Free Basic Mathematics: Fractions, Percentages, Ratios and Indices MCQs with Answers

30 Basic Mathematics: Fractions, Percentages, Ratios and Indices MCQs from Quantitative Methods, each with the correct answer and a written explanation of why it is correct. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.

Work with fractions includes simplification, conversion, operations and comparison, while percentages cover increases, decreases, profit, loss and reverse percentage calculations. Ratios and proportions describe relationships between quantities, and indices cover laws of exponents, zero and negative powers, fractional indices, and scientific notation.

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30 questions · page 1 of 2

  • A. 9/8
  • B. 13/8
  • C. 11/8
  • D. 15/8

Explanation: Convert 3/4 to 6/8, then add 5/8 to obtain 11/8. The common denominator is 8, not 4 or 16.

Correct answer: 11/8
  • A. 200
  • B. 220
  • C. 240
  • D. 260

Explanation: Since 20% equals 0.20, the number is 48 divided by 0.20, which gives 240. Multiplying 48 by 20 would incorrectly treat 20% as 20.

Correct answer: 240
  • A. Rs. 36
  • B. Rs. 32
  • C. Rs. 28
  • D. Rs. 42

Explanation: The total ratio is 7 parts, so one part equals 84 divided by 7, or 12. The smaller share is 3 times 12, equal to Rs. 36.

Correct answer: Rs. 36
  • A. 8
  • B. 12
  • C. 16
  • D. 32

Explanation: For the same base, exponents are added during multiplication and subtracted during division.

Correct answer: 16
  • A. 1/4
  • B. 5/12
  • C. 3/8
  • D. 7/16

Explanation: The decimal 0.375 equals 375/1000, which simplifies to 3/8. The other fractions produce different decimal values.

Correct answer: 3/8
  • A. 15%
  • B. 20%
  • C. 25%
  • D. 30%

Explanation: The increase is Rs. 50, and 50 divided by 250 equals 0.20. Therefore, the percentage increase is 20%, not 25% of the new price.

Correct answer: 20%
  • A. 8:12:15
  • B. 6:8:10
  • C. 8:10:15
  • D. 12:8:15

Explanation: Make the value of B common by using 12. The first ratio becomes 8:12 and the second becomes 12:15, giving A:B:C = 8:12:15.

Correct answer: 8:12:15
  • A. -8
  • B. 8
  • C. 1/8
  • D. -1/8

Explanation: A negative exponent takes the reciprocal of the base, so (1/2)^(-3) equals 2^3. Therefore, the value is 8, not negative 8.

Correct answer: 8
  • A. Rs. 782
  • B. Rs. 816
  • C. Rs. 800
  • D. Rs. 840

Explanation: After a 15% discount, the selling price represents 85% of the original price.

Correct answer: Rs. 800
  • A. 2
  • B. 3
  • C. 4
  • D. 5

Explanation: Since 81 equals 3^4, the exponents must satisfy x + 1 = 4. Solving this equation gives x = 3.

Correct answer: 3
  • A. 1/9
  • B. 2/9
  • C. 1/3
  • D. 5/9

Explanation: Convert 2/3 to 6/9, then subtract it from 7/9 to obtain 1/9. The common denominator is needed before subtracting fractions.

Correct answer: 1/9
  • A. 54
  • B. 60
  • C. 64
  • D. 66

Explanation: Divide 72 by 6 to get 12, then multiply 12 by 5. Therefore, 5/6 of 72 equals 60.

Correct answer: 60
  • A. 4.5%
  • B. 45%
  • C. 0.45%
  • D. 450%

Explanation: To convert a decimal to a percentage, multiply it by 100. Thus, 0.45 becomes 45%, not 0.45% or 450%.

Correct answer: 45%
  • A. 18
  • B. 20
  • C. 24
  • D. 28

Explanation: The total number of ratio parts is 12, so each part represents 48 ÷ 12 = 4 students. Boys represent 5 parts, giving 5 × 4 = 20.

Correct answer: 20
  • A. Rs. 120
  • B. Rs. 160
  • C. Rs. 140
  • D. Rs. 180

Explanation: The ratio contains 9 total parts, and each part is Rs. 360 ÷ 9 = Rs. 40. The largest share has 4 parts, so it is Rs. 160.

Correct answer: Rs. 160
  • A. 24
  • B. 30
  • C. 36
  • D. 40

Explanation: Since 12.5% equals 1/8, calculate 240 ÷ 8. The result is 30.

Correct answer: 30
  • A. 3
  • B. 6
  • C. 9
  • D. 12

Explanation: When powers with the same base are divided, subtract the exponents: 3^(4−2) = 3^2. Therefore, the value is 9.

Correct answer: 9
  • A. x^6
  • B. x^5
  • C. x^8
  • D. 2x^3

Explanation: When a power is raised to another power, multiply the exponents. Thus, (x^3)^2 equals x^(3×2), or x^6.

Correct answer: x^6
  • A. 10%
  • B. 12%
  • C. 15%
  • D. 20%

Explanation: The profit is Rs. 575 − Rs. 500 = Rs. 75. Dividing Rs. 75 by the cost price of Rs. 500 and multiplying by 100 gives a 15% profit.

Correct answer: 15%
  • A. 3/10
  • B. 1/2
  • C. 3/5
  • D. 7/10

Explanation: Convert 2/5 to 4/10, then add 1/10 to get 5/10. Simplifying 5/10 gives 1/2.

Correct answer: 1/2

Basic Mathematics: Fractions, Percentages, Ratios and Indices MCQs: common questions

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