Drill 2 · Math · Ratios, Rates, and Percents
SAT Math: Ratios, Rates, and Percents (Drill 2) is a Math practice drill covering Ratios, Rates, and Percents. It contains 5 original questions created by Brian Stewart, a Barron's test prep author with over 20 years of tutoring experience.
SAT ratio, rate, and percent questions cover setting up proportions, computing percent changes, working with unit rates, solving combined work-rate problems, and interpreting proportional relationships in real-world contexts.
Question 1. A stock valued at $200 increases by 20% in January, then decreases by 10% in February. What is the stock's value at the end of February?
Explanation: After +20%: $200 × 1.20 = $240. After −10%: $240 × 0.90 = $216. Percent changes apply to different bases.
Question 2. A train travels at 45 km/h. What is its speed in meters per minute?
Explanation: 45 km/h = 45,000 m/h. Divide by 60: 750 m/min.
Question 3. Painter A can paint a room in 4 hours. Painter B can paint the same room in 6 hours. Working together, how many hours will it take?
Explanation: Combined rate = 1/4 + 1/6 = 5/12 rooms/hour. Time = 12/5 = 2.4 hours. Rates add, not times.
Question 4. At a school of 800 students, 60% are female. If 25% of the female students play a varsity sport, how many female students play a varsity sport?
Explanation: Females = 0.60 × 800 = 480. Female athletes = 0.25 × 480 = 120.
Question 5. After a 30% discount, a pair of shoes costs $84. What was the original price?
Explanation: Paying 70% of original: 0.70 × original = $84. Original = $84 ÷ 0.70 = $120.