1

SQUARES OF NUMBER FROM 40 TO 125:

Square of any number from 40 to 60
All you have to do is to check the difference from 50 and add/subtract it from 25 and by the side of
this number you have to write the square of that difference in 2 digits only (in case of 4, write 04).
For example: if you have to find square of 44, the first thing you have to do is to find the difference
from 50, i.e. 44 is 6 less than 50 so subtract 6 from 25, and you will get 19 and square of (-6) is 36.
So
44^2 = 1936.
If you have to find 58^2, the first thing you have to do is to check difference from 50, i.e. 8, so adding
8 to 25, you get 33, and 8^2=64, so combining both of them, you can say that58^2=3364

Square of any number from 26 to 40 and 61 to 75

Like the previous one the only difference here is that the square of the difference from 50 comes out
to be a 3-digit number. So add the hundredth digit of the square to the sum obtained by
adding/subtracting from 25.
For example: if you have to find 62^2, the difference from 50 comes out to be 12 and 12^2=144, so
you have to add 1(hundredth place digit) to 25+12 and 25+12+1=38. So62^2=3844
If you have to find 36^2, first of all, we have to check the difference from 50, and the difference from
50 is (-14), so subtracting 14 from 25 gives me 11 and (-14)^2=196, so we have to add 1 of 196 to
11(25-14), and we get 11+1=12, now combining every thing we get36^2=1296

Square of any number from 90 to 110

All you have to do is to check the difference from 100 and add/subtract double the difference of that
number to 100, and by the side of this number you have to write the square of the difference.
For example: if you have to calculate 106^2, all you have to do is to calculate the difference 100, (i.e.
106-100=6), now adding 6x2+100, gives me 112, now 6^2=36, so combining 112 and 36, we can
say that 106^2=11236
If you have to calculate 93^2, firstly you have to check the difference from 100, i.e. 93=100-7; so I
have to calculate 100-2(7)=86, and (-7)^2=49. So combining 86 and 49, we get93^2=8649.

Square of any number from 76 to 89 and 111 to 125

Just like the previous part, all you have to do is to check the difference from 100,and add/subtract
that difference with 100 and along with that add the hundredth digit of the square of the difference to
that sum and along with that write the units and tenth of the square.

2
For example: if you have to calculate 112^2, all you have to do is to calculate the difference from
100 and 112-100=12 and 12^2=144, so adding double of the 12 and 1(hundredth place of 144) to
100, we get 100+2(12)+1=125 and putting it with 44, we get 112^2=12544.
And if we have to calculate 87^2, the difference from 100 is (-13), and (-13)^ 2=169, so adding
double of (-13) and 1(hundredth place of 169), we get 100+2(-13)+1=75, and combining 75 and 69,
we get 87^2=7569

POWERS OF 2 UPTO
15:
2^2 1/4
2^1 1/2
2^0
1
2^1
2
2^2
4
2^3
8
2^4
16
2^5
32
2^6
64
2^7
128
2^8
256
2^9
512
2^10 1024
2^11 2048
2^12 4096
2^13 8192
2^14 16384
2^15 32768
POWERS OF 3 UPTO 6:
3^0 1
3^1 3
3^2 9
3^3 27
3^4 81
3^5 243
3^6 729

Table of Squares and Square Roots, 1-100

number

square

sqrt

number

square

sqrt
5

1.000

51

2,601

7.141

1.414

52

2,704

7.211

1.732

53

2,809

7.280

16

2.000

54

2,916

7.348

25

2.236

55

3,025

7.416

36

2.449

56

3,136

7.483

49

2.646

57

3,249

7.550

64

2.828

58

3,364

7.616

81

3.000

59

3,481

7.681

10

100

3.162

60

3,600

7.746

11

121

3.317

61

3,721

7.810

12

144

3.464

62

3,844

7.874

13

169

3.606

63

3,969

7.937

14

196

3.742

64

4,096

8.000

15

225

3.873

65

4,225

8.062

Division Shortcut Methods

Division is most frequently used in solving competitive exams problems. By learning
shortcut methods of division, you can save crucial time in the exam. Here are some
shortcut methods for division.
In division, numerator is called Dividend and denominator is called Divisor.

Method 1: Division using the factors of the divisor

This method is also called Double Division.

Here you can directly divide 75 by 15 and the answer would be 5. But, to
understand this method, we are not doing like that.
Now, factories divisor.
So we can write 15 as 5 3.

Now we can divide 75 by 3 which gives us 25.

Now we can divide 25 by 5 and that gives 5 as answer.

So the answer is 5.
Method 2: Division By Parts

Write 75 as 45 + 30
So we can write

=
So the answer is 5.
Method 3: Division by 10.
Just move the decimal point one place to the left side.

So the answer is 1.256

Method 4: Division by 100
Just move the decimal point two places to the left side.

So the answer is 0.1256

Method 5: Division by 5
Divide the dividend by 100 and multiply by 20.

So the answer is 40
Method 6: Division by 50
Divide the dividend by 100 and multiply it by 2.

So the answer is 4.
Method 7: Division by 25
Divide the dividend by 100 and multiply it by 4.

So the answer is 8

DIVISIBILITY RULES:
Divisible
By:

If

Examples

The number is even. Or The last(units) digit of 84 is divisible by 2.

the number is 0, 2, 4, 6 or 8
85 is not divisible by 2.

The sum of the digits of number is divisible by 1248 is divisible by 3.

3.
(1 + 2 + 4 + 8 = 15)
346 is not divisible by 3.
(3 + 4 + 6 = 13)

The last two digits of the number is divisible

by 4. And the numbers having two or more
zeros at the end.

23456 is divisible by 4.
(56 is divisible by 4)
13000 is divisible by 4.
(Two or more zeros at the end.)

The numbers having 0 or 5 at the end.

12345 is divisible by 5.
(5 is there at the end)
1234 is not divisible by 5.
(0 or 5 is not there at the end)

The number is divisible by both 2 and 3.

5358 is divisible by 6.
(It is divisible by both 2 and 3)
6782 is not divisible by 6.
(It is divisible by 2 but not divisible by
3)

The difference between twice the units digit

and the number formed by other digits is
either 0 or divisible by 7.

861 is divisible by 7.
[86 (1 2)) = 84 which is divisible by
7]
21 is divisible by 7.

[2 (1 2)) = 0]
868 is divisible by 7.
[86 (8 2)) = 70 which is divisible by
7]
8

The number formed by last three digits is

2056 is divisible by 8.
divisible by 8. And the numbers having three or (056 is divisible by 8)
more zeros at the end.
13000 is divisible by 8.
(Three zeros at last)

The sum of all the digits is divisible by 9.

5301 is divisible by 9.
(5 + 3 + 0 + 1 = 9 which is divisible by 9)

10

The number ends with zero.

467590 is divisible by 10.

(It ends with zero)

11

The difference between the sum of digits at

10538 is divisible by 11.
even places and sum of digits at odd places is 0 [(1 + 5 + 8) (0 + 3) = 11 which is
or divisible by 11.
divisible by 11]
724867 is divisible by 11.
[(7 + 4 + 6) (2 + 8 + 7) = 0]

12

The number is divisible by both 3 and 4.

5472 is divisible by 12.

( The number is divisible by both 3 and
4)
5475 is not divisible by 12.
(The number is divisible by 3 but not
divisible by 4)

13

Method: Multiply last digit of the number by 4

and add it to the remaining number. Continue
this process until two digit number is achieved.
If this two digit number is divisible by 13 then
the number is divisible by 13.

182 is divisible by 13.

(Multiply last digit by 4 i.e 24 = 8.
Add it to the remaining number i.e 18 +
8 = 26.
26 is divisible by 13 so 182 is divisible

10

by 13)
2145 is divisible by 13
( Multiply last digit by 4 i.e 54 = 20.
Add it to the remaining number i.e 214
+ 20 = 234 which is not a two digit
number so repeat the process.
Multiply last digit of 234 by 4 i.e. 44=
16.
Add it to the remaining number i.e 23 +
16 = 39 which is divisible by 13 so 2145
is divisible by 13)
14

The number is divisible by both 2 and 7.

7966 is divisible by 14.

(The number is divisible by both 2 and
7)

15

The number is divisible by both 3 and 5.

3525 is divisible by 15.

(The number is divisible by both 3 and
5)

16

The number formed by last four digits is

divisible by 16.

41104 is divisible by 16.

(The number formed by last four digits
is divisible by 16)

17

Method: Multiply last digit with 5 and subtract

it from the remaining number. If the result is
divisible by 17 then the original number is also
divisible by 17. Repeat this process if required.

4029 is divisible by 17
( Multiply last digit by 5 i.e. 95= 45.
Subtract it from the remaining number.
402 45 = 357 which is divisible by 17
so 4029 is divisible by 17)

18

The number is even and divisible by 9.

4428 is divisible by 18.

(It is even and divisible by 9)

19

Method: Multiply last digit with 2 and add it to

the remaining number. If the result is divisible
by 19 then original number is also divisible by
19. Repeat this process if required.

1235 is divisible by 19.

(Multiply last digit with 2 i.e 52 = 10.
Add it to the remaining number 123 i.e
123 + 10 = 133 which is divisible by 19

11

so 1235 is also divisible by 19)

GENERAL SHORTCUT METHOD FOR SQUARE METHOD:

You can find square of any number in the world with this method.
Lets say the number is two digit number. i.e. AB.
So B is units digit and A is tens digit.
Step 1: Find Square of B
Step 2: Find 2AB
Step 3: Find Square of A
Lets take an example.
We want to find square of 37.
Step 1: Find square of 7.
Square of 7 = 49.
So write 9 in the answer and 4 as carry to the second step.

Step 2: Find 2(37)

2 (3 7) = 42.
42 + 4(Carry) = 46.
Write 6 in the answer and 4 as a carry to the third step.

12

Step 3: Find square of 3

Square of 3 = 9
9 + 4(Carry) = 13.
Write 13 in the answer.

So the answer is 1369.

Now, If the number is of three digit i.e. ABC
Here C is units digit, B is tens digit and A is hundredth digit.
Step 1: Find Square of C
Step 2: Find 2 (B C)
Step 3: Find 2 (A C) + B2
(NOTE: You may observe that in odd number of digit case, we are multiplying end
two digits with 2 (here: A and C) and squaring single digit (here B).
Step 4: Find 2 (A B)
(NOTE: You may observe that whenever there are double digits, we are multiplying
it with 2. And whenever there is single digit, we are squaring it.)
Step 5: Find square of A
(NOTE: Here is single digit, so we are squaring it.)

Lets take an example.

Find square of 456.

13

Step 1: Find square of 6.

Square of 6 = 36.
So write 6 in the answer and 3 as a carry to the second step.

Step 2: Find 2 (5 6)
2 (5 6) = 60
60 + 3(Carry) = 63
Write 3 in the answer and 6 as a carry to the third step.

Step 3: Find 2 (4 6) + 52
2 (4 6) + 52 = 73
73 + 6(Carry) = 79
Write 9 in the answer and 7 as a carry to the fourth step.

Step 4: Find 2 (4 5)
2 (4 5) = 40
40 + 7 = 47
Write 7 in the answer and 4 as a carry to the fifth step.

14

Step 5: Find square of 4

Square of 4 = 16
16 + 4(Carry) = 20
Write 20 in the answer.

So 4562 = 207936.
Now, If the number is of four digit i.e. ABCD
Here D is units digit, C is tens digit, B is hundredth digit and A is thousands digit.
Step 1: Find Square of D
Step 2: Find 2 (C D)
Step 3: Find 2 (B D) + C2
(NOTE: You may observe that in odd number of digit case, we are multiplying end
two digits with 2 (here: B and D) and squaring single remaining digit (here C).
Step 4: Find 2 (A D) + 2 (B C)
(NOTE: You may observe that where ever there is even digits, we are multiplying
end two digits with 2 + remaining two digits with 2.)
Step 5: Find 2 (A C) + B2
(NOTE: You may observe that in odd number of digit case, we are multiplying end
two digits with 2 (here: A and C) and squaring single remaining digit (here B).

15

Step 6: Find 2 (A B)
(NOTE: You may observe that here even digits so we are multiplying them with 2,
and no remaining digits so we are not adding anything.)
Step 7: Find square of A
Lets take an example.
Find square of 1234
Step 1: Find Square of 4
Square of 4 = 16
So write 6 in the answer and 1 as a carry to the second step.

Step 2: Find 2 (3 4)
2 (3 4) = 24
24 + 1(Carry) = 25
Write 5 in the answer and 2 as a carry to the third step

Step 3: Find 2 (2 4) + 32
2 (2 4) + 32 = 25
25 + 2(Carry) = 27
Write 7 in the answer and 2 as a carry to the fourth step.

16

Step 4: Find 2 (1 4) + 2 (2 3)
2 (1 4) + 2 (2 3) = 20
20 + 2(Carry) = 22
Write 2 in the answer and 2 as a carry to the fifth step.

Step 5: Find 2 (1 3) + 22
2 (1 3) + 22 = 10
10 + 2(Carry) = 12
Write 2 in the answer and 1 as carry to the sixth step.

Step 6: Find 2 (1 2)
2 (1 2) = 4
4 + 1(Carry) = 5
Write 5 in the answer

Step 7: Find square of 1

17

Square of 1 = 1
There is no carry so write 1 in the answer.

So, 12342 = 1522756

Square Of The Numbers With Unit Digit As 5

This method is to find square of the numbers which has units digit as 5. i.e.: 25,
45, 65, etc.
You can find square of these numbers by three easy steps.
Step 1: Multiply tens digit with its next number.
Step 2: Find square of units digit. i.e.: Square of 5.
Step 3: Write answers of step 1 and step 2 to together or side by side.
Lets take examples.
Find square of 35
Step 1: Multiply tens digit with its next number.
3 ( 3 + 1 ) = 3 4 = 12
Step 2: Find square of units digit. i.e.: Square of 5.
Square of 5 = 25
Step 3: Write answers of step 1 and step 2 to together.
Answer = 1225
Find square of 65
Step 1: Multiply tens digit with its next number.
6 ( 6 + 1 ) = 6 7 = 42
Step 2: Find square of units digit. i.e.: Square of 5.

