BASIC MATHEMATICS

Complete Preparation Guide for FAST-NU Entry Test

Formulas • Tricks • Solved Examples • Practice-Ready Notes

Topics Covered:
Geometry
Logarithms
Ratio & Proportion
Trigonometry and Circle
Simple & Compound Interest, Annuity
Matrix & Simultaneous Equations
H.C.F, L.C.M and Factorization
Information Handling
Percentages
System of Real Numbers
1. Geometry
Geometry questions in the test focus on areas, perimeters, volumes of common shapes, angle properties, and the
Pythagorean theorem. Most questions can be solved in under a minute if you have the formulas memorized cold.

1.1 Triangles

FORMULAS TO REMEMBER
• Area = 1/2 × base × height
• Perimeter = sum of all three sides
• Pythagorean theorem (right triangle): a² + b² = c² (c = hypotenuse)
• Area (Heron's formula): √[s(s-a)(s-b)(s-c)], where s = (a+b+c)/2
• Sum of interior angles = 180°

TRICK / SHORTCUT: Memorize Pythagorean triplets so you don't need to calculate: (3,4,5), (5,12,13), (8,15,17),
(7,24,25), and their multiples (6,8,10 etc.). If two sides match a triplet pattern, you instantly know the third.

Example 1: A right triangle has legs 9 cm and 12 cm. Find its hypotenuse and area.
Notice 9 and 12 = 3×(3,4) → this is a 3-4-5 triplet scaled by 3 → hypotenuse = 3×5 = 15 cm
Area = 1/2 × 9 × 12 = 54 cm²
Answer: Hypotenuse = 15 cm, Area = 54 cm²

1.2 Quadrilaterals

FORMULAS TO REMEMBER
• Square: Area = s², Perimeter = 4s
• Rectangle: Area = l × w, Perimeter = 2(l + w)
• Parallelogram: Area = base × height
• Trapezoid: Area = 1/2 × (b1 + b2) × height
• Rhombus: Area = 1/2 × d1 × d2 (diagonals)

1.3 Circles

FORMULAS TO REMEMBER
• Circumference = 2πr = πd
• Area = πr²
• Arc length = (θ/360°) × 2πr
• Sector area = (θ/360°) × πr²

Example 2: Find the area of a circle with radius 7 cm. (Use π = 22/7)
Area = πr² = 22/7 × 7 × 7 = 22 × 7 = 154 cm²
Answer: 154 cm²

TRICK / SHORTCUT: Whenever the radius is a multiple of 7, use π = 22/7 — it cancels perfectly and avoids
decimals.
1.4 Solids (3D shapes)

FORMULAS TO REMEMBER
• Cube: Volume = s³, Surface area = 6s²
• Cuboid: Volume = l×w×h, Surface area = 2(lw+wh+lh)
• Cylinder: Volume = πr²h, Surface area = 2πr² + 2πrh
• Cone: Volume = 1/3 πr²h, Curved surface area = πrl (l = slant height)
• Sphere: Volume = 4/3 πr³, Surface area = 4πr²

1.5 Polygons & Angles

FORMULAS TO REMEMBER
• Sum of interior angles of an n-sided polygon = (n − 2) × 180°
• Each interior angle of a regular n-gon = (n − 2) × 180° / n
• Sum of exterior angles of any polygon = 360°

Example 3: Find each interior angle of a regular hexagon (n = 6).

Interior angle = (6-2)×180°/6 = 4×180°/6 = 720°/6 = 120°
Answer: 120°
2. Logarithms
A logarithm answers the question: 'to what power must the base be raised to get this number?' If bˣ = y, then log_b(y) =
x. Test questions usually check whether you know the laws below and can flip between exponential and log form
instantly.

FORMULAS TO REMEMBER
• log_a(m × n) = log_a(m) + log_a(n) (Product rule)
• log_a(m / n) = log_a(m) − log_a(n) (Quotient rule)
• log_a(mⁿ) = n × log_a(m) (Power rule)
• log_a(a) = 1 and log_a(1) = 0
• Change of base: log_a(b) = log_c(b) / log_c(a)
• a^(log_a x) = x and log_a(a^x) = x

TRICK / SHORTCUT: If you see a log equation like log_b(x) = n, immediately rewrite it in exponential form bⁿ = x
— this converts almost every log question into simple arithmetic.

