How to Pass Numerical Reasoning (42 page)

In the following problems, you will use your knowledge of ratios, fractions, decimals, proportions and percentages. Try to complete each question within 5 minutes.

Tip:
Where the answer choices are narrow in range, realize that you will have to work out the answer systematically. Where the answers are very wide apart, first eliminate the outliers, second estimate the correct answer, and third, pick the answer choice nearest to your estimate.

Data interpretation questions

1 Holiday insurance claims

TABLE 6.1
Data on Company Z insurance claims

Q1
In which year was the greatest percentage change in the total number of claims on the previous year?

a) 1993

b) 1994

c) 1995

d) 1996

e) 1997

Q2
How many more claims were made in 1997 than in 1992?

a) 821

b) 135

c) 124

d) 174

e) 1,110

Q3
In which year did the number of non-approved claims exceed the number of approved claims in the ratio of 2 : 1?

a) 1993

b) 1994

c) 1995

d) 1996

e) 1997

Q4
The total number of claims made in 1997 is approximately what percentage change on the 1994 total number of claims?

2 Goe-Ezy-Bizz flight charges

TABLE 6.2

Q1
The cost of the return fare from Edinburgh to Barcelona is 140% of the single fare. What is the approximate total cost of the return airfare, including all taxes and charges, from Edinburgh to Barcelona?

a) £28

b) £48

c) £60

d) £40

e) £23

Q2
What is the difference between the price of a single flight to Barcelona from Liverpool and from Luton?

a) £0

b) £9.80

c) £6.60

d) £16.40

e) £19.20

Q3
Goe-Ezy-Bizz runs a late season summer sale, where prices are discounted by 7.5%. Which airport can offer the cheapest return flight to Barcelona, exclusive of taxes and insurance?

a) Belfast

b) Edinburgh

c) Gatwick

d) Liverpool

e) Luton

Q4
If the exchange rate of £ Sterling to euros is 1 : 1.55, how much does a single flight from Liverpool to Barcelona cost, exclusive of all additional charges?

a) 30 euros

b) 31 euros

c) 32 euros

d) 35 euros

e) 40 euros

3 Council services employment

Figure 6.1

Q1
How many more people were hired into Education than into Health?

a) 15

b) 18

c) 21

d) 25

e) 26

Q2
If one-third of all new employees hired into Local Services were school leavers, how many school leavers were employed in Health and Education?

a) 13

b) 17

c) 30

d) 37

e) Cannot tell

Q3
How many sixth form leavers were employed in Local Services if the ratio of Education to Local Services to Health is 1 : 3 : 4 in the sixth form leavers category?

a) 6

b) 12

c) 18

d) 24

e) Cannot tell

Q4
Following a review, an additional six further education candidates were employed and allocated equally between the functions. This represents approximately what increase on the original number of further education candidates employed?

a) 12.5%

b) 25%

c) 33
¹
⁄
₃
%

d) 40%

e) 42%

4 European Union institutions 1995

TABLE 6.3
European Union institutions

Q1
A person from which country is best represented in the Council of Ministers?

a) Germany

b) France

c) Spain

d) Ireland

e) Luxembourg

Q2
Which country has the least number of representatives in Parliament relative to its population size?

a) Germany

b) France

c) Spain

d) Ireland

e) Luxembourg

Q3
If the ratio of population to votes were the same in France as in Ireland, how many more votes would France be entitled to in the Council of Ministers?

a) 23

b) 38

c) 48

d) 50

e) 110

5 Computer failure

TABLE 6.4
Lost revenue for Company X due to server downtime

Q1
On average, which department loses the most revenue per hour due to server downtime?

a) Dept A

b) Dept B

c) Dept C

d) Dept D

e) Cannot tell

Q2
Which department loses the most productive time per employee per week due to server downtime?

a) Dept A

b) Dept B

c) Dept C

d) Dept D

e) Cannot tell

Q3
Repair work is carried out which reduces the average weekly downtime in all departments by 25%. How many hours are gained following the repair work across all departments?

a) 3.5

b) 4.5

c) 8

d) 10.5

e) 12.75

6 Survey of voting turnout in 1994 local elections

TABLE 6.5
Percentage of voters by age category in the 1994 local elections