18

Square of 5 = 25
Step 3: Write answers of step 1 and step 2 to together.
Answer = 4225
Find square of 95
Step 1: Multiply tens digit with its next number.
9 ( 9 + 1 ) = 9 10 = 90
Step 2: Find square of units digit. i.e.: Square of 5.
Square of 5 = 25
Step 3: Write answers of step 1 and step 2 to together.
Answer = 9025
Find square of 115
Step 1: Multiply tens digit with its next number.
11 ( 11 + 1 ) = 11 12 = 132
(Note: We are taking whole 11 as a tens digit.)
Step 2: Find square of units digit. i.e.: Square of 5.
Square of 5 = 25
Step 3: Write answers of step 1 and step 2 to together.
Answer = 13225
Find square of 215
Step 1: Multiply tens digit with its next number.
21 ( 21 + 1 ) = 21 22 = 462
(Note: We are taking whole 21 as a tens digit.)
Step 2: Find square of units digit. i.e.: Square of 5.
Square of 5 = 25
Step 3: Write answers of step 1 and step 2 to together.
Answer = 46225

19

Square Of The Numbers In 50s

This method is used to find square of the numbers in 50s i.e. numbers from 51 to
59.
You can find square of these numbers in three simple steps.
Step 1: Add 25 to the units digit.
Step 2: Square the units digit.
Step 3: Write the answers of step 1 and step 2 together or side by side.
Lets take an example.
Square of 56
Step 1: Add 25 to the units digit
6 + 25 = 31
Step 2: Square the units digit
62 = 36
Step 3: Write the answers of step 1 and step 2 together.
Answer = 3136
Square of 59
Step 1: Add 25 to the units digit
9 + 25 = 34
Step 2: Square the units digit
92 = 81
Step 3: Write the answers of step 1 and step 2 together.
Answer = 3481

20

Square of 53.
Step 1: Add 25 to the units digit.
3 + 25 = 28
Step 2: Square the units digit.
32 = 9
Step 3: Write answers of step 1 and step 2 together.
Answer: 2809
(NOTE: Whenever square of units digit is on only single digit then we
are adding 0 before it.)
Square of 52
Step 1: Add 25 to the units digit
2 + 25 = 27
Step 2: Square the units digit
22 = 4
Step 3: Write the answers of step 1 and step 2 together.
Answer = 2704
(NOTE: Whenever square of units digit is on only single digit then we
are adding 0 before it.)

Square The Number If You Know Square Of Previous

Number
This method is to find square of the number if you know square of the previous
number.
You can find answers in three simple steps.

21

Step 1: Find square of the previous number which is known.

Step 2: Multiply the number being squared by 2 and subtract 1.
Step 3: Add Step 1 and Step 2
Lets take some examples.
Find square of 31.
Step 1: Find square of previous number (30) which is known.
302 = 900
Step 2: Multiply the number being squared (31) by 2 and subtract 1.
(31 2) 1 = 62 1 = 61
Step 3: Add Step 1 and Step 2
900 + 61 = 961
Find square of 26.
Step 1: Find square of previous number (25) which is known.
252 = 625
Step 2: Multiply the number being squared (31) by 2 and subtract 1.
(26 2) 1 = 52 1 = 51
Step 3: Add Step 1 and Step 2
625 + 51 = 676
Find square of 81.
Step 1: Find square of previous number (80) which is known.
802 = 6400

22

Step 2: Multiply the number being squared (31) by 2 and subtract 1.

(81 2) 1 =162 1 = 161
Step 3: Add Step 1 and Step 2
6400 + 161 = 6561

Shortcut Method For Finding Cube

This method is to find cube of two digit numbers.
Lets understand this method by taking some examples.
Find cube of 14.
Step 1: Find cube of tens digit and write it down as first digit .

Step 2: 1 and 4 are in the ratio of 1:4 So write next three numbers in the ratio of
1:4.

Step 3: Write double of second and third digit below them.

Step 4: Add both these rows as shown below.

Starting from right, write 4 of 64 in the answer and 6 as carry.

23

Add 6 + 16 + 32 = 54.
Write 4 in the answer and 5 as carry.

Add 5 + 4 + 8 = 17
Write 7 in the answer and 1 as carry.

Add 1 + 1 = 2
Write 2 in the answer.

Answer is 2744.
Find cube of 48.

24

Step 1: Find cube of tens digit and write it down as first digit .

Step 2: 4 and 8 are in the ratio of 1:2 So write next three numbers in the ratio of
1:2.

Step 3: Write double of second and third digit below them.

Step 4: Add both these rows as shown below.

Starting from right, write 2 of 512 in the answer and 51 as carry.

Add 51 + 256 + 512 = 819.

Write 9 in the answer and 81 as carry.

Add 81 + 128 + 256 = 465

Write 5 in the answer and 46 as carry.

25

Add 46 + 64 = 110
Write 110 in the answer.

So 483 = 110592.
Find cube of 63.
Step 1: Find cube of tens digit and write it down as first digit .

Step 2: 6 and 3 are in the ratio of 2:1 So write next three numbers in the ratio of
2:1.

Step 3: Write double of second and third digit below them.

Step 4: Add both these rows as shown below.

Starting from right, write 7 of 27 in the answer and 2 as carry.

26

Add 2 + 54 + 108 = 164.

Write 4 in the answer and 16 as carry.

Add 16 + 108 + 216 = 340

Write 0 in the answer and 34 as carry.

Add 34 + 216 = 250

Write 250 in the answer.

So 633 = 250047.

Finding LCM

27

This method is to find LCM of given numbers.

Lets say we want to find LCM of 20 and 60.
First write 4 and 20 as shown below

Divide 20 and 60 by 2

Divide 10 and 30 by 2

We can not divide any of 5 and 15 by 2 perfectly. So divide them by three.

Here 5 is not divisible by 3 so 5 is written as it is.

Divide 5 and 5 by 5.

28

Stop this process when last row has all 1s.

So the LCM is 2 2 3 5 = 60

HCF
HCF is known as Highest Common Factor or Greatest Common Divisor (GCD) or
Greatest Common Measure (GCM).

Factor: A number x is said to be factor of y when x exactly divides y.

Ex: Lets say x = 3 and y = 15. Here 3(x) can exactly divide 15(y) so 3 is said to
be factor of 15.
Lets take two numbers 80 and 30 for better understanding. Write factors of both
numbers.
Factors of 30 : 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 10, 15, 30
Factors of 15 : 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 10, 16, 20, 40, 80
There are many common factors for 80 and 30. Those are 1, 2, 5 and 10. But 10 is
highest of them. So 10 is called Highest Common Factor or HCF of 80 and 30.
One thing is to be noted that HCF is less than or equal to the smallest number of
the given numbers.

Finding HCF
This method is for finding HCF of the given numbers.

29

Step 1: Take two different numbers and divide the bigger number by the smaller
number.
Step 2: Divide the divisor by the remainder.
Step 3: Repeat the process of dividing the divisor by remainder until the
remainder is 0.
Step 4: The last divisor is the required HCF of the given two numbers.
Lets take an example of 80 and 30.

As you can see, last divisor is 10 so HCF of 80 and 30 is 10.

Average Concept And Shortcut Methods

Average is very useful for summarizing any quantity. For example we can say
temperature of the city. The city may have different temperature throughout the
week. But if we want to give single figure for it or we want to summarize it then we
are using average.
Basic formula for average is as shown below.

30

For example if we want to find average temperature of the city for the week.
Temperatures for the days of the week are
Sunday: 33 C

Monday: 34 C

Tuesday: 35 C

Wednesday: 36 C

Thursday: 35 C

Friday: 35 C

Saturday: 36 C

Here sum of all the temperature is divided by 7 because there are 7 days.
Here are some shortcut methods for average

Shortcut Methods For Average

Rule 1:
If different distance is travelled in different time then,

Example
If a car travels 50 Km in 1 hour, another 40 Km in 2 hour and another 70 Km
in 3 hour then what is average speed of car.

Sol:

Total Distance Covered = 50 + 40 + 70 = 160 Km

Total Time Taken = 1 + 2 + 3 = 6 hours.

31

Rule 2:
If equal distance is travelled at different speed.
If equal distance is travelled at the speed of A and B then,

Example
A boy goes to his school which is 2 Km away in 10 minutes and returns in 20
mins then what is boys average speed.

Sol:

Lets say A = 2/10 = 0.2 km/min

And B = 2/20 = 0.1 km/min

Rule 3:
If equal distance is travelled at the speed of A, B and C then,

Example
If a car divides its total journey in three equal parts and travels those
distances at speed of 60 kmph, 40 kmph and 80 kmph then what is cars
average speed?

32

Sol:

Lets say A = 60, B = 40 and C = 80, then

Shortcut Methods For Average - 2

When a person leaves the group and another person joins the group in place of
that person then,
Rule 1:
If the average age is increased,
Age of new person = Age of separated person + (Increase in average total number
of persons)
Example
The average age of 10 persons is increased by 5 years when one member of
age 40 years is replaced by a new person. What is age of new person?
Sol:
Age of new person = Age of separated person + (Increase in average total number
of persons)
Age of separated person = 40
Increase in average = 5
Total number of persons = 10
Age of new person = 40 + ( 5 10 ) = 40 + 50 = 90 years.
Rule 2:

33

If the average age is decreased,

Age of new person = Age of separated person - (Decrease in average total
number of persons)
Example
Average age of 20 persons is decreased by 1 year when a person aged 25
years is replaced by a new person. What is age of new person?
Sol:
Age of new person = Age of separated person - (Decrease in average total
number of persons)
Age of separated person = 25 years
Decrease in average = 1 year
Age of new person = 25 (1 20) = 25 20 = 5 years.
Rule 3:
New average age of group =

Example
A group of 10 persons has an average age of 25 years. A person of that
group aged 20 years is replaced by a new person aged 30 years. What is new
average of the group?
Sol:
New average age of group =

Provious average = 25 years

Number of persons = 10
Age of leaving person = 20
Age of joining person = 30

34

Shortcut Methods For Average - 3

When a person joines the group.
Rule 1:
In case of increase in average
Age of new member = Previous average + ( Increase in average Number of
members including new member)
Example
The average age of 15 boys is 17 years and is increased by 0.5 years when a
new boy is joined in the group. What is the average of new boy?
Sol:
Age of new member = Previous average + ( Increase in average Number of
members including new member)
Previous average = 17 years
Increase in average = 0.5 years
Number of members including new member = 16
So,
Age of new member = 17 + ( 0.5 16) = 17 + 8 = 25 years.
Rule 2:
In case of decrease in average
Age of new member = Previous average - ( Decrease in average Number of
members including new member)
Example
The average age of 10 girls is 23 years and is decreased by 0.5 years when a
new girl is joined in the group. What is the age of new girl?

35

Sol:
Age of new member = Previous average - ( Decrease in average Number of
members including new member)
Previous average = 23 years
Decrease in average = 0.5 years
Number of members including new member = 11
Age of new member = 23 ( 0.5 11) = 23 5.5 = 17.5 years
Rule 3:
New average of group =

Example
A group of 20 members having average age of 25 years has a new member
aged 25 years. What is new average of the group?
Sol:
New average of group =

Previous average = 25 years

Number of persons excluding new member = 20
Age of new member = 25 years
Number of persons including new member = 21

Shortcut Methods For Average - 4

When a person leaves the group
Rule 1:

36

In case of increase in average

Age of leaving member = Previous average - ( Increase in average Number of
members excluding leaving member)
Example
The average weight of 10 mangos in the box is 450 grams. But accidentally
one mango fell away out of the box resulting in increase of the average weight
by 10 grams. What is the weight of that mango?
Sol:
Age of leaving member = Previous average - ( Increase in average Number of
members excluding leaving member)
Previous average = 450 grams
Increase in average = 10 grams
Number of members excluding leaving member = 9
Age of leaving member = 450 (10 9) = 450 90 = 360 grams.
Rule 2:
In case of decrease in average
Age of leaving member = Previous average + ( Decrease in average Number of
members excluding leaving member)
Example
The average height of 10 boys is 165 cm. But one boy leaves the class and as
a result there is a decrease in average height by 2 cm. What is height of
leaving boy?
Sol:
Age of leaving member = Previous average + ( Decrease in average Number of
members excluding leaving member)
Previous average = 165 cm

37

Decrease in average = 2 cm
Number of members excluding leaving member = 9
Age of leaving member = 165 + ( 2 9) = 165 + 18 = 183 cm
Rule 3:
New average of group =

Example
A group of 10 persons has average age of 30 years. A person aged 40 years
left the group. What is new average of the group?
Sol:
New average of group =

Previous average = 30 years

Number of persons including leaving person = 10
Age of leaving member = 40 years
Number of members excluding leaving member = 9

Average Of Numbers - Shortcut Methods

Rule 1: Average of consecutive n natural numbers

Example
Find average of consecutive 10 natural numbers.
Sol:
10 Consecutive natural numbers are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

38

Rule 2: Average of square of consecutive n natural numbers.

Example
Find average of square of consecutive 5 natural numbers.
Sol:
Consecutive five natural numbers are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

Rule 3: Average of cubes of consecutive n natural numbers.

Example
Find average of cubes of consecutive 5 natural numbers
Sol:
Consecutive five natural numbers are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

Rule 4: Average of n consecutive even numbers.

Average = n + 1
Example

Find average of 6 consecutive even numbers

39

Sol:
Six consecutive even numbers are 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12
Average = 6 + 1 = 7
Rule 5: Average of consecutive even numbers till n.

Example
Find average of consecutive even numbers till 6
Sol:
Consecutive even numbers till 6 are 2, 4, 6

Rule 6: Average of square of n consecutive even numbers.

Example

Find average of square of 5 consecutive even numbers.

Sol:
Five consecutive even numbers are 2, 4, 6, 8, 10

Rule 7: Average of square of consecutive even numbers till n.

40

Example

Find average of square of consecutive even numbers till 4

Sol:
Consecutive even numbers till 4 are 2, 4

Rule 8: Average of n consecutive odd numbers.

Average = n
Example
Find average of 10 consecutive odd numbers.
Sol:
10 consecutive odd numbers are 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19.
Average = 10

Rule 9: Average of consecutive odd numbers till n.

Example
Find average of consecutive odd numbers till 9
Sol:
Consecutive odd numbers till 9 are 1, 3, 5, 7, 9.

41

Rule 10: Average of square of consecutive odd numbers till n.

Example
Find average of square of consecutive odd numbers till 5
Sol:
Consecutive odd numbers till 5 are 1, 3, 5.

Ratio Or Fraction
Comparison of ratio or fraction is most frequently asked question in competitive
exams. To find smallest or biggest of the given fraction, two approaches are to be
used.
Method 1: Make denominator of the given fractions same.

Make denominator of the given fractions same.

To do it, Take LCM of 4, 6, 8, 10.
LCM of 4, 6, 8, 10 is 120.
So try to make denominator as 120.

42

(Here We are Multiplying and Dividing by same amount so we are not changing the
value of the fraction.)

Now we can easily compare these fractions.

Method 2: Make numerator of the given fractions same.

Make numerator of the given fractions same.

