A salary is first raised by 10% then reduced by 10%. Net effect?

Answer: 1% decrease

Solution: Net = 10 - 10 + (10x-10)/100 = -100/100 = -1%. Salary decreases by 1%.

Q5. What percent of 1/4 is 1/6?

Answer: 66.67%

Solution: (1/6) / (1/4) x 100 = (4/6) x 100 = 66.67%.

Q6. In an exam, a student scored 540 out of 750. What is his percentage?

Answer: 72%

Solution: (540/750) x 100 = 72%.

Q7. A price rises from Rs.400 to Rs.520. Find the % increase.

Answer: 30%

Solution: [(520-400)/400] x 100 = (120/400) x 100 = 30%.

Q8. 30% of students passed and 490 failed. Total students?

Answer: 700

Solution: 70% failed => 70% of T = 490 => T = 490/0.7 = 700.

Q9. If X is 25% of Y, Y is what % of X?

Answer: 400%

Solution: X = 0.25Y => Y = X/0.25 = 4X => Y is 400% of X.

Q10. Two numbers are 20% and 30% less than a third. What % is first of second?

Answer: 114.28%

Solution: Let third = 100. First = 80, Second = 70. (80/70) x 100 = 114.28%.

Q11. A trader sells goods at 12% profit. If cost was Rs.2500, find selling price.

Answer: Rs. 2800

Solution: SP = 2500 x 1.12 = 2800.

Q12. If 15% of (A+B) = 25% of A, find B as % of A.

Answer: 66.67%

Solution: 15A+15B = 25A => 15B = 10A => B/A = 10/15 = 2/3 => B = 66.67% of A.

■ Shortcut Tip: For successive % changes ±a and ±b, use the formula: Net % = a + b + ab/100.
Always track sign!
 Chapter 2: Ratio & Proportion

Understand relationships between quantities

Core Concepts
A ratio compares two quantities of the same kind. Written as a:b or a/b. A proportion states that two ratios
are equal: a:b = c:d (read as 'a is to b as c is to d').

Types of Proportion
Type Description Example

Direct Proportion As one increases, other increases Speed & Distance (time fixed)

Inverse Proportion As one increases, other decreases Workers & Days (work fixed)

Compound Proportion Multiple ratios combined Men x Days x Hours = Work

Key Formulas
Product of Means = Product of Extremes: a:b = c:d => ad = bc

Mean Proportional of a and b = sqrt(ab)

Third Proportional to a,b: a:b = b:x => x = b^2/a

Fourth Proportional to a,b,c: a:b = c:x => x = bc/a

If a:b = m:n and b:c = p:q => a:b:c = mp : np : nq

Componendo: a/b = c/d => (a+b)/b = (c+d)/d

Dividendo: a/b = c/d => (a-b)/b = (c-d)/d

Practice Questions
Q1. Divide Rs.1800 among A, B, C in ratio 2:3:5.

Answer: A=Rs.360, B=Rs.540, C=Rs.900

Solution: Total parts = 10. A = (2/10)x1800=360; B=(3/10)x1800=540; C=(5/10)x1800=900.

Q2. If A:B = 3:4 and B:C = 5:6, find A:B:C.

Answer: 15 : 20 : 24

Solution: A:B = 3:4 = 15:20; B:C = 5:6 = 20:24. So A:B:C = 15:20:24.

Q3. The ratio of two numbers is 5:3. If each is increased by 10, ratio becomes 7:5. Find the
numbers.

Answer: 25 and 15

Solution: Let numbers be 5x and 3x. (5x+10)/(3x+10)=7/5 => 25x+50=21x+70 => x=5. Numbers: 25,15.

Q4. Mean proportional between 16 and 25?

Answer: 20

Solution: Mean proportional = sqrt(16x25) = sqrt(400) = 20.

Q5. A:B = 2:3, B:C = 4:5, C:D = 6:7. Find A:D.

Answer: 16 : 35

Solution: A:D = (2/3)x(4/5)x(6/7) = 48/105 = 16/35. A:D = 16:35.

Q6. Salaries of A and B are in ratio 4:5. If each gets Rs.2000 raise, new ratio is 5:6. Find A's salary.

Answer: Rs. 8000

Solution: (4x+2000)/(5x+2000)=5/6 => 24x+12000=25x+10000 => x=2000. A=4x2000=8000.

Q7. Two numbers are in ratio 3:7. LCM is 210. Find the numbers.

Answer: 30 and 70

Solution: LCM of 3k and 7k is 21k = 210 => k=10. Numbers: 30 and 70.

Q8. A bag has coins in ratio 2:3:5 (Rs.1, 50p, 25p). Total = Rs.114. Count of Rs.1 coins?

Answer: 48

Solution: Values: 2x + 1.5x + 1.25x = 4.75x = 114 => x=24. Rs.1 coins = 2x24 = 48.

Q9. If x:y = 3:5, find (4x+3y):(8x-5y).

