Approximation strategy: Replace ugly numbers with nearby round ones. 789÷26.8 ≈ 800÷27 ≈ 30. Then check which option is closest.
Simplification & Approximation Tricks
SBI POIBPS POSSC CGLRRB
Items to Memorize
- BODMAS order: Brackets → Orders → Division → Multiplication → Addition → Subtraction
- Approximation: round to nearest 5 or 10 first
- Digit sum check: add digits of answer to verify
- Fraction shortcuts: 1/7=0.142857 (repeating), 1/11=0.0909..., 1/13=0.076923
- Square tricks: numbers ending in 5 → (n)(n+1) then append 25
- Multiplication by 11: insert sum of digits between them
- Percentage to fraction: 12.5%=1/8, 16.67%=1/6, 37.5%=3/8
- Division by 5: multiply by 2, divide by 10
- Near-100 multiplication: (100+a)(100+b) = 100+(a+b) | a×b
- Vedic cross multiplication for 2-digit × 2-digit
Mnemonic Tricks
Why It's Faster
Banking exam approximation questions give options with 10-15% gaps. You don't need exact answers — just close enough to pick the right option. This saves 20+ seconds per question.
Squares ending in 5: 35² = (3×4)|25 = 1225. 75² = (7×8)|25 = 5625. 115² = (11×12)|25 = 13225.
How It Maps
| Cue | Maps To |
|---|---|
| 35² | 3×4 = 12, append 25 → 1225 |
| 65² | 6×7 = 42, append 25 → 4225 |
| 85² | 8×9 = 72, append 25 → 7225 |
| 95² | 9×10 = 90, append 25 → 9025 |
| 105² | 10×11 = 110, append 25 → 11025 |
Why It's Faster
Squaring numbers ending in 5 comes up in DI calculations. This trick gives instant answers without any multiplication.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to solve simplification questions fast in banking exams?
Use approximation: round numbers to nearby multiples of 5 or 10, solve mentally, then pick the closest option. Banking exams give well-spaced options to allow this approach.
How many simplification questions come in SBI PO?
5 questions in Prelims (always appear) and are considered the easiest marks in the paper. With practice, each can be solved in 10-15 seconds.
What percentage-fraction conversions should I memorize?
Key ones: 12.5%=1/8, 16.67%=1/6, 33.33%=1/3, 37.5%=3/8, 62.5%=5/8, 83.33%=5/6. These eliminate long division in calculations.