Learn by Novus · Open practice pack v1

Numerical reasoning: full practice bank: open practice pack: worked explanations

100 untimed questions across 10 authored sections.

This is untimed educational practice for one cognitive skill. It is not a clinical, diagnostic, employment, or professionally recognized assessment, and it does not produce an IQ score or credential.

Worked explanations

numerical-reasoning-s01-q01

Add the two shelf counts directly: 24 + 38 = 62.

numerical-reasoning-s01-q02

Equal sharing is division: 96 ÷ 8 = 12 pencils each.

numerical-reasoning-s01-q03

Repeated equal amounts call for multiplication: 7 × £9 = £63.

numerical-reasoning-s01-q04

Subtract the drained amount from the full tank: 500 − 137 = 363 litres.

numerical-reasoning-s01-q05

Division is carried out before subtraction: 12 ÷ 3 = 4, so 18 − 4 = 14. Working left to right first would wrongly give 2.

numerical-reasoning-s01-q06

Multiply carriages by seats per carriage: 6 × 72 = 432.

numerical-reasoning-s01-q07

Multiply the number of boxes by apples per box: 12 × 15 = 180.

numerical-reasoning-s01-q08

9 × 8 = 72 is the largest multiple of 9 that fits within 75, leaving a remainder of 75 − 72 = 3.

numerical-reasoning-s01-q09

Multiplication comes before subtraction: 7 × 8 = 56, then 56 − 6 = 50.

numerical-reasoning-s01-q10

From 9:00 am to 5:00 pm is 8 hours, plus the extra 30 minutes makes 8.5 hours.

numerical-reasoning-s02-q01

Convert to a common denominator first: 1/2 = 2/4, so 2/4 + 1/4 = 3/4. Adding tops and bottoms separately is the classic trap.

numerical-reasoning-s02-q02

Find one fifth first: 40 ÷ 5 = 8, then multiply by three: 3 × 8 = 24.

numerical-reasoning-s02-q03

0.25 is one quarter, so multiplying by it is dividing by 4: 80 ÷ 4 = 20.

numerical-reasoning-s02-q04

Converting to decimals makes the comparison easy: 3/5 = 0.6, 7/12 ≈ 0.583, 2/3 ≈ 0.667, and 5/8 = 0.625, so 2/3 is largest.

numerical-reasoning-s02-q05

Line up the decimal places by writing 7.2 as 7.20, then subtract: 7.20 − 3.85 = 3.35.

numerical-reasoning-s02-q06

Divide the total length by the piece length: 3.6 ÷ 0.4 = 36 ÷ 4 = 9 pieces.

numerical-reasoning-s02-q07

Divide top and bottom by their highest common factor, 6: 18 ÷ 6 = 3 and 24 ÷ 6 = 4, giving 3/4. Equivalent fractions like 6/8 are not fully simplified.

numerical-reasoning-s02-q08

One third of 27 is 9, so two thirds is 2 × 9 = 18 pupils.

numerical-reasoning-s02-q09

Multiply as whole numbers (3 × 4 = 12), then place two decimal digits because the factors have one each: 0.12.

numerical-reasoning-s02-q10

Multiply the fraction by three: 3 × 3/4 = 9/4, which is 2 1/4 cups.

numerical-reasoning-q1

25% of $80 is $20, so the sale price is $80 − $20 = $60.

numerical-reasoning-s03-q02

10% of 60 is 6 and 5% is 3, so 15% is 6 + 3 = 9.

numerical-reasoning-s03-q03

Divide the score by the total and multiply by 100: 45 ÷ 60 = 0.75, which is 75%.

numerical-reasoning-s03-q04

Percentage change is the change divided by the original amount: 8 ÷ 50 = 0.16, so a 16% increase.

numerical-reasoning-s03-q05

12.5% is one eighth, so the charge is £40 ÷ 8 = £5, giving £40 + £5 = £45.

