What this skill covers
Quantitative Reasoning questions on the TSIA2 focus on using numbers sensibly in context — scaling a ratio up or down, computing a percentage change, or working with a proportional relationship described in words.
The most reliable approach for a ratio or proportion question is to find the scale factor between the given amount and the stated ratio, then apply that same factor to the other quantity.
Worked examples
Example 1
A recipe uses 2 cups of flour for every 5 cups of water. If 8 cups of flour are used, how many cups of water are needed?
A. 20
B. 16
C. 10
D. 12
Why: 8 cups of flour is 4 times the 2-cup ratio unit (8 ÷ 2 = 4), so water is also scaled by 4: 5 × 4 = 20 cups.
Example 2
An item priced at $60 is marked up by 15%. What is the new price?
A. $69
B. $75
C. $51
D. $45
Why: 15% of $60 is $9, so the new price is $60 + $9 = $69 — watch for the sign: a markup adds, a discount subtracts.
How to practice this on TSI Practice Prep
Open TSIA2 Practice to answer original TSIA2 questions on tSIA2 Quantitative Reasoning, get an explanation for every choice, and see this skill tracked separately in your progress and mistake review.
Practice score estimates are learning indicators, not official scores or admission guarantees.
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