CAT Preparation Tips

Important Note:- CAT 2009 is going to be online so prepare at least 10 mock tests on computer.
The Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) are India's premier management institutes. IIM, not to mention
is the deity to CAT aspirants. Last year one is added to the list i.e IIM Shillong which increases the
probability of getting into IIM, af course if number of aspirants remain the same; but still this number is
very bleak. So what matters the most in this world of competition is how you prepare for this tough and
'smart' exam, yes, smart is the key word because the person who prepares smartly is the winner of this
game as there is a famous adage: Don't work hard work smart. So overall I will be discussing about some
smart techniques for killing this meow (CAT).
What you need to firstly do is to see where you stand currently i.e what are your strengths and
weaknesses, and you can do this by taking one or two mock tests. Never fear if you find that you are
weak nearly in every area because converting your weakness to your strength doesn't need more time, it
needs smart time. After deciphering your strengths and weaknesses, it's time either to collect the reading
material or to join a coaching class. Many students ask why do we need coaching classes; well then the
answer to this question is: coaching institutes will organize your study habit; off course they aren't
alchemist who will turn you into gold. But if you are a working official and think that you are a good
manager in organising your study time then nothing is better than that. Therefore, organized study is the
first main key point to this smart journey of preparation; after all you are going to become a manager so
everything should be organized and managed.
Second key point is 'Stick to the Rules'; though the irony is CAT never does but by not sticking to the rules
they are checking whether you does. So; make a timetable of your study plan and keep it in your pocket
or paste it on your notice board of office or home. Timetable of every aspirant will be different so keep in
mind your weaknesses while making the itinerary. Give more time to your weaknesses and practice as
much as you can. Main problem with many students is that they organize their studies for few days, and
after that they procrastinate the assigned targets or don't give the required time to their studies. But
perseverance and patience are the two traits which every aspirant should have as CAT will check your
patience by giving you a whole together a different paper; so you should maintain your calmness and
don't get flummoxed.
Third point is to keep track of your performance and your mistakes. After all you are preparing to improve
and if you are not tracking your performance then how will you get to know whether you are improving in
your weak areas or not. Never repeat your mistakes. Keep your mind fit by eating healthy food and by
reading some good novels and newspapers. Good is a subjective term but here what I imply is read those
novels or articles in newspapers which you hate reading in normal circumstances; CAT is not good in
giving your favorite RC passages. After all for ESLs (English as a Second Language) reading is the
strongest tool to hone its English skills.
Lastly, never think that your aim is to clear written exam. You are not preparing for getting a call, you are
preparing for getting into IIMs, so participate in GD sessions and keep yourself updated with current
affairs. If you haven't join any coaching institute then you can join any public forum online or offline for
practicing GD and Interview sessions.
At the end I will summarize my rules:

a) Know your strengths and weaknesses.

b) Organize your studies.
c) Keep track of your performance and mistakes.
d) Read healthy.
e) Keep preparing for GD & Interview.
As it is not in my scope to give you each and every aspect of preparation but I have tried to write some of
the key points which I have noticed in every IIM student. So, don't just toil, have some smart oil.
Preparation Strategy
I would like to recommend you to spend at least 5 hours a day for the ultimate preparation.
Concerned tasks for CAT preparation
* Preparing Maths
* Preparing Data Interpretation
* Preparing Analytical reasoning
* Preparing Reading comprehension
* Preparing Verbal ability
* word list
* Reading
There are two phases of preparation
First phase:
In this phase you should get good grip on fundamentals and get familiar with all chapters and problems.
Do not look for speed solving or feel any sort of pressure while preparing fundamentals. Learn with your
own efficiency, without getting into fundamentals clearly speed solving is not useful. Please manage to
allocate at least one hour a day for reading newspapers, magazines. It is better to subscribe for any good
magazines during the preparation. Get in touch with current affairs.
I request you to schedule your weeks to prepare accordingly because haphazardness will waste lot of
time. If you have been preparing without any study structure then whatever you may achieve would have
been increased up to 50%. Try to shuffle the subjects also, so that you do not get bored with one subject.
A good time table for 1 days look like below:
Day 1:
1 hour reading
2 hours of math
1 hour of analytical reasoning / data interpretation
1 hour of reading comprehension exercises / verbal ability
Second phase (self analyzing and improving):

By the time you finish the fundamentals which is about second week of august, you will get a fare idea on
the area of your weakness and strengths. Make a tabular form of topics categorizing strengths and
weakness to have a clear picture on it. Keep weak areas in mind and try to improve yourself by focusing
them more.
From second week of August you can take section tests along with revision of topics in alternate day, here
if you think you have to allocate more time you should do.. You must start taking comprehensive tests by
the beginning of September.
Things you look to learn in comprehensive tests of 2-3 hour long, is how to manage paper so the attitude
here should be the same like a batsman who wants to score as many runs as possible in the last 10 overs
in onedayers. You should think of scoring as much as possible, but most people will get emotional to have
a challenging problem and stuck up solving only that problem.
After you tested yourself spend time to analyze it. The key points to analyze your test:

Speed: see if your speed is better than previous tests, notice if you do not understand basics you
cannot apply them to tougher problems. Both these attributes are a prerequisite for speed
solving;

Concentration: Most of we do not use two hours sitting at a stretch; a high degree of
concentration is also not easy for first time test takers. Comprehensive tests make us to sit for
two hours at a stretch and we increase our attentive span.

Time Management: the most important value provided by the comprehensive test is an idea of
our strengths and weakness. So you should manage time and allocate certain time to each
section depending on your strength and weakness

Accuracy: accuracy is the number of correct questions out of attempted questions. if this is low
you need to go and revise the chapters which are reducing your accuracy because marking
wrong option will impose negative marks in cat

Finding traps: you should avoid false positives or false negatives i.e., you shouldnt leave easy
questions thinking they are hard and attempt hard questions thinking they are easy.

