Math can be terrifying for many people.

This list will hopefully improve your general

knowledge of mathematical tricks and your speed when you need to do math in your head.

1. The 11 Times Trick

We all know the trick when multiplying by ten – add 0 to the end of the number, but did you
know there is an equally easy trick for multiplying a two digit number by 11? This is it:

Take the original number and imagine a space between the two digits (in this example we
will use 52:

5_2

Now add the two numbers together and put them in the middle:

5_(5+2)_2

That is it – you have the answer: 572.

If the numbers in the middle add up to a 2 digit number, just insert the second number and
add 1 to the first:

9_(9+9)_9

(9+1)_8_9

10_8_9
1089 – It works every time.

2. Quick Square

If you need to square a 2 digit number ending in 5, you can do so very easily with this trick.
Mulitply the first digit by itself + 1, and put 25 on the end. That is all!

252 = (2x(2+1)) & 25

2x3=6

625

3. Multiply by 5

Most people memorize the 5 times tables very easily, but when you get in to larger numbers
it gets more complex – or does it? This trick is super easy.

Take any number, then divide it by 2 (in other words, halve the number). If the result is
whole, add a 0 at the end. If it is not, ignore the remainder and add a 5 at the end. It works
everytime:

2682 x 5 = (2682 / 2) & 5 or 0

2682 / 2 = 1341 (whole number so add 0)

13410

Let’s try another:

5887 x 5

2943.5 (fractional number (ignore remainder, add 5)

29435
4. Multiply by 9

This one is simple – to multiple any number between 1 and 9 by 9 hold both hands in front
of your face – drop the finger that corresponds to the number you are multiplying (for
example 9×3 – drop your third finger) – count the fingers before the dropped finger (in the
case of 9×3 it is 2) then count the numbers after (in this case 7) – the answer is 27.

5. Multiply by 4

This is a very simple trick which may appear obvious to some, but to others it is not. The
trick is to simply multiply by two, then multiply by two again:

58 x 4 = (58 x 2) + (58 x 2) = (116) + (116) = 232

6. Calculate a Tip

If you need to leave a 15% tip, here is the easy way to do it. Work out 10% (divide the
number by 10) – then add that number to half its value and you have your answer:

15% of $25 = (10% of 25) + ((10% of 25) / 2)

$2.50 + $1.25 = $3.75

7. Tough Multiplication
If you have a large number to multiply and one of the numbers is even, you can easily
subdivide to get to the answer:

32 x 125, is the same as:

16 x 250 is the same as:
8 x 500 is the same as:
4 x 1000 = 4,000

8. Dividing by 5

Dividing a large number by five is actually very simple. All you do is multiply by 2 and move
the decimal point:

195 / 5

Step1: 195 * 2 = 390

Step2: Move the decimal: 39.0 or just 39

2978 / 5

step 1: 2978 * 2 = 5956

Step2: 595.6

9. Subtracting from 1,000

To subtract a large number from 1,000 you can use this basic rule: subtract all but the last
number from 9, then subtract the last number from 10:
1000
-648

step1: subtract 6 from 9 = 3

step2: subtract 4 from 9 = 5
step3: subtract 8 from 10 = 2

answer: 352

10. Assorted Multiplication Rules

Multiply by 5: Multiply by 10 and divide by 2.

Multiply by 6: Sometimes multiplying by 3 and then 2 is easy.
Multiply by 9: Multiply by 10 and subtract the original number.
Multiply by 12: Multiply by 10 and add twice the original number.
Multiply by 13: Multiply by 3 and add 10 times original number.
Multiply by 14: Multiply by 7 and then multiply by 2
Multiply by 15: Multiply by 10 and add 5 times the original number, as above.
Multiply by 16: You can double four times, if you want to. Or you can multiply by 8 and then
by 2.
Multiply by 17: Multiply by 7 and add 10 times original number.
Multiply by 18: Multiply by 20 and subtract twice the original number (which is obvious
from the first step).
Multiply by 19: Multiply by 20 and subtract the original number.
Multiply by 24: Multiply by 8 and then multiply by 3.
Multiply by 27: Multiply by 30 and subtract 3 times the original number (which is obvious
from the first step).
Multiply by 45: Multiply by 50 and subtract 5 times the original number (which is obvious
from the first step).
Multiply by 90: Multiply by 9 (as above) and put a zero on the right.
Multiply by 98: Multiply by 100 and subtract twice the original number.
Multiply by 99: Multiply by 100 and subtract the original number.

Bonus: Percentages

Yanni in comment 23 gave an excellent tip for working out percentages, so I have taken the
liberty of duplicating it here:

Find 7 % of 300. Sound Difficult?

Percents: First of all you need to understand the word “Percent.” The first part is PER , as in
10 tricks per listverse page. PER = FOR EACH. The second part of the word is CENT, as in
 100. Like Century = 100 years. 100 CENTS in 1 dollar… etc. Ok… so PERCENT = For Each
100.

So, it follows that 7 PERCENT of 100, is 7. (7 for each hundred, of only 1 hundred).
8 % of 100 = 8. 35.73% of 100 = 35.73
But how is that useful??

Back to the 7% of 300 question. 7% of the first hundred is 7. 7% of 2nd hundred is also 7,
and yep, 7% of the 3rd hundred is also 7. So 7+7+7 = 21.

If 8 % of 100 is 8, it follows that 8% of 50 is half of 8 , or 4.

Break down every number that’s asked into questions of 100, if the number is less then 100,
then move the decimal point accordingly.

EXAMPLES:
8%200 = ? 8 + 8 = 16.
8%250 = ? 8 + 8 + 4 = 20.
8%25 = 2.0 (Moving the decimal back).
15%300 = 15+15+15 =45.
15%350 = 15+15+15+7.5 = 52.5

Also it’s usefull to know that you can always flip percents, like 3% of 100 is the same as
100% of 3.

35% of 8 is the same as 8% of 35.

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Related on Listverse

 10 Incredibly Bizarre And Awful Cakes

I didn’t know about trick number 10.
And it seems there is a good reason for that, because it doesn’t work !

e.g.: 58 / 9 = 6r4

but according to the trick: 5r4

e.g.: 587 / 9 = 65r2

but according to the trick: 54r2

So this trick doesn’t work all the time.

The only thing that’s true is that summing all the numbers gives the remainder (I knew that).

But good post to remind people math doesn’t have to be hard. 

Reply
for starters you need to learn to read, trick number 10 = 10. Assorted Multiplication Rules

as far as i can remember 58 / 9 = division?

#3… 2682 / 2 = 1341 (even number so add 0) …

Isn’t 1341 an odd number? the math still works, but I’m all sorts of confused now. And I’ve always sucked
at math

It says if you have an even number, you add a zero to the end and if you have an odd number you add a 5
to the end.

I believe they mean to say, “if you have a WHOLE number add a zero to the end, and if you have a
fraction/decimal then add a 5 to the end.”

1341 is an ODD number, not an even number. But it IS a WHOLE number.

