Ease Into Prep with an SAT^® Question of the Day

Because the starting value of the painting is not specified, pick a number for the 2010 value. Since this is a percents question, make the 2010 value $100. From 2010 to 2015, the painting increased in value by 50%, so its new value will be $100 + 0.50($100) = $100 + $50 = $150. From 2015 to 2017, the painting increased in value by 12% so that yields a new value of $150 + 0.12($150) = $150 + $18 = $168.

The question asks for the percent increase in value from 2010 to 2017, so use the percent change formula: percent change = actual change / original amount x 100%. In this case, that is (168 − 100) / 100 x 100% = 68 / 100 x 100% = 68%. Choice (B) is correct.