NUMBER SYSTEM

1. Method to multiply 2-digit number.

(i) AB × CD = AC / AD + BC / BD
35 × 47 = 12 / 21 + 20 / 35 = 12 / 41 / 35 = 1645
(ii) AB × AC = A2 / A (B + C) / BC
74 × 76 = 72 / 7(4 + 6) / 4 × 6
= 49 / 70 / 24 = 49 / 70 / 24 = 5624
(iii) AB × CC = AC / (A + B)C / BC
= 35 × 44 = 3 × 4 / (3 + 5) × 4 / 5 × 4
= 12 / 32 / 20 = 12 / 32 / 20 = 1540
2. Method to multiply 3-digit no.
ABC × DEF = AD / AE + BD / AF + BE + CD / BF + CE / CF
456 × 234 = 4 × 2 / 4 × 3 + 5 × 2 / 4 × 4 + 5 × 3 + 6 × 2 / 5 × 4 + 6 × 3 / 6 × 4
= 8 / 12 + 10 / 16 + 15 + 12 / 20 + 18 / 24
= 8 / 22 /43 / 38 / 24 = 106704
3. If in a series all number contains repeating 7. To find their sum, we start from the left multiply 7 by 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6. Look at the
example below.
777777 + 77777 + 7777 + 777 + 77 + 7 = ?
=7×1/7×2/7×3/7×4/7×5/7×6
= 7 / 14 / 21 / 28 / 35 / 42 = 864192
4. 0.5555 + 0.555 + 0.55 + 0.5 = ?
To find the sum of those number in which one number is repeated after decimal, then first write the number in either increasing
or decreasing order. Then -find the sum by using the below method.
0.5555 + 0.555 + 0.55 + 0.5
=5×4/5×3/5×2/5×1
= 20 / 15 / 10 / 5 = 2.1605
5 Those numbers whose all digits are 3.
(33)2 = 1089 Those number. in which all digits are number is 3 two or more than 2 times repeated, to find the square of
these number, we repeat 1 and 8 by (n – 1) time. Where n ® Number of times 3 repeated.
(333)2 = 110889
(3333)2 = 11108889
6. Those number whose all digits are 9.
(99)2 = 9801
(999)2 = 998001
(9999)2 = 99980001
(99999)2 = 9999800001
7. Those number whose all digits are 1.
A number whose one’s, ten’s, hundred’s digit is 1 i.e., 11, 111, 1111, ....
In this we count number of digits. We write 1, 2, 3, ..... in their square the digit in the number, then write in decreasing order up to 1.
112 = 121
1112 = 12321
11112 = 1234321
S-2 101 Shortcuts in Quantitative Aptitude
8. Some properties of square and square root:
(i) Complete square of a no. is possible if its last digit is 0, 1, 4, 5, 6 & 9. If last digit of a no. is 2, 3, 7, 8 then complete square root
of this no. is not possible.
(ii) If last digit of a no. is 1, then last digit of its complete square root is either 1 or 9.
(iii) If last digit of a no. is 4, then last digit of its complete square root is either 2 or 8.
(iv) If last digit of a no. is 5 or 0, then last digit of its complete square root is either 5 or 0.
(v) If last digit of a no. is 6, then last digit of its complete square root is either 4 or 6.
(vi) If last digit of a no. is 9, then last digit of its complete square root is either 3 or 7.
9. Prime Number :
(i) Find the approx square root of given no. Divide the given no. by the prime no. less than approx square root of no. If given
no. is not divisible by any of these prime no. then the no. is prime otherwise not.
For example : To check 359 is a prime number or not.
Sol. Approx sq. root = 19
Prime no. < 19 are 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17
359 is not divisible by any of these prime nos. So 359 is a prime no.
For example: Is 25001 + 1 is prime or not?

25001 + 1
Þ Reminder = 0,
2 +1
\ 25001 + 1 is not prime.
(ii) There are 15 prime no. from 1 to 50.
(iii) There are 25 prime no. from 1 to 100.
(iv) There are 168 prime no. from 1 to 1000.
10. If a no. is in the form of xn + an, then it is divisible by (x + a); if n is odd.
11. If xn ¸ (x – 1), then remainder is always 1.
12. If xn ¸ (x + 1)
(i) If n is even, then remainder is 1.
(ii) If n is odd, then remainder is x.

4P + 1 + 1
13. (i) Value of P + P + P + ..........¥ =
2

4P + 1 - 1
(ii) Value of P - P - P - ..........¥ =
2

(iii) Value of P. P. P. ..........¥ = P

(iv) Value of P P P P P =P
( 2n -1)¸2n
[Where n ® no. of times P repeated].

Note: If factors of P are n & (n + 1) type then value of P + P + P + ....¥ = ( n + 1) and P - P - P - ....¥ = n.

