Numerical Questions Examples

All general competitive examinations are aimed at an all-around evaluation. It is an attempt to analyse the level of aptitude, the reasoning ability of a candidate, and how they can perform within a given time frame. When it comes to the overall evaluation of the candidates in competitive exams, Numerical Ability is an area that is often dreaded by a large number of candidates. However, this is also the most scoring section of a competitive exam paper that can fetch the maximum number of marks if attempted correctly. 

To make the most out of the numerical questions in exams, you need to understand the types of questions that can be set in the question paper and the correct way to solve them.

All About Numerical Ability Questions

As the name suggests, numerical ability or quantitative aptitude is the part of an exam that deals with all things related to numbers. This section includes multiple types of mathematical questions that have to be solved and answered in the form of multiple-choice questions. There are many different types of numerical questions that you may encounter in a competitive exam. 

Some numerical questions examples include simple interest, compound interest, ratios and proportions, profit and loss, speed, time and distance, averages, percentages, and more. Each type of question typically requires specific skills or knowledge to solve it correctly.

Types of Questions to Expect 

In most general intelligence and reasoning-based exams, the main focus of the exam is to know how well a candidate can solve the basic problems within a short period. As these exams are not targeted to evaluate the candidate’s advanced numerical skills, you can expect to get questions on basic and intermediate levels. 

The most common examples of numerical questions in exams are:

1. Simple Operations: These questions start from the most basic level of mathematical operations. These include addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, percentage, HCM, LCM, etc. These consist of mental maths and quick maths problems that have to be solved within a very short time to get the best results. 
2. Order of Operations (PEMDAS/BODMAS): Once the basic operations are completed, you can expect combinations of them. These questions include basic problems of a different order of operations like BODMAS and PEMDAS. These will not be too simple. You have to be very careful to solve these problems within the given time frame.
3. Algebra: Basic algebra includes basic concepts such as adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing numbers. It also requires solving equations in different forms using these mathematical operations. The exam paper may also contain questions on algebraic notations such as equations, factoring or grouping.
4. Geometry: Geometry is the branch of mathematics that deals with the shapes and sizes of things. It is all about understanding space and how things fit together. In these exams, you may expect questions on different shapes, their formulas, and area and volume questions. 
5. Trigonometry: There will not be too many complicated questions from this branch. But it helps to have an idea of all the angles and different formulas associated with it. You would need to make sure that you have enough time to sort out the questions first that you would like to attempt and the preparation that will go into it. 
6. Probability and Statistics: Probability and statistics are important in a variety of fields, including economics, finance, manufacturing, medicine, operations research, psychology, quality control, and social sciences. Many problems in these fields can be formulated as questions about probabilities and data. It is one of the most important areas of work upon numerical ability and has a lot of impact on the final scores. 

Solving Easy Numerical Questions

The numerical questions in competitive exams are notoriously difficult to answer if the candidates do not have enough practice. These types of questions can require a great deal of time and focus to solve, often requiring a lot of trial and error before getting the correct answer. Here are a few tips that can help you gain confidence in this section and perform better:

• Familiarise and Practice: The best way to prepare for these types of questions is to practice as much as possible with similar problems. You should familiarise yourself with the types of questions that are commonly set in these exams and learn some strategies to solve them quickly. 
• Stick to the basics: It is also important to have a strong understanding of the basic numerical concepts involved in these questions. With a little practice and some helpful tips, you can master the art of solving numerical questions in competitive exams.
• Practice makes perfect: The more you will practice, the better you will become at solving these types of questions quickly and accurately. In addition to practising, it is also important to familiarise yourself with the types of questions that are commonly asked. Learning some strategies for solving these questions can also be helpful.
• Creating a strategy: One useful strategy for solving numerical questions is to break the question down into smaller sections. This is because once the main concepts involved in the question are identified; you can solve the problems quickly.
• Working from the back: Another helpful strategy to solve the numeric problem is to work backwards from the answer. Using this method you can identify if there are any specific patterns or relationships between the parts and then use that to solve the questions. 

Numerical Questions with Answers

1. If an amount of money sums up to Rs.815 in 3 years and Rs.854 in 4 years, what is the final amount of money?

(A) Rs. 698

(B) Rs. 650

(C) Rs. 690

(D) Rs. 700

Answer: A

2. 715 km of distance is covered by a car at a regular speed without stopping anywhere. In case the car drives at a speed higher than 10 km/hour higher speed, it would need 2 hours less time to travel the same distance. At what speed the car was travelling initially?

(A) 50km/hour

(B) 65km/hour

(C) 45km/hour

(D) 55km/hour

Answer: D

3. A person walked at the speed of 5km/hour for 6 hours and at the speed of 4km/hour for 12 hours. What is his average speed?

(A) 9 ½ km/hour

(B) 7 2/3 km/hour

(C) 4 1/3 km/hour

(D) 8 km/hour

Answer: C

Conclusion

Solving numerical questions needs a lot of practice and understanding of the basic concepts. To excel in competitive exams, you need to have sound knowledge of the basic numerical formulas and types of problems discussed above.