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[Aptitude] Long Division, Two-Digit Division, % Calculation without Tears

(and without boring Vedic Maths) using % Approximation Method
Ok this isnt about boring vedic maths technique so dont run away, yet!
One of the biggest problem with IBPS/Bank, SSC, CAT, CMAT type of exams=
youll encounter long division and percentage (%) calculation every now and then,
directly or indirectly (in Data interpretation questions).
And If youre not good with speed maths, youll waste a lot of time in such stupid
calculations.
For the the aptitude questions of Bank/MBA exams, Knowing the answer approach is
not sufficient. You also need to get the answer quickly and accurately. Otherwise
someone else will tick more answers and hell get the rank.

Consider these two questions

Question

Answer

What is the
In a warehouse there are 230kg of wheat initially. But
answer of
rats ate away 34 kg. How much % of wheat is left?
196/23=?
a.
b.
c.
d.

49.3%
60.1%
85.2%
85.7%

Approach {(230-34)/230} x100=(196/230)x 100=answer

a.
b.
c.
d.

4.93
6.01
8.52
8.57

196/23= answer

Everyone, even with half hearted preparation, knows the approach. But The problem is
actually in doing that calculation or division (196/23). Here Ill show a single method,
to solve both type of calculations. As long as you know how to add two numbers, and
how to multiply a number with 5, you can execute this method effortlessly.
First create a Master Table (dont just read it, do this simultaneously using your
own pen and paper)
100% 230
Now make a new row for 50%
100% 230
50%

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So either divide 230 by 2=115

or multiply 230 with 5 and then shift one decimal point leftwards. (that is 1150
==> to 115.0)
In either case you get 50% of 230=115
100%
230
50% (half of 230) 115
Now make a new row for 20% but keep it empty right now.
100% 230
20%
Create one more row for 10% and simply shift one decimal leftwards. i.e. 230> 23.0
100%
230
50% (half of 230)
115
20%
10% (one decimal point less) 23.0
Now double the 10% number (i.e.by adding 23 into 23 again) so you get 23+23=46.
Thats our 20%. Fill up the table.
100%
50% (half of 230)
20% (double of 10%)
10% (one decimal point less)

230
115
46
23.0

Our master table is ready, now Imagine there is a big water tank with total capacity of
196 lit.
We can fill it with buckets of size 10%, 20% and 50% only.
We want to fill up the tank with minimum effort. So first take 50% (115), some space
will be left.
By this time you get the idea that
1. answer is more than 50% (if % value of 196/230 is asked)
2. answer is more than 5 (if absolute value 196/23 is asked)
so eliminate answer options that donot meet these criteria.
Move on
Tank Filled Buckets
196 115 50%
Total 115 50%

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There is still some space left in the tank so lets throw a 20% bucket
Tank Filled Buckets
196 115 50%
046 20%
Total 161 70%
Or you can add 10% bucket two times, youll get same result.
Its clear that our answer is bigger than 70%. So eliminate any options less than 70%
Hmm, so far weve filled 161, It can still accommodate another 10% bucket
Tank Filled Buckets
196 161 70%
023 10%
Total 184 80%
Now we are very close, only 196-184=12 lit. remains. But no bucket is that small!
Solution= move the decimal numbers, to create new small sized buckets.
Master Table
100%
50% (half of 230)
20% (double of 10%)
10% (one decimal point less)

Moving decimal numbers

230
115
5%
232= 46 2%
23.0
1%

11.5
4.6
2.3

In the exam, you dont have to actually write new columns of 5%, 2% and 1%, just
visualize them in your head, by shifting the decimal to one point leftwards.
Recall that 12 lit is empty and Now weve a new 5% bucket that can almost fill it up.
Tank Filled Buckets
196 184 80%
011.5 5%
Total 195.5 85%
By this time you get the idea that
1. answer is just a little higher than 85% (if % of 196/230 is asked)
2. answer is just a little higher than 8.5 (if absolute value 196/23 is asked)
so eliminate any answer options that are not meeting this criteria.
Still if two or more options remain. For example
a. 8.52

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b. 8.57
^This situation usually happens in CAT Data Interpretation questions. Now what to do?
Well, Total capacity is 196 lit. and so far we filled up 195.5 so, 0.5 lit is still empty. But
no bucket is small enough to carry water in this scale. Solution= create more buckets,
by shifting decimal points in the Master Table.
Master Table
100%
50% (half of 230)
20% (double of 10%)
10% (one decimal point less)

Moving decimal numbers

230
Phase I
Phase II
115
5% 11.5 0.5% 1.15
232= 46 2% 4.6 0.2% 0.46
23.0
1% 2.3 0.1% 0.23

Recall that 0.5 lit is empty and from above table, it is clear that 0.2% bucket (0.46 is
very close) so lets use it.
Tank Filled
196 195.50
000.46
Total 195.96

Buckets
85%
0.2%
85.2%

So the final answer is

196/23=8.52
196/230=85.2%
If you want even more accurate answer, create more buckets and proceed in the same
manner.

Important sidenotes
1. Whenever you have to do long-division e.g. 256/29, always make the denominator
(bottom number i.e. 29) very close to the top number (256) and take that as
100%. That is 290=100%. And then rephrase question: 256 is how much % of
290, then proceed according to the method you just learned. Youll get 88.27%.
but our question was 256/29. Recall that youve added one zero more. (290)
So, 1%=1/100
Therefore, 88.27%=(88.27/100)
And from the bottom we take back one zero that we had added earlier. So instead of
100, there remains only 10
88.27/10=8.827 is our answer for 256/29
2. If there is 7526/67 then? Again same method, 7526 is how much % of 6700?
Youll get 112.3%. this time weve added two zeros more (i.e.we used 6700

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instead of 67).
So, 1%=1/100
Therefore 112.3%=112.3/100
But take back those two zeros we had added earlier. So, instead of 100, there remains
only 1
112.3/1=112.3 is our answer for 7526/67
This method looks awkward and tiresome initially, but once youve enough
practice of doing mental addition then its way easier than the Vedic Maths
concept of double or triple digit division (because in Vedic method, many a times
youve to adjust and carry over the numbers= not very convenient).
This method can be used for three-digit, four digit divisions also.
You can do any division as long as you can find out 10%, 20% and 50% of a
number (and consequently 1%, 2%, 5%, by shifting decimal places.)

Applications of ^this method

Percentage calculation or Long Division has direct or indirect applications in following
topics:
1. Profit Loss
2. Data Interpretation, especially those based on Pie-charts.
3. Compound interest, Simple Interest Rate, Population Growth: by the way, they
can be solved without mugging up formulas, click me to know how!
4. Mixture-Alligiation, Wine-water, Metal alloys: can be solved without mugging up
formulas, click me to know how!

5. Time-Speed-Distance, Time and Work, Pipes and Cisterns, Boats and Railways.
All of them are based on the STD formula: speed x time = distance. So there is
almost always a situation where two variables are given and third is to be found=
division. All of them can be solved by mugging only single STD formula.
Techniques are scattered around on this page: Mrunal.org/aptitude

Test your skill

Question % Absolute Value
231/19
181/29
158/117
198/67
67/51
51/29
158/117
8189/541

Hint: 100% is
190
290
117
67 (because 670 would be too far)
51
29
117
5410

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URL to article: http://mrunal.org/2012/11/aptitude-long-division-two-digit-divisioncalculation-without-tears-and-without-boring-vedic-speed-maths.html

Posted By Mrunal On 18/11/2012 @ 00:33 In the category Aptitude

7/28/2014 10:07 AM