14. Number of divisors :

(i) If N is any no. and N = an × bm × cp × .... where a, b, c are prime no.
No. of divisors of N = (n + 1) (m + 1) (p + 1) ....
e.g. Find the no. of divisors of 90000.
N = 90000 = 22 × 32 × 52 × 102 = 22 × 32 × 52 × (2 × 5)2 = 24 × 32 × 54
So, the no. of divisors = (4 + 1) (2 + 1) (4 + 1) = 75
(ii) N = an × bm × cp, where a, b, c are prime
Then set of co-prime factors of N = [(n + 1) (m + 1) (p + 1) – 1 + nm + mp + pn + 3mnp]

(iii) If N = an × bm × cp..., where a, b & c are prime no. Then sum of the divisors =
( a n +1 - 1)( bm +1 - 1)( cp +1 - 1)
( a - 1)( b - 1)( c - 1)
101 Shortcuts in Quantitative Aptitude S-3

15. To find the last digit or digit at the unit’s place of an.
(i) If the last digit or digit at the unit’s place of a is 1, 5 or 6, whatever be the value of n, it will have the same digit at unit’s place,
i.e.,

(.....1)n = (........1)
(.....5)n = (........5)
(.....6) n = (........6)

(ii) If the last digit or digit at the units place of a is 2, 3, 5, 7 or 8, then the last digit of a n depends upon the value of n and follows
a repeating pattern in terms of 4 as given below :
n last digit of (....2)n last digit of (....3)n last digit of (....7)n last digit of (....8)n
4x+1 2 3 7 8
4x+2 4 9 9 4
4x+3 8 7 3 2
4x 6 1 1 6
(iii) If the last digit or digit at the unit’s place of a is either 4 or 9, then the last digit of an depends upon the value of n and follows
repeating pattern in terms of 2 as given below.
n last digit of (....4)n last digit of (....9)n
2x 6 1
2x + 1 4 9

(n) (n + 1)
16. (i) Sum of n natural number =
2
(ii) Sum of n even number = (n) (n + 1)
(iii) Sum of n odd number = n 2

n ( n + 1)( 2n + 1)
17. (i) Sum of sq. of first n natural no. =
6

(ii) Sum of sq. of first n odd natural no. =

(
n 4n 2 - 1 )
3

2n ( n + 1)( 2n + 1)
(iii) Sum of sq. of first n even natural no. =
3

n 2 ( n + 1) é n ( n + 1) ù
2 2
18. (i) Sum of cube of first n natural no. = =ê ú
4 ë 2 û
(ii) Sum of cube of first n even natural no. = 2n 2 (n + 1)2
(iii) Sum of cube of first n odd natural no. = n 2 (2n2 – 1)
19. (i) xn – yn is divisible by (x + y)
When n is even
(ii) xn – yn is divisible by (x – y)
When n is either odd or even.
20. For any integer n, n3 – n is divisible by 3, n 5 – n is divisible by 5, n11 – n is divisible by 11, n 13 – n is divisible by 13.
21. Some articles related to Divisibility :
(i) A no. of 3-digits which is formed by repeating a digit 3-times, then this no. is divisible by 3 and 37.
e.g., 111, 222, 333, .......
(ii) A no. of 6-digit which is formed by repeating a digit 6-times then this no. is divisible by 3, 7, 11, 13 and 37.
e.g., 111111, 222222, 333333, 444444, .............
S-4 101 Shortcuts in Quantitative Aptitude
22. Divisible by 7 : We use osculator (– 2) for divisibility test.
99995 : 9999 – 2 × 5 = 9989
9989 : 998 – 2 × 9 = 980
980 : 98 – 2 × 0 = 98
Now 98 is divisible by 7, so 99995 is also divisible by 7.
23. Divisible by 11 : In a number, if difference of sum of digit at even places and sum of digit at odd places is either 0 or multiple of
11, then no. is divisible by 11.
For example, 12342 ¸ 11
Sum of even place digit = 2 + 4 = 6
Sum of odd place digit = 1 + 3 + 2 = 6
Difference = 6 – 6 = 0
\ 12342 is divisible by 11.
24. Divisible by 13 : We use (+ 4) as osculator.
e.g., 876538 ¸ 13
876538: 8 × 4 + 3 = 35
5 × 4 + 3 + 5 = 28
8 × 4 + 2 + 6 = 40
0 × 4 + 4 + 7 = 11
1 × 4 + 1 + 8 = 13
13 is divisible by 13.
\ 876538 is also divisible by 13.
25. Divisible by 17 : We use (– 5) as osculator.
e.g., 294678: 29467 – 5 × 8 = 29427
27427: 2942 – 5 × 7 = 2907
2907: 290 – 5 × 7 = 255
255: 25 – 5 × 5 = 0
\ 294678 is completely divisible by 17.
26. Divisible by 19 : We use (+ 2) as osculator.
e.g: 149264: 4 × 2 + 6 = 14
4 × 2 + 1 + 2 = 11
1 × 2 + 1 + 9 = 12
2×2+1+4=9
9 × 2 + 1 = 19
19 is divisible by 19
\ 149264 is divisible by 19.
27. HCF (Highest Common factor)
There are two methods to find the HCF–
(a) Factor method (b) Division method
(i) For two no. a and b if a < b, then HCF of a and b is always less than or equal to a .
(ii) The greatest number by which x, y and z completely divisible is the HCF of x, y and z.
(iii) The greatest number by which x, y, z divisible and gives the remainder a, b and c is the HCF of (x –a), (y–b) and (z–c).
(iv) The greatest number by which x, y and z divisible and gives same remainder in each case, that number is HCF of (x–y),
(y–z) and (z–x).

