GRE General TestQuantitative ReasoningMedium
A market researcher is analyzing customer survey data. Out of 200 respondents, 60% prefer product A, and the rest prefer product B. Among those who prefer product B, 40% are male. How many male respondents prefer product B?
- A80
- B32
- C40
- D48
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. 32
Total respondents = 200. Respondents preferring product A = 60% of 200 = 0.60 * 200 = 120. Respondents preferring product B = 200 - 120 = 80. Male respondents preferring product B = 40% of 80 = 0.40 * 80 = 32.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. This is the total number of respondents who prefer product B, not the male subset.
- C. This is 40% of the total respondents, not 40% of those who prefer product B.
- D. This is 60% of those who prefer product B, which would be female if 40% are male, or a different product preference.
Nested Percentages
Nested percentages involve calculating a percentage of a subset that was itself determined by a percentage of a larger group.
- Work from the largest group down to the specific subset.
- Each percentage is applied to the result of the previous step, not the original total.
- Carefully identify the 'base' for each percentage calculation.
Memory trick: Peel the percentage onion layer by layer.