ZE
ZESTEXAM

SSC CPO Simplification & Approximation

Study Material — 17 PYQs (2019–2019) · Concept Notes · Shortcuts

SSC CPO Simplification & Approximation is a frequently tested subtopic — 17 previous year questions from 2019–2019 papers are included below with concept notes, key rules and shortcut tricks.

17 PYQs
2019–2019
0 Practice
MCQs
10 Key Points
to remember
Free
no login needed
Take Free Mock →Full Practice Set
Also for:CGLCHSLMTSGD
PYQs
17
Practice
0
Key Points
10
Access
Free
Previous Year Questions

SSC CPO Simplification & Approximation — Past Exam Questions

17 questions from actual SSC CPO papers · all shown free · click option to reveal solution

Exam Q 12019Previous Year Pattern

Simplify: 3² + 4² − 5 × 2

Exam Q 22019Previous Year Pattern

If a number is divided by 8, the quotient is 12 and the remainder is 5. What is the number?

Exam Q 32019Previous Year Pattern

What is the value of √256 + √144 − √100?

Exam Q 42019Previous Year Pattern

Simplify: (144 ÷ 12) × 5 + 18 ÷ 3 − 8

Exam Q 52019Previous Year Pattern

Simplify: (75 × 4) ÷ (25 − 15) + 12

Exam Q 62019Previous Year Pattern

What is 40% of 250?

Exam Q 72019Previous Year Pattern

Simplify: (√256 + √144) ÷ (√64 − √36) + 12

Exam Q 82019Previous Year Pattern

Simplify: (8³ ÷ 4²) × (2⁴ ÷ 2²) − 60

Exam Q 92019Previous Year Pattern

Simplify: (144 ÷ 12) × (36 ÷ 9) + 15 − 8

Exam Q 102019Previous Year Pattern

A number when divided by 8 gives quotient 45 and remainder 3. What is the number?

Exam Q 112019Previous Year Pattern

What is the approximate value of √(625 + 144 − 49)?

Exam Q 122019Previous Year Pattern

Simplify: (√625 × ∛216 + 144 ÷ 12) / (5² - 3²)

Exam Q 132019Previous Year Pattern

If (2⁴ × 3³ - 5²) / (7 + 2³) = x, then what is the value of x² - 3x?

Exam Q 142019Previous Year Pattern

Simplify: [∛(8/27) + √(16/25)] × (5/2)² - 1/2

Exam Q 152019Previous Year Pattern

If a = 2⁶, b = 3⁴, and c = 5², then what is the approximate value of (a + b + c) / (a - b + c)?

Exam Q 162019Previous Year Pattern

Simplify: √(144/169) + ∛(125/64) - (3/4)² × 2

Exam Q 172019Previous Year Pattern

If x = (√256 - ∛64) / (2⁴ - 3²), then what is the value of 5x² + 2x?

Concept Notes

Simplification & Approximation— Rules & Concept

Core ConceptRead this first — the foundation of the topic
Core Concept

Simplification means solving expressions step by step using BODMAS rule. Approximation means finding values close to exact answers using rounding or estimation techniques. Both skills are essential for solving complex problems in limited exam time

Follow BODMAS strictly

Brackets, Orders (powers/roots), Division, Multiplication, Addition, Subtraction 2. Simplify fractions by finding common factors 3. Convert mixed numbers to improper fractions when needed 4. Use algebraic identities wherever possible Approximation Techniques: 1.

Round numbers to nearest 10, 100, or simple fractions 2. Use estimation for quick elimination of wrong options 3. Apply percentage approximations for decimal calculations

Formula BlockMemorise — at least one formula appears in every paper
• (a + b)² = a² + 2ab + b²
• (a - b)² = a² - 2ab + b²
• a² - b² = (a + b)(a - b)
• (a + b + c)² = a² + b² + c² + 2(ab + bc + ca)
• √(ab) = √a × √b
• Percentage approximation: 0.33 ≈ 1/3, 0.25 = 1/4, 0.125 = 1/8
Exam PatternsWhat examiners ask — read before attempting PYQs

SSC CGL typically asks 3-5 direct simplification questions worth 6-10 marks. Questions involve complex fractions, square roots, percentages, and mixed operations. Time allocation should be maximum 1-2 minutes per question. Powerful Shortcut - Fraction Multiplication Trick: When multiplying fractions, cancel common factors diagonally before multiplying. This reduces calculation time by 50%.

