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Important Formulas For CAT Exam 2024: Topic Wise Formulas

Author : Lalita Vishwakarma

October 28, 2024

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Overview: What are the important formulas for CAT exam 2024? Is the Quantitative section of the CAT exam tough? Read on to know the complete details.

  • The Common Admission Test, or CAT 2024, is the most challenging MBA entrance exam and a major gateway to the top management colleges in India.
  • The quantitative section of the CAT exam covers various topics, such as Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Number Systems, and Miscellaneous.
  • It is very important to learn the CAT Important Formulas 2024, along with tricks and tips.

So, continue reading to learn the most CAT Important Formulas 2024 with us!


Also Read | CAT 2024 Registration Begins: Apply Before 13 September 2024

What are the Important Formulas for CAT Exam 2024?

The quantitative section of the CAT exam evaluates candidates' problem-solving abilities through topics such as Algebra, Arithmetic, Number Systems, Geometry, and Miscellaneous. It consists of 22 questions covering different topics. 

While you may already be familiar with these formulas from high school, revising them is crucial to enhance your CAT exam preparation. Here is the list of the most important formulas of CAT exam for quantitative aptitude.

Also Read | Data Interpretation Orientation and Shortcuts

Download Free QA Section Daily Study Plan by Supergrads

Important Formulas for CAT Exam 2024: Number System

Learning the CAT quant formulas can help you understand from the basics. So, here are the important CAT exam formulas for number system: 

Description

Formulas

Difference of Squares

(a + b)(a - b) = a² - b²

Square of a Binomial (positive)

(a + b)² = a² + 2ab + b²

Square of a Binomial (negative)

(a - b)² = a² - 2ab + b²

Square of a Trinomial

(a + b + c)² = a² + b² + c² + 2ab + 2bc + 2ca

Sum of Cubes

(a³ + b³) = (a + b)(a² - ab + b²)

Difference of Cubes

(a³ - b³) = (a - b)(a² + ab + b²)

Factorization of a³ + b³ + c³ - 3abc

(a³ + b³ + c³ - 3abc) = (a + b + c)(a² + b² + c² - ab - bc - ca)

Special case for a + b + c = 0

When a + b + c = 0, then a³ + b³ + c³ = 3abc

Sum of first n natural numbers

1 + 2 + 3 + ... + n = n(n + 1) / 2

Sum of squares of first n natural numbers

1² + 2² + 3² + ... + n² = n(n + 1)(2n + 1) / 6

Sum of cubes of first n natural numbers

1³ + 2³ + 3³ + ... + n³ = (n(n + 1) / 2)²

Sum of first n odd numbers

Sum of first n odd numbers = n²

Sum of first n even numbers

Sum of first n even numbers = n(n + 1)

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Also Read | CAT 2024: Exam Pattern, Syllabus for Quantitative Aptitude

Important Formulas for CAT Exam 2024: Profit & Loss 

Understanding the CAT formulas for profit and loss can be a plus point to boost your preparation for the main day. Here are some important CAT exam formulas you should focus on:

S.No.

Formulas

1.

Profit = Selling Price (SP) - Cost Price (CP)

2

Loss = Cost Price (CP) - Selling Price (SP)

3

Profit Percentage = (Profit / Cost Price) * 100

4

Loss Percentage = (Loss / Cost Price) * 100

5

Selling Price = (100 + Profit Percentage) / 100 * Cost Price

6

Selling Price = (100 - Loss Percentage) / 100 * Cost Price

7

Cost Price = 100 / (100 + Profit Percentage) * Selling Price

8

Cost Price = 100 / (100 - Loss Percentage) * Selling Price

9

Discount = Marked Price - Selling Price

10

Discount Percentage = (Discount / Marked Price) * 100

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Check | How To Prepare For CAT Exam 2024?

Important Formulas for CAT Exam 2024: Time, Distance, Speed & Work

Category

Formulas

Speed

Speed = Distance / Time

Distance

Distance = Speed * Time

Time

Time = Distance / Speed

Average Speed (constant distance)

Average Speed = 2xy / (x + y)

Work

Work Done = Time Taken * Rate of Work

Work

Rate of Work = 1 / Time Taken

Work

Time Taken = 1 / Rate of Work

Also Read | CAT Exam is for Which Stream: Exam Pattern & Syllabus

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Important Formulas for CAT Exam 2024: Percentage

S.No.

