What this page helps you practise
- number sequences and matrix patterns
- logic arithmetic and symbol problems
- data interpretation and proportional reasoning
- multi-step quantitative reasoning under time pressure
EdutestYear 9Numerical Reasoning
Edutest Year 9 Numerical Reasoning Practice
Year 9 Edutest numerical reasoning focuses on mathematical logic rather than routine school exercises. Students need practice finding patterns quickly and applying number sense under pressure.
Year 9 Numerical Reasoning sample questions with worked solutions
Try each question first, then open the worked solution to check your answer and see how to reach it.
1.A bat and a ball cost $1.10 in total. The bat costs $1.00 more than the ball. How much does the ball cost?
- A$0.05
- B$0.10
- C$0.15
- D$1.00
Show answer and working
Answer: A ($0.05)
The quick answer of $0.10 is wrong: the bat would then cost $1.10, making the total $1.20. Let the ball cost b. The bat is b + $1.00, so b + (b + 1.00) = 1.10. That gives 2b = 0.10, so b = $0.05. Check: ball $0.05 + bat $1.05 = $1.10, and the bat costs $1.00 more.
2.Find the missing number: 90, 85, 75, 60, 40, __.
- A15
- B20
- C25
- D30
Show answer and working
Answer: A (15)
Look at the gaps: 90 to 85 is −5, 85 to 75 is −10, 75 to 60 is −15 and 60 to 40 is −20. The amount subtracted grows by 5 each time, so the next gap is −25. 40 − 25 = 15. Writing the gaps under the sequence makes these second-level patterns easy to spot.
3.Find the missing number: 4, 8, 7, 14, 13, __.
- A12
- B26
- C20
- D28
Show answer and working
Answer: B (26)
Two operations alternate: ×2 then −1. 4 × 2 = 8, 8 − 1 = 7, 7 × 2 = 14, 14 − 1 = 13. The next step is ×2, so 13 × 2 = 26. If the gaps go up and down (+4, −1, +7, −1), check whether two different operations are taking turns.
4.A snail climbs 3 metres up a wall during the day and slips back 2 metres at night. If the wall is 10 metres high, how many days will it take to reach the top?
- A7
- B8
- C9
- D10
Show answer and working
Answer: B (8)
Each full day and night the snail gains 3 − 2 = 1 m. After 7 days and nights it is at 7 m. On day 8 it climbs 3 m and reaches 10 m, the top, so it does not slip back. The trap answer 10 days assumes 1 m per day all the way, forgetting the final climb happens before any slip.
5.What is the next number: 2, 5, 11, 23, __?
- A45
- B46
- C47
- D48
Show answer and working
Answer: C (47)
Each number is double the previous one, plus 1: 2 × 2 + 1 = 5, 5 × 2 + 1 = 11, 11 × 2 + 1 = 23. The next is 23 × 2 + 1 = 47. You can also check the gaps (+3, +6, +12), which double each time, so the next gap is +24, and 23 + 24 = 47.
6.What is 20% of 30% of 500?
- A15
- B30
- C50
- D60
Show answer and working
Answer: B (30)
Work from the inside out. First find 30% of 500: 0.3 × 500 = 150. Then find 20% of that: 0.2 × 150 = 30. You can also multiply the percentages first: 0.2 × 0.3 = 0.06, and 6% of 500 = 30. The answer 50 adds the percentages (50% of 100 is a different calculation).
7.A car travels 120km at 60km/h and returns at 40km/h. What is the average speed?
- A48 km/h
- B50 km/h
- C52 km/h
- D55 km/h
Show answer and working
Answer: A (48 km/h)
Average speed = total distance ÷ total time, not the average of the two speeds. Going: 120 km at 60 km/h takes 2 hours. Returning: 120 km at 40 km/h takes 3 hours. Total: 240 km in 5 hours, so 240 ÷ 5 = 48 km/h. The trap answer 50 averages 60 and 40, which ignores the slower trip taking longer.
8.What is the next number: 100, 96, 88, 72, __?
- A40
- B48
- C56
- D60
Show answer and working
Answer: A (40)
The gaps double each time: 100 to 96 is −4, 96 to 88 is −8 and 88 to 72 is −16. The next gap is −32, so 72 − 32 = 40. When gaps grow by multiplying rather than adding, look for doubling. The answer 56 subtracts 16 again, which misses the pattern.
9.A shirt is discounted by 20% to $40. What was original price?
- A$45
- B$48
- C$50
- D$60
Show answer and working
Answer: C ($50)
After a 20% discount, the price paid is 80% of the original. So 80% of the original is $40. Find 10% first: $40 ÷ 8 = $5, then 100% is $5 × 10 = $50. Check: 20% of $50 is $10, and $50 − $10 = $40. The answer $48 adds 20% of $40, which uses the wrong base.
10.Which is largest? 0.6, 2/3, 5/8, 60%
- A0.6
- B2/3
- C5/8
- D60%
Show answer and working
Answer: B (2/3)
Convert everything to decimals to compare: 0.6 = 0.6, 2/3 ≈ 0.667, 5/8 = 0.625 and 60% = 0.6. The largest is 0.667, which is 2/3. Notice that 0.6 and 60% are equal, so neither could be the single largest. Converting to one form is the safest way to compare mixed numbers.
Preparation strategy
1
Teach students to write down the pattern rule before calculating.
2
Use mixed reasoning sets rather than only curriculum maths drills.
3
Practise pacing because scholarship tests often reward fast recognition.
Frequently asked questions
How is numerical reasoning different from maths?
Numerical reasoning tests flexible problem solving and pattern recognition, while school maths often focuses more on taught procedures.
How should students prepare for Year 9 Edutest numerical reasoning?
They should practise number patterns, logic puzzles, data questions, and timed mixed sets.