#3 is just the reverse of #8. Divide by 2 and shift the decimal place. No need to remember even/odd
whole/fractional rule.

2682 * 5

Step1: 2682 / 2 = 1341

Step2: Move the decimal: 13410

5887 * 5

Step1: 5887 / 2 = 2943.5

Step2: Move the decimal: 29435

We teach many of these “tricks” in our Mathnasium Learning Center (www.mathnasium.com). Sorry for
the plug, but here are some interesting “tricks.”

Find 7 % of 300. Sound Difficult?

Percents: First of all you need to understand the word “Percent.” The first part is PER , as in 10 tricks per
listverse page. PER = FOR EACH. The second part of the word is CENT, as in 100. Like Century = 100
years. 100 CENTS in 1 dollar… etc. Ok… so PERCENT = For Each 100.

So, it follows that 7 PERCENT of 100, is 7. (7 for each hundred, of only 1 hundred).
8 % of 100 = 8. 35.73% of 100 = 35.73
But how is that useful??

Back to the 7% of 300 question. 7% of the first hundred is 7. 7% of 2nd hundred is also 7, and yep, 7% of
the 3rd hundred is also 7. So 7+7+7 = 21.

If 8 % of 100 is 8, it follows that 8% of 50 is half of 8 , or 4.

Break down every number that’s asked into questions of 100, if the number is less then 100, then move
the decimal point accordingly.

EXAMPLES:
8%200 = ? 8 + 8 = 16.
8%250 = ? 8 + 8 + 4 = 20.
8%25 = 2.0 (Moving the decimal back).
15%300 = 15+15+15 =45.
15%350 = 15+15+15+7.5 = 52.5

Also it’s usefull to know that you can always flip percents, like 3% of 100 is the same as 100 %of 3.

35% of 8 is the same as 8% of 35.

You say "35% of 8 is the same as 8% of 35."

That's because Multiplication is Associative, meaning that the ORDER

in which you group the items to be multiplied is wholly irrelevant.

(0.35 times   is the same as (35 times 0.08)

So saying that 35% of 8 is the same as 8% of 35 is simply

"associating" the .01 (the decimal equivalent of 1%) first with
the 35 and then alternatively, with the 8.

Premise:
( 35 percent ) * 8 = 35 * ( 8 percent )

Proof:
( 35 * 0.01 ) * 8 = 35 * ( 0.01 * 8 )

Moot point: The above equation is equal to [ ( 8 * 35) * 0.01 ]

Reply
Yanni: That is the most useful mathematics tip I have ever heard. Thanks for adding it – brilliant!
Reply
1, 2 and 3 I knew about (you can excercise them with the following feed –http://www.mental-
workout.com/)

about 1 : I also worked out you can do the same with 3 numbers eg.
172 * 11

1(1+7)(7+2)2 = 1892

I am pretty sure you will be able expand on that even further.

5 and 6 did seem obvious to me.

9 I would rather go to the nearest 100 eg. 1000 – 700 = 300 and then do an easy 100 subtraction 100 – 48
= 52 then add them up 300 +52 = 352 (may seem longer but actually goes pretty fast in my mind)

Simple addition.

It's what they taught us is Grade School… using zero as a place holder…

10 x 182 = 1 8 2 (0)
+ (1 x 182) = 1 8 2
——————
2002

Another approach is the “is x divisable by y?”-question:

A number is divisable by 2 if it’s an even number.

3: The sum of the individual digits is divisable by 3, e.g. 174 => 1+7+4 = 12 (=> 1+2 = 3)
4: The last two digits is divisable by 4
5: The last digit is 5 or 0
6: The number is divisable by 2 and 3
7: Double the last digit and subtract it from the rest. If the result is divisable by 7, the original number also
is. E.g. 483 => 48-(3*2) = 42, divisable by 7
8: The last three digits is divisable by 8
9: The sum of digits is 9
10: The last digit is 0
11: Subtract the sum of “even” digits from the sum of “odd” digits – if divisable by 11 (incl 0), the original
number is divisable by 11: E.g. 7084 => (7+8)-(0+4)=11. 7084 is divisable by 11.

I always liked the trick to determine if an integer is divisible by 3 – just add up all the digits in the
number, and it those digits are divisible by 3, the original number is divisible by 3. 114 = 1+1+4 = 6 – 114
is divisible by 3.
Reply
Check out MathMojo.com for other tricks and tips. There is a link to a good, interactive lesson on
multplication by 11 and 12 for huge numbers on the homepage.
Reply
I have always figured out how much a certain percent is by using either 1% or 10%, then easy basic math.
Example:

4% of 430 = ?
1% of 430 = 4.3
4.3 x 4 = 17.2
or
(4×4)+(.3×4)=16+1.2=17.2
15% of 58 = ?

10% of 58 = 5.8
5% of 58 = 5.8/2 = 2.9
15% of 58 = 5.8 + 2.9 = 8.7

or 10% = 5.8 and 1% = .58

.58 x 5 = (.60 x 5) – .1 = 2.9

Rounding works great for tips at restaurants

15% of $58 = ?
15% of $60 = 10%($6) + 5%($3) = $9

And if you round but still want the exact amount, subtract the percent you’re trying to find from the
additional amount you rounded. (Works easier for large numbers, but the concept is the same.)

60 – 58 = 2
15% of 2 = .3
9 – .3 = 8.7

Decimal places are moved easily in my mind, so maybe this trick only works for me?

Multiply Up to 20X20 In Your Head

In just FIVE minutes you should learn to quickly multiply up to 20x20 in your head.   With this trick, you
will be able to multiply any two numbers from 11 to 19 in your head quickly, without the use of a
calculator.

I will assume that you know your multiplication table reasonably well up to 10x10.

Try this:

 Take 15 x 13 for an example.

 Always place the larger number of the two on top in your mind.
 Then draw the shape of Africa mentally so it covers the 15 and the 3 from the
13 below. Those covered numbers are all you need.
 First add 15 + 3 = 18
 Add a zero behind it (multiply by 10) to get 180.
 Multiply the covered lower 3 x the single digit above it the "5" (3x5= 15)
 Add 180 + 15 = 195.

That is It! Wasn't that easy? Practice it on paper first!

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 Want to Learn More?
The one book I recommend

May be out of print

"Super Math-E-Magics"
by V.A. Stephen Lenaghan

It may be available from Amazon.com or one of the other online sellers of used
books

The 11 Rule
You likely all know the 10 rule (to multiply by 10, just add a 0 behind the number) but do you know
the 11 rule? It is as easy! You should be able to do this one in you head for any two digit number.
Practice it on paper first!

To multiply any two digit number by 11:

 For this example we will use 54.

