50+ Important Formulas for CAT 2025 Preparation: Topic-Wise Formulas

50+ important formulas for CAT 2025 preparation mostly include formulas from common CAT QA topics like profit and loss, algebra, number system, percentages, etc. Learning these formulas can help you speed up your problem-solving skills for CAT 2025!

50+ formulas for CAT 2025 preparation cover topics like profit and loss, algebra, number system, permutation & combination, percentages, etc. It is essential that every candidate be aware of several key CAT formulas aside from these topics for CAT 2025 exam preparation. CAT formulas are mostly relevant to the Quantitative Aptitude section, which includes Maths topics. Strategies mentioned in the CAT 2025 preparation tips in addition to these important formulas can help you perform better in the exam. There are many formula-based questions in CAT 2025 where all you need to do is use a formula to reach the answer. You must learn all the formulas mentioned here to the best of your abilities to ensure a stellar performance in CAT 2025!

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Important Formulas in CAT 2025 Preparation

There are a number of important formulas in CAT preparation 2025 that you must become fluent in. All of the formulas used in CAT are from up to the Class 12th level. You must already be familiar with these formulas from their school days. However, since there is at least a 3 to 4-year gap between Class 12th and CAT preparation, it becomes easy to forget these formulas. Hence, it makes sense to regularly revise and practice using formulas when solving CAT questions. Before moving on further, here is a quick glance at the revised exam pattern of CAT 2025.

 Section

No. of Questions

Time

Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension

24

40 minutes

Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning 

20

40 minutes

Quantitative Ability

22

40 minutes

TOTAL

66

120 minutes

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The QA section of CAT 2025 includes many topics such as Percentages, Ratio & Proportion, Profit & Loss, HCF & LCM, Mensuration, Geometry, etc. Here are some important formulas to remember for each topic.

Important CAT 2025 Formulas for Algebra

Square of a + b

  • (a + b)(a – b) = (a2 – b2)

  • (a + b)2 = (a2 + b2 + 2ab)

  • (a – b)2 = (a² + b² – 2ab)

Square of a + b + c

  • (a + b + c)2 = a2 + b2 + c2 + 2(ab + bc + ca)

Cube of a + b

  • (a + b)3 = a3 + 3a2b + 3ab2 + b3

  • (a – b)3 = a3 – 3a2b + 3ab2 – b3

  • (a3 + b3) = (a + b)(a2 - ab + b2)

  • (a3 – b3) = (a – b)(a2 + ab + b2)

  • (a3 + b3 + c3 – 3abc) = (a + b + c)(a2 + b2 + c2 – ab – bc – ac)

  • When a + b + c = 0, then a3 + b3 + c3 = 3abc

Root Formula

(a+b)= anC1 an – 1 b + nC2 an – 2 b2 + ..... nCx an – x bx + ....... bn

Important CAT 2025 Formulas for Number System

  • (12 + 22 + 32 + ….. + n2) = n ( n + 1 ) (2n + 1) / 6

  • 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + … + n = n(n + 1)/2

  • (13 + 23 + 33 + ….. + n3) = (n(n + 1)/ 2)2

  • Sum of first n odd numbers = n2

  • Sum of first n even numbers = n (n + 1)

Important CAT 2025 Formulas for Permutation and Combination

  • Combination: nCr = n! / (n-r)!r! = nPr / r!

  • Permutation: nPr = n! / (n-r)!

Important CAT 2025 Formulas for Percentages

  • Percentage Change = {(Final Value – Initital Value) / Initial Value} x 100

  • Total Percentage Change for two successive changes of a% and b% = (a + b + ab/100)%
    eg. for two successive changes of 10% and 20%, the total percentage change will be = (10 + 20 + 10*20/100)% = 32%

Important Fractions and Their Percentage Values

Fraction

Equivalent Percent

Decimal Value

1/2

50%

0.5

1/3

331/3%

0.333...

2/3

662/3%

0.666...

1/4

25%

0.25

3/4

75%

0.75

1/5

20%

0.2

1/6

162/3%

0.1666....

5/6

831/3%

.8333...

1/8

121/2%

0.125

3/8

371/2%

0.375

5/8

621/2%

0.625

7/8

871/2%

0.875

1/9

111/9%

0.111...

1/10

10%

0.1

1/11

91/11%

0.999...

5/11

455/11%

0.4545...

1/12

81/3%

0.08333...

