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Important Shortcuts and Mind Tricks for Simplification Questions in Aptitude Section
(IBPS PO Prelims Special)

Simplification:
Simplification -large, complex numerical expression into a simpler form by
performing various mathematical operations, in accordance with the BODMAS rule.
B Stands for bracket and operation of brackets in the order ( ), ( ), { } and [ ]
O Stands for of (usage is x)
D Stands for division (/)
M Stands for multiplication (x)
A Stands for addition (+)
S Stands for subtraction (-)
Easiest way to choose simplification questions:
STEP 1: Know about BODMAS Rule. Following are the list of priority given for brackets
and signs.
STEP 2: If an expression Contains brackets, the expression within the brackets should
be simplified first.
STEP 3: If an expression contains Of, multiplication, division, addition and subtraction,
then of should be performed first then followed by multiplication or division.
Proceeding from left to right, addition and subtraction are carried out in the order in
which the sign of addition and subtraction are given.

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If expression contains Of and Division always do Of and then do division
STEP 4: If expression involves all the four operations, then multiplication and division is
carried out first in the order in which they are given from left to right. The same rules are
carried out for addition and subtraction
Learn squares and cubes of number
Squares (12 to 302):

12 - 1

22 - 4

32 - 9

42 - 16

52 - 25

62 - 36

72 - 49

82 - 64

92 - 81

102 -100

112 - 121

122 -144

132 - 169

142 - 196

152 - 225

162 - 256

172 - 289

182 - 324

192 - 361
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202 - 400

212 - 441

222 - 484

232 - 529

242 - 576

252 - 625

262 - 676

272 - 729

282 784

292 841

302 - 900

Cubes (13 to 153):

13 - 1

23- 8

33 - 27

43 - 64

53 - 125

63 - 216

73 - 343

83 - 512

93 - 729

103 - 1000

113 - 1331

123 - 1728

133 - 2197

143 - 2477
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153 - 3375

Example 1: 212 / 49 6
Solution: From the above question if we know the square value of 212, then this
question will be easily solved
STEP 1: 212 = 441
STEP 2: 441/49= 9
STEP 3: 96 = 54
STEP 4: Hence the answer for above series is 54
2) REMEMBER FREQUENTLY ASKED FRACTION VALUES

5% = 0.05

6 % = 0.0625

10% = 0.1

12 = 0.125

16 (2/3)% = 0.166

20 % = 0.2

25 % = 0.25

33 (1/3)%= 0.33

40 % = 0.4

50% = 0.5

60% = 0.6

66 (2/3) =0.66

75 %= 0.75

80 %= 0.8
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90 % = 0.9

100% = 1

125 % = 1.25

150% = 1.5

200 % = 2

250 % =2.5

EXAMPLE 2: 60% of 250 +25% of 600

STEP 1: Know the values of 60% =0.6 and 25 % = 0.25
STEP 2: Now directly multiply 0.6250 + 0.25600
STEP 3: 0.6250= 150
0.25600=150
STEP 4: 150+ 150 = 300
STEP 5: Hence the answer for above series is 300
3) Solve mixed fraction Multiplication
EXAMPLE 3: 2(3/5) 8(1/3) + 7 2(2/3)
STEP 1: 2(3/5) 8(1/3) = (13/5) (25/3) = 65/3
STEP 2: + 7 2(2/3)= 43/6 12/5 = 86/5
STEP 3: 65/3 + 86/5 = 38(15/13)
STEP 4: hence the answer for above series is 38(15/13)
4) Solve Mixed Fraction addition

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Example 4: 19(3/5) + 23(2/3) 24(1/5)
STEP 1: Take all the whole number outside the bracket i.e. 19+23 -24 = 18
STEP 2: Add fractions within bracket 18[(3/5) + (2/3) (1/5)] = 18(16/15)
STEP 3: Hence the answer for above series is 18(16/15)
Example 5: (?)2 +1812= 62 52
STEP 1: Multiply 18 12 = 216
STEP 2: Square of 6 = 36
STEP 3: Multiply 36 52= 360
STEP 4: (X)2 +216 = 360
STEP 5: (X)2 = 360-216 = 144
STEP 6: Therefore X = 12

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