Worked ExampleSolve this step-by-step before moving on
1
Step 1

Convert decimals to fractions = (24/10 × 16/10 × 5/10) / (8/10 × 3/10 × 4/1)

2
Step 2

Simplify by canceling = (24 × 16 × 5) / (10 × 8 × 3 × 4 × 10)

3
Step 3

Cancel common factors 24/8 = 3, 16/4 = 4, 5 cancels with denominator = (3 × 4) / (10 × 3 × 10) = 12/300 = 1/25 = 0.04 Worked Example 2: Approximate: √624 + √1444

1
Step 1

Find perfect squares nearby √624 ≈ √625 = 25 (since 625 = 25²) √1444 ≈ √1444 = 38 (since 38² = 1444)

2
Step 2

Add approximated values 25 + 38 = 63 Exact calculation gives 62.98, so approximation is highly accurate. Mega Shortcut - Options Elimination: In MCQs, approximate the answer first. Eliminate options that are far from your approximation. Then calculate precisely only for remaining close options. The #1 Most Common Trap: Students ignore BODMAS order and calculate left to right. For expression 2 + 3 × 4, wrong approach gives (2 + 3) × 4 = 20. Correct answer following BODMAS: 2 + (3 × 4) = 14. This single mistake can cost 2-4 marks in the exam. Another critical error is incorrect fraction handling. When adding fractions with different denominators, students often add numerators and denominators separately instead of finding LCM first.

Key Points to Remember

  • BODMAS rule is mandatory: Brackets → Orders → Division → Multiplication → Addition → Subtraction
  • Shortcut: (a + b)² = a² + 2ab + b² saves calculation time in complex expressions
  • Approximation formula: Round to nearest easy numbers first, then calculate
  • Fraction multiplication trick: Cancel common factors diagonally before multiplying
  • Time management: Spend maximum 1-2 minutes per simplification question
  • Options elimination: Use approximation to eliminate obviously wrong answers
  • Decimal conversion: 0.25 = 1/4, 0.33 = 1/3, 0.125 = 1/8, 0.2 = 1/5
  • Square root estimation: Memorize perfect squares 1² to 30² for quick approximation
  • Percentage shortcut: 10% of any number = number/10, 1% = number/100
  • Common trap: Never calculate left to right, always follow BODMAS strictly

Exam-Specific Tips

  • Perfect squares to memorize: 25² = 625, 26² = 676, 27² = 729, 28² = 784, 29² = 841, 30² = 900
  • Cube roots: ∛125 = 5, ∛216 = 6, ∛343 = 7, ∛512 = 8, ∛729 = 9, ∛1000 = 10
  • Fraction decimals: 1/7 = 0.142857 (repeating), 1/9 = 0.111... (repeating), 1/11 = 0.090909...
  • Value of √2 = 1.414, √3 = 1.732, √5 = 2.236 for approximation purposes
  • Percentage equivalents: 12.5% = 1/8, 16.67% = 1/6, 37.5% = 3/8, 62.5% = 5/8
  • Powers of 2: 2⁶ = 64, 2⁷ = 128, 2⁸ = 256, 2⁹ = 512, 2¹⁰ = 1024
  • Common algebraic identity: (a + b)³ = a³ + b³ + 3ab(a + b)
  • Simplification weights 8-12% of total Quantitative Aptitude marks in SSC CGL

60-Second Revision — Simplification & Approximation

  • Remember: BODMAS rule prevents 80% of calculation errors in simplification
  • Formula: Use (a + b)² = a² + 2ab + b² for quick expansion calculations
  • Trap: Never add fractions by adding numerators and denominators separately
  • Shortcut: Cancel common factors diagonally in fraction multiplication
  • Strategy: Approximate first, eliminate wrong options, then calculate precisely
  • Time-saver: Memorize perfect squares 1² to 30² and cubes 1³ to 10³
  • Key conversion: 0.125 = 1/8, 0.25 = 1/4, 0.33 = 1/3, 0.75 = 3/4
←Fractions & DecimalsBODMAS→
Studied the notes? Now test yourself
See how Simplification & Approximation appears in the real SSC CPO paper
Full timed mock · Instant All-India percentile · Free
Start Free Mock →Practice Panel
✓ Free forever for basic prep✓ No app download✓ Real exam-pattern questions✓ 12,000+ aspirants
Test Simplification & Approximation under exam conditions
Free SSC CPO mock · instant rank · no login
Free Mock →