Analyzing your progress on the above four: compare with the previous attempted paper on above
all points

Take comprehensive test for yourself on every alternate days with analyzing and revision of topics on
another day,
Some institutes also conduct all India mock test on weekends please try to give as many mocks as
possible you can.
Try to attempt at least 30 comprehensive tests (including all India mocks)
Finally give yourself a break on every weekend to relax and start fresh from the following Monday.
Best of Luck

You can buy books for CAT preparation like "How to prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT" by
Arun Sharma.You can even join Mindworkzz-CAT Online Classes by Arun Sharma.

Quantitative Ability
Quantitative Ability Syllabus
1. Number Systems
2. LCM and HCF
3. Percentages
4. Profit, Loss and Discount
5. Interest (Simple and Compound)
6. Speed, Time and Distance
7. Time and Work
8. Averages
9. Ratio and Proportion
10.Linear Equations
11.Quadratic Equations
12.Complex Numbers
13.Logarithm
14.Progressions (Sequences & Series)
15.Binomial Theorem
16.Surds and Indices
17.Inequalities

18.Permutation and Combination

19.Probability
20.Functions
21.Set Theory
22.Mixtures and Alligations
23.Geometry
24.Co-ordinate Geometry
25.Trigonometry
26.Mensuration

Data Interpretation
Data is given in form of tables, charts and graphs. In this section it is tested that how can you
interpret the given data and answer the questions based on it.
1. Tables
2. Column Graphs
3. Bar Graphs
4. Line Charts
5. Pie Chart
6. Venn Diagrams
7. Caselets

Combination of two or more types linked to each other.

Logical Reasoning
1. Number and Letter Series

2. Calendars
3. Clocks
4. Cubes
5. Venn Diagrams
6. Binary Logic
7. Seating Arrangement
8. Logical Sequence
9. Logical Matching
10.Logical Connectives
11.Syllogism
12.Blood Relations

Verbal Ability
Types of Questions

Vocabulary Based (Synonyms Antonyms)

English Usage or Grammar

Sentence Correction

Fill in the blanks

Cloze Passage

Analogies or Reverse Analogies

Jumbled Paragraph

Meaning-Usage Match

Summary Questions

Verbal Reasoning

Facts / Inferences / Judgements

Reading Comprehension

Vocabulary: Vocabulary questions test the candidates knowledge of the primary meanings of
words, secondary shades of meaning, usage, idioms and phrases, antonyms, related words, etc.
Grammar: Grammar-based questions test the candidates ability to spot and correct grammatical
errors. CAT generally tests knowledge of high school level grammar and includes areas like
subject-verb agreement, use of modifiers, parellel construction, redundancy, phrasal verbs, use of
articles, prepositions, etc.
Verbal Reasoning: Verbal reasoning questions are designed to test the candidates ability to
identify relationships or patterns within groups of words or sentences.

Study material of Quant

abilityNumber Systems
Number Systems forms the base for quant ability and clearing of concepts is important for CAT
and other related exams. Following table gives a brief introduction to system of numbers.

Prime Number
Starting from the basic knowledge, a prime number is a natural number which has only two
distinct divisors: 1 and itself.
The number 1 is not a prime number.
There are 25 prime numbers under 100: 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19, 23, 29, 31, 37, 41, 43, 47, 53,
59, 61, 67, 71, 73, 79, 83, 89, 97.
Prime Factorization Theorem: This is the area where prime numbers are used. This theorem
states that any integer greater than 1 can be written as a unique product of prime numbers.
Examples:
{tex}{550 = 2 \times 5^2 \times 11}{/tex}
{tex}{1200 = 2^4 \times 3 \times 5^2}{/tex}
Thus, prime numbers are the basic building blocks of any positive integer. This factorization will
also help in finding GCD and LCM quickly.

Perfect Numbers
A number is a perfect number if the sum of its factors, excluding itself and but including 1, is
equal to the number itself.
Example: 6 (1 + 2 + 3 = 6), 28 (1 + 2 + 4 + 7 +14 = 28)

Co-Prime Numbers
Two numbers are co-prime to each other, if they do not have any common factor except 1.
Example: 25 and 9, since they dont have a common factor other than 1

Points to Remember
1. The number 1 is neither prime nor composite.
2. The number 2 is the only even number which is prime.
3. (xn + yn) is divisible by (x + y), when n is an odd number.
4. (xn yn) is divisible by (x + y), when n is an even number.
5. (xn yn) is divisible by (x y), when n is an odd or an even number.

Number Systems - II
Factors of a Number
Representing a number as prime factors helps in analyzing problems.
{tex}N = p^a + q^b + r^c{/tex} Where p, q, r are prime numbers and a, b, c are the number of
times each prime number occurs.
Number of Factors = (a + 1)(b + 1)(c + 1)

Number of Ways of Expressing a Given Number as

a Product of Two Factors
{tex}{{(a+1)(b+1)(c+1)} \over 2}{/tex}
Sum of Factors = {tex}{({a^{p+1} - 1})({b^{q+1} - 1})({c^{r+1} - 1}) \over {(a-1)(b-1)(c-1)}}
{/tex}

Concept of Cyclicity (Power Cycle)

Concept of cyclicity is used to find unit's digit in case the numbers are occuring in powers. The
last digit of a number of the form a b falls in a particular sequence that depends on the unit digit of
the number (a) and the power the number is raised to (b). Consider the power cycle of 2:

21 = 2

22 = 4

23 = 8

24 = 16

25 = 32

26 = 64

You can see that the unit digit gets repeated after every fourth power of 2. Hence, you can say
that 2 has a power cycle of 2, 4, 8, 6 with cyclicity 4. This is applicable for all numbers ending in
2.
Unit Digit

Power Cycle

Cyclicity

2, 4, 8, 6

3, 9, 7, 1

4, 6

7, 9, 3, 1

8, 4, 2, 6

9, 1

Applications of Factorial
Meaning of Factorial

N! = 1 x 2 x 3 x ... x (N-1) x N

Example 3! = 6; 5! = 120

Maximum power of p (prime nubmer) in n! (n factorial)

