GATE: Concepts and Practice

Learning outcome

You can find a percentage of a whole.

Concepts and why

Quantitative aptitude includes percentages. The part is the whole multiplied by the percentage, then divided by 100.

Worked examples

12 percent of 250 is 250 times 12, divided by 100, which is 30. 8 percent of 125 is 10. 15 percent of 60 is 9. 4 percent of 75 is 3.

Common mistakes

Dividing the whole by the percentage. 250 divided by 12 is not 12 percent of 250.

Practice questions

1. What is 8 percent of 125?
2. What is 15 percent of 60?
3. What is 4 percent of 75?
4. What is 12 percent of 250?

Answers and explanation

1. 10.
2. 9.
3. 3.
4. 30.

Analogy

A hundred beads, and you paint 12 of them. The same rate on 250 beads paints 30 beads. You do not get the answer by dividing 250 by 12.

Quick reference

Part = whole times percentage, divided by 100. 12 percent of 250 = 30. 8 percent of 125 = 10.