Question 9 • 2025-2026 GSP Mathematical Reasoning for Decision Making
Susan just got a promotion that increased her annual salary from $52,000 to $68,000. Susan's monthly expenses included a mortgage payment of $1,500, three minimum credit card payments that total $350, a lease payment of $280, a student loan payment of $250, and a personal loan payment of $325. How did Susan's debt-to-income ratio change with her promotion?
Answer
A
Susan's debt-to-income ratio decreased by about 2%.
B
Susan's debt-to-income ratio increased by about 2%.
C
Susan's debt-to-income ratio decreased by about 15%.
D
Susan's debt-to-income ratio increased by about 15%.
Explanation
Susan’s monthly debt payments total $2,705. Her gross monthly income rose from $52,000 ÷ 12 ≈ $4,333 to $68,000 ÷ 12 ≈ $5,667, so her debt-to-income ratio fell from about 62% to about 48%. That is a decrease of roughly 15 percentage points, matching “decreased by about 15%.”
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