Here’s and example of a SMART MATH problem for PERCENTAGES.
Problem
With the profit margin increased, a traders earns 25% more than before. If his earnings now are $800 per month, what was it before?
- $600
- $625
- $640
- $675
- $720
The Usual Method
[contentblock id=google-adsense-post]
Let the earning of the trader initially be $x. With an increase in the margins, the earning is now $1.25x
But 1.25x = $800
(Ans: 3)
Estimated Time to arrive at the answer = 30 seconds.
Using Technique
[contentblock id=google-adsense-post]
If earning increase by 25%, to get the original earnings, the new earning should be reduced by 20% (See concept explained in the section of Percentages Stuff to Remember)
Thus old earnings = $800 less 20% = 800 – 160 = 640
Hence option ‘3’.
(Ans: 3)
Estimated Time to arrive at the answer = 10 seconds.
[starrater tpl=10]
[contentblock id=smartmath-blockquote]