CXC Mathematics General Proficiency Computation

Topics are: 1
Using a calculator, = 0.5
2

FRACTIONS Addition and Subtraction

1. Basic operations in fractions. To add or subtract fractions, use the lowest
2. Exam Questions format. common denominator (L.C.M.) to work out the
given fractions:

DECIMALS Examples:
1. Decimal arithmetic
1. Workout the following:
2. Decimal places
3. significant figures 1 3 5
(a)  
10 10 10
4. standard form
5 2 5
CONSUMER ARITHMETIC (b)  
8 5 10

1. Profit and loss

2 2
(c) 4  1
2. Hire Purchase 5 3
3. Interests and Depreciation
Solutions:
4. Wages and Salaries
5. Rates and Foreign Exchange 1 3 5
(a)    LCM is 10
10 10 10
6. Utility bills
1  3  5 9
= = Ans.
10 10
Examination Questions examples
5 2 5
(b)    LCM is 40
8 5 10

FRACTIONS =
5 5  8 2  4 5
40
25  16  20 29
= = Ans.
numerator 40 40
Fraction = , which simply
denominator
indicates a division between the numerator and the
denominator. 2 2
(c) 4  1  Change into improper fractions.
5 3
1 22 5
Therefore, means 1 divided by 2. =   LCM
2 5 3

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CXC Mathematics General Proficiency Computation

66  25 41
= =
15 15 11

22 9
Changing back into mixed fraction =   Cancelling
5 4
11 2
= 2 Ans.
15
11 9
= 
5 2
Multiplication
99
=  Changing back into mixed fraction
10
Change all mixed fractions into improper.
9
= 9 Ans.
Cancel a numerator and a denominator, wherever 10
possible.
16 7 3
(c)   8
Then multiply the numerators and denominators. 25 8 4
1
7
Examples: 16 7 35
=  
25 8 4
2
2. Workout the following: 5

1 7 7 49 9
9 7 =   = = 4 Ans.
(a)  5 1 2 10 10
10 12

(b) 4
2
 2
1 Division
5 4

16 7 3 To divide fraction:
(c)   8
25 8 4
Change all mixed fractions into improper.

Change division sign to multiplication. Then invert

Solutions: (turn upside down) the second fraction.

9 7 Apply multiplication steps.

(a)   Cancelling
10 12
Examples:
3
9 7 3 7 21
=  =  =
10 12 10 4 40 3. Workout the following:
Ans. 4
3 1
(a)  2
8 2
2 1
(b) 4  1  Changing into improper fraction 2 4
5 4 (b) 2 
5 7

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CXC Mathematics General Proficiency Computation

(c) 9  2
2 Examination Questions Examples
5
I. Top over Bottom
Solutions:
1 3
1 
3 1 2 5
(a)  2 Changing into improper E.g.
8 2 1 3
1 
fraction. 2 5
1
3 2 II. Mixed operations
=  Cancelling
8 5
4
1 3 1
1   2
3 1 3 2 5 5
=  = Ans.
4 5 20
2 2 1
   
E.g.  9 3 2
2 4 2
(b) 2 
5 7 3
3  3
3 4 4
12 7 3 7 21 1 9
=  =  = = 4
5 4 5 1 5 5
To simplify, apply BODMAS
Ans.
1

2 Example 1: Top over Bottom

(c) 9  2
5
3
1. Simplify the following fractions leaving
9 5 3 5 15 3 your answer in the lowest terms:
=  =  = = 3
1 12 1 4 4 4
Ans. 1 3
1 
4 2 5
(a)
1 3
2 
2 5

1 1
8  2
3 2
(b)
2
3 2
7

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CXC Mathematics General Proficiency Computation

Solutions: Top ÷ bottom

1 3 65 5 65 7 91
1   =  =
6 7 6 5 6
2 5
(a) Top / bottom.
1 3 1
2  = 15 Ans.
2 5 6

Working the top fraction

Example 2: BODMAS
1 3 3 3 15  6 21
1  =  = =
2 5 2 5 10 10
2. Simplify the following fractions leaving
your answer in the lowest terms:
Working the bottom fraction
1 1 4
(a)    
5 2 7
1 3 5 3 3
2  =  =
2 5 2 5 2
2 2 1
(b)    
9 3 2
Top ÷ bottom
2
21 3 21 2 7 2 3 3
 =  = = 1 (c) 3 
10 2 10 3 5 5 4 4
Ans.
9

1 1
8  2 Solutions:
3 2
(b)  Top / bottom.
2
3 2 1 1 4
7 (a)    
5 2 7
Working the top fraction
1 1 2  5 7
 = =
1 1 25 5 5 2 10 10
8  2 = 
3 2 3 2
7 4 2
50  15 65  = Ans.
= = 10 7 5
6 6

