UPSC CDS Exam

Study Material for Mathematics

 PERCENTAGE
The Percentage is a fraction whose denominator is always 100. The sign of percentage is %.
Example:
10% can be converted to a fraction as 10/100 = 0.1
If, we want to calculate y% of x, then

𝑦
Percentage Formula: y% of x = x × 100

Question.
If 40% of P = 100, then find the value of P.
Ans. P × 40/100 = 100
⇒ P = 100 × 100/40
⇒ P = 250.

Fractions and Percentages

To express x% as a fraction
𝑥
X% = 100

Thus, 30% = 30/100 = 3/10

20% = 20/100 = 1/5

𝑎
To express 𝑏
as a percent

We have
𝑎
𝑏
= ( 𝑎
𝑏 )
×100 %

1 1
Thus 5
= ( 5 ×100) % = 20%

Result
1
20% = 5
%

Original Value/Number
 Fig: Representation and Interpretation of % in the form of Fraction.

Important Fraction to Percentage Conversions

1 50%
2
1 33.33%
3
1 25%
4
1 20%
5
1 16.66%
6
1 14.28%
7
1 12.5%
8
1 11.11%
9
1 10%
10
1 9.09%
11
1 8.33%
12
1 7.69%
13
1 7.14%
14
1 6.66%
15
1 6.25%
16
1 5%
20
1 4%
25

Basic Concepts of Percentages

Expressing One Quantity as a Percent with respect to the other:
To express a quantity as a percent with respect to other quantity, the following formula is used:
𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑒 𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑖𝑛 𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡
( 2𝑛𝑑 𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑦 (𝑖𝑛 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑤ℎ𝑖𝑐ℎ 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡 ℎ𝑎𝑠 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑒 𝑜𝑏𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑑) ×100) %

Calculation of Percentage
1. To express x% as a fraction:
We know
x% = x/100
Thus 10% = 10/100 (means 10 parts out of 100 parts)
= 1/10 (means 1 part out of 10 parts)
2. To express x/y as a percentage:
We know that x /y = (x /y× 100)
Thus 1/4= (1/4 ×100) % = 25%
and 0.8 = (8/10 ×100) % = 80%
3. To increase a number by a given percentage(x%): Multiply the number by the following factor
100+𝑥
=( 100
)

4. To decrease a number by a given percentage(x%): Multiply the number by the following factor
100−𝑥
=( 100
)

5. To find the % increase of a number:

𝐹𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑉𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒−𝐼𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑉𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒
Percent Increment= ( 𝐼𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒
× 100)

6. To find the % decrease of a number:

𝐼𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑉𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒−𝐹𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑉𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒
Percent Decrement = ( 𝐼𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒
× 100)

Some Observations
(1) If 20% candidate failed in an exam then observations are
∙ 80% represent passed in exam
∙ 100% represent total appeared in exam
∙ (80%-20%) = 60% represent difference between passed and failed candidate in exam
(2) If a number is increased by 25% then observations are
∙ 100% represent the old number
∙ 125% represent the new number.
(3) Remember that Base in the given sentence (Question) is always 100%
E.g., Income of Ram is increased by 20%
In this sentence
100% - represent the income of Ram
20% - represent increment
120% - represent new income of Ram.
(4) If of A is equal to y% of B then –
𝑦𝑧
Z% of A = ( 𝑥
)% of B

𝑋
(5) If A is more than B, then B is ( 100+𝑋 ×100)% less than A.

𝑋
If A is X% less than B, then B is (( 100−𝑋 ×100)% more than A.

(6) If the passing marks in an examination is P%. If a candidate scores S marks and fails by F marks
then
100×[𝑅+5]
MM= 𝑃

(7) If a candidate scores marks and fails by a mark while another candidate scores y% marks and
gets b marks more than minimum passing marks, then –
𝑆𝑢𝑚 𝑜𝑓 𝑆𝑐𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑠
Maximum Marks = 𝐷𝑖𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑖𝑛 % 𝑚𝑎𝑟𝑘𝑠 ×100

(8) If due to decrement in the price of an item, a person can buy Kg more in y rupees, then actual
price of that item –
(𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑒)×𝑦
= (100−𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑒)×𝑋
𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝐾𝑔

(9) If in an election, a candidate got of total votes cast and still lose by y votes, the total number
of votes cast –
100 ×𝑋
= 100−2𝑋

(10) If the population of a town is P and it increases or decreases at the rate of R% per annum
then –
I. Population after ‘n’ years:

𝑅 2
= 𝑃 × (1± 100
)

