InsideIIM's
Quant Formula Book
ALGEBRA
INTRODUCTION:
From the CAT exam point of view, Algebra is one of the most important topics
to cover while preparing for the Quantitative Ability section.Algebra contains a
limited number of formulas, straightforward models, and tons of questions
with mixed concepts. It can be mixed with any other section (especially
numbers) of quant to make questions. Between 2016 and 2020, at least 6 and
up to 11 questions have been asked in CAT from the topic of Algebra. Algebra
is one of those topics that drives aspirants to good percentiles in Quant
Section. Therefore, one must take this to their advantage of scoring well in the
number of questions given in the examination and may become the key to
successfully getting an IIM admit. Here are the most important Algebra rules
and formulae that you must memorize and apply through practice by using the
free InsideIIM Mini Mock Test Series.
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IDENTITIES
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Linear Equation in two variable
Standard form of linear equation is y = mx + c , m is the slope of the line and c
is the y- intercept
For a linear equation ax + by = c, slope = - a/b
Slope is the inclination of the line with the x- axis measured in anti clockwise
direction.
A linear equation ax + by = c will have an in�inite number of solutions.
For the two simultaneous equations,
ax + by = c
px + qy = r
where a, b , c , p , q and r are constants
1. If a/p = b/q = c/r, then both the equations represent the same line ⇒
In�inite solutions
2. If a/p = b/q ≠ c/r, then both the lines are parallel, ⇒ no solution (Parallel
lines don’t intersect)
3. If a/p ≠ b/q ≠ c/r then both the lines intersect ⇒ unique solution
Factor Theorem:
An expression is said to be a factor of another expression only when the
remainder is 0 when the latter is divided by the former.
(x - a) is a factor of f(x) if and only if f(a) = 0
Remainder Theorem :
To identify whether a given expression is a factor of another expression, we
can take help of the remainder theorem.
According to the remainder theorem, when any expression f(x) is divided by
(x-a), the remainder is f(a).
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Quadratic Equations
General Form :
ax2 + bx + c = 0 , where a ≠ 0
Such an equation has two roots, usually denoted by α and β
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The maximum value of ax2 + bx + c will be
y = 4ac - b2/ 4a
at , x = -b / 2a = α + β / 2
Where, α , β are the roots of the equation
If the roots of a quadratic equation are α and β, the equation can be
re-constructed as
x2 - (sum of roots)x + (product of roots) = 0
a>0 a<0
D > 0(Roots are real
and unequal)
D = 0 (Roots are real
and equal)
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D < 0 (Roots are
imaginary)
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CUBIC & HIGHER DEGREE EQUATIONS
Consider the cubic equation ax3+ bx2+ cx + d = 0.
The equation would have 3 roots (equal to the degree of the equation). Some
of them can be imaginary. If the roots are denoted as α , β,and γ, we have
1. α + β + γ = -b/a
2. αβ + αγ + βγ = c/a
3. αβγ = -d/a
4. The above can be extended for higher degree equations as well. For an ‘n’
degree equation, sum of roots = - coef�icient of xn-1 / coef�icient of xⁿ
5. Sum of roots taken two at a time = coef�icient of xn-1 / coef�icient of xn
6. Sum of roots taken three at a time = - coef�icient of xn-3 / coef�icient of xn
7. And, sum of roots taken ‘r’ at a time = (-1)r coef�icient of xn-r / coef�icient of
xn
8. Product of roots = (-1)n constant term / coef�icient of xn
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Inequalities, Interval Notations and graphs
Inequalities - Operations
1. Addition : If a & b are two numbers and if a number c is added on both the
sides, the inequality remains the same
If a > b, then a + c > b + c.
2. Subtraction: If a & b are two numbers and if a number c is subtracted on
both the sides, the inequality remains the same
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If a > b , then a - c > b - c.
3. Multiplication:
Case 1 : If a & b are two numbers and if a number c (c>0) is multiplied on both
the sides, the inequality remains the same
If a > b and c > 0, then ac > bc.
Case 2: If a & b are two numbers and if a number c (c<0) is multiplied on both
the sides, the inequality changes.
If a > b and c < 0, then ac < bc.
*Same goes with Division as well.