To do it, Take LCM of 3, 5, 7, 11.
LCM of 3, 5, 7, 11 is 1155.
So try to make numerator as 1155.

43

(Here We are Multiplying and Dividing by same amount so we are not changing the
value of the fraction.)

Now we can easily compare these fractions.

The number which has smallest denominator is the biggest number and vise-versa.

Percentage
Percent means per every hundred. 5% means 5 per 100.
In other words, percentage is a fraction with denominator as 100.

44

Percentage is denoted as P.C. or %. Ex: 70 percent = 70%.

Convert Percentage into Fraction:

Step 1: The number is divided by 100.
Step 2: % sign is removed.

Convert Fraction Into Percentage:

Step 1: Multiply fraction by 100.
Step 2: Put a % sign.
Convert Percentage into Decimal:

Convert Decimal Into Percentage:

0.25 = (0.25 100)% = 25%
1.50 = (1.50 100)% = 150%
Some Useful Formulas:

Partnership Concept and Shortcut Methods

45

When more than one person agree to invest their money to run a business or firm
then this kind of agreement is called partnership. The persons involved in the
partnership are called partners.
There are two types of partners.
1.

Sleeping Partner: Sleeping partner is the person who provides only

investment but does not take part in running the business.
2. Working Partner: Working partner is the person who not only invests the
money but also takes part in running the business. For this work he is paid
some salary or some percent of profit in addition.
There are two types of partnership.
1.

Simple Partnership: In simple partnership, capitals of partners are invested

for the same period of time.
2. Compound Partnership: In compound partnership, capitals of partners are
invested for the different period of time.
Basic Formulas
If two partners A and B are investing their money to run a business then
(Simple Partnership)

Capital of A : Capital of B = Profit of A : Profit of B

If two partners A and B are investing their money for different period of time to
run a business then
(Compound Partnership)

Capital of A Time period of A : Capital of B Time period of B = Profit of A :

Profit of B
Example
Jack and Jill start a business by investing $ 2,000 for 8 months and $ 3,000 for 6
months respectively. If their total profit si $ 510 and then what is profit of Jill?

46
Sol:
Capital of Jack = 2000 and Time period = 8 months
Capital of Jill = 3000 and Time period = 6 months

So, Profit of Jack : Profit of Jill = 8 : 9

So we have 8 + 9 = 17 parts of total profit.
Out of this 17 parts, Jack will get 8 parts and Jill will get 9 parts.
Now, total profit is 510
So, One Part = 510/17 = 30.
Jills profit = 30 9 = 270 and
Jacks profit = 30 8 = 240.

If n partners are investing for different period of time then

C1T1 : C2T2 : C3T3 : : CnTn = P1 : P2 : P3 : : Pn
Where C is the capital invested, T is time period of capital invested and P is profit
earned.
Example
Raju, Kamal and Vinod start a business by investing Rs 5,000 for 12 months, Rs
8,000 for 9 months and Rs 10,000 for 6 months. If at the end of the year their
total profit is Rs 2000 then find the profit of each partner.
Sol:
Rajus investment is 5000 for 12 months.
Kamals investment is 8000 for 9 months.
Vinods investment is 10000 for 6 months.
So their ratio of investments is
5000 12 : 8000 9 : 10000 6
60 : 72 : 60
5:6:5

47

So their profit,
Raju : Kamal : Vinod = 5 : 6 : 5
So there are 5 + 6 + 5 = 16 parts of profit.
Out of these 16 parts, Raju will get 5 parts, Kamal will get 6 parts and Vinod will get 5
parts.
So, Total profit = 2000
One part = 2000/16 = 125
Rajus profit = 5 125 = 625
Kamals profit = 6 125 = 750
Vinods profit = 5 125 = 625

Shortcut Methods
Rule 1:
If two partners are investing their money C1 and C2 for equal period of time and
their total profit is P then their shares of profit are

If these partners are investing their money for different period of time which is
T1 and T2, then their profits are

Example
Jack and Jill start a business by investing $ 2,000 for 8 months and $ 3,000
for 6 months respectively. If their total profit si $ 510 and then what is
profit of Jill?
Sol:
Lets Say C1 = 2000, T1 = 8
C2 = 3000, T2 = 6
P = 510

48

Rule 2:
If n partners are investing their money C1, C2, , Cn for equal period of time and
their total profit is P then their shares of profit are

If these partners are investing their money for different period of time which is
T1, T2, , Tn then their profits are

Example
Raju, Kamal and Vinod start a business by investing Rs 5,000 for 12 months,
Rs 8,000 for 9 months and Rs 10,000 for 6 months. If at the end of the
year their total profit is Rs 2000 then find the profit of each partner.
Sol:
Lets Say C1 = 5000, T1 = 12
C2 = 8000, T2 = 9
C3 = 10000, T3 = 6
P = 2000

49

Simple Interest Shortcut Methods

When a person borrows some money from another person then the borrower has to
pay some extra money for the use of that money to the lender. This extra money is
called Interest.
In other words, the amount charged by lender for giving his money for a specific
amount of time is called Interest.
The amount of money borrowed is known as Principle.
Total of Interest and Principle is known as Total Amount.
Amount = Principle + Interest.
The borrower has to pay interest according to some percent of principle for the
fixed period of time. This percentage is known as Interest Rate. This fixed period
may be a year, six months, three months or a month and correspondingly the rate
of interest is charged annually, half yearly, quarterly or monthly.

50

For example, the rate of interest is 10% per annum means the interest payable on
Rs 100 for one year is Rs 10.
Some Basic Formulas
If A = Amount
P = Principle
I = Interest
T = Time in years
R = Interest Rate Per Year, then
Amount = Principle + Interest
A=P+I

Compound Interest Concept & Shortcut Methods

In compound interest, the interest for each period is added to the principle before
interest is calculated for the next period. With this method the principle grows as
the interest is added to it. This method is mostly used in investments such as
savings account and bonds.
To understand compound interest clearly, lets take an example.
1000 is borrowed for three years at 10% compound interest. What is the total
amount after three years?
You can understand the process of compound interest by image shown below.

51

Year

Principle

Interest (10%)

Amount

1st

1000

100

1100

2nd

1100

110

1210

3rd

1210

121

1331

Difference between Simple Interest and compound interest

After three years,
In simple interest, the total amount would be 1300
And in compound interest, the total amount would be 1331.
Some Basic Formulas
If A = Amount
P = Principle
C.I. = Compound Interest
T = Time in years
R = Interest Rate Per Year

52

Shortcut Formulas
Rule 1: If rate of interest is R1% for first year, R2% for second year and R3%
for third year, then

Example
Find the total amount after three years on Rs 1000 if the compound interest
rate for first year is 4%, for second year is 5% and for third year is 10%
Sol:
P = 1000
R1 = 4%, R2 = 5% and R3 = 10%

(From the table given at the bottom of the page)

A = 1201.2
Rule 2:
If principle = P, Rate = R% and Time = T years then
1.

If the interest is compounded annually:

53

2.

If the interest is compounded half yearly (two times in year):

3.

If the interest is compounded quarterly (four times in year):

Example
Find the total amount on 1000 after 2 years at the rate of 4% if
1.
The interest is compounded annually
2.
The interest is compounded half yearly
3.
The interest is compounded quarterly.
Sol:
Here P = 1000
R = 4%
T = 2 years
If the interest is compounded annually

(From the table given at the bottom of the page)

A = 1081.6
If the interest is compounded half yearly

54

A = 1082.4
If the interest is compounded quarterly

A = 1082.9
Rule 3: If difference between Simple Interest and Compound Interest is
given.

If the difference between Simple Interest and Compound Interest on a

certain sum of money for 2 years at R% rate is given then

Example
If the difference between simple interest and compound interest on a certain
sum of money at 10% per annum for 2 years is Rs 2 then find the sum.
Sum:

55

If the difference between Simple Interest and Compound Interest on a

certain sum of money for 3 years at R% is given then

Example
If the difference between simple interest and compound interest on a certain
sum of money at 10% per annum for 3 years is Rs 2 then find the sum.
Sol:

Rule 3: If sum A becomes B in T1 years at compound interest, then after T2 years

Example
Rs 1000 becomes 1100 after 4 years at certain compound interest rate.
What will be the sum after 8 years?
Sum:
Here A = 1000, B = 1100
T1 = 4, T2 = 8

56

Look up Table

Mixture and Alligation Shortcut Methods

Mixture: Mixing of two or more than two type of quantities gives us a mixure.
Quantities of these elements can be expressed as percentage or ratio.
i.e. Percentage (20% of sugar in water)
Fraction ( A solution of sugar and water such that sugar : water = 1:4)
Alligation: Alligation is a rule which is used to solve the problems related to
mixture and its ingredient.
It is the rule that enables us to find the ratio in which two or more ingredients at
the given price must be mixed to produce a mixture of desired price.
Alligation Rule
When two elements are mixed to make a mixture and one of the elements is
cheaper and other one is costlier then,

Here Mean Price is CP of mixture per unit quantity.

Above rule can be written as,

57

Then,
Cheaper Quantity : Costlier Quantity = (D M) : (M C)
Example
Example
In what proportion must sugar at Rs 40 per kg be mixed with sugar at Rs 60
per kg so that the mixture be Rs 55 per kg?
Sol:
Here, CP of Cheaper(C) = 40,
CP of Costlier(D) = 60 and
Mean Price(M) = 55
So from the rule of alligation we can say that

58

Proportion of Cheaper Sugar and Costlier Sugar is 1 : 3

Mixture of more than two elements.
This method is a bit tricky initially but if you practice it then it becomes quite
easy.
If the mixture is of more than two ingredients, then write the prices of each
ingredient below one another in ascending order. Write the mean price to the left
of the list. Now make couples of prices in such a way that one price of the couple is
below mean price and another price of the couple is above mean price. Now find the
difference between each price and mean price and write it opposite to the price
linked to it. This difference is required answer.
Dont worry if you dont understand above paragraph. Try to understand above
paragraph with the examples given below.
Example
How must a shop owner mix 4 types of rice worth Rs 95, Rs 60, Rs 90 and Rs
50 per kg so that he can make the mixture of these sugars worth Rs 80 per
kg?
Sol:
Here the prices of sugars are 95, 60, 90 and 50.
And the mean price is 80.
Now read the above paragraph and the image given below to understand this
method.

So the proportion of sugar is

50 : 60 : 90 : 95 = 15 : 10 : 20 : 30 or
50 : 60 : 90 : 95 = 3 : 2 : 4 : 6
Example
In what ratio must a person mix three kind of tea each of which has a price
of 70, 80 and 120 rupees per kg, in such a way that the mixture costs him

59

100 rupees per kg?

Sol:
Here the prices of tea are 70, 80 and 120
And mean price is 100, so

So the proportion of tea is

70 : 80 : 120 = 20 : 20 : 50 or
70 : 80 : 120 = 2 : 2 : 5

Some Shortcut Formulas

Rule 1
If n different vessels of equal size are filled with the mixture of P and Q in the
ratio p1 : q1, p2 : q2, , pn : qn and content of all these vessels are mixed in one large
vessel, then

Example
Three equal buckets containing the mixture of milk and water are mixed into a
bigger bucket. If the proportion of milk and water in the glasses are 3:1, 2:3
and 4:2 then find the proportion of milk and water in the bigger bucket.
Sol:
Lets say P stands for milk and Q stands for water,
So, p1:q1 = 3:1
p2:q2=2:3
p3 : q3=4:2

60

So in bigger bucket,
Milk : Water = 109 : 71
Rule 2
If n different vessels of sizes x1, x2, , xn are filled with the mixture of P and Q in
the ratio p1 : q1, p2 : q2, , pn : qn and content of all these vessels are mixed in one
large vessel, then

Example
Three buckets of size 2 liter, 4 liter and 5 liter containing the mixture of
milk and water are mixed into a bigger bucket. If the proportion of milk and
water in the glasses are 3:1, 2:3 and 4:2 then find the proportion of milk and
water in the bigger bucket.
Sol:
Lets say P stands for milk and Q stands for water,
So, p1:q1 = 3:1 , x1 = 2
p2:q2=2:3 , x2 = 4
p3 : q3=4:2 x3 = 5, so

61

So in bigger bucket,
Milk : Water = 193 : 137
Rule 3: Removal and Replacement
If a vessel contains x litres of liquid A and if y litres be withdrawn and replaced
by liquid B, then if y litres of the mixture be withdrawn and replaced by liquid B,
and the operation is repeated n times in all, then :

Example
A container is containing 80 liter of wine. 8 liter of wine was taken out from
this container and replaced by water. This process was further repeated two
times. How much wine is there in the container now?
Sol:
Here x = 80, y = 8 and n = 3, so

Quantity of wine after 3rd operation = 58.32 liters.

62

Rule 4:
p gram of ingredient solution has a% ingredient in it. To increase the ingredient
content to b% in the solution

Example
125 liter of mixture of milk and water contains 25% of water. How much
water must be added to it to make water 30% in the new mixture?
Sol:
Lets say p = 125, b = 30, a = 25
So from the equation

Quantity of water need to be added = 8.92 liter.

Profit And Loss

To make profit is the basic aim of any business.
Cost Price: It is the price at which any article or unit or item is bought. It is
abbreviated as CP.
Selling Price: It is the price at which any article or unit or item is sold. It is
abbreviated as SP.
Profit: If Selling Price is greater than Cost Price then seller makes profit.
Profit = SP CP
Loss: If Cost Price is greater than Selling Price then seller incurs loss.
Loss = CP SP
Basic Formulas:

63

One point is to be noted that loss or profit is always calculated with reference to
CP.

Shortcut Method For Profit And Loss

64

65

Time and Work Shortcut Methods

Time and Work problems are most frequently asked problems in quantitative
aptitude. To solve these problems very quickly, you should understand the concept
of Time and Work and some shortcut methods.
If a man can do a piece of work in 5 days, then he will finish 1/5th of the work in
one day.
If a man can finish 1/5th of the work in one day then he will take 5 days to
complete the work.
If a man 5/6th of work in one hour then he will take 6/5 hours to complete the full
work.
If A works three times faster than B then A takes 1/3rd the time taken by B.
Here are some shortcut rules which can be very useful while solving Time and Work
problems.
In total 9 rules are given here.
Rule 1: Universal Rule
This rule can be used in almost every problems.
If M1 persons can do W1 work in D1 days and M2 persons can do W2 works in D2days
then we can say
M1D1W2 = M2D2W1
If the persons work T1 and T2 hours per day respectively then the equation gets
modified to
M1D1T1W2 = M2D2T2W1
If the persons has efficiency of E1 and E2 respectively then,
M1D1T1E1W2 = M2D2T2E2W1
Example
5 men can prepare 10 cycles in 6 days working 6 hours a day. Then in how
many days can 12 men prepare 16 cycles working 8 hours a day?
Sol:
Here M1 = 5, W1 = 10, D1 = 6, T1 = 6 and
M2 = 12, W2 = 16, T2 = 8

66

So from the above rule

M1D1T1W2 = M2D2T2W1
5 6 6 16 = 12 D2 8 10
D2 = 3 Days.
So they will complete the work in 3 days.
Rule 2:
If A can do a piece of work in n days, then
The work done by A in one day = 1/n
Example
If A can repair 50 cycles in 5 days then A can repair 50/5 = 10 cycles in one day.

