By how much is 60% of 50 greater than 1/5 of 25?

Appeared in: DSSSB October 2024

Explanation

The first step is to calculate 60% of 50. This is done by converting 60% to a decimal (0.6) and multiplying by 50, which equals 30.
The second step is to calculate 1/5 of 25. This is a simple division: 25 divided by 5 equals 5.
The final step is to determine how much greater the first result is than the second. This is found by subtracting the second result from the first: 30 - 5 = 25.

Option A: The value 22 is an incorrect result obtained through miscalculation. It does not match the actual difference of 25.
Option B: The value 19 is an incorrect result. It may arise from errors in calculating the percentage, the fraction, or the final subtraction.
Option D: The value 23 is an incorrect result. It is close to the correct answer but is not the precise outcome of the required calculations.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Calculation with percentages and fractions as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
While this is a general mathematics question, strong numerical skills are fundamental in nursing for accurate medication dosage calculations, IV fluid rate adjustments, and interpreting patient data.
Errors in basic math can have serious patient safety consequences. Practicing these questions reinforces the precision required in clinical settings.
What if the question asked for the sum instead of the difference? The answer would be 30 + 5 = 35. Understanding the prompt's keywords ('greater than' implies subtraction) is crucial.

How to Approach the Question

First, break down the question into its core components. You need to calculate two separate values.
The first value is '60% of 50'. Convert the percentage to a decimal (0.60) or a fraction (60/100) and multiply by 50.
The second value is '1/5 of 25'. The word 'of' indicates multiplication, so calculate (1/5) * 25.
The phrase 'by how much is... greater than...' indicates you need to find the difference between the two results. Subtract the second value from the first.
Compare your final result with the given options to select the correct answer.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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Practise the full DSSSB October 2024

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