To find the highest power of a prime number (p) in a factorial (n!), keep dividing n by p and add
all the quotients. Alternatively, use the formula:
{tex}{n \over p} + {n \over p^2} + {n \over p^3} + \dots{/tex}

Basic Formulae of Algebra

1. (a + b)2 = a2 + b2 + 2ab
2. (a - b)2 = a2 + b2 - 2ab
3. (a + b)2 - (a - b)2 = 4ab
4. (a + b)2 + (a - b)2 = 2 (a2 + b2)
5. (a2 - b2) = (a + b) (a - b)
6. (a + b + c)2 = a2 + b2 + c2 + 2 (ab + bc + ca)
7. (a3 + b3) = (a +b) (a2 - ab + b2)
8. (a3 - b3) = (a - b) (a2 + ab + b2)
9. (a3 + b3 + c3 - 3abc) = (a + b + c) (a2 + b2 + c2 - ab - bc - ca)
10.If a + b + c = 0, then a3 + b3 + c3 = 3abc

Divisibility Rules
Divisibility by 2

The last digit is even (0, 2, 4, 6, or 8).

Divisibility by 3
The sum of the digits is divisible by 3.
Divisibility by 4
The last two digits divisible by 4.
Divisibility by 5
The last digit is 0 or 5.
Divisibility by 6
The sum of the digits is divisible by 3 and the number itself is divisible by 2.
Divisibility by 7
Subtract 2 times the last digit from the rest.
Divisibility by 8
If the hundreds digit is even, examine the number formed by the last two digits. If the hundreds
digit is odd, examine the number obtained by the last two digits plus 4.
Divisibility by 9
The sum of the digits is divisible by 9.
Divisibility by 10
The last digit is 0.
Divisibility by 11
Add the digits in blocks of two from right to left. Example - 627: 6 + 27 = 33
Divisibility by 12
It is divisible by 3 and by 4.

LCM and HCF

Factors and Multiples
Suppose there are two numbers - a and b. If a number a divides another number b exactly, we say
that a is a factor of b and b is called a multiple ofa.

Highest Common Factor (HCF) or Greatest

Common Divisor (GCD)
The greatest common divisor (gcd), also known as the greatest common denominator, greatest
common factor (gcf), or highest common factor (hcf), of two or more non-zero integers, is the
largest positive integer that divides the numbers without a remainder. For example, the GCD of 8
and 12 is 4.
The HCF of two or more than two numbers is the greatest number that divides each of them
exactly. There are two methods of finding the HCF of a given set of numbers:
1. Factorization Method: In this method, express each one of the given numbers as the product
of prime factors. The product of least powers of common prime factors gives HCF.
2. Division Method: Divide the larger number by the smaller one. Now, divide the divisor by the
remainder. Repeat the process of dividing the preceding number by the remainder last obtained
till zero is obtained as remainder. The last divisor is the required HCF.
Finding the HCF of more than two numbers: H.C.F. of [(H.C.F. of any two) and (the third
number)] gives the HCF of three given numbers.

Least Common Multiple (LCM)

The lowest common multiple or (LCM) least common multiple or smallest common multiple of
two rational numbers a and b is the smallest positive rational number that is an integer multiple
of both a and b. The definition can be generalised for more than two numbers.
The least number which is exactly divisible by each one of the given numbers is called their
LCM.

1. Factorization Method of Finding LCM: Resolve each one of the given numbers into a
product of prime factors. Then, LCM is the product of highest powers of all the factors.
2. Common Division Method (Short-cut Method) of Finding LCM:Arrange the given
numbers in a row in any order. Divide by a number which divides exactly at least two of the
given numbers and carry forward the numbers which are not divisible. Repeat the above process
till no two of the numbers are divisible by the same number except 1. The product of the divisors
and the undivided numbers is the required LCM of the given numbers.
Product of two numbers = Product of their HCF and LCM
{tex}\operatorname{gcd}(a,b)=\frac{a\cdot b}{\operatorname{lcm}(a,b)}{/tex}

Co-primes
Two numbers are said to be co-primes if their HCF is 1. HCF of two co-prime numbers is 1. To
fing LCM of co-prime numbers, just multiply them. No need to find factors.

HCF and LCM of Fractions

{tex}HCF= {\mbox{HCF of Numerators} \over \mbox{LCM of Denominator}}{/tex}
{tex}LCM = {\mbox{LCM of Numerators} \over \mbox{HCF of Denominator}}{/tex}

Percentages
Percentage is a way of expressing a number as a fraction of 100 (per cent means per hundred). It
is denoted by using the percent sign, %.
Example: {tex inline}25\% = {25 \over 100}{/tex}

Practice Questions
What is 200% of 30?

Answer: 200% 30 = (200 / 100) 30 = 60.

What is 13% of 98?

Answer: 13% 98 = (13 / 100) 98 = 12.74.

60% of all university students are male. There are 2400 male students. How many students are in
the university?

Answer: 2400 = 60% X, therefore X = (2400 / (60 / 100)) = 4000.

There are 300 cats in the village, and 75 of them are black. What is the percentage of black cats
in that village?

Answer: 75 = X% 300 = (X / 100) 300, so X = (75 / 300) 100 = 25, and

therefore X% = 25%.

The number of students at the university increased to 4620, compared to last year's 4125, an
absolute increase of 495 students. What is the percentual increase?

Answer: 495 = X% 4125 = (X / 100) 4125, so X = (495 / 4125) 100 =

12, and therefore X% = 12%.

Constant Product Rule

You can apply this rule when you have two parameters whose product is constant. In other
words, when two parameters are inversely proportional to each other. For examples,

Time x Speed = Distance

Price x Consumption = Expenditure

Length x Breadth = Area

The rule states that 1/x increase in one of the parameters will result in a 1/(x+1) decrease in the
other parameter.
Let's understand with the help of example. Suppose speed increases by 25% (or 1/4) and distance
is constant, time required will decrease by 1/(4+1) or 1/5 or 20%.