 Separate the two digits in you mind (5__4).
 Notice the hole between them!
 Add the 5 and the 4 together (5+4=9)
 Put the resulting 9 in the hole 594. That's it! 11 x 54=594

The only thing tricky to remember is that if the result of the addition is greater
than 9, you only put the "ones" digit in the hole and carry the "tens" digit from
the addition. For example 11 x 57 ... 5__7 ... 5+7=12 ... put the 2 in the hole and
add the 1 from the 12 to the 5 in to get 6 for a result of 627 ... 11 x 57 = 627
Practice it on paper first!
Finger Math: 9X Rule

To multiply by 9,try this:

(1) Spread your two hands out and place them on a desk or table in front of you.
(2) To multiply by 3, fold down the 3rd finger from the left. To multiply by 4, it would be the 4th finger
and so on.
(3) the answer is 27 ... READ it from the two fingers on the left of the folded down finger and the 7
fingers on the right of it.

This works for anything up to 9x10!

Square a 2 Digit Number Ending in 5

For this example we will use 25

 Take the "tens" part of the number (the 2 and add 1)=3
 Multiply the original "tens" part of the number by the new number (2x3)
 Take the result (2x3=6) and put 25 behind it. Result the answer 625.

Try a few more 75 squared ... = 7x8=56 ... put 25 behind it is 5625.
55 squared = 5x6=30 ... put 25 behind it ... is 3025. Another easy one! Practice it
on paper first!

Square 2 Digit Number: UP-DOWN Method

Square a 2 Digit Number, for this example 37:

 Look for the nearest 10 boundary

 In this case up 3 from 37 to 40.
  Since you went UP 3 to 40 go DOWN 3 from 37 to 34.
 Now mentally multiply 34x40
 The way I do it is 34x10=340;
 Double it mentally to 680
 Double it again mentally to 1360
 This 1360 is the FIRST interim answer.
 37 is "3" away from the 10 boundary 40.
 Square this "3" distance from 10 boundary.
 3x3=9 which is the SECOND interim answer.
 Add the two interim answers to get the final answer.
 Answer: 1360 + 9 = 1369

Multiply By 4

To quickly multiply by four, double the number and then double it again.  
Often this can be done in your head.

Multiply By 5
To quickly multiply by 5, divide the number in two and then multiply it by 10.  Often this can be done
quickly in your head.

The 11 Rule Expanded

You can directly write down the answer to any number multiplied by 11.

 Take for example the number 51236 X 11.

 First, write down the number with a zero in front of it.
 051236

The zero is necessary so that the rules are simpler.

 Draw a line under the number.

