What arithmetic should I memorize?

Question

Improve Your Speed - GMAT Arithmetic to Memorize

I find myself constantly using long division and multiplication for simple things like 13 x 11.
What are some good arithmetic calcs to memorize? I created a 20x20 multiplication table but this seems like a bit much right?

Perfect squares up to 100? \(\sqrt{3}\)? \(\sqrt{5}\)?

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Fractions:

\(\frac{1}{20}\) = ?

\(\frac{1}{8}\) = ?

\(\frac{1}{6}\) = ?

\(\frac{1}{12}\) = ?

\(\frac{1}{4}\) = ?

\(\frac{7}{8}\) = ?

\(\frac{2}{5}\) = ?

Percent %

75% =

20% =

\(16\frac{2}{3}\)% = ?

\(18\frac{1}{3}\)% = ?

\(78\frac{1}{2}\)% = ?

Powers\(^2\)

\(3^2\) = ?

\(3^3\) = ?

\(3^4\) = ?

\(3^5\) = ?

\(2^4\) = ?

\(2^5\) = ?

\(2^6\) = ?

\(2^7\) = ?

\(2^8\) = ?

\(4^3\) = ?

\(4^4\) = ?

\(5^3\) = ?

\(\sqrt{Roots}\)

\(\sqrt{2}\) = ?

\(\sqrt{3}\) = ?

\(\sqrt{5}\) = ?

Perfect Squares up to 20

\(11^2\) = ?

\(12^2\) = ?

\(13^2\) = ?

\(14^2\) = ?

\(15^2\) = ?

\(16^2\) = ?

\(17^2\) = ?

\(18^2\) = ?

\(19^2\) = ?

\(20^2\) = ?

Multiples

12, 24, 36, ... 120

15, 30, 45, ... 150

8, 16, 24, ... 160

Moderator Note: Moderator note: Attached are files we gathered in this post from several other sources in addition to the author. Also see additional resources in posts below to help with improve your speed and reduce mistakes

enfinity · Accepted Answer

As far as common squares are concerned, I only remember the ones with 0 or 5 in the units digit. For the latter category, I use the following process:

For example: 65*65

1) Always write down 25 as this is always the last two digits of the result:
...25

2) Multiply (non-units digits) times (non-units digits + 1)
6 * (6+1) = 42

2c) Combine:
4225

This way I always have the important squares handy... very useful for estimations!

Any other math shortcuts? Anyone

Steve

bb · Answer

Fantastic question :!:

This file should give you an idea where you are lacking. I think you should definitely know the squares from 0-10 and preferrably from 10 to 20 as well.

Shelen · Answer

I'm new here, and try to go through all the topics - this site is a treasure!

Maybe not the right place to share my experience with "multiplication for simple things like 13 x 11", but anyway...if you need to multiply any two-digits number by 11, just sum those digits and put the result in between. For example, 13x11 -> 1+3=4 -> 143 is the result. Or, 36x11 -> 3+6=9 -> the result is 36x11=396. It really saves time.

saruba · Answer

Hi all,

I created a template that gather all the geometry formulas that appear on the GMAT (if i missed any please tell!). I use it every week in order to ensure that I remember all of them.

I think it could be helpful for some of you so I decided to share.

The TEMPLATE is the one for practice.

Good luck!

AtifS · Answer

Thanks for sharing the Doc bb...@Shelen & @jeckll...Thanks for the tip but I would like to add some more.

What if u need to multiply 3 digits or 4 didgits by 11...the procedure is same as u mentioned but it would be done like below

For 3 digits
133x11 --> 1 1+3 3+3 3=1463
And for 4 digits
1243x11 --> 1 1+2 2+4 4+3 3=13673

And for 5 digits
15453x11 --> 1 1+5 5+4 4+5 5+3 3=169983
and so on.
you can plug other numbers in and check it out.

Hope it helps!

jeckll · Answer

And if it equals more than 10, add a 1 to the first digit

EG

68*11 -> 6+8=14 -> 6 14 8 -> 748

powerka · Answer

My fellow GMAT clubbers,

I'd like to share the excel spreadsheet in which I have been compiling all knowledge and shortcuts relevant for tackling the GMAT quant section.

