Quant

Arithmetic

Percentages, profit & loss, time-speed-distance, work & time, mixtures. Core of CAT Quant.

Key Concepts

Percentages: learn multiplier method — 20% increase means ×1.2; 20% decrease means ×0.8

Profit & Loss: markup on CP, discount on SP; successive discounts — don't just add

Time-Speed-Distance: relative speed (same direction: subtract; opposite: add)

Work: rates add — if A does 1/n work/day and B does 1/m work/day, together (1/n + 1/m)

Mixtures (Alligation): draw the alligation diagram — difference from mean gives the ratio

Strategy Tips

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Convert percentages to fractions for mental math (25% = 1/4, 33.3% = 1/3)

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For TSD with equal time vs equal distance, use the correct average (arithmetic vs harmonic)

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Plug in numbers if the question has variables — saves time on percentage / fraction questions

Sample Questions

4 practice questions

Easy

Joe buys 360 gallons of paint. During week 1 he uses 1/4 of all the paint. During week 2 he uses 1/5 of the remaining paint. How many gallons has Joe used?

Easy

3/4 of all married couples have more than one child. 2/5 of all married couples have more than 3 children. What fraction of all married couples have exactly 2 or 3 children?

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CAT PYQ Spotlight

Actual CAT questions on this topic

CAT 2021 · Slot 1

A shopkeeper marks up his goods by 40% and then offers a discount of 25%. What is his net profit percentage?

CAT 2021 · Slot 1

A and B can complete a work in 12 days and 18 days respectively. They start working together, but A leaves after 4 days. How many more days will B take to finish the remaining work?

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Practice Arithmetic