numerical-reasoning-q3

40% of 30 is 12 boys, so the remaining 30 − 12 = 18 students are girls.

numerical-reasoning-s03-q07

If 30% is 21, then 10% is 21 ÷ 3 = 7, so the whole number (100%) is 7 × 10 = 70.

numerical-reasoning-s03-q08

Convert the percentage to a decimal and multiply: 0.68 × 25 = 17 marks.

numerical-reasoning-s03-q09

The fall is 200 people; divide by the original population: 200 ÷ 2,500 = 0.08, an 8% decrease.

numerical-reasoning-s03-q10

Work both out: 25% of 80 is 20, while 30% of 70 is 21, so 30% of 70 is slightly greater.

numerical-reasoning-s04-q01

The ratio 2 : 1 has 3 equal parts, each worth £60 ÷ 3 = £20; the larger share is 2 × £20 = £40.

numerical-reasoning-s04-q02

Divide both sides by their highest common factor, 6: 12 : 18 becomes 2 : 3. Keep the order as asked: cats first.

numerical-reasoning-s04-q03

Multiply the map distance by the scale: 4 cm × 50,000 = 200,000 cm, and converting units gives 2,000 m = 2 km.

numerical-reasoning-s04-q04

Every 1 part of concentrate needs 4 parts of water, so 250 ml needs 4 × 250 = 1,000 ml of water.

numerical-reasoning-q4

9 cups of sugar is 3× the ratio's 3 cups, so flour scales the same way: 2 × 3 = 6 cups.

numerical-reasoning-s04-q06

The ratio 4 : 5 has 9 parts, each worth 45 ÷ 9 = 5 sweets; the smaller share is 4 × 5 = 20.

numerical-reasoning-s04-q07

21 red cars is 7 times the ratio's 3, so scale the silver side the same way: 7 × 7 = 49.

numerical-reasoning-s04-q08

Each printer produces 360 ÷ 3 = 120 pages per hour, so five produce 5 × 120 = 600.

numerical-reasoning-s04-q09

The ratio has 3 + 2 + 1 = 6 parts, each worth 480 ÷ 6 = 80 g; butter is 2 parts, so 160 g.

numerical-reasoning-s04-q10

One pen costs £6 ÷ 8 = £0.75, so 12 pens cost 12 × £0.75 = £9.

numerical-reasoning-q2

180 km ÷ 3 h = 60 km/h. At 60 km/h for 5 hours: 60 × 5 = 300 km.

numerical-reasoning-s05-q02

There are 1,000 metres in a kilometre, so divide by 1,000: 3,200 m = 3.2 km.

numerical-reasoning-s05-q03

Average speed is distance divided by time: 45 ÷ 2.5 = 18 km/h.

numerical-reasoning-s05-q04

Break the journey into easy steps: 09:40 plus 20 minutes reaches 10:00, and the remaining 1 hour 15 minutes reaches 11:15.

numerical-reasoning-s05-q05

Divide the volume by the rate: 90 ÷ 4 = 22.5 minutes.

numerical-reasoning-s05-q06

Time is distance divided by speed: 12 ÷ 5 = 2.4 hours, and 0.4 of an hour is 0.4 × 60 = 24 minutes.

numerical-reasoning-s05-q07

Multiply the pounds by the rate per pound: 60 × 1.15 = €69.

numerical-reasoning-s05-q08

Divide by the 60 minutes in an hour: 45 ÷ 60 = 0.75. Writing 45 minutes as 0.45 hours is the common slip.

numerical-reasoning-s05-q09

An hour contains three 20-minute periods, so the hourly total is 3 × 240 = 720 bottles.

numerical-reasoning-s05-q10

Convert the time to a decimal: 2 hours 15 minutes = 2.25 hours, then multiply: 64 × 2.25 = 144 km.

numerical-reasoning-s06-q01

The total spend is £7.35 + £4.20 = £11.55, so the change is £20 − £11.55 = £8.45.