It is organized by tabs. Each tab covers a different area.

Examples: 
- Tab "NP. Primes" covers: Number Properties - Primes
- Tab "NP. Powers-Rts" covers: Number Properties - Patterns of powers and roots
- Tab "G. PTriples" covers: Geometry - Phytagorean triplets patterns
- Tab "G. Ci-Sq (Pi)" covers: Geometry - Relantionships between the measures of inscribed/circumscribed circles & squares
- Tab "WT. Prob" covers: Wort Translations - Probability (dice/coins)

Finally, three of the tabs are summaries made of the Man guides "Word Translations", "Number Properties" and "Geometry".

Hope it helps somebody.

Cheers,

akashhongal · Answer

I would like to add one more trick or shortcut to find the square of a number... :roll:

Suppose you know square of 13 but you want to know whats the square of 14, then follow this.. 13 square = 169 For 14 square, 13 square + 13 - { present number } + 14 - { the next number } i.e 169 + 13 + 14 = 196 { which is 14 square } Note - you may calculate 14 square by knowing 15 square also! :lol:

14 square = 15 square - 15 {present number} - 14 {previous number} 14 square = 225 - 15 -14 14 square = 196 :!:

Additionally if you club this technique with "finding squares of numbers ending with 5" then finding the square of big numbers id just a matter of few seconds. This technique is very helpful when finding squares of big numbers, it will be mere addition or subtraction. Consider Kudos if you like this post.

AtifS · Answer

Guys! I just found another way of checking whether a number is divisible by  8  or not ( the rule is same but another approach or route ). It's for a number with more than two digits.

Let's take 1936
1) First of all check whether last two digits of the number are divisible by 4 or not.
For 19 36 , we do this way 36/4= 9

2) If it is divisible by 4 then add the quotient to the 3rd last digit of the number and if the sum of them is divisible by 2 then the whole number is divisible by 8.

-->  9  (quotient)+ 9 ( 3rd digit from right)= 18, and -->18/2=9
So the whole number is divisible by 8.

Once you understand it and do a little practice, you'll find it easy and fast.
**You can try other numbers to see whether it is true or not
Hope it helps!

detailed · Answer

These are a few math tricks my brother used when studying for the MCAT. Hope they help!
(attached a word document)

1. A nice math trick is multiplying two integers that have multiple digits relatively quickly. It does not apply to all integers the following has to be met:
TENS DIGIT in both integers HAS TO BE SAME 
ONES DIGIT in each integer HAS TO ADD UP TO 10
Also, if the ones digits are 1 and 9 you just write 09.

Example 34x36:
Step 1: Add one to tens place then multiply (1+3)x3 = 12
Step 2: Ones place 4x6 = 24
Step 3: Place Steps 1 & 2 = 1224

Example 1 & 9 in ones place: 21x29 
Step 1: Add one to tens place then multiply (1+2)x2 = 6
Step 2: Ones place 1x9= 09
Step 3: Place Steps 1 & 2 together = 609

2. This one is for people having difficulty memorizing a few square root numbers!
sqrt 1 = 1 (as in 1/1 = New Year's Day)
sqrt 2 = 1.4 (as in 2/14 = Valentine's Day)
sqrt 3 = 1.7 (as in 3/17 = St. Patrick's Day)

3. The next math trick is the Babylonian Method it can be useful when estimating square roots.
First guess roughly what you think it would be

Step 1: For a number less than 1 guess bigger.
For a number greater than 1 guess smaller.
Step 2: Divide your guess into the square root number.
Step 3: Take your answer (from step 2) and add it to your guess 
Step 4: Divide by 2

Example sqrt(.78):
Step 1: sqrt of .78 < 1 so guess = .85
Step 2. .78/.85 = ~.9
Step 3: (.85+.9) = 1.75 
Step 4: 1.75/2 = ~.88 And this should be your answer (or close enough)

If you guess really wildly just use the answer from your first guess and run through the process again. You can do it in seconds once you get good at it.