Example 1: Solve for x: log₂(x) = 5

Rewrite in exponential form: 2⁵ = x
2⁵ = 32
Answer: x = 32

Example 2: Evaluate log₃(81)

Ask: 3 raised to what power gives 81?
3⁴ = 81, so log₃(81) = 4
Answer: 4

Example 3: Simplify: log(20) + log(5)

Use product rule: log(20) + log(5) = log(20 × 5) = log(100)
log(100) = log₁₀(10²) = 2
Answer: 2
3. Ratio and Proportion
A ratio compares two quantities (a:b = a/b). A proportion states that two ratios are equal (a:b = c:d). These questions
are fast to solve once you know cross-multiplication and a couple of shortcut identities.

FORMULAS TO REMEMBER
• a:b = c:d ⟺ a×d = b×c (Cross multiplication)
• Continued proportion: a:b = b:c ⟺ b² = a×c (b is the 'mean proportional')
• Mean proportional between a and c = √(a×c)
• Componendo-Dividendo: if a/b = c/d, then (a+b)/(a−b) = (c+d)/(c−d)
• If a:b = c:d, then a:b:c:d can be scaled by any common factor without changing the ratio

TRICK / SHORTCUT: When splitting a quantity in a given ratio (e.g. split 720 in ratio 2:3:4), add the parts
(2+3+4=9), divide the total by that sum (720/9=80), then multiply each ratio part by 80.

Example 1: If 3 : 4 = x : 20, find x.

Cross multiply: 3 × 20 = 4 × x
60 = 4x → x = 15
Answer: x = 15

Example 2: Divide Rs. 720 among A, B, and C in the ratio 2:3:4.

Sum of parts = 2+3+4 = 9
Each part = 720/9 = 80
A = 2×80=160, B = 3×80=240, C = 4×80=320
Answer: A = 160, B = 240, C = 320
4. Trigonometry and Circle
Trigonometry questions test the basic ratios (SOH-CAH-TOA), the Pythagorean identities, and standard angle values.
Circle questions often combine with trigonometry for arcs and sectors.

4.1 Basic Ratios

FORMULAS TO REMEMBER
• sin θ = Opposite / Hypotenuse
• cos θ = Adjacent / Hypotenuse
• tan θ = Opposite / Adjacent = sin θ / cos θ
• csc θ = 1/sin θ, sec θ = 1/cos θ, cot θ = 1/tan θ

TRICK / SHORTCUT: Remember it as: SOH – CAH – TOA (Sin=Opp/Hyp, Cos=Adj/Hyp, Tan=Opp/Adj).

4.2 Identities

FORMULAS TO REMEMBER
• sin²θ + cos²θ = 1
• 1 + tan²θ = sec²θ
• 1 + cot²θ = csc²θ

4.3 Standard Angle Values

Angle 0° 30° 45° 60° 90°

sin θ 0 1/2 √2/2 √3/2 1

cos θ 1 √3/2 √2/2 1/2 0

tan θ 0 1/√3 1 √3 undefined

TRICK / SHORTCUT: For sin: write 0,1,2,3,4 under a square root, divide each by 2 → √0/2, √1/2, √2/2, √3/2, √4/2 =
0, 1/2, √2/2, √3/2, 1. For cos, just reverse the order.

4.4 Circle Formulas

FORMULAS TO REMEMBER
• Circumference = 2πr
• Area = πr²
• Arc length = (θ/360°) × 2πr
• Sector area = (θ/360°) × πr²

Example 1: Evaluate: sin30° × cos60° + cos30° × sin60°

This matches the identity sin(A+B) = sinA cosB + cosA sinB
= sin(30°+60°) = sin(90°) = 1
Answer: 1

Example 2: A sector has radius 14 cm and angle 90°. Find its area. (π = 22/7)
Sector area = (θ/360)×πr² = (90/360) × 22/7 × 14²
= 1/4 × 22/7 × 196 = 1/4 × 616 = 154
Answer: 154 cm²
5. Simple & Compound Interest, Annuity
These questions involve money growing over time. Simple interest grows linearly; compound interest grows on
interest-on-interest; annuities involve a series of equal periodic payments.