4. Squaring :
Case 1: If a >0 , b>0 and a>b then a2> b2(Inequality remains the same)
Case 2 :If a <0 , b<0 and a>b then a2< b2(Inequality changes)
Case 3 : If a>0 , b<0 and a>b the inequality sign depends on the magnitude of
both a and b. This case cannot be generalised.
Example : Check both the cases a) 3>-1 b) 3>-5
Square them and arrive at an answer. You will get to know why it can't be
generalised.
Cubing: If a and b are any two numbers, the inequality doesn’t change after
cubing.
Reciprocal : If a and b are any two numbers
If a > b and c < 0, then 1/a < 1/b ( Inequality changes)
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Modulus Function De�inition
This means if the value of x is greater than or equal to 0 , then the modulus
function takes the actual value, but if x is less than 0 then the function takes
minus of the actual value ‘x’.
Properties of Modulus Function
Now, that we have the formula for the modulus function and the graph of
modulus function, let us now explore the properties of the modulus function:
Property 1: The modulus function always evaluates a non-negative number
for all real values of x. Also equating the modulus function to a negative
number is not correct.
IxI = a; a > 0 , x = + a ;
IxI = a; a = 0 , x=0 ;
If IxI = a, then a can never be less than zero.
Property 2:
Case 1: (If a>0)
Inequality of a negative number
l f(x) l < a and a > 0 , -a < f(x) < a
Inequality for a positive number
l f (x) l > a and a > 0 , -a < f(x) > a
Case 2: (If a<O)
l f (x) l < a and a < 0 , there is no solution for this.
l f (x) l > a and a < 0, this is valid for all real values of f(x).
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Property 3:
If x,y are real numbers, then
l-xl = lxl
lx-yl = O , x = y
l x + yl < lxl + lyl
lx-yl > llxl - lyll
lxyl = lxl lyl
lx/yl = lxl / lyl, y not equal to zero
MODULUS FUNCTION GRAPH : The graph below represents y = |x|
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Functions
Let A and B be two sets and let there exist a rule or manner or correspondence
‘f’ which associates to each element of A to a unique element in B, then f is
called a Function or Mapping from A to B. It is denoted by symbol.
If an elements a 𝜖 A is associated with an element b 𝜖 B then b is called ‘the f
image of a’ or ‘image of a under f’ or ‘the value of the function f at a’. Also a is
called the pre- image of b or argument of b under the function f. We write it as
f: (a,b) or f: a → b or b = f(a)
A relation f from a set A to a set B is called as the function if it satis�ies the
below conditions:
All the elements of A should be mapped with the elements of B. That is, there
should not be any elements in A which is being unmapped with B.
Elements of set A should be uniquely mapped with the elements of set B.
See the below �igures to understand the above points.
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Domain
The Domain of a function is the complete set of possible values of the
independent variable.
In plain English , this de�inition means: The domain is the set of all possible
x-values which will make the function “work”, and will output real y-values.
When �inding the domain, remember:
The denominator (bottom) of a fraction cannot be zero
The number under a square root sign must be positive in this section.
Range
The Range of a function is the complete set of all possible resulting values of
the dependent variable (y, usually), after we have substituted the domain.
In plain English, the de�inition means: The range is the resulting y-values we
get after substituting all the possible x-values.
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In the above example. Set A is the domain and Set B is the co domain
The difference between range and codomain is a minute one but an important
one. Both represent output but the range is actual output but codomain is the
set of possible outcomes
How to find the range
The range of a function is the spread of possible y-values (minimum y-value to
maximum y-value)
Substitute different z-values into the expression for y to see what is happening.
(Ask yourself: Is y always positive ? Always negative? Or maybe not equal to
certain values?)
Make sure you look for minimum and maximum values of y.
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One - One Function (Injection):
A function f: A → B is called a one-one function if distinct elements of A have
distinct images in B. One-one functions are also called injective functions or
injections.
Many- One Function:
A function which is not one-one is called a many-one function.
Onto Function (Surjection):
A function f: A → B is called an onto function if every element of B is an image
of at least one element of A i.e f: A → B is onto, if for each y B, there exists x A
such that f(x) = y. Onto functions are also called surjective functions or
surjections .