Profit and Loss

Profit and Loss is mainly used in finance and business transactions.
Cost Price (CP): Expenses occured in producing a product or service.

Selling Price (SP): The price at which goods or services are sold.
Marked Price (MP): Price printed on the product for sale. If seller gives any discount, selling
price will be different from the marked price.

Profit and Loss Formulae

1. Profit (or Loss) = SP CP (profit is made only when SP is greater then CP)
2. Profit % (or Loss %) = (Actual Profit/Loss CP) 100%
3. CP = (SP 100 ) (100 + profit %)
4. SP = (100 + profit %) C.P 100
5. Actual Discount = MP SP
6. Discount % = (Actual Discount MP) 100%
7. SP = (MP Discount %) of MP

Interests
The lending and borrowing of money involves the concept of simple interest and compound
interest. If you borrow money for certain period of time, you would have to return the this sum of
money (Principal) with some extra money. this extra money is called Interest.
The money borrowed is called principal. The sum of interest and principal is called the amount.
The time for which money is borrowed is called period.
{tex}Amount = Principal + Interest{/tex}
The rate of interest is as per annum (unless indicated).

Simple Interest
Simple interest is simply calculated on principal amount using the following formula:
{tex}{SI = {P \times R \times T \over 100}}{/tex}

where, P = principal, R = rate per annum, T = time in years

Amount can be calculated by adding interest to principal.

Compound Interest
When the borrower and the lender agree to fix up a certain unit of time (say yearly or halfyearly or quarterly) to settle the previous account. In such cases ,the amount after the first unit of
time becomes the principal for the 2nd unit. The amount after second unit becomes the principal
for the 3rd unit and so on. After a specified period, the difference between the amount and the
money borrowed is called Compound Interest for that period.
Suppose you lend Rs.10000 (principal) for 3 years at 10% per annum. So, you will get Rs.1000
as interest per annum (simple interest) For three years, interest will be Rs.3000 and thus you will
get total amount of Rs.13000.
Compound interest involves interest on interest too, thus will give you better amount after 3
years. While calculating the compound interest, the principal amount keeps changing year after
year (if the interest is compounded annually).
After 1 year: Interest = Rs.1000; New Principal = Rs.11000
After 2 years: Interest = Rs.1100; New Principal = 12100
After 3 years: Interest = Rs.1210; You get Rs.13310. So, there is gain of Rs.310 if you lend at
compound interest!
{tex}A = P \left(1 + \frac{r}{n}\right)^{nt}{/tex}

Trigonometry

Trigonometric Identities

Speed, Time and Distance

The questions on speed, time and distance are based on one general formula: Distance = Speed
X Time

The Concept
There are three parameters: Speed, Time and Distance. Keeping one parameter constant and
changing another, the third parameter also gets changed.

Example: Suppose you travel from your office (A) to your home (B). The distance between A
and B is 30 km. You travel at the speed of 40 km/hr and it takes 45 minutes.

Boats and Streams

In water or river, the direction along the stream is called downstream. Direction against the
stream is called upstream.
If the speed of boat in still water is U km/hr and the speed of stream is V km/hr, then

speed downstream = (U + V) km/hr

speed upstream = (U - V) km/hr

If the speed downstream is A km/hr and the speed upstream is B km/hr, then

Speed of boat in still water = 1/2(A+B) km/hr

Rate of stream or river = 1/2(A-B) km/hr

Trains
A train has a definite length. The distance covered by the train depends on the length of the train.
1. Time taken by a train x mt long in passing a stationary point (it can be a
signal post or a pole or a standing man) is equal to time taken by the train to
cover x mt.
2. Time taken by a train x mt long in passing a stationary object of length y mt
is equal to time taken by the train to cover (x+y) mt.
3. Suppose two trains are moving in the same direction at u kmphand v
kmph such that u > v, then their relative speed is u-v kmph.
4. Suppose two trains are moving in opposite direction at u kmphand v
kmph then, their relative speed is equal to (u+v) kmph.
5. If two trains of length x km and y km are moving in opposite diredtions at u
kmph and v kmph, then time taken by the train to cross each other is equal
to (x+y)/(u+v) hr.
6. If two trains start at the same time from 2 points A and B towards each other
and after crossing they take a and b hours in reaching B and A respectively,
then ratio of A's speed : B's speed = (b^1/2 : a^1/2).

Time and Work

Work is the job or task completed (Distance) in a specified time. Time and Work are in direct
proportion. If the amount of work increases, time to complete the work also increases.
Work as Man Days
{tex}Work = Man \times Days{/tex}
If a man does a work in 10 days, total work does is 10 man days. Two men will take 5 days (10
man days). The work done by one man in one day is 1/10th of total work.

Pipes and Cisterns

Inlet: A pipe connected with a tank or a cistern or a reservoir, that fills it, is known as an inlet.
Outlet: A pipe connected with a tank or a cistern or a reservoir, emptying it, is known as an
outlet.
1. If an inlet pipe can fill a cistern in A hours, the part filled in 1 hour = 1/A
(same principle as time and work).
2. If pipe A is x times bigger than pipe B, then pipe A will take 1/x th(less time) of
the time taken by pipe B to fill the cistern.
3. If an inlet pipe can fill a tank in A hours and an outlet pipe empties the full
tank in B hours (B>A), then the net part filled in 1 hour when both the pipes
are opened will be 1/A - 1/B.
4. If X and Y fill a cistern in m and n hours respectively, then together they will
take (1/m + 1/n) hours to fill the cistern.
5. If an inlet pipe fills a cistern in a hours and takes x minutes longer to fill the
cistern due to a leak in the cistern, then the time in which the leak will empty
the cistern is given by a(1+a/x).

Averages
Average is defined as the ratio of sum of the quantities to the number of quantities.
{tex}Average = {{x_1 + x_2 + \dots + x_n} \over n}}{/tex}

If each number is increased or decreased by a certain quantity, then the

average also increases or decreases by the same quantity.

If each number is multiplied or divided by a certain quantity, then the

average also gets multiplied or divided by the same quantity.