5.1 Simple Interest (SI)

FORMULAS TO REMEMBER
• SI = (P × R × T) / 100
• Amount, A = P + SI
• P = Principal, R = Rate % per year, T = Time in years

5.2 Compound Interest (CI)

FORMULAS TO REMEMBER
• A = P(1 + r/n)^(n×t) [r = annual rate as decimal, n = times compounded per year, t = years]
• CI = A − P
• If compounded annually: A = P(1 + R/100)^T
• Shortcut for 2 years: CI = P[(1+R/100)² − 1]
• Difference between CI and SI for 2 years = P × (R/100)²

TRICK / SHORTCUT: If a question only gives rate and 2 years, use the shortcut Difference = P(R/100)² instead of
calculating SI and CI separately — it saves a full step.

5.3 Annuity

FORMULAS TO REMEMBER
• Future Value of Annuity: FV = PMT × [(1+r)ⁿ − 1] / r
• Present Value of Annuity: PV = PMT × [1 − (1+r)^(−n)] / r
• PMT = periodic payment, r = interest rate per period, n = number of periods

Example 1: Find the simple interest on Rs. 5000 at 8% per annum for 3 years.
SI = (P×R×T)/100 = (5000×8×3)/100
= 120000/100 = 1200
Answer: Rs. 1200

Example 2: Find the compound interest on Rs. 1000 at 10% per annum for 2 years, compounded annually.
A = P(1+R/100)^T = 1000×(1.1)² = 1000×1.21 = 1210
CI = A − P = 1210 − 1000 = 210
Answer: Rs. 210
6. Matrix, Simultaneous System of Equations
Matrix questions test basic operations and 2×2 determinants/inverses. Simultaneous equation questions test
elimination, substitution, and (occasionally) Cramer's rule using determinants.

6.1 Matrix Basics

FORMULAS TO REMEMBER
• Addition/Subtraction: only for matrices of the same order — add/subtract corresponding elements
• Multiplication: possible only if columns of first = rows of second matrix
• Determinant of 2×2 matrix [[a,b],[c,d]] = ad − bc
• Inverse of 2×2 matrix = (1/determinant) × [[d, −b], [−c, a]]
• A matrix has no inverse if its determinant = 0 (called a 'singular' matrix)

6.2 Simultaneous Equations

FORMULAS TO REMEMBER
• Elimination method: add/subtract equations to cancel one variable
• Substitution method: solve one equation for one variable, substitute into the other
• Cramer's Rule (2 equations): x = Dx/D, y = Dy/D, where D is the determinant of coefficients

TRICK / SHORTCUT: Before solving, check if simply adding or subtracting the two equations cancels a variable
directly — this is faster than full substitution.

Example 1: Find the determinant of [[3,5],[2,4]]

Determinant = (3×4) − (5×2) = 12 − 10 = 2
Answer: 2

Example 2: Solve: 2x + y = 5 and x − y = 1

Add both equations to eliminate y: (2x+y)+(x−y) = 5+1 → 3x = 6 → x = 2
Substitute into x−y=1: 2−y=1 → y=1
Answer: x = 2, y = 1
7. H.C.F. and L.C.M., Factorization
HCF (Highest Common Factor) is the largest number dividing all given numbers exactly. LCM (Lowest Common
Multiple) is the smallest number that all given numbers divide into exactly.

FORMULAS TO REMEMBER
• For two numbers: HCF × LCM = Product of the two numbers
• Prime factorization method: HCF = product of common prime factors (lowest powers); LCM = product of all
primes (highest powers)
• For fractions: HCF = HCF(numerators)/LCM(denominators); LCM = LCM(numerators)/HCF(denominators)

TRICK / SHORTCUT: If the question only gives two numbers and asks for LCM after you've found the HCF (or vice
versa), just use HCF × LCM = Product — no need to refactor.

Example 1: Find the HCF and LCM of 12 and 18.

