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20+ CAT Quant Formulas 2025 PDF Download with Solutions and Answers

Author : Lalita Vishwakarma

May 5, 2025

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Overview: Quantitative Aptitude is the most scoring section of the CAT exam. Knowing all the quant formulas for the CAT exam helps you solve the questions in minutes. Read on to know 20+ essential CAT quant formulas here!

The Quantitative Aptitude section includes questions on a wide range of mathematical topics. These include Number Systems, Profit, Loss, and Discount, LCM and HCF, Time and Work, Averages, Logarithms, Surds and Indices, Probability, set theory and functions, Trigonometry, permutations and combinations, Coordinate Geometry, and mensuration. 

To succeed in the Common Admission Test (CAT), candidates must be well-versed in the fundamental formulas. So, to help you out, we have provided the list of important CAT quant formulas here!

Read More: How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT Exam

Why Are CAT 2025 Quant Formulas Important? 

The CAT exam not only tests your ability to solve complex problems but also your speed and accuracy. Knowing the right CAT Quant Formulas at the right time can:

  • Save time during calculations
  • Reduce errors by following standard solving patterns
  • Enhance confidence while tackling tricky questions
  • Let’s explore the key formulas topic-wise.

List of Important CAT Quant Formulas 2025

1. Number System 

Here is the important CAT Quant formula list for Number System:

  • 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + … + n = n(n + 1)/2
  • (1² + 2² + 3² + ….. + n²) = n ( n + 1 ) (2n + 1) / 6
  • (1³ + 2³ + 3³ + ….. + n³) = (n(n + 1)/ 2)²
  • Sum of the first n odd numbers = n²
  • Sum of first n even numbers = n (n + 1)

2. Algebra Mathematical Formulas

Here is the list of all the quant formulas for the CAT exam 2025:

  • (a – b)² = (a² + b² – 2ab)
  • (a + b)² = (a² + b² + 2ab)
  • (a + b)(a – b) = (a² – b²)
  • (a + b + c)² = a² + b² + c² + 2(ab + bc + ca)
  • (a³ – b³) = (a – b)(a² + ab + b²)
  • (a³ + b³) = (a + b)(a² – ab + b²)
  • (a³ + b³ + c³ – 3abc) = (a + b + c)(a² + b² + c² – ab – bc – ac)
  • When a + b + c = 0, then a³ + b³ + c³ = 3abc
  • (a + b)n = an + (nC1)an-1 b + (nC2)an-2 b² + … + (nCn-1)abn-1 + bn

Check: How to prepare for Quantitatitve Aptitude for CAT exam

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3. LCM and HCF

Another important section of the Quantitative aptitude is LCM and HCF. Here are the CAT quant formula list that you should be aware of:

  • LCM × HCF = Product of the numbers
  • LCM of co-prime numbers = Product of the numbers

4. Percentages

The basic quant formulas for the CAT exam’s percentage topics include:

  • To find what percentage of x is y: (y/x) × 100
  • Increase N by S % = N( 1+ S/100 )
  • Decrease N by S % = N (1 – S/100)

Read more: Algebra Topics for CAT

5. Averages

  • Average = (Sum of observations/Number of observations)

6. Profit, Loss, and Discount

Here are the important CAT quant formulas for profit, loss and discount

  • Profit = Selling Price - Cost Price
  • Loss = Cost Price - Selling Price
  • Profit % = (Profit / CP) × 100
  • Loss % = (Loss / CP) × 100
  • SP = CP × (100 + Profit%)/100
  • SP = CP × (100 - Loss%)/100
  • MP = SP × 100 / (100 - Discount%)

Read More: SuperGrads CAT Toppers Interview

7. Speed, Time and Distance

Here are the important CAT quant formulas for speed, time and distance

  • Speed = Distance / Time
  • Distance = Speed × Time
  • Time = Distance / Speed
  • Relative Speed (same direction) = |A - B|
  • Relative Speed (opposite direction) = A + B
  • Average Speed = (2xy)/(x + y) [for equal distances]

