IBPS RRB Quantitative Aptitude (Numerical Ability) Syllabus

Quantitative Aptitude (Numerical Ability) syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for Quantitative Aptitude (Numerical Ability) in IBPS RRB, not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Number System and Simplification

   5 topics

   • Simplification and Approximation
     • BODMAS rule application
     • Approximation of decimals and surds
     • Square and cube value memorisation
   • Number Series
     • Missing number series
     • Wrong term identification
     • Patterns: arithmetic, geometric, square/cube based
   • Surds, Indices and Powers
   • HCF, LCM and Divisibility Rules
   • Fractions, Decimals and Ordering
2. 2

   Arithmetic Word Problems

   7 topics

   • Percentage and its Applications
   • Profit, Loss and Discount
     • Successive discounts
     • Marked price and cost price relations
     • Dishonest dealer problems
   • Simple and Compound Interest
     • Half-yearly and quarterly compounding
     • Difference between SI and CI
   • Ratio, Proportion and Partnership
   • Average and Mixtures (Alligation)
   • Time, Speed and Distance
     • Relative speed
     • Trains, boats and streams
   • Time and Work, Pipes and Cisterns
3. 3

   Data Interpretation

   7 topics

   • Tabular Data Interpretation
   • Bar Graphs (single and multiple)
   • Line Graphs
   • Pie Charts
   • Caselet (Paragraph-based) DI
   • Missing Data Interpretation
   • Combined and Mixed Graphs
4. 4

   Advanced Maths

   5 topics

   • Quadratic Equations and Inequalities
     • Comparison of two roots (x and y relationship)
   • Permutation and Combination
   • Probability
   • Mensuration (2D and 3D)
     • Area and perimeter of plane figures
     • Volume and surface area of solids
   • Data Sufficiency

Quantitative Aptitude (Numerical Ability) flashcards for IBPS RRB

21 of 50 cards from the Quantitative Aptitude (Numerical Ability) deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. In Simplification, what is the BODMAS/VBODMAS order of operations?

   V-Vinculum (bar), B-Brackets ( {} [] ), O-Of, D-Division, M-Multiplication, A-Addition, S-Subtraction, performed left to right.

2. In Approximation problems, how do you typically treat a number like 4.97 or √626?

   Round to the nearest convenient value: 4.97 to 5, and √626 to 25 (since 25 = 625), then compute.

3. What are the four common types of number series patterns?

   Arithmetic (constant difference), Geometric (constant ratio), squares/cubes (n^2, n^3 patterns), and mixed/alternating (two interleaved series or combined operations).

4. In a number series, how do you identify the wrong term?

   Find the consistent rule between consecutive terms; the term that breaks the established pattern (difference, ratio, or operation) is the wrong/odd one.

5. What is a surd, and give the rule for multiplying surds: √a × √b = ?

   A surd is an irrational root that cannot be simplified to a rational number (e.g. √2). Rule: √a × √b = √(ab).

6. State the three core laws of indices for multiplication, division, and power of a power.

   a^m × a^n = a^(m+n); a^m ÷ a^n = a^(m-n); (a^m)^n = a^(mn).

7. What is the value of a^0 and a^(-n)?

   a^0 = 1 (for a ≠ 0); a^(-n) = 1/a^n.

8. How do you rationalize the denominator of 1/(√a + √b)?

   Multiply numerator and denominator by the conjugate (√a − √b), giving (√a − √b)/(a − b).

9. What is the fundamental relationship: HCF × LCM = ?

   For two numbers, HCF × LCM = product of the two numbers.

10. How do you find the HCF and LCM of fractions?

    HCF of fractions = HCF of numerators / LCM of denominators. LCM of fractions = LCM of numerators / HCF of denominators.

11. State the divisibility rules for 3, 9, and 11.

    Divisible by 3 if digit sum is divisible by 3; by 9 if digit sum is divisible by 9; by 11 if the difference between sum of odd-position and even-position digits is 0 or a multiple of 11.

12. State the divisibility rules for 4 and 8.

    Divisible by 4 if the last two digits form a number divisible by 4; by 8 if the last three digits form a number divisible by 8.

13. How do you compare two fractions a/b and c/d without converting to decimals?

    Cross-multiply: compare a×d with b×c. If a×d > b×c, then a/b > c/d (assuming positive denominators).

14. What is the formula to convert a fraction to a percentage and vice versa?

    Fraction to percent: multiply by 100. Percent to fraction: divide by 100. E.g. 3/4 = 75%, and 40% = 40/100 = 2/5.

15. How do you express an increase from value A to value B as a percentage change?

    Percentage change = ((B − A)/A) × 100. Positive means increase, negative means decrease.

16. If a quantity is increased by x% and then decreased by x%, what is the net percentage change?

    Net change = −x²/100 % (a net decrease), regardless of order.

17. What is successive percentage change formula for two changes a% and b%?

    Net % = a + b + (ab/100), using signs (+ for increase, − for decrease).

18. Define Profit% and Loss% in terms of cost price (CP).

    Profit% = (Profit/CP) × 100; Loss% = (Loss/CP) × 100. Both are calculated on cost price.

19. What is the relationship between Selling Price (SP), Cost Price (CP) and Profit%?

    SP = CP × (100 + Profit%)/100; for loss, SP = CP × (100 − Loss%)/100.

20. Define Marked Price and Discount; how is SP found from MP?

    Marked Price (MP) is the listed price; Discount is a reduction on MP. SP = MP × (100 − Discount%)/100, with Discount% = (Discount/MP) × 100.

21. What is the Simple Interest formula?

    SI = (P × R × T)/100, where P = principal, R = rate per annum, T = time in years.

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