Study Material — 8 PYQs (2019–2019) · Concept Notes · Shortcuts
SSC MTS Fractions & Decimals is a frequently tested subtopic — 8 previous year questions from 2019–2019 papers are included below with concept notes, key rules and shortcut tricks.
SSC MTS Fractions & Decimals — Past Exam Questions
8 questions from actual SSC MTS papers · all shown free · click option to reveal solution
Exam Q 12019Previous Year Pattern
What is 0.6 × 0.5 equal to?
Exam Q 22019Previous Year Pattern
If 0.75 is expressed as a fraction in lowest terms, what is the denominator?
Exam Q 32019Previous Year Pattern
Express 2/5 as a decimal.
Exam Q 42019Previous Year Pattern
If 1/3 of a number is 24, what is 1/4 of that number?
Exam Q 52019Previous Year Pattern
A number when divided by 8 gives a quotient of 12 and remainder 5. Express this number as a decimal when divided by 20.
Exam Q 62019Previous Year Pattern
The ratio of two numbers is 7:5. If their difference is 18, what is the sum of the two numbers expressed as a decimal?
Exam Q 72019Previous Year Pattern
A shopkeeper mixes two types of rice. Type A costs ₹40 per kg and Type B costs ₹60 per kg. If he mixes them in the ratio 3:2, what is the cost per kg of the mixture?
Exam Q 82019Previous Year Pattern
The sum of a fraction and its reciprocal is 25/12. If the fraction is greater than 1, what is the fraction?
Concept Notes
Fractions & Decimals— Rules & Concept
Core ConceptRead this first — the foundation of the topic
Core Concept: Fractions represent parts of a whole. A fraction has two parts - numerator (top number) and denominator (bottom number). Decimals are another way to write fractions using place values after a decimal point. Both are extensively tested in SSC CGL. **
Key RulesCore rules you must know cold
** Every fraction can be converted to decimal form by dividing numerator by denominator. Terminating decimals have denominators with only factors of 2 and 5. Non-terminating decimals have denominators with factors other than 2 and 5. When adding fractions, find common denominator first.
When multiplying fractions, multiply numerators together and denominators together.
**
Formula BlockMemorise — at least one formula appears in every paper
Fraction to Decimal: Numerator ÷ Denominator
Decimal to Fraction: Remove decimal, divide by appropriate power of 10
Addition: a/b + c/d = (ad + bc)/(bd)
Subtraction: a/b - c/d = (ad - bc)/(bd)
Multiplication: a/b × c/d = (ac)/(bd)
Division: a/b ÷ c/d = (ad)/(bc)
Exam PatternsWhat examiners ask — read before attempting PYQs
SSC CGL frequently asks fraction comparisons, decimal conversions, arithmetic operations with mixed numbers, and word problems involving parts of quantities. Questions often involve finding equivalent fractions, simplifying complex fractions, and converting recurring decimals to fractions.
Shortcut - Cross Multiplication for Comparison: To compare fractions a/b and c/d, multiply a×d and b×c. If a×d > b×c, then a/b > c/d. This saves time over finding common denominators.
Worked ExampleSolve this step-by-step before moving on
1
Step 1
Cross multiply - 7×6 = 42 and 9×5 = 45
2
Step 2
Compare results - 42 < 45
3
Step 3
Therefore 7/9 < 5/6
Converting Recurring Decimal 0.363636... to Fraction:
1
Step 1
Let x = 0.363636...
2
Step 2
Multiply by 100 (since 2 digits repeat): 100x = 36.363636...
3
Step 3
Subtract original: 100x - x = 36
4
Step 4
Solve: 99x = 36, so x = 36/99 = 4/11
5
Step 5
Verify: 4÷11 = 0.363636... ✓
Another Shortcut - Decimal Place Memory: For quick conversions, remember that 1/8 = 0.125, 1/3 = 0.333..., 1/6 = 0.1666..., 1/7 = 0.142857... (repeating). These frequently appear in options.
**
Exam TrapsCommon mistakes students make — avoid these
** Students often forget to simplify fractions to lowest terms or make errors with recurring decimals. Always reduce fractions by finding the highest common factor of numerator and denominator. Also, when dealing with mixed numbers, convert to improper fractions first before performing operations.
Key Points to Remember
Fraction = Numerator/Denominator represents parts of a whole number
Terminating decimals have denominators with only factors 2 and 5
Cross multiplication shortcut: a/b vs c/d compare a×d with b×c
To add fractions: a/b + c/d = (ad + bc)/(bd)
Recurring decimal with n repeating digits: multiply by 10^n then subtract
Mixed number operations: convert to improper fractions first
Always simplify final answers using HCF of numerator and denominator
1/7 = 0.142857... (6-digit repetition) appears frequently in SSC