Rule 3:
If A can do a work in D1 days and B can do the same work in D2 days then A and B
together can do the same work

Example
Content
If A can do a piece of work in 10 days and B can do the same work in 15
days then how long will they take if they both work together?
Sol:
A can finish the work in D1 = 10 days.
B can finish the work in D2 = 15 days.

Rule 4:
If A is twice as good a workman as B, then A will take half of the time taken by B
to complete a piece of work.
Example
A is twice as good a workman as B. Together, they finish the work in 14
days. In how many days can it be done by each separately?
Sol:

67

Lets assume that A alone can finish the work in x days.

It is given that A is twice as good a workman as B so B alone can finish the work in
2x days

So x = 21 days.
So A can finish the work in 21 days and B can finish the work in 42 days.

Rule 5:
If A is thrice as good a workman as B, then A will take one third of the time taken
by B to complete a piece of work.
Example
A is thrice as good a workman as B. Together, they finish the work in 15
days. In how many days can it be done by each separately?
Sol:
Lets assume that A alone can finish the work in x days.
It is given that A is thrice as good a workman as B so B alone can finish the work in
3x days.

So x = 20 days.
So A can finish the work in 20 days and B can finish the work in 60 days.
Rule 6:
If A and B together can do a piece of work in x days, B and C together can do in y
days and C and A together can do in z days, then the same work can be done

68

Example
A and B can do a piece of work in 30 days while B and C can do the same
work in 24 days and C and A in 20 days. Find out the time taken to complete
the work by each member working alone. Also find in how many days they will
complete the work if they work together.
Sol:
Here lets assume that x=30, y=24 and z=20.

Rule 7:
If A can do a piece of work in D1 days, B can do in D2 days and C can do in D3 days
then they together can do the same work in

Example
Content
If A can do a piece of work in 30 days, B can do in 24 days and C can do in
20 days then they together can do the same work in _____ days.
Sol:

69

Rule 8:
If A and B together can do a piece of work in D1 days and A alone can do it in
D2days, then B alone can do the work in

Example
Content
Jack and Jill together can do a piece of work in 10 days. Jack alone can do it
in 15 days. In how many days can Jill alone do it?
Sol:
Lets say D1 = 10, D2 = 15
Rule 9:
If the number of men are changed in the ratio of m:n, then the time taken to
complete the work will change in the ratio n:m

Pipes And Cisterns Shortcut Methods

Pipe and Cistern problems are similar to time and work problems. A pipe is used to
fill or empty the tank or cistern.
Inlet Pipe: A pipe used to fill the tank or cistern is known as Inlet Pipe.
Outlet Pipe: A pipe used to empty the tank or cistern is known as Outlet Pipe.
Some Basic Formulas
1.
2.

If an inlet pipe can fill the tank in x hours, then the part filled in 1 hour = 1/x
If an outlet pipe can empty the tank in y hours, then the part of the tank emptied
in 1 hour = 1/y

70
3.

If both inlet and outlet valves are kept open, then the net part of the tank filled in
1 hour is

Some Shortcut Methods

Rule 1: Two pipes can fill (or empty) a cistern in x and y hours while working alone.
If both pipes are opened together, then the time taken to fill (or empty) the
cistern is given by

Example

Two pipes A and B can fill a cistern in 20 and 30 minutes respectively. If

both the pipes are opened together, how long will it take to fill the cistern?
Sol:
Lets say x = 20 and y = 30

So it will take 12 minutes for both the pipes to full the cistern.
Rule 2: Three pipes can fill (or empty) a cistern in x, y and z hours while working
alone. If all the three pipes are opened together, the time taken to fill (or empty)
the cistern is given by

Example

Three pipes can fill a tank in 20 minutes, 30 minutes and 40 minutes

respectively while working alone. If, all the pipes are opened together, how
long will it take to fill the tank full?

71

Sol:
Lets say x = 20 minutes, y = 30 minutes, z = 40 minutes

So it will take 9.23 minutes to fill the tank full.

Rule 3: If a pipe can fill a cistern in x hours and another can fill the same cistern
in y hours, but a third one can empty the full tank in z hours, and all of them are
opened together, then

Example

Two pipes can fill a cistern in 20 minutes and 30 minutes respectively. Third
pipe can empty the tank in 40 minutes. If all the three pipes are opened
together, how long it will take to fill the tank full?
Sol:
Lets say x = 20, y = 30 and z = 40

So it will take 17.14 minutes to fill the tank full.

Rule 4: A pipe can fill a cistern in x hours. Because of a leak in the bottom, it is
filled in y hours. If it is full, the time taken by the leak to empty the cistern is

Example

72

A pipe can fill a tank in 3 hours. Because of leak in the bottom, it is filled in
4 hours. If the tank is full, how much time will the leak take to empty it?
Sol:

So leak will empty the tank in 12 hours.

By formula
Lets say x = 3 and y = 4

Time and Distance Shortcut Methods

The terms time and distance are related to the speed of a moving object.
Speed: Speed is defined as the distance covered by an object in unit time.

Some Important Facts

Distance travelled is proportional to the speed of the object if the time is kept
constant.
Distance travelled is proportional to the time taken if speed of object is kept
constant.
Speed is inversely proportional to the time taken if the distance covered is kept
constant.
If the ratio of two speeds for same distance is a:b then the ratio of time taken to
cover the distance is b:a
Relative Speed
If two objects are moving in same direction with speeds of x and y then their
relative speed is (x - y)
If two objects are moving is opposite direction with speeds of x and y then their
relative speed is (x + y)
Unit Conversion

73

Some Important Shortcut Formulas

Rule 1: If some distance is travelled at x km/hr and the same distance is travelled
at y km/hr then the average speed during the whole journey is given by

Example
John goes from his home to school at the speed of 2 km/hr and returns at
the speed of 3 km/hr. What is his average speed during whole journey in
m/sec?
Sol:
Lets say x = 2 km/hr
And y = 3 km/hr, so
Now, average speed in m/sec

Rule 2: If a person travels a certain distance at x km/hr and returns at y km/hr,

if the time taken to the whole journey is T hours then the one way distance is given
by

Example
Mr Samson goes to market at the speed of 10 km/hr and returns to his home
at the speed of 15 km/hr. If he takes 3 hours in all, what is the distance
between his home and market?
Sol:
Lets say x = 10 km/hr
y = 10 km/hr, and
T = 3 hrs, then
So the distance between home and market is 18 km.

74

Rule 3: If two persons A and B start their journey at the same time from two
points P and Q towards each other and after crossing each other they take a and b
hours in reaching Q and P respectively, then

Example
Two persons Ram and Lakhan start their journey from two different places
towards each others place. After crossing each other, they complete their
journey in 1 and 4 hours respectively. Find speed of Lakhan if speed of ram is
20 km/hr.
Sol:
Lets say A = Ram and B = Lakhan
a = 1 and b = 4, then

Lakhans Speed = 10 km/hr

Rule 4: If the same distance is covered at two different speeds S 1 and S2 and the
time taken to cover the distance are T1 and T2, then the distance is given by

Example
Two trucks travel the same distance at the speed of 50 kmph and 60 kmph.
Find the distance when the distance when the time taken by both trucks has a
difference of 1 hour.
Sol:
Lets say S1 = 50 kmph,
S2 = 60 kmph
T1 T 2 = 1

Trains Shortcut Methods

Problems on trains are most frequently asked questions in any competitive exam.

75

Problems on trains and Time and Distance are almost same. The only difference is
we have to consider the length of the train while solving problems on trains.
Points To Remember
1.

Time taken by a train of length of L meters to pass a stationary pole is equal

to the time taken by train to cover L meters.
2. Time taken by a train of length of L meters to pass a stationary object of
length P meters is equal to the time taken by train to cover (L + P) meters.
3. If two trains are moving in same direction and their speeds are x km/h and y
km/h (x > y) then their relative speed is (x y) km/h.
4. If two trains are moving in opposite direction and their speeds are x km/h
and y km/h then their relative speed is (x + y) km/h.
Unit Conversion

Some Shortcut Methods

Rule 1:
If two trains of p meters and q meters are moving in same direction at the speed
of x m/s and y m/s (x > y) respectively then time taken by the faster train to
overtake slower train is given by

Example
Two trains of length 130 meter and 70 meter are running in the same
direction with the speed of 50 km/h and 70 km/h. How much time will faster
train take to overtake the slower train from the moment they meet?
Sol:
Lets say p = 130 meter = 0. 13 km
q = 70 meter = 0.07 km
x = 70 km/h and y = 50 km/h,
So from the equation given above,

76

0.01 hours = 36 second

So it will take 36 seconds to overtake.
Rule 2:
If two trains of p meters and q meters are moving in opposite direction at the
speed of x m/s and y m/s respectively then time taken by trains to cross each
other is given by

Example
Two trains of length 130 meter and 70 meter are running in the opposite
direction with the speed of 50 km/h and 70 km/h. How much time will trains
take to cross each other from the moment they meet?
Sol:
Lets say p = 130 meter = 0. 13 km
q = 70 meter = 0.07 km
x = 70 km/h and y = 50 km/h,
So from the equation given above,

0.0017 hours = 6 seconds

So it will take 6 seconds to cross each other.

Boats and Streams Shortcut Methods

Boats and Streams problems are frequently asked problems in competitive exams.
Stream: Moving water of the river is called stream.
Still Water: If the water is not moving then it is called still water.
Upstream: If a boat or a swimmer moves in the opposite direction of the stream
then it is called upstream.
Downstream: If a boat or a swimmer moves in the same direction of the stream
then it is called downstream.
Points to remember

When speed of boat or a swimmer is given then it normally means speed in

still water.

77

Some Basic Formulas

Rule 1: If speed of boat or swimmer is x km/h and the speed of stream is y km/h
then,

Speed of boat or swimmer upstream = (x y) km/h

Speed of boat or swimmer downstream = (x + y) km/h

Rule 2:

Speed of boat or swimmer in still water is given by

Speed of stream is given by

Some Shortcut Methods

Rule 1: A man can row certain distance downstream in t 1 hours and returns the
same distance upstream in t2 hours. If the speed of stream is y km/h, then the
speed of man in still water is given by

Example
A man goes certain distance against the current of the stream in 2 hour and
returns with the stream in 20 minutes. If the speed of stream is 4 km/h
then how long will it take for the man to go 4 km in still water?
Sol:
Lets say t1 = 20 minutes = 0.33 hours and t2 = 1 hours
Y = 4, then mans speed in still water

So mans speed is 7.94 km/h in still water.

Now, time taken by the man to row 4 km in still water

78

Rule 2: A man can row in still water at x km/h. In a stream flowing at y km/h, if it
takes him t hours to row to a place and come back, then the distance between two
places is given by

Example
A man can row 4 km/h in still water. When the water is running at 2 km/h, it
takes him 2 hours to go to a place and come back. What is the distance
between that place and mans initial position?
Sol:
Lets say x = 4 km/h = mans speed in still water.
y = 2 km/h = waters speed.
t = 2, so

Rule 3: A man can row in still water at x km/h. In a stream flowing at y km/h, if it
takes t hours more in upstream than to go downstream for the same distance, then
the distance is given by

Example
A man can row 4 km/h in still water. The water is running at 2 km/h. He
travels to a certain distance and comes back. It takes him 2 hours more while
travelling against the stream than travelling with the stream. What is the
distance?
Sol:
Lets say x = 4 km/h = mans speed in still water.
y = 2 km/h = waters speed.

79

t = 2, so

Rule 4: A man can row in still water at x km/h. In a stream flowing at y km/h, if he
rows the same distance up and down the stream, then his average speed is given by

Example
Speed of boat in still water is 9 km/h and speed of stream is 2 km/h. The
boat rows to a place which is 47 km away and comes back in the same path.
Find the average speed of boat during whole journey.
Sol:
Lets say x = 9 km/h = speed in still water
Y = 2 km/h = speed of stream

Work and Wages

Work and Wages problems are simpler to solve in quantitative aptitude.
Money earned by a person for a certain work is called wage of the person for that
work.
Points to remember
1.

Wages are directly proportional to the work done. That means more work
more money.
2. Wages are inversely proportional to the time taken to complete the work.
That means more time less money.
Work and Wages problems can be understood by examining some solved examples.
Example

80

Mayank can do a piece of work in 3 days while Sanjay can do the same work in
4 days. The wage for the full work is Rs 350. If they both work together to
complete the work then find the earnings of Mayank and Sanjay.
Sol:
Mayanks 1 days work = 1/3
Sanjays 1 days work = 1/4
Wages are directly proportional to the work done.
So, Mayanks Wage : Sanjays Wage = 1/3 : 1/4
Mayanks Wage : Sanjays Wage = 4 : 3
Now, total wage is 350 Rs.

Example
Shahrukh alone can finish a work in 4 days while Salman alone can finish it in
6 days. If they both work together to finish it, then out of total wages of
18000, what will be the 20% of Shahrukhs share?
Sol:
Shahrukhs 1 days work = 1/4
Salmans 1 days work = 1/6
Wages are directly proportional to the work done.
So, Shahrukhs share : Salmans share = 1/4 : 1/6
Shahrukhs share : Salmans share = 6 : 4

So 20% of Shahrukhs wage = 2160

81

Example
Rahul, Rohit and Rohan can do a piece of work in 3, 4 and 6 days,
respectively. Doing that work together, they get an amount of 675 rupees.
What is the share of Rohan in that amount.
Sol:
Rahuls 1 days work = 1/3
Rohits 1 days work = 1/4
Rohans 1 days work = 1/6
Rahuls share : Rohits share : Rohans share

=4:3:2
So, Rohans Wage

Rohans wage is 150 rupees.

Example
Sunil can do a piece of work in 2 days while Saurav can do it in 3 days. They
work together for a day and rest of the work is done by Sachin in 1 day. If
they get 1800 rupees for the whole work then find the wage of Sachin.
Sol:
Sunils 1 days work = 1/2
Sauravs 1 daus work = 1/3
Sunil and Sauravs 1days work = 1/2 + 1/3 = 5/6
Remaining work done by Sachin = 1 5/6 = 1/6
(Have doubt? Then refer time and work)
So, Sunils share : Sauravs share : Sachins share

82

=3:2:1
So wage of Sachin,

Sachins wage is 300 rupees.

