Quantitative Reasoning
Topic overview
Quantitative reasoning focuses on extracting data from tables or short scenarios and quickly completing ratio, percentage, unit and rate calculations. In formal practice, estimation should be used as a check on your answer, not as an extra step.
Key concepts
Rate of change = change / original value. For successive changes you cannot simply add the percentages; first multiply the individual change factors.
Key points
- ◆Confirm who the denominator is
- ◆Estimate the order of magnitude first
- ◆Pay attention to percentages versus percentage points
For rate problems, write the units first: quantity/time, distance/time, or dose/body weight. Substitute the numbers only after converting, to avoid mixing hours, minutes and millilitres.
Key points
- ◆Write the unit next to the number
- ◆Round only at the end
- ◆Check reasonableness by back-substitution
Worked examples
Try each example yourself before checking the explanation.
The cost rises from £80 to £92; what is the percentage increase?
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