Formulas

1

Percentage= (Part / Whole) * 100

2

Percentage Increase= [(New Value - Old Value) / Old Value] * 100

3

Percentage Decrease= [(Old Value - New Value) / Old Value] * 100

4

Profit Percentage = (Profit / Cost Price) * 100

5

Loss Percentage = (Loss / Cost Price) * 100

6

Markup Percentage = (Markup / Cost Price) * 100

7

Discount Percentage = (Discount / Marked Price) * 100

Downlaod Free QA Sample Questions for CAT Exam

Important Formulas for CAT Exam 2024: Time and Work

S.No.

Formulas

1.

Work Done = Time Taken × Rate of Work

2.

Rate of Work = 1 / Time Taken

3.

Time Taken = 1 / Rate of Work

4.

Total Work = Number of Days × Efficiency

5.

Efficiency = Work / Time

6.

 

M1D1H1W2 = M1D2H2W1

Also Read | How to download CAT Exam Admit Card 2024

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Also Read | CAT Exam Eligibility 2024: Check Age Limit, Education

Important Formulas for CAT Exam 2024: Simple and Compound Interest

S.No.

Formulas

1

Simple Interest = (P * R * T) / 100

2

Amount in Simple Interest = P + SI

3

Compound Interest (Annual Compounding) = P [(1 + R/100)^T - 1]

4

Amount in Compound Interest (Annual Compounding) = P (1 + R/100)^T

5

Compound Interest (Periodic Compounding) = P [(1 + R/n)^(nt) - 1]

6

Amount in Compound Interest (Periodic Compounding)= P (1 + R/n)^(nt)

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Important Formulas for CAT Exam 2024: Mensuration

Formulas for 2D Shapes

Shapes

Formula for Area (A)

Formula for Perimeter (P)

Square

A = s²

P = 4s

Rectangle

A = lb

P = 2(l + b)

Triangle

A = 1/2 bh

P = a + b + c (where a, b, c are sides)

Circle

A = πr²

P = 2πr or πd

Parallelogram

A = bh

P = 2(l + b)

Trapezium

A = 1/2 (a + b)h

P = a + b + c + d (where a, b are parallel sides)

Read More |  CAT Exam Subjects 2024

Important CAT Formulas for 3D Shapes 

Shapes

Formula for Volume (V)

The formula for Total Surface Area (TSA)

Cube

V = s³

TSA = 6s²

Cuboid

V = lbh

TSA = 2(lb + bh + lh)

Cylinder

V = πr²h

TSA = 2πr(r + h)

Sphere

V = 4/3 πr³

TSA = 4πr²

Cone

V = 1/3 πr²h

TSA = πr(l + r) (where l is slant height)

Hemisphere

V = 2/3 πr³

TSA = 3πr²

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Also Read | What is the CAT Exam Success Rate?

Important Formulas for CAT Exam 2024: Trigonometry 

1.Basic Trigonometric Ratios

These are defined in relation to a right-angled triangle:

  • Sine (sin): Opposite side / Hypotenuse
  • Cosine (cos): Adjacent side / Hypotenuse
  • Tangent (tan): Opposite side / Adjacent side
  • Cosecant (csc): Hypotenuse / Opposite side
  • Secant (sec): Hypotenuse / Adjacent side
  • Cotangent (cot): Adjacent side / Opposite side

Download Free Geometry Practice Questions Part 1

2. Pythagorean Identities

  • sin²θ + cos²θ = 1
  • 1 + tan²θ = sec²θ
  • 1 + cot²θ = csc²θ

Check: CAT Exam Response sheet

3. Trigonometric Functions of Negative Angles

  • sin(-θ) = -sinθ
  • cos(-θ) = cosθ
  • tan(-θ) = -tanθ
  • csc(-θ) = -cscθ
  • sec(-θ) = secθ
  • cot(-θ) = -cotθ

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4. Angle Sum and Difference Formulas

  • sin(A + B) = sinAcosB + cosAsinB
  • sin(A - B) = sinAcosB - cosAsinB
  • cos(A + B) = cosAcosB - sinAsinB
  • cos(A - B) = cosAcosB + sinAsinB
  • tan(A + B) = (tanA + tanB) / (1 - tanA tanB)
  • tan(A - B) = (tanA - tanB) / (1 + tanA tanB)

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Conclusion 

The Quantitative section of the CAT exam includes approximately 22 questions covering the mentioned topics. To excel in CAT 2024 with a strong score and percentile, make sure to practice all the CAT important formulas described in this blog. Mastering these formulas will enhance your problem-solving speed and accuracy. Additionally, check out the preparation tips provided for the CAT entrance exam to refine your strategy and approach

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