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Note:
1) If f is onto, Range of f = co-domain of f.
2) An onto function is possible from A to B if n(A) > n(B).
3) If n(A) = m, n(B) = n then the number of onto functions is
Into-Function :
A function which is not onto is called into function, i.e. f: A → B is into if Range
of f is a proper subset of B.
Bijection:
If a function is both one-one and onto, then it is called a bijective function or
bijection.
Note:
(1) A bijection from A to B is possible if n(A) = n(B).
(2) If A is a set with n elements, the number of bijections from A to A(or in A)
is n!.
Constant Function:
A function f : A → B is said to be a constant function if f(x) = k , for all x A ,
where k is a �ixed element of B.
Note:
Range of f = {k}
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Identity Function :
The function f : A → A de�ined by f(x) = x is called the identity function,
denoted by IA.
Note :
(1) For the identity function, Range = Domain. Symbolically, IA (x) = x for x A
.
(2) The identity function is a bijection.
Inverse Function:
If f: A → B is a bijective function then the function f-1 . B → A, where f-1 = { (b,a)
/ (a,b) ϵ f } is called the inverse of the function f.
Even Function :
Let f(x) be a real valued function of a real variable. Then f is even if the
following equation holds for all x and -x in the domain of f:
f(x) = f(-x)
Geometrically, the graph of an even function is symmetric with respect to the
y-axis.
Odd Function:
Again, let f(x) be a real valued function of a real variable. Then f is odd if the
following equation holds for all x and -x in the domain of f:
f(-x) = -f(x) or f(x) + f(-x) = 0
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Greatest Integer Or Step up Function:
The function y = f(x) = [x] is called the greatest integer function where [x]
denotes the greatest integer less than or equal to x. Note that for:
-1 ≤ x <0; [x] = -1
0 ≤ x <1; [x] = 0
1 ≤ x < 2; [x] = 1
2 ≤ x < 3; [x] = 2 and so on.
For f(x) = [x], domain is R and range is I.
Functional Equations - General form
The function y = f(x) = [x] is called the greatest integer function where [x]
denotes the greatest integer less than or equal to x. Note that for:
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Logarithms:
logba is de�ined as the power of b to be raised, to obtain a
bx = a ⇒x = logab (Read as log b to the base a)
Conditions of logarithms to be valid :
Logarithm to a negative base is not de�ined. For a logarithm to be de�ined the
base should be >0 and not equal to 1
Given below are some important rules
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Since the logarithm of a number is a value, it will have an integral part and a
decimal part. The integral part of the logarithm of a number is called the
CHARACTERISTIC and the decimal part of the logarithm is called the
MANTISSA.
Logarithm can be expressed to any base.
Logarithm from one base can be converted to logarithm to any base.
Natural logarithm or Napierian logarithm: These are logarithms expressed to
the base of a number called “e”.
Common logarithm: These are logarithms expressed to the base 10. For most
of the problems under logarithm. It is a common logarithm that we deal with.
In examination also, if logarithms are given without mentioning any base, it
can normally be taken to be logarithms to the base 10.
POINTS REGARDING COMMON LOGARITHM:
a) The characteristic of the logarithm of a number greater than unity is
positive and is less by one than the number of digits in its integral part.
b.) The characteristic of the logarithm of a number less than one, is negative
and its magnitude is one more than the number of zeros immediately after the
decimal point.
c) The mantissas are the same for the logarithms of all numbers which have the
same signi�icant digits.
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Now that you have all the formulas at place why don't
you execute them in these practice tests.
Algebra Test 1:- https://insideiim.com/free-daily-mba-mock-tests-cat-xat-other-mba-exams/132
Algebra Test 2:- https://insideiim.com/free-daily-mba-mock-tests-cat-xat-other-mba-exams/133
Algebra Test 3:- ht ps:/ insidei m.com/fre -daily-mba-mock-tests-cat-xat-other-mba-exams/134
Algebra Test 4:- ht ps:/ insidei m.com/fre -daily-mba-mock-tests-cat-xat-other-mba-exams/135
Algebra Test 5:- ht ps:/ insidei m.com/fre -daily-mba-mock-tests-cat-xat-other-mba-exams/136
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