In an examination, 39% of the students failed in English, 33% failed in Mathematics and 11% failed in both. What percentage of students passed in both subjects?

💡 Solution & Explanation

Students who failed in at least one subject = failed in English + failed in Mathematics − failed in both (they were counted twice) = 39 + 33 − 11 = 61%. So the students who passed in both = 100 − 61 = 39%. Forgetting to subtract the 11% who failed in both gives 28%, which is too low.