Wild Guess Example: sqrt 70 = ?
Step 1 sqrt of 70>1 so guess 10
Step 2: 70/10= 7
Step 3: 7+10= 17
Step 4: 17/2 = 8.5
*8.5x8.5 = 72.25 Still off (10 kind of a wild guess, so repeat process with the new answer from step 4)
Step 1: guess = 8.5
Step 2: 70/8.5= 8.2
Step 3: 8.2+8.5= 16.7
Step 4: 16.7/2 = ~8.4
8.4*8.4 = 70.6

4. If two numbers (both even or odd) are close together and their average is an integer, then this method can be used.
Need to recognize that:
x^2 - y^2 = (x + y)(x - y) and vice-versa (x + y)(x - y) = x^2 - y^2
Example 1
48*52 = (50-2)(50+2) = 50^2 - 2^2 = 2496.

Example 2
3^2 - 2^2 = 3 + 2
4^2 - 3^2 = 4 + 3
5^2 - 4^2 = 5 + 4

5. When x and y are consecutive integers, then (x - y) = 1.

It's useful for calculating large squares:

Example: 71^2 = ? 
71^2 - 70^2 = 71 + 70
so 71^2 = 70^2 + (141)
= 4900 + 141 = 5041

Example: 53^2 = ?
53^2 – 52^2 = (53 + 52) + (52 + 51) + (51 + 50)
53^2 = 50^2 + (105) + (103) + (101)
= 2500 + 309 = 2809

0.79^2
80^2 - 79^2 = 80 + 79
so 80^2 - (80 + 79) = 79^2
6400 - 159 = 6241 so 0.79^2 = 0.6241

bb · Answer

Great resource :!:

Thank you! I have added this post to the Math Tips: new-to-the-math-forum-please-read-this-first-77764.html

nvgroshar · Answer

Sorry, but on page 2 there is a misprint:
in  Arc Measure (Intersecting Secants/Tangents)  It must be the difference between arcs measures of AD and BD.

bb · Answer

Also, see this post for some good theory: math-number-theory-88376.html

target2011 · Answer

welldone dude, 
just a small addition which i tried and will help to avoid confusion:

start writing the answer from right hand side in case if the addition of two no. exceeds 10, and add it to consecutive no. on left hand side. try out!!

target2011 · Answer

hi, 
i feel the process is bit complicated as it doesn't give the value of quotient, it just tells you whether no. is divisible by 8. 
here is another tric, if the no. formed by last three digits is divisible by 8 then the whole no. is divisible by 8.

953360 is divisible by 8 since 360 is divisible by 8,
529418: not divisible as 418 is not divisible by 8.

plug in different values and try.

georgespm · Answer

RE:
What if u need to multiply 3 digits or 4 didgits by 11...the procedure is same as u mentioned but it would be done like below

For 3 digits
133x11 --> 1 1+3 3+3 3=1463
And for 4 digits
1243x11 --> 1 1+2 2+4 4+3 3=13673

And for 5 digits
15453x11 --> 1 1+5 5+4 4+5 5+3 3=169983
and so on.

Hi guys,
When multiplying by 11 I find it much easier to multiply the # by 10 (or add 0) and then add the original # to it.
For example, 1234x11 = 12340 + 1234

When dividing by 11 and the following condition is satisfied one could factor the # as follows:
671/11 = 61x11/11 = 61 because in 671, 6+1=7 which is the # in the middle of 671. This works for 3digit #'s

rishabhsingla · Answer

Now, what does this mean:

Area of Isosceles Triangle = 1/2 
(from Geometry Formulas.pdf)

I haven't been able to give myself any convincing explanation of this formula...

Bunuel · Answer

Well that's because it's not true.

It should be area of isosceles  right  triangle = 1/2*(leg)^2, simply because area of right triangle equals to 1/2*leg1*leg2, and since in isosceles right triangle leg1=leg2, then this formula becomes area=1/2*(leg)^2.

Duke007 · Answer

Thanks for this memory sheet, very useful!

However I believe some formulas, details might be added...

Angles of a polygons (n-2)* 180, angles inscribed in a circle (compared to central angle there a section about it in the VERITAS Prep book)

Also I did not see two real IMPORTANT triangles sides ratio:

3:4:5
5:12:13

Good you put the formula for the equilateral triangle (which is not given in the OG and allow you to gain so much time)

I found formula I did not know! :-)

Thank you for sharing

Thank you for sharing

What arithmetic should I memorize?

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