TRIGNOMETRY:

Types of Triangles
Types of triangles are defined based on similarity of their sides and angles.
Types based on Sides
Equilateral Triangle

Equilateral triangle has all the three sides with equal length.
Each angle is 60.
Isosceles Triangle

83

Isosceles triangle has two sides with equal length.

Angles opposite to the equal sides are also same.
Scalene Triangle

Scalene triangle has all sides with unequal length.

Angles of scalene triangle are also different.
Types based on Angle
Right Angle Triangle

Right angle triangle has one angle of 90.

Side opposite to right angle is known as hypotenuse.
Acute Triangle

84

Acute triangle has all the angles measuring less than 90.
Obtuse Triangle

Obtuse triangle has one angle measuring greater than 90.

Triangle Properties
Vertex: The vertex is the corner of the triangle. Triangle has three vertices.
Base: Generally, the bottom side of a triangle is called base.
Altitude: Altitude is a line through a vertex and perpendicular to the opposite side
(or base) of the vertex.
Intersection of three altitudes is called the orthocenter of the triangle.
Median: A median is a line from the vertex to the midpoint of the opposite side.
Intersection of three medians is called the centroid of the triangle.
Orthocenter: Intersection of three altitudes is called the orthocenter of the
triangle.

As shown in figure, point O is orthocenter of triangle.

Centroid: Intersection of three medians is called the centroid of the triangle.

85

Incircle: The biggest circle which touches all the sides of a triangle is called
incircle of a triangle.

The intersection of three angle bisector is center of incircle. It is also called

incenter of triangle.
Circumcircle: A circle which passes through all the vertices of the triangle is
called circumcircle.

86

The intersection of three perpendicular bisectors is called circumcenter.

Interior Angles:

A triangle has three interior angles.

Sum of three interior angles of a triangle is 180.
Shortest side is always opposite to the smallest interior angle.
Longest side is always opposite to the biggest interior angle.

Exterior Angles:

An exterior (or external) angle is the angle between one side of a triangle
and the extension of an adjacent side.
Sum of all the exterior angle is 360

87

An exterior angle of a triangle is equal to the sum of the opposite interior

angles.

Definition of Sine, Cosine and Tangent

There are two right-angle triangles ABC and XYZ shown in the above
figure. These two triangles are similar triangles because interior angles of
the triangles are same.
Now, for right-angle similar triangles, ratio of the corresponding sides is
same.

These ratios remain same for any similar triangle. So if we keep the angles
of the triangle same then these ratio does not change for any size of side.
Scientists observed that these ratios always remain constant for the given
angle so they decided to give name to these ratios. So they gave name as
Sine, Cosine and Tangent to these ratios which are shown below.

Now, for the given angle , these sides are opposite, adjacent and
hypotenuse, so

88

So from the above equations, we can write that,

Trigonometric Ratios Of Standard Angles

Trigonometric ratios of standard angles if found out by following simple

method.
Trigonometric ratio for 30 and 60

As shown in the figure, triangle ABC is equilateral triangle with each side
of length 2X.
AD is the bisector of angle BAC.
As the triangle is equilateral, the length of BD and DC will be X.
Triangle ADB is right-angle triangle, so from the Pythagorean theorem we
can say that,
AD2 + BD2 = AB2
AD2 + X2 = 4X2

89

AD2 = 3X2
AD = 3X
So for the right-angle triangle ADB, we have values of all the sides,
AB = 2X, BD = X and AD = 3X
So,

Simillarly for 60

Trigonometric ratio for 45

90

As shown in figure, triangle XYZ is right-angle triangle and two sides of

the triangle are equal. So the value of the remaining angles are also same
which is 45.
By Pythagorean theorem, we can say that
XY2 + YZ2 = XZ2
a2 + a2 = XZ2
XZ2 = 2a2
XZ = 2a
So for the triangle XYZ, we have values of all the sides.
XY = a, YZ = a and XZ = 2a
So,

The table for trigonometric ratio of standard angle is given below.

91

How To Remember Trigonometric Ratio Table

Remembering values of standard angles can be difficult. But with the method
shown below you can easily remember the values of standard angles.
First of all write down the values of standard angles.

Then write numbers from 0 to 4 below them as shown below.

92

Then divide all of them by 4.

Take square root of all of them.

Then write resultant value.

Then write those value in reverse order below them.

93

Then divide values of first line with second line and write resultant values as third
line.

Then write sin, cos and tan on the left hand side as shown below.

So, by this way you can easily remember values of standard angles.
Values of Cosec, Sec and Cot can be found by taking inverse of Sin, cos and tan
respectively for the given angle.
Complete table of standard angles is shown below.

94

Angle and Distance Examples

From an aeroplane just over a straight road, the angles of depression of two
consecutive kilometer stones situated at opposite sides of the aeroplane were
found to be 60 and 30 respectively. The height (in km) of the aeroplane
from the road at that instant, is
Solution:

As shown in image A is the aeroplane. B and C are two consecutive milestones. So

95

distance between them is 1km

So BC = 1
It is given that the aeroplane creates 60 and 30 angle of depression with two
milestones. So we can say that angle A = 90. (A + B + C = 180)
So for right angle triangle ABC we can say that

Now, we want to find height of the aeroplane from the ground, so we have to find
the length of AD.
Triangle ABD is right angle triangle.
So for triangle ABD, we can say that

So we can say that height of aeroplane from the ground is 3/4 km.
A tower standing on a horizontal plane subtends a certain angle at a point
160m apart from the foot of the tower. On advancing 100m towards it, the
tower is found to subtend an angle twice as before. The height of the tower
is
Solution:

96

As shown in figure, AB is tower. C is the point 160m apart from the tower. is the
angle at point C.
Now, advancing 100m towards tower we get to the point D. 2 is the angle at point
D.
We need to find length of AB which is height of tower.
For right angle triangle ABC we can say that

And for right angle triangle ABD we can say that

But we know that

So we can write

97

So we can say that height of tower is 80 meters.

The length of a shadow of a vertical tower is 1/3 times its height. The
angle of elevation of the Sun is
Solution:

As shown in the figure, AB is the tower and lets assume that its length is x.
BC is its shadow and its length is (1/3)x.
We want to find angle .
So for right angle triangle ABC we can say that

98

Thus, angle of elevation of the Sun is 60.

Trigonometric Formulas or Identities

Basic identities

Pythagorean Identities

99

Addition and Subtraction Identities

Single Angle Identity

Double Angle Identities

100

Triple Angle Identities

Product to sum

Sum to Product

101

Other Identities

Article
The adjectives a, an and the are called articles.
There are two types of articles.

Indefinite article A/An

Definite article The

Indefinite Article:
The words a and an are called indefinite articles. You can use them with singular
nouns to talk about any single person or thing.
The article a is used before words beginning with consonants.
Ex:

This is a car.
This is a uniform. ( Uniforms pronunciation does not start with vowel sound)
This is a bat.

The article an is usually used before words beginning with vowels (a, e, i, o, u).
In simple words, article an is used before words whose pronunciation starts with
vowel sound.
Ex:

Sunil is an intelligent boy.

102

He is an MLA. (MLAs pronunciation start with vowel sound)

He is an honest man. (Honests pronunciation start with vowel sound)

Rules for using Indefinite article.

Rules For Using Indefinite Article

Here are some rules for using Indefinite articles. These rules can be very useful in
solving common errors problems in competitive exams.
Rule: Article A is used before a word beginning with a consonant sound.
Ex:

He is a European.
He has a brief case.
She has a bicycle.

Rule: Article An is used before a word beginning with a vowel sound.

Ex:

He is an MLA
He has an umbrella
He has an exe.

Rule: Indefinite article A/An is used before a singular countable noun when it is
mentioned for the first time and it does not represent specific person or thing.
Ex:

Kamal lives in a bunglow.

Yogeshwar is a lecturer.
This is a river.

Rule: Indefinite article is used when a singular countable noun represents class of
things or persons.
Ex:

A vehicle should be parked properly. (Vehicle = any vehicle, class of vehicles.

A student needs guidance. (Student = any student, class of student)
A cow is a friendly animal.

Rule: Indefinite article is used when a proper noun is used as common noun.
Ex:

He is a Hitler.
She is a Lata Mangeshker

103

You are a Beauty.

Definite article The

The word the is called the definite article. Use the before a noun when you are
talking about a certain or specific person or thing.

Virat has won the match

The mobile is ringing.
The train has arrived.

Rules for Using Definite Article

Here are some rules for using definite articles. These rules can be very useful
while solving common error problems in competitive exams.
Rule: Definite article the is used when we talk about the person or thing which
was mentioned earlier.
Ex:

Shruti drew a picture. The picture was beautiful.

I met a boy. The boy was intelligent.
Give me the ball which you bought yesterday.

Rule: Definite article the is used when a singular noun is representing a whole
class.
Ex:

The cow is a friendly animal.

The rose is a beautiful flower.
The lion is a dangerous animal.

Rule: Before the names of mountain ranges, group of islands, rivers, oceans, gulfs,
desserts, forests etc.
Ex:

The
The
The
The
The
The
The

Himalayas
Ganga
Andamans
Amazon
Pacific Ocean
Sahara
Vrindavan Forest

104

Rule: Before the names of newspapers and magazines.

Ex:

The Hindu
The Times of India

Rule: Before the names of religious and mythological books.

Ex:

The Ramayana
The Mahabharat
The Bibal

Rule: Before the name of historical places.

Ex:

The Tajmahal
The Lalkilla

Rule: Before the name of religious community, political party, nationality, trains,
ships, government departments.
Ex:

The
The
The
The
The
The

Hindus
BJP
Shatabdi Express
Income Tax department
Army
Indian

Rule: Before the words showing position.

Ex:

The
The
The
The
The

top
bottom
inside
back
front

Rule: The is used in superlative degree.

Ex:

She is the most beautiful girl in the college.

105

Usain Bolt is the fastest person on the planet.

He is the most sincere student in the class.

Rule: The is used before the names of natural things.

Ex:

The
The
The
The
The

Sun
Moon
Planet
River
Mountain

Rule: The is used before the ordinals.

Ex:

The first
The second
The last

Difference Between Definite And Indefinite Articles

Many people have doubt about when to use definite articles and when to use
indefinite articles.
To clear this doubt we should know the difference between these two types of
articles.
Indefinite articles are used when you are not talking about something specific or
certain.
Ex: Give me a ball.
Whereas definite article is used when you are talking about something specific or
certain.
Ex: Give me the red ball.
Above examples show that we are talking about specific thing which is red ball.
Whereas in the example of indefinite article, we are talking about ball which can
be of any colour.

Noun
Noun is a word used to name a person, animal, place or thing.
Types of Noun

106

Common Noun
Proper Noun
Collective Noun
Material Noun
Abstract Noun

Common Noun:
Common noun is a name given in general to every person or thing of same kind.
Ex: Boy, Country, Bird
Proper Noun:
Proper noun is the name of a particular person or place or thing.
Ex: Rahul, India, Peacock
Collective Noun:
A Collective noun is the name of a group of persons or things taken together and
spoken of as a whole or as unit.
Ex: Team, Group, Committee
Material Noun:
A Material noun is the name of substance or metal, of which things made of.
Ex: Gold, Wood, Steel
Abstract Noun:
Abstract noun in general refers, the name of quality, action or state. An abstract
noun is a type of noun that refers to something with which a person cannot
physically interact.
Ex: Beauty, Joy, Childhood, Laughter, Grasp
Apart from these, there are also other two types of nouns
Countable Nouns:
Countable Nouns have both singular and plural form and it can be counted.
Ex: Table, Banana, Rupee
Non Countable Nouns:
Non Countable Nouns have only singular form and it cannot be counted.
Ex: Air, Furniture, Petrol

Rules of Noun
Here are some rules of nouns which should be used while making sentences.

107

These rules will be very helpful in common error problems.

Rule: Some nouns are always singular. These are uncountable nouns. Articles A/An
are not used with these nouns.
These nouns are:
Machinery, Work, Wood, Dust, Traffic, Electricity, Scenery, Poetry, Furniture,
Advice, Luggage, Information, Luggage, Hair, Money, Language, Business, Mischief,
Knowledge, Bread, Stationery, Crockery, Baggage, Postage, Wastage, , Jewellery,
Breakage etc.
Ex:

He gave me information.
Sachin transported his furniture by Truck.
Rishma has good knowledge of grammar.

Rule: Some nouns are always in plural form they dont have singular form. Plural
verb is used with them.
These nouns are:
Cattle, Assets, Alms, Police, Amends, Annals, Archives, Ashes, Arrears, Athletics,
Wages, Auspices, Species, Scissors, Gentry, Trousers, Pants, Clippers, Shambles,
Bellows, Gallows, Fangs, Measles, Eyeglasses, Tidings, Goggles, Belongings,
Breeches, Braces, Binoculars, Dregs, Entrails, Embers, Fireworks, Lees, Odds,
Outskirts, Particulars, Proceeds, Proceedings, Riches, Bowels, Remains, Shears,
Spectacles, Surroundings, Tactics, Tongs, Vegetables, Valuables, Etc.
Ex:

Cattle are not allowed to enter that ground.

These pants are good.
These poultry are mine.

Rule: Some nouns have the same form in singular as well as in plural form.
These nouns are:
Sheep, Fish, Crew, Family, Team, Carp, Pike, Trout, Deer, Aircraft, Counsel, Swine,
Vermin, Species Etc.
Ex:

A deer is grazing in the field.

Deer are grazing in the field.

108

Sparrow is now a rare species.

There are many species of cow.

Rule: Nouns expressing number like hundred, dozen, score etc are used in singular
with numerical adjectives.
These nouns are:
Hundred, Pair, Score, Stone, Dozen, Thousand, Million, Billion, Gross, Etc.
Ex:

Sumit bought four dozen apples.

Samir got five hundred rupees.
Deepika has two pair of sandles.

Rule: Plural noun is used after One of, Neither of, Either of, and Each of.
Ex:

One of my friends is an Engineer.

Either of them will come.
Neither of the students hasRu failed.

Rule: Some nouns look plural but have singular meaning. Singular verb is used with
them.
These nouns are:
Summons, News, Politics, Physics, Economics, Mechanics, Mathematics, Measles,
Ethics, Rickets, Billiards, Draughts, Innings, etc.
Ex:

I have a good news.

Economics is my favourite subject.
It was a good innings by India.

