ACS IBA QUANTITATIVE

Percentage
Percentage is a number or ratio expressed as a fraction of 100. In other words, the word
“Percent” means parts per hundred. It is a ratio between two numbers where the second
number is 100.

𝑥
That is, x:y or where y = 100. Whenever we use the term”'percent” or the symbol "%" it
𝑦
1
means .
100

1 20
For example, 20% = 20 × (100) = 100 = ⅕

● If we want to measure “x” % of a number “y”, we simply multiply y by x %

20
For example: 20% of 50 = ( ) × 50 = 10.
100

● 100% of a number is the number itself

100
For example: 100% of 50 = (100) × 50 = 50

● To calculate what % of a number “x” is another number “y”, we multiply (y/x) by 100.

For example: 10 is what % of 50?

10
Answer: (50) x 100 = 20.

Percentage Increase
If a number “x” increases by 20%, the result is x + (20 % of x)
For example:
If 50 increases by 20%, the result is, (50 + 20% of 50)
= (50 + 10)
= 60
We can also say if a number 'y' increases by 20%, the result is y multiplied by (100 +
20) or 120% or 1.2.

1|Page
 ACS IBA QUANTITATIVE

For example:
If 50 increases by 20%, the result is 50 × 1.2 = 60

As,
20
{(50 × 1) + (100)×x 50}

= {50 × 1) + (0.2 × 50)}

= 50 × (1 + 0.2)
= 50 × 1.2
= 60

Percentage Decrease:

If a number “x” decreases by 20%, the result is x - (20 % of x)

For example: If 50 decreases by 20%, the result is,

(50 - 20% of 50)
= (50 - 10)
= 40
We can also say if a number y decreases by 20%, the result is y multiplied by (100 - 20)
or 80% or 0.8
For example:

If 50 decreases by 20%, the result is 50 × 0.8 = 40

20
As, (50 × 1) - {( ) × 50}
100

= (50 × 1) - (0.2 × 50)}

= 50 × (1 - 0.2)
= 50 × 0.8
= 40

By now, you must have noticed that percentages can be expressed in fractions and vice
versa. For example, we can express half as either ½ or 50%, and so on.

For easier and faster calculations in your exam hall, it is advised that you memorise some of
the fraction forms of percentages and vice versa. The most important ones are given in the
table below:

2|Page
 ACS IBA QUANTITATIVE

Fraction Percentage

½ 50%

⅓ 33.33%
4
133.33%
3

2 66.667%
3

5 166.67%
3

⅕ 20%

¼ 25%
1 10%
10

¾ 75%

⅗ 60%

⅖ 40%

A club sold drama tickets for Tk. 100 each for donating to an orphanage. One member
sold 75% of his tickets and had 80 tickets left. How much money did the member
collect?
Solution:
Let, total number of tickets = x
So, the member sold 0.75x and ticket left is (x - 0.75x) = 0.25x tickets
According to the question,
0.25x = 80.
80
or, x = ( )
0.25
= 320.
So,
0.75x = (0.75 × 320) = 240
So, total money collected = (240×100) = 24,000.

3|Page
 ACS IBA QUANTITATIVE

Past Paper Questions

1. Mr. X spends 72% of his income on food, 20% on clothing, 5% on gifts, and the
remaining Tk.330 on lottery tickets. What is his income in thousands?[IBA BBA 94-95]
A. 8 B. 9 C. 10 D. 11 E. 12
2. What is 10% of y/3, if 2y/3 is 10% of 600? [IBA BBA 99-00]
A. 1 B. 2 C. 3 D. 4 E. None
3. Three friends shared the cost of a tape recorder. if Andy, Barbara, and Donna each
paid Taka 12, 30, and, 18, respectively, then Donna paid what percent of the cost of the
tape recorder? [IBA BBA 95-96]
A. 10% B. 30% C. 33(⅓)% D. 50% E. 66(⅔)%
4. In a certain shipment, 2% of the boxes shipped were damaged. If the loss per damaged
box was Tk. 35, and the total loss due to damage was Tk. 700, how many boxes were
shipped? [IBA BBA 08-09]
A. 20 B. 100 C. 200 D. 1000 E. 2000
5. Thirty prizes were distributed to five percent of the contestants. No contestant got
more than one prize. The number of contestants in the contest was: [IBA MBA 96-97]
A. 150 B. 600 C. 300 D. 15 E. 60
6. Last year, there were 1172 students at Beaton High School. This year there are 15
percent more students than last year. Approximately how many students are at Beaton
High School this year? [IBA MBA 05-06]
A. 1800 B. 1600 C. 1500 D. 1400 E. 2000

Answers to Past Paper Questions

1.D 2.C 3.B 4.D 5.B 6.D

4|Page
 ACS IBA QUANTITATIVE

Solutions to Past Paper Questions

1. Let, the total salary is Tk. x
Now,
72% of x= 0.72x
20% of x= 0.2x
5% of x= 0.05x
According to the questions,
0.72x + 0.2x + 0.05x + 330 = x
x- (0.72x + 0.2x + 0.05x) = 330
0.03x = 330
330
x=
0.03
x= 11,000
So, his income is 11 thousand.
So, option (D) is the correct answer.
𝑦
2. 10% of means,
3
10 𝑦
×
100 3
𝑦
= 30
Now,
2𝑦
= 10% of 600
3
2𝑦
Or, =60
3
𝑦
Or, =30
3
𝑦
or, =3
30

So, option (C) is the correct answer.

3. Total cost of the tape recorder
= Tk.(12 + 30 + 18)
= Tk. 60
Donna paid 18 taka.
Donna’s share in percentage
𝐷𝑜𝑛𝑛𝑎′ 𝑠 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑏𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛
=( ) x 100%
𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑚𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑦
18
=( ) × 100 = 30%
50
So, option (B) is the correct answer.

5|Page
 ACS IBA QUANTITATIVE

4. Let,
Total number of boxes= x
So, 2% of x= 0.02x
According to the question, The loss per damaged box was Tk. 35
So, the total loss of 0.02x boxes= 35× 0.02x
Given,
35× 0.02x = 700
Or, 0.07x = 700
Or, x = 1000
Total number of boxes was 1000.
So, option (D) is the correct answer.

5. Let the total number of contestants be x.

Since 5% of the contestants received prizes, the number of contestants who received prizes
is 5% of x= 0.05x

According to the question,

0.05x = 30
30
Or, x =
0.05
Or, x = 600
So, option (B) is the correct answer.
6. To find the number of students at Beaton High School this year, we need to calculate a 15%
increase over last year's number.
Last year, there were 1172 students
So, the total number of students this year will be
= 1172 + 15% of 1172
= 1172 + 0.15×1172
=1172 (1 + 0.15)
=(1172 × 1.15)
= 1348 ~ (the closest answer is 1400, since the option “None of these” is not given)
So, option (D) is the correct answer.

6|Page
 ACS IBA QUANTITATIVE

Practice Problems
1. In a box, 40% of the pens are red. If half of the red pens are removed, the percentage
of red pens in the box will be :
A. 20% B. 22.5% C. 25% D. 30% E. None of these
2. 0.032 is what percent of 0.04?
A.0.8 B. 8 C. 80 D. 40 E. 20
3. The CEO of ACS group increases the salary of an employee from 36,000 to 48,000 taka.
By what percent must he decrease his salary to return to the original amount?
A. 20 B. 25 C. 30 D. 35 E. None of these
4. After paying a 10 percent tax on all income over $3,000, a person had a net income of
$12,000. What was the income before taxes?
A. $13,300 B. $13,000
C. $12,900 D. $10,000 E. $9,000

Answers of Practice Problems

1.C 2.C 3.B 4.B

7|Page
 ACS IBA QUANTITATIVE

Solutions to Practice Problems

1. Suppose there are 100 pens in the box.
Then, 40% of 100 pens, or 40 pens, are red.
If we remove half, i.e., 40/2=20 pens, then we will have 20 red pens remaining.
Then, the total pens in the box after removing 20 red pens = 100 - 20 = 80
Therefore, percentage of red pens
= (Number of red pens/ Total pens after removal) × 100%
= (20/80) × 100%
= 25%
N.B.: We can do this math by assuming the total number of pens is equal to “x” as well.
So, option (C) is the correct answer.
2. Let, 0.032 is x percent of 0.04
Now,
x% of 0.04 = 0.032
1
Or, x × ( ) × 0.04 = 0.032
100
0.032
Or, x= ( ) × 100
0.04
Or, x = 80

So, option (C) is the correct answer.