Answer: 27 : (-1) i.e. ratio is undefined; value = 27:(-1) => simplify to -27

Solution: Substitute x=3, y=5. Numerator=12+15=27; Denominator=24-25=-1. Ratio = 27:-1 = -27:1.

Q10. Third proportional to 4 and 12?

Answer: 36

Solution: 4:12 = 12:x => x = 144/4 = 36.

Q11. Ratio of milk to water is 5:3. If 8 litres of water added, ratio becomes 5:5. Find initial milk.

Answer: 20 litres

Solution: Let milk=5x, water=3x. After: 5x/(3x+8)=1 => 5x=3x+8 => x=4. Milk=20 litres.
Q12. If 2A = 3B = 6C, find A:B:C.

Answer: 3 : 2 : 1

Solution: Let 2A=3B=6C=k. A=k/2, B=k/3, C=k/6. A:B:C = 3:2:1.

■ Shortcut Tip: For A:B:C from two given ratios, make B equal in both by finding LCM of B values,
then scale accordingly.
 Chapter 3: Averages

Mean, weighted average & related tricks

Core Concepts
The average (arithmetic mean) is the sum of all values divided by the count of values. It represents the
central tendency. Weighted averages are used when different items have different importance (weights).

Key Formulas
Average = Sum of observations / Number of observations

Sum = Average x Number of observations

Weighted Average = (w1*x1 + w2*x2 + ...) / (w1 + w2 + ...)

Average of first n natural numbers = (n+1) / 2

Average of first n even numbers = n+1

Average of first n odd numbers = n

Average of n consecutive numbers = (First + Last) / 2

If a wrong number 'a' replaced by 'b': New avg = Old avg + (b-a)/n

Practice Questions
Q1. Average of 7 numbers is 35. If one number (63) is removed, find new average.

Answer: 30

Solution: Total = 7x35=245. After removal: (245-63)/6 = 182/6 = 30.33 ≈ 30.33. Exact: 182/6 = 30.33.

Q2. Average of 5 consecutive even numbers is 56. Find the largest.

Answer: 60

Solution: Middle number = 56. Numbers: 52,54,56,58,60. Largest = 60.

Q3. Average marks of 40 students is 72. If top 10 avg is 90, find avg of remaining 30.

Answer: 66

Solution: Total=40x72=2880. Top 10 total=10x90=900. Remaining=2880-900=1980. Avg=1980/30=66.

Q4. A batsman's avg after 20 innings is 32. In 21st innings he scored 54. New average?

Answer: 33.04

Solution: Total after 20 = 640. Total after 21 = 694. Avg = 694/21 = 33.04.

Q5. Average of 6 numbers is 8. If each number is multiplied by 3, new average?

Answer: 24

Solution: New sum = 3 x (6x8) = 144. New avg = 144/6 = 24.

Q6. Average salary of 20 employees is Rs.15000. If manager's salary (Rs.30000) is added, new
average?

Answer: Rs. 15714.28

Solution: Total = 20x15000=300000. New total=330000. Avg=330000/21=15714.28.

Q7. Wrong reading of 46 instead of 64 was made. If average of 10 items was 52, correct average?

Answer: 53.8

Solution: Correction: (64-46)/10 = 18/10 = 1.8. New avg = 52 + 1.8 = 53.8.

Q8. Average age of 10 members 3 years ago was 25. If a baby is born now, current average?

Answer: 25.45

Solution: Current ages 3 years later: total = 10x25 + 10x3 = 280. Baby age=0. Avg = 280/11 = 25.45.

Q9. Average of A and B is 20; B and C is 25; A and C is 15. Find A, B, C.

Answer: A=10, B=30, C=20

Solution: A+B=40, B+C=50, A+C=30. Sum=120, so A+B+C=60. A=60-50=10; B=60-30=30; C=60-40=20.

Q10. Average speed for first half distance at 40kmph and second half at 60kmph.

Answer: 48 kmph

Solution: Harmonic mean for equal distances: 2ab/(a+b) = 2x40x60/100 = 4800/100 = 48 kmph.

Q11. Class A has 25 students, avg=72. Class B has 35 students, avg=80. Combined average?

Answer: 76.67

Solution: Total = 25x72 + 35x80 = 1800+2800=4600. Combined avg = 4600/60 = 76.67.

Q12. Average of 15 numbers = 48. First 8 avg = 42, last 8 avg = 55. Find 8th number.

Answer: 44

Solution: Total=720. First 8=336. Last 8=440. 8th = 336+440-720 = 56. Wait: 8th is counted twice: 8th =
336+440-720 = 56.

■ Shortcut Tip: When one item is added/removed, use: New Avg = Old Avg ± (Difference from old
avg) / New count.
 Chapter 4: Profit & Loss

Buying, selling and discount strategies

Core Concepts
In trade, Cost Price (CP) is the price at which an article is purchased and Selling Price (SP) is the price at
which it is sold. If SP > CP → Profit; SP < CP → Loss. Marked Price (MP) is the listed price before discount.

