Math

Math

As we look at trends and data sets that drive our reporting, we need to establish a baseline for dealing with … math. Let’s do a quick quiz of the basics. (Credit: Poynter Institute)

1. Last year, the school spent $8,300 for office equipment. This year, it will spend 5 percent less. How much will it spend this year?

$7,885

2. The spelling and grammar test was taken by 217 students. Thirty-seven failed. What percent passed?

82.9%

3. One out of 12 students at WSU are in the Greek system. What percent are in Greek system?

8.3%

4. Bruce Springsteen was born on Sept. 23, 1949. How old will he be in May 2016?

66

5a. The former assistant manager was demoted to sales clerk. His pay was cut from $12 to $8. What was the percent decrease?

33%

5b. The sales clerk was promoted to assistant manager. Her pay increased from $8 to $12. What was the percent increase?

50%

6. Last year, your property tax bill was $1,152. This year, it rose to $1,275. What’s the percent increase?

10.7%

7. Joe Smith wants to build a 2,500-square-foot house for him. The builder tells him it will cost $110 a square foot to build. How much will the house cost?

275,000

8. You and your four roommates have ordered a 16-slice pizza. Because you skipped lunch, it is agreed that you should have a 1/4 share of the total. The roommates divide the remainder equally. How much does each one get?

3 slices

9. The Poynter Institute’s budget for computer programs jumped from $5,500 to $7,300. By what percent did it increase?

32.7%

10. Checkers at a grocery store earn the following salaries: $10,000, $12,500, $5,890, $16,453, $14,000. The median salary is:

$12,500