3. Amount to be decreased his salary to return to the original amount = (48000 - 36000) = 12000
So, the percentage of change
𝐷𝑒𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑎𝑚𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑡
=( ) × 100%
𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑆𝑎𝑙𝑎𝑟𝑦 𝑜𝑛 𝑤ℎ𝑖𝑐ℎ 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑑𝑒𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑏𝑒 𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑑

12000
=( )×100
48000

= 25%
One important thing to remember here, while calculating
So, option (B) is the correct answer.
4. Let x be the income before taxes,
then equation should be:
3,000 + (x−3,000) × 90% = 12,000
Or, x=13,000
So, option (B) is the correct answer.

8|Page
 ACS IBA QUANTITATIVE

Percentage Change
The concept of percentage change revolves around comparing two situations and
determining how much a quantity has increased or decreased relative to its original value,
expressed as a percentage. It is a fundamental part of finance, economics, statistics, and
many other areas of study where understanding shifts in values is crucial.

Percentage change tells you how much a value has increased or decreased in relation to its
original value, expressed as a percentage. It can show the magnitude of a change, whether
it's a gain or a loss, which is crucial for comparing values over time or between different
scenarios

Key Types of Percentage Change Scenarios:

1. Increase or Decrease: A common scenario where a value grows or shrinks, such as price
changes, population shifts, or profit/loss calculations.

Formula:

𝑁𝑒𝑤 𝑉𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒−𝑂𝑙𝑑 𝑉𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒

Percentage Change= [ ] × 100%
𝑂𝑙𝑑 𝑉𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒

𝐴𝑚𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒
Or, Percentage Change= [ ] × 100%
𝑂𝑙𝑑 𝑉𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒

These two formulas say the same thing.

An important thing to remember while solving this type of problem is that the percentage
change is always calculated on the previous value to which the change is applied.
So, the denominator will always be “Old Value.”

2. Sequential Changes (Increase then decrease or vice versa): Sometimes, a value might
change more than once. For example, a price might first rise and then fall, requiring you to
calculate the net effect.

Here, each percentage change is calculated independently and applied to the updated value
after each change.

9|Page
 ACS IBA QUANTITATIVE

Past Paper Questions

1. If the population of a town was 20,000 in 1970 and 16,000 in 1980, what was the percent
decline in the town’s population? [IBA BBA 95-96]

A. 50% B. 25% C. 20% D. 10% E. 5%

2. A box contains 24 red socks and 43 green socks. How many green socks must be
removed from the box so that 60% of the socks in the box will be green?
[IBA BBA 08-09]

A. 6 B. 7 C. 8 D. 9 E. none of these

3. There are 50 students enrolled in business school. Of the enrolled students, 90% took
the final exam. Two-thirds of the students who took the final exam passed the final
exam. How many students passed the final exam? [IBA MBA 98-99]

A. 30 B. 33 C. 34 D. 35

4. The price of sugar in the year 1994 increased by 10% from that in 1994. In 1995 the
price decreased by 5% from that in 1994. In 1995, what was the increase in price with
respect to that of 1993? [IBA BBA 94-95]

A. 5.5 B. 5 C. 4.5 D. 4 E. none

5. Karim received a 10% raise each month for three consecutive months. If his salary
after the three consecutive raises is 13310, what was his starting salary?
[IBA MBA 00-01]

A. 9000 B. 10000 C. 11000 D. 12000 E. None of these

6. In January, 55 percent of a hospital's 300 patients were women. In February, 30 percent

of its 440 patients were women. What was the percent change in the number of women
patients from January to February? [IBA BBA 08-09]

A. decrease of 20% B. increase of 20%

C. decrease of 25% D. increase of 25%
E. increase of 46.67%
7. A number is divided by 3/7 and then multiplied by 5/8. The net effect (approx) is -
[IBA BBA 07-08]
A. the number decreases by 22% B. the number increases by 46%
C. the number decreases by 33% D. the number increases by 33%
E. None of these
Answers to Past Paper Questions
1.C 2.B 3.E 4.C 5.B 6.A 7.B

10 | P a g e
 ACS IBA QUANTITATIVE

Solutions to Past Paper Questions

1. We have to find the change (new amount - old amount).
So, the change is 16,000 - 20,000 = -4,000.
That means the change is a 4,000-person drop. This change happened to the old population
(20,000), which led to the new population (16,000).
𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒
So, percentage change = ( ) × 100%
𝑂𝑙𝑑 𝑉𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒
4,000
= (− ) × 100%
20,000
= -20 %
The final answer is -20%, or a 20% drop
So, option (C) is the correct answer.
2. Given, there are 24 red socks and 43 green socks.
After removing some of the green socks,
Green socks = 60%
So, Red socks will be = (100% - 60%) = 40%
The number of red socks has stayed the same.
So, 40% of the total socks represents the number of red socks in the box, which equals
24.
Now, Let the total number of socks= x
40% of x = 24
24
1% of x = 60
24
60% of x = (60) × 60 = 36

So, the total number of socks after removal is equal to 36.

Therefore, green socks to be removed = 43 - 36 = 7
So, option (B) is the correct answer.
3. Given, the number of enrolled students = 50
90% took the final exam.
90
People taking the final exam = (100) x 50 = 45

Two-thirds of the students who took the final exam passed the final exam.
2
People passing the final exam = ( ) x 45 = 30
3

So, option (E) is the correct answer.

11 | P a g e
 ACS IBA QUANTITATIVE

4. Let, Price of sugar in 1993 was Tk. 100

So, price of sugar in 1994 was = (100 × 110%) = Tk.110 [10% increase]
Price of sugar in 1995 was = (110 × 95%) = TK.104.5 [5% decrease]
So, the increase in price of sugar in 1995 compared to 1993 is
𝑁𝑒𝑤 𝑉𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒−𝑂𝑙𝑑 𝑉𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒
=[ ] × 100%
𝑂𝑙𝑑 𝑉𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒
104.5 − 100
=[ ) × 100 %
100

=4.5%

So, option (C) is the correct answer.

5. Let,
Initial salary was= x
After the first raise, the salary is (x × 110%) = 1.1x
After second raise, salary is (1.1x × 110%) = 1.21x
After the third raise, salary is (1.21x × 110%) = 1.331x
Given, final salary= 13,310
So, 1.331x= 13,310
13,310
x= 1.331

x = 10,000 taka
So, initial salary, x=10,000 taka.
So, option (B) is the correct answer.
6. In January, 55 percent of a hospital's 300 patients were women
Number of females were = 300 × 55% = 165
In February, 30 percent of its 440 patients were women
Number of females were = 440 × 30% = 132
𝑁𝑒𝑤 𝑉𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒−𝑂𝑙𝑑 𝑉𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒
So, Percentage decrease = [ ] × 100%
𝑂𝑙𝑑 𝑉𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒

165 − 132
=[ ] × 100
165

= 20%
The percentage of women increased by 20%.
So, option (A) is the correct answer.
12 | P a g e
 ACS IBA QUANTITATIVE

7. Let, the number is x

3 5
According to question, “x” is divided by 7 and then multiplied by 8.