Working the bottom fraction

2 3 16 21  16
3 2 =  = =
7 1 7 7
5
7

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CXC Mathematics General Proficiency Computation

2 2 1 9 1 2
(b)     (c)  
9 3 2 10 4 5

1 5 1
(d) 7  2  3
2 1 4  3 1 2 6 3
 = =
3 2 6 6
2 3 1
(e) 4   2
2 1 2 6 4 7 14 4
 =  =
9 6 9 1 3
2 7
1 (f) 5  3
= 1 Ans. 5 8
3
3 1 1 7
(g) 5  1  2 
8 4 2 16
2
3 3 5 1
(c) 3   Division and then subtraction (h)  5
4 4 23 9
9
2 1 9
(i) 12 
3 2 4 2 9 3 3 74
=  =  =
4 3 9 3 4 2
9 1 5 2
(j) 6  
2 13 15
3 3 15 3 15  6
3  =  = = 3 2
4 2 4 2 4 (k)  2
5 5
9
4 1
4 (l) 1  2
5 3
1
= 2 ans.
4 2. Calculate the value of the following, giving
your answer in fractional form:
Examination Questions (to do)
3 1 2
(a)    
Attempt ALL questions. 4 3 5

All working must be clearly shown. 3 5 2

(b)     4
4 8 5
1. Work out:
2 3 1
1 1 (c)     6
(a) 2  1  3 5  4
6 2
1  1 1
6 5 (d) 2  3  1 
(b) 3  1 3  3 6
7 14

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CXC Mathematics General Proficiency Computation

1 1 2 1
(e) 1  1  2 1
4 3 3 8
(f)
1 3
2  1
1 5 5 4
(f) 1  
2 8
1 5
5 1 1 
(g)   3 6
6 3 4 (g)
1 1

2 4
1 1 1 1
(h) 2  1  1  2
2 2 2 3 1 5
5  2
2 6
(h)
 1 2 2 2 2
(i) 1  2   2 1  1
 7 3 3 3 5

1 1
Giving your answer as a fraction in lowest term, 10  1
3 6
calculate the value of: (i)
2 1
 11
9 2
1 1

2 3 1 5
(a) 3  1
1 2 6
(j)
6 3
1
5

2 1 1 2
 2  1
3 4 5 3
(b) (k)
3 4
4 7

5 1 3
3  2
16 3 5
(c) (l)
4 3 1
 2
5 4 5

2 1 1
(m) 4  1 3
9 5 9
(d)
1 1

2 6 2 1 3
(n) 1  2 
3 8 4
1 2
1  1 1 5 1
4 3 (o) 1 3 5
(e) 3 6 9
1
1
6

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CXC Mathematics General Proficiency Computation

1 1 1
3 8 2
3 3 2
(p) (u)
1 5
3 2
5 6
1 3
4 3
1 2 11 8 4
(q)   (v)
7 3 12 1
1
7
2 2
1
3 7 1 1
(r) 2 
2 7 3
32 (w)
7 6
1
7
1 5 1
(s) 1 3 5
3 6 9  4 2  1 
2

(x)  4  2   1 
 5 3  3 
1 1
3 2
4 3 END OF FRACTIONS
(t)
5
1
6

Then write down the digits required.

DECIMALS
DO NOT MOVE THE DECIMAL POINT

Any number can be written in "decimal form".

Examples:
There are three different types of decimal number:
exact, recurring and other decimals.
1. Express 0.00256023164, rounded off to 5
decimal places.
Approximations (Rounding Numbers)
Solution:
If the answer to a question was 0.00256023164, you
Counting 5 digits from the decimal point (including zeros)
would not usually write this down. Instead, you
would 'round off' the answer to save space and time. 0.00256023164 = 0.00256023164
There are mainly two ways to round off numbers: ≈ 0.00256 (5 d.p.)

I. Decimal places

II. Significant figures.

Decimal places
Count the digits from the decimal point to the right.

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CXC Mathematics General Proficiency Computation

2. Write the number 64.498 correct to: Significant figures

Count the digits after the first non-zero to the right.
(a) the nearest whole number
Then write down the digits required.
(b) two decimal places.
DO NOT MOVE THE DECIMAL POINT
Solutions:

Examples:
(a) 64.498 ≈ 64 Ans. To the nearest whole number
1. Express 0.00256023164, rounded off to 5
(b) Counting 2 digits from the decimal point (including
significant figures.
zeros)

64.498 ≈ 64.50 Ans. two decimal places. Solution:

Counting 5 digits after the first non-zero (that is,

3. Using a calculator or otherwise, evaluate
excluding the beginning zeros)
7.021
6.751
and state your answer correct to:
0.00256023164 = 0.00256023164
(a) the nearest whole number ≈ 0.0025602 Ans.

