Quick Reference Guide

Arithmetic Reasoning

Verbal Reasoning
Beginner Level

Arithmetic Reasoning

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2 Pages
Jun 21, 2026

About This Cheat Sheet

Your complete guide to Arithmetic Reasoning for competitive exams. This cheat sheet helps you solve mathematical problems quickly using logical reasoning and shortcut techniques.

๐Ÿ“ Age & Number Problems

  • Present, Past & Future Ages
  • Ratio-Based Age Problems
  • Finding Numbers from Conditions
  • Digit & Consecutive Numbers
  • Average & Weighted Average
  • Missing Number Problems

๐Ÿ“Š Ratio & Proportion

  • Simple Ratio
  • Compound Ratio
  • Direct Proportion
  • Inverse Proportion
  • Partnership & Profit Sharing
  • Capital & Time Ratio

โฑ๏ธ Speed & Work Problems

  • Speed-Time-Distance
  • Relative Speed
  • Average Speed
  • Individual Work
  • Combined Work
  • Pipes & Cisterns

๐Ÿ’ฐ Profit, Loss & Interest

  • Cost Price & Selling Price
  • Discount & Marked Price
  • Profit & Loss Percentage
  • Simple Interest
  • Compound Interest
  • Successive Percentage

๐Ÿงฎ Advanced Topics

  • Mixture & Alligation
  • Alligation Rule
  • Replacement Problems
  • Perimeter, Area & Volume
  • Percentage Increase/Decrease
  • Population Problems

๐Ÿ“š Exam Categories

  • SSC & Banking
  • Railways & UPSC
  • CAT & MBA Entrance
  • Defence & Insurance
  • Placement Tests
  • Other Competitive Exams

๐Ÿ“ Speed ร— Time

= Distance

Speed Formula

๐Ÿ“ Rate ร— Time

= Work

Work Formula

๐Ÿ’ฐ Profit

= SP โ€“ CP

Profit Formula

๐Ÿ“Š Average

= Sum รท Count

Average Formula

๐Ÿ“ Key Formulas Reference

โฑ๏ธ Time & Work
  • Work = Rate ร— Time
  • 1/A + 1/B = Combined Rate
  • Pipes: Inlet - Outlet
  • Efficiency = 1/Time
  • If A does work in X days: Rate = 1/X
๐Ÿ’ฐ Profit & Loss
  • Profit = SP โ€“ CP
  • Loss = CP โ€“ SP
  • Profit% = (Profit/CP) ร— 100
  • Discount = MP โ€“ SP
  • SP = CP ร— (100 + P%)/100
๐Ÿ“Š Interest & Average
  • SI = (Pร—Rร—T)/100
  • CI = P(1+R/100)^T - P
  • Average = Sum of terms / N
  • Weighted Avg = ฮฃ(wร—x)/ฮฃw
  • Speed = Distance/Time

๐Ÿ“ Age Problems

Present Age: Current age
Past Age: Age X years ago
Future Age: Age X years later
Ratio-Based: Age ratios
Example: A is twice as old as B
Equation: A = 2B

๐Ÿ”ข Number Problems

Consecutive Numbers: x, x+1, x+2
Digit Problems: Two-digit number = 10a+b
Sum of Digits: a + b
Reverse Number: 10b + a
Example: Sum of two numbers = 20
Equation: x + y = 20

๐Ÿ“Š Ratio & Proportion Examples

๐Ÿ“Š Simple Ratio
  • Ratio: a : b = c : d
  • Example: 2 : 3 = 4 : 6
  • Cross Multiply: aร—d = bร—c
  • 2ร—6 = 3ร—4 = 12 โœ…
๐Ÿ“Š Direct Proportion
  • If y โˆ x: y = kx
  • Example: y = 2x
  • When x=3, y=6
  • As x increases, y increases
๐Ÿ“Š Inverse Proportion
  • If y โˆ 1/x: xy = k
  • Example: xy = 12
  • When x=3, y=4
  • As x increases, y decreases

๐Ÿ“‹ Quick Reference: Key Formulas

โฑ๏ธ Time & Work
  • Work = Rate ร— Time
  • 1/A + 1/B = Combined Rate
  • Pipes: Inlet - Outlet
  • Efficiency = 1/Time
๐Ÿ’ฐ Profit & Loss
  • Profit = SP โ€“ CP
  • Loss = CP โ€“ SP
  • Profit% = (Profit/CP) ร— 100
  • Discount = MP โ€“ SP
๐Ÿ“Š Interest & Average
  • SI = (Pร—Rร—T)/100
  • CI = P(1+R/100)^T - P
  • Average = Sum / N
  • Weighted Avg = ฮฃ(wร—x)/ฮฃw

๐ŸŽฏ Smart Ways to Approach Arithmetic Reasoning

The Golden Rule: In arithmetic reasoning, identify the core mathematical relationship first, then apply the appropriate formula. Don't rush โ€“ a careful approach saves time in the long run.

Step-by-Step Approach:

  • Step 1: Read the problem carefully and identify what's given
  • Step 2: Identify what needs to be found (the unknown)
  • Step 3: Choose the right formula or method
  • Step 4: Apply the formula with correct values
  • Step 5: Verify your answer for logical consistency

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

  • โŒ Skipping the problem statement and rushing to solve
  • โŒ Applying the wrong formula (e.g., CI instead of SI)
  • โŒ Confusing direct and inverse proportions
  • โŒ Forgetting to convert units (km/h โ†” m/s, hours โ†” minutes)

Proven Strategy: The "Formula Bank" technique โ€“ keep a mental list of key formulas. Before starting any question, identify which formula category it belongs to (time-work, speed-distance, profit-loss, etc.). This helps you choose the right approach quickly.

Memory Trick: Remember these key formulas:

  • ๐Ÿ”„ Speed ร— Time = Distance
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Rate ร— Time = Work
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Profit = SP โ€“ CP
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Average = Sum รท Count

๐Ÿ’ก Pro Tips for Arithmetic Reasoning

โœ… Learn Key Formulas

Memorize all essential formulas โ€“ they save valuable time during exams

โœ… Identify the Topic First

Recognize which formula category the problem belongs to

โœ… Use Shortcut Techniques

Learn Vedic math and other shortcuts for faster calculations

โœ… Practice with Timers

Time yourself โ€“ speed is crucial in competitive exams

Topics Covered

arithmetic-reasoning verbal-reasoning logical-reasoning age-problems ratio-proportion partnership speed-distance work-time percentage average profit-loss simple-interest compound-interest alligation competitive-exams ssc banking railway cat

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