 Bear with me on this one. It is simple if you work through it slowly. To do
this, all you have to do this is "Add the neighbor". Look at the 6 in the
"units" position of the number. Since there is no number to the right of it,
you can't add to its "neighbor" so just write down 6 below the 6 in the units
col.
 For the "tens" place, add the 3 to the its "neighbor" (the 6). Write the
answer: 9 below the 3.
 For the "hundreds" place, add the 2 to the its "neighbor" (the 3). Write the
answer: 5 below the 2.
 For the "thousands" place, add the 1 to the its "neighbor" (the 2). Write the
answer: 3 below the 1.
 For the "ten-thousands" place, add the 5 to the its "neighbor" (the 1). Write
the answer: 6 below the 5.
 For the "hundred-thousands" place, add the 0 to the its "neighbor" (the 5).
Write the answer: 5 below the 0.
That's it ... 11 X 051236 = 563596
 n MBA entrance exam paper, If you are not using some Trick and TIPS for
solving question then you never crack this exam. So i give some trick for
solving math and number system in exam.
 To find out if a number is divisible by seven:
 Take the last digit, double it, and subtract it from the rest of
thenumber.
 If the answer is more than a 2 digit number perform the above again.
 If the result is 0 or is divisible by 7 the original number is also
 divisible by 7.
 Example 1 )   259
 9*2= 18.
 25-18 = 7 which is divisible by 7 so 259 is also divisible by 7.
 Example 2 ) 2793
 3*2= 6
 279-6= 273
 now 3*2=6
 27-6= 21 which is divisible by 7 so 2793 is also divisible by 7 .
 Now find out if  following are divisible by 7
 1) 2841
 2) 3873
 3) 1393
 4) 2877
 TO FIND SQUARE OF A  NUMBER BETWEEN 40 to 50
 Sq (44) .
 1) Subtract the number from 50 getting result A.
 2) Square A  getting result X.
 3) Subtract A from 25 getting result Y
 4) Answer is xy
 EXAMPLE 1 : 44
 50-44=6
 Sq of 6 =36
 25-6 = 19
 So answer 1936
 EXAMPLE 2 : 47
 50-47=3
 Sq 0f 3 = 09
 25-3= 22
 So answer = 2209
 NOW TRY To Find Sq of 48 ,26 and 49
 TO FIND SQUARE OF A 3 DIGIT NUMBER :
 LET THE NUMBER BE XYZ
 SQ (XYZ) is calculated like this
 STEP 1. Last digit =  last digit of SQ(Z)
 STEP 2. Second Last Digit = 2*Y*Z + any carryover from STEP 1.
 STEP 3. Third Last Digit 2*X*Z+ Sq(Y) + any carryover from STEP
 2.
 STEP 4. Fourth last digit is 2*X*Y + any carryover from STEP 3.
 STEP 5 . In the beginning of result will be Sq(X) + any carryover
 from Step 4.
 EXAMPLE :
 SQ (431)
 STEP 1. Last digit =  last digit of SQ(1) =1
 STEP 2. Second Last Digit = 2*3*1 + any carryover from STEP
 1.= 6
 STEP 3. Third Last Digit 2*4*1+ Sq(3) + any carryover from STEP
 2.= 2*4*1 +9= 17. so 7 and 1 carryover
 STEP 4. Fourth last digit is 2*4*3 + any carryover  (which is 1) . =
 24+1=25. So 5 and carry over 2.
 STEP 5 . In the beginning of result will be Sq(4) + any carryover
 from Step 4. So 16+2 =18.
 So the result will be  185761.
 If the option provided to you are such that the last two digits are
 different, then you need to carry out first two steps only , thus
 saving time. You may save up to 30 seconds on each
 calculations and if there are 4 such questions you save 2
 minutes which may really affect UR Percentile score.
 PYTHAGORAS THEROEM  :
 In any given exam there are about 2 to 3 questions based on pythagoras
theorem.  Wouldn’t it be nice that you remember some of the pythagoras
triplets thus saving up to 30 seconds in each question. This saved time
may be used to attempt other questions. Remember one more right question
may make a lot of difference in UR PERCENTILE score.
 The unique set of pythagoras triplets with the Hypotenuse less than 100
or one of the side less than 20  are as follows :
 (3,4,5), (5, 12, 13), (8, 15, 17), (7, 24, 25), (20, 21, 29), (12, 35,
37), (9, 40, 41), (28, 45, 53), (11, 60, 61), (33, 56, 65), (16, 63,
65), (48, 55, 73), (36, 77, 85), (13, 84, 85), (39, 80, 89), and (65,
72, 97).
 (15,112,113),   (17,144,145),   (19,180,181),   (20,99,101)
 If you multiply the digits of the above mentioned sets by any constant
you will again get a pythagoras triplet .
 Example : Take the set (3,4,5).
 Multiply it by 2 you get (6,8,10) which is also a pythagoras triplet.
 Multiply it by 3 you get ( 9,12,15) which is also a pythagoras triplet.
 Multiply it by 4 you get (12,16,20) which is also a pythagoras triplet.
 You may multiply by any constant you will get a pythagoras triplet
 Take another example (5,12,13)
 Multiply it by 5,6 and 7 and check if you get a pythagoras triplet.
 TIPS FOR SMART GUESSING :
 You will notice that in any case, whether it is a unique triplet or it
is a derived triplet (derived by multiplying a constant to a unique
triplet), all the three numbers cannot be odd. 
 In case of unique triplet , the hypotenuse is always odd and one of the
remaining side is odd the other one is even.
 Below are the first few unique triplets with first number as Odd.
 3    4    5
 5    12   13
 7    24   25
 9    40   41
 11   60   61
 You will notice following trend for unique triplets with first side as
odd.
 Hypotenuse = (Sq(first side) +1) / 2
 Other side = Hypotenuse -1
 Example : First side = 3 ,
 so hypotenuse = (3*3+1)/2= 5 and other side = 5-1=4
 Example 2: First side = 11
 so hypotenuse = (9*9+1)/2= 41 and other side = 41-1=40
 Please note that the above is not true for a derived  triplet for
example 9,12 and 15, which has been obtained from multiplying 3 to the
triplet of 3,4,5.  You may check for other derived triplets.
 Below are the first few unique triplets with first number as Even .
 4    3    5
 8    15   17
 12   35   37
 16   63   65
 20   99   101
 You will notice following trend for unique triplets with first side as
Even.
 Hypotenuse = Sq( first side/ 2)+1
 Other side = Hypotenuse-2
 Example 1. First side =8
 So hypotenuse = sq(8/2) +1= 17
 Other side = 17-2=15
 Example 2. First side = 16
 So hypotenuse = Sq(16/2) +1 =65
 Other side = 65-2= 63
 PROFIT AND LOSS :  In every exam there are from one to three
 questions on profit and loss,  stating that the cost was first
 increased by certain % and then decreased by certain %. How
 nice it would be if there was an easy way to calculate the final
 change in % of the cost with just one formula. It would really help
 you in saving time and improving UR Percentile.  Here is the
 formula for the same  :
 <h
4></h
 Suppose the price is first increase by X%  and then decreased
 by Y% , the final change % in the price is given by the following
 formula
 Final Difference % = X- Y - XY/100.
 EXAMPLE 1. : The price of T.V set is increased by 40 % of the
 cost price and then decreased by 25% of the new price .  On
 selling, the profit for the dealer was Rs.1,000 . At what price was
 the T.V sold.
 From the above mentioned formula you get :
 Final difference % = 40-25-(40*25/100)= 5 %.
 So if 5 % = 1,000
 then 100 % = 20,000.
 C.P = 20,000
 S.P = 20,000+ 1000= 21,000.
 EXAMPLE 2 : The price of T.V set is increased by 25 % of cost
 price and then decreased by 40% of the new price .  On selling,
 the loss for the dealer was Rs.5,000 . At what price was the T.V
 sold.
 From the above mentioned formula you get :
 Final difference % = 25-40-(25*45/100)=  -25 %.
 So if 25 % = 5,000
 then 100 % = 20,000.
 C.P = 20,000
 S.P = 20,000 - 5,000= 15,000.
 Now find out the difference in % of  a product which was  :
 First increased by 20 % and then decreased by 10 %.
 First Increased by 25 % and then decrease by  20 %.
 First Increased by 20 % and then decrease by  25 %.
 First Increased by 10 % and then decrease by  10 %.
 First Increased by 20 % and then decrease by  15 %.
 TIPS TO IMPROVE UR PERCENTILE :
 HOW ABOUT SOLVING THE FOLLOWING QUESTION IN JUST
 10 SECONDS
 Ajay can finish work in 21 days and Blake in 42 days. If Ajay,
 Blake and Chandana work together they finish the work in 12
 days.  In how many days Blake and Chandana can finish the
 work together ?
 (21*12 )/(24-12) =  (21*12)/9= 7*4= 28 days.
 NOW CAREFULLY READ THE FOLLOWING TO SOLVE THE
 TIME AND WORK PROBLEMS IN FEW SECONDS.
 TIME AND WORK :
 1.   If A can finish work in X time  and B can finish work in Y time
 then both together can finish work in (X*Y)/ (X+Y) time.
 2.   If A can finish work in X time and A and B together can finish
 work in S time then B can finish work in (XS)/(X-S) time.
 3.   If A can finish work in X time and B in Y time and C in Z time
 then they all working together will finish the work in
 (XYZ)/ (XY +YZ +XZ) time
 4.    If A can finish work in X time and B in Y time and A,B and C
 together in S time then :
 C can finish work alone in (XYS)/ (XY-SX-SY)
 B+C can finish in (SX)/(X-S)
 and A+ C can finish in (SY)/(Y-S)
 Here is another shortcut to improve URPERCENTILE.
 TYPE 1 :  Price of a commodity is increased by 60 %. By how
 much % should the consumption be reduced so that the
 expense remain the same.
 TYPE 2 :  Price of a commodity is decreased by 60 %. By how
  much % can  the consumption be increased so that the expense
 remain the same.
 Solution : 
 TYPE1 :   (100* 60 ) / (100+60) = 37.5 %
 TYPE 2 :   (100* 60 ) / (100-60) = 150  %
 Now do the following questions for UR Practice:
 http://groups.yahoo.com/group/urpercentile/
 Q1. Price of a commodity is increased by 10 %. By how much %
 should the consumption be reduced so that the expense remain
 the same.
 Q2.  Price of a commodity is decreased by 10 %. By how much %
 can  the consumption be increased so that the expense remain
 the same.
 Q3. Price of a commodity is increased by 15 %. By how much %
 should the consumption be reduced so that the expense remain
 the same.
 Q4.  Price of a commodity is decreased by 15 %. By how much %
 can  the consumption be increased so that the expense remain
 the same.
 Q5. Price of a commodity is increased by 25 %. By how much %
 should the consumption be reduced so that the expense remain
 the same.
 Q6.  Price of a commodity is decreased by 25 %. By how much %
 can  the consumption be increased so that the expense remain
 the same.
 Q7. Price of a commodity is increased by 50%. By how much %
 should the consumption be reduced so that the expense remain
 the same.
 Q8.  Price of a commodity is decreased by 50 %. By how much %
 can  the consumption be increased so that the expense remain
 the same.
 Q9. Price of a commodity is increased by 20 %. By how much %
 should the consumption be reduced so that the expense remain
 the same.
 Q10.   Price of a commodity is decreased by 20 %. By how much
 % can  the consumption be increased so that the expense
 remain the same.
Speed and accuracy are of utmost importance in the ultra competitive examination of CAT, especially in the
Quantitative Section (Math). The only way of achieving this is by extensive practice and using various tricks,
shortcuts and surefire ready-to-work formulas. Hence, it is of utmost importance for any CAT aspirant that he
musters all of the below-mentioned formulas if he or she aspires of achieving the top rank at CAT or any other
management test viz. XAT/ATMA/MAT etc.
Below is the first part of our new series of articles to be published on this website subsequently wherein we
will bring out the most useful and comprehensive formula list plus various important tricks and shortcuts in the
Quantitative Ability section with the help of easy-to follow examples.