(b) three decimal places. 2. Write 0.8909 correct to two significant

figures.
Solutions:
Solution:
7.021
6.751
= 1.039994075 0.8909 = 0.8909 ≈ 0.89 Ans.

(a) 1.039994075 ≈ 1 Ans. To the nearest whole 3. Using a calculator or otherwise, evaluate
number 0.023
0.351
and state your answer to two

(b) 1.039994075 ≈ 1.040 Ans. two decimal places significant figures.

Solution:

0.023
0.351
= 0.065527065 ≈ 0.066 Ans.
Correct to 2 s.f.

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CXC Mathematics General Proficiency Computation

Standard Form 2. Express 81 900 in standard form.

Standard form is a way of writing down very large Solution:

or very small numbers easily using the formula
81 900 = 8.19  10 4 Ans.
a  10 n

3. Evaluate 0.749 and express your answer

Where a is a number between 1 and 10 and n is an in the standard form.
integer.
Solution:
E.g.
0.749 = 0.86544786 ≈ 8.65  10  1
I. 1.25 = 1.25 × 10º
Ans.
II. 4000 = 4 × 10³
III. 0.000 001 2 = 1. 2  10  6 4. Determine the value of
11 .3 2  19. 246  5 giving your answer
Writing a number in the standard form ( a  10 n
) in the standard form, correct to 1 decimal
place.
Move the decimal point and place it in-between the
first two significant figures (the first two non-zero
Solution:
digits). Then write down the digits for a.

Count the number of places the decimal point moved. 11 .3 2  19. 246  5 = 127.69  3.8492
Write this for n.
= 123.8408
≈ 1.2  10 2 Ans.
If it is a whole number, then n is positive else n is
negative.

Examples:

1. Write 0.000 001 2 in standard form

Solution:

Moving the decimal point and placing it in-between

the first two significant figures.

0.000 001 2 = 1.2  10  6 Ans.

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CXC Mathematics General Proficiency Computation

Examination Questions (to do) 4. Using calculator, or otherwise, determine

0.023
the value of and write answer
Attempt ALL questions. 0.351

All working must be clearly shown. (a) correct to four decimal places
1. Using a calculator, or otherwise, determine (b) correct to two significant figures.
the EXACT value of:
5. Write the value of correct of the following,
(a) 1.7  2  1.3
2

correct to two significant figures.

4.8  6.9
(b) 1.3  0.2 (a) 1.073

(c) 2.3 2  4.12 0.28  4  2.95

(b) 0.7  0.14
0.18
(d)  0.003
0.6
6. Write 4768 correct to three significant
(e) 0.428  2.78 figures.

(f) 5.24 ( 4  1.67) 7. Express, in standard form, the value of

1.68 (a) 3.7  10 2  2.4  10 3

(g) 1.5  1.45
2

(b) 2.43  10 3  5.26  10 2

2.8  1.36
(h) 4  2.7
(c)  4.2  10   5  10 
4 3

13.5
(i)
0.33 (d) 3.2  10 6  2.1  10 3

(j)  0.35 2  0. 038  0.8

4.8  10 4
(e)
24  10 7
2. Write 2684 correct to 2 significant figures.

3. Using a calculator, or otherwise, calculate (f) 0.0004  10 6

13.2
the exact value of writing your 7 .5
0.33 (g) 2.55  6.3 
1.25
answer correct to 3 decimal places.
10.2  0.14
8. Write the number 0.7  50.1 correct to:

(a) the nearest whole number

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CXC Mathematics General Proficiency Computation

(c) in the standard form.

(b) two decimal places.
13. Write the value of 0.428  2.75
9. Calculate 0.05181  3.14 and state your
answer: (a) exactly in decimal form

(a) correct to 2 decimal places. (b) correct to two decimal places

(b) correct to 3 significant figures (c) correct to two significant figures

(c) in the standard form (d) in the standard form.

10. Using a calculator or otherwise, evaluate 14. Express the value of 101.6064  10 6
7.021 and write your answer:
6.751
and state your answer correct to:
(a) correct to 1 decimal place
(a) the nearest whole number
(b) correct to 2 significant figures
(b) three decimal places
(c) in the standard form.
11. Calculate 9.72  12.05 and write your
answer: 15. Write the value of 11 .2 2   0.375  3

(a) exactly (a) exactly

(b) correct to 2 decimal places (c) correct to 2 significant figures

(c) correct to 2 significant figures (d) in the standard form

(d) in the standard form

16. Calculate 0.273  15 and give your
0.0402
answer:
12. Express the value of 0.71
and write
(a) exactly.
your answer:
(b) correct to 2 decimal places
(a) correct to 2 decimal places
(c) correct to 1 significant figure
(b) correct to 2 significant figures
(d) in the standard form.

