ASVAB · Basic Operations and Word Problems

A soldier earns $2,400 per month. After deductions of $360 for taxes and $120 for insurance, what is the take-home pay?

Correct answer

$1,920

  1. A $1,800
  2. B $1,920
  3. C $2,160
  4. D $2,040

Why this is the answer

Total deductions = $360 + $120 = $480. Take-home = $2,400 - $480 = $1,920. Take-home (net) pay is gross pay minus every deduction listed. The distractor $2,040 is what you get if you subtract only the tax ($2,400 − $360), $2,160 subtracts only $240, and $1,800 subtracts $600 — too much. Add all deductions first, then subtract once.
Source: ASVAB AR, Basic Operations

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About this topic: Basic Operations and Word Problems

Basic operations word problems are the core of Arithmetic Reasoning: addition, subtraction, multiplication and division dressed up as money, distance, time or quantity problems. The skill tested is setting the problem up correctly, not the arithmetic itself. This is one of 11 Arithmetic Reasoning questions on basic operations and word problems, each with a full explanation on a single study page.

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