Quantitative Aptitude

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Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Exams

Mathematics and quantitative aptitude sections appear in PPSC, FPSC, NTS, and other competitive exams. For CSS, basic math is part of the Everyday Science paper. Building strong fundamentals is key.

1. Number Systems

Natural Numbers: 1, 2, 3, 4... (positive numbers)
Whole Numbers: 0, 1, 2, 3... (natural + zero)
Integers: ...-3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3...
Prime Numbers: Divisible only by 1 and itself (2, 3, 5, 7, 11...)
LCM & HCF: Frequently tested - practice finding both

2. Percentages - Most Tested Topic

Percentage = (Part/Whole) x 100
Percentage increase = ((New - Old)/Old) x 100
Common conversions: 1/2 = 50%, 1/3 = 33.33%, 1/4 = 25%, 1/5 = 20%

3. Ratio & Proportion

If a:b = 2:3, then a = 2k and b = 3k for some value k
Direct proportion: a/b = c/d (cross multiply to solve)
Chain rule for linked proportions

4. Profit, Loss & Discount

Profit = Selling Price - Cost Price
Profit% = (Profit/CP) x 100
Discount% = (Discount/Marked Price) x 100
Selling Price = Marked Price - Discount

5. Time, Speed & Distance

Speed = Distance / Time
Average Speed = Total Distance / Total Time
Convert km/h to m/s: Multiply by 5/18
Relative speed: Same direction (subtract), Opposite direction (add)

6. Simple & Compound Interest

Simple Interest: SI = P x R x T / 100
Compound Interest: A = P(1 + R/100)^T
CI - SI difference for 2 years = P(R/100)^2

Key Takeaways

Percentages are the most frequently tested math topic
Master fraction-to-percentage conversions
Speed = Distance/Time formula is essential
Know the SI and CI formulas by heart
Practice LCM and HCF shortcuts

Preparation Tips

Solve 20 math MCQs daily from past papers

Learn mental math shortcuts for quick calculation

Practice under timed conditions - speed matters in exams

Focus on PPSC/FPSC specific question patterns

Recommended Books

by R.S. Aggarwal

The most comprehensive book for competitive exam math

Fast Track Objective Arithmetic

by Rajesh Verma

Short-cut methods for quick solving

Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Exams

Mathematics and quantitative aptitude sections appear in PPSC, FPSC, NTS, and other competitive exams. For CSS, basic math is part of the Everyday Science paper. Building strong fundamentals is key.

1. Number Systems

Natural Numbers: 1, 2, 3, 4... (positive numbers)

Whole Numbers: 0, 1, 2, 3... (natural + zero)

Integers: ...-3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3...

Prime Numbers: Divisible only by 1 and itself (2, 3, 5, 7, 11...)

LCM & HCF: Frequently tested - practice finding both

2. Percentages - Most Tested Topic

Percentage = (Part/Whole) x 100

Percentage increase = ((New - Old)/Old) x 100

Common conversions: 1/2 = 50%, 1/3 = 33.33%, 1/4 = 25%, 1/5 = 20%

3. Ratio & Proportion

If a:b = 2:3, then a = 2k and b = 3k for some value k

Direct proportion: a/b = c/d (cross multiply to solve)

Chain rule for linked proportions

4. Profit, Loss & Discount

Profit = Selling Price - Cost Price

Profit% = (Profit/CP) x 100

Discount% = (Discount/Marked Price) x 100

Selling Price = Marked Price - Discount

5. Time, Speed & Distance

Speed = Distance / Time

Average Speed = Total Distance / Total Time

Convert km/h to m/s: Multiply by 5/18

Relative speed: Same direction (subtract), Opposite direction (add)

6. Simple & Compound Interest

Simple Interest: SI = P x R x T / 100

Compound Interest: A = P(1 + R/100)^T

CI - SI difference for 2 years = P(R/100)^2