END OF DECIMALS

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CXC Mathematics General Proficiency Computation

(b) If the cost price to the dealer was $56,000

CONSUMER ARITHMETIC sale, calculate the profit and the profit % to
the dealer.
Discount. Profit and Loss.
Solution:
Discount = % of marked price.
marked price = $75,000 and
Profit = sp − cp 11
Discount (%) = 11% =
100
Profit
Profit % = 100 % =
cp 11
sp  cp Discount ($) = × 75000 = $ 8,250
100 % 100
cp

Loss = cp  sp Price paid = 75000  8250

= $ 66, 750 Ans.
Loss
Loss % =  100 % =
cp
alternatively
cp  sp
 100 %
cp
Price paid = 89 % × 75000

To calculate the selling price or the cost price given = $ 66, 750 Ans.
the profit % or the loss %.
(b)
cp % = 100 % cp = $ 56,000 and sp = $ 66,750

sp % = 100 % + profit % = cp %  loss % profit = $66,750  $56,000

= $ 10,750 Ans.
cp %
cp =  sp
sp %
10750
Profit % =  100 %
sp %
56000
sp = cp %  cp
= 19.2 % Ans.

Examples: 2. The table below shows Anna’s shopping

list.
1. An item is initially valued at $75,000.
Unit Price Total Cost
Items Quantity
(a) Find the price a customer paid, to the dealer, $ $
for the item at a discount of 11% on a cash Pens 15 0.56 8.40
sale. Pencils 25 0.24
Erasers 13 3.38
Books 1.25 18.75
Rulers 20 0.11 2.2

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CXC Mathematics General Proficiency Computation

TOTAL 38.73 = 48.8 % Ans.

GCT (15.75%) 3. Amish buys a stamp collection and makes a
GRAND TOTAL 35% profit by selling it for $270. Find the
(a) Complete the table for the missing values. cost of the collection.

(b) Anna sold 10 of the pens at 75¢ each and cp = ?, sp = $ 270 and cp % = 100 %
the remainder at 50 ¢ each. Determine, by
calculation, whether Anna made profit or sp % = 100 % + 35 % = 135 %
not on the sale of the pens. Calculate the
100 %
profit % or the loss %. cp = 135 %  $ 270 = $ 200 Ans.

Solution
Percentage increase. Percentage
(a)
decrease.
Unit Price Total Cost Percentage increase
Items Quantity
$ $
Pens 15 0.56 8.40 new value  original value
=  100 %
Pencils = 25× 0.24 original value
25 0.24
=6
Erasers = 3.38÷13 Percentage decrease
13 3.38
= 0.26
Books = 18.75÷ 1.25 =
1.25 18.75 original value  new value
= 15  100 %
original value
Rulers 20 0.11 2.2
TOTAL 38.73
GCT (15.75%) = 15.75 × 38.73 = 6.10 Examples:
GRAND TOTAL = 38.73 + 6.10 = 44.83
4. The cost of posting a letter in 1993 was $
0.18. A company posted 1500 letters and
(b)
was allowed 5 % discount on the cost.
(Pen total cost)
Total cost = $ 8.40 (a) Calculate the cost to the company after
discount.
(Pen total sales)
(b) The cost of posting a letter was increased, in
Total sales = 10 × 0.75 + 5 × 0.50
1994, from $ 0.18 to $ 0.20Calculate the
= $ 12.50 percentage increase 1993 to 1994.

Since total sales is greater than total cost  profit

Profit = $ 12.50  $ 8.40 = $ 4.10
4.10
Profit % =  100 %
8.40

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CXC Mathematics General Proficiency Computation

Solution: Examples:

(a) 1. A television set can be bought for $ 18,000

cash, or bought on a hire purchase; a deposit
marked price = $0.18 of 20 % and 18 monthly installments of $
95 900.
Discount (%) = 5 % =
100
Calculate:
Total cost = 0.18 × 1500 = $ 270
(a) the hire purchase price
95
Company cost =  270
100 (b) the difference between the hire purchase and
= $ 256.50 Ans. the cash price

(b) (b) the difference as a percentage of the cash

price.
Original value = $ 0.18

New value = $ 0.20 Solution:

0.20  0.18 Cash price = $ 18,000

Percentage increase =  100 %
0.18
20
0.02 Deposit (%) = 20 % =
= 100 % 100
0.18
= 11.1 % Ans. Installments = $ 900

(a) hire purchase

Hire Purchase.
20
Deposit =  18000 = $ 3,600
100
Hire Purchase (H.P.) is a popular way of buying
expensive goods.
Installments = 18 × 900 = $ 16,200
Using H.P. you usually pay a deposit first and the
remainder by monthly installments. Goods H.P. = $ 3,600 + $ 16,200
normally cost more on hire purchase. = $ 19,800 Ans.

