IBPS PO Quantitative Aptitude: Questions and Solutions

IBPS PO Quantitative Aptitude are useful for written job exams because the maths section can improve the final score when the basics are clear. In IBPS PO, questions are generally based on arithmetic, calculation speed, formula use and logical reading of the statement. A student does not need to memorize hundreds of tricks. The better method is to learn the concept, practice common patterns and then use shortcuts only where they are safe.

This guide is written for candidates preparing for Probationary Officer exams. It explains the important topics, formulas, solved examples and practice questions in simple language. IBPS PO quant is usually more calculation-heavy than basic exams and includes DI sets, arithmetic, quadratic comparison and approximation. The examples are exam-style questions based on common patterns seen in government, railway, police, banking and other written exams. They are for practice and learning, not a claim of exact official previous-year questions.

Important topics for IBPS PO

Before solving full papers, revise the main maths chapters. Most questions are made by changing numbers inside a familiar pattern. If you can identify the pattern, the question becomes easier.

Data Interpretation
Quadratic Equations
Number Series
Approximation
Percentage
Ratio
Average
Profit and Loss
SI and CI
Time and Work
Speed Distance
Mixture

Formula revision for IBPS PO

Percentage = part / whole × 100.
Average = total / number of values.
Profit percent = profit / cost price × 100.
Loss percent = loss / cost price × 100.
Discount = marked price × discount rate / 100.
Simple Interest = principal × rate × time / 100.
Speed = distance / time.
Distance = speed × time.
One day work = 1 / number of days.
Area of square = side × side.
Area of rectangle = length × breadth.
Mean = sum of observations / number of observations.

How to solve written exam maths questions

Read the question once for meaning and once for values. Underline mentally what is given and what is asked. In percentage, check whether the base is cost price, selling price, marked price, total marks or population. In speed questions, check whether time is in hours or seconds. In work questions, check whether the question asks work done, time taken or number of workers.

Do not start calculation before deciding the formula. Many wrong answers come from using the correct numbers in the wrong formula. In objective exams, options can sometimes help. Estimate the answer first, remove impossible options and then calculate exactly.

Solved IBPS PO maths examples

Practice each example slowly at first. After understanding the method, solve similar questions with a timer.

Example 1: Simplification

Question: Simplify 96 ÷ 8 + 14 × 2 – 9.

Solution: 96 ÷ 8 = 12 and 14 × 2 = 28. Now 12 + 28 – 9 = 31. Answer: 31.

Example 2: Approximation

Question: Approximate 49.8% of 602.

Solution: 49.8% is close to 50% and 602 is close to 600. 50% of 600 = 300. Answer: about 300.

Example 3: Percentage

Question: In an exam, 42 out of 50 questions are correct. Find percentage.

Solution: Percentage = 42 / 50 × 100 = 84%. Answer: 84%.

Example 4: Average

Question: Average of 10 values is 24. Find total.

Solution: Total = average × number = 24 × 10 = 240. Answer: 240.

Example 5: Ratio

Question: The ratio of income and saving is 5:1. If saving is Rs 4000, find income.

Solution: One part = 4000. Income = 5 parts = 20000. Answer: Rs 20000.

Example 6: Profit and Loss

Question: An item is sold at 15% profit. If CP is Rs 1200, find SP.

Solution: Profit = 15% of 1200 = 180. SP = 1380. Answer: Rs 1380.

Example 7: Interest

Question: Find simple interest on Rs 8000 at 6% for 3 years.

Solution: SI = 8000 × 6 × 3 / 100 = 1440. Answer: Rs 1440.

Example 8: Time and Work

Question: 10 persons finish work in 18 days. How many person-days are needed?

Solution: Person-days = 10 × 18 = 180. Answer: 180 person-days.

Example 9: Speed

Question: A bus covers 210 km in 3.5 hours. Find speed.

Solution: Speed = 210 / 3.5 = 60 km/h. Answer: 60 km/h.

Example 10: Data Interpretation

Question: Sales in three months are 80, 90 and 100. Find average sales.

Solution: Average = 270 / 3 = 90. Answer: 90.

Example 11: Quadratic

Question: Solve x² – 7x + 12 = 0.

Solution: Factors are 3 and 4 because 3 + 4 = 7 and 3 × 4 = 12. Roots are 3 and 4.

Example 12: Number Series

Question: Find next term: 6, 12, 24, 48, ?

Solution: Each term doubles. Answer: 96.

Example 13: Mensuration

Question: Find circumference of a circle with radius 7 cm. Use π = 22/7.

Solution: Circumference = 2πr = 2 × 22/7 × 7 = 44 cm. Answer: 44 cm.

