In a weight control program, consistent self-monitors lost 64% more weight than inconsistent self-monitors.

• A. 64%
• B. 84%
• C. 94%
• D. 74%

Answer: (A)

When you see “sixty-four percent more,” think of the increase as a percentage of the smaller amount. If the inconsistent group lost W, the consistent group lost W plus sixty-four percent of W, which is 1.64W. The extra over the inconsistent amount is sixty-four percent of W, so the percent more is sixty-four percent. In other words, the consistent group’s weight loss is sixty-four percent greater than the inconsistent group’s. The other options would imply larger relative increases than what the statement specifies, so they don’t fit.