"150% of" vs "150% more": the phrase that doubles answers
"B is 150% of A" and "B is 150% more than A" differ by an entire A. Choose wrong and your answer is off by exactly the original amount.
Why it happens
Everyday speech blurs the two phrasings, so both parse to "×1.5" unless you consciously check for the word 'more'.
See the trap
A = 40. B is 150% more than A. Find B.
✗ The trap: B = 1.5 × 40 = 60.
✓ The fix: B = 40 + 1.5 × 40 = 2.5 × 40 = 100.
How to actually fix it
- See 'more than' or 'increase'? The multiplier is 1 + p.
- See 'of'? The multiplier is just p.
- Translate the sentence to an equation before computing.
Made this mistake on a real question?
Practice Problem-Solving and Data Analysis questions here. Miss one and it is logged with the exact error, then brought back until you beat it.
Practice Problem-Solving and Data Analysis →FAQ
What about 'percent less'?
Same rule mirrored: '30% less than A' is (1 − 0.30)A = 0.7A.
How do I stop repeating this mistake?
Reading the explanation isn't enough — your brain needs to beat the trap on a fresh question. Practice the skill in the kaoshen.co question bank: miss one and it is logged with the exact error, then brought back to you three days later and again after fourteen.