a c e H.C.M. of (a, c, e)
(v) H.C.F. of , and =
b d f L.C.M. of (b, d, f)
28. LCM (Least Common Multiple)
There are two methods to find the LCM–
(a) Factor method (b) Division method
(i) For two numbers a and b if a < b, then L.C.M. of a and b is more than or equal to b.
(ii) If ratio between two numbers is a : b and their H.C.F. is x, then their L.C.M. = abx.
101 Shortcuts in Quantitative Aptitude S-5

x
(iii) If ratio between two numbers is a : b and their L.C.M. is x, then their H.C.F. =
ab
(iv) The smallest number which is divisible by x, y and z is L.C.M. of x, y and z.
(v) The smallest number which is divided by x, y and z give remainder a, b and c, but (x – a) = (y – b) = (z – c) = k, then number
is (L.C.M. of (x, y and z) – k).
(vi) The smallest number which is divided by x, y and z give remainder k in each case, then number is (L.C.M. of x, y and z) + k.
a c e L.C.M. of (a, c, e)
(vii) L.C.M. of , and =
b d f H.C.F. of (b, d, f)
(viii) For two numbers a and b –
LCM × HCF = a × b
(ix) If a is the H.C.F. of each pair from n numbers and L is L.C.M., then product of n numbers = a n–1.L

ALGEBRA
29. Algebra Identities:
(i) (a + b)2 + (a – b)2 = 2 (a2 + b2) (ii) (a + b)2 – (a – b)2 = 4ab
(iii) a3 + b3 = (a + b) (a2 – ab + b2) (iv) a3 – b3 = (a – b) (a2 + ab + b2)
(v) a4 + a2 + 1 = (a2 + a + 1) (a2 – a + 1) (vi) If a + b + c = 0, then a3 + b3 + c3=3abc

( a + b ) 2 - ( a - b )2 ( a + b )2 + ( a - b )2
(vii) =4 (viii) =2
ab a 2 + b2

b e h k æb e h kö
(ix) a + d + g - j = ( a + d + g - j) + ç + + - ÷
c f i l èc f i l ø
(x) If a + b + c = abc, then
æ 2a ö æ 2b ö æ 2c ö æ 2a ö æ 2b ö æ 2c ö
ç ÷+ç ÷+ç ÷ =ç ÷ .ç ÷ .ç ÷ and
è 1- a2 ø è 1 - b2 ø è 1 - c2 ø è 1 - a 2 ø è 1 - b 2 ø è 1 - c2 ø

æ 3a - a 3 ö æ 3b - b3 ö æ 3c - c3 ö æ 3a - a 3 ö æ 3b - b3 ö æ 3c - c3 ö
ç ÷ +ç ÷ +ç ÷ . -
ç 1 - 3a 2 ÷ ç 1 - 3b2 ÷ ç 1 - 3c2 ÷ = çè 1 - 3a 2 ÷ø çè 1 - 3b2 ÷ø çè 1 - 3c2 ÷ø
.
è ø è ø è ø
30. If a1x + b1y = c1 and a2x + b2y = c2, then
a1 b1 a1 b1 c1
(i) If a ¹ b , one solution. (ii) If a = b = c , Infinite many solutions.
2 2 2 2 2

a1 b1 c1
(iii) If = ¹ , No solution
a 2 b 2 c2

1 1
31. If a and b are roots of ax2 + bx + c = 0, then and are roots of cx2 + bx + a = 0
a b
32. If a and b are roots of ax2 + bx + c = 0, then
(i) One root is zero if c = 0.
(ii) Both roots zero if b = 0 and c = 0.
(iii) Roots are reciprocal to each other, if c = a.
(iv) If both roots a and b are positive, then sign of a and b are opposite and sign of c and a are same.
(v) If both roots a and b are negative, then sign of a, b and c are same.
b c
( a + b) = - , ab = , then
a a

a-b = ( a + b )2 - 4ab

( )
2 2
a 4 + b4 = a 2 + b2 - 2a 2b2 = é( a + b) 2 - 2ab ù - 2 ( ab ) 2
ë û
S-6 101 Shortcuts in Quantitative Aptitude
33. Arithmetic Progression:
(i) If a, a + d, a + 2d, ..... are in A.P., then, nth term of A.P. an = a + (n – 1)d
n n
Sum of n terms of this A.P. = Sn = é 2a + ( n - 1) d ùû = [a + l] wherel = last term
2ë 2
a = first term
d = common difference
a+b
(ii) A.M. = [Q A.M. = Arithmetic mean]
2
34. Geometric Progression:
(i) G.P. ® a, ar, ar2,.........
Then, nth term of G.P. an = arn–1

Sn =
(
a r n -1 ) ,r > 1
( r - 1)

a(1 - r n )
= , r <1
(1 - r)

S¥ = 1 - r [where r = common ratio, a = first term]

(ii) G.M. = ab
1 1 1
35. If a, b, c are in H.P., , , are in A.P.
a b c

1
nth term of H.M. = th
n term of A.P.

