Question

The total number of people in honor society at Melpomene High School, regardless of other activities, is approximately what percent higher than the total number of people in honor society at Thalia High School, regardless of other activities?

Answer 1

Answer: possible options are :

A. 2% B. 8% C. 19% D. 29% E. 56%

Answer is C. 19%

Explanation:

First let's complete the question.

Melpomene High School has 400 students, and Thalia High School has 700 students. The following table shows the percentage breakdown for various groups in each school.( Table's image has been attached)

Question:

The total number of people in honor society at Melpomene High School, regardless of other activities, is approximately what percent higher than the total number of people in honor society at Thalia High School, regardless of other activities?

Answer explained:

Lets think this way, 4 is what percent higher than 2.

(4-2)/2*100 % = 50% , in the similar fashion above question can be solved.

In this question, we need to find the two numbers, and then find how much bigger one is than the other.

At Melpomene, the four categories that include the honor society add up to 16% + 26% + 10% + 4% = 56%, and 56% of 400 = (0.56)*400 = 224 students.

At Thalia, the four categories that include the honor society add up to 2% + 15% + 8% + 2% = 27%, and 27% of 700 = (0.27)*700 = 189 students.

The question really is: 224 is what percent higher than 189? Estimate — 10% of 189 is approximately 19. 189 + 19 = 208, a 10% increase. 208 + 19 = 227, a 20% increase, and that’s just over 224, so 224 should be very close to, maybe slight less than, a 20% increase. This leads us to the answer of (C).