question: The salary of a worker is first increased by 30% and afterwards reduced by 30%. What is net change in his salary?
Options:
(A) 90% increase
(B) 45% increase
(C) 9% decrease
(D) Same as before
(E) NONE
answer: Stream of consciousness: (30 * 30)/100 = 9% decrease The answer is (D).
--
question: Look at this series: 53, 53, 43, 43, 33, 33, ... What number should come next?
Options:
(A) A) 23
(B) B) 14
(C) C) 27
(D) D) 53
(E) E) 86
answer: Stream of consciousness: In this series, each number is repeated, then 10 is subtracted to arrive at the next number. The answer is (A).
--
question: In how many different ways can the letters of the word "CLAIM" be rearrangement?
Options:
(A) 120
(B) 130
(C) 140
(D) 145
(E) 150
answer: Stream of consciousness: Option 'A'
The total number of arrangements is
5P5 = 5! = 120 The answer is (A).
--
question: What is the maximum number of pieces of birthday cake of size 5” by 5” that can be cut from a cake 15” by 15”?
Options:
(A) 5
(B) 10
(C) 16
(D) 20
(E) 9
answer:

Show your work and conclude with the exact phrasing "Therefore, the final answer is [answer]." where [answer] is just the final number or expression that solves the problem.
user
Stream of consciousness: The prompt is essentially asking for the maximum number of 5 x 5 squares that can be cut from a larger 15 by 15 square. Since each 'row' and each 'column' of the larger square can be sub-divided into 3 'pieces' each, we have (3)(3) = 9 total smaller squares (at maximum). The answer is (E).
--