Numerical Reasoning
Percentage of Total
Express a part as a percentage of a whole from data tables.
Overview
These questions ask "What percentage of total X does Y represent?" You identify the part and the whole from the table, divide part by whole, and multiply by 100.
The critical skill is knowing which number is the part and which is the whole. EPSO distractors often swap them.
What is tested
- Identifying part and whole from table context
- Dividing part by whole (not the reverse)
- Computing the total when not given directly
- Handling multi-row or multi-column totals
Preparation tips
- The whole is the bigger, more general category; the part is the specific subset
- If the total row is missing, sum all parts yourself
- If your answer exceeds 100%, you swapped part and whole
- Write "Part = ?, Whole = ?" before calculating
Master the mathematical foundations
Every numerical reasoning question tests 2-4 mathematical concepts. Weakness in one concept means failure on every question that uses it. Review the concept library to build a solid foundation.
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