Rule: Some nouns look singular but have plural meaning. Plural verb is used with
them.
These nouns are:
Infantry, Children, Cattle, Cavalry, Poultry, Peasantry, Gentry, Police, Clergy, Etc.
Ex:

Children are playing in the ground.

Cattle are not allowed to enter in the ground.
Police are coming.

109

Rules for Using Apostrophe

Here are some rules for the use of Apostrophe 's' or possessive nouns.
Rule: Possessive case is used with the nouns of living things.
Ex:

This is Sachins bat.

The cars wheel is punctured (Wrong)
The wheel of the car is punctured (Correct)

Rule: Non-living things are used in possessive case when they are personified.
Ex:

Ramu is at deths door.

This is earths surface.

Rule: Possessive case is used with nouns denoting space, time or weight.
Ex:

I want a days leave.

Shila will be back in a months time.

Rule: If two or more noun jointly possess something then possessive sign is put on
the latter only.
Ex:

Sachin and Sauravs partnership was awesome.

This is Rahul and Sonams shop.

Rule: If else is used after somebody, anybody, nobody etc then apostrophe is used
with else.
Ex:

I obey your orders and nobody elses.

This watch is not mine, it is somebody elses.

Rule: Apostrophe is not used with possessive pronouns like; his, hers, yours, mine,
ours, its, theirs, etc
Rule: Apostrophe is not used with two consecutive nouns.
Ex:

110

Sonals cars colour is very nice. (Wrong)

The colour of Sonals car is very nice. (Correct)

Adjective
Adjective are those words which add some more information to the noun. There
are different types of adjectives.
Some adjectives show size of the things or people.
Big, large, small, tiny, huge, thin etc show the size of people or things
Ex:

A big car.
(Here adjective big has added more information to the noun car.)
A tiny village.

Some adjectives show colour of the things.

Red, green, blue, orange, yellow etc show colour of the things.
Ex:

A red car.
A blue jeans.

Some adjectives show quality of the things.

Young, kind, beautiful, hot, cool, old, brave, rich, poor etc show quality of the
things or persons.
Ex:

A beautiful girl.
A young boy.
A beautiful painting.

Some adjectives show quantity of the things.

Much, little, some, sufficient, whole etc show quantity of the things.
Ex:

This is sufficient food.

This is little whisky.

Some adjectives show what things are made of.

Steel, wood, iron, plastic, gold, cotton etc show the material the things are made
of.
Ex:

111

This is wooden table.

Give me a plastic bag.
Show me a gold chain.

Adjectives have three degrees. ie Positive, Comparative and Superlative. Lets see
how to form these.
The comparative degree of an adjective is usually formed by adding er and the
superlative degree is formed by adding est' to the positive form of adjective.
Comparative

Superlative

High

Higher

Highest

Long

Longer

Longest

Sweet

Sweeter

sweetest

Positive

If the positive degree of an adjective ends in e then only r and st is generally

added to make the comparative and superlative degrees
Comparative

Superlative

Wise

Wiser

Wisest

Large

Larger

Largest

Safe

Safer

Safest

Positive

If the positive degree of an adjective ends with consonant + y then y is replaced by

ier in comparative degree and iest in superlative degree.
Comparative

Superlative

Lovely

Lovelier

Loveliest

Pretty

Prettier

Prettiest

Positive

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Easy

Easier

Easiest

If the positive form of an adjective ends in a single consonant and is of one syllable
which is preceded by vowel then the consonant is doubled before adding er' or
est' to form comparative or superlative degree.
Positive

Comparative

Superlative

Wet

Wetter

Wettest

Hot

Hotter

Hottest

Big

Bigger

Biggest

If the adjectives have two or more than two syllables. Comparative and superlative
degrees of these adjectives are formed by adding more and most before the
positive form.
Comparative

Superlative

Beautiful

More beautiful

Most beautiful

Colourful

More colourful

Most colourful

Careless

More careless

Most careless

Positive

Some adjectives have irregular forms of comparative and superlative degrees.

Comparative

Superlative

Good

Better

Best

Bad

Worse

Worst

Positive

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Late

Later

Last

Adverb
An adverb is a word which adds meaning to the verb. Adverbs can modify
adjectives, nouns and other adverbs also. Adverbs tell us how, when, where etc
something was done.
According to their meaning, there are following types of adverbs.
Adverbs of Manner
Adverb of manner tell us how an action takes place.
Carefully, badly, quickly, bravely, friendly way, etc are adverbs of manner.
Ex:

You must drive carefully.

(How? = carefully)
The teacher teaches us in a friendly way.
(How? = in a friendly way)

Adverbs of Place
Adverb of place tell us where an action takes place.
Abroad, down there, everywhere, here, there, downstairs etc are adverbs of place.
Ex:

It is raining everywhere.
(Where? = everywhere)
He is going abroad.
(Where? = abroad)

Adverbs of Time
Adverb of time tell us when an action takes place.
Now, then, Monday, yesterday, daily, tonight etc are adverbs of time.
Ex:

Simran went to Delhi yesterday.

(When? = yesterday)
We are going to watch a movie tonight.
(When? = tonight)

Adverbs of Frequency
Adverb of frequency tell us how often an action takes place.

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Always, often, sometimes, twice a month, monthly etc are adverbs of frequency.
Ex:

I always do yoga.
(How often? = always)
I eat chocolate sometimes.
(How often? = sometimes)

Adverbs of Quantity or Degree

Adverb of Quantity or Degree tell us how much or in what degree something has
happned.
Very much, only, almost, quite, hardly etc are adverbs of quantity or degree.
Ex:

He hardly comes to the ground.

(How much? = hardly)
I like mangos very much.
(How much? = very much)

Adverbs of Duration
Adverb of duration tell us how long an action takes place.
For three days, for a moment, over an hour, for ages, all night etc are adverbs of
duration.
Ex:

He has been the king of this area for ages.

(How long? = for ages)
The rain lasted for two days.
(How long? = for two days)

Adverb of Reason
Adverb of Reason tell us why an action takes place.
Hence, therefore, so etc are adverb of reason.
Ex:

Therefore he went to clinic.

(Why? = therefore)
He was hence going to that way.
(Why? = hence)

Rules for using adverbs.

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Verb
Verb is a word which describes action. It shows what people or things are doing.
Here are some common verbs which are used normally.
Drink, Speak, Eat, write, jump, sing, look, walk, learn, swim etc are commonly used
verbs.
The tense of a verb indicates time. The use of singular and plural forms indicates
the quantity of things acting in a sentence.
Have a look at the following sentence.
I am playing cricket.
Here play is the verb and shows what action the subject is doing.
The form of verb must agree the subject. If the subject and verb agrees than only
the sentence is grammatically correct.
Click on below link to see the rules of subject and verb agreement.

Subject - Verb Agreement

When the subject and the verb of any sentence match each other or have same
form then it is said that subject and verb agree with each other.

If the subject is singular, the verb must be singular.

If the subject is plural, the verb must also be plural.

Subject and verb must agree in following ways.

In person: First person, second person and third person.

In number: Singular or plural.

Now, see following examples. In following examples, subjects are in bold and verbs
are in colour.

Sanketh plays tennis.

(Here subject Sanketh is third person singular so verb plays is also in
singular form. )
(verb + s/es = singular,
here play + s = plays)

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They play football.

(Here subject They is third person plural so verb play is in plural form.)

I am eating.
(Here subject I is first person so we are using am with the verb)

You are dancing.

(Here subject you is second person so we are using are with the verb)

My friend Supreeth goes to the same gym as I do.

(Here subject My friend Supreeth is third person singular so verb goes is
also in singular form. )
(verb + s/es = singular,
here go + es = goes)

The plane flies to London every day.

(Here subject The plane is third person singular so verb flies is also in
singular form. )
(verb + s/es = singular,
here fly + es = flies)

Rules of s, es and ies

Many of the students have confusion in when to use s or es or ies while working
with verbs.
Here are some simple rules by which you can remove your confusion.
When to use es?
Es is used in two cases.
When the word ends with vowel o.
Ex:

Do: does
Go: goes

When the word ends with ch, sh, ss, zz, x

Ex:

Assess: Assesses
Teach: Teaches
Buzz: Buzzes

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Wash: Washes
Fix: Fixes

When to use ies?

When the word ends with consonant + y then replace y with ies.
Ex:

Fly: Flies (here l is consonant and the word ends with l + y)

Apply: Applies (consonant l + y)
Copy: Copies (consonant p + y)
Carry: Carries (consonant r + y)

But there is an exception in this case.

If the word ends with vowel + y then simply s is added to the word.
Ex:

Boy: Boys (here o is vowel and the word ends with o + y)

Play: Plays (vowel a + y)
Enjoy: Enjoys (vowel o + y)

When to use s?
For all the cases other than above shown, we use s after the word.
Ex:

Rain: Rains
Eat: Eats
Start: Starts.
Etc etc etc

Rules of Subject - Verb Agreement

Here are some rules of subject verb agreement which can be very useful in finding
errors sentence in competitive exams.
Subject is shown in bold and verb is shown in colour in examples of rules.
Rule: If the subject is singular, the verb must be singular. If the subject is plural,
the verb must also be plural.
Ex:

Simran plays chess.

(Here subject Simran is singular so verb plays is also in singular form.)

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(verb + s/es = singular,

here play + s = plays)

They play cricket.

(Here subject They is plural so verb play is also in plural form.)

Mom and Dad love us.

(Here subject Mom and Dad is plural (more than one) so verb love is also in
plural form.)

Rule: If two singular noun refer to the same person or thing then the verb must be
in singular form.
Ex:

The director and producer loves this food.

(Here the director and producer refers to the same person so verb is in
singular form.)
(Here same person is the producer as well as the director of the film.
We can say that The director and producer Karan Johar.
Here Karan Johar is diractor of the film and he is also producer of the film.
So director and producer refers to the same person.)

The captain and wicket keeper plays here.

(Here the captain and wicket keeper refers to the same person so the verb is
in singular form.)
(MS Dhoni is captain and wicket keeper of Indian cricket team)

If you observe above examples, article is used only once in the sentence. If the
article is used more than once than it does not refer to same person and verb must
be in plural form.
Ex:

The director and the producer love this food.

(Here article the is used more than once so it does not refer to same person
so there are two different persons ie the director and the producer so verb
love is in plural form.

The captain and the wicket keeper play here.

(Here the captain and the wicket keeper refers to two different persons so
verb is in plural form)

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Rule: If two or more subjects are joined by with, like, besides, as well as, together
with, along with, in addition to etc, the verb is used according to first subject.
Ex:

The captain as well as team members loves this food.

(Here two subjects the captain and team members are joined with as well as
but first subject, the captain, is singular so the verb loves is also in singular
form.)

The team members as well as captain of the team love this food.
(Here two subjects the team members and the captain of the team are
joined with as well as but first subject, the team members is in plural so the
verb love is also in plural form.)

Rule: When two subjects are connected by either...or, neither...nor, not only...but
also, or, nor, the subject which is nearest to the verb decides whether the verb
will be singular or plural.
Ex:

Neither Sumitra nor her family members were present in the party.
(Here two subjects sumitra and her family members are joined with
neither... nor. And subject her family members is nearest to the verb
present. Subject her family members is plural so the verb were is also in
plural)

Either you or I am driving the car.

(Here two subjects you and I are joined with either or. And subject I is
nearest to the verb driving. So verb has taken the form am driving according
to the subject I.)

Rule: Plural verb is used to show wish, regret, unlikely condition etc.
Ex:

I wish I were a soldier.

(Here I were is used instead of I am because it is a wish)

Rule: Singular verb must be followed by each, every, anyone, someone, either,
neither, etc.
Ex:

Neither of this city knows you.

Each of this class is a scholar.

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Rule: Collective nouns like Team, Family, Jury, Crowd, Class, Committee, Army,
Assembly, Fleet, Majority, Mob, Government, Parliament Council, Staff, etc., the
verb used can be singular or plural according to the meaning of the sentence. If
the collective noun is used as a unit then the verb will be singular, but if the
collective noun is not working as unit then the verb used will be plural.
Ex:

The committee has arrived.

(Here subject the committee is used as a unit so verb has is in plural form)

The committee have different opinions.

(Here subject the committee is divided and does not work as a unit so verb
have is in plural form)

Rule: Some nouns like glasses, shoes, pants, trousers, spectacles etc take plural
verb.
Ex:

My pants are not ready to wear.

My spectacles are missing.

Rule: Some nouns like News, Gallows, Billiards, Innings, Wages, Alms, Physics etc
sounds like plural noun but they are singular in meaning and take singular verb.
Ex:

Physics was my favourite subject.

The news is very good.

Pronoun
A pronoun is a word which is used in place of a noun. There are different kinds of
pronouns.

Personal Pronoun
Reflexive Pronoun
Possessive Pronoun
Demonstrative Pronoun
Interrogative Pronoun
Indefinite Pronoun

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Personal Pronoun
I, you, he, she, me, her, him them etc are personal pronoun. Personal pronoun are
used in subjective as well as objective way.
Subjective Case
I, you, he, she, it, we and they can all be used as the subject of a verb. Study the
following two sentence:
Alia likes sandals. She has ten sandals.
In the first sentence, the proper noun Alia is the subject of the verb likes. In the
second sentence, the pronoun she is the subject of the verb has.
Here are some examples which shows personal pronouns used as subjects of verbs.

Sachin is a cricketer. He likes to bat.

My name is Rohit. I am 21.
Sunil and I are going to watch movie. We like Amitabh Bachchan.
Smriti and Shruti are going to watch a cricket match. They like MS Dhoni.
Deepica, you are a sweet girl.

Objective Case
The personal pronouns me, you, him, her, it, us and them can all be used as the
object of a verb. Look at the following two sentence:
Alia likes sandals. She likes to wear them.
In the first sentence, the noun sandals is the object of the verb likes. In the
second sentence, the pronoun them is the object of the verb wear.
Here are some examples which shows personal pronouns used as objects of verbs.

Prof Aggarval is very nice. All the students like him.

The cupboard is very heavy. Workers are lifting it.
I am cooking food. Sameer is helping me.
The chairs are well arranged. Someone has arranged them.

Reflexive Pronouns
The words myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves and
themselves are reflexive pronouns
Ex:

Rohan built this table himself.

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Be careful not to cut yourself with that knife.

Shraddha made all this food herself.
Elephant washes itself by its trunk.
The soldiers train every day to keep themselves fit.

Possessive Pronouns
The words mine, yours, his, hers, ours and theirs are possessive pronouns.
Possessive pronouns are used to talk about things that belong to people.
Ex:

This bike is mine.

This bed is mine and that one is hers.
This is mine shoes, where is yours?
This food is theirs.

