New York City SHSAT 2017

WORD PROBLEMS

Picking numbers can be extremely helpful when the answer choices to a word problem contain variables. Remember this problem?

EXAMPLE

As you saw earlier, there is more than one way to solve this problem. Some test takers will find it easier to solve this question by
setting up algebraic equations. However, setting up the algebra may slow down other test takers. Picking a number for x may be
faster and easier.

For example, if you say that x = 10, then Jenna is 10 years old, and Amy is 7 since she is three years younger. In four years, Amy
will be 11. Once you have this value, plug 10 in for x in each of the answer choices to see which one equals 11.

Only choice (C) adds up to 11, so it must be correct.

Percent Increase/Decrease Problems

If you see a problem on the SHSAT that deals with percents, picking 100 is the easiest and quickest way to solve the problem.

EXAMPLE

53. Jenna is now x years old, and Amy is 3 years younger than Jenna. In terms of x, how old will Amy be in 4 years?

A. x − 1

B. x

C. x + 1

D. x + 4

E. 2 x + 1

(A) 10 − 1 = 9

(B) 10

(C) 10 + 1 = 11

(D) 10 + 4 = 14

(E) 2(10) + 1 = 21

If the price of a stock decreases by 20 percent, and then by an additional 25 percent, by what percent has the price

decreased from its original value?

56.

A. 40