PPSC Educators Test Basic Mathematics & Computer Studies Syllabus

Basic Mathematics & Computer Studies syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for Basic Mathematics & Computer Studies in PPSC Educators Test, not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Arithmetic

   4 topics

   • Number Systems and Operations
   • Fractions, Decimals and Percentages
   • Ratio, Proportion and Average
   • Profit, Loss and Interest
2. 2

   Algebra and Geometry

   3 topics

   • Basic Algebraic Expressions and Equations
   • Lines, Angles and Triangles
   • Area, Perimeter and Volume
3. 3

   Quantitative Reasoning

   3 topics

   • Time, Speed and Distance
   • Time and Work
   • Sequences and Series
4. 4

   Computer Fundamentals

   3 topics

   • Hardware and Software Basics
   • Operating Systems and MS Office
   • Internet, Email and Networking

Basic Mathematics & Computer Studies flashcards for PPSC Educators Test

22 of 50 cards from the Basic Mathematics & Computer Studies deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. What is the difference between natural numbers and whole numbers?

   Natural numbers are the counting numbers starting from 1 (1, 2, 3, ...). Whole numbers are natural numbers including 0 (0, 1, 2, 3, ...).

2. Define a prime number and give the smallest prime.

   A prime number is a number greater than 1 that has exactly two factors: 1 and itself. The smallest prime number is 2 (and it is the only even prime).

3. What is the place value system base of the decimal (denary) number system, and what is the base of the binary system?

   The decimal system has base 10 (digits 0-9). The binary system has base 2 (digits 0 and 1).

4. State the rules for divisibility by 3 and by 9.

   A number is divisible by 3 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 3. It is divisible by 9 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 9.

5. What is the HCF (GCD) and the LCM of two numbers, and what is the relationship between them?

   HCF is the largest number that divides both. LCM is the smallest number divisible by both. For two numbers a and b: HCF x LCM = a x b.

6. What is the order of operations (BODMAS/PEMDAS)?

   Brackets, Orders (powers/roots), Division and Multiplication (left to right), then Addition and Subtraction (left to right).

7. How do you convert a fraction to a decimal and a decimal to a percentage?

   Divide the numerator by the denominator to get a decimal. Multiply a decimal by 100 (and add %) to get a percentage.

8. How do you add two fractions with different denominators?

   Find the LCM of the denominators (common denominator), convert each fraction to equivalent fractions with that denominator, then add the numerators and keep the common denominator.

9. Convert 0.75 to a fraction and to a percentage.

   0.75 = 3/4 = 75%.

10. What is the formula to find a percentage of a number, e.g. 20% of 150?

    Percentage of a number = (percentage/100) x number. So 20% of 150 = (20/100) x 150 = 30.

11. How do you calculate percentage increase or decrease?

    Percentage change = (change in value / original value) x 100. Positive result is an increase, negative is a decrease.

12. What is a ratio and how do you simplify the ratio 12:18?

    A ratio compares two quantities of the same kind. Simplify by dividing both terms by their HCF. HCF of 12 and 18 is 6, so 12:18 = 2:3.

13. What is a proportion, and how do you solve a:b = c:d for an unknown?

    A proportion states two ratios are equal. In a:b = c:d, the cross products are equal: a x d = b x c (product of means = product of extremes). Solve for the unknown using this equality.

14. What is the formula for the average (arithmetic mean) of a set of numbers?

    Average = (sum of all values) / (number of values).

15. If a quantity is divided in the ratio 3:5 and the total is 80, what are the two parts?

    Total parts = 3 + 5 = 8. One part = 80/8 = 10. So the shares are 3 x 10 = 30 and 5 x 10 = 50.

16. What are the formulas for Profit, Loss, and their percentages?

    Profit = SP - CP; Loss = CP - SP. Profit% = (Profit/CP) x 100; Loss% = (Loss/CP) x 100. (SP = selling price, CP = cost price.)

17. What is the formula for Selling Price when profit percent is given?

    SP = CP x (100 + Profit%)/100. For a loss, SP = CP x (100 - Loss%)/100.

18. What is the formula for Simple Interest?

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

19. What is the formula for Compound Interest (amount)?

    Amount A = P(1 + R/100)^T, and Compound Interest = A - P, where P = principal, R = rate per annum, T = time in years.

20. What is a discount and how is the discount percentage calculated?

    Discount is the reduction off the marked price. Discount = Marked Price - Selling Price; Discount% = (Discount/Marked Price) x 100.

21. What is an algebraic expression, and how does it differ from an equation?

    An algebraic expression is a combination of variables, constants and operations (e.g. 3x + 2) with no equals sign. An equation states that two expressions are equal (e.g. 3x + 2 = 8).

22. State the formulas for (a+b)^2 and (a-b)^2.

    (a+b)^2 = a^2 + 2ab + b^2. (a-b)^2 = a^2 - 2ab + b^2.

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