H.P. = Deposit + Total Installments

(b) difference = $ 19,800  $ 18,000
Total Installments = (Months)×(MonthlyPayment)
= $ 1,800 Ans.
Total Installments
Months = MonthlyPayment 1800
(c) percentage =  100 % = 10 %
18000
Ans.

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CXC Mathematics General Proficiency Computation

2. The hire purchase price for a refrigerator is Simple interest

$ 65,000 cash. A deposit of $ 15,000 is
made and the remainder is paid in equal Simple interest (S.I.), or simply (I), is calculated on
monthly installments of $ 2,500. a yearly basis (annually) and depends on the
interest rate. The rate is often given per annum
(a) Calculate the deposit as a percentage of the (p.a.) which means per year.
hire purchase, correct to one decimal place.
The interest here is a fixed figure for every year.
(b) Calculate the total installment paid.

(c) Determine how many months a customer

would need to pay the total installments. I = Principal × Rate × Time

Solution: A = Interest + Principal

Cash Price = $ 6,500 Principal ↔ Amount borrowed or invested $

Deposit = $ 15,000 Rate ↔ interest percent %

Installments = $ 2500 Period during borrowing or

Time ↔ investment years
15000
(a) percentage =  100 % = 23.1 %
65000 A ↔ Total Amount $

100  I
(b) Total Installment = $ 65000  $ 15000 P = R  T
= $ 50,000 Ans.
100  I
R = P  T
50000
(c) Months = = 20 months Ans.
100  I
2500
T = P  R

Interests and Depreciation Examples:

If you put money into a bank or building 1. A man deposited $ 65,000 fixed in his bank
society they will pay you interest on this money. account for 3 years. The bank pays 8 % per
If you have borrowed money, from a bank or annum simple interest.
building society for a mortgage or other loan, you
have to pay them interest. Calculate:

(a) the interest earned in three years.

(b) the total amount in the account at the end of

three years.

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CXC Mathematics General Proficiency Computation

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CXC Mathematics General Proficiency Computation

Solution: 3. Mr. Roger deposited in his savings account

$ 150,000.00 at 10 % p.a. He withdrew $
8 20,000.00 at the end of second year.
P = $ 65,000, R = 8 % = and
100
T = 3 years What is the total amount in the account at
the end of the fourth year?
8
(a) Interest = 65000 × ×3 Solution
100
= $ 15,600 Ans. 10
P = $ 150,000, R = 10 % =
100
T = 2 years W = $ 20000
(b) total amount = $ 65000 + $ 15600 (withdraws $ 20000)
= $ 80,600 Ans.
first two years interest

2. Joan deposited $ 42,500 in an account 10

I = 150000 × × 2 = $ 30,000
which pays simple interest per annum and 100
left it for 4 years. At the end of the 4 years
she found that she had $ 55,100. A = $ 30000 + $ 150000  $ 20000
= $ 160,000
Calculate:
Next two years interest
(a) the interest earned in 4 years.
10
I = 160000 × × 2 = $ 32,000
(b) the rate percent paid by the bank. 100

A = 32000 + 160000 = $ 192,000 Ans.

Solution:
Compound Interest
P = $ 42 500, A = $ 55 100 and

T = 4 years The interest here increases every year. To calculate

the interest and the total amount yearly bases:

(a) Interest = $ 55100  $ 42500

= $ 12,600 Ans. I = Principal × Rate × Time

A = Interest + Principal
100  12600
(b) Rate = 42500  4
= 7.41 % Amount borrowed or
Principal ↔ invested $
Ans.

Rate ↔ interest percent %

Period during borrowing or

Time ↔ investment 1 year
Revision notes  Paper 2 Section I Page | 27
CXC Mathematics General Proficiency Computation

A ↔ Total Amount $ 1. A business pays its employees a basic rate

of $ 10.15 per hour for a 40-hour week.
The simple way to work out compound interest is:
(a) Calculate the basic weekly wage for ONE
T employee.
 R 
A = P 1  
 100 
(b) For overtime an employee is paid a time and
I = A − P half the basic rate. Determine the overtime
wage if an employee who worked 8 hours
overtime in a certain week.
Example:

1. A man deposited $ 65,000 fixed in his bank (c) Calculate the week’s gross pay.
account for 3 years. The bank pays 8 % per
annum compound interest. The employee pays 15 % tax on the weekly
wage. Calculate:
Calculate:
(d) the tax paid
(a) the total amount in the account at the end of
three years. (e) the net pay.

(b) the interest earned in three years.

Solution:

Solution: (a) basic wage = $ 10.15 × 40 = $ 406

Ans.

P = $ 65,000

8 (b) overtime wage = $ 10.15 × 1.5 × 8

R = 8% = = 0.08
100 = $ 121.80 Ans.