1. To find the number of factors of a given number, express the number as a product of powers of prime
numbers.
In this case, 48 can be written as 16 * 3 = (2^4 * 3)
Now, increment the power of each of the prime numbers by 1 and multiply the result.
In this case it will be (4 + 1)*(1 + 1) = 5 * 2 = 10 (the power of 2 is 4 and the power of 3 is 1)
Therefore, there will 10 factors including 1 and 48. Excluding, these two numbers, you will have 10 – 2 = 8
factors.

2. The sum of first n natural numbers = n (n+1)/2

The sum of squares of first n natural numbers is n (n+1)(2n+1)/6
The sum of first n even numbers= n (n+1).
The sum of first n odd numbers= n^2

3. To find the squares of numbers near numbers of which squares are known
To find 41^2, Add 40+41 to 1600 = 1681
To find 59^2, Subtract 60^2-(60+59) = 3481

4. If an equation (i: e f(x) =0) contains all positive co-efficient of any powers of x , it has no positive roots
then.
e.g.: x^4+3x^2+2x+6=0 has no positive roots.

5. For an equation f(x)=0 , the maximum number of positive roots it can have is the number of sign changes in
f(x) ; and the maximum number of negative roots it can have is the number of sign changes in f(-x) .
Hence the remaining is the minimum number of imaginary roots of the equation (Since we also know that the
index of the maximum power of x is the number of roots of an equation.)

6. For a cubic equation ax^3+bx^2+cx+d=o

sum of the roots = - b/a
sum of the product of the roots taken two at a time = c/a
product of the roots = -d/a

7. For a bi-quadratic equation ax^4+bx^3+cx^2+dx+e = 0

sum of the roots = - b/a
sum of the product of the roots taken three at a time = c/a
sum of the product of the roots taken two at a time = -d/a
product of the roots = e/a

8. If for two numbers x+y=k (=constant), then their PRODUCT is MAXIMUM if

x=y (=k/2). The maximum product is then (k^2)/4

9. If for two numbers x*y=k (=constant), then their SUM is MINIMUM if

x=y (=root (k)). The minimum sum is then 2*root (k).

10. Product of any two numbers = Product of their HCF and LCM.
Hence product of two numbers = LCM of the numbers if they are prime to each other.

11. For any regular polygon , the sum of the exterior angles is equal to 360 degrees
Hence measure of any external angle is equal to 360/n. (where n is the number of sides)
For any regular polygon, the sum of interior angles =(n-2)180 degrees
So measure of one angle in
Square =90
Pentagon =108
Hexagon =120
Heptagon =128.5
Octagon =135
Nonagon =140
Decagon = 144

12. If any parallelogram can be inscribed in a circle, it must be a rectangle.

13. If a trapezium can be inscribed in a circle it must be an isosceles trapezium (i:e oblique sides equal).

14. For an isosceles trapezium, sum of a pair of opposite sides is equal in length to the sum of the other pair of
opposite sides. (i:e AB+CD = AD+BC , taken in order) .

15. Area of a regular hexagon : root(3)*3/2*(side)*(side)

16. For any 2 numbers a>b

a>AM>GM>HM>b (where AM, GM ,HM stand for arithmetic, geometric , harmonic menasa respectively)
(GM)^2 = AM * HM

17. For three positive numbers a, b ,c

(a+b+c) * (1/a+1/b+1/c)>=9

18. For any positive integer n

2<= (1+1/n)^n <=3 19. a^2+b^2+c^2 >= ab+bc+ca
If a=b=c , then the equality holds in the above.
a^4+b^4+c^4+d^4 >=4abcd

20. (n!)^2 > n^n (! for factorial)

21. If a+b+c+d=constant, then the product a^p * b^q * c^r * d^s will be maximum
if a/p = b/q = c/r = d/s .

22. Consider the two equations

a1x+b1y=c1
a2x+b2y=c2

Then ,
If a1/a2 = b1/b2 = c1/c2 , then we have infinite solutions for these equations.
 If a1/a2 = b1/b2 <> c1/c2 , then we have no solution for these equations.(<> means not equal to )
If a1/a2 <> b1/b2 , then we have a unique solutions for these equations..

23. For any quadrilateral whose diagonals intersect at right angles , the area of the quadrilateral is
0.5*d1*d2, where d1,d2 are the lengths of the diagonals.

24. Problems on clocks can be tackled as assuming two runners going round a circle , one 12 times as fast as
the other . That is ,
the minute hand describes 6 degrees /minute
the hour hand describes 1/2 degrees /minute .
Thus the minute hand describes 5(1/2) degrees more than the hour hand per minute .

25. The hour and the minute hand meet each other after every 65(5/11) minutes after being together at
midnight.
(This can be derived from this article is the second one in our series of "Maths Tricks and Shortcuts for CAT
and GMAT". The first article on Maths Tricks is posted here. This article features 38 of the most important
ready made formula or tricks which come in handy while answering objective questions on Quantitative
Ability (maths) in management entrance tests such as CAT, GMAT etc. Remembering them would help the
aspiring candidates a lot in solving more questions in the QA section accurately in a shorter span of time.

1. If n is even , n(n+1)(n+2) is divisible by 24 

If n is any integer , n^2 + 4 is not divisible by 4 
2. Given the coordinates (a,b) (c,d) (e,f) (g,h) of a parallelogram , the coordinates of the meeting point of
the diagonals can be found out by solving for 
[(a+e)/2,(b+f)/2] =[ (c+g)/2 , (d+h)/2] 
3. Area of a triangle 
1/2*base*altitude = 1/2*a*b*sinC = 1/2*b*c*sinA = 1/2*c*a*sinB = root(s*(s-a)*(s-b)*(s-c)) where
s=a+b+c/2 
=a*b*c/(4*R) where R is the CIRCUMRADIUS of the triangle = r*s ,where r is the inradius of the triangle . 
In any triangle 
a=b*CosC + c*CosB 
b=c*CosA + a*CosC 
c=a*CosB + b*CosA
4. If a1/b1 = a2/b2 = a3/b3 = .............. , then each ratio is equal to 
(k1*a1+ k2*a2+k3*a3+..............) / (k1*b1+ k2*b2+k3*b3+..............) , which is also equal to 
(a1+a2+a3+............./b1+b2+b3+..........) 
5. (7)In any triangle 
a/SinA = b/SinB =c/SinC=2R , where R is the circumradius
6. x^n -a^n = (x-a)(x^(n-1) + x^(n-2) + .......+ a^(n-1) ) ......Very useful for finding multiples .For
example (17-14=3 will be a multiple of 17^3 - 14^3) 
7. e^x = 1 + (x)/1! + (x^2)/2! + (x^3)/3! + ........to infinity 
2 < e < 3 
8. log(1+x) = x - (x^2)/2 + (x^3)/3 - (x^4)/4 .........to infinity [ Note the alternating sign . .Also note that
the logarithm is with respect to base e ] 
9. In a GP the product of any two terms equidistant from a term is always constant. 
10. For a cyclic quadrilateral , area = root( (s-a) * (s-b) * (s-c) * (s-d) ) , where s=(a+b+c+d)/2 
11. For a cyclic quadrilateral, the measure of an external angle is equal to the measure of the internal
opposite angle.
(m+n)! is divisible by m! * n! .
12. If a quadrilateral circumscribes a circle , the sum of a pair of opposite sides is equal to the
sum of the other pair . 