Tip: Suppose a man covers a certain distance at x kmph and an equal distance at y kmph, then
the average speed during the whole journey is (2xy/x+y) kmph.

Mixtures and Alligations

Mixtures are formed when two or more quantities of different values are mixed together.
Alligation is a practical method of solving arithmetic problems related to mixtures of
ingredients. There are two kinds of problems:
1. To find the quantity of a mixture given the quantities of its ingredients.
(Alligation Medial)
2. To find the amount of each ingredient needed to make a mixture of a given
quantity. (Alligation Alternate)

Important Facts and Formula

Allegation: It is the rule that enables us to find the ratio in which two of more ingredients at the
given price must be mixed to produce a mixture of a desired price.
Mean Price: The cost price of a unit quantity of the mixture is called the mean price.
Rule of Allegation: If two ingredients are mixed then Quantity of Cheaper / Quantity of Dearer
= (C.P. of Dearer - Mean Price) / (Mean Price - C.P. of Cheaper)

Cheaper quantity : Dearer quantity = (d - m) : (m - c)

Suppose a container contains x units of liquid from which y units are taken out and replaced by
water. After n operations the quantity of pure liquid = x (1 - y/x)n units.

Ratio and Proportion

Ratio
Ratio is a relation between two quantities or numbers. A ratio of a and b is denoted by a:b and is
read as: a is to b. In a ratio, the first part (a) is called Antecedent and second part (b) is called
Consequent.

Proportion
Proportion is a statement that two ratios are equal. When two ratios are equal, the four terms
involved, taken in order are called proportional, and they are said to be in proportion. a/b = c/d
Continued Proportion
Three quantities are said to be in continued proportion, if the ratio of the first to the second is
same
as
the
ratio of the second to the third. a/b = b/c; b is called mean proportion.
Compounded Ratio of two ratios a/b and c/d is ac/bd or ac : bd.
Invertendo: If a : b :: c : d then b : a :: d : c
Alternendo: If a : b :: c : d then a : c :: b : d
Componendo: If a : b :: c : d then (a +b) : b :: (c +d) : d
Dividendo: If a : b :: c : d then (a - b) : b :: (c - d) : d
Componendo and Dividendo: If a : b :: c : d then (a +b) : (a - b) :: (c +d) : (c - d)

Linear Equations
A Linear Equation is an equation whose graph is a straight line. Each term has a degree of
atmost 1. Each term can have degree 0 (constant term) or degree 1. A linear equation in one

variable is an equation that involves only one variable x. Geeral form of linear equation can be
written as ax + b = 0. There are no higher or lower order terms such as x2, x3 or x1/2.
Example 1: 6x + 5 = 0 is a linear equation. Note that it is in the form ax + b = 0, where a and b
are constants. In this case a = 6 and b = 2. Any equation which can be reduced to form ax + b is
also called linear eqation.
Example 2: 7x + 3 = 9, this can be written as 7x - 6 = 0
Example 3: 2(x+1) = 6(x-4) is also a linear equation.

Solving Linear Equations

Any linear equation can have only one solution. If you solve a linear equation, you will get one
value of x. Solving linear equations is very simple. First, open all brackets and take all terms
involving x to Left Hand Side (LHS) and constant terms to Right Hand Side (RHS). Then, using
simple additions and subtractions, you will get the value of x.
Example 4:
2(x+1) = 6(x-4)
2x + 2 = 6x - 24
2x - 6x = - 24 - 2
- 4x = - 26
4x = 26
x = 26 / 4
x = 13 / 2 or 6.5

Quadratic Equations
{tex}ax^2+bx+c=0{/tex}
Linear Equation can have degree of atmost 1 and has only one solution.Quadratic Equation can
have degree of atmost 2 and has two solutions.
General form of quadratic equation: ax2 + bx + c = 0, where a, b and c are constants. Note that
maximum degree of x is 2.

Solving Quadratic Equations

Unlike linear equations, any quadratic equation always has two solutions called roots of
quadratic equation. After solving quadratic equation, you will get two values of x. To solve
quadratic equation, you can use directly quadratic formula.
{tex}x={-b\pm\sqrt{b^2-4ac} \over 2a}{/tex}

Discriminant
In the above quadratic formula, the expression underneath the square root sign is called
the discriminant of the quadratic equation. Discriminant is used to find the nature of roots.
{tex}\Delta = b^2 - 4ac{/tex}
Case 1: {tex}\Delta > 0{/tex}
Real and distinct roots
Case 2: {tex}\Delta = 0{/tex}
Real and one distict root (two same roots)
Case 3: {tex}\Delta < 0{/tex}
Roots are imaginary and occur as complex conjugates of each other

Sum and Product of Roots

Let {tex}\alpha{/tex} and {tex}\beta{/tex} be the roots of quadratic equation {tex
inline}x^2+px+q=0{/tex}
{tex}x^2+px+q=(x-\alpha)(x-\beta){/tex}
{tex}x^2+px+q=x^2-(\alpha+\beta)x+\alpha \beta{/tex}
{tex}p=-(\alpha+\beta){/tex}
{tex}q=\alpha \beta{/tex}
{tex}\text{Sum of the roots} = -p{/tex}

{tex}\text{Product of roots} = q{/tex}

Progressions
A Progression is a sequence of numbers which have some kinf of relation. This relation
determines what kind of a progression is. Generally, there are two types of progressions:
1. Arithmetic Progression (AP)
2. Geometric Progression (GP)

Any progression (AP or GP) can be generally expressed as

{tex}a_1 + a_2 + a_3 +\dots+ a_{n-1} + a_n{/tex}
Total Terms: {tex}n{/tex}
First Term: {tex}a_1{/tex}
Last Term: {tex}a_n{/tex}

Arithmetic Progression
In AP, the relation amoung sequence of numbers is that the difference between any two
successive numbers is same.
Example: 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, ... is an AP with difference 2. This difference is called common
difference.
{tex}a_n = a_1 + (n - 1)d{/tex}
{tex}S_n=\frac{n}{2}( a_1 + a_n)=\frac{n}{2}[ 2a_1 + (n-1)d]{/tex}

Geometric Progression
In GP, each term after the first is found by multiplying the previous one by a fixed non-zero
number called the common ratio.
Example: 2, 6, 18, 54, ...