T = 3 years
(c) Gross pay = $ 406 + $ 121.80
3 = $ 527.80 Ans.
 8 
 = 65000 1.08
3
(a) A= 65000 1 
 100 
= 65000 × 1.26 15
(d) Tax = × $ 527.80 = $ 79.17 Ans.
100
= $ 81,900 Ans.
(e) Net pay = $ 527.80  $ 79.17
(b) I = $ 81900  $ 65000 = $ 16,900 Ans. = $ 448.63 Ans.

Wages and Salaries

Ratios
Example:
Revision notes  Paper 2 Section I Page | 28
CXC Mathematics General Proficiency Computation

or 1 cm on the map is equivalent to half a

kilometre in real life.
If a boy has 5 sweets and a girl has 3, the ratio of
the boy's sweets to the girl's sweets is 5 : 3 . For 1 : 25 000, 1 unit on the map is the same as:

The boy has 5/3 times more sweets as the girl, and 25 000 units on the land,
the girl has 3/5 as many sweets as the boy.
so 1 inch on the map is 25 000 inches across
Ratios behave like fractions and can be simplified. the land,

To find ratio:
or 1cm on the map is 25 000 cm in real life.
Determine each part in fraction. Work out total parts
in fraction.
Examples:
Then calculate each part of the ratio.

1. The distance from a point A to a point B on

Examples:
a map of a golf course drawn on a grid of 1
cm squares is 16.7 cm. The scale of the map
1. Alex and Chloe divide $ 40,000 in the ratio
is given in the ratio 1:40000.
3 : 5. How much do they each get?

Solution:
Using the reading of the distance of the golf
Ratio = 3 : 5, Alex = 3, Chloe = 5 course, find the distance, in metres, from the
point A to the point B.
Total = 3 + 5 = 8
Solution:
3
Alex =  40000 = $ 15,000
8 Distance (cm) = 40000 × 16.7
5
Chloe =  40000 = $ 25,000 = 668000 cm
8

668000 cm
Distance (m) =
100
Map Scales = 6680 m Ans.

If a map has a scale of 1 : 50 000, this means that:

1 unit on the map is actually 50 000 units

across the land,

or 1 cm on the map is 50 000 cm along the

ground (= 0.5 km),

Revision notes  Paper 2 Section I Page | 29

CXC Mathematics General Proficiency Computation

Foreign Exchange Utility bills

Example:
To change local currency to stronger foreign
currency: 1. The charges for electricity for a certain
household are given as follows:

Foreign Item Rate

= Local Currency ÷ Exchange Rate
Currency Meter Rental $ 3.50 per month

To change local currency to weaker foreign Energy charges $ 2.15 per KWH
currency: Fuel Charge $ 2.18 per KWH

The meter reading for the KWH used for

Foreign September is:
= Local Currency × Exchange Rate
Currency

Previous reading Present reading

Example (August 17) (September 16)

1. Ann is going to Spain on holidays and wants 084568 084994

to change J$ 200,000 to Euros. How many
Euros does she get given the rates below? General Consumption Tax (GCT) = 15 % .

Calculate:
Exchange rate
(a) the number of KWH used
1 Euro J$ 117
(b) the total charges
Solution:
(c) the GCT
200000
Amount (in euros) =
117 (d) the total electricity bill to be paid.
= 1709.40 Ans.
Solution:

(a) KWH

No. (KWH) = 084994  084568

= 426 KWH Ans.

Revision notes  Paper 2 Section I Page | 30

CXC Mathematics General Proficiency Computation

(b) overtime wage

Calculate:
Energy charges = $ 1.15 × 426 KWH
= $ 915.90 (a) the total telephone charges

Fuel charges = $ 2.18 × 426 KWH (b) the GCT

= $ 928.68
(c) the total telephone bill to be paid.

Charges
Item Solution:
$
Meter Rental 3.50
(a)
Energy charges 915.90
Fuel Charge 928.68 Fixed Additional
Long
TOTAL 1847.86 Duration charge charge
distance
of calls (3 mins (per min)
calls to:
The total charges = $ 1847.86 Ans. or less)
Ocean 4 × $ 0.25
7 $ 0.70
Brook = $ 1.00
15
(c) Tax = × $ 1847.86 Dell 0 × $ 0.35
100 2 $ 0.90
View = $ 0.00
= $ 277.18 Ans.
2 × $ 1.71
Zenoland 5 $ 4.35
= $ 3.42

(e) total bill = $ 1847.86 + $ 277.18 $ 5.95 $ 4.42

= $ 2125.04 Ans.
total charges = $ 5.95 + $ 4.42

2. In August Mrs. Smith’ telephone bill was + $ 25.00 − $ 13.20

calculated on the following information: = $ 22.67 ans.