13. The sum of an infinite GP = a/(1-r) , where a and r are resp. the first term and common ratio
of the GP . 

The equation whose roots are the reciprocal of the roots of the equation ax^2+bx+c is cx^2+bx+a 

14. The coordinates of the centroid of a triangle with vertices (a,b) (c,d) (e,f) 
is((a+c+e)/3 , (b+d+f)/3) . 

15. The ratio of the radii of the circumcircle and incircle of an equilateral triangle is 2:1 .

16. Area of a parallelogram = base * height 

17. APPOLLONIUS THEOREM: 

In a triangle , if AD be the median to the side BC , then 

AB^2 + AC^2 = 2(AD^2 + BD^2) or 2(AD^2 + DC^2) .

18. For similar cones, ratio of radii = ratio of their bases. 

The HCF and LCM of two nos. are equal when they are equal. 

19. Volume of a pyramid = 1/3 * base area * height 

20. In an isosceles triangle , the perpendicular from the vertex to the base or the angular bisector
from vertex to base bisects the base. 

21. In any triangle the angular bisector of an angle bisects the base in the ratio of the 
other two sides. 

22. The quadrilateral formed by joining the angular bisectors of another quadrilateral is 
always a rectangle. 

23. Roots of x^2+x+1=0 are 1,w,w^2 where 1+w+w^2=0 and w^3=1 

24. |a|+|b| = |a+b| if a*b>=0 

else |a|+|b| >= |a+b| 

25. 2<= (1+1/n)^n <=3 

26. WINE and WATER formula: 

If Q be the volume of a vessel 

q qty of a mixture of water and wine be removed each time from a mixture 
n be the number of times this operation be done 
 and A be the final qty of wine in the mixture 
then , 
A/Q = (1-q/Q)^n 

27. Area of a hexagon = root(3) * 3 * (side)^2 

28. (1+x)^n ~ (1+nx) if x<<<1 
29. Some Pythagorean triplets: 

3,4,5 (3^2=4+5) 
5,12,13 (5^2=12+13) 
7,24,25 (7^2=24+25) 
8,15,17 (8^2 / 2 = 15+17 ) 
9,40,41 (9^2=40+41) 
11,60,61 (11^2=60+61) 
12,35,37 (12^2 / 2 = 35+37) 
16,63,65 (16^2 /2 = 63+65) 
20,21,29(EXCEPTION) 

30. Apollonius theorem could be applied to the 4 triangles formed in a parallelogram. 

31. Area of a trapezium = 1/2 * (sum of parallel sides) * height = median * height 
where median is the line joining the midpoints of the oblique sides. 
32. When a three digit number is reversed and the difference of these two numbers is taken , the
middle number is always 9 and the sum of the other two numbers is always 9 . 
33. Any function of the type y=f(x)=(ax-b)/(bx-a) is always of the form x=f(y) . 
34. Let W be any point inside a rectangle ABCD . 
Then 
WD^2 + WB^2 = WC^2 + WA^2 

Let a be the side of an equilateral triangle. Then if three circles be drawn inside 
this triangle touching each other then each has a radius = a/(2*(root(3)+1)) 

35. Let 'x' be certain base in which the representation of a number is 'abcd' , then the decimal
value of this number is a*x^3 + b*x^2 + c*x + d

36. When you multiply each side of the inequality by -1, you have to reverse the direction of the
inequality.
37. To find the squares of numbers from 50 to 59
For 5X^2 , use the formulae
(5X)^2 = 5^2 +X / X^2
E.g. (55^2) = 25+5 /25
=3025
(56)^2 = 25+6/36
=3136
(59)^2 = 25+9/81
=3481
38. a+b+(ab/100) 
This is used for successive discounts types of sums. 
Like in 1999 population increases by 10% and then in 2000 by 5% 
So the population in 2000 now is 10+5+(50/100)=+15.5% more that was in 1999 
and if there is a decrease then it will be preceded by a negetive sign and likewise.
he above).