3 5
x ÷( ) ×
7 8
7 5
=x× ×
3 8
35𝑥
=
24
35𝑥
So, the number increased by = ( 24 ) - x
35
= (24 - 1) x
11
= 24𝑥

Percentage of increase= [Change / Old Value] × 100%

11𝑥
24
=[ ] × 100
𝑥
= 45.833%
=~ 46% increase
So, option (B) is the correct answer.

13 | P a g e
 ACS IBA QUANTITATIVE

Practice Problems
1. For a candidate to clear an examination, s/he must score 55% marks. If s/he gets 120
and fails by 78 marks, then what is the total marks for the examination?

A. 300 B. 360 C. 320 D. 400 E. None of these

2. The sum of the weekly salaries of 5 employees is $3,250. If each of the five salaries is
to increase by 10 percent, then the average (arithmetic mean) weekly salary per
employee will increase by

A. $52.50 B. $55.00 C. $57.50 D. $62.50 E. $65.00

3. A student received a grade of 60 on a test, which is 20% lower than the class average.
What was the class average?

A. 60 B. 65 C. 70 D. 75 E. 80

4. If the length of each of the sides of three square garden plots is increased by 50%, by
what percent is the sum of the areas of the three plots increased?

A. 50% B. 375% C. 100% D. 90% E. 125%

5. If the cost of a yearly membership in a certain club increased from $399 to $499, what
was the approximate percent increase in cost?

A. 20% B. 25% C. 30% D. 50% E. 60%

Answers of Practice Problems

1.B 2.E 3.D 4.E 5.B

14 | P a g e
 ACS IBA QUANTITATIVE

Solutions to Practice Problems

1. Let, the total score be x
So, passing marks = 0.55x
That student has to score (120 + 78) or 198 to pass
So, according to the question,
0.55x = 198
Or, x = 198/ 0.55
= 360
So, option (B) is the correct answer.
2. Given that the sum of the weekly salaries of 5 employees is $3,250
3,250
The original average salary is = 650.
5

If each of the five salaries will increase by 10%, the new sum of the salaries will also increase
by 10%. Thus, the new sum is:
=0.1 x 3,250 + 3,250
= 325 + 3,250
= 3,575
3,575
Thus, the new average salary= = $715.
5

Each salary increases by (715 - 650) = $65.

So, option (E) is the correct answer.
3. Let, the average of the class be x
Given, the student received grade 60, which is 20% lower than x

According to question,
x - 20% of x = 60
or, 80% of x = 60
60
or, x = 80 %
60 × 100
or, x = 80

or, x = 75
so, the class average was 75

So, option (D) is the correct answer.

15 | P a g e
 ACS IBA QUANTITATIVE

4. Let, the length of each of the three square garden plots is 10 units
Since the lengths are increased by 50%, the new lengths are
= 10×1.5= 15 units each.
Now, area of one square garden with a side of 10 units= (102)= 100

The sum of the areas of the three square plots previously was = 3(10 2) = 300

Now, area of one square garden with a side of 10 units= (152)= 225

The sum of the areas must be = 3(152) = 3(225) = 675

This represents an increase of 675 - 300 = 375,

375
which is an increase of (300) × 100 = 125

So, option (E) is the correct answer.

5. As the question asked for approximate change,

We can take $399 to $499 ≈ $400 to $500
500−400
So. the percentage change will be= × 100 = 25%
400

So, option (B) is the correct answer.

16 | P a g e
 ACS IBA QUANTITATIVE

Percentage Difference
The difference of percentages typically refers to the numerical difference between two
percentage values. It’s a concept often encountered when comparing data points expressed
as percentages, such as population growth rates, performance changes, or price fluctuations.

The difference in percentages is simply the subtraction of one percentage value from another.
For example, if you have two percentages, p1 and p2, then the difference is:

Difference of Percentages=p1−p2

This gives the absolute or relative difference between the two percentages.

Key Use Cases:

Comparing Growth or Decline: If two products' sales growth rates are 15% and 10%,
the difference between them is 5%. This tells you how much more one product is
growing compared to the other.

Performance Measurement: Performance metrics, such as test scores, allow you to

compare the percentage of correct answers between two students to determine who
performed better and by how much.

Price Changes: In business or finance, the percentage difference between old and
new prices tells you the extent of a price increase or decrease.

Absolute vs. Relative Difference:

Absolute Difference: This is the straightforward subtraction of two percentage values.

Relative Difference: This measures the difference relative to one of the percentage
values. It’s usually expressed as a percentage of the original value.

𝑝1−𝑝2
Relative Difference={ } × 100%
𝑝1

17 | P a g e
 ACS IBA QUANTITATIVE

Past Paper Questions

1. At a company, 70% of this year's new employees are graduates of business school,
and the remainder are graduates of liberal arts colleges; if 550 new employees were
hired this year, what is the difference between the number of new business school
employees and the number of new liberal arts employees?
[IBA BBA 01-02]
A. 55 B. 220 C. 240 D. 385 E. None
2. In a class, 25% of the students voted for Mr X. ⅔rd of the remaining students voted
for Mr Y. The remaining 11 students didn't cast their votes. How many students are
there in the class? [IBA BBA 96-97]
A. 6 B. 44 C. 36 D. 22 E. 16
3. Last year Mr. X saved 10% of his annual earnings. This year, he earned more than last
year and he saved 12% of his annual earnings. If the amount saved this year is 26%
more than that of the savings of previous year, how much more did he earn this year?
[IBA MBA 99-00]
A. 4% B. 5% C. 6% D.10% E. 15%
4. At a club 70% of the members are women 60% of the members are married. If ⅔ of the
men are single, what fraction of the women is married?
[IBA MBA 00-01]
5 7 1 7
A. B. C. D. E. None of these
7 10 3 30

5. You can now purchase 5 more bananas with tk. 75 due to a reduction in price by 20%.
Calculate the current price of one dozen Bananas.
[IBA BBA 99-00, BUP 18]
A. 24 B. 30 C. 32 D. 36 E. None
6. You can buy 16 pens for y Taka. How many pens can you buy for z Taka if the price of
the pen is reduced by 20%? [IBA MBA 13-14, JU 15]
𝑧 𝑦 𝑦 20𝑦𝑧
A. 20 B. 80 C. 20 D. E. none of these
𝑦 2 𝑧 16

7. Two numbers individually are less than the third number by 60% and 74% respectively.
By what percentage is the second number less than the first?
[IBA MBA 17-18]
A. 18 B. 27 C. 30 D. 35 E. None of these

Answers of Past Paper Questions

1.B 2.B 3.B 4.A 5.D 6.A 7.D

18 | P a g e
 ACS IBA QUANTITATIVE

Solutions to Past Paper Questions

1. Given, the total number of employees hired= 550
Business school employees = 550 × 70% = 385
Liberal school employees = 550 × 30% =165
Difference between these two= 385 - 165 = 220
So, option (B) is the correct answer.

2. Let, total students = 100

Votes for Mr. X = 25 [25% of 100= 25]
Remaining votes = (100 - 25) = 75
2
Votes for Mr. Y = 75 × = 50
3

Remaining votes = 100 - 25 - 50 = 25

According to the question,
When the remaining votes are 25, the total students are 100
100 × 11
When the remaining votes are 11, total students are = 44
25

So, option (B) is the correct answer.

3. Let, Earnings of last year = x

Savings of last year = 10% of x= 0.1x
Earnings of this year = y
Savings of this year = 12% of y= 0.12y
According to the question,
0.12y = 126% of 0.1x
Or, 0.12y = 1.26 × 0.1x
Or, 12y = 126 × 0.1x
𝑦 126 21
Or, = =
𝑥 120 20
𝑦 21
Or, ( ) - 1 = ( ) - 1
𝑥 20
1
Or,(y -x)x = 20 = 0.05= 5%

So, option (B) is the correct answer.