12 = 2² × 3, 18 = 2 × 3²
HCF = common lowest powers = 2 × 3 = 6

Check: 6 × 36 = 216 = 12 × 18 ✓
LCM = highest powers = 2² × 3² = 36

Answer: HCF = 6, LCM = 36

Example 2: Factorize: x² − 9
This is a difference of squares: a² − b² = (a−b)(a+b)
x² − 9 = x² − 3² = (x−3)(x+3)
Answer: (x − 3)(x + 3)
8. Information Handling
This covers basic statistics — reading data from tables/graphs and computing mean, median, mode, and range.

FORMULAS TO REMEMBER
• Mean = (Sum of all values) / (Number of values)
• Median = middle value when data is arranged in order (average of two middle values if n is even)
• Mode = value(s) that occur most frequently
• Range = Maximum value − Minimum value

TRICK / SHORTCUT: Always sort the data first before finding median — a very common mistake is finding the
'middle' of unsorted data.

Example 1: Find the mean, median, and mode of: 4, 8, 6, 5, 3, 7, 5

Sorted: 3, 4, 5, 5, 6, 7, 8
Mean = (3+4+5+5+6+7+8)/7 = 38/7 ≈ 5.43
Median = middle value (4th of 7) = 5
Mode = most frequent value = 5 (appears twice)
Answer: Mean ≈ 5.43, Median = 5, Mode = 5
9. Percentages
Percentage means 'per hundred'. These questions test conversions, percentage change, and successive percentage
changes.

FORMULAS TO REMEMBER
• Percentage = (Part / Whole) × 100
• To find x% of a number N: (x/100) × N
• Percentage increase/decrease = (Change / Original value) × 100
• Successive percentage change: Net % = a + b + (a×b)/100 (a, b can be negative for decreases)

TRICK / SHORTCUT: For successive changes (like two discounts or a rise then a fall), never add the percentages
directly — always use Net% = a + b + ab/100.

Example 1: Find 15% of 200.

(15/100) × 200 = 30
Answer: 30

Example 2: A price is increased by 20% and then decreased by 10%. Find the net percentage change.
Net% = a + b + ab/100 = 20 + (−10) + (20×−10)/100
= 10 + (−2) = 8
Answer: Net increase of 8%
10. System of Real Numbers
This tests whether you know how numbers are classified, and the basic algebraic properties that apply to them.

10.1 Classification

FORMULAS TO REMEMBER
• Natural numbers (N): 1, 2, 3, 4, ...
• Whole numbers (W): 0, 1, 2, 3, ...
• Integers (Z): ..., −2, −1, 0, 1, 2, ...
• Rational numbers (Q): can be written as p/q (q≠0); decimals terminate or repeat
• Irrational numbers: cannot be written as p/q; decimals never terminate or repeat (e.g. √2, π)
• Real numbers (R): all rational and irrational numbers combined

10.2 Properties

FORMULAS TO REMEMBER
• Closure: a+b and a×b are also real numbers
• Commutative: a+b = b+a, a×b = b×a
• Associative: (a+b)+c = a+(b+c), (a×b)×c = a×(b×c)
• Distributive: a×(b+c) = a×b + a×c
• Identity: a+0 = a, a×1 = a
• Inverse: a + (−a) = 0, a × (1/a) = 1 (a≠0)

TRICK / SHORTCUT: If a decimal terminates (e.g. 0.75) or repeats in a pattern (e.g. 0.333...), it is rational. If it goes
on forever with no repeating pattern, it's irrational.

Example 1: Classify the following as rational or irrational: √16, √2, 0.333...

√16 = 4, which is a whole number → Rational
√2 ≈ 1.41421356... never terminates/repeats → Irrational
0.333... = 1/3, a repeating decimal → Rational
Answer: √16 → Rational, √2 → Irrational, 0.333... → Rational

Final Revision Checklist

• Memorize all formula boxes above — write them from memory once a day before the test
• Redo every example without looking at the solution until you get it right instantly
• Time yourself: each question should take under 60-90 seconds
• Know your Pythagorean triplets and standard trig angle values cold — they save the most time
• Double-check units and whether a question wants a percentage vs a decimal, or Rs. vs %