COMMON ADMISSION TEST – MBA ENTRANCE

Quantitative Ability – POINTS TO REMEMBER
1. If an equation (i.e. f(x) = 0) contains all positive co-efficients of any powers of x, it has
no positive roots.
Eg: x3+3x2+2x+6=0 has no positive roots
2. For an equation, if all the even powers of x have same sign coefficients and all the odd
powers of x have the opposite sign coefficients, then it has no negative roots.
3. For an equation f(x)=0 , the maximum number of positive roots it can have is the number
of sign changes in f(x) ; and the maximum number of negative roots it can have is the number of
sign changes in f(-x)
4. Complex roots occur in pairs, hence if one of the roots of an equation is 2+3i, another has
to be 2-3i and if there are three possible roots of the equation, we can conclude that the last root
is real. This real root could be found out by finding the sum of the roots of the equation and
subtracting (2+3i)+(2-3i)=4 from that sum.
5.
 For a cubic equation ax3+bx2+cx+d=o
 Sum of the roots = - b/a
 Sum of the product of the roots taken two at a time = c/a
 Product of the roots = -d/a
 For a bi-quadratic equation ax4+bx3+cx2+dx+e = 0
 Sum of the roots = - b/a
 Sum of the product of the roots taken three at a time = c/a
 Sum of the product of the roots taken two at a time = -d/a
 Product of the roots = e/a
6. If an equation f(x)= 0 has only odd powers of x and all these have the same sign
coefficients or if f(x) = 0 has only odd powers of x and all these have the same sign coefficients,
then the equation has no real roots in each case (except for x=0 in the second case)
7. Consider the two equations
a1x+b1y=c1
a2x+b2y=c2
Then,
 If a1/a2 = b1/b2 = c1/c2, then we have infinite solutions for these equations.
 If a1/a2 = b1/b2 <> c1/c2, then we have no solution.
 If a1/a2 <> b1/b2, then we have a unique solution.
8. Roots of x2 + x + 1=0 are 1, w, w2 where 1 + w + w2=0 and w3=1
9. |a| + |b| = |a + b| if a*b>=0
else, |a| + |b| >= |a + b|
10. The equation ax2+bx+c=0 will have max. value when a<0>0. The max. or min. value is
given by (4ac-b2)/4a and will occur at x = -b/2a
11.
 If for two numbers x + y=k (a constant), then their PRODUCT is MAXIMUM if x=y
(=k/2). The maximum product is then (k2)/4.
 If for two numbers x*y=k (a constant), then their SUM is MINIMUM if 
x=y (=root(k)). The minimum sum is then 2*root (k).
12. Product of any two numbers = Product of their HCF and LCM. Hence product of two
numbers = LCM of the numbers if they are prime to each other.
13. For any 2 numbers a, b where a>b
 a>AM>GM>HM>b (where AM, GM ,HM stand for arithmetic, geometric , harmonic
means respectively)
 (GM)^2 = AM * HM
14. For three positive numbers a, b, c
 (a + b + c) * (1/a + 1/b + 1/c)>=9
15. For any positive integer n
 2<= (1 + 1/n)^n <=3
16. a2 + b2 + c2 >= ab + bc + ca
If a=b=c, then the case of equality holds good.
17. a4 + b4 + c4 + d4 >= 4abcd (Equality arises when a=b=c=d=1)
18. (n!)2 > nn
19. If a + b + c + d=constant, then the product a^p * b^q * c^r * d^s will be maximum if a/p
= b/q = c/r = d/s
20. If n is even, n(n+1)(n+2) is divisible by 24
21. x^n -a^n = (x-a)(x^(n-1) + x^(n-2) + .......+ a^(n-1) ) ......Very useful for finding
multiples. For example (17-14=3 will be a multiple of 17^3 - 14^3)
22. e^x = 1 + (x)/1! + (x^2)/2! + (x^3)/3! + ........to infinity
Note: 2 <>
23. log(1+x) = x - (x^2)/2 + (x^3)/3 - (x^4)/4 .........to infinity [Note the alternating sign .
.Also note that the logarithm is with respect to base e]
24. (m + n)! is divisible by m! * n!
25. When a three digit number is reversed and the difference of these two numbers is taken,
the middle number is always 9 and the sum of the other two numbers is always 9.
26. Any function of the type y=f(x)=(ax-b)/(bx-a) is always of the form x=f(y)
27. To Find Square of a 3-Digit Number
Let the number be XYZ
Step Operation to be Performed
No.
1 Last digit = Last digit of Sq(Z)
2 Second last digit = 2*Y*Z + any carryover from STEP 1
3 Third last digit 2*X*Z+ Sq(Y) + any carryover from STEP 2
4 Fourth last digit is 2*X*Y + any carryover from STEP 3
 5 Beginning of result will be Sq(X) + any carryover from Step 4
Eg) Let us find the square of 431
Step Operation to be Performed
No.
1 Last digit = Last digit of Sq(1) = 1
2 Second last digit = 2*3*1 + any carryover from STEP 1=6+0=6
3 Third last digit 2*4*1+ Sq(3) + any carryover from STEP 2 = 8+9+0 =
17 i.e. 7 with carry over of 1
4 Fourth last digit is 2*4*3 + any carryover from STEP 3 = 24+1 = 25 i.e.
5 with carry over of 2
5 Beginning of result will be Sq(4) + any carryover from Step 4 = 16+2 =
18
THUS SQ(431) = 185761
If the answer choices provided are such that the last two digits are different, then, we
need to carry out only the first two steps only.
28.
 The sum of first n natural numbers = n(n+1)/2
 The sum of squares of first n natural numbers is n(n+1)(2n+1)/6
 The sum of cubes of first n natural numbers is (n(n+1)/2)2/4
 The sum of first n even numbers= n (n+1)
 The sum of first n odd numbers= n2
29. If a number ‘N’ is represented as a^x * b^y * c^z… where {a, b, c, …} are prime
numbers, then
 the total number of factors is (x+1)(y+1)(z+1) ....
 the total number of relatively prime numbers less than the number is 
N * (1-1/a) * (1-1/b) * (1-1/c)....
 the sum of relatively prime numbers less than the number is 
N/2 * N * (1-1/a) * (1-1/b) * (1-1/c)....
 the sum of factors of the number is {a^(x+1)} * {b^(y+1)} * ...../(x * y *...)
30.
 Total no. of prime numbers between 1 and 50 is 15
 Total no. of prime numbers between 51 and 100 is 10
 Total no. of prime numbers between 101 and 200 is 21
31.
 The number of squares in n*m board is given by m*(m+1)*(3n-m+1)/6
 The number of rectangles in n*m board is given by n+1C2 * m+1C2
32. If ‘r’ is a rational no. lying between 0 and 1, then, r^r can never be rational.
33. Certain nos. to be remembered
 210 = 45 = 322 = 1024
 38 = 94 = 812 = 6561
 7 * 11 * 13 = 1001
 11 * 13 * 17 = 2431
 13 * 17 * 19 = 4199
 19 * 21 * 23 = 9177
  19 * 23 * 29 = 12673
34. Where the digits of a no. are added and the resultant figure is 1 or 4 or 7 or 9, then, the
no. could be a perfect square.
35. If a no. ‘N’ has got k factors and a^l is one of the factors such that l>=k/2, then, a is the
only prime factor for that no.
36. To find out the sum of 3-digit nos. formed with a set of given digits
This is given by (sum of digits) * (no. of digits-1)! * 1111…1 (i.e. based on the no. of
digits)
Eg) Find the sum of all 3-digit nos. formed using the digits 2, 3, 5, 7 & 8.
Sum = (2+3+5+7+8) * (5-1)! * 11111 (since 5 digits are there)
= 25 * 24 * 11111
=6666600
37. Consider the equation x^n + y^n = z^n
As per Fermat’s Last Theorem, the above equation will not have any solution whenever
n>=3.
38. Further as per Fermat, where ‘p’ is a prime no. and ‘N’ is co-prime to p, then, 
N^(p-1) – 1 is always divisible by p.
39. 145 is the 3-digit no. expressed as sum of factorials of the individual digits i.e.
145 = 1! + 4! + 5!
40.
 Where a no. is of the form a^n – b^n, then,
 The no. is always divisible by a - b
 Further, the no. is divisible by a + b when n is even and not divisible by