19 | P a g e
 ACS IBA QUANTITATIVE

4. Let,
Total members = 100
Total married members = 60% of 100= 60
So, unmarried members = Total - married members
= 100 - 60 = 40
Total female members = 70% of 100= 70
So, male members = Total - female member
= 100 - 70 =30
2
Unmarried male members = 30 × = 20
3

So, married male members = 30 - 20 = 10

So, married female = 60 - 10 = 50
50 5
Required fraction = =
70 7

So, option (A) is the correct answer.

5. Given,
Previous price of x bananas = Tk. 75
As you can now buy 5 more bananas with the same price,
So, Current price of (x + 5) bananas = Tk. 75

We will be able to determine present price if we can find the present value of x
Now,
When previous price of x bananas is Tk. 100, the current price is Tk. 80
80
When the previous price of x bananas is Tk. 1, the current price is Tk.
100
80 × 75
When the previous price of x bananas is Tk. 75, the current price is Tk. = Tk. 60
100

So, the current price of x bananas is Tk. 60

As the current price of (x + 5) bananas is Tk. 75,
So, current price of 5 bananas = Tk. (75 - 60) = Tk. 15
15 × 12
So, current price of one dozen (12 bananas) is Tk. = Tk. 36
5

So, option (D) is the correct answer.

20 | P a g e
 ACS IBA QUANTITATIVE

6. Given, 16 pen for y Tk

𝑦 4𝑦
After 20% discount, price of 16 pen becomes= y - =
5 5
4𝑦
Now, With Tk. , we can buy 16 pens
5
5
With Tk. z, we can buy =(16 × z) × pens
4𝑦
20𝑧
= pens
𝑦
So, option (A) is the correct answer.
7. Let the 3rd number be 100.
The 1st number is 60% less than 100.
So, the 1st number is 100 - 60% of 100 = 40
And the 2nd number is 74% less than 100.
So, the 2nd number is 100 - 74% of 100 = 26
Difference between the 1st and 2nd number = 40 - 26 = 14
14
So, the second number is less by (40) × 100 % =35% compared to the first number

So, option (D) is the correct answer.

21 | P a g e
 ACS IBA QUANTITATIVE

Practice Problems
1. If the price of an item is increased by 10% and then decreased by 10%, the net effect
on the price of the item is -
A. Increase of 99% B. decrease of 1%
C. No change D. Increase 1% E. Decrease 11%
2. Max weighs 60 percent more than Saddie, David weighs 50 percent less than Max, and
Harper weighs 25 percent more than David. If Harper weighs 126 pounds, what is
Saddie’s weight?
A. 124 B. 125 C. 126 D. 127 E. 130
3. A factory has 500 workers, 12 percent of whom are women. If 80 additional workers
are to be hired and all of the present workers remain, what percent of the new workers
must be women in order to raise the total percent of female workers to 20 percent?
A. 70% B. 50% C. 32% D. 20% E. none of these
4. In ACS, 60% of the employees are men and 48% of the employees are technicians. If
66.66% of technicians are men. The percentage of women who are not technicians is?
A. 60% B. 55% C. 50% D. 45% E. None of these

Answers of Practice Problems

1.B 2.C 3.A 4.A

22 | P a g e
 ACS IBA QUANTITATIVE

Solutions to Practice Problems

1. Let,
The price of the item is Tk. 100
After increasing the price by 10%, new price = Tk. (100 × 110%) = Tk. 110
After decreasing the price by 10%, new price = Tk. (110 × 90%) = Tk. 99
100 − 99
Net change = [ ) = 1% decrease
100

So, option (B) is the correct answer.

2. Given,
Harper’s weight = 126 pounds
Harper = David × 125%
126
So, David’s weight = 125% = 100.8 pounds

David = 50% × max

100.8
So, Max’s weight = % = 201.6 pounds
50

Max = 160% × Saddie

201.6
So, Saddie’s weight = % = 126
160

So, option (C) is the correct answer.

3. Given,
Number of old workers = 500
12% of whom are women.
12
So, the number of female workers = 500 × 100 = 60

Number of new workers = 500 + 80 = 580

In order to have 20% female workers among 580,
20
The number of new female workers will be= 580 × 100 = 116

So, among 80 new workers, the number of females has to be = (116 - 60) = 56
56
∴ The required percentage: = 80 × 100% = 70%
So, option (A) is the correct answer.

23 | P a g e
 ACS IBA QUANTITATIVE

4. Let the company has 100 employees

So, no. of male = 60
Number of female = 100 - 60 = 40
Number of technicians = 48
Given,
66.66% or ⅔ of technicians are male.
2
So, number. of male technicians = (3) x 48 = 32
So, number of female technicians = (48 - 32) = 16

Number of female employees who are not technicians = (40 - 16) = 24

24
So, the required percentage = 40 = 0.6 = 60%
So, option (A) is the correct answer.

24 | P a g e
 ACS IBA QUANTITATIVE

Percentage Relationship and Comparison

The topic "Percentage-Based Word Problems Involving Relationships and
Comparisons" focuses on solving real-life scenarios using percentages to compare, relate,
and calculate various quantities. It is an important topic in competitive exams, where you are
required to apply percentage formulas to solve word problems about prices, quantities,
profits, taxes, and relationships.

Past Paper Questions

1. A jar contains marbles of 4 different colours. The number of blue marbles is three times
as many as the yellow ones. The number of red marbles is half that of the yellow ones.
The number of orange marbles is equal to the number of red ones. What percentage
of the marbles are orange-colored? [IBA BBA 02-03]

A. 10 B. 15 C. 20 D. 21.5 E. none of these

2. The cost of a pen is 20% more than that of a book and the cost of a CD is ¾ as much
as the cost of the pen. If the cost of the pen is Tk. 90 more than that of the CD, what is
the cost of the book in taka? [IBA BBA 03-04]

A. 120 B. 126 C. 192 D. 200 E. none of these

3. The total price for a watch and a chain is Tk. 500. If the price of the watch increases by
10% and that of the chain by 5%, the total price becomes Tk. 545. What is the price of
the chain? [IBA BBA 99-00]

A. 75 B. 80 C. 100 D. 120 E. 125

4. Hasib’s weight is 140% of Shawkat’s weight. Mowla’s weight is 90% of Misha’s weight.
Misha weighs twice as much as Shawkat. What percent of Hasib’s weight is Mowla’s
weight? [IBA MBA 00-01]

2 7 5 4
A. 64( ) B. 90 C. 77( ) D. 155( ) E. 128( )
7 9 9 7

5. You have to pay 15% tax on a Mercedes car and 20% tax on a BMW car. If the price of
a BMW is 20% more than that of the Mercedes, then the tax paid for a BMW is what
percent of the tax paid for Mercedes? [IBA MBA 07-08]

A. 120 B. 133.33 C. 145 D. 160 E. none of these

6. In an exam, A, scoring 40% marks, fails by 10 marks. B, scoring 50% marks, gets 10
more than the passing marks. What was the total mark in the exam?
[IBA MBA 17-18]

A. 88 B. 100 C. 160 D. 200 E. None of these

25 | P a g e
 ACS IBA QUANTITATIVE

7. The price of one kilogram (kg) sugar is 175% of the price of one kg salt. If 7 kgs of
sugar and 5 kgs of salt cost BDT 690, what is the difference between the prices of one
kg sugar and two kgs salt? [IBA BBA 19-20]

A. BDT 10 B. BDT 15 C. BDT 25 D. BDT 30 E. BDT 35

Answers of Past Paper Questions

1.A 2.E 3.C 4. 5.D 6.D 7.A

26 | P a g e
 ACS IBA QUANTITATIVE

Solutions to Past Paper Questions

1. Let,
Yellow marbles= x
So, blue marbles= 3x
𝑥 𝑥
So, red marbles= and, orange marbles=
2 2
𝑥 𝑥
Total marbles = x + 3x + + = 5x
2 2

Now,
𝑥
Among 5x marbles, orange marbles
2
𝑥
2
So, the percentage will be = { } × 100%
5𝑥

= 10%
So, option (A) is the correct answer.