2ab
H.M. =
a +b
Note : Relation between A.M., G.M. and H.M.
(i) A.M. × H.M. = G.M.2
(ii) A.M. > G.M. > H.M.
A.M. ® Arithmetic Mean
G.M. ® Geometric Mean
H.M. ® Harmonic Mean

AVERAGE

n +1
36. (i) Average of first n natural no. =
2
(ii) Average of first n even no. = (n + 1)
(iii) Average of first n odd no. = n
( n + 1)( 2n + 1)
37. (i) Average of sum of square of first n natural no. =
6

2 ( n + 1)( 2n + 1)
(ii) Average of sum of square of first n even no. =
3

æ 4n 2 - 1 ö
(iii) Average of sum of square of first odd no. = çç 3 ÷÷
è ø
101 Shortcuts in Quantitative Aptitude S-7

n ( n + 1)
2
38. (i) Average of cube of first n natural no. =
4
(ii) Average of cube of first n even natural no. = 2n(n + 1) 2
(iii) Average of cube of first n odd natural no. = n(2n 2 – 1)
m ( n + 1)
39. Average of first n multiple of m =
2
40. (i) If average of some observations is x and a is added in each observations, then new average is (x + a).
(ii) If average of some observations is x and a is subtracted in each observations, then new average is (x – a).
(iii) If average of some observations is x and each observations multiply by a, then new average is ax.
x
(iv) If average of some observations is x and each observations is divided by a, then new average is .
a

n1A1 + n 2 A 2
(v) If average of n 1 is A1, & average of n2 is A2, then Average of (n 1 + n2) is and
n1 + n 2

n1A1 - n 2 A 2
Average of (n1 – n 2) is
n1 - n 2
41. When a person is included or excluded the group, then age/weight of that person = No. of persons in group × (Increase /
Decrease) in average ± New average.
For example : In a class average age of 15 students is 18 yrs. When the age of teacher is included their average increased by 2
yrs, then find the age of teacher.
Sol. Age of teacher = 15 × 2 + (18 + 2) = 30 + 20 = 50 yrs.
42. When two or more than two persons included or excluded the group, then average age of included or excluded person is
No. of person ´ ( Increase / Decrease ) in average ± New average ´ ( No. of person included or excluded )
=
No. of included or person
For example : Average weight of 13 students is 44 kg. After including two new students their average weight becomes 48 kg, then
find the average weight of two new students.
Sol. Average weight of two new students
13 ´ ( 48 - 44 ) + 48 ´ 2 13 ´ 4 + 48 ´ 2 52 + 96
= = = = 74 kg
2 2 2
2xy
43. If a person travels two equal distances at a speed of x km/h and y km/h, then average speed = km/h
x+y

3xyz
44. If a person travels three equal distances at a speed of x km/h, y km/h and z km/h, then average speed = km/h.
xy + yz + zx

RATIO & PROPORTION

a b c a + b + c + .... K1 + K 2 + K3 + .....
45. (i) If = = =.... , then =
K1 K 2 K 3 c K3

P Q R P+Q+ R
For example: If = = , then find
3 4 7 R
Sol. P = 3, Q = 4, R = 7
P + Q + R 3+ 4 + 7
Then = =2
R 7

a1 a 2 a 3 a 4 an
(ii) If a = a = a = a = .... a = K , then a : a
1 n + 1 = (K)
n
2 3 4 5 n +1
S-8 101 Shortcuts in Quantitative Aptitude

ad - bc
46. A number added or subtracted from a, b, c & d, so that they are in proportion = ( a + d ) - ( b + c )

For example : When a number should be subtracted from 2, 3, 1 & 5 so that they are in proportion. Find that number.

2 ´ 5 - 3 ´1 10 - 3 7
Sol. Req. No. = ( 2 + 5 ) - ( 3 + 1) = 7 - 4 = 3

47. If X part of A is equal to Y part of B, then A : B = Y : X.

For example: If 20% of A = 30% of B, then find A : B.