8. Time and Work

Here are the important CAT quant formulas for time and work:

  • Work = Rate × Time
  • Efficiency ∝ 1/Time
  • If A does a work in x days, then A’s 1 day work = 1/x
  • Combined Work = A’s work/day + B’s work/day
  • Total Time = (Product of days) / (Sum of days)

9. Simple and Compound Interest

Here are the important formulas for simple and compound interest:

  • SI = (P × R × T) / 100
  • CI = P(1 + R/100)^T - P
  • Amount = P(1 + R/100)^T

Know More | How Many Times CAT Exam is Conducted in a Year

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10. Logarithm

Here are the important CAT quant formulas for logarithms

  • log(ab) = log a + log b
  • log(a/b) = log a - log b
  • log(a^b) = b log a
  • log_a a = 1
  • log_a 1 = 0
  • Change of base: log_b a = log_c a / log_c b

11. Probability

Here are the important formulas for probability:

  • Probability = (Favourable Outcomes) / (Total Outcomes)
  • 0 ≤ Probability ≤ 1
  • P(A or B) = P(A) + P(B) - P(A and B)
  • P(A and B) = P(A) × P(B), if A and B are independent

12. Surds and Indices

Here are the important CAT quant formulas for surds and indices:

  • a^m × a^n = a^(m + n)
  • (a^m)/(a^n) = a^(m - n)
  • (a^m)^n = a^(mn)
  • a^0 = 1
  • √a × √b = √(ab)
  • √a / √b = √(a/b)

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13. Mixtures and Alligations

Here are the important formulas for mixtures and allocations:

  • Average Value = (Sum of quantities × value) / Total quantity
  • Alligation Rule:
    (High - Mean) (Mean - Low) = Ratio of Quantities

Check: Venn Diagram Practice Questions for CAT 2025

14. Trigonometry

Here are the important CAT quant formulas for trigonometry:

  • sin²θ + cos²θ = 1
  • tanθ = sinθ / cosθ
  • cotθ = 1 / tanθ
  • Basic Angles:

sin 0° = 0, sin 30° = 1/2, sin 45° = 1/√2, sin 60° = √3/2, sin 90° = 1

Find: Practice with CAT Trigonometry Questions

15. Coordinate Geometry

Here are the important CAT quant formulas for coordinate geometry:

  • Distance between (x1, y1) and (x2, y2) = √[(x2 - x1)² + (y2 - y1)²]
  • Midpoint = ((x1 + x2)/2, (y1 + y2)/2)
  • Slope of line = (y2 - y1)/(x2 - x1)
  • Equation of line: y = mx + c
  • Area of triangle = ½ |x1(y2 - y3) + x2(y3 - y1) + x3(y1 - y2)|

Click Here: Download CAT Arithmetic questions PDF with Solutions

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 CAT Online Coaching

Check; Geometry Formulas for CAT 2025

Tips to Analyze CAT Quant Formulas 2025

  • Create a formula sheet and revise it regularly.
  • Solve topic-wise questions using the relevant formulas.
  • Practice mental math to reduce dependency on calculators.
  • Take timed mock tests to build speed and recall ability.

Check: Para Jumbles Questions for CAT

Conclusion

By understanding and practising these CAT quant formulas across various topics such as number systems, algebra, percentages, and geometry, you can significantly improve your problem-solving speed and accuracy. 

Regular practice and familiarity with these formulas will not only build your confidence but also help you tackle even the trickiest questions.

Remember, consistent preparation is the most effective way to achieve your desired score. 

So, take the time to review, practice, and apply these formulas as you get ready for the exam. Good luck with your preparation!

Practice with CAT Mensuration Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What topics are covered in the Quantitative Aptitude section of the CAT?

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How many questions are there in the Quant section of the CAT?

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How should I practice for the Quant section of the CAT?

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Are calculators or other aids allowed during the Quant section of the CAT?

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Why are CAT Quant formulas important for the Quantitative Aptitude section?

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How should I memorise and revise CAT Quant formulas effectively?

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