2. Let, the cost of a book is Tk. x

So, the cost of the pen is (x × 120%) = 1.2x
3
Again, the cost of the CD is 4 × 1.2x = 0.9x

Again, it is given that the cost of the pen is Tk. 90 more than that of the CD

According to question,

Pen = CD + 90
or, 1.2x = 0.9x + 90
or, 0.3x = 90
90
or, x = 0.3
900
or, x = 3

or, x = 300

So cost of the book is Tk. 300

So, option (E) is the correct answer.

27 | P a g e
 ACS IBA QUANTITATIVE

3. Let, the price of the watch be Tk. x

So, the price of the chain must be Tk. (500 - x)

Price of the watch increases by 10%

So, new price of the watch Tk. (x × 110%) or, Tk. 1.1x

Again, the price of the chain increases by 5%

So the new price of the chain is Tk. {(500 - x) × 105%}

= Tk. {(500 - x) × 1.05}
= Tk. (525 - 1.05x)
According to question,
The new price of the pen + the new price of the chain = 545
or, 1.1x + 525 - 1.05x = 545
or, 0.05x = 20
20
or, x = 0.05
2000
or, x = 5
or, x = 400

Price of the watch is Tk. 400

So, price of the chain is Tk. (500 - 400) = Tk. 100
So, option (C) is the correct answer.
4. Let,
Shawkat’s weight = 100
So, Hasib’s weight = 140% × 100 = 140
So, Misha’s weight = 100 × 2 = 200
Again, Moula’s weight = 200 × 90% = 180
180 4
Percentage = ( ) × 100 = 128( )
140 7
So, option (E) is the correct answer.
5. Let, Mercedes’s price = 100
So, Mercedes’s tax = 100 × 15% = 15
Again, BMW’s price = 20% more than 100= 1.2 × 100= 120
So, BMW’s tax = 120 x 20% = 24
𝐵𝑀𝑊 𝑡𝑎𝑥 24
Now, ( ) × 100% = (15) × 100% = 160%
𝑀𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑑𝑒𝑠 𝑡𝑎𝑥

So, option (D) is the correct answer.

28 | P a g e
 ACS IBA QUANTITATIVE

6. Let, total marks in the exam be x

A scored 40% marks.
So, A’s score (x × 40%) or, 0.4x
A’s score is 10 marks below the fail mark
So, the fail mark is = 0.4x + 10
Again, B scored 50% marks
So, B’s score (x × 50%) or, 0.5 x
B’s score is 10 more than the fail mark

So, the fail mark is = 0.5x – 10

According to question,

0.4x + 10 = 0.5x - 10
or, 0.1x = 20
20
or, x =
0.1
200
or, x = = 200
1
So, the total mark was 200 on the exam
So, option (D) is the correct answer.
7. Let, the price of 1 kg salt is x
175 7
The price of 1 kg sugar is 100 × x = × x
4

Now, 7 kgs of sugar and 5 kgs of salt cost BDT 690

7
5x + 7 × × x = 690
4
49𝑥
Or, 5x + = 690
4
Or, x = 40

So, The price of 1 kg salt is 40 taka

7
And, The price of 1 kg sugar is × 40 = 70
4

So, The difference between the prices of one kg sugar and two kgs salt= 40 × 2 - 70 = 10
So, option (A) is the correct answer.

29 | P a g e
 ACS IBA QUANTITATIVE

Practice Problems
1. The total of company C’s assets in 1994 was 300% greater than the total in 1993 which
in terms was 400% greater than the total in 1992. if the total of company C’s asset in
1992 was N dollars, which one of the following represents company C’s asset in 1994?

A. 7N B. 8N C. 9N D. 12N E. 20N

2. In an acoustics class, 120 students are male and 100 students are female. 25% of the
male students and 20% of the female students are engineering students. 20% of the
male engineering students and 25% of the female engineering students passed the
final exam. What percentage of engineering students passed the exam?

A. 5% B. 10% C. 16% D. 22% E. 25%

3. In a country, 60% of the male citizens and 70% of the female citizens are eligible to
vote. 70% of male citizens eligible to vote voted, and 60% of female citizens eligible to
vote voted. What fraction of the citizens voted during the election?

A. 0.48 B. 0.49 C. 0.54 D. 0.60 E. None of these

Answers of Practice Problems

1.E 2.D 3.E

30 | P a g e
 ACS IBA QUANTITATIVE

Solutions to Practice Problems

1. Given, the total asset in 1992 = N
So, asset in 1993 = N + 400% × N = N + 4N = 5N
So, asset in 1994 = 5N + 300% × 5N = 5N + 15N = 20N
So, option (E) is the correct answer.

2. Given, male students 120 and female students 100

Engineering male students = 120 × 25% = 120/4 = 30
Engineering female students = 100 × 20% = 100/5 = 20
Male engineering students who passed = 30 × 20% = 6
Female engineering students who passed = 20 × 25% = 5
Total engineering students who passed (6 + 5) = 11
So, the percentage of engineering students who passed =
𝒏𝒐. 𝒐𝒇 𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒔𝒕𝒖𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒑𝒂𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒅
( ) × 100
𝒕𝒐𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒔𝒕𝒖𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔
11
= {30 + 20} × 100
11
= 50 × 100
= 22%
So, option (D) is the correct answer.

3. Let us say the total men in the country is represented by “M”

and total women in the country is represented by “W”
So, Total population= m +w
Men Eligible to vote = 60% of m = 0.60m
Women Eligible to vote 70% of w = 0.70w

Men actually voted = 70% of 0.6m = 0.42m

Women actually voted = 60% of 0.7w = 0.42w

Total men and women voted = 0.42m + 0.42w = 0.42(m+w)

0.42(𝑚+𝑤)
The fraction of the citizens who voted during the election = = 0.42
𝑚+𝑤
So, option (E) is the correct answer.

31 | P a g e
 ACS IBA QUANTITATIVE

Successive Changes
Successive percentage change refers to the effect of applying multiple percentage changes
in sequence to a quantity. It’s commonly used in situations where a value changes by a
certain percentage, and then the result of that change undergoes another percentage
change. This is different from adding percentages directly, as successive changes compound
on each other.

Example:
The price of a cycle is reduced by 25%. The new price is reduced by a further 20%. The
two reductions together are equal to a single reduction of -
A. 45% B. 35% C. 40% D. 30% E. None of these
Solution:
Let,
The price of the cycle be Tk. 100
The price is reduced by 25%
So, the new price is Tk. (100 × 75%) = Tk. 75

The new price is again reduced by 20%

4
So, the new price now is Tk. (75 × 80%) = Tk. (75 × ) = Tk. 60
5

So, the price is reduced by TK. (100 - 60) or Tk. 40 from the original price of Tk. 100
𝟒𝟎
So, percentage decrease = (𝟏𝟎𝟎) ×100 = 40%

But this way takes too long. Remember what we discussed about IBA maths? It’s all about
efficiency - how fast and accurately you can solve the math. Hence, To tackle these maths,
there is one simple formula which will make your life easier and will help you do the maths
faster. The formula is -
𝒂𝒃
±a ± b ± (𝟏𝟎𝟎)

Here,
+ Means increase in percentage
- Means decrease in percentage
a means increasing/decreasing percentage the first time
b means increasing/decreasing percentage the second time

32 | P a g e
 ACS IBA QUANTITATIVE

Example-
The price of a cycle is reduced by 25%. The new price is reduced by a further 20%. The
two reductions together are equal to a single reduction of -
A. 45% B. 35% C. 40% D. 30% E. None of these
Solution:
Applying the formula -
𝑎𝑏
±a ± b ±(100)
25
= - 25 - 20 + (20 × 100) [- × - = +]

= - 45 + 5
= - 40;
meaning the two reductions together are equal to a single reduction of 40%
So, option (C) is the correct answer.

