Problem-Solving and Data AnalysisVery hardPercent change versus percentage points
Problem-Solving and Data Analysis practice question
In one year, support for a proposal rose from 20% of voters to 25% of voters. By what PERCENT did the level of support increase?
Answer: 25
The rise is 5 percentage points, but as a percent of the original 20%, it is 5/20 = 0.25 = 25%.
Common wrong answers
- If you answered 5
- 5 is the change in percentage POINTS (25 − 20), not the percent change.
- If you answered 20
- 20 is 5/25, dividing by the new level instead of the original.
- If you answered 125
- 125 is 25/20 as a percent — the new level as a share of the old; the INCREASE is 25%.
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