Multiple choice

During a certain year, imports of United States increased by 20 percent and exports decreased by 10 percent. The ratio of imports to exports at the end of the year was how many times the ratio at the beginning of the year?

  1. 12 11 times

  2. 4 3 times

  3. 11 8 times

  4. 3 2 times

  5. 2 times
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Let initial imports be I and exports be E. Ratio = I/E. New imports = 1.2I, new exports = 0.9E. New ratio = 1.2I / 0.9E = (1.2/0.9) * (I/E) = 4/3 * (I/E).

AI explanation

Let the initial imports be I and initial exports be E. The new imports become 1.2I and the new exports become 0.9E, making the new ratio 1.2I / 0.9E. Simplifying the term 1.2 / 0.9 gives 12 / 9, which reduces to 4/3. Therefore, the new ratio is 4/3 times the original ratio.

Keep practicing — related questions