{tex}a + ar + ar^2 + ar^3 + ar^4 + \cdots{/tex}

{tex}a_n = a\,r^{n-1}{/tex}

Functions
A function is a rule which indicates an operation to perform.

Graph Transformations
1. y = f(x) + a is the same as the graph y = f(x), shifted upwards by a units.
2. y = f(x - a) shifts the graph a units to the right.
3. y = f(ax) is a stretch with scale factor 1/a parallel to the x-axis.
4. y = a.f(x) is a stretch with scale factor a parallel to the y-axis.

Binomial Theorem
Binomial Expression: An algebraic expression consisting of two terms with a positive or
negative sign between them. Example: (x+y)
The expansion of binomial expression raised to power n is called Binomial Theorem.
{tex}{(x + y)^n = x^n + ^nC_1x^{n-1}y + ^nC_2x^{n-2}y^2 + \dots + y^n}{/tex}
{tex}^nC_1, ^nC_2, \dots , ^nC_n{/tex} are Binomial Coefficients.
Points to Note:
1. There are total of (n+1) terms in the expansion.

In each term, sum

Indices and Surds

Laws of Indices
{tex}a^m \times a^n = a^{m+n}{/tex}
{tex}a^m \div a^n = a^{m-n}{/tex}
{tex}(a^m)^n = a^{mn}{/tex}
{tex}a^{1 \over m} = \sqrt[m]{a}{/tex}
{tex}a^{-m} = \frac{1}{a^m}{/tex}
{tex}a^{\frac{m}{n}} = \sqrt[n]a^m{/tex}
{tex}a^0 = 1{/tex}
{tex}a^1 = a{/tex}
2. of the indices of x and y is equal to n.
3.

Inequalities
A comparison relationship between two algebraic expressions or quantities is known as an
Inequalities. There are two main types of inequalities:
1. Greater than or greater than equal to: {tex inline}> or \geq{/tex}
2. Less than or less than equal to: {tex inline}< or \leq{/tex}

Rules for solving inequalities

1. Rule of Addition and Subtraction: Adding or subtracting a fixed number
to each side of an inequality produces an equivalent inequality.

2. Rule of multiplication/division by a positive number: All terms on both

sides of an inequality can be multiplied or divided by a positive number.
3. Rule of multiplication/division by a negative number: If all terms on
both sides of an inequality are multiplied or divided by a negative number,
the sign of the inequality will be reversed.

Logarithms
{tex}x = b^y{/tex}

{tex}\therefore \log x = \log b^y{/tex}

{tex} \log x = y \log b{/tex}
{tex}{{\log x} \over {\log b}} = y{/tex}
{tex}\log_b x = y{/tex}
Therefore,
{tex}\text{ if }x = b^y,\text{ then }y = \log_b (x){/tex}

Logarithmic Identities
1. {tex}\log_b(xy) = \log_b(x) + \log_b(y){/tex}
2. {tex}\log_b\!\left(\begin{matrix}\frac{x}{y}\end{matrix}\right) = \log_b(x)
- \log_b(y){/tex}
3. {tex}\log_b(x^d) = d \log_b(x){/tex}
4. {tex}\log_b\!\left(\!\sqrt[y]{x}\right) = \begin{matrix}\frac{\log_b(x)}
{y}\end{matrix}{/tex}
5. {tex}x^{\log_b(y)} = y^{\log_b(x)}{/tex}
6. {tex}c\log_b(x)+d\log_b(y) = \log_b(x^c y^d){/tex}
7. {tex}\log_b(1) = 0{/tex}
8. {tex}\log_b(b) = 1{/tex}

9. {tex}b^{\log_b(x)} = x{/tex}
10.{tex}\log_b(b^x) = x{/tex}
11.{tex}\log_a b = {\log_c b \over \log_c a}{/tex}

Permutation & Combination

Combination & Permutation deals with arrangement of thing. If the order doesn't matter, then it
is called Combination. If the order does matter, then it is a Permutation.
In other words, Permutation is an ordered Combination.

Permutation
{tex}{^nP_r} = {n! \over {(n-r)!}{/tex}

There are basically two types of permutation:

1. When repetition is allowed
2. No repetition

1. Permutations with Repetition

To choose r things from n when repetition is allowed, the permutations are:
n n ... (r times) = nr
(Because there are n possibilities for the first choice, then there are npossibilites for the second
choice, and so on.)

Combinations
Number of ways objects can be selected from a group.
{tex}{^nC_r} = {{^nP_r} \over r!}{/tex}

Circular Permutations
Circular Table
A circular table has no fixed starting or ending point. If n persons are to be arranged in a straight
line, there are n! unique ways. When n persons are to sit around a circular table, each
arrangement will be repeated n times, There will be (n-1)! different arrangements.
Circular Wire
Arrangement of beads (which are all different) around a circular wire diifers from table. Why?
Because when you turn it over, you can see other side of it like a mirror image. So, total number
of different arrangements decreases by half. Thus, n beads on a circular wire can be arranged in
(n-1)!/2 ways.

Probability
Probability is the likelihood or chance of an event occurring.
Some Concepts

When we toss a coin, then either a Head (H) or a Tail (T) appears.

A dice is a solid cube ,having 6 faces,marked 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 respectively.

When we throw a die, the outcome is the number that appears on its upper
face.

A pack of cards has 52 cards. It has 13 cards of each suit, namely spades,
clubs, hearts and diamonds. Cards of spades and clubs are balck cards. Cards
of hearts and diamonds are red cards. There are four honours of each
suit. These are Aces, Kings, Queens and Jacks. These are called Face cards.