numerical-reasoning-s06-q02

Compare a common unit: per 100 g, the small pack costs £2.40 ÷ 5 = £0.48 while the large pack costs £3.30 ÷ 7.5 = £0.44, so the larger pack is cheaper per gram.

numerical-reasoning-s06-q03

Simple interest pays the same amount each year: 5% of £800 is £40, so three years earn 3 × £40 = £120.

numerical-reasoning-s06-q04

10% of £2,400 is £240, so 35% is 3.5 × £240 = £840.

numerical-reasoning-q5

$500 × 1.10 = $550 after year one; $550 × 1.10 = $605 after year two.

numerical-reasoning-s06-q06

Divide the bill by the number of diners: £86.40 ÷ 6 = £14.40.

numerical-reasoning-s06-q07

The deposit is 15% of £640 = £96, leaving £640 − £96 = £544, or simply take 85% of the price directly.

numerical-reasoning-s06-q08

Multiply hours by the hourly rate: 38 × £12.50 = £475. Doubling £12.50 to £25 per 2 hours makes the mental sum easier: 19 × £25 = £475.

numerical-reasoning-s06-q09

Eight drinks form two groups of four, and in each group one is free, so you pay for 6 drinks: 6 × £2.50 = £15.

numerical-reasoning-s06-q10

The profit per plant is £2 − £1.20 = £0.80, so 40 plants earn 40 × £0.80 = £32.

numerical-reasoning-s07-q01

Add the values and divide by how many there are: (4 + 8 + 9 + 11) ÷ 4 = 32 ÷ 4 = 8.

numerical-reasoning-s07-q02

With the five values already in order, the median is the middle (third) value: 8.

numerical-reasoning-s07-q03

The mode is the most frequent value, and 4 appears three times, more than any other.

numerical-reasoning-s07-q04

The range is the largest value minus the smallest: 23 − 5 = 18.

numerical-reasoning-s07-q05

A mean of 14 across five scores means a total of 5 × 14 = 70; the four known scores sum to 55, so the fifth is 70 − 55 = 15.

numerical-reasoning-s07-q06

Weight each mean by its class size: total marks are 20 × 60 + 10 × 75 = 1,950, spread over 30 pupils gives 65. Simply averaging 60 and 75 ignores the different class sizes.

numerical-reasoning-s07-q07

Average speed is total distance over total time: (120 + 60) ÷ (2 + 1) = 180 ÷ 3 = 60 km/h.

numerical-reasoning-s07-q08

Sum the three days and divide by three: (40 + 55 + 25) ÷ 3 = 120 ÷ 3 = 40.

numerical-reasoning-s07-q09

The original total is 6 × 10 = 60; adding 24 gives 84 across seven numbers, and 84 ÷ 7 = 12.

numerical-reasoning-s07-q10

A mean only fixes the total (5 × 50 = 250 points), not how the points are spread. Every player could have scored exactly 50, or one could have scored far more.

numerical-reasoning-s08-q01

Each term increases by 4, so the next term is 17 + 4 = 21.

numerical-reasoning-s08-q02

Each term is multiplied by 3, so the next term is 54 × 3 = 162.

numerical-reasoning-s08-q03

Each term is halved, so the next term is 8 ÷ 2 = 4.

numerical-reasoning-s08-q04

These are the square numbers 1², 2², 3², 4², 5², so the next is 6² = 36.

numerical-reasoning-s08-q05

Each term is the sum of the two before it: 11 + 18 = 29.

numerical-reasoning-s08-q06

The amount subtracted grows by one each step (3, 4, 5, 6), so the next step subtracts 7: 22 − 7 = 15.

numerical-reasoning-s08-q07

Two sequences alternate: the odd positions climb 1, 3, 5, 7 while the even positions fall 10, 8, 6, so the next even-position term is 4.

numerical-reasoning-s08-q08

The gaps grow by one each time (1, 2, 3, 4, 5), so the next gap is 6: 20 + 6 = 26.