33 | P a g e
 ACS IBA QUANTITATIVE

Past Paper Questions

1. The length and width of a rectangle are 15 meters and y meters, respectively. If the
length is reduced by 10% and the width is increased by 10%, what is the change in the
area of the rectangle? [IBA BBA 94-95]
A. Increase by 1% B. Decrease by 1% C. Remains the same
D. Decrease by 10% E. Cannot be determined
2. The length and breadth of a room are increased by 20% and 25% respectively. What is
the corresponding percentage increase in the floor area of the room? [IBA BBA 94-95]
A. 20 B. 25 C. 45 D. 50 E. 60
3. The length of a rectangle is increased by 60%. What percent would the width have to
be decreased to maintain the same area? [IBA BBA 01-02]
A. 40% B. 50% C. 60% D. 62.5% E. None of these
4. The length of a rectangular plot is increased by 20% and the breadth is decreased by
20%. Then the area of the plot is - [IBA MBA 99-00]
A. increased by 20% B. decreased by 4% C. same as before
D. decreased by 20% E. increased by 4%
5. The average price of a new car increased by 20% from 1990 to 1995, and again
increased by 20% from 1995 to 2000. If the average price of a new car was Tk. 450,000
in 1995, what is the difference in average price of a car between year 1990 and 2000?
[IBA BBA 00-01]
A. 120000 B. 145000 C. 165000 D. 175000 E. None
6. A colony of 15,000 ants increased by 50% after being fed. Then after 4 weeks without
food, the number of ants dropped by 60%. What percentage decline did the original
population undergo? [IBA BBA 07-08]
A. 72.5 B. 75 C. 90 D. 95.5 E. None of these
7. The price of sugar has increased by 32%. A family reduces its consumption so that the
expenditure of sugar is up by 10% only. If the total consumption of sugar before the
price rise was 10 kg per month, what is the current consumption of sugar per month
(in kg)? [IBA BBA 10-11]
A. 8.33 B. 8.50 C. 8.75 D. 9.00 E. None of these
8. Asit buys 100 shares of stock at 1Tk. 100 per share. The price goes up by 10% and he
sells 50 shares. Then, price drops by 10% and he sells his remaining 50 shares. How
much did he get for the last 50 shares? [IBA BBA 15-16]
A. Tk. 5000 B. Tk. 5500 C. Tk 4900 D. Tk. 5050 E. Tk. 4950

Answers of Past Paper Questions

1.B 2.D 3.E 4.B 5.C 6.E 7.A 8.E

34 | P a g e
 ACS IBA QUANTITATIVE

Solutions to Past Paper Questions

1. Given, length 15 meters and width y meters.
So, area of the rectangle 15y sq. meters
Now, Length is reduced by 10%
So, new length = 15 × 90% = 15 × 9/10 = 13.5 meters
Width is increased by 10%
So, new width = y × 110% = y × 1.1 = 1.1y meters
So, new area = 13.5 × 1.1y = 14.85y sq.metres
Now, change in the area (15y - 14.85y) or 0.15y sq.metres
0.15𝑦
So, percentage change in the area = ( ) × 100
15𝑦
15𝑦
=
15𝑦
= 1%
So, the area of the triangle decreases by 1%
So, option (B) is the correct answer.
2. Here, we apply the formula we learned at the beginning of the chapter.
𝑎𝑏
Successive change = ±a ±b ±(100)
25
= +20 + 25 + (20 × 100)
= 45 + 5
= 50%
So the floor area increased by 50%
So, option (D) is the correct answer.
3. Let, Length = 100
Breadth = 100
Area = 10 × 10 = 100
New length = 10 × 160% = 16
Let, new breadth = x
According to question,
16 × x = 100
100
Or, x = = 6.25
16
So, change in the breadth = 10 - 6.25 = 3.75
3.75
So width needs to be reduced = ( 10 ) × 100 = 37.5%

So, option (E) is the correct answer.

35 | P a g e
 ACS IBA QUANTITATIVE

4. Given, the length is increased by 20%, so, a = +20%

The breadth is decreased by 20%, so, b = -20%
Applying the formula -
𝑎𝑏
±a ± b ±(100)
20
= +20 - 20 - (20 × 100)

=-4
So, decreased by 4%
So, option (B) is the correct answer.
5. Let
Price in 1990 = Tk. 100
So, price in 1995 = Tk. 120% × 100 = 120
Price in 2000 = Tk. 120% × 120 = 144
Now,
When price in 1995 was 120, the price in 1990 was 100
𝟏𝟎𝟎 × 𝟒𝟓𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎
So, When price in 1995 was 450,000, the price in 1990 was or 375,000
𝟏𝟐𝟎

Again
When price in 1990 is 100, price in 2000 was 144
𝟏𝟒𝟒 × 𝟑𝟕𝟓𝟎𝟎𝟎
So, When price in 1990 is 375000, price in 2000 was or 540,000
𝟏𝟎𝟎

Difference = 540,000 - 375,000 = 165,000

So, option (C) is the correct answer.
6. Given, the number of ants increased by 50%(a) and then dropped by 60% (b).
Applying the formula -
𝑎𝑏
±a ± b ±(100)
60
= + 50 - 60 - (50 × 100)

= -10 - 30
= -40; 40% decrease

So, option (E) is the correct answer.

36 | P a g e
 ACS IBA QUANTITATIVE

7. Let, the previous price of sugar= 100 tk per kg.

After a 32% increase, the price of sugar 132 tk.
Previous consumption was 10 kg.
Previous expense=100 × 10 = 1000 tk
If expenditure rises only up to 10%, consumption= 1000 × 1.1 = 1100
1100
So, current consumption= = 8.33 kg
132

So, option (A) is the correct answer.

8. After the 10% increase, the shares are worth 100 × 1.10 = $110 each.
After he sells the first 50 shares, the remaining 50 shares decrease by 10%, so they are worth
110 × 0.90 = $99 each.
He sells all 50 of them, so he sells them for 50 × 99 = 4950.
So, option (E) is the correct answer.

37 | P a g e
 ACS IBA QUANTITATIVE

Practice Problem
1. If a company's profits increase by 50% and then decrease by 20%, what is the net
change in the company's profits?
A. 10% increase B. 20% increase
C. 10% decrease D. 20% decrease
E. 30% decrease
2. The length of a rectangular plot is increased by a certain percentage while the width
is decreased by the same percentage The area of the new plot will-
A. remain the same B. Increase
C. decrease D. either increase or decrease
E. cannot be determined
3. What is the difference between a discount of 50% and a successive discount of 20%
and 30%?
A. +4% B. -4% C. +5% D. -5% E. +6%

Answers of Practice Problems

1.B 2.C 3.E

38 | P a g e
 ACS IBA QUANTITATIVE

Solutions to Practice Problems

1. Applying the formula -
±a ± b ± (ab/100)
= + 50 - 20 - (50 × 20/100)
= 30 - 10
= 20; which means 20% increase
So, option (B) is the correct answer.
2. Let, Length 10 and Breadth 10
Area = 10 × 10 = 100
Now,
Let length increased by 10%
New length = 10 × 110% = 11
Let breadth decrease by 10%
New breadth = 10 × 90% = 9
New area = 11 × 9 = 99
So, percentage decrease = [(100 - 99)/100)] × 100% = 1%

So, option (C) is the correct answer.

