NTS Quantitative Aptitude
Quick Formula & Trick Sheet
1. LCM of Fractions
LCM ÷ each denominator = multiplier for that fraction's numerator
Convert all fractions to a common denominator (the LCM), then add/subtract numerators directly.
Example: LCM(12,18) = 36 → 1/12 = 3/36, 1/18 = 2/36 → sum = 5/36
2. Successive Percentage Change
Net% = a + b + (a×b)/100
Use +ab/100 when both changes are increases. For an increase then a decrease (or vice versa), give the decrease
a negative sign before substituting.
Example: 20% increase then 25% increase: 20+25+(20×25)/100 = 50%
Special case (equal markup and discount %): Net% = −(m²)/100 (always a loss)
Example: Mark up 20%, discount 20% → net loss = 20²/100 = 4%
3. Average — Including / Excluding a Person
New person's value = (n+1)×New Avg − n×Old Avg
Works for the reverse case too: removing one person from a group and finding their value from the average shift.
Example: 8 students avg 18, +teacher avg becomes 20 → teacher = 9×20 − 8×18 = 36
4. Profit % After Markup Then Discount
Net Profit% = m − d − (m×d)/100
m = markup % above cost price, d = discount % on marked price.
Example: Marked up 50%, discount 20%: 50−20−(50×20)/100 = 20% profit
5. Time & Work
If A+B together = x days, A alone = a days → B alone = (a×x)/(a−x)
Combined rate = 1/A + 1/B + 1/C + ... → Days together = 1 / (combined rate)
Always work in 'rate per day' (1/days), never in raw days, when combining workers.
Example: A+B in 8 days, A alone 12 days → B = (12×8)/(12−8) = 24 days
6. Average of a Remaining Sub-Group
Sum of remaining = Total Sum − Known Group Sum
Average of remaining = Sum of remaining ÷ Number remaining
Always convert averages to totals first (Avg × Count), do the subtraction, then convert back to an average.
7. Cost Price From Two Selling Prices
Loss → Profit case: CP = [(SP2 − SP1) × 100] / (loss% + profit%)
Two-profit case: CP = [(SP2 − SP1) × 100] / (%gain difference)
The difference between the two selling prices equals the combined percentage swing applied to the cost price.
Example: 15% loss vs 5% profit, SP gap = 240 → CP intended check: gap% = 20% of CP
8. Men / Women Work Equivalence
If a men = b women, finishing in T days, for p men + q women:
Days = (a × b × T) / (p×b + q×a)
This converts a mixed group of men and women into a single 'work unit' comparison instantly — skip rate-writing
and LCM steps entirely.
Example: 3 men = 4 women in 43 days; 7 men+5 women → (3×4×43)/(7×4+5×3) = 516/43 = 12 days
9. Loss % Due to Theft / Wastage
Net Loss% = t − (100−t) × p/100
t = % of goods stolen/lost (treated as a 100% loss on that portion), p = intended profit% on the remaining goods.
Example: 20% goods stolen, 10% profit on rest → 20 − 80×10/100 = 12% net loss
10. Gain % When CP Is Given as a % of MP
Gain% = [(1−d) − c] / c × 100
c = CP/MP as a decimal, d = discount as a decimal. Assume MP = 100 to simplify calculation.
Example: CP = 64% of MP, discount 12% → [(0.88−0.64)/0.64]×100 = 37.5%
11. Speed Unit Conversion
km/h → m/s : multiply by 5/18
m/s → km/h : multiply by 18/5
12. Trains — Crossing Objects
Crossing a platform/bridge: Distance = Length of train + Length of platform
Crossing a pole/point (stationary, negligible length): Distance = Length of train only
Speed = Distance / Time
Example: 72 km/h = 20 m/s; crosses 250 m platform in 25 s → total dist = 500 m → train = 500−250 = 250 m
Quick-Glance Summary Table
Scenario Formula
Two successive % changes a + b + ab/100
CP from loss→profit SP jump (SP2−SP1)×100 / (loss%+profit%)
Combined work rate 1/A + 1/B + 1/C ...
Men–women equivalence (a×b×T) / (p×b + q×a)
Train + platform crossing Distance = Train length + Platform length
Theft/wastage net loss% t − (100−t)×p/100
km/h → m/s × 5/18
Tip: In the exam, plug numbers directly into the boxed formulas — skip intermediate rate-writing steps to save time.