Demonstrative Pronouns
The words this, that, these and those are demonstrative pronouns. Demonstrative
pronouns are used for pointing out things.
Ex:

This is my car.
That is my friends house.
Those are my friends.
These are my students.

This and these are used when you are talking about things near you.
That and those are used when you are talking about things farther away.
Interrogative Pronouns
The words who, whose, what, which and whom are interrogative pronouns. They are
used to ask questions.
Ex:

Who are you?

Which movie is this?
Whose hat is this?
What is your birthdate?
Whom did the teacher appraise?

Indefinite Pronouns
The words one, some, any, everybody, somebody, everyone, anybody, someone,

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anyone, no one, everything, something, anything, nothing etc. are indefinite

pronouns.

One should take care of ones health.

Everyone should obey traffic rules.
Does anyone know where my car key is?
Something is missing in this dish.

Rules of pronouns.

Rules of Conjunction
Conjunction is a word which is used to join two or more sentences, words, phrases
or clauses.
Rule: Co-relative conjunctions are always used in pairs.
Co-relative conjunctions are
Eitheror
Neithernor
Bothand
Not onlybut also
Thoughyet
Weatheror
Ex:

Teacher has punished neither me nor you. (Correct)

Teacher has punished neither me not you. (Incorrect)
Both Priyanka and Aarohi have played well. (Correct)
Both Priyanka as well as Aarohi have played well. (Incorrect)
She is going to play not only basketball but also badminton. (Correct)
She is not only going to play basketball but also badminton. (Incorrect)

Rule: Rather, Other, No sooner are always followed by than.

Ex:

No sooner had they reached the theatre than the movie started. (Correct)
No sooner had they reached the theatre when the movie started. (Incorrect)
I have no other shoes than this. (Correct)
I have no other shoes but this. (Incorrect)

Rule: Same is always followed by that.

Ex:

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This is the same shirt that I saw on the other shop. (Correct)
This is the same shirt which I saw on the other shop. (Incorrect)

Rule: Words such as so, therefore, as are not used after using because.
Ex:

Because he worked very hard, he got success. (Correct)

Because he worked very hard so he got success. (Incorrect)

Tenses
Study of tenses is very important in learning English language. Tense indicates time
of an action. Study of tenses shows how to use verb in different types of
sentences.
There are three basic types of tenses.
1.
2.
3.

Present Tense
Past Tense
Future Tense

All these tenses have four sub types.

1.
2.
3.
4.

Simple
Continuous
Perfect
Perfect Continuous

So in total there are 12 types of tenses.

Present Tense
Present tense is used to show things happening in present.
There are four types of present tense

Simple Present Tense

Present Continuous Tense
Present Perfect Tense
Present Perfect Continuous Tense

Simple Present Tense

We use simple present tense to talk about things in general. We use it to say that

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something happens all the time or repeatedly. It does not matter whether the
action is happening at the time of speaking.
Simple present tense is used to show universal truth, principle and facts.
Ex:

The Sun rises in the east.

Fortune favours the brave.
Gases expand when heated.

Simple present tense is used to show habitual, repeated or regular actions.

Ex:

My sister works in a school.

I work in a bank.
Driver drives the car.

Simple present tense is used for future reference or fixed time tables.
Ex:

Samir goes to pune next Sunday.

The show begins at 8:30 next Saturday.
Next bus is at 7:30 evening.

Present Continuous Tense

Present continuous tense is used when we talk about something that is happening at
the time of speaking.
Ex:

I am driving the car.

Children are playing hockey.
Mother is cooking the food.

Present continuous tense is used when we talk about something that is happening
around the time of speaking but not necessarily exactly at the time of speaking.
Ex:

I am reading the Gita. (I am not reading the Gita at the time of speaking but
I have started reading it and have not finished it.)
I am learning English.
She is learning car driving.

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Present continuous tense is used for an action that is planned or arranged to take
place in the near future.
Ex:

I am going to Delhi tomorrow.

We are going to garden this Saturday.
We are going to cinema tonight.

Present Perfect Tense

Present perfect tense is used to show the activities which are completed in recent
past.
Ex:

I have just arrived

The match has just started.
Ram has just gone out.

The present perfect tense is used for past actions where time is not known:
Ex:

Have you been to Mumbai?

I have read three books

The present perfect tense is used to show the action begun in the past and still
going on.
Ex:

I know him for a long time.

He has worked there for ten years.
They have lived there since 2000.

Present Perfect Continuous Tense

The present perfect continuous is used to denote an action, which began sometime
in the past and is still continuing.

Raman has been playing chess for two hours.

Sheela has been sleeping for 7 hours.
They have been working on this project since last year.

Past Tense
Past tense is used to show things happened in past.
There are four types of past tense

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Simple Past Tense

Past Continuous Tense
Past Perfect Tense
Past Perfect Continuous Tense

Simple Past Tense

Simple past tense is used to indicate an action completed in the past.
Ex:

I bought a book yesterday.

I went to market yesterday.
He went to Bombay last month.

Simple past tense is used to show situation related to past or to show past habits.
Ex:

Richa was a good athlete.

He never came late.
They were very fast.

Past Continuous Tense

Past continuous tense is used to say that someone was doing something at past
time.
Ex:

We were playing badminton.

This time last year we were living in London.
Rohan was running on the ground.

Past continuous tense is used to say that something happened in the middle of
something.
Ex:

Ramu burned his hand while he was cooking lunch.

While you were playing, she was reading.
I hurt my back while I was working in the garden.

Past Perfect Tense

Past perfect tense is used to say an action completed before sometime in the past.
Ex:

Sachin was selected in Indian Cricket team even before he was eligible for
driving license.

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Rahim had lived in this house for ten years.

He had been working since he was just eighteen.

The past perfect is used when we look back on earlier action from a certain point in
the past.
Ex:

The plane had took off before I reached the airport.

The chief guest had arrived before the stage was ready.
Mom had cooked the food before I reached home.

Past Perfect Continuous Tense

Past perfect continuous tense is used to say about an action that began before a
certain point in the past and has continued up to the time of saying.
Ex:

Prof Gayakwad had been teaching Chemistry for ten years.

Sunil had been playing chess since 2014.
At that time he had been commanding the unit for two years.

Future Tense
Future tense is used to show things which are going to happen in future.
There are four types of future tense

Simple Future Tense

Future Continuous Tense
Future Perfect Tense
Future Perfect Continuous Tense

Simple Future Tense

Simple future tense is used to say about an action that is still to happen.
Ex:

The Prime Minister will speak to the public tomorrow.

I will go to Pune tomorrow.
We will play match next Sunday.

Future Continuous Tense

Future continuous tense is used to say about something will be in progress at a time
in future.
Ex:

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I shall be going to Chennai next Monday

Smriti will be playing Squash.
I shall be sleeping.

Future Perfect Tense

Future perfect tense is used to say about completion of an action in future time.
Ex:
Mom will have cooked the food by then.
The train will have departed before he reaches station.
Drashti will have written the book by then.

Future perfect tense is used when there are two actions happening in future and
first action will be completely finished before the next action starts
Ex:
Rohan will have left before you go to see him.
You will have come before he sleeps.
The movie will have started before we reach there.

Future Perfect Continuous Tense

Future perfect continuous tense is used to say about an action which is in progress
over a period of time and that will be completed at some time in future.
Ex:
Manoj will have been working in bank for five year by November 2015.
Virat will have been batting for three hours.
By the end of this month he will be doing this business for five years.

Idioms And Phrases

Idioms and phrases are used to test weather student have the reading
habit or not. It is used to check weather the student has read novels,
poetry, stories etc or not.
So because of above reason, Idiom and phrases have now become important
part of any competitive exams.
Here is a huge list of idiom and phrases according to their alphabets. Click
on any alphabet given below to get list of idioms and phrases starting from
that alphabet.

Idioms and Phrases Starting From A

Idioms and phrases starting from A with their meanings.

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Idioms and Phrase

Meaning

A bed or roses

An easy or comfortable situation

A bad egg

A worthless

A big cheese

An important or powerful person

A gentleman at large

An unreliable person

A wolf in sheeps clothing

A dangerous person pretending harmless

Alpha and omega

First and last letter of Greek alphabet, meansbeginning and end

At sixes and seven

Disorder or having different opinion

A litmus test

A method which clearly proves something

A pretty penny

Very expensive

Above board

Things done in legal and proper manner

Act of God

Happenings which human beings can not control

Add fuel to the fire

Making bad situation worse

Against the clock

You have very little time to do it

Age before beauty

Allowing older person to do something first

All eyes on me

Everyone is paying attention to me

At the heels of

To follow someone

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Appear out of now here

To appear suddenly without warning.

Asleep at the switch

Not to be alert on opportunity

A red letter day

An important day

All in your head

Something imagined and it is not real.

Idioms and Phrases Starting From B

Idioms and phrases starting from B with their meanings.
Idioms and Phrase

Meaning

Bend your ears

To talk to someone for a very long time about someth

boring

Blue blood

Belonging to high social class

Black and white

In writing

Blow hot and cold

Having no stand, showing favour at one time and

unfavour at mother

Be tailor made

To be completely suitable for someone

Body and soul

Entirely

By hook or by crook

By any means

Black and blue

To beat mercilessly

Break the ice

To make more comfort or relaxed with a person whom

you have not met earlier, to break the silence

Beat the drum

To speak eagerly about something you support

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Back the wrong horse

To support someone weak

Be in seventh heaven

Extremely happy

Bag of nerves

Very worried or nervous

Be on the edge

To be nervous or worried about something

Ball is in your court

Your turn to do something

Bare your heart

Tell someone your personal and private feelings

Barefaced liar

Someone who displays no shame about lying even if th

are exposed

Barrel of laughs

They are always joking and you find them funny

Battle of nerves

A battle of nerves is a situation where neither side in

conflict or dispute is willing to back down and is waiti
for the other side to weaken

Behind closed doors

Done in secret

Idioms and Phrases Starting From C

Idioms and phrases starting from C with their meanings.
Idioms and Phrases

Meaning

Call the dogs off

Stop attacking or criticizing someone.

Call the shots

You are in charge and tell people what to do

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Cats and dogs

Heavy rain

Cut and dried

Readymade form

Carrot and sticks

You use both awards as well as punishments to make

someone do something

Cap it all

To finish

Cat and dog life

Always arguing

Call on the carpet

Summoned for a reprimand by superiors or others in

power

Call the tune

Make the important decisions

Catch someone red-handed

Found doing something wrong and illegal

Cock and bull story

Untrue story

Chase rainbows

Doing something which is not achievable

Chop and change

Keep changing unexpectedly

Confusion worse confounded

Be in further worse position

Class act

Exceptional act

Clean as a whistle

Extremely clean or completely

Clean sweep

Winning everything in contest

Close at hand

Nearby

Close shave

Very nearly have a serious accident or get into troubl

134

Cloud nine

Extremely happy

Idioms And Phrases Starting From D

Idioms and phrases starting from D with their meanings.
Idioms and phrases

Meaning

Dead air

Period of total silence

Dead duck

Failure

Dragging its feet

Delaying in decision, not showing enthusiasm

Drive a wedge between

To break relationship between the two

Donkey work

Hard, boring work or task

Dead and buried

All long been settled and is not going to be

reconsidered

Dark horse

Mystery

Devil may care

Willing to take more risks than others generally

do

Dig your heels in

Start to resist something

Dirty dog

Untrustworthy person

Dish the dirt

Making unpleasant or shocking information

public

135

Do the needful

Do what is necessary

Dog eat dog

Intense competition

Doldrums

Depressed or not making progress

Don't push my buttons!

To stop someone who is annoying you

Donkey's years

Very long time

Dress to kill

Dressed very nicely or smartly

Dry run

Rehearsal or trial

Duck soup

Very easy

Double-edged sword

Doing something which can help as well as harm.

Idioms And Phrases Starting From E

Idioms and phrases starting from E with their meanings.
Idioms and Phrases

Meaning

Eye for an eye

Revenge, punishment is equal to crime

Eat crow

Admit that you were wrong about something

Even Stevens

Everything is equal

Easier said than done

Easy to say but hard to do

Eye candy

Very attractive

Eat someone alive

Beat someone completely

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Eleventh hour decision

Decision that is made at the lase moment

Every dog has its day

Everyone has their moment

End in smoke

To get no result

Egg on your face

Made to look foolish or embarrassed

Eager beaver

Being extremely keen

Explore all avenues

Try everything

Earn a living

To make money

Even keel

balanced

Easy as pie

Very easy

Eat your words

Accepting that you were wrong about you said

Easy peasy

Vary easy

Eat like a horse

Eat very much

Eat like a bird

Eat very little

Eat like a pig

Eat too much

Idioms And Phrases Starting From F

Idioms and phrases starting from F with their meanings.
Idioms and Phrases

Meaning

137

Firing on all cylinders

Trying every possible way to succeed

Fat head

Dull stupid person

Fair and square

honest

Flat out

Work hard and fast as possible

Feel blue

Feel sad

Fifth wheel

Something unnecessary or useless

Follow your nose

Go straight ahead

Feathers fly

Fighting angrily

Fingers crossed

Hoping for good luck

Feel free

Having no problem

Fall on your own sword

To be cheated by someone you trust

Fishy

doubtful

Fat cat

A person who has a lot of money and has a good positi

in society

Far and wide

Everywhere

Fast and furious

Very quickly

Face like thunder

Being very angry or upset about something

For a song

Very cheap

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Face the music

Accept the punishment

Fit for a king

Highest quality standard

Fall on our feet

To get success in doing something risky

Idioms And Phrases Starting From G

Idioms and phrases starting from G with their meanings.
Idioms and Phrases

Meaning

Get off the hook

Free from all obligations

Give it to me straight

Used when you want to hear truth

Game plan

Strategy

Give me a hand

Help me

Get on one's nerves

Used when someone or something is bothering you

Go nuts

Go crazy, very excited

Get foot in the door

Taking first step in the long process or entry level

position

Go spare

Loosing temper completely

Got the slap on the wrist

Got light punishment

Give somebody a hard time

Making someone feel bad or make someone do mistak

Great guns

Doing very well

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Go with the flow

Do things like other people are doing it

Go under the hammer

Selling it in auction

Go for it

To encourage someone to do something

Go Dutch

Each person is paying for themselves

Get a raw deal

Treated unequally

Good for nothing

To say that someone of something has no value or not

useful for anything

Give someone a hand

Helping someone

Go bananas

Being with excitement, anxiety or worry

Grab a bite

To get something to eat

Idioms And Phrases Starting From H

Idioms and phrases starting from H with their meanings.
Idiom and Phrase

Meaning

Having a whole of a time

To enjoy very much

Hat trick

Three success one after another

Hard to come by

Difficult to find

Himalayan blunder

A serious mistake

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Hold on a sec

To tell someone to wait

Have a ripper

Enjoying your self

Have the guts

Have the courage, brave

Have ants in your pants

Not able to be still because being very excited

or worried about something

Hither and tither

Here and there

Heart missed a beat

Being very excited

Hand and gloves

Very intimate/ close friends.