3. We know,
Successive change = ±a ±b ±(ab/100)
So, successive rate of change = -30 -20 + (20 × 30/100) = -44%
So, a successive discount of 20% and 30% means 44% discount
Therefore, the difference between a discount of 50% and a successive discount of 20% and
30% (which is 44%) is 6%
So, option (E) is the correct answer.

39 | P a g e
 ACS IBA QUANTITATIVE

Zero Net Change

Zero net change occurs when a series of percentage increases and decreases lead to no
overall change in the original value. In other words, after applying all the successive changes,
the final value remains the same as the initial value.

However, it’s important to note that equal percentage increases and decreases do not
cancel each other out directly due to the compounding effect. A percentage decrease does
not reverse a percentage increase of the same magnitude, and vice versa. Let’s explore this
concept further.

Understanding Zero Net Change:

For zero net change to occur, successive percentage changes must offset each other
precisely so that the final value equals the initial value. Because of the way percentage
changes work, this is often misunderstood.

Why Equal Percentage Increases and Decreases Don’t Cancel Out:

When an equal percentage decrease follows a percentage increase, the result is not zero net
change but a slight reduction in value. This happens because the decrease is applied to the
already increased value, not the original value.

The price of a cycle is Tk. 200. If the price is reduced by 40%, what percentage should it be
increased so that it returns to normal?

Solution:
The price is reduced by 40%
So, the new price is (200 × 60%) = Tk. 120
Now, if we are asked to return to the normal price, we need to go from Tk. 120 to Tk. 200.
The difference in prices Tk. (200 - 120) = Tk. 80
80
So, the percentage is (𝟏𝟐𝟎) × 100 = 66.67%

Notice the bold part. Here, the original price is considered Tk. 120 as we are going back in
the cycle from Tk. 120. Whenever you are calculating the percentage change of something,
you must put the original price in the base. If you want to follow this method, then you should
keep this in mind.
40 | P a g e
 ACS IBA QUANTITATIVE

Or alternatively, we can follow the easier, faster, and more efficient approach with the formula.

Here, the price will return to the original after successive changes to the price. We can write
this as -

𝒂𝒃
±a ± b ± (𝟏𝟎𝟎) = 0

The same example again-

The price of a cycle is Tk. 200. The price is reduced by 40%. What percentage should
the price be increased so that the price returns to normal?

Solution:

Let, The price should be increased by x%

According to question,
𝒙
-40 + x - (40 × 𝟏𝟎𝟎) = 0
2𝑥
Or, x - = 40
5
3𝑥
Or, = 40
5

Or, 3x = 200
Or, x = 66.67%

So, the price should be increased by 66.67% to return to the normal price.

41 | P a g e
 ACS IBA QUANTITATIVE

Practice & Past Paper Questions

1. If the price of onion goes up by 25%, by how much should usage be reduced in order
to keep the total expense for onion as before? [IBA BBA 94-95]
1 1
A. 33(3)% B. 25% C. 20% D. 24% E. 17(2)%

2. Due to booming business, a company increased its staff salary by 25%. By what
percent must it now decrease the salary to return to the original amount?

[IBA BBA 96-97]

A. 22.5 B. 20 C. 18 D. 15 E. None of these

3. If the price of a stock increases by 10%, by what percentage does it need to decrease
to get back to its original price?

A. 9.1% B. 10% C. 11% D. 11.1% E. 12%

4. Anamika’s salary went down from 81,000 Taka to 72,000 Taka as her company faced
some loss. By what % should her salary be increased to restore her original salary?

A. 20% B. 16% C. 9% D. 12.5% E. 11.11%

5. The price of vegetables went up by 50%. By how much should the price be reduced to
ensure the price of vegetables go back to its original state?

A. 12.5% B. 25% C. 30% D. 33.33% E. None of these

Answers of Practice & Past Paper Questions

1.C 2.B 3.A 4.D 5.D

42 | P a g e
 ACS IBA QUANTITATIVE

Solutions to Practice & Past Paper Questions

𝑎𝑏
1. We know the formula - ±a ± b ± (100)

As the price of the stock is to return to the original price, we can assume the percentage of
decrease is x%. So we can write-
𝑎𝑏
±a ± b ± (100) = 0
𝑥
Or, +25 - x - (25 × 100) = 0
𝑥
Or, x + 4 = 25
Or, x = 20%
So, option (C) is the correct answer.
2. Applying the formula - ±a ± b ± (ab/100)
As the price of the stock is to return to the original price, we can write
𝑎𝑏
±a ± b ± (100) = 0
𝑥
Or, +25 - x - (25 × 100) = 0
𝑥
Or, x + 4 = 25
Or, x = 20%
So, option (B) is the correct answer.
𝑎𝑏
3. Applying the formula - ±a ± b ± (100)

As the price of the stock is to return to the original price, we can write
𝑎𝑏
±a ± b ± (100) = 0
𝑥
Or, +10 - x - (10 × 100) = 0
𝑥
Or, x + 10 = 10

Or, x = 9.1%
So, option (A) is the correct answer.
81000 − 72000
4. Percentage reduction to get back to the previous salary = [ ] = 12.5%
72000

So, option (D) is the correct answer.

43 | P a g e
 ACS IBA QUANTITATIVE

𝑎𝑏
5. We know the formula - ±a ± b ± ( )
100

As the price of vegetables is to return to the original price, we can assume the percentage of
decrease is x%. So we can write-
𝑎𝑏
±a ± b ± ( )=0
100
𝑥
Or, +50 - x - (50 × )=0
100
𝑥
Or, x + = 50
2
3𝑥
Or, = 50
2
Or, 3x = 100
100
Or, x =
3
Or, x = 33.33%
So, option (D) is the correct answer.

44 | P a g e
 ACS IBA QUANTITATIVE

Word Problems
In this type of problem, you are presented a problem as a situation or in words. You can get
yourself acquainted with these sorts of problems by following the questions below.

Past Paper Questions

1. Mr. Asif is a potato seller in a local bazaar. When he brings potatoes from the village
market to his shop in the town he has to pay 7% toll on the portion of the total value
of the potatoes in excess of taka 1,000 to the local mastaan. If the amount of toll he
paid was taka 87.50, then what was the value of the potatoes that he brought to sell?
[IBA MBA 09-10]

A. taka 1,250 B. taka 2,250 C. taka 2,500 D. taka 2,750 E. taka 2,333

2. A company pays a tax of 10% on its first Tk. 100,000 earnings and 15% on all earnings
in excess of Tk. 100,000. How much tax does the company pay if it earns 275,000 Taka?
[IBA BBA 03-04]

A. 36,800 B. 37,500 C. 35,000 D. 35,250 E. None of these

3. In a store, the ratio of red socks to green socks is 3:2. The socks are made of either
cotton or wool. If 60% of the red socks are made of cotton and 80% of the green socks
are made of wool, what percentages of socks are made of cotton? [IBA BBA 99-00]

A. 44 B. 48 C. 50 D. 52 E. None

4. This year, the school allotted 60% of its budget for development of the computer
center, and its budget this year is 15% higher than that of the last year. If the last year's
budget was Tk. 1,000,000, and the allocation to the computer center has increased by
20% compared to that of the last year, calculate the allocation to the computer center
last year (in taka). [IBA BBA 03-04]

A. 500,000 B. 525,000 C. 550,000 D. 575,000

5. This year, a city has allotted 60 percent of its budget for school expenditures, and its
budget is 15 percent higher than last year's budget of n dollars. In terms of n, how
many dollars of this year's budget has the city allotted for school expenditures?
[IBA MBA 04-05]
0.6 0.85𝑛
A. (0.6)(0.85n) B. (0.6)(1.15n) C. D. E. None of these
1.15𝑛 0.6

6. After X% of their games had been played. Abahani had won 40% of their games. They
won 30% of the rest of the games. In terms of X which of the following expresses the
percentage of games Abahani had won at the end of the season? [IBA BBA 00-01]
𝑥 𝑥
A. 70x B. 30 + (10) C. (10) + 35 D. 10x + 30 E. None