1/16

61/4%

0.0625

1/25

4%

0.04

1/32

31/8%

0.03125

1/50

2%

0.02

Also Read15+ CAT 2025 Percentage Questions

Important CAT 2025 Formulas for Averages

  • Average = Total Sum / Total Number

  • Weighted Average = (w1x1 + w2x2 + w3x3 .... + wnxn) / (w1 + w2 + ..... + wn)

Important CAT 2025 Formulas for Simple Interest and Compound Interest

  • Amount = Principle + Interest

  • Simple Interest = P x r x n

  • Compound Interest = P(1 + r)n – P

Important CAT 2025 Formulas for Profit, Loss and Discount

  • Profit = SP – CP

  • Profit Percentage = (SP – CP)/CP x 100

  • Loss = CP – SP

  • Loss Percentage = (CP – SP)/CP x 100

  • Discount = MP – SP

  • Discount Percentage = (MP – SP)/MP x 100

  • Total Discount on successive discounts of a% followed by b% = (a + b – ab/100)%

  • If articles worth Rs. b are free along with articles worth Rs. a, Discount = y/(x+y) x 100

Important CAT 2025 Formulas for HCF and LCM

  • HFC of Fractions = (HCF of numerators) / (LCM of denominators)

  • LCM of Fractions = (LCM of numerators) / (HCF of denominators)

  • LCM x HCF = Product of Numbers

Also Read

Important CAT 2025 Formulas for Set Theory & Function

Demorgan’s Law is the basic and most important formula for sets, which is defined as

  • (A ∩ B) ‘ = A’ U B’ and (A U B)’ = A’ ∩ B’

The relation R⊂A×AR⊂A×A is said to be called:

  • Reflexive Relation: If a R a ∀∀ a ∈∈ A.

  • Symmetric Relation: If aRb, then bRa ∀∀ a, b ∈∈ A.

  • Transitive Relation: If aRb, bRc, then aRc ∀∀ a, b, c ∈∈ A.

If any relation R is reflexive, symmetric, and transitive in a given set A, then that relation is known as an equivalence relation.

Important CAT 2025 Formulas for Logarithms

  • log1 = 0

  • logx = 1

  • logx (mn) = logx m + logx n

  • log(m/n) = logx m – logx n

  • logx ab = b logx a

  • logx ax = a

  • logx m = (logy n) x (loga n)

Important CAT 2025 Formulas for Surds and Indices

Important CAT 2025 Formulas for Time, Speed, and Distance

  • Speed = Distance / Time

  • 1 km/h = 5/18 m/s

  • 1 m/s = 18/5 km/h

Important CAT 2025 Formulas for Boats and Streams

  • Sdownstream = Sboat + Sstream

  • Supstream = Sboat - Sstream

Important CAT 2025 Formulas for Mixtures and Alligations

Alligation: It is the rule that enables us to find the ratio in which two or more ingredients at the given price must be mixed to produce a mixture of the desired price.

Mean Price: The cost of a unit quantity of the mixture is called the mean price.

Rule of Alligation:

If two ingredients are mixed, then

  • (Quantity of cheaper / Quantity of dearer) = (C.P. of dearer – Mean Price / Mean price – C.P. of cheaper)

Important CAT 2025 Formulas for Trigonometry

  • sin A = Perpendicular / Hypoteneuse = a / c

  • cos A = Base / Hypoteneuse = b / c

  • tan A = Perpendicular / Base = a / b

  • cot A  = 1 / tan A

  • sec A = 1 / cos A

  • cosec A = 1 / sin A

Trigonometric Identities:

  • Sine=Opposite/Hypotenuse

  • Cosine=Adjacent/Hypotenuse

  • Tangent=Opposite/Adjacent

  • Secant=Hypotenuse/Adjacent

  • Co−Secant=Hypotenuse/Opposite

  • Co−Tangent=Adjacent/Opposite

The reciprocal identities:

  • sinΘ=1/CosecΘ

  • cosΘ=1/secΘ

  • tanΘ=1/cotΘ

  • CosecΘ=1/sinΘ

  • secΘ=1/cosΘ

  • cotΘ=1/tanΘ

Important CAT 2025 Formulas for Mensuration

Check out the important formulae for mensuration mentioned below:

Plane Figures

Solids


NOTE: (3.14) is an approximation of pi.

