A value increases by 25% and then by 25% again. What is the total percentage increase relative to the original value?

Prepare for the FBI Special Agent Selection System Phase I Test with comprehensive quizzes. Tackle flashcards and multiple-choice questions, complete with hints and explanations. Ace your exam!

Multiple Choice

A value increases by 25% and then by 25% again. What is the total percentage increase relative to the original value?

When a value increases by a percentage, the new amount is multiplied by 1 plus that percentage. After the first 25% increase, the value becomes 1.25 times the original. The second 25% increase applies to this new amount, so you multiply by 1.25 again. The overall factor is 1.25 × 1.25 = 1.5625. That means the final value is 1.5625 times the original, which is an increase of 0.5625, or 56.25%. A quick example helps: if you start with 100, after the first increase you have 125. After the second increase, you add 25% of 125 (which is 31.25) to get 156.25. The increase from the original 100 is 56.25, i.e., 56.25%.

When a value increases by a percentage, the new amount is multiplied by 1 plus that percentage. After the first 25% increase, the value becomes 1.25 times the original. The second 25% increase applies to this new amount, so you multiply by 1.25 again. The overall factor is 1.25 × 1.25 = 1.5625. That means the final value is 1.5625 times the original, which is an increase of 0.5625, or 56.25%.

A quick example helps: if you start with 100, after the first increase you have 125. After the second increase, you add 25% of 125 (which is 31.25) to get 156.25. The increase from the original 100 is 56.25, i.e., 56.25%.

More practice questions