II. Population ‘n’ years ago:

𝑝
= 𝑅 𝑛
⎡1± 100 ⎤
⎣ ⎦

PROBLEM TYPE-1:
QUESTIONS BASED ON QUANTITY PURCHASED
Example: A reduction of 21% in the price of an item enables a person to buy 3 kg more for 100.
The reduced price of item per kg is?
(a) Rs. 5.50
(b) Rs. 7.50
(c) Rs. 10.50
(d) Rs. 7.00
Solution:(d)
Reduced price will be:
Rp/100y per kg
In our case R= Rs. 100, x=21%, y=3kg
{(100 x 21)/ (100 x 3)} = Rs. 7
PROBLEM TYPE-2:

PROBLEM TYPE-2
QUESTIONS BASED ON MIXTURES
Example: A vessel has 60 L of solution of acid and water having 80% acid. How much water is to
be added to make a solution in which acid forms 60%?
(a) 48 L
(b) 20 L
(c) 36 L
(d) None of these
Solution: (b)
Given, percentage of acid = 80%
Then, percentage of water = 20%
In 60L of solution, water = (60 x 20)/ 100 = 12L
Let p liter of water be added.
According to the question, => {(12 + p)/ (60 + p)} x 100 = 40 (∵ 100 – 60 = 40% water)
=>1200 + 100p = 2400 + 40p
⇒ 60p = 1200
p= 20L
PROBLEM TYPE-3:
QUESTIONS BASED ON RATIOS AND FRACTIONS
Example: If the numerator of a fraction is increased by 20% and the denominator is decreased by
5%, the value of the new fraction becomes 5/2. The original fraction is:
(a)24/19
(b)3/18
(c)95/48
(d)48/95
Solution: (c)
Let original fraction be p/y
According to the question, {(120/100) p/ (95/100) y} = 5/2
120p/95y = 5/2 => p/y = (5/2) x (95/120) = 95/48.

PROBLEM TYPE-4:
QUESTIONS BASED ON INCOME, SALARY, EXPENDITURE
Example: The monthly income of a person was Rs 13500 and his monthly expenditure was Rs
9000. Next year's income increased by 14% and his expenditure increased by 7%. The percent
increase in his savings was:
(a) 7%
(b) 21%
(c) 28%
(d) 35%
Solution: (c)
Given, monthly income = 13500 and expenditure = 9000
Then, original savings= Rs. (13500-9000) = Rs 4500
New income = 114% of Rs. 13500 = Rs 15390
New expenditure= 107% of Rs 9000 = Rs 9630
New saving = Rs. (15390 – 9630) = Rs 5760
NS = new savings, OS = Original savings
Percentage increase in savings = {(NS – OS)/OS} X 100
{(5760 – 4500)/4500} X 100 = (1260/4500) X 100 = 28%

Practice Questions:
Q1. A man distributes 10%, 18% and 22% of his salary into his three children who spend 40%, 60%
and 25% of that amount respectively. The difference between the total amount left with the
children and man is Rs. 1015. What is the salary of the man?
A. Rs. 6000
B. Rs. 4200
C. Rs. 4800
D. Rs. 5000
E. Rs. 5600
Ans- (d)

Q2. Salary of A is 37.5% of the total salary of A and B. B saves 60% of his salary and total savings
of A and B is 50% of their total income. Their average expenditure is Rs 16000. What is the total
salary of A and B?
A. Rs. 96000
B. Rs. 54000
C. Rs. 72000
D. Rs. 64000
E. Rs. 48000
Ans- (D)

Q3. In a class 25% of the students passed in both English and Hindi. 37.5% of the students failed in
both the subjects while 60% students failed in Hindi. The difference between the students who
passed in English and those who passed in Hindi is 15. What is the total number of students in
class?
A. 180
B. 420
C. 360
D. 200
E. 240
Ans- (D)

Q4. Out of total students 100/3 % are in hostel A and remaining are in hostel B. If 20 students
from hostel B are shifted to hostel A, then total students in hostel A becomes 50% of total
students. If 20 students from hostel A are shifted to hostel B, then the total students in hostel A
becomes what percent of total students?
A. 26.34%
B. 16.67%
C. 12.75%
D. 20.67
E. None of these
Ans-(B)

Q5. AB de Villiers smashes 86 runs against Australia in 16 balls. If he only scored in boundaries
(fours and sixes) only, then find the maximum percent of runs he scored by hitting fours.
A.23.25%
B. 26.4%
C. 74.5%
D. 28%
E. None of these
Ans-(A)

Q6. On a Big Billion-day sale, Google flagship mobile phone was available at a discount of 20% on
Flipkart. The customers who are purchasing for the first time on Flipkart will get additional
cashback of 10 % on the billing amount. Suraj being the 1st time user of Flipkart purchases the
mobile phone for Rs. 36000, finds the actual cost price of the mobile phone.
A. Rs. 50000
B. Rs. 45000
C. Rs. 52250
D. Rs. 47250
E. None of these
Ans- (A)

