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Percentages — SAT practice questions

The SAT Math topic Percentages covers part-of-a-whole calculations and percent increase, including when one quantity is p percent greater than another. A student has to choose the correct total, convert a ratio into a percent, and treat greater-than wording as an increase from the original amount. Questions are short word problems about mixed counts or two compared numbers. Common traps include using the wrong base, mixing up percent of with percent greater than, and leaving a decimal instead of a percent. Answer choices are often nearby percents that follow from those mistakes, and some items ask for p.

  • Section: Math 44 questions on the paper
  • 116 practice questions in the app

Sample questions

Question 1

Of the 425 vehicles in a parking lot, 68 are trucks. What percentage of the vehicles are trucks?

  1. A4%4\%
  2. B16%16\%
  3. C68%68\%
  4. D84%84\%
Show answer

Answer: B — 16%16\%

68/425=0.16=16%68/425=0.16=16\%.

Question 2

252 is p%p\% greater than 36. What is the value of pp?

  1. A6
  2. B216
  3. C600
  4. D700
Show answer

Answer: C — 600

252=36(1+p/100)252/36=7=1+p/100p=600252 = 36(1+p/100) \Rightarrow 252/36 = 7 = 1 + p/100 \Rightarrow p = 600.

Question 3

A fruit basket contains only apples and oranges. There are 48 apples and 32 oranges. What percent of the fruit in the basket is oranges?

  1. A32%32\%
  2. B40%40\%
  3. C60%60\%
  4. D66.7%66.7\%
Show answer

Answer: B — 40%40\%

Total =48+32=80=48+32=80, and 32/80=0.40=40%32/80=0.40=40\%.

Practice 116 Percentages questions in the app

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