A gym had 560 members in January. By March, the number of members had fallen to 448. By what percentage did the number of members decrease from January to March?
- 20%
- 25%
- 80%
- 112%
Need a hint?
The percentage decrease is always a fraction of the ORIGINAL number (January), not the new number.
Worked answer
- Decrease in members = 560 − 448 = 112
- Percentage decrease = 112 ÷ 560 × 100%
- 112 ÷ 560 = 0.2, so 0.2 × 100% = 20%
Answer: 20%
The mistake this question tests
Habit
Found the increase, not the new price
Dividing the decrease by the March figure (448) gives 25%, which uses the new total as the base.
How to fix it at home →More PSLE percentage questions
MCQ · 2m
A bag cost $40
See the answer →Structured · 3mAt a swimming gala, the number of boys was 20% more than the number of girls
See the answer →Short answer · 2mNur books a hotel room for $80 before 9% GST is added
See the answer →MCQ · 2mThe price of a storybook was $80
See the answer →Structured · 4mA sports shop is selling all badminton rackets at a 40% discount
See the answer →Short answer · 2mAt a neighbourhood bakery, Mrs Koh's community card normally gives her 20% off the marked price
See the answer →Practise PSLE percentage until the mistakes stop.
Three PSLE questions, free, no sign-up. You’ll see exactly where the marks went. Then 7 days of everything for S$4.99.