Fixed Additional
Long (b) GCT = 15 % × $ 22.67 = $ 3.40
Duration charge charge
distance
of calls (3 mins (per min)
calls to:
or less) (e) total bill = $ 22.67 + $ 3.40
Ocean Brook 7 $ 0.70 $ 0.25
= $ 26.07 Ans.
Dell View 2 $ 0.90 $ 0.35
Zenoland 5 $ 4.35 $ 1.71

Others

Monthly rental for

Rebate
telephone
$ 25.00 $ 13.20

General Consumption Tax (GCT) = 15 % .

Revision notes  Paper 2 Section I Page | 31
CXC Mathematics General Proficiency Computation

Examination Questions (to do) during the next year. How many video
games will she be able to rent using:
Attempt ALL questions.
(i) Option A?
All working must be clearly shown.
(ii) Option B?
1. A man deposits $ 800 in his account at a
bank which offers 6 % simple interest per
3.
annum.

(a) How much interest would he receive (a) The cash price of a dining room suite with a
on the $ 800 after 9 months? table and six identical chairs is $880. If
the price of the table is $250, what is the
(b) How long would it take for the $ 800 price of EACH chair?
to increase to $ 992? (b) The dining room suite may be bought on
hire purchase for a deposit 216 plus monthly
2. Use the information given below to payments of $ 35 for a period of two years.
answer Parts (a) and (b)
Calculate
RANDY'S VIDEO CLUB
(i) the total hire purchase price of the
Option A suite

Membership Fee for one year: $ 80.00 (ii) the extra cost of buying on hire
purchase as a percentage of the cash
Rental Fee: $ 3.00 per video game price.

Option B 4. Mr. Mitchell deposited $ 40 000 in a bank

account and earned simple interest at 7% per
No Membership Fee annum for two years.

Rental Fee: $5.00 per video game Calculate the amount he will receive at the
end of two-year period.

(a) Carl a rents 48 video games during one year.

What is the TOTAL cost if she chooses? 5. Mr. Williams bought a plot of land for $ 40
000. The value of the land appreciated by 7
(i) Option A? % each year.

Calculate the value of the land after a period

(ii) Option B?
of two years.
(b) Carla estimates that she will be able to
spend $215.00 for renting video games
Revision notes  Paper 2 Section I Page | 32
CXC Mathematics General Proficiency Computation

6. A sum of money was shared in the ratio 2 : (b) Amanda sold 6 of the 12 stickers which she
3 : 4. If the largest share was $ 1200, had bought at 75 cents each, and the
calculate the sum of money shared. remaining stickers at 40 cents each.

(i) the smallest share Show, using calculation, whether Amanda

made a profit or loss on buying and selling
stickers.
(ii) the total sum of money shared

(iii) the percentage of the total received 10. Kim has two telephones. One is cellular and
by the middle share. the other is a land line. The rates for local
calls are shown in the table below.

7. A sum of money was to be shared among

Type of Telephone
three persons A, B and C in the ratio 2 : 3 : Rates
Cellular Land Line
5. If C received $ 120 more than B, find the
sum of money shared. Monthly Rental Fee $0 $ 45
Charge per minute on
85 cents 15 cents
8. A piece of rope 117 cm long is cut into two calls made
pieces so that one piece is 27 cm longer the
In one month, calls were made lasting for a
other. Calculate the length of the longer total of 1 hour and 5 minutes. Show by
piece. calculations, that the cost for using the land
line telephone was less than the cost for
9. The table below shows Amanda’s shopping using the cellular telephone.
bill. Some numbers were removed and
replaced with letters. (a) For the month of March, the land line
telephone was used, and the bill was $54.60.
Unit Price Total cost
Items Quantity
($) ($) (b) Calculate the total time, in minutes, for
Stickers 12 0.49 5.88 which the calls lasted.

T-shirts 3 12.50 A 11. A loan of $12 000 was borrowed from a

bank at 14% per annum. Calculate
CD’s 2 B 33.90

Poster 6.20 31.00 (a) the interest on the loan at the end of the first
C
year
Total 108.28
(b) the total amount owing at the end of the first
15 % VAT (to the nearest cent) D year.

(a) Calculate the values of A, B, C and D A repayment of $7 800 was made at the start
of the second year. Calculate

Revision notes  Paper 2 Section I Page | 33

CXC Mathematics General Proficiency Computation

(c) the amount still outstanding at the start of Give your answer correct to the nearest
the second year. whole number.

(d) the interest on the outstanding amount at the 15. Mr. Jones works for a basic wage of $ 15
end of the second year per hour for a 40-hour week.
12. In a certain country, electricity charges are
calculated based the following table. (a) If Mr. Jones worked only a 40 hours during
a particular week, what was his wage for
Fixed charge Charge per KWH used that week?

