A fruit seller had some Oranges. He sells 80% Oranges and still has 720 Oranges. Originally, number of Oranges, he had:

Appeared in: DSSSB 14 August 2024

Explanation

The problem states that 80% of the oranges were sold, which means 100% - 80% = 20% of the oranges remain.
This remaining 20% is equal to the 720 oranges the seller still has.
To find the total (100%), we can set up the equation: 0.20 × Total = 720.
Solving for the total gives: Total = 720 / 0.20, which equals 3600.

Option A: If the original number was 3240, then 20% remaining would be 3240 × 0.20 = 648 oranges, not 720.
Option C: If the original number was 5400, then 20% remaining would be 5400 × 0.20 = 1080 oranges, not 720.
Option D: This number (900) is derived from an incorrect calculation, possibly by taking 80% of 720 and adding it back (720 * 0.8 = 576; 720+576=1296) or another flawed method. If the original number was 900, the remaining 20% would be 180, not 720.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Percentage and Word Problems as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding percentages is a fundamental math skill essential for various calculations in daily life, not just in academic settings.
This concept is crucial for budgeting, calculating discounts, understanding statistics in news reports, and interpreting data.
In a professional context, many fields, including business, finance, and science, rely heavily on percentage calculations for data analysis, performance metrics, and financial reporting.

How to Approach the Question

First, read the word problem carefully to identify the given information and what you need to find.
Recognize that the total quantity represents 100%.
Calculate the percentage of the quantity that remains after a certain percentage is removed (sold, used, etc.). In this case, 100% - 80% = 20%.
Set up an equation where the remaining percentage of an unknown total (X) equals the known remaining quantity.
Convert the percentage to a decimal or fraction to solve the equation for X.
Verify your answer by plugging it back into the problem to ensure it makes sense.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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Practise the full DSSSB 14 August 2024

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.