Top 100 Quant Tips and Tricks by IIM Topper

Posted by Admin on November 15, 2009

19 Votes
This is a special notes for all CAT and MBA aspirants.. by IIM Topper.
QUANT THEORY
1) nPr = n!/(n-r)!
2) nPn = n!
3) nCr = n!/(n-r)!r!
4) nCn = 1
5) nP0 = 1
6) nC0 = 1
7) AP An = a + (n-1)d
Sn = n/2[2a + (n-1)d]
GP An = ar(n-1)
Sn = a(rn 1 )/ (r-1)
S = a/(1-r)
9) 1 mile = 1760 yards
10) 1 yard = 3 feet
11) 1 mile2 = 640 acres

12) I gallon = 4 quarts

13) 1 quart = 2 pints
14) 1 pint = 2 cups
15) 1 cup = 8 ounces
16) 1 pound = 16 ounces
17) 1 ounce = 16 drams
18) 1 kg = 2.2 pounds
19) 30-60-90 triangle 1:3:2 sides
20) 45-45-90 triangle 1:1:2 sides
21) a3>b3 a>b
22) If A than B => not B than not A
23) Zero divided by any nonzero integer is zero.
24) Division by 0 is undefined.
25)

26) The standard deviation is a statistic that tells you how tightly all the various examples
are clustered around the mean in a set of data. When the examples are pretty tightly
bunched together and the bell-shaped curve is steep, the standard deviation is small.
When the examples are spread apart and the bell curve is relatively flat, that tells you
have a relatively large standard deviation.
27) n(A U B U C) = n(A) + n (B)+ n(C) n(A n B) n(A n C) n(B n C) + n(A n B n C)
28) n(Aonly) = n(A) n(A n C) n(A n B) + n(A U B U C)
29) Dividend = Divisor * Quotient + Remainder

30) LCM * HCF = Product of 2 numbers.

31) 1 + 2 + 3 ..n = n * n+1 / 2
32) Sum of squares of 1st n natural numbers = n (n+1)(2n+1) / 6
33) Sum of cubes of 1st n natural numbers = [n (n+1)/2]2
34)
Squares and Cubes
Number ( x )
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
21
22
23
24
25

Square ( x 2 )
1
4
9
16
25
36
49
64
81
100
121
144
169
196
225
256
289
324
361
441
484
529
576
625

Cube ( x 3 )
1
8
27
64
125
216
-

35)
Fractions and Percentage:
Fraction
1/2
1/3
2/3

Decimal
0.5
0.33
0.66

Percentage
50
33 1/3
66 2/3

1/4
3/4
1/5
2/5
3/5
4/5
1/6
5/6
1/8
3/8
5/8
7/8
1/9
2/9
1 / 10
1 / 20
1 / 100

0.25
0.75
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
0.166
0.833
0.125
0.375
0.625
0.875
0.111
0.222
0.1
0.05
0.01

25
75
20
40
60
80
16 2/3
83 2 / 3
12 1 / 2
37 1 / 2
62 1 / 2
87 1 / 2
11
22
10
5
1

36) Average speed = Total distance / Total Time

When equal distances are covered in different speed then we take the harmonic
mean
Av Speed = 2ab / a + b
Different distances in same time we take AM
Av Speed is = a + b / 2
37) Simple Interest: SI = PRT / 100, A = P + SI
38) 1 Nickel = 5 cents
1 dime = 10 cents
1 quarter = 25 cents
1 half = 50 cents
1 dollar = 100 cents
39) Equilateral triangle, Area = (3 * a2)/4
40) Area of trapezium = (Height * Sum of parallel sides)

41) Arc Length = (/ 360) 2 r

42) Area of sector = (/ 360) r2
43) Equal chords are equidistant from the center.
44) (x+y) 8 = 8C8x8 + 8C7x7y + 8C6x6y2 + 8C5x5y3 + + 8C2x2y6 + 8C1xy7 +
8C0y8
45) Sometimes we get so involved with the nitty-gritties of mathematics that we start
functioning like automatons and stop thinking. Dont fall prey to this trap. For example,
what is the probability that a number amongst the first 1000 positive integers is divisible
by 8? Dont start counting the multiples of 8! The figure of 1000 is a red herring. Use a
little common sense. The numbers will be 8,16,24,32So, 1 in every 8 numbers is a
multiple of 8, even if you consider the first million integers. So Probability is 1/8
46) The number of integers from A to B inclusive is = B -A +1
47) Average of consecutive numbers:
Eg from 13 to 77 = (13+77)/2
48) Slope = (change in y)/(change in x)
49) 00 = undefined
50)

51) Sum of interior angles of a polygon with n sides = (n-2)*180

52) Degree measure of one angle in a regular polygon with n sides
= {(n-2)*180 }/n
53) When multiplying or dividing both sides of an inequality by a negative number, the
inequality sign reverses.
x < y => -(-x) > y => x > -y

