Sequential output is basically output of a machine which is working on a fixed sequence. We start with an input and following a fixed pattern or sequence machine gives us the final output. In these type of questions, we observe that input output process in different steps and try to find out the pattern and sequence on which the machine is working. Importance from exam point of view – These questions looks dangerous but actually these are scoring questions in exams, it doesn’t take much time in solving. Pattern of questions- In all type of questions, there is a sequence given but somet

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Figuring out the last digit is the same as figuring out the remainder of a number when divided by 10, but I guess you already know that. Figuring out the last two digits is the same as figuring out the remainder of a number when divided by 100. However, if you wish to figure the remainder when the divisor is not 10 or 100, I suggest you read on. Funda 1 of Remainders:  Basic idea of remainders can be used to solve complicated problems.     There is nothing special or unique about this idea. At first glance it seems like something really obvious. But it is it

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Quadratic Equations are first taught to us in 6th or 7th class and most of us are able to score good marks in it because we are able to solve 90% of the questions by just using that formula. And that formula is: The above formula gives us the roots of the quadratic equation ax2 + bx + c = 0 For this post, I am assuming that you are aware of the basics of quadratic equations and know how to use the above mentioned formula. In case you are not, spending five minutes on the wiki page of Quadratic Equations won’t hurt. Wikipedia can be daunting at times, so come back here as soon a

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In the recent CAT papers, we have seen questions in Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation section based on the concepts from Quantitative Ability. These questions can also be solved with simple logic but if solved with the Quantitative Ability concepts then solving becomes more convenient. Topics such as Mixture-Allegation, Percentages, Linear equations, numbers etc. are used to frame questions. In this post, we will look at some of the Quantitative Ability based applications in this section of CAT. We will not discuss the Quantitative Ability concepts in this post, rather we will impl

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Questions on clocks (or even calendars) are not really frequent in CAT these days. They used to be really popular few years ago. Having said that, it is always better to understand some of the basic principles and the types of problems that get asked. They might come in handy in case of other exams like CMAT, MAT, SNAP, etc. Clock problems can be broadly classified in two categories: a)      Problems on angles b)      Problems on incorrect clocks Problems on angles Before we actually start solving problems on angles, we need to get couple of basic facts clear: Sp

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The questions on Mixtures and Alligations are asked repeatedly in CAT and keeping the past year trends in mind, one or two questions are asked every year. We have seen the concept used in some of the Data Interpretation questions as well, so this cannot be overlooked.  Let us begin with the subject matter on this topic. When we have to find the average of a given set of values, we just add those values and divide by the number of values in consideration.  But what do we do when we have to find the average of 2 given sets of values, each containing different number of elements? We use

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Data Interpretation questions typically have large amount of data given in the form of tables, pie charts, line graphs or some non-conventional format. The questions are calculation heavy and typically test your approximation abilities. A very large number of these questions check your ability to compare or calculate fractions and percentages. If you sit down to actually calculate the answer, you would end up spending more time than required and most of us can't afford to lose precious time during competitive exams like CAT, XAT, IIFT etc.  Here are few ideas that you can use for approxim

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Data Sufficiency questions often involve very simple calculations. This does not mean that the questions are simple. It just means that the chances to make conceptual mistakes and / or silly mistakes are a little higher than usual. You will need to pay attention to detail in such questions. In Data Sufficiency, you need to figure out whether or not the data given in the question / statements is good enough to find out a unique answer. Once again – is the data enough to find out a unique answer?  Please note that in Data Sufficiency: You do not need to find out the answer Yo

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We all know what factorials (n!) are. They look friendly and helpful but looks can be deceiving, as many quant problems have taught us. Probably it is because that Factorials are simple looking creatures, most students prefer attempting questions based on them rather than on Permutation & Combination or Probability. I will cover P&C and Probability at a later date but in today’s post I would like to discuss some fundas related to factorials, which as a matter of fact form the basis of a large number of P&C and Probability problems.   Some of the factorials that mig

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In this post, we will learn how to solve Logical Reasoning Problems based on coins and matchsticks picking puzzles. To understand how exactly these kinds of puzzles look like, let’s start the post with a very simple example. The method to solve the example will give better insight so as to how to approach these puzzles. Two smart players A and B are playing a coin game in which they can pick up 1, 2, 3 or 4 coins. They have 78 coins and the player who picks the last coin will lose the game. A and B play alternately and A plays the first move. How many coins should A pick at first so h

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