Head for the hills

Running away from trouble

Have eyes bigger than stomach

Desiring more food than one can eat

Herculean task

Tedious job

Head south

Going bad

Hang in there

To tell someone not to give up, or stay

persistent

Hard cheese

Hard luck

Have a big mouth

Tells a secret, gossip

Hard sell

Putting lots of pressure to do something

Heart of gold

Kind and caring person

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Idioms And Phrases Starting From I

Idioms and phrases starting from I with their meanings.
Idioms and Phrases

Meaning

In droves

A lot of happening at the same time.

It's written all over your face

To tell someone that his facial expression has

some message

I am sick of it

I am tired of it

Icing on the cake

Something good happens in already good

situation

Ins and outs

Full detail

It serves you right

Used to say that you got what you deserved

Ill at ease

Being worried or uncomfortable

I'm beat

I am tired

In a fix

In a trouble

I am hosed

I am out of luck, I am screwed

In a nutshell

Used to show a concise summary

I can eat a horse

Feeling very hungry

In a pickle

In trouble or in problem

I beg to differ

Polite way of disagreeing

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I dont buy it

Dont agree

In cold blood

Without any emotion

I messed up

I made a mistake

In my book

In my opinion

In your dreams

To say someone that they will not get what

they want

Its up to you

You are the one to make the decision

Idioms And Phrases Starting From J

Idioms and phrases starting from J with their meanings.
Idioms and Phrases

Meaning

Jump the broom

To marry

Jog my memory

Trying to remember or recall something

Jumping Judas

An expression of surprise or shock

Joined at the hip

Closely connected or think same way

Jet-black

Used to show how black something is

Jump the gun

Start doing something before appropriate time

Jump on the bandwagon

Getting involved in something that has recently

become popular

Jump ship

You are leaving institution because it is doing

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badly.
Jury's out

Having no general agreement or consensus on

something

Juggle frogs

Trying to do something very difficult

Jungle out there

Situation is dangerous and there are no rules

Just off the boat

Inexperienced

Joe Public

Typical or average person

Just around the corner

Expected to happen very soon

Idioms And Phrases Starting From K

Idioms and phrases starting from K with their meanings.
Idioms and Phrases

Meaning

Keep me in the loop

To keep me informed, to keep in touch

Know the ropes

Someone who knows the system of has

knowledge about it

Kick up a row

Create disturbance, start a fight

Keep your eye on the prize

Keep focusing

Knock on wood

To wish good luck

Keep an eye on

To supervise, To take care of, To watch after,

Keep mum

Dont tell anyone, keep mum

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Keep your hair on

Keep calm

Kith and kin

Blood relatives

Keep your head

Keep calm

keep under one's hat

Keep it secret

Kick the bucket

To die

Know something inside out

knowing every detail of something

Kick a habit

Stop doing it

Keep your cool

To act normal

Kid gloves

Given special treatment of given great care

Keen as mustard

Very enthusiastic

Kiss and tell

Disclose private or confidential information

Keep your chin up

It is used to tell someone to have confidence

Knit your brows

Look worried

Idioms And Phrases Starting From L

Idioms and phrases starting from L with their meanings.
Idioms and Phrases

Meaning

A leopard doesn't change its spots

You cant change basics, or basic characteristic

Let the cat out of the bag

Reveal secret

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Level playing field

Everybody is treated equally

Length and breadth

All over

Like clockwork

Happening regularly

Like peas in a pod

Very similar, identical

Latin and Greek

Unable to understand

Like a bat out of hell

Extremely quickly

Lighten up

To tell someone not to get depressed

Last hurrah

Doing something special before dying

Leave no stone unturned

Make all possible efforts

Learn the ropes

Learn to do something

Lions share

Major share

Like a fish out of water

Very difficult and unsuitable condition

Lame duck

In trouble

Lets go fifty - fifty

Planning to hay half - half

Land of nod

Falling asleep

Like a shag on a rock

Completely alone

Lend an ear

Listen to what someone is saying

Like a hawk

Observing very closely or carefully

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Idioms And Phrases Starting From M

Idioms and phrases starting from M with their meanings.
Idioms and Phrases

Meaning

My foot!

Not believing in something

Meet ones waterloo

Reach at the final end

Man of means

Wealthy

Might and main

With all enthusiasm

Make a mint

Make a lot of money

Maddening

Very annoying

Make headway

Make progress

Make a bee line for

To go directly for something

Make up one's mind

Take a decision

Many moons ago

A long time ago

Make a clean breast

To confess something they have done

My pleasure

Happy to do something for someone

Major league

Very important

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Milk and water

Weak

Make waves

Causing a lot of trouble

My two cents

To give or share your opinion

Monkey around

To waste time here and there

Make castles in the air

Planning something that have very low chance to happ

Man of his word

Person who keeps his promise

Mad as a hornet

Very angry

Idioms And Phrases Starting From N

Idioms and phrases starting from N with their meanings.
Idioms and Phrases

Meaning

Nail-biter

Exciting or very close competition

New lease of life

Having new enthusiasm or new energy

No spine

Lack of courage or fearful

Neck and neck

Very close competition

Night owl

Someone who stays awake till late night

Nose in the air

Showing that they are superior to others

Now and then

From time to time, once in a while, occasionally

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Nerves of steel

Someone who dont get frightened has nerve of

steel

Nip and tuck

Very close contest

Neck and crop

Completely

No bed of roses

Difficult

Need of the hour

Required presently, necessity of time

No laughing matter

Serious matter

Not born yesterday

Wise

Nosey parker

Someone who is interested in other peoples

life

Nature calls

To say that you have to go to the bathroom,

you have to go to pee

Neck of the woods

Area where they live

No question

Certain or definite

Not have the heart

Not having the courage

Not our bag

Not suitable

Idioms And Phrases Starting From O

Idioms and phrases starting from O with their meanings.
Idioms and Phrases

Meaning

On a roll

Getting success

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On the flip side

On the other side or reverse side

On good terms

Having good relationship

Over one's head

Mentally too difficult to understand

On your last legs

Close to die

Open and above board

Very clear, transparent

Off the scale

Above normal standard

Out of the blue

Spontaneously, out of no where

On its last legs

In a bad condition or it will not last long

Odds and ends

Remaining

Once in a blue moon

Rarely

Over the moon

Very happy

On the dot

The exact time

On pins and needles

Very worried about something

Out of gear

In disorder

Old hat

Out dated or old fashioned

Out of the world

Amazing

On the hook

Responsible for something

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Over and above

Besides

Old flames die hard

Very difficult to forget old things

Idioms And Phrases Starting From P

Idioms and phrases starting from P with their meanings.
Idioms and Phrases

Meaning

Paper over the cracks

Trying to hide something

Pink slip

A notice of dismissal from employment

Play it by ear

Proceed according to results and circumstances rathe

than according to rules or a plan

Pass muster

Approved

Pick someone to pieces

To criticize sharply

Paper tiger

Someone or something looking powerful but actually w

Pain in the ass

Something bothers very much

Pull a rabbit out of your hat

Do something unexpected

Pie in the sky

Good to imagine but impossible to do

Pieces of the same cake

Having same characteristic or quality

Piece of cake

Very easy to do something

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Play with fire

Taking foolish risks

Part and parcel

Being an important part of

Poker face

Not showing any emotion on face

Piping hot

Very hot

Pull someone's leg

tease someone, make fun of, deceive someone playfull

Pipe dream

Unrealistic idea

Pros and cons

Merits and demerits

Plain Jane

unattractive

Pins and needles

Very small items

Idioms And Phrases Starting From Q

Idioms and phrases starting from Q with their meanings.
Idioms and Phrases

Meaning

Quiet as a cat

Making no noise

Queen of hearts

Favourite of all

Quick on the trigger

Responding quickly

Queer fish

Strange person

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Quiet as a mouse

Making no noise

Quick buck

Easy and quick money

Queen Bee

A woman who is holding very important position

Question of time

Something is going to happen but dont know

when

Queer Street

Being in trouble, financially

Quick as a flash

Very fast

Idioms And Phrases Starting From R

Idioms and phrases starting from R with their meanings.
Idioms and Phrases

Meaning

Raining cats and dogs

Raining very heavily

Raise eyebrows

Shocked or surprised

Rack and ruin

Destroyed or wrecked

Rest is gravy

Remaining is easy

Read between the lines

Understand the meaning which is not clearly

stated

Rank and file

Ordinary members of an organisation

Rub shoulders

Meeting and spending time with people

Run into the sand

Failed to achieve result

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Read one's mind

When someone says something that you were

also thinking about.

Rolling eyes

Looking upward with an expression of contempt

condescension, boredom, or exasperation, often
combined with a sigh. Used to indicate
frustration and annoyance with the stupidity of
a person or thing.

Red carpet

Giving special treatment

Rain or Shine

No matter how the weather is

Round the twist

Go crazy

Right and left

In all ways

Rack your brain

Trying to remember something very hard or

thinking very hard

Rings a bell

To remember something

Rat race

Ruthless competition or struggle

Root and branch

completely

Real deal

Genuine or good

Red tape

Negative term for official paper work or

bureaucracy

Idioms And Phrases Starting From S

Idioms and phrases starting from S with their meanings.
Idioms and Phrases

Meaning

154

Sum and substance

The actual theme

Sands of time

Small amount of time

Sick and Tired

You no longer enjoy doing something because

you have done it many times

Snake in the grass

A hidden army

Sleep tight

Get a good nights sleep

Spill the beans

To expose a secret

Sooner or later

at some future time, eventually

Salad days

Happy days

Sort of

Kind of

Shake a leg

Hurry, or go fast

Safe pair of hands

Trustful person

Stay in touch

Stay connected

Screw loose

Crazy

Save your skin

Avoiding trouble

Sleep on it

Delay the decision in order to get some more

time

See eye to eye

Agree on everything

Speak of the devil

someone appears just as you are talking about

155

that person
See the light

Realizing the truth

Safe and sound

Quite well

Seed money

Money which is used to start small business,

capital money

Idioms And Phrases Starting From T

Idioms and phrases starting from T with their meanings.
Idioms and Phrases

Meaning

Tom Dick and Harry

everyone

Time and tide

Course of time

Tit for tat

Taking revenge by taking same action to someone who

done something wrong to you

Twenty four seven

Constantly, Always available

To blow a fuse

To turn someone angry

Take a hike

To tell someone go away in negative way

Through fire and water

In all kind of difficulties

Tooth and nail

With all force

Throw in the towel

Give up or quit

To play ducks and drakes

To waste money

156

That figures

That makes sense

though thick and thin

Under all conditions

Take it easy

Relax, stop working so hard

To look through coloured glasses

To look at the things not as they are

Totally Slipped My Mind

To forget something

Talk of the town

Famous at that time

Thank goodness

Expression to show relief

Talk turkey

Discuss something frankly

Thick and thin

In all circumstances

To move heaven and earth

To make all possible efforts

Idioms And Phrases Starting From U

Idioms and phrases starting from U with their meanings.
Idioms and Phrases

Meaning

Under your nose

Right in front of you

Ugly as a stick

Very ugly

Up the duff

Pregnant

Under lock and key

Very securely

157

Under false colours

Pretend to be something that they are not

Under fire

Criticized heavily of attacked

Under your skin

Very annoying

Under the weather

Feeling sick, not feeling well

Under a cloud

Someone suspected having done wrong

Up the wall

Very angry

Ups and downs

Good time and bad time

Upper crust

Upper class

Upset the apple cart

To create difficulty

Upper hand

Having advantage

Idioms And Phrases Starting From V

Idioms and phrases starting from V with their meanings.
Idioms and Phrases

Meaning

Velvet glove

Used for person who appears gentle

Virgin territory

Unexplored territory

Vale of tears

This vale of tears is the world and the suffering that

life brings

Vultures are circling

If the vultures are circling, then something is in dang

158

and its enemies are getting ready for the kill

Vent your spleen

Realizing someones anger about something

Idioms And Phrases Starting From W

Idioms and phrases starting from W with their meanings.
Idioms and Phrases

Meaning

Waste of skin

Not worthy

Watch grass grow

Very boring

Well-heeled

Rich

Warts and all

Liking someone with all their faults

What a small world

Used when two people know someone by chance

Weight ones word

Be careful on what one says

Walking on broken glass

Used when a person is punished for something

Wet behind the ears

Very young or inexperienced

What's Eating You?

To ask what is bothering you

Whale of a time

Enjoying your self

Whatever

Used to say that you dont believe other person, disag

Work your fingers to the bone

Working extremely hard on something

159

Weal and woe

Good time and bad time

War of words

Bitter argument

Watching paint dry

Very boring

Why and wherefore

The basic reason

Water over the dam

Something happened that cannot be changed

Willy Nilly

Wish or not wish, like or not like

Well-oiled

Drunk heavily

Wet blanket

Used for someone who tries to spoil other peoples fu

Idioms And Phrases Starting From X

Idioms and phrases starting from X with their meanings.
Idioms and Phrases

Meaning

X factor

A noteworthy special talent or quality

X marks the spot

This is used to say where something is located or hidd

X-rated

Not suitable for children

Idioms And Phrases Starting From Y

Idioms and phrases starting from Y with their meanings.
Idioms and Phrases

Meaning

160

Young Turk

A person who is difficult to control

Your call

You are to make decision

You've got to be kidding

When the statement is ridiculous

You are what you eat

To be fit and healthy you need to eat good food

You never know

To say that unlikely could happen

Yell bloody murder

Protest angrily an loudly, scream in fear

Yellow press

Popular newspaper

You're toast

You are in lot of trouble

Yesterday's man or Yesterday's woman

A celebrity or politician whose career is over

You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar

It is easier to persuade people if you use polite

arguments and flattery than if you are confrontationa

Young blood

People with new ideas or fresh approach

Your name is mud

Having bad reputation

You get what you pay for

Something that is very low in price is not usually of ve

good quality.

You can say that again

Completely agreeing with the statement

Yellow streak

Being cowardly about something

Youre telling me

Agreeing with someone

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Idioms And Phrases Starting From Z

Idioms and phrases starting from Z with their meanings.
Idioms and Phrases

Meaning

Zero tolerance

No tolerance at all

Zero hour

The time when something important is to begin is zer

hour

Zip it

Keep quite

Zip your lip

Keep quite

Zigged before you zagged

Doing things in wrong order