Example 14: Fractions

Question: Find 5/6 of 420.

Solution: 420 / 6 = 70, then 70 × 5 = 350. Answer: 350.

Example 15: Discount

Question: A product marked Rs 1500 has 12% discount. Find discount amount.

Solution: Discount = 12% of 1500 = 180. Answer: Rs 180.

Example 16: Partnership

Question: A and B invest in ratio 2:3. Profit is Rs 2500. Find B’s share.

Solution: Total parts = 5. One part = 500. B’s share = 3 × 500 = 1500. Answer: Rs 1500.

Example 17: Mixture

Question: Mix 10 litres milk with 5 litres water. Find milk fraction.

Solution: Total = 15 litres. Milk fraction = 10/15 = 2/3. Answer: 2/3.

Example 18: Comparison

Question: Which is greater: 3/5 or 5/9?

Solution: Cross multiply: 3 × 9 = 27 and 5 × 5 = 25. So 3/5 is greater.

Example 19: Train

Question: A 150 m train crosses a pole in 10 seconds. Find speed.

Solution: Speed = 150/10 = 15 m/s. Answer: 15 m/s.

Example 20: Ages

Question: Present age ratio is 3:4 and total is 56. Find ages.

Solution: Total parts = 7. One part = 8. Ages are 24 and 32.

Practice set with answers

Simplify 25 + 5 × 6 – 10. Answer: 45.
Find 40% of 850. Answer: 340.
Find 7/10 of 450. Answer: 315.
The average of 9 numbers is 18. Find total. Answer: 162.
CP is Rs 500 and SP is Rs 575. Find profit percent. Answer: 15%.
MP is Rs 2000 and discount is 18%. Find SP. Answer: Rs 1640.
Find SI on Rs 3000 at 7% for 2 years. Answer: Rs 420.
A car covers 96 km in 1.5 hours. Find speed. Answer: 64 km/h.
A worker completes a job in 16 days. His one day work is what? Answer: 1/16.
Find area of rectangle 24 m by 15 m. Answer: 360 square m.
Find HCF of 28 and 42. Answer: 14.
Find LCM of 8 and 12. Answer: 24.
Solve 2x + 3 = 19. Answer: 8.
Find next number: 9, 18, 36, 72, ?. Answer: 144.
The sum of two numbers is 90 and ratio is 4:5. Find numbers. Answer: 40 and 50.

Common mistakes to avoid

Do not ignore units in time, speed and distance.
Do not calculate profit percent on selling price.
Do not apply discount on cost price unless the question clearly says so.
Do not confuse average with total.
Do not spend too much time on a single difficult question.
Do not leave basic simplification practice because it appears in many topics.

Quick revision plan

For the first week, solve percentage, ratio, average and simplification daily. For the second week, add profit and loss, interest, time and work and speed questions. For the third week, solve mixed sets and note every wrong answer. Before the exam, revise only formulas, wrong questions and short tricks. This gives better results than reading theory again and again.

FAQ

Is maths difficult in IBPS PO?

It is manageable if you revise basic arithmetic and practice daily. Most questions follow common patterns.

Can I prepare without coaching?

Yes. If you have a clear topic list, solved examples and daily practice, you can prepare the maths section by self-study.

What should I do before the exam?

Revise formulas, solve easy questions first and avoid new difficult topics in the last few days.

Conclusion

IBPS PO Quantitative Aptitude preparation should be simple: understand the formula, solve many examples and revise mistakes. Regular practice makes the written exam maths section faster and more accurate.

Extra solved practice

Question: The price of an article is Rs 900 after 10% discount. Find marked price.

Solution: SP = 90% of MP. MP = 900 × 100 / 90 = 1000. Answer: Rs 1000. This question type is common in written exams because it checks basic understanding and calculation speed. After solving, change the numbers and try the same pattern again.

Extra solved practice

Question: A can complete work in 20 days, B in 30 days. Find together time.

Solution: One day work = 1/20 + 1/30 = 1/12. Together time = 12 days. This question type is common in written exams because it checks basic understanding and calculation speed. After solving, change the numbers and try the same pattern again.

Extra solved practice

Question: A data set has 12, 16, 20, 24. Find range.

Solution: Range = highest – lowest = 24 – 12 = 12. Answer: 12. This question type is common in written exams because it checks basic understanding and calculation speed. After solving, change the numbers and try the same pattern again.

Extra solved practice

Question: A candidate attempts 80 questions and 65 are correct. Find correct percentage.

Solution: 65/80 × 100 = 81.25%. Answer: 81.25%. This question type is common in written exams because it checks basic understanding and calculation speed. After solving, change the numbers and try the same pattern again.