30% 3
Sol. A : B = = =3:2
20% 2
48. When Xth part of P, Yth part of Q and Zth part of R are equal, then find A : B : C.
Then, A : B : C = yz : zx : xy

TIME, DISTANCE AND WORK

t1 t
49. A can do a/b part of work in t1 days and c/d part of work in t2 days, then = 2
a /b c/d
50. (i) If A is K times efficient than B, Then T(K + 1) = KtB
(ii) If A is K times efficient than B and takes t days less than B

Kt t t
Then T = or , tB = = ktA
K2 -1 K -1 K -1
51. (i) If a cistern takes X min to be filled by a pipe but due to a leak, it takes Y extra minutes to be filled, then the time taken by leak

æ X 2 + XY ö
to empty the cistern = ç ÷ min
ç Y ÷
è ø

(ii) If a leak empty a cistern in X hours. A pipe which admits Y litres per hour water into the cistern and now cistern is emptied

æX+Y+Zö
in Z hours, then capacity of cistern is = ç ÷ litres.
è Z-X ø
(iii) If two pipes A and B fill a cistern in x hours and y hours. A pipe is also an outlet C. If all the three pipes are opened together,

é xyT ù
the tank full in T hours. Then the time taken by C to empty the full tank is = ê ú
ë yT + xT - xy û
52. (i) If t1 and t2 time taken to travel from A to B and B to A, with speed a km/h and b km/h, then distance from A to B is

æ ab ö æ ab ö
d = ( t1 + t 2 ) ç ÷ d = ( t1 - t 2 ) ç ÷
èa+bø èa-bø

æ tt ö
d = ( a - b) ç 1 2 ÷
è t1 - t 2 ø
(ii) If Ist part of distance is covered at the speed of a in t1 time and the second part is covered at the speed of b in t2 time, then
æ at + bt1 ö
the average speed = ç 2
è t1 + t 2 ÷ø
101 Shortcuts in Quantitative Aptitude S-9

PERCENTAGE

53. Simple Fraction Their Percentage Simple Fraction Their Percentage

1 100% 1
12.5%
8
1
50%
2
1
11.11%
1 9
33.3%
3
1
1 10%
10
25%
4
1
1 9.09%
20% 11
5
1
1 8.33%
16.67% 12
6

1
14.28%
7

æ aö æ a ö
54. (i) If A is ç x% = ÷ more than B, then B is ç % ÷ less than A.
è bø èa+b ø

æ aö æ a ö
(ii) If A is ç x% = ÷ less than B, then B is ç % ÷ more than A
è bø èa -b ø
if a > b, we take a – b
if b > a, we take b – a.

æ b-a ö
55. If price of a article increase from ` a to ` b, then its expenses decrease by ç ´100 ÷ % so that expenditure will be same.
è b ø
56. Due to increase/decrease the price x%, A man purchase a kg more in ` y, then

æ xy ö
Per kg increase or decrease = ç ÷
è 100 ´ a ø

xy
Per kg starting price = ` 100 ± x a
( )
S- 10 101 Shortcuts in Quantitative Aptitude

57. For two articles, if price:

Ist IInd Overall

æ xy ö
Increase (x%) Increase (y%) Increase ç x + y + ÷%
è 100 ø

æ xy ö
Increase (x%) Decrease (y%) çx -y- ÷%
è 100 ø
If +ve (Increase)
If –ve (Decrease)

æ xy ö
Decrease (x%) Decrease (y%) Decrease ç x + y - ÷%
è 100 ø

æ x2 ö
Increase (x%) Decrease (x%) Decrease çç 100 ÷÷ %
è ø

æ x2 ö
ç
If the side of a square or radius of a circle is x% increase/decrease, then its area increase/decrease = ç 2x ± ÷%
58.
è 100 ÷ø

59. If the side of a square, x% increase/decrease then x% its perimeter and diagonal increase/decrease.
t
æ 100 ± R ö
If population P increase/decrease at r% rate, then after t years population = P ç
è 100 ÷ø
60. (i)

(ii) If population P increase/decrease r 1% first year, r 2% increase/decrease second year and r 3% increase/decrease third year,

æ r öæ r öæ r ö
then after 3 years population = P ç1 ± 1 ÷ ç1 ± 2 ÷ç1 ± 3 ÷
è 100 ø è 100 øè 100 ø
If increase we use (+), if decrease we use (–)
61. If a man spend x% of this income on food, y% of remaining on rent and z% of remaining on cloths. If he has ` P remaining, then
P ´ 100 ´ 100 ´100
total income of man is =
( - x )(100 - y )(100 - z )
100
[Note: We can use this table for area increase/decrease in mensuration for rectangle, triangle and parallelogram].

PROFIT AND LOSS

62. If CP of x things = SP of y things, then

éx - y ù
Profit/Loss = ê ´ 100 ú %
ë y û
If +ve, Profit;
If –ve, Loss
63. If after selling x things P/L is equal to SP of y things,

y
then P/L = ´ 100
( x ± y)
é Profit = - ù
ê Loss = + ú
ë û
101 Shortcuts in Quantitative Aptitude S- 11

64. If CP of two articles are same, and they sold at

Ist IInd Overall

æx+yö
(x%) Profit (y%) Profit ç ÷ % Profit
è 2 ø

æ x - y ö ìProfit, if x > y
(x%) Profit (y%) Loss ç ÷%í
è 2 ø îLoss, if x < y

æx+yö
(x%) Loss (y%) Loss ç ÷ % Loss
è 2 ø
(x%) Profit (y%) Loss No profit, no loss