54) Fraction > (fraction)2 for all positive fractions

55) Fraction > (fraction ) for all positive fractions
56) If n is a positive integer, (n6)/2 = (n12 / 4)
57) If z1, z2, z3 zn are consecutive positive integers and their average is an odd
integer => n is odd => sum of series is odd
58) In a triangle with sides of measure a, b and c SHAPE \* MERGEFORMAT , a-b a + b
= odd
59) Before confirming try and back solve and make sure that u have answered what has
been asked.
60) When the question mentions prime number, remember to think of 2 too.
61) In a triangle, if the sum of two angles = third angle, then it is a right angled triangle.
62) Do not transport information from another statement unless considering both
collectively.
63) A-b = odd => a + b = odd
64)

65)

66) If a DS question simply asks whether a, b, c and d are consecutive integers; use your
brain. It has just asked u to answer if they are consecutive, not if they are consecutive in
order.
67) Measure of an angle of a cyclic polygon = 180 360/n , where n is the number of
sides of the polygon.
68) Sometimes, mistakes might also be committed by simply misreading the statement.
Eg
Both Tim and Harry received an acre of land more than Neel => t = n + 1, h = n + 1
Tim and Harry received an acre more than Neel => t + h = n+1
69)

Let Triangle ABC be equilateral with each side of measure a and AC ^ BD

AB = BD = AD = a
a = b = c = 600
AC = (a2 + a/2 2)
= 3*a/2
Area = 3 * a2/4

 Perimeter = 3a
Radius of circle O = a/3 = AC * 2/3
Radius of circle O = 3a/6 = AC * 1/3

70) Two
circles will touch each or intersect each other if the distance between their centers d is
such that
R r d R + r, where R and r are the radii of the two circles
71) Remainder of less than two means not just one; it also means remainder of zero.
72) Do not make unwarranted assumptions. 12 midnight to 12 noon does not mention
what days, and hence you cannot find out the time period.
73) Standard deviation of a set is always negative and equals zero only if all elements of
the set are equal.
74) If the difference between the largest and the smallest divisor of a number is X, the
number is X + 1
75) Always remember the special watch out cases in DS questions. If the question
mentions mean of a set, the mean can be ZERO also.
76) If area of a rectangle is known, diagonal is known, perimeter can be found
a2 + b2 = diagonal2
a2 + b2 + 2ab = diagonal2+ 2ab
(a + b)2 = diagonal2+ 2*area
77) (y2) = |y| => y if y is positive, -y if y is negative

78) angle = mod [(60H - 11M) /2 ]

H = value of hour hand
M = value of minute hand
eg, if time is 2:30, then H =2 and M =30
79) Every number raised to power 5 has the number itself as unit digit
80) If a + b + c = Z, than the largest of a, b, and c cannot be greater than the mean of the
other two.
81) The rule that one side of a triangle cannot be > sum of other two, only applies to
sides, not angles
82) FINALLY, MAKE SURE OF WHAT THE QUESTION SAYS INTEGER MEANS
INTEGRAL LENGTH. And, DIVIDING A WIRE INTO PIECES, DOES NOT
NECESSARILY IMPLY THAT THEY WILL BE INTEGRAL LENGTHS. Similarly, that
a boat covers a distance upstream in 3 hours, states only the time, even if it has been
mentioned that it covers a a distance 12 km downstream in 2 hours.
83) x2 = 9*y2 does not necessarily imply that x2 > y2. (Hint : consider x=y=0)
84) When we say multiples between 16 and 260, and inclusive/exclusive is not
mentioned, take 16 and 260 to be exclusive.
85) The statement implies :
The hourly wage for each employee ranges from $5 an hour to $20 an hour.
minimum average = (20 + 5 + 5 + 5 + 5)/5
maximum average = (5 + 20 + 20 + 20 + 20)/5
Just mug up these notes and you will be able to crack any MBA exam like
CAT,XAT,XLRI,FMS and GMAT.

1.A number is divisible by 2, if its units place digit is 0, 2, 4, or 8

2. A number is divisible by 3, if the sum of its digits is divisible by 3
3. A number is divisible by 4, if the number formed by its last two digits is divisible by 4
4. A number is divisible by 8, if the number formed by its last three digits is divisible by 8
5. A number is divisible by 9, if the sum of its digits is divisible by 9
6. A number is divisible by 11, if, starting from the RHS,

(Sum of its digits at the odd place) (Sum of its digits at even place) is equal to 0 or 11x
7. (a + b)2 = a2 + 2ab + b2
8. (a - b)2 = a2 - 2ab + b2
9. (a + b)2 - (a - b)2 = 4ab
10. (a + b)2 + (a - b)2 = 2(a2 + b2)
11. (a2 b2) = (a + b)(a - b)
12. (a3 + b3) = (a + b)(a2 - ab + b2)
13. (a3 b3) = (a - b)(a2 + ab + b2)
14. Results on Division:
Dividend = Quotient Divisor + Remainder
15. An Arithmetic Progression (A. P.) with first term a and Common Difference d is
given
by: [a], [(a + d)], [(a + 2d)], , [a + (n - 1)d]
nth term,
Tn = a + (n - 1)d
Sum of first n terms,
Sn = n/2 (First Term + Last Term)
16. A Geometric Progression (G. P.) with first term a and Common Ratio r is given by:
a, ar, ar2, ar3, , arn-1
nth term, Tn = arn-1
Sum of first n terms Sn = [a(1 - rn)] / [1 - r]
17. (1 + 2 + 3 + + n) = [n(n + 1)] / 2
18. (12 + 22 + 32 + + n2) = [n(n + 1)(2n + 1)] / 6
19. (13 + 23 + 33 + + n3) = [n2(n + 1)2] / 4
H.C.F & L.C.M of Numbers solved problems