Key Formulas
Profit = SP - CP | Loss = CP - SP

Profit % = (Profit / CP) x 100

Loss % = (Loss / CP) x 100

SP = CP x (100 + Profit%) / 100

SP = CP x (100 - Loss%) / 100

CP = SP x 100 / (100 + Profit%) [when profit known]

CP = SP x 100 / (100 - Loss%) [when loss known]

Discount = MP - SP | Discount % = (Discount/MP) x 100

SP = MP x (100 - Discount%) / 100

If trader uses false weight: True Gain% = [(True wt - False wt)/False wt] x 100

Two articles sold at same SP, one at x% profit, another at x% loss: Net Loss% = x^2/100

Practice Questions
Q1. An article bought for Rs.850 is sold for Rs.935. Find profit %.

Answer: 10%

Solution: Profit = 935-850=85. Profit% = (85/850)x100 = 10%.

Q2. A book is sold at 20% profit. If CP is Rs.250, find SP.

Answer: Rs. 300

Solution: SP = 250 x 120/100 = Rs.300.

Q3. A shopkeeper marks goods 30% above CP and gives 10% discount. Find profit %.

Answer: 17%

Solution: Let CP=100. MP=130. SP=130x0.9=117. Profit%=17%.

Q4. By selling 15 items for Rs.1 a shopkeeper loses 25%. For 25% profit, how many for Rs.1?

Answer: 9 items

Solution: CP of 15 items = 1/0.75 = 4/3. For 25% profit, SP = 4/3 x 1.25 = 5/3. Items in Rs.1 = 1/(5/3 x
1/15) = 9.

Q5. Two items sold at Rs.2400 each; one at 20% profit, one at 20% loss. Net profit/loss?

Answer: Loss of Rs.200

Solution: Net Loss% = 20^2/100 = 4%. Combined SP=4800. Combined CP = 4800/0.96 = 5000.
Loss=200.

Q6. A trader gains 20% by selling at Rs.360. Find the CP.

Answer: Rs. 300

Solution: CP = 360 x 100/120 = Rs.300.

Q7. If selling price is doubled, profit triples. Find original profit %.

Answer: 100%

Solution: Let CP=100, SP=100+P. 2SP = CP + 3P => 200+2P = 100+3P => P=100. Profit%=100%.

Q8. A grocer uses 900g instead of 1kg. What is his actual gain %?

Answer: 11.11%

Solution: Gain% = [(1000-900)/900]x100 = 100/9 = 11.11%.

Q9. An item sold at 12% loss. Had it sold for Rs.350 more, gain would be 18%. Find CP.

Answer: Rs. 1166.67

Solution: 18% gain price - 12% loss price = 350. 30% of CP=350. CP=350/0.30=1166.67.

Q10. A seller gives 3 articles free with every 10 bought. Effective discount %?

Answer: 23.07%

Solution: Customer pays for 10, gets 13. Discount = 3/13 x 100 = 23.07%.
Q11. A fruit seller buys 30 mangoes for Rs.90 and sells 20 mangoes for Rs.90. Profit/Loss %?

Answer: 50% profit

Solution: CP per mango=3. SP per mango=4.5. Profit per mango=1.5. Profit%=(1.5/3)x100=50%.

Q12. After successive discounts of 20% and 15% on a Rs.800 item. Find final price.

Answer: Rs. 544

Solution: After 20%: 800x0.8=640. After 15%: 640x0.85=544.

Q13. A man buys 8 articles for Rs.14 and sells 14 articles for Rs.24. Gain or loss %?

Answer: Gain of 2.04%

Solution: CP per article=14/8=1.75. SP per article=24/14=1.714. Loss per article=0.036.

Loss%=(0.036/1.75)x100=2.04% loss. Wait: SP > CP: 1.714 < 1.75 so actual loss. Let recalc: CP of 14 =
14x(14/8)=24.5. SP of 14=24. Loss=0.5. Loss%=(0.5/24.5)x100=2.04%.

■ Shortcut Tip: When same SP and equal profit & loss %, ALWAYS result is a net LOSS. Loss% =
(common%)^2 / 100.
 Quick Formula Summary

All 4 chapters at a glance

Topic Most Used Formula

Percentages % Change = [(New-Old)/Old] x 100

Percentages Successive change = a + b + ab/100

Ratio & Proportion ad = bc (cross multiplication)

Ratio & Proportion Mean Proportional = sqrt(ab)

Averages Average = Sum / Count

Averages Weighted Avg = (Sum of w*x) / (Sum of w)

Profit & Loss SP = CP x (100+P%)/100

Profit & Loss Discount on MP: SP = MP x (100-D%)/100

Profit & Loss Equal SP at x% P & L => Net Loss% = x^2/100

Best of luck with your Placement Preparation! Consistent practice is the key to mastery.