Practice exam question

[Vijay Raisinghani]

Following is a practice exam question, with correct answer. Solving it algebraically I end up with answer that does not include (100) as a multiplier
Also solution mentioned in the answer key incorrect if we solve it through


Currently, y percent of the members on the finance committee are women and next month, z percent of the men on the finance committee will resign. If no other personnel changes occur, then after the resignations next month, the men who remain on the finance committee will represent what percent of the total finance committee members?



(100)(100 - z)(100 - y)/

1002 - z(100 - y)

[Guest]

[quote="Vijay Raisinghani"]Following is a practice exam question, with correct answer. Solving it algebraically I end up with answer that does not include (100) as a multiplier
Also solution mentioned in the answer key incorrect if we solve it through


Currently, y percent of the members on the finance committee are women and next month, z percent of the men on the finance committee will resign. If no other personnel changes occur, then after the resignations next month, the men who remain on the finance committee will represent what percent of the total finance committee members?



(100)(100 - z)(100 - y)/100^2 - z(100 - y)

[JK]

Trying using real numbers for the variables

[esledge]

I agree with JK that using real numbers is the way to go.

Here's why: You would never read 0.25 or 25% as 25, unless you knew for certain that the total number was 100. But when dealing with variables, things are more theoretical, and subtle differences are more likely to slip past you. For example, you might solve for the fraction of committee members who are men instead of the percent of the total committee members who are men. I believe that's what happened to you, Vijay, as 0.25 must be multiplied by 100% to become 25%, accounting for your missing 100.

I might not always plug numbers on a VICs (variables in the answer choices) questions in general, but the "missing or misplaced 100" trap answer is so pervasive on percent VICs that number testing is the only safe option, in my opinion.