GCSE Mathematics  ›  M3.2 Percentages and percentage change

Percentages and percentage change

Free AQA GCSE Mathematics practice questions on Percentages and percentage change. Sample questions below with detailed mark schemes — sign up to practise the full set with spaced repetition.

Start free All Mathematics topics

Calculate — 3 marks

A student measures the resistance of a wire at room temperature (20°C) and finds it to be 8.5 Ω. When the wire is heated to 80°C, the resistance increases to 10.2 Ω due to increased atomic vibrations.

  1. Calculate the increase in resistance of the wire. [1 mark]
  2. Calculate the percentage change in resistance when the wire is heated from 20°C to 80°C. [1 mark]
  3. If the resistance increases by the same percentage when heated from 80°C to 140°C, calculate the resistance at 140°C. [1 mark]
Show mark scheme

Explain — 4 marks

A school is upgrading its lighting system. The old system uses 500 W of electrical power. The new LED system uses 150 W of electrical power.

  1. Calculate the reduction in power consumption in watts. [1 mark]
  2. Calculate the percentage reduction in power consumption. [2 marks]
  3. Explain why reducing power consumption by this percentage is beneficial to the school. [1 mark]
Show mark scheme

Calculate — 2 marks

A shop is having a sale on all items. The original price of a jacket is £45.

  1. (01.1) In the sale, the price of the jacket is reduced by 20%. Calculate the sale price of the jacket. [1 mark]
  2. (01.2) After one week, the shop increases the sale price by 15%. Calculate the new price of the jacket. [1 mark]
Show mark scheme
  • (01.1) £36
  • (01.2) £41.40

Show — 3 marks

A shop sells a tablet for £240. In a sale, the price of the tablet is reduced by 20%. After the sale, the price is increased from the sale price back to £240.

  1. (01.1) Show that the sale price of the tablet is £192. [2 marks]
  2. (01.2) Calculate the percentage increase from the sale price back to £240. [1 mark]
Show mark scheme
  • (01.1) 20% of £240 = £48 or £240 × 0.20 seen
  • (01.1) £240 − £48 = £192 or £240 × 0.80 = £192
  • (01.2) 25% or complete method: (£240 − £192) ÷ £192 × 100

Describe — 3 marks

A clothing shop sells jackets. In January, the shop increases the price of a jacket by 20%. In February, the shop reduces the price of the same jacket by 20% of the new price.

  1. (01.1) Describe how to calculate the price of the jacket in February as a percentage of the original price before January. [1 mark]
  2. (01.2) The shop owner claims the jacket returns to its original price after the two changes. Describe why this claim is incorrect, using calculations to support your answer. [2 marks]
Show mark scheme
  • (01.1) Multiply by 1.20 then by 0.80 (or equivalent method)
  • (01.2) States that 1.20 × 0.80 = 0.96 (or 96%)
  • (01.2) Concludes the final price is 96% of original / 4% less than original (not the same)
← Previous topic
M3.1 Ratio and proportion
Next topic →
M3.3 Direct and inverse proportion

Related topics in Mathematics