Easy GRE Arithmetic Word Problems Practice Questions

Arithmetic word problems represent roughly 15% to 20% of the Quantitative Reasoning section, requiring test-takers to translate written scenarios into basic mathematical operations. These problems test your ability to navigate real-world situations involving integers, fractions, percentages, and ratios. By focusing on Easy GRE Arithmetic Word Problems Practice Questions, you can build the foundational speed and accuracy needed for the more complex data interpretation and algebra tasks found later in the exam.

Concept Explanation

Arithmetic word problems are mathematical exercises where the information is presented in a narrative format rather than as a symbolic equation. To solve these effectively, you must identify the "given" values and the "target" value, then determine which basic operation—addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division—connects them. For example, keywords like "total" or "sum" often indicate addition, while "difference" or "leftover" suggest subtraction.

The GRE Prep process emphasizes the "translation" phase: turning English phrases into math. Phrases like "is" or "results in" translate to an equals sign ($=$), and "of" often signifies multiplication ($\times$), especially when dealing with fractions or percentages. According to educational research on word problems, common pitfalls include misinterpreting units or failing to perform the final step of a multi-step problem. Using AI-powered practice tools can help you identify these patterns through repetitive exposure to various problem structures.

Solved Examples

Review these step-by-step solutions to understand how to break down Easy GRE Arithmetic Word Problems Practice Questions into manageable parts.

1. Example: A shop sells apples for $0.75 each and oranges for $1.20 each. If Sarah buys 4 apples and 3 oranges, how much change will she receive from a $10 bill?
   1. Calculate the cost of apples: $4 \times 0.75 = 3.00$.
   2. Calculate the cost of oranges: $3 \times 1.20 = 3.60$.
   3. Find the total cost: $3.00 + 3.60 = 6.60$.
   4. Subtract the total from the payment: $10.00 - 6.60 = 3.40$.
   5. Answer: Sarah receives $3.40 in change.
2. Example: A car travels at a constant speed of 60 miles per hour. How many minutes does it take the car to travel 15 miles?
   1. Use the formula $\text{Time} = \frac{ \text{Distance}}{ \text{Speed}}$.
   2. Calculate time in hours: $\frac{15}{60} = 0.25$ hours.
   3. Convert hours to minutes: $0.25 \times 60 = 15$.
   4. Answer: It takes 15 minutes.
3. Example: A water tank is $\frac{2}{5}$ full. After adding 12 gallons of water, the tank is $\frac{3}{4}$ full. What is the total capacity of the tank in gallons?
   1. Let $C$ be the capacity. Set up the equation: $\frac{2}{5}C + 12 = \frac{3}{4}C$.
   2. Subtract $\frac{2}{5}C$ from both sides: $12 = \frac{3}{4}C - \frac{2}{5}C$.
   3. Find a common denominator (20): $12 = \frac{15}{20}C - \frac{8}{20}C$.
   4. Simplify: $12 = \frac{7}{20}C$.
   5. Solve for $C$: $C = 12 \times \frac{20}{7} \approx 34.28$. (Note: On the GRE, numbers usually result in cleaner integers or specific fractions).
   6. Answer: The capacity is $\frac{240}{7}$ gallons.

Practice Questions

Try these Easy GRE Arithmetic Word Problems Practice Questions to test your current skill level. You can find more GRE Practice Questions with Answers in our library.

1. A baker uses 3 cups of flour to make 12 muffins. How many cups of flour are needed to make 40 muffins?
2. A movie theater charges $12 for adults and $8 for children. If a group of 5 adults and 4 children attends, what is the total cost of their tickets?
3. The temperature at 6:00 AM was $-4^\circ \text{C}$. By noon, the temperature had risen by $15^\circ \text{C}$. What was the temperature at noon?

4. A runner completes a 5-kilometer race in 25 minutes. What is the runner's average speed in kilometers per hour?
5. A jacket originally priced at $80 is on sale for 25% off. What is the sale price of the jacket?
6. If 3 pounds of apples cost $4.50, how much do 7 pounds of apples cost at the same rate?
7. A student scored 80, 85, and 90 on three tests. What score must the student get on the fourth test to have an average of 88?
8. A rectangular garden measures 12 feet by 15 feet. If a 2-foot wide path is built around the outside of the garden, what is the area of the path?
9. A jar contains 20 red marbles, 30 blue marbles, and 50 green marbles. What percentage of the marbles are not blue?
10. A printer can print 15 pages per minute. How many hours will it take to print 1,800 pages?

Answers & Explanations

1. 10 cups. First, find the flour per muffin: $3 \div 12 = 0.25$ cups. Then multiply by 40: $0.25 \times 40 = 10$.
2. $92. Multiply adults: $5 \times 12 = 60$. Multiply children: $4 \times 8 = 32$. Sum: $60 + 32 = 92$.
3. $11^\circ \text{C}$. Start at -4 and add 15: $-4 + 15 = 11$.
4. 12 km/h. 25 minutes is $\frac{25}{60}$ or $\frac{5}{12}$ hours. Speed = $5 \div (\frac{5}{12}) = 5 \times \frac{12}{5} = 12$.
5. $60. Calculate discount: $0.25 \times 80 = 20$. Subtract from original: $80 - 20 = 60$.
6. $10.50. Price per pound: $4.50 \div 3 = 1.50$. Cost for 7 pounds: $1.50 \times 7 = 10.50$.
7. 97. Total points needed for an 88 average over 4 tests: $88 \times 4 = 352$. Current total: $80 + 85 + 90 = 255$. Score needed: $352 - 255 = 97$.
8. 124 sq ft. Original area: $12 \times 15 = 180$. New dimensions with path: $(12+4) \times (15+4) = 16 \times 19 = 304$. Path area: $304 - 180 = 124$.
9. 70%. Total marbles: $20 + 30 + 50 = 100$. Non-blue marbles: $20 + 50 = 70$. Percentage: $\frac{70}{100} = 70\%$.
10. 2 hours. Total minutes: $1,800 \div 15 = 120$. Convert to hours: $120 \div 60 = 2$.

1. A shirt that costs $20 is increased in price by 10%. What is the new price?

• A$21
• B$22
• C$23
• D$24

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common arithmetic topics on the GRE?

The GRE focus heavily on number properties, including integers, divisibility, and prime numbers, as well as operations with fractions, decimals, and percentages. You should also expect questions involving ratios, proportions, and basic descriptive statistics like mean and median.

How do I convert word problems into equations?

Start by defining your variables for unknown quantities and identifying the mathematical equivalent for keywords. Use "is" for equals, "product" for multiplication, and "per" for division to systematically build your equation from the text.

Can I use a calculator for GRE arithmetic word problems?

Yes, an on-screen calculator is provided during the GRE Quantitative Reasoning section for basic operations. However, for easy problems, mental math or quick scratchpad calculations are often faster and less prone to input errors.

What is the best way to practice GRE word problems?

Consistent practice with Adaptive GRE Practice Tests is highly effective because it mimics the actual testing environment. Focus on identifying the question type and the required operations immediately upon reading the prompt.

How much time should I spend on an easy word problem?

Since the GRE is a timed exam, you should aim to solve easy arithmetic word problems in under 60 seconds. Saving time on these foundational questions allows you to allocate more minutes to difficult geometry or data analysis problems.