New Jersey Civil Service Numerical Reasoning and Data Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A municipal department has a fleet of 5 vehicles. The mileage recorded for the vehicles last month was: 850 miles, 920 miles, 780 miles, 1,100 miles, and 850 miles. What is the average monthly mileage for this fleet?
- 850 miles
- 900 miles (Correct answer)
- 920 miles
- 1,100 miles
Correct answer: 900 miles
To find the average, you must sum all the individual mileage values and then divide by the total number of vehicles. The sum is 850 + 920 + 780 + 1100 + 850 = 4500 miles. Then, divide the total by the number of vehicles: 4500 / 5 = 900 miles.
Question 2: The number of applications for construction permits in a township was 640 last year. This year, the number of applications increased to 800. What was the percentage increase in permit applications?
- 20%
- 25% (Correct answer)
- 80%
- 160%
Correct answer: 25%
To calculate the percentage increase, first find the difference between the new and original values (800 - 640 = 160). Then, divide this difference by the original value (160 / 640 = 0.25). Finally, multiply by 100 to get the percentage: 0.25 * 100 = 25%.
Question 3: A public works employee can pave 30 feet of sidewalk per hour. Working together, three employees maintain this same individual rate. How long will it take for the three employees to pave a 450-foot long sidewalk?
- 15 hours
- 7.5 hours
- 5 hours (Correct answer)
- 3 hours
Correct answer: 5 hours
First, calculate the combined work rate of the three employees. Since each paves 30 feet per hour, their combined rate is 3 * 30 = 90 feet per hour. To find the total time, divide the total length of the sidewalk by the combined rate: 450 feet / 90 feet per hour = 5 hours.
Question 4: A city's annual budget is $12,500,000. The table below shows the percentage allocation for several key departments.
| Department | Budget Allocation |
| --- | --- |
| Police | 32% |
| Public Works | 20% |
| Fire | 18% |
| Parks & Rec | 8% |
| Other | 22% |
How much more money is allocated to the Police Department than to the Fire Department?
- $1,750,000 (Correct answer)
- $2,250,000
- $4,000,000
- $1,250,000
Correct answer: $1,750,000
First, find the difference in the percentage allocation between the Police (32%) and Fire (18%) departments, which is 32% - 18% = 14%. Then, calculate what this percentage represents of the total budget: 0.14 * $12,500,000 = $1,750,000.
Question 5: A clerk is tasked with filing 360 documents. If the clerk files 75% of the documents in the morning, how many documents are left to be filed in the afternoon?
- 270
- 120
- 90 (Correct answer)
- 75
Correct answer: 90
If 75% of the documents are filed, then 100% - 75% = 25% are left to be filed. To find the number of remaining documents, calculate 25% of the total: 0.25 * 360 = 90 documents. Alternatively, calculate the number filed (0.75 * 360 = 270) and subtract from the total (360 - 270 = 90).
Question 6: A municipal water tank holds 50,000 gallons. On Monday, it is 90% full. On Tuesday, the town uses 15,000 gallons. On Wednesday, a delivery adds 8,000 gallons. How many gallons of water are in the tank on Wednesday evening?
- 38,000 (Correct answer)
- 30,000
- 45,000
- 22,000
Correct answer: 38,000
First, calculate the starting amount on Monday: 90% of 50,000 is 0.90 * 50,000 = 45,000 gallons. On Tuesday, subtract the usage: 45,000 - 15,000 = 30,000 gallons. On Wednesday, add the delivery: 30,000 + 8,000 = 38,000 gallons.