The probability of a certain event occurring can be represented by P(A). The probability of a
different event occurring can be written as P(B). Therefore, for two events A and B,
{tex}\displaystyle P(A) + P(B) - P(A\cap B) = P(A\cup B){/tex}

Mutually Exclusive Events

Events A and B are mutually exclusive if they have no events in common. If two events are
mutually exclusive,

{tex}\displaystyle P(A) + P(B) = P(A\cup B){/tex}

Independent Events
Two events are independent if (and only if)
{tex}\displaystyle P(A\cap B) = P(A)P(B){/tex}

Conditional Probability
Conditional probability is the probability of an event occurring, given that another event has
occurred.
{tex}\displaystyle P(A|B){/tex} means the probability of A occurring, given that B has occurred.
For two events A and B,
{tex}\displaystyle P(A\cap B) = P(A|B)P(B){/tex}
{tex}\displaystyle P(A\cap B) = P(B|A)P(A){/tex}

Geometry Basics
Geometry is branch of mathematics concerned with shapes, sizes and properties of figures.
Geometry includes knowledge of angles, lines, triangles, quadrilaterals, circles and polygons.

Triangles

Sum of the angles of a triangle is 180 degrees.

The sum of any two sides of a triangle is greater than third side.

Pythagoras Theorem: In a right angled triangle (Hypotenuse) 2 = (Base)2 +

(Height)2

The line joining the mid point of a side of a triangle to the opposite vertex is
called the Median.

The point where the three medians of a triangle meet, is called Centroid. The
centroid divides each of the medians in the ratio 2:1.

In an isosceles triangle, the altitude from the vertex bisects the base.

The median of a triangle divides it into two triangles of the same area.

The area of the triangle formed by joining the mid points of the sides of a
given triangle is one-fourth of the area of the given triangle.

Similar Triangles
If the angles of one triangle are equal to the angles of another triangle, then the triangles are said
to be Equiangular. Equiangular triangles have the same shape but may have different sizes.
Therefore, equiangular triangles are also called Similar Triangles.
Two triangles are similar if their corresponding angles are equal and corresponding sides are
proportional.

{tex}{AB \over DE} = {BC \over EF} = {CA \over FD}{/tex}

{tex}\angle A = \angle D{/tex}
{tex}\angle B = \angle E{/tex}
{tex}\angle C = \angle F{/tex}
Properties
1. The ratio of area of similar triangles is equal to the square of ratio of sides.
2. If the ratio of corresponding sides equals to 1, then triangles become
congruent.

Quadrilateral
A quadrilateral is a polygon with four sides (edges) and four vertices (corners). The word
quadrilateral is made of the words quad (meaning four) and lateral (meaning sides). So,
quadrilateral is simply a four sided figure.
The sum of interior angles for all quadrilaterals must be equal to 360 degrees.

Types of Quadrilaterals
1. Square
2. Rectangle
3. Parallelogram
4. Rhombus
5. Trapezoid
3.

Quadrilateral: Square &

Rectangle
Square: A square has four equal sides and four equal angles (90-degree angles or right angles).

Perimeter of Square
Perimeter of the square is 4 times the length of the side. For a square of length L, perimeter = 4 *
L

Area of Square
Area of square is the square of length of the side. Area = L * L

Properties of Square

The diagonals of a square bisect each other and meet at right angles (90
degrees)

The diagonals of a square bisect its angles

The diagonals of a square are perpendicular

Opposite sides of a square are both parallel and equal in length

All four angles of a square are equal. (every angle of a square is a right angle)

The diagonals of a square are equal.

Rectangle: A rectangle is a quadrilateral with 4 right angles. It is similar to square except that its
sides are not equal.

Perimeter of Rectangle
Perimeter of the rectangle is sum of the length of its sides. Perimeter = 2 * (Length + Breadth)

Area of Rectangle
Area of rectangle is multiplication of its length and breadth. Area = Length * Breadth

Properties of Rectangle

All angles are right angles (90 degrees)

Opposite sides are parallel and equal.

Diagonals bisect each other.

Quadrilateral: Parallelogram
A parallelogram is a quadrilateral with two pairs of parallel sides.

Properties of parallelogram

Each diagonal divides the quadrilateral into two congruent triangles with the
same orientation.

The opposite sides are parallel and equal in length.

The diagonals bisect each other.

The opposite angles are equal in measure.

The sum of the squares of the sides equals the sum of the squares of the
diagonals. (Parallelogram Law)

Adjacent angles are supplementary (180 degrees).

Square, Rectangle and Rhobus are special types of parallelograms.

Perimeter & Area of parallelogram

The perimeter of parallelogram is sum of the length of its sides. Perimeter = 2(L + B)
Area of parallelogram is multiplication of its longer side and distance between them. Area = L *
H

Parallelogram Law
It states that the sum of the squares of the lengths of the four sides of a parallelogram equals the
sum of the squares of the lengths of the two diagonals. If ABCD is parallelogram, then
{tex}2(AB)^2+2(BC)^2=(AC)^2+(BD)^2{/tex}
In case of rectangle and square, this law reduces to pythagoras theorem.

Circles
A circle is a locus of all points which are equidistant from a point.

Circumference
{tex}C = 2\pi r = \pi d{/tex}
Area of Circle
{tex}\mathrm{Area} = \pi r^2{/tex}

Mensuration
Mensuration is the branch of mathematics which deals with the study of geometric shapes, their
area, volume and different parameters in geometric objects.

