3

Quantitative Notes SPECIAL PRODUCTS

LAWS OF EXPONENTS (x + y) 3 = x 3 + 3x 2y + 3xy 2 + y 3

Given x, y in real numbers, m and n in integers: Note: (x – y) 3 = x 3 – 3x 2y + 3xy 2 – y 3

rules also apply if m, n are rational.
(x + y) (x 2 – xy + y2) = x 3 + y 3

𝑥𝑚
a. 𝑥 𝑚 𝑥 𝑛 = 𝑥 𝑚+𝑛 b. = 𝑥 𝑚−𝑛 (x – y)(x 2 + xy + y 2) = x 3 – y 3
𝑥𝑛

MEAN, MEDIAN AND MODE

c. (𝑥 𝑚 )𝑛 = 𝑥 𝑚𝑛 d. (𝑥𝑦)𝑛 = 𝑥 𝑛 𝑦 𝑛
Mean is the average of the data in a set. It is the sum of
all data/elements by the number of data/elements.
𝑥 𝑛 𝑥𝑛 1
e. ( ) = note: y ≠ 0 f. 𝑥 −𝑛 = Median is the middle of all elements or data in a set
𝑦 𝑦𝑛 𝑥𝑛
arranges in descending or ascending order.

LAWS OF RADICALS (RATIONAL EXPONENTS) Mode is the most frequently seen elements in as set.

Given x, y are real numbers, n > 0, n an integer, and Example: Ronald’s grades in Math and Science for 2 nd
x > 0, y > 0, if n is even. semester are shown below.

1 𝑛 Math: 82, 80, 83, 85, 85, 87, 85, 89, 90, 85, 86
𝑛 𝑛 𝑥 √𝑥
Rule 1 : √𝑥 = 𝑥 𝑛 Rule 3: √𝑦 = 𝑛 Science: 86, 90, 89, 87, 85, 84, 89, 89, 82, 82
√𝑦 Find the mean, median and mode of each subject.
𝑚
Rule 2 :
𝑛 𝑛
√𝑥𝑦 = √𝑥 √𝑦
𝑛
Rule 4:
𝑛
√𝑥 𝑚 = 𝑥 𝑛 Solution:
1. For Math
Mean = 82+80+83+85+85+87+85+89+90+85+86
LAWS OF LOGARITHMS 11
= 85.18
Since a logarithm is simply an exponent which is just
being written down on the line, we expect the logarithm Median = 85
laws to work the same as the rules for exponents, and Arrange the grades in descending order: 90, 89, 87, 86,
luckily, they do. 85, 85, 85, 85, 83, 82, 80. Since there are 11 grades, the
middle is in the 6th place, which is 85. Therefore the
Exponential Logarithmic median is 85.
𝑏𝑚 × 𝑏𝑛 = 𝑏𝑚+𝑛 𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑏 𝑥𝑦 = 𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑏 𝑥 + 𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑏 𝑦
𝑥
𝑏𝑚 ÷ 𝑏𝑛 = 𝑏𝑚−𝑛 𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑏 ( ) = 𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑏 𝑥 − 𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑏 𝑦 Mode is 85, since 85 appears the most number of times
𝑦
that the others.
(𝑏𝑚 )𝑛 = 𝑏𝑚𝑛 𝑛
𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑏 (𝑥 ) = 𝑛𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑏 𝑥
𝑏0 = 1 𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑏 (1) = 0 2. For Science
Mean = 86+90+89+87+85+84+89+89+82+82
Note: On our calculators, “log” (without any base) is taken 10
to mean “log base 10”. So, for example “log 7” means =86.3
“log107”.
Median = 86.5
FACTORING METHODS Arranging the grades in descending order we have: 90,
89, 89, 89, 87, 86, 85, 84, 82, 82. Since the number of
a(x + y) = ax + ay grades is 10 (even), the middle is in the 5th and 6th places.
Therefore, the median is the average of 87 and 86 which
(x + y)(x – y) = x 2 – y 2 is 86.5.

(x + y) 2 = x 2 + 2xy + y 2 Mode is 89, since 89 appears the most number of times

than the others.
(x – y) 2 = x 2 – 2xy + y 2

Factorial Notation

n! = n(n-1)(n-2)…2.1, where n is a positive integer

0! = 1

Example: 4! = 4*3*2*1 = 24

LEARNFAST REVIEW AND TUTORIAL HUB – NMAT REVIEWER

 4

Permutation of n distinct objects Solution: Since the coin consists of one head and one tail,
Permutation is an ordered arrangement of objects in a set. the probability of getting a head is P = ½
The number of permutations of n distinct objects taken r
at a time is Example: What is the probability of getting an even
number when a die is rolled?
𝑛!
nPr = P(n, r) = n(n-1)(n-2)…(n-r+1)= (𝑛−𝑟)!
Solution: Possible outcomes = {1,2,3,4,5,6}
Example: How many ways can a 3-digt number be
Favorable outcomes = {2,4,6}
arranged to form a bank password? 3 1
P(even number) = =
6 2
Solution: There are 10 digits taken 3 at a time
Deck of Cards
P(n, r) = P(10,3)
10!
=
10!
=
10.9.8.7!
= 720 4 suits: diamond, heart, spade, club
(10−3)! 7! 7! Face Cards: King, Queen, Jack
Numbered Cards: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Permutation of n objects non-distinct objects Lettered Card: Ace
The permutations of n objects taken n at a time, in which Number of cards in a deck: 52
q are alike, r are alike and so on is Number of Colors: 2 (red and black)
𝑛!
P(n,r) = Example: In a deck of card, what is the probability of
𝑞!𝑟!
getting an Ace or black card?
Example: How many permutations are there in the word
LOBBY? Solution:

Solution: Letter B = 2 Letter L = 1 P(Ace or black) = P(Ace) + P(black) – P(Ace and black) =
4 26 2 28 7
Letter O = 1 Letter Y = 1 52
+ − = =
52 52 52 13
5! 5.4.3.2!
P(n,r) = = = 60 ways
2!1!1!1! 2!

Circular Permutation
The permutations of n objects taken n at a time arranged
in a circular position.
P = (n-1)
Example: How many ways can 5 people sit around a round
table?
Solution: P = (n-1)!
P = (5-1)! = 4! = 24 ways

Combination
A combination is an unordered arrangement of objects in
a set. The number of combinations of n objects taken r at
a time is
𝑛!
C(n,r) =
𝑟!(𝑛−𝑟)!
Example: How many combinations can be made on 6 girls
taken 2 at a time to appear in a variety show?

6! 6! 6.5.4!
Solution: C(6,2)= = = = 15
2!(6−2)! 2!4! 2.1.4!

Probability
If an event can happen in m many ways and may fail in n
𝑚
ways, then the probability that it will happen is P =
𝑚+𝑛
𝑛
and the probability that it will fail is Q = and such that
𝑚+𝑛
P+Q=1

Note: P(EVENT) = # of favourable outcomes / # of possible

outcomes. Probability is usually expressed in percent or
fraction
0 < P(EVENT) < 1

Example: In tossing a coin, what is the probability that the

head, H, will appear?

LEARNFAST REVIEW AND TUTORIAL HUB – NMAT REVIEWER