45 | P a g e
 ACS IBA QUANTITATIVE

7. Mr. Jaman is insured completely for Tk. 1,50,000 against damages to his machinery.
For any damage over TK 1,50,000, the insurance company will pay Tk 1,50,000 plus
only 15% of the additional damage. For a recent accident, Mr. Jaman was paid Tk
1,56,000 by the insurance company. What was the total amount of the damage
estimated? [IBA BBA 06-07]

A. Tk 1.04,000 B. Tk 90,000 C. Tk 40,000 D. Tk 80,000 E. None of these

8. Jalal started work 2 years ago. His starting salary was ½ of Millat’s salary at that time.
Each year since then Jalal has received a raise of 5% in his salary and Millat has
received a raise of 10% in his salary. What percentage (to the nearest percent) of
Millat’s current salary is Jallal’s current salary? [IBA MBA 04-05]

A. 45 B. 46 C. 48 D. 50 E. 220

9. A store charges Tk 52 for a video game. This price is 30% greater than the store's cost
to buy the game from its supplier. As an incentive to the store's clerks, the manager
allows a clerk to purchase the video game for 10% less than the store's cost. How
much would a store clerk have to pay for this video game? [IBA BBA 13-14]

A. Tk 15.60 B. Tk 20.80 C. Tk 20.80 D. Tk 32.76 E. Tk 36.00

10. There is a 50% chance that Rafiq will go to a fast food restaurant for lunch and 50%
chance that he will skip lunch. If he goes to a fast food restaurant there is a 60% chance
that he will take only a sandwich and nothing else. If he decides not to have a
sandwich, he will have a burger or chicken pie. What is the probability that he will take
a burger? [IBA BBA 16-17]

A. 5% B. 1% C. 2% D. 2.5% E. none of these

11. In a club, 20% of members are below 25 years of age. The number of members above
15 years of age is 16, which is two-third of the number of members of 25 years of age.
What is the total number of members in the club? [IBA MBA 17-18]

A. 50 B. 52 C. 60 D. 72 E. None of these

12. Two numbers individually are less than the third number by 60% and 74% respectively.
By what percentage is the second number less than the first? [IBA MBA 17-18]

A. 18 B. 27 C. 30 D. 35 E. None of the above

Answers of Past Paper Questions

1.B 2.A 3.A 4.D 5.B 6.B 7.E 8.B 9.E 10.E 11.A 12.D

46 | P a g e
 ACS IBA QUANTITATIVE

Solutions to Past Paper Questions

1. Let,

Mr. Asif has to pay 7% toll on taka x, excess of Tk, 1000

So, He buys potato of total = (1000 + x) taka

That means the toll is applied only to the portion of the total value of the potatoes that exceeds
1,000 taka. In other words, if Mr. Asif brings potatoes worth more than 1,000 taka, the toll is
only charged on the amount above 1,000 taka. In the first 1000 taka, he does not pay the toll.

Now, x × 7% = 87.50
7𝑥
Or, = 87.50
100
87.50 × 100
Or, x =
7
Or, x = 1250

Total value of potatoes = 1000+ 1250 = 2250 taka.

So, option (B) is the correct answer.

2. Here, A company pays a tax of 10% on its first Tk. 100,000 earnings
So, tax amount for the first 100,000 Taka= (100000 x 0.10) = 10000 Taka
The company pays 15% on all earnings in excess of Tk. 100,000.
The company pays 15% tax for the remaining (275,000 – 100,000) or 175000 Taka,
The tax amount for 175,000 taka= (175000 x 0.15) = 26,250 Taka
So, total tax paid by the company is (10000 + 26250) = 36250 Taka
So, option (A) is the correct answer.
3. Let,
Red socks = 30
Green socks = 20
Red cotton = 60% × 30 = 18
So, red wool = 30 - 18 = 12
Green wool = 80% × 20 = 16
So, green cotton = 20 - 16 = 4
Total cotton socks = 18 + 4 = 22
22
Percentage of cotton socks = 30 + 20 × 100 = 44%

So, option (A) is the correct answer.

47 | P a g e
 ACS IBA QUANTITATIVE

4. Given that last year’s budget = Tk. 1,000,000

Since this year’s budget is 15% higher than last year’s budget.
This year’s budget = 1000000 × 1.15 = 1,150,000

60% of the total budget is allocated to the computer center this year.
So, Computer center’s allocation this year = 1150000 × 60% = 690000

This amount is 20% greater than last year.

That means, This year’s allocation= Last year’s allocation × 1.2
690,000
Last year’s allocation= 1.2
100
= 690000 × 120
= 575000

So, option (D) is the correct answer.

5. Given, Last year’s budget = n
This year’s budget is 15% higher than that of previous year.
So, this year’s budget = n × 1.15 = 1.15n
So, amount allocated for school expenditure = 1.15 × 60% = (0.6)(1.15n)
So, option (B) is the correct answer.
6. Let
Total games = 100
So, played games = x% of 100= x
They won 40% of their games. So, won games in the first segment:
2𝑥
= x × 40% = 5

Rest of the games = 100 - x

They won 30% of rest of the games. So, won games in the second segment:
= (100 - x) × 30%
3(100 − 𝑥)
= 10

2𝑥 3(100 − 𝑥)
Total won games = +
5 10
4 + 300 − 3𝑥
=
10
300 + 𝑥
=
10
𝑥
= 30 +
10

So, option (B) is the correct answer.

48 | P a g e
 ACS IBA QUANTITATIVE

7. Given, Mr. Jaman is insured completely for Tk. 1,50,000

For any damage over TK 1,50,000, the company will pay Tk 1,50,000 plus only 15% of the
additional damage.
In the given scenario, Mr. Jaman was paid Tk 1,56,000. So, the damage amount is more than
1,50,000 taka.
The company paid (156000 - 150000) = 6000 taka, at a 15% rate on the additional amount
of damage.
So, 15% accounts for 6000
6000 × 100
100% accounts for or 40,000 taka
15

The additional damage amount is 40,000 taka.

Total loss = 150,000 + 40,000 = 190,000
So, option (E) is the correct answer.
8. Let,
2 years ago, Millat’s current salary = 200
So, Jalal’s salary = ½ × 200 = 100
Jalal’s salary after 2 years = 100 × 105% × 105% = 100 × 1.05 × 1.05 = 110.25
Millat’s salary after 2 years = 200 × 110% × 110% = 200 × 1.1 × 1.1 = 242
110.25
Percentage = ( ) × 100 = 45.55% (approx) ~ 46%
242

So, option (B) is the correct answer.

9. Sells at a price 30% higher
So, if cost price is 100, selling price is 130
10% less than store price means 90
Given,
130% = 52
Or, 100% = 40
Or, 90% = 36
So, option (E) is the correct answer.

49 | P a g e
 ACS IBA QUANTITATIVE

10. Probability of eating at a restaurant = ½

Probability of not eating a sandwich after going to the restaurant = ½ × ⅖ = ⅕ [60% = ⅖]

Probability of taking a burger instead of a sandwich after going to the restaurant
1
= ⅕ × ½ = 10

So, option (E) is the correct answer.

11. Greater than 25 years = 16
3
25 years of age = 2 × 16 = 24

These two groups combined = 16 + 24 = 40

According to the question,
40 represents 80% of the total
So, 0.8 × total = 40
Or, total = 50
So, option (A) is the correct answer.
12. Let,
The third number be 100
So, first number = 100 × 40% = 40
So, second number = 100 × 26% = 26
1st number - 2nd number = 40 - 26 = 14
14
So, the second number is less by (40) × 100 or 35%, compared to the first number.

So, option (D) is the correct answer.

50 | P a g e