65. If SP of two articles are same and they sold at

Ist IInd Overall

æ x2 ö
Loss ç ÷%
Profit (x%) Loss(x%) ç 100 ÷
è ø

æ 100 ( x - y ) - 2xy ö é 2 (100 + x )(100 - y ) ù ì If + ve, then Pr ofit%

Profit (x%) Loss (y%) ç ÷ % or ê - 100 ú % í
+ - 200 + x - y
è ø û î If - ve, then Loss%
200 x y
ë

é P+D ù
66. After D% discount, requires P% profit, then total increase in C.P.= ê ´100ú %
ë100 - D û

(100 + P )
67. M.P. = C.P ×
(100 - D )

( M.P. - C.P.) ´ 100

68. Profit % =
C.P.

éæ 100 + r1 ö æ 100 + r2 ö æ 100 + r3 ö ù

69. (i) For discount r 1% and r 2%, successive discount = êç ÷ç ÷ç ÷ - 1ú ´ 100
ëè 100 ø è 100 ø è 100 ø û

éæ 100 + r1 ö æ 100 + r2 ö æ 100 + r3 ö ù

(ii) For discount r1%, r2% and r3%, successive discount = êç ÷ç ÷ç ÷ - 1ú ´ 100
ëè 100 ø è 100 ø è 100 ø û

SIMPLE AND COMPOUND INTEREST

If P = Principal, R = Rate per annum,

T = Time in years, SI = Simple interest,
A = Amount

PRT
70. (i) SI =
100

é RT ù
(ii) A = P + SI = P ê1 +
ë 100 úû
S- 12 101 Shortcuts in Quantitative Aptitude
71. If P = Principal, A = Amount
in n years, R = rate of interest per annum.
n
é R ù
A = P ê1 + , interest payable annually
ë 100 úû

n¢
é R¢ ù
72. (i) A = P ê1 + , interest payable half-yearly
ë 100 úû
R¢ = R/2, n¢ = 2n
4n
é R ù
(ii) A = P ê1 + úû , interest payable quarterly;
ë 400

é R ù
73. (i) êë1 + 400 úû is the yearly growth factor;

é R ù
(ii) êë1 – 400 úû is the yearly decay factor or depreciation factor..

3
74. When time is fraction of a year, say 4 , years, then,
4

é 3 ù
R
R ù ê 4 ú
4
é
Amount = P ê1 + ú ´ ê1 + ú
ë 100 û ë 100 û

CI = Amount – Principal = P 1 + R
LMF IJ n
OP
MNGH -1
75.
100 K PQ
76. When Rates are different for different years, say R1, R2, R3% for 1st, 2nd & 3rd years respectively, then,

é R ùé R ùé R ù
77. Amount = P ê1 + 1 ú ê1 + 2 ú ê1 + 3 ú
ë 100 û ë 100 û ë 100 û
In general, interest is considered to be SIMPLE unless otherwise stated.

GEOMETRY

78. (i) Sum of all the exterior angle of a polygon = 360°

360°
(ii) Each exterior angle of a regular polygon =
n
(iii) Sum of all the interior angles of a polygon = (n – 2) × 180°

( n - 2)
(iv) Each interior angle of a regular polygon = ´ 180°
n

n ( n - 3)
(v) No. of diagonals of a polygon = , n ® no. of sides.
2
(vi) The ratio of sides a polygon to the diagonals of a polygon is 2 : (n – 3)
(vii) Ratio of interior angle to exterior angle of a regular polygon is (n – 2) : 2
79. Properties of triangle:
(i) When one side is extended in any direction, an angle is formed with another side. This is called the exterior angle. There
are six exterior angles of a triangle.
(ii) Interior angle + corresponding exterior angle = 180°.
101 Shortcuts in Quantitative Aptitude S- 13

(iii) An exterior angle = Sum of the other two interior opposite angles.
(iv) Sum of the lengths of any two sides is greater than the length of third side.
(v) Difference of any two sides is less than the third side.
Side opposite to the greatest angle is greatest and vice versa.
(vi) A triangle must have at least two acute angles.
(vii) Triangles on equal bases and between the same parallels have equal areas.
(viii) If a, b, c denote the sides of a triangle then
(i) if c2 < a2 + b2, Triangle is acute angled.
(ii) if c2 = a2 + b2, Triangle is right angled.
(iii) if c2 > a2 + b2, Triangle is obtuse angled.
(ix) If 2 triangles are equiangular, their corresponding sides are proportional. In triangles ABC and XYZ, if
ÐA = ÐX, ÐB = ÐY, ÐC = ÐZ, then
AB AC BC A
= = ..
XY XZ YZ
• (i) In DABC, ÐB = 90° BD ^ AC
\ BD × AC = AB × BC D
1 1 1
(ii) = +
2 2
BD AB BC 2
(iii) BD2 = AD × DC C B
(x) The perpendiculars drawn from vertices to opposite sides (called altitudes) meet at a point called Orthocentre of the
triangle.
(xi) The line drawn from a vertex of a triangle to the opposite side such that it bisects the side is called the Median of the
triangle. A median bisects the area of the triangle.
(xii) When a vertex of a triangle is joined to the midpoint of the opposite side, we get a median. The point of intersection of
the medians is called the Centroid of the triangle. The centroid divides any median in the ratio 2 : 1.
(xiii) Angle Bisector Theorem–
In the figure if AD is the angle bisector (interior) of Ð BAC. Then,