a + b when n is odd
 Where a no. is of the form a^n + b^n, then,
 The no. is usually not divisible by a - b
 However, the no. is divisible by a + b when n is odd and not divisible by 
a + b when n is even
41. The relationship between base 10 and base ‘e’ in log is given by 
log10N = 0.434 logeN
42. WINE and WATER formula
Let Q - volume of a vessel, q - qty of a mixture of water and wine be removed each time
from a mixture, n - number of times this operation is done and A - final qty of wine in the
mixture, then,
A/Q = (1-q / Q)^n
43. Pascal’s Triangle for computing Compound Interest (CI)
The traditional formula for computing CI is
CI = P*(1+R/100)^N – P
Using Pascal’s Triangle,
Number of Years (N)
-------------------
1 1
2 1 2 1
3 1 3 3 1
 4 1 4 6 4 1
… 1 .... .... ... ... ..1
Eg: P = 1000, R=10 %, and N=3 years. What is CI & Amount?
Step 1:
Amount after 3 years = 1 * 1000 + 3 * 100 + 3 * 10 + 1 * 1 = Rs.1331
The coefficients - 1,3,3,1 are lifted from the Pascal's triangle above.
Step 2:
CI after 3 years = 3*100 + 3*10 + 3*1 = Rs.331 (leaving out first term in step 1)
If N =2, we would have had,
Amt = 1 * 1000 + 2 * 100 + 1 * 10 = Rs.1210
CI = 2 * 100 + 1* 10 = Rs.210
44. Suppose the price of a product is first increased by X% and then decreased by Y% , then,
the final change % in the price is given by:
Final Difference% = X - Y - XY/100
Eg) The price of a T.V set is increased by 40 % of the cost price and then is decreased by
25% of the new price. On selling, the profit made by the dealer was Rs.1000. At what
price was the T.V sold?
Applying the formula,
Final difference% = 40 – 25 - (40*25/100) = 5 %.
So if 5 % = 1,000
Then, 100 % = 20,000.
Hence, C.P = 20,000
& S.P = 20,000+ 1000= 21,000
45. Where the cost price of 2 articles is same and the mark up % is same, then, marked price
and NOT cost price should be assumed as 100.
46.
 Where ‘P’ represents principal and ‘R’ represents the rate of interest, then, the
difference between 2 years’ simple interest and compound interest is given by P *
(R/100)2
 The difference between 3 years’ simple interest and compound interest is given by (P *
R2 *(300+R))/1003
47.
 If A can finish a work in X time and B can finish the same work in Y time then both of
them together can finish that work in (X*Y)/ (X+Y) time.
 If A can finish a work in X time and A & B together can finish the same work in S
time then B can finish that work in (XS)/(X-S) time.
 If A can finish a work in X time and B in Y time and C in Z time then all of them
working together will finish the work in (XYZ)/ (XY +YZ +XZ) time
 If A can finish a work in X time and B in Y time and A, B & C together in S time then
 C can finish that work alone in (XYS)/ (XY-SX-SY)
 B+C can finish in (SX)/(X-S); and
 A+C can finish in (SY)/(Y-S)
48. In case ‘n’ faced die is thrown k times, then, probability of getting atleast one more than
the previous throw = nC5/n5
49.
  When an unbiased coin is tossed odd no. (n) of times, then, the no. of heads can never
be equal to the no. of tails i.e. P (no. of heads=no. of tails) = 0
 When an unbiased coin is tossed even no. (2n) of times, then, 
P (no. of heads=no. of tails) = 1-(2nCn/22n)
50. Where there are ‘n’ items and ‘m’ out of such items should follow a pattern, then, the
probability is given by 1/m!
Eg)1. Suppose there are 10 girls dancing one after the other. What is the probability of A
dancing before B dancing before C?
Here n=10, m=3 (i.e. A, B, C)
Hence, P (A>B>C) = 1/3!
= 1/6
Eg)2. Consider the word ‘METHODS’. What is the probability that the letter ‘M’ comes
before ‘S’ when all the letters of the given word are used for forming words, with or
without meaning?
P (M>S) = 1/2!
= 1/2
51. CALENDAR
 Calendar repeats after every 400 years.
 Leap year- it is always divisible by 4, but century years are not leap years unless they
are divisible by 400.
 Century has 5 odd days and leap century has 6 odd days.
 In a normal year 1st January and 2nd July and 1st October fall on the same day. In a
leap year 1st January 1st July and 30th September fall on the same day.
 January 1, 1901 was a Tuesday.
52.
 For any regular polygon, the sum of the exterior angles is equal to 360 degrees, hence
measure of any external angle is equal to 360/n (where n is the number of sides)
 For any regular polygon, the sum of interior angles =(n-2)*180 degrees
So measure of one angle is (n-2)/n *180
 If any parallelogram can be inscribed in a circle, it must be a rectangle.
 If a trapezium can be inscribed in a circle it must be an isosceles trapezium (i.e. oblique
sides equal).
53. For an isosceles trapezium, sum of a pair of opposite sides is equal in length to the sum of
the other pair of opposite sides (i.e. AB+CD = AD+BC, taken in order)
54.
 For any quadrilateral whose diagonals intersect at right angles, the area of the
quadrilateral is
0.5*d1*d2, where d1, d2 are the length of the diagonals.
 For a cyclic quadrilateral, area = root((s-a) * (s-b) * (s-c) * (s-d)), where
s=(a + b + c + d)/2
Further, for a cyclic quadrilateral, the measure of an external angle is equal to the
measure of the interior opposite angle.
 Area of a Rhombus = Product of Diagonals/2
55. Given the coordinates (a, b); (c, d); (e, f); (g, h) of a parallelogram , the coordinates of the
meeting point of the diagonals can be found out by solving for
 [(a + e)/2, (b + f)/2] = [(c + g)/2, (d + h)/2]
56. Area of a triangle
 1/2*base*altitude
 1/2*a*b*sin C (or) 1/2*b*c*sin A (or) 1/2*c*a*sin B
 root(s*(s-a)*(s-b)*(s-c)) where s=(a+b+c)/2
 a*b*c/(4*R) where R is the circumradius of the triangle
 r*s ,where r is the inradius of the triangle
57. In any triangle
 a=b*cos C + c*cos B
 b=c*cos A + a*cos C
 c=a*cos B + b*cos A
 a/sin A=b/sin B=c/sin C=2R, where R is the circumradius
 cos C = (a^2 + b^2 - c^2)/2ab
 sin 2A = 2 sin A * cos A
 cos 2A = cos^2 (A) - sin^2 (A)
58. The ratio of the radii of the circumcircle and incircle of an equilateral triangle is 2:1
59. Appollonius Theorem
In a triangle ABC, if AD is the median to side BC, then
AB2 + AC2 = 2(AD2 + BD2) or 2(AD2 + DC2)
60.
 In an isosceles triangle, the perpendicular from the vertex to the base or the angular
bisector from vertex to base bisects the base.
 In any triangle the angular bisector of an angle bisects the base in the ratio of the other
two sides.
61. The quadrilateral formed by joining the angular bisectors of another quadrilateral is
always a rectangle.
62. Let W be any point inside a rectangle ABCD, then,
WD2 + WB2 = WC2 + WA2
63. Let a be the side of an equilateral triangle, then, if three circles are drawn inside this
triangle such that they touch each other, then each circle’s radius is given by a/(2*(root(3)+1))
64.
 Distance between a point (x1, y1) and a line represented by the equation 
ax + by + c=0 is given by |ax1+by1+c|/Sq(a2+b2)
 Distance between 2 points (x1, y1) and (x2, y2) is given by 
Sq((x1-x2)2+ (y1-y2)2)
65. Where a rectangle is inscribed in an isosceles right angled triangle, then, the length of the
rectangle is twice its breadth and the ratio of area of rectangle to area of triangle is 1:2.