Q7. As per a company policy only 25% of the female employees and 20% of the male employees
can hold the positions higher than level 2. If the ratio of female and male employees in the
company is 3: 2, then find the percentage of employees which are working below level 2.
A. 75%
B. 77%
C. 70%
D. 72%
E. 79%
Ans- (B)

Q8. A dishonest salesman buys x% more grains than what he pays for, while selling he uses
counterfeit weight which measures 800 grams for every 1000 grams. If he sells the item at 10%
above the cost price and earn an overall profit of 65%, then find the value of x.
A. 20%
B.25%
C. 35%
D. 15%
E. None of these
Ans- (A)

Q9. In an exam minimum qualifying marks for class IX and X are 30% and 45% respectively. It is
known that total marks of each class are the same and a boy of class X scored 1225; thereby
failing by 125 marks. Find passing marks for class IX.
A. 900
B. 1200
C. 1500
D. 925
E. None of these
Ans-(A)

Q10. ABC publication started with 2000 novels. The printing cost, packaging cost and delivery cost
of each novel is Rs. 150, Rs. 20 and Rs. 50 respectively. If 40% of the novels are sold at 3/4th of
the cost price, then how much percent above the cost price should the remaining novels be sold
to get 20% profit on total expenditure?
A. 25%
B. 20%
C. 30%
D. 40%
E. 50%
Ans-(E)

Q11. A pickpocket stole the wallet of Mr. Jittu. Jittu remembers that before he lost his wallet, he
bought a notebook and a marker. He pays 1/5th of his money for buying the notebook, and of the
remaining, he spends 25% on buying marker which is equal to Rs. 12. Find the amount of money
lost by Mr. Jittu.
A. Rs. 125
B. Rs. 75
C. Rs. 100
D. Rs. 60
E. None of these
Ans-(E)

Q12. A survey was conducted in a village to know the reason of Deaths due to Critical Diseases.
Number of people who died due to Diabetes were 20% of the total population. It was found that
2000 people died due to lung cancer. The people who died of Diabetes were 1200 more than
those who died of Lung Cancer. If the people who died of lung cancer were 33.33 % of the people
who smoke, then what percent of the total population were smokers?
A. 40%
B. 62.5%
C. 37.5%
D. 28.50%
E. 32.50%
Ans- (C)

Q13. Rakul spent 10% of his yearly income on house rent, 14% on buying a new car, 12% on kids’
school. He spent 15% and 10% of the remaining on groceries and vacation in Spain. If he saved
Rs.518400 in the entire year, then find his monthly salary?
A. Rs. 90000
B. Rs. 108000
C. Rs. 98000
D. Rs. 136000
E. None of these
Ans-(A)

Q14. Two villages Rampur and Jamnagar had the same population 2 years ago. Population of
Rampur decreased at R% p.a. while the population of Jamnagar increased at R% p.a. Today, the
difference between their population is 1000R, then what was the population of any village 2 years
ago?
A. 15000
B. 20000
C. 25000
D. Data insufficient
E. None of these
Ans- (C)

Q15. The bank deposit of Rama is 100% more than that of Ajay and 75% more than that of Jatin.
Rama’s deposits are what percent of the total deposits of Ajay and Jatin together?
A. 93.67%
B. 92.67%
C. 93.33%s
D. 91.33%s
E. None of these
Ans- (C)

Q16. In a school, 40% of students are in high school or above and rest are in junior high school or
below. Of those who are in high school or above, the ratio of boys to girls is 7 : 3, and those in
junior high school or below have boys to girls in ratio 7 : 5. Ratio of boys in high school or above
to junior high school or below:
A. 2: 3
B. 4: 3
C. 3: 4
D. 4: 5
E. None of these
Ans- (D)

Q17. In an examination of SBI SO, Ramu scored 92% marks, Naveen scored 56% and Samarth
scored 634 marks out of the total marks. Average marks scored by them was 643. What
percentage of the total marks did Samarth get in the SBI SO exam?
A. 66.23%
B. 68.34%
C. 72.45%
D. 76.67%
E. None of these
Ans- (C)

Q18. The speed ratio of A, B and C is 5: 4: 3. All of them start running together on a track and
match their respective wrist watches when they finish the race. C completes the race in 20 min.
When B finishes the race the wrist watch of A shows 7:27PM. When C finishes the race, his watch
shows 7:30PM and wrist watch of B shows 7:16PM. At the start of the race what is the difference
between the time in the wrist watch of A and B?
A. 15 min
B. 16 min
C. 12 min
D. 6 min
E. None of these
Ans- (B)