B C
D

1. AB/AC = BD/DC.
2. AB x AC – BD x DC = AD2 .
(xiv) Midpoint Theorem –
In a triangle, the line joining the mid points of two sides is parallel to the third side and half of it.
(xv) Basic Proportionality Theorem
A line parallel to any one side of a triangle divides the other two sides proportionally. If DE is parallel to BC, then

D E

B C

AD AE AB AC AD AB
= = , = and so on.
BD EC¢ AD AE DE BC
S- 14 101 Shortcuts in Quantitative Aptitude
80. Properties of circle –
(i) Only one circle can pass through three given points.
(ii) There is one and only one tangent to the circle passing through any point on the circle.
(iii) From any exterior point of the circle, two tangents can be drawn on to the circle.
(iv) The lengths of two tangents segment from the exterior point to the circle, are equal.
(v) The tangent at any point of a circle and the radius through the point are perpendicular to each other.
(vi) When two circles touch each other, their centres & the point of contact are collinear.
(vii) If two circles touch externally, distance between centres = sum of radii.
(viii) If two circles touch internally, distance between centres = difference of radii
(ix) Circles with same centre and different radii are concentric circles.
(x) Points lying on the same circle are called concyclic points.
(xi) Measure of an arc means measure of central angle.
m(minor arc) + m(major arc) = 360°.
(xii) Angle in a semicircle is a right angle.
(xiii) Only one circle can pass through three given
(xxv) If ON is ^ from the centre O of a circle to a chord AB, then AN = NB.

A N B

(^ from centre bisects chord)

(xv) If N is the midpoint of a chord AB of a circle with centre O, then ÐONA = 90°.
(Converse, ^ from centre bisects chord)
(xvi) Two congruent figures have equal areas but the converse need not be true.
(xvii) A diagonal of a parallelogram divides it into two triangles of equal area.
(xviii) Parallelograms on the same base and between the same parallels are equal in area.
(xix) Triangles on the same bases and between the same parallels are equal in area.
(xx) If a triangle and a parallelogram are on the same base and between the same parallels, then the area of the triangle is equal
to the half of the parallelogram.
• If PT is a tangent to the circle, then OP2 = PT2 = OT2

P O

• If PT is tangent and PAB is secant of a circle, then PT2 = PA.PB

O P
A
B
101 Shortcuts in Quantitative Aptitude S- 15

• If PB & PD are two secant of a circle, then PA.PB = PC.PD

P D
C

• If two circles touch externally, then distance between their centres = (r 1 + r2)

A B
r1 r2

• If two circles touch internally, then distance between their centres = r 1 – r2 where r 1 > r2.

A B

MENSURATION

1
81. (i) Area of triangle = × base × altitude
2

a +b+c
(ii) Area of triangle using heron’s formula = S / S - a (S - b) (S - c) , where S =
2
82. In an equilateral triangle with side a, then
where A ® Area of triangle
4A 4h 2 P 2
= = = a2 P ® Perimeter
3 3 9
h ® Height
83. In an isosceles triangle PQR
P
b
ar D PQR = 4a 2 - b2
4
a a

4a 2 - b 2
Height =
2
Q b R
S- 16 101 Shortcuts in Quantitative Aptitude

1 P
84. (i) Area of D = bc SinP where ÐP = ÐQPR
2

1
(ii) Area of D = ac SinQ c b
2

1
(iii) Area of D = ab SinR
R
2 Q a

b2 + c 2 - a 2 a 2 + c2 - b 2
85. CosP = , CosQ = ,
2bc 2ac

a 2 + b2 - c2
CosR =
2ab

a b c
86. Sine Rule : = =
SinP SinQ SinR

Square
Perimeter of square Diagonal of square
87. Area of square = = = side of square
4 4

88. In a circle with radius r.

A D
= where A - Area of circle r
C 4
O
C - Circumference of circle
D - Diameter of circle

3 2
89. If q = 60°, ar D AOB = r
4
1 2
If q = 90°, ar D AOB = r
2
r q r
1 2
If q , ar D AOB = r
2
A B
2 æqö æqö
sinq = r sin ç ÷ .cos ç ÷
è2ø è2ø

2 ´ area of DABC
90. (i) A circle with largest area inscribed in a right angle triangle, then r = .
Perimeter of DABC

B C
101 Shortcuts in Quantitative Aptitude S- 17

pa 2
(ii) If ABC is an equilateral triangle with side a, then Area of circle =
12
A

r
B C

pa 2
(iii) If ABC is an equilateral triangle with side a, then area of circle = .
3

r 1 pr 2 1
(iv) If DABC is an equilateral triangle, and two circles with radius r and R, then = and =
R 2 pR 2 4
A

r
R
B C

2
( ) r2
(v) Three equal circle with radius r and an equilateral triangle ABC, then area of shaded region = 2 3 - p .