numerical-reasoning-s08-q09

8, 27, 64, and 125 are cube numbers (2³, 3³, 4³, 5³); 100 is a square but not a cube.

numerical-reasoning-s08-q10

Apply the rule to 17: 2 × 17 = 34, then 34 − 1 = 33.

numerical-reasoning-s09-q01

First find the capacity: 18 × 22 = 396 seats; then subtract the tickets sold: 396 − 315 = 81.

numerical-reasoning-s09-q02

Remove the fixed fee first: £145 − £40 = £105 of hourly work, then divide by the rate: 105 ÷ 15 = 7 hours.

numerical-reasoning-s09-q03

The trip uses 4.5 × 6 = 27 litres, and 27 × £1.50 = £40.50.

numerical-reasoning-s09-q04

The 20% reduction takes £45 down to £36, and the £5 voucher then brings it to £31. The order of the steps matters.

numerical-reasoning-s09-q05

Their combined age is three equal 'Beth-sized' parts (Beth plus twice Beth), so Beth is 36 ÷ 3 = 12 and Amir is 24.

numerical-reasoning-s09-q06

Work backwards, undoing each step in reverse: 46 − 6 = 40, then 40 ÷ 4 = 10.

numerical-reasoning-s09-q07

Monday's shipment is 15% of 1,200 = 180 units, leaving 1,020; Tuesday's delivery brings it to 1,020 + 250 = 1,270.

numerical-reasoning-s09-q08

The floor area is 4 × 3 = 12 m², needing 12 ÷ 0.25 = 48 tiles, which is 48 ÷ 10 = 4.8, so 5 full boxes must be bought.

numerical-reasoning-s09-q09

The tickets cost 2 × £9 + 3 × £5 = £18 + £15 = £33, so the change is £50 − £33 = £17.

numerical-reasoning-s09-q10

June is 120% of May, so divide rather than take 20% off: 660 ÷ 1.2 = 550. Subtracting 20% of June's figure would give the wrong base.

numerical-reasoning-s10-q01

Apply the multiplier twice: £2,000 × 0.9 × 0.9 = £1,620. The second year's 10% is taken from the reduced value, not the original.

numerical-reasoning-s10-q02

Chain the multipliers: £150 × 0.8 = £120, then £120 × 0.9 = £108. Two successive discounts of 20% and 10% are not the same as one 30% discount.

numerical-reasoning-s10-q03

£96 represents 120% of the original price, so divide by 1.2: 96 ÷ 1.2 = £80. Taking 20% off £96 would use the wrong base.

numerical-reasoning-s10-q04

Work in rates: together they do 1/2 of the job per hour and A alone does 1/3, so B's rate is 1/2 − 1/3 = 1/6 per hour. A full job takes B 6 hours.

numerical-reasoning-s10-q05

More time is spent at the slower speed, so the answer is below the midpoint. For a 120 km leg each way: 2 hours out plus 3 hours back is 240 km in 5 hours = 48 km/h.

numerical-reasoning-s10-q06

A percentage of a percentage multiplies: 40% of 30% is 0.4 × 0.3 = 0.12, which is 12% of all staff.

numerical-reasoning-s10-q07

Round to friendly numbers: 42,000 ÷ 70 = 600, so the quotient is about 600. Estimation is mainly about keeping track of the size of the answer.

numerical-reasoning-q6

Combined rate = 1/4 + 1/6 = 5/12 of the tank per hour, so time = 12/5 = 2.4 hours.

numerical-reasoning-s10-q09

Start from the actual counts: 3 : 2 across 30 counters means 18 red and 12 blue; adding 6 blue gives 18 : 18, which simplifies to 1 : 1.

numerical-reasoning-s10-q10

Multiply the two changes: 1.25 × 0.8 = 1, so the value ends exactly where it started. Percentage rises and falls of different sizes can cancel because they act on different bases.