GED Mathematical Reasoning Test For Dummies
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Ratios, proportions, and percentages are three ways of comparing quantities. You're likely to encounter a couple of these comparison questions on the Mathematical Reasoning section of the GED.

These questions ask you to determine a ratio, proportion, or percentage when given two quantities, or to determine an unknown quantity when the ratio, proportion, or percentage is provided along with one of the quantities.

Always read the question carefully to be sure you're answering the question that was actually asked and not one that you think was asked.

Here are some practice questions for you to try.

Practice questions

  1. Mr. Blain's classes were given an assignment regarding Geothermal-Electric Capacity in several countries in the year 2014. In order to begin the assignment, they had to compile this table:

    image0.png

    What is the approximate ratio of installed capacity of the largest to the smallest?

    A. 77:1

    B. 1,848:47

    C. 248:502

    D. 1:77

  2. The carpet installer tells Matilda that he will give her a 15% discount on the carpet and installation if she puts down outdoor floor covering in the solarium for only $25.25 per square yard installed. Will she save money accepting the discount and installing the extra carpeting? Yes or No.

Answers and explanations

  1. A.

    The ratio is 77:1. The largest installed capacity is the United States at 1,848.

    The smallest installed capacity is China at 24.

    The ratio of the largest to the smallest is 1,848 to 24.

    Because the ratio can be simplified by dividing both by 24, the ratio is 77:1.

    Choice (D) shows the correct numbers for the ratio, but the question asks for largest to smallest, not the other way around.

  2. Yes

    A 15% discount on the carpeting Matilda wanted would be

    image1.png

    which is more than the cost of 1 square yard of outdoor floor covering. Yes, she would save money on this deal.

About This Article

This article is from the book:

About the book authors:

Murray Shukyn, an acknowledged Canadian leader in alternative education, has taught at the elementary, secondary, and university levels and created adult training programs. Achim Krull has taught at high school and adult levels, and has written textbooks, teachers' guides, and numerous other learning materials.

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