$ 4.00 $ 0.12 (b) Mr. Jones’ wage for the next week was $
960. If the overtime is paid at a double time,
how many hours overtime did he work?
(a) Calculate the electricity charges for a
customer who used 1003 KWH. 16. A shopkeeper sold a pair of shoes for $176.
He made a profit of 10%.Calculate the cost
There is a government tax of 15 % on the
price of the shoes.
electricity charges.

17. Calculate the Simple Interest when $ 280 is

(b) Calculate the tax on the customer’s
invested for 9 months at 8 % per annum.
electricity charges, giving your answer to
the nearest cent.

(c) Calculate total amount paid by the customer. 18. A piece of string of length 150 cm is
divided into two parts in the ratio 3:7. Find
the length of the longer part.
13. A sum of money is shared between Aaron
and Betty in the ratio 2:5. Aaron received
$60. 19. In selling a car for $ 4 620 a dealer makes a
profit of 10%. Find the price the dealer paid
How much money was shared altogether? for the car.
14. In St. Vincent, 3 litres of gasoline cost EC$
10.40 20. $ 90 is divided into three parts in the ratio
2:3:7. Find the largest share.
(a) Calculate the cost of 5 litres of gasoline in
St. Vincent, stating your answer correct to 21. Steel girders used in the building industry
the nearest cent. are 4.0 m long, measured correct to the
nearest 0.1 m. Six girders are placed end to
(b) How many litres of gasoline can be bought end. What is the smallest possible total
for EC$ 50.00 in St. Vincent? length of the six girders?

Revision notes  Paper 2 Section I Page | 34

CXC Mathematics General Proficiency Computation

22. The charges for electricity are given in the Calculate:

table as follows:
(i) the technician’s hourly rate of pay
ITEM RATE
Rental $2.00 per month (ii) the percentage increase in the hourly
Energy chare $0.15 per KWH rate.
24. A company sells its printers in order to
Fuel charge $2.05 per KWH
make a profit of 25 %.
The meter readings for the KWH used for
Calculate:
December and January were:
(a) the price a customer pays for a printer which
Previous Reading RATE
30 November 31 January the company bought for $ 1700
05783 06593
(b) the price the company paid for a printer
which was sold for $ 2500.
A government tax of 15 % of the total is
added to the bill. 25. A Building Society offers a rate of 11 % per
annum simple interest. Beth-Ann deposited
Calculate: $ 24000 in the society for 15 months.

(a) the number of KWH units used.

(a) Calculate the amount due to her at the end
of the period.
(b) the total amount to be paid.
The Building Society charged her a
processing fee of $ 1500.
23. The basic wage rate for a technician for a
42-hour week is $ 36.40 per hour.
(b) Calculate this fee as a percentage of the
money originally deposited.
(a) Calculate the technician’s weekly wage.

26. A metal is made from copper, zinc and lead

(b) For overtime work the technician is paid one
in the ratio 13 : 6 : 1 . The mass of the zinc
and a half times the basic hourly rate.
is 90 kg. Calculate the mass of the metal.
Calculate the technician’s total wage for 58
hours of work.

(c) In a new wages agreement, the weekly basic

wage is $ 1490 for 36 hours of work.

Revision notes  Paper 2 Section I Page | 35

CXC Mathematics General Proficiency Computation

27. The hire purchase price for a refrigerator is (b) What was the percentage increase?
$ 6500. A deposit of $ 500 is made and the
remainder is paid in equal monthly The owner of the factory divides his time
payments of $ 250. between Production, Sales and
Administration in the ratio 4 : 3 : 2 .
(a) Calculate the number of monthly payments
(c) How long does he spend on Production in a
that must be made.
54 hour week?

(b) If the cash price is $ 4000, express as a

30. A television programme lasted for 1 hour 25
percentage of the cash price, the extra cost
minutes. The programme started at 09 40.
of buying on hire purchase.
(a) At what time did it finish?
28. Pamela borrows $ 2500 at 12 % per annum
simple interest for two years. In addition, a This programme was one of a series of 5
programmes each of which lasted for 1 hour
fee of $ 200 is charged for processing the 25 minutes.
loan.
(b) How long did the 5 programmes last
Calculate:
altogether?
(a) the sum of money, which she will have to Another television programme lasted for 2
repay the bank at the end of two years hours 12 minutes and finished at 01 45.

(b) the profit percent the bank makes on the (c) At what time did the programme start?
loan

(c) the monthly instalment, if she is required to

repay the loan in 24 equal month
instalments.

29. In the Subway lock factory, 8 employees

each work 8 hours per day and 5 employees
each work 12 hours per day.

(a) Calculate the total time, in hours, worked by

these 13 employees in a 5 day week.

In 1991 the factory produced 1400

Bettaloks. In 1992 the factory produced
1610 Bettaloks.

Revision notes  Paper 2 Section I Page | 36