Understand the rule first
Build percentages from useful parts such as 50%, 10%, 5% and 1%. For a percentage change, calculate the change first, then add or subtract it from the original.
Percentages 11+ practice
Find percentage amounts and distinguish a change from the final value.
Find 35% of £240.
- 10% of £240 is £24, so 30% is £72.
- 5% is half of 10%, so it is £12.
- 35% is £72 + £12 = £84.
A common misconception
Giving the percentage change as the answer when the question asks for the new total.
Reusable method: State whether the question asks for the change or the final amount.Question 1 of 10 MathscoreWhat is 25% of 76?
- A15
- B19
- C25
- D51
Need a hint?
Twenty-five per cent is one quarter.
Show worked answer
Answer B: 19
76 ÷ 4 = 19.
Quick method: State whether the question asks for the change or the final amount.
Question 2 of 10 MathscoreA class of 40 pupils has 60% attending a club. How many attend?
- A16
- B20
- C24
- D60
Need a hint?
Find 10%, then multiply it by six.
Show worked answer
Answer C: 24
10% of 40 is 4, so 60% is 24.
Quick method: State whether the question asks for the change or the final amount.
Question 3 of 10 MathscoreA price rises from £80 by 10%. What is the new price?
- A£8
- B£82
- C£800
- D£88
Need a hint?
Calculate the increase, then add it to the original price.
Show worked answer
Answer D: £88
10% of £80 is £8; £80 + £8 = £88.
Quick method: State whether the question asks for the change or the final amount.
Question 4 of 10 Mathsexam-styleA 200 ml drink is 18% fruit juice. How much fruit juice does it contain?
- A36 ml
- B18 ml
- C164 ml
- D360 ml
Need a hint?
Combine 10% and 8%, or calculate 18 hundredths of 200.
Show worked answer
Answer A: 36 ml
10% is 20 ml and 8% is 16 ml, giving 36 ml.
Quick method: State whether the question asks for the change or the final amount.
Question 5 of 10 Mathsexam-styleAfter a 20% discount, a £45 game costs how much?
- A£9
- B£36
- C£25
- D£54
Need a hint?
Find the discount, then subtract it from £45.
Show worked answer
Answer B: £36
20% of £45 is £9, so the sale price is £36.
Quick method: State whether the question asks for the change or the final amount.
Question 6 of 10 MathscoreWhat is 35% of 80?
- A18
- B24
- C26
- D28
Need a hint?
Combine 30% and 5%.
Show worked answer
Answer D: 28
30% of 80 is 24 and 5% is 4; together they make 28.
Quick method: State whether the question asks for the change or the final amount.
Question 7 of 10 MathscoreIncrease 240 by 15%.
- A276
- B255
- C264
- D288
Need a hint?
Find 10% and 5%, then add the increase.
Show worked answer
Answer A: 276
15% of 240 is 36, so the increased amount is 240 + 36 = 276.
Quick method: State whether the question asks for the change or the final amount.
Question 8 of 10 Mathscore18 is what percentage of 60?
- A25%
- B30%
- C32%
- D42%
Need a hint?
Write 18/60 and convert it to a fraction out of 100.
Show worked answer
Answer B: 30%
18 ÷ 60 = 0.3, which is 30%.
Quick method: State whether the question asks for the change or the final amount.
Question 9 of 10 MathsexamAn £80 jacket is reduced by 25%. A further 10% is taken off the reduced price. What is the final price?
- A£50
- B£52
- C£54
- D£56
Need a hint?
Apply the second reduction to the new price, not the original price.
Show worked answer
Answer C: £54
After 25% off, the price is £60. Ten per cent of £60 is £6, so the final price is £54.
Quick method: State whether the question asks for the change or the final amount.
Question 10 of 10 MathsstretchAfter a 20% reduction, a bicycle costs £72. What was its original price?
- A£80
- B£84
- C£86.40
- D£90
Need a hint?
£72 represents 80% of the original price.
Show worked answer
Answer D: £90
If 80% is £72, then 10% is £9 and 100% is £90.
Quick method: State whether the question asks for the change or the final amount.