Quantitative Apptitude Percentage Solved problem

Percentage
32. To express x% as a fraction, we have x% = x / 100
33. To express a / b as a percent, we have a / b = (a / b 100) %
34. If A is R% more than B, then B is less than A by
OR
If the price of a commodity increases by R%, then the reduction in
consumption, not
to increase the expenditure is
{100R / [100 + R] } %
35. If A is R% less than B, then B is more than A by
OR
If the price of a commodity decreases by R%, then the increase in
consumption, not to
increase the expenditure is
{100R / [100 - R] } %
36. If the population of a town is P in a year, then its population after N
years is
P (1 + R/100)N
114 Handy Formulae for Quantitative Aptitude Problems

Author: Sagar Sonker

Page 4 of 12
Copyright 2006 www.sonker.com
37. If the population of a town is P in a year, then its population N years
ago is
P / [(1 + R/100)N]
Profit & Loss
38. If the value of a machine is P in a year, then its value after N years at a
depreciation of
R p.c.p.a is
P (1 - R/100)N
39. If the value of a machine is P in a year, then its value N years ago at a
depreciation of
R p.c.p.a is
P / [(1 - R/100)N]
40. Selling Price = [(100 + Gain%) Cost Price] / 100
= [(100 - Loss%) Cost Price] / 100
Ratio & Proportion
41. The equality of two ratios is called a proportion. If a : b = c : d, we write
a : b :: c : d and
we say that a, b, c, d are in proportion.
In a proportion, the first and fourth terms are known as extremes, while the
second and
third are known as means.
42. Product of extremes = Product of means
43. Mean proportion between a and b is
44. The compounded ratio of the ratios (a : b), (c : d), (e : f) is (ace : bdf)
45. a2 : b2 is a duplicate ratio of a : b
46. : is a sub-duplicate ration of a : b
47. a3 : b3 is a triplicate ratio of a : b
48. a1/3 : b1/3 is a sub-triplicate ratio of a : b
49. If a / b = c / d, then, (a + b) / b = (c + d) / d, which is called the
componendo.
50. If a / b = c / d, then, (a - b) / b = (c - d) / d, which is called the dividendo.
51. If a / b = c / d, then, (a + b) / (a - b) = (c + d) / (c - d), which is called the
componendo &
dividendo.
52. Variation: We say that x is directly proportional to y if x = ky for some
constant k and we
write, x y.
53. Also, we say that x is inversely proportional to y if x = k / y for some
constant k and we
write x 1 / y.
114 Handy Formulae for Quantitative Aptitude Problems
Author: Sagar Sonker
Page 5 of 12
Copyright 2006 www.sonker.com
Partnership
54. If a number of partners have invested in a business and it has a profit,
then

Share Of Partner = (Total_Profit Part_Share / Total_Share)

Chain Rule
55. The cost of articles is directly proportional to the number of articles.
56. The work done is directly proportional to the number of men working at it.
57. The time (number of days) required to complete a job is inversely
proportional to the
number of hours per day allocated to the job.
58. Time taken to cover a distance is inversely proportional to the speed of
the car.
Time & Work
59. If A can do a piece of work in n days, then As 1 days work = 1/n.
60. If As 1 days work = 1/n, then A can finish the work in n days.
61. If A is thrice as good a workman as B, then:
Ratio of work done by A and B = 3 : 1,
Ratio of times taken by A & B to finish a work = 1 : 3
Pipes & Cisterns
62. If a pipe can fill a tank in x hours and another pipe can empty the full
tank in y hours
(where y > x), then on opening both the pipes, the net part of the tank filled
in 1 hour is
(1/x 1/y)
Time And Distance
63. Suppose a man covers a distance at x kmph and an equal distance at y
kmph, then
average speed during his whole journey is
[2xy / (x + y)] kmph
Trains
64. Lengths of trains are x km and y km, moving at u kmph and v kmph
(where, u > v) in
the same direction, then the time taken y the over-taker train to cross the
slower train is
[(x + y) / (u - v)] hrs
65. Time taken to cross each other is
[(x + y) / (u + v)] hrs
66. If two trains start at the same time from two points A and B towards each
other and after
crossing they take a and b hours in reaching B and A respectively.
Then, As speed : Bs speed = ( : ).
67. x kmph = (x 5/18) m/sec.
68. y metres/sec = (y 18/5) km/hr.
Boats & Streams
69. If the speed of a boat in still water is u km/hr and the speed of the stream
is v hm/hr,
then:
Speed downstream = (u + v) km/hr.
Speed upstream = (u - v) km/hr.
70. If the speed downstream is a km/hr and the speed upstream is b km/hr,
then:
Speed in still water = (a + b) km/hr.
Rate of stream = (a - b) km/hr.