Important CAT Quant Formulas 2026 Section Wise PDF Download

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 PDF here!

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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 PDF here!

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

Why Are CAT 2026 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.

Download Important CAT Quant Formula Sheets PDF Below

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Important CAT Quant Formulas List 2026

1.  Number System Formulas

Here is the important CAT Quant Tricks and Formulas 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 Formulas

Here is the list of all the quant formulas for the CAT exam 2026:

• (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 Quantitative Aptitude for CAT exam?

3. LCM and HCF Formulas

Another important section of the Quantitative Aptitude is LCM and HCF. Here is the CAT Quant Tricks and Formulas list that you should be aware of:

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

4.  Percentages Formulas

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 Formulas

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

6.  Profit, Loss, and Discount Formulas

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 Formulas

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]

Download Maths Mantra Formula Booklet by Supergrads

8. Time and Work Formulas

Here are the important CAT Quant Tricks and 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 Formulas

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

10. Logarithm Formulas

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 Formulas

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 Formulas

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)

13. Mixtures and Alligations Formulas

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 2026

14. Trigonometry Formulas

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 Formulas

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

Check: Geometry Formulas for CAT 2026

Tips to Analyse CAT Quant Formulas 2026

• 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

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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