Simplification

Simplification is a process by which complex numerical expression are broken down into simpler form by performing various mathematical operations according to BODMAS rule. Simplification tests the basic numerical computation ability of the candidate. Here are the basic concepts & tricks of simplification.

Concept of Simplification

The basic concept of Simplification is based on the following:

V → Vinculum
B → Remove Brackets - in the order ( ) , { }, [ ]
O → Of
D → Division
M → Multiplication
A → Addition
S → Subtraction

Tips & Tricks to solve Simplification Questions

Have a strong command over BODMAS. Learn the concept of digital sum.
Memorize tables up to 50.
Memorize cubes and squares of numbers up to 40.
Learn shortcut tricks to find squares and cubes of numbers greater than 40.
Learn shortcut tricks to find cube roots and square roots.
Learn the concept of percentages (conversion of fractions to percentage & percentage to fractions)
Memorize the reciprocals.
If necessary, round the numbers to the nearest integers.

Simplification Important Topic

Simplification is an important topic of Quantitative Aptitude. In banking exams, approximately 5-7 questions are asked from this topic alone which can be up to 10 at the clerical level. One mistake that students tend to do is do the lesser practice of this topic as it seems much easier than the other. This results in slow speed and their inability to score good marks in quantitative aptitude. This topic can be considered as the backbone of the Quantitative Aptitude section because no matter which topic you are doing, the calculation is a must and prelims is all about calculation at a higher speed. In this space, we will be telling you some of the tricks which can help you to perform really well in your upcoming exams. Before diving into that section, let's understand what is simplification?

What is Simplification?

Simplification refers to the process of breaking down a lengthy calculation in a much simpler way. For example- 8.35% of 8 can be simplified as 1/16 x 8, which is much easier than the earlier equation. Given below are some of the tips which can help you to ace this topic:

Learn Tables up to 25
Learn Cubes up to 25
Learn Squares up to 25
Learn Fractions up to 25

If you will prepare the above-given things by heart then you can easily solve this topic in much lesser time with more accuracy.

Simplification Concept

The digit sum method helps to save time while solving simplification option. Using this method, you can eliminate wrong options.

The digit-sum of any number can be formed by adding across the number. For example, the digit-sum of 13112 is 1+3+1+1+2 = 8

The digit-sum is always reduced to a single figure. For example, the digit-sum of 5255 is 5+2+5+5 = 17, 17 is reduced to a single figure i.e. digit sum of 1+7=8.

Note: 9 doesn’t count on digit sum.

Example 1: Digit sum of 9911 is (1+1)= 2.

Example 2: Digit sum of 279 is (1+8+9)= 0 here digit sum of (1,8) makes 9. For decimal numbers, the decimal points are ignored.

Example: The digit sum of 6.256 is (6+2+4+6)=18, neglect 8 , digit sum is 1

Q1: Simplify: (3+4)*20

Answer: The above question contains the following aspects:

Bracket
Multiplication

According to the concept of BODMAS, bracket will be solved first followed by multiplication.

Step 1: (3+4)*20 = 7*20.
Step 2: 7*20 = 140.

Q2: 20*3/15

Answer: The above question contains the following aspects:

Multiplication
Division

According to the concept of BODMAS, multiplication will be performed followed by division.

Step 1: 20*3/15 = 60/15.
Step 2: 60/15 = 4.

Q3. 2387 – 123 + 980 = ? – 145 + 945

Answer: Applying digit sum method on both the side,

2+3+8+7 - 1+2+3 + 9+8+0 = ? - 1+4+5 + 9+4+5 2 - 6 +8 = ? - 1 + 9 4 = ? +8 4 -8 = ? -4 = ?
(If your final Digital is in Negative Add "9'' to it to make it positive)
So, 9-4 = ?
5 = ?

Now Find out the Digital Root of All the Options, if any option whose digital root is exactly "5" that is the Answer
A) 2+2+3+5 = 12 = 3
B) 2+4+4+3 = 13 = 4
C) 2+4+4+4 = 14 = 5 (Match) Exactly
D) 2+5+4+4 = 15 = 6