CAT 2024 Quant Secret Preparation Tricks

Knowing some CAT 2024 Quant secret tricks can come in handy when it comes to scoring high in the section. These tricks, techniques, and shortcuts will enhance  a candidate’s overall CAT performance by increasing their time efficiency and accuracy, especially while solving questions with complex calculations. Many CAT toppers have utilized these Quant tricks on their CAT exam. Additionally, since time management is a key factor in the CAT exam, learning and utilizing quick calculation methods during complex Quant problems is essential to manage time efficiently. 

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CAT 2024 Quant Secret Tricks

There are several CAT quant tricks and techniques that aspirants can use to enhance their performance. However, candidates must only learn those techniques and shortcuts that can be used in most questions asked in CAT QA. Check out the most commonly used CAT quant tricks mentioned below.

Finding the Square of a Two-Digit Number

If you wish to find the square of any two-digit number, follow the steps mentioned below:

• Step 1: Deduct 25 from the number itself. The difference that will be obtained from this will be the first two digits of the required answer.

• Step 2: After step 1, subtract 50 from the number you want to find the square of. Once you find the difference, Find the square of the same. The answer obtained after squaring the difference will be the last two digits of the required answer. In this step, if the square of the difference obtained is larger than two digits, add the remainder to the answer obtained in the first step.

Example 1: Find the square of 94.

• Step 1: Subtract 25 from 94 (94-25) = 69

• Step 2: Subtract 50 from 94 (94-50) = 44.

• Step 3: Find the square of 44 (442) = 1936. Now since 19 is the remainder number, add the same to the answer from the first step, 69 + 19 = 88.

• The required answer (942) = 8836.

Example 2: Find the square of 72.

• Step 1: Subtract 25 from 72 (72-25) = 47

• Step 2: Subtract 50 from 72 (72-50) = 22.

• Step 3: Find the square of 22 (222) = 484. Now since 4 is the remainder number, add the same to the answer from the first step, 47 + 4 = 51.

• The required answer (722) = 5184.

Finding the Square of a Three Digit Number

If you are required to find the square of any three digit number during CAT, you may these steps mentioned below for a quick calculation:

• Step 1: Let’s assume the three digit number we need to find the square of is XYZ. The last digit of the required number is the last digit of the square of (Z).

• Step 2: The second last digit of the required answer can be derived using the formula “2*Y*Z + (any remainder from the first step).

• Step 3: The third last digit of the required answer can be derived using the formula 2*X*Z + (Y)2 + (any remainder from the step 2)

• Step 4: The fourth last digit of the required answer can be derived using the formula 2*X*Y + (any remainder from the step 3)

• Step 5: The beginning digits of the required answer can be derived by adding (X)2 with any remainder from Step 4.

Example 1: Find the square of 745

• The last digit of the required answer is (5)2 = 25. Remainder is 2.

• The second last digit of the required answer is 2*4*5 + remainder from step (2). 2*4*5 + 2 = 42. Remainder is 4.

• The third last digit of the required answer is 2*7*5 + (4)2 + remainder from step 3. 2*7*5 + (4)2 + 4 = 90. Remainder is 9.

• The fourth last digit of the required answer is 2*7*4 + remainder from step 4. 2*7*4 + 9 = 65. Remainder is 6.

• The beginning digits of the required answer is 72 + remainder from previous step. (7)2 + 6 = 55. Our required answer is 7452 = 555025.

Example 2: Find the square of 369

• The last digit of the required answer is (9)2 = 81. Remainder is 8.

• The second last digit of the required answer is 2*6*9 + remainder from step (2). 2*6*9 + 8 = 116. Remainder is 11.

• The third last digit of the required answer is 2*3*9 + (6)2 + remainder from step 3. 2*3*9 + (6)2 + 11 = 101. Remainder is 10.

• The fourth last digit of the required answer is 2*3*6 + remainder from step 4. 2*3*6 + 9 = 46. Remainder is 4.

• The beginning digits of the required answer is 32 + remainder from previous step. (3)2 + 4 = 13. Our required answer is 3692 = 136161.

Finding the Number of Factors for Any Factorial

If you need to find the number of factors for any factorial, then follow the steps mentioned below:

• Step 1: Prime factorize the number, i.e. find out the highest power of all prime factors till 12 of the given number. Use the formula N=am*bn(a, b are prime factors)

• Then the number of factors is derived using (m+1)(n+1)....

Example: Find the number of factors of 12.

• Prime factorize 12. 12! = 210*35*52*7*11

• Number of factors are (10+1)(5+1)(2+1)(1+1)(1+1) = 792

We hope aspirants will find the tricks mentioned in this article useful! Check out the articles mentioned below to learn more about CAT 2024!

Topic-wise CAT 2024 Quant Questions

Check out the links to brush up your preparation with some top CAT 2024 Quant topic-wise questions:

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