B C

area of square 7
91. ABCD is a square placed inside a circle with side a and radius of circle r, then area of circle = 11

A a B

r
a a

D a C
S- 18 101 Shortcuts in Quantitative Aptitude

92. Diagonal of a cube = 3 × side

93. Diagonal of a cuboid = l 2 + b 2 + h 2 ; where l ® Length, b ® breadth, h ® height

94. For two cubes

A1 v a d
=3 1 = 1 = 1
A2 v2 a 2 d2

where A1, A2 ® Area of cubes

v1, v2 ® Volume
a1, a2 ® Sides
d1, d2 ® Diagonals
95. Units of Measurement of Area and Volume
• The inter-relationships between various units of measurement of length, area and volume are listed below for ready reference:
Length
1 Centimetre (cm) = 10 milimetre (mm)
1 Decimetre (dm) = 10 centimetre
1 Metre (m) = 10 dm = 100 cm = 1000 mm
1 Decametre (dam) = 10 m = 1000 cm
1 Hectometre (hm) = 10 dam = 100 m
1 Kilometre (km) = 1000 m = 100 dam = 10 hm
1 Myriametre = 10 kilometre
Area
1 cm2 = 1 cm × 1 cm = 10 mm × 10 mm = 100 mm2
1 dm2 = 1 dm × 1 dm = 10 cm × 10 cm = 100 cm2
2
1m =1m×1m = 10 dm × 10 dm = 100 dm2
2
1 dam or 1 are = 1 dam × 1dam = 10 m × 10 m = 100 m2
1 hm2 = 1 hectare = 1 hm × 1 hm = 100 m × 10000m2 = 100 dm2
2
1 km = 1 km × 1 km = 10 hm × 10 hm = 100 hm2 or 100 hectare
Volume
1 cm3 = 1 ml = 1 cm × 1 cm × 1 cm = 10 mm × 10 mm × 10 mm = 1000 mm3
1 litre = 1000 ml = 1000 cm3
1 m3 = 1 m×1 m×1m = 100 cm × 100 cm × 100 cm = 106 cm3
= 1000 litre = 1 kilometre
1 dm3 = 1000 cm3, 1m3 = 1000 dm3, 1 km3 = 109 m3
If a, b, c are the edges of a cuboid, then

96. The longest diagonal = a 2 + b 2 + c 2

(i) If the height of a cuboid is zero it becomes a rectangle.
(ii) If “a” be the edge of a cube, then
(iii) The longest diagonal = aÖ3
1
97. Volume of pyramid = ´ Base Area ´ height (H)
3

A1 l1F I 2

98. (i) If A1 & A2 denote the areas of two similar figures and l1 & l2 denote their corresponding linear measures, then A = l
2 2
GH JK
V1 F I
l
3

(ii) If V1 & V2 denote the volumes of two similar solids and l1, l2 denote their corresponding linear measures, then
V2 GH JK
= 1
l2

Total volume of objects submerged or taken out

(iii) The rise or fall of liquid level in a container =
Cross sectional area of container
101 Shortcuts in Quantitative Aptitude S- 19

99. If a largest possible cube is inscribed in a sphere of radius ‘a’ cm, then

2a
(i) the edge of the cube = .
3

(ii) If a largest possible sphere is inscribed in a cylinder of radius ‘a’ cm and height ‘h’ cm, then for h > a,
• the radius of the sphere = a and

h
• the radius = (for a > h)
2

(iii) If a largest possible sphere is inscribed in a cone of radius ‘a’ cm and slant height equal to the diameter of the base, then

a
• the radius of the sphere = .
3

(iv) If a largest possible cone is inscribed in a cylinder of radius ‘a’ cm and height ‘h’ cm, then the radius of the cone = a and
height = h.

2
(v) If a largest possible cube is inscribed in a hemisphere of radius ‘a’ cm, then the edge of the cube = a .
3
S- 20 101 Shortcuts in Quantitative Aptitude
100. In any quadrilateral

1 1
(i) Area = ´ one diagonal × (sum of perpendiculars to it from opposite vertices) = × d (d1 + d2)
2 2

(ii) Area of a cyclic quadrilateral = bs - agbs - bgbs - cgbs - dg

where a, b, c, d are sides of quadrilateral and
a+b +c+d
s = semi perimeter =
2

101. If length, breadth & height of a three dimensional figure increase/decrease by x%, y% and z%, then

éæ 100 ± x öæ 100 ± y ö ù
Change in area = êç ÷ç ÷ - 1ú ´ 100%
ëè 100 øè 100 ø û

éæ 100 ± x ö æ 100 ± y öæ 100 ± z ö ù

Change in Volume = êç ÷ç ÷ç ÷ - 1ú ´ 100%
ëè 100 ø è 100 øè 100 ø û