Important Mensuration Formulae

1. Area of rectangle (A) = length(l) * Breath(b) {tex}A = l \times b{/tex}
2. Perimeter of a rectangle (P) = 2 * (Length(l) + Breath(b)) {tex}P = 2 \times(l + b){/tex}
3. Area of a square (A) = Length (l) * Length (l) A = {tex}l \times l{/tex}
4. Perimeter of a square (P) = 4 * Length (l) {tex}P = 4 \times l{/tex}
5. Area of a parallelogram(A) = Length(l) * Height(h) {tex}A = l \times h{/tex}
6. Perimeter of a parallelogram (P) = 2 * (length(l) + Breadth(b)) {tex}P = 2 \times (l + b){/tex}

7. Area of a triangle (A) = (Base(b) * Height(b)) / 2 {tex}A = \frac{1}{2} \times b \times h{/tex}
Perimeter = (a + b + c)
Area of triangle = {tex inline}A = \sqrt{s(s-a)(s-b)(s-c)}{/tex} [Heros formula]
8. Area of triangle (A) = {tex inline}\frac{1}{2} a \times b \times \angle C = \frac{1}{2} b
\times c \times \angle A = \frac{1}{2} a \times c \times \angle B{/tex}
9. Area of isosceles triangle = {tex inline}\frac{b}{4}\sqrt{4a^2 - b^2}{/tex}
10. Area of trapezium (A) = {tex inline}\frac{1}{2} (a+b) \times h{/tex}
11. Perimeter of a trapezium (P) = sum of all sides
12. Area of rhombus (A) = Product of diagonals / 2
13. Perimeter of a rhombus (P) = 4 * length
14. Area of quadrilateral (A) = 1/2 * Diagonal * (Sum of offsets)
15. Area of a Kite (A) = 1/2 * product of its diagonals
16. Perimeter of a Kite (A) = 2 * Sum on non-adjacent sides
17. Area of a Circle (A) = {tex inline}\pi r^2 = \frac{\pi d^2}{4}{/tex}
18. Circumference of a Circle = {tex inline}2 \pi r = \pi d{/tex}
19. Total surface area of cuboid = {tex inline}2 (lb + bh + lh){/tex}
20. Total surface area of cuboid = {tex inline}6 l^2{/tex}
21. length of diagonal of cuboid = {tex inline}\sqrt{l^2+b^2+h^2}{/tex}
22. length of diagonal of cube = {tex inline}\sqrt{3 l}{/tex}
23. Volume of cuboid = l * b * h
24. Volume of cube = l * l * l
25. Area of base of a cone = {tex inline}\pi r^2{/tex}

26. Curved surface area of a cone = C = {tex inline}\pi r l{tex}

27. Total surface area of a cone = {tex inline}\pi r (r+l){/tex}
28. Volume of right circular cone = {tex inline}\frac{1}{3} \pi r^2 h{/tex}
29. Surface area of triangular prism = (P * height) + (2 * area of triangle)
30. Surface area of polygonal prism = (Perimeter of base * height ) + (Polygonal base area * 2)
31. Lateral surface area of prism = Perimeter of base * height
32. Volume of Triangular prism = Area of the triangular base * height
33. Curved surface area of a cylinder = {tex inline}2 \pi r h{/tex}
34. Total surface area of a cylinder = {tex inline}2 \pi r(r + h){/tex}
35. Volume of a cylinder = {tex inline}\pi r^2 h{/tex}
36. Surface area of sphere = {tex inline}4 \pi r^2 = \pi d^2{/tex}
37. Volume of a sphere = {tex inline}\frac{4}{3} \pi r^3 = \frac{1}{6} \pi d^3{/tex}
38. Volume of hollow cylinder = {tex inline}\pi r h(R^2-r^2){/tex}
39. Surface area of a right square pyramid = {tex inline}a \sqrt{4b^2 - a^2}{/tex}
40. Volume of a right square pyramid = {tex inline}\frac{1}{2} \times base \, \, area \times
height{/tex}
41. Area of a regular hexagon = {tex inline}\frac{3\sqrt{3}a^2}{2}{/tex}
42. area of equilateral triangle = {tex inline}\frac{\sqrt{3}}{4} a^2{/tex}
43. Curved surface area of a Frustums = {tex inline}\pi h (r_1 + r_2){/tex}
44. Total surface area of a Frustums = {tex inline}\pi (r_1^2 + h(r_1+r_2) + r_2^2){/tex}
45. Curved surface area of a Hemisphere = {tex inline}2 \pi r^2{/tex}
46. Total surface area of a Hemisphere = {tex inline}3 \pi r^2{/tex}

47. Volume of a Hemisphere = {tex inline}\frac{2}{3} \pi r^3 = \frac{1}{12} \pi d^3{/tex}
48. Area of sector of a circle = {tex inline}\frac{\theta r^2 \pi}{360}{/tex}

Vedic Maths - Introduction

Vedic Mathematics is a system of mathematics consisting of a list of 16 basic sutras, or
aphorisms. They were presented by a Hindu scholar and mathematician, Bharati Krishna Tirthaji
Maharaja, during the early part of the 20th century.
The calculation strategies provided by Vedic mathematics are said to be creative and useful, and
can be applied in a number of ways to calculation methods in arithmetic and algebra.
16 Sutras translated in English (from Sanskrit) are:
1. By one more than the one before
2. All from 9 and the last from 10
3. Vertically and Cross-wise
4. Transpose and Apply
5. If the Samuccaya is the Same it is Zero
6. If One is in Ratio the Other is Zero
7. By Addition and by Subtraction
8. By the Completion or Non-Completion
9. Differential Calculus
10.By the Deficiency
11.Specific and General
12.The Remainders by the Last Digit
13.The Ultimate and Twice the Penultimate
14.By One Less than the One Before
15.The Product of the Sums

16.All the Multipliers

It is amazing that with the help of Vedic Mathematics, you will be able to solve or calculate
complex mathematical problems mentally.

By one more than the previous one

1. Square of numbers ending in 5

65 x 65 = (6 x (6+1) ) 25 = (6x7) 25 = 4225

45 x 45 = (4 x (4+1) ) 25 = (4x5) 25 = 2025
105 x 105 = (10 x (10+1) 25 = (10 x 11) 25 = 11025
2. When sum of the last digits is 10 and previous parts are the same

44 x 46 = (4 x (4+1)) (4 x 6) = (4 x 5) (4 x 6) = 2024
37 x 33 = (3 x (3+1)) (7 x 3) = (3 x 4) (7 x 3) = 1221
11 x 19 = (1 x (1+1)) (1 x 9) = (1 x 2) (1 x 9) = 209