Important CAT 2025 Formulas for Probability

Sample Space: When performing an experiment, the set S of all possible outcomes is called the sample space.
Event: Any subset of a sample space is called an event.
The probability of Occurrence of an Event: Let S be the sample and let E be an event.
Therefore, P(E) =n(E) / n(S)

Important CAT 2025 Formulas for Coordinate Geometry

The Distance Between Two Points A and B:

  • AB2 = (Bx – Ax)2 + (By – Ay)2

The Equation of a Line Using One Point and the Gradient

The equation of a line that has gradient m and which passes through the point (x1, y1) is:

  • y – y1 = m(x – x1)

The Midpoint of a Line Joining Two Points

The midpoint of the line joining the points (x1, y1) and (x2, y2) is:

  • [½(x1 + x2), ½(y1 + y2)]

How to Remember Important Formulas for CAT 2025?

There are various methods, mnemonics, and learning tricks you can use to remember the important formulas. If your basic mathematical concepts are clear, you may even be able to figure out some of the formulas used in CAT 2025 without the need to learn them.

  • As an example, if we imagine a Cylinder as infinite disks stacked on top of each other, the Curved Surface Area of a Cylinder becomes equal to the Perimeter of the Base Circle times Height. Hence, 2 (3.14) r multiplied by h.

However, the best way to remember important formulas for CAT is to use them in solving questions. Practicing will help you become familiar with important formulas. It will also train you to use these formulas with more speed and accuracy.

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FAQs

What are some important formulas for CAT preparation 2025?

Some important formulas for CAT preparation 2025 include those related to arithmetic, algebra, geometry, number systems, percentages, profit and loss, time and work, probability, and permutations and combinations.

Can I create my own formula sheet for CAT preparation 2025?

Yes, creating a personalized formula sheet can be helpful for CAT preparation 2025. Include formulas that you find particularly important or difficult to remember. Writing them down and reviewing them regularly will aid in reinforcement and familiarity.

How can I revise and reinforce the CAT 2025 formulas regularly?

Set aside dedicated time for CAT 2025 formula revision regularly. Use flashcards, practice problems, and solve mock tests to reinforce your understanding and memorization of the formulas.

Is it possible to excel in CAT 2025 without a thorough knowledge of formulas?

While formulas are an integral part of CAT 2025 preparation, it is also crucial to develop logical reasoning, critical thinking, and analytical skills. Understanding the concepts and their applications will allow you to solve problems even if you momentarily forget a specific formula.

What is the percentage important formula for CAT?

The important percentage formulas for CAT include the following:

  • Percentage=(Total/Value​)×100
  • Percentage Increase=(y−x/x​)×100
  • Percentage Decrease=(x−y/x​)×100
  • Net Percentage Change=a+b+a⋅b​/100
  • Final Value for an increase of x%=P×(1+x​/100)
  • Final Value for a decrease of x%=P×(1-x​/100)

What are the important formulas in CAT algebra?

Some of the important formulas in CAT algebra include the following:

  • (a+b)2=a2+2ab+b2
  • (a−b)2=a2−2ab+b2(a - b)^2 = a^2 - 2ab + b^2(a−b)2=a2−2ab+b2
  • (a+b)(a−b)=a2−b2(a + b)(a - b) = a2 - b2(a+b)(a−b)=a2−b2
  • (a+b+c)2=a2+b2+c2+2ab+2bc+2ca(a + b + c)2 = a2 + b2 + c2 + 2ab + 2bc + 2ca(a+b+c)2=a2+b2+c2+2ab+2bc+2ca
  • ax2+bx+c=0
  • log(ab)=log a+log b

Should I focus only on CAT formulas or also practice problem-solving techniques?

It is essential to not solely rely on memorizing CAT formulas but also develop problem-solving techniques. Understanding the logic and approach behind different types of questions will allow you to apply the appropriate formulas effectively.

Are there any online resources or books specifically dedicated to CAT formulas?

Yes, there are several online resources and CAT preparation books that provide comprehensive formula compilations. Some popular books include Arun Sharma's "How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for CAT" and Nishit Sinha's "The Pearson Guide to Quantitative Aptitude for CAT."

How can I practice using these CAT formulas effectively?

Solve a variety of CAT-level problems that require the application of these formulas. Practice from previous years' question papers and CAT preparation books. Additionally, take mock tests to simulate exam-like conditions and enhance your speed and accuracy in utilizing the formulas.

Should I focus on memorizing CAT formulas or understanding their applications?

It is crucial to strike a balance between memorizing CAT formulas and understanding their applications. While memorizing helps in quick recall during exams, understanding the underlying concepts and applications will enable you to apply the formulas effectively in problem-solving.

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