Easy Calculation Techniques for CLAT 2024: Tips, Tricks & Solve Questions

Author : Tanya Kaushal

Updated On : September 12, 2023

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Reader's Digest: Do you want to calculate like a pro for CLAT? Read this exciting blog post to learn easy calculation techniques for CLAT 2024. So, why late? Learn short tricks to speed up your calculations.

Have you ever wondered why some CLAT aspirants solve complex questions in seconds while others struggle with time? The secret doesn't always lie in raw intelligence or exhaustive study hours but often in mastering a few lesser-known easy calculation techniques for CLAT.

As per the latest CLAT exam pattern, the Quantitative Reasoning section would no longer have fundamental mathematical problems. Instead, it will have data in tables, bar graphs, pie charts, or line graphs, and the questions will be based on the interpretation of the data. 

To truly stand out, you must gain expertise and speed in calculations and logical reasoning to solve data interpretation questions. It is always beneficial if you are learning from scratch. 

If your fundamentals are clear, you can quickly solve questions and use the remaining time for other legal and logical reasoning sections.

Explore these proven methods to simplify calculations:

  • Digit Sum Method: Learn how to quickly find the digital root of numbers for faster calculations.
  • Unit Digit Method: Discover the magic of unit digits to easily crack complex calculations.
  • Approximation Method: Master the art of estimation to swiftly arrive at close-to-accurate answers.

With these easy calculation techniques for CLAT, you can boost your confidence and tackle CLAT 2024 questions efficiently.

The following video on Digit Sum by Legal Edge is very important for The Quantitative Aptitude section. It is an extremely efficient calculation technique. Watch Now!

Overview: Easy Calculation Techniques for CLAT 2024 

This overview aims to introduce you to three transformative calculation methods that have helped many crack the math section of the CLAT with confidence and speed.

The following are some of the CLAT quantitative preparation tricks that you can adopt to enhance your calculation speed:

  • Unit Digit Method: It is often used to determine the unit digit of an arithmetic operation result without solving the entire problem.
  • Digit Sum Method: This CLAT calculation technique is useful for checking the divisibility of numbers and often acts as a shortcut for certain arithmetic operations.
  • Approximation Method: When exact values aren't necessary and you need a quick estimate, an approximation can save you a lot of time.

Integrating these methods into your CLAT preparation allows you to set yourself up for a quicker and more efficient problem-solving strategy. Remember, in competitive exams like CLAT, every second counts.

Easy Calculation Techniques for CLAT 2024 - Digit Sum Method

The Digit Sum Method is just one of the many shortcuts available for CLAT aspirants. However, it stands out for its simplicity and effectiveness, especially in a high-pressure examination scenario.

What is the Digit Sum Method?

The Digit Sum Method, sometimes called casting out nines, is an age-old arithmetic trick that simplifies calculations. At its core, this method involves finding the sum of the digits of a number until a single-digit result is obtained.

Why is it Relevant for CLAT?

In the CLAT's numerical ability section, you might come across complex arithmetic problems. The Digit Sum Method can be a handy tool to verify your answers. It's not necessarily about finding the exact answer but eliminating the wrong ones, thus increasing the accuracy of your attempts.

Read More - Data Interpretation Questions for CLAT 

Practical Uses in CLAT:

While the Digit Sum Method is not a substitute for a solid understanding of mathematical principles, it’s a great tool for:

  1. Quick verification of arithmetic calculations.
  2. Eliminating potential wrong multiple-choice options.
  3. Saving valuable time during the test.

How Does it Work?

The digit-sum or add-up methods can be used to check answers involving different arithmetic operations like division, addition, multiplication, subtraction, squares, square roots, cube roots, etc. 

In this method, you have to convert any given number into a single digit by repetitively adding up all the digits of that number.

The following examples will help you better understand the digit sum method and enhance your CLAT preparation.

For Example:

1) Finding the Digit Sum: Find the digit sum of 1239.

Generally, in the digit sum method, you will add all the digits of the 1239 number.

1+2+3+9 = 15

Then, again, find the digit sum value for 15

=1+5 = 6

Even if you ignored the 9 in 1239, the digit sum value would be 6

Now, skip nine and find the digit sum value only for 123.

1+2+3 = 6

2) Application in Multiplication: Assume you have multiplied two numbers and want to check your answer. Instead of redoing the multiplication, find the digit sum of both original numbers and your result. If your multiplication is correct, the digit sum of your result will match the product of the digit sums of the original numbers.

E.g. for 23 x 42: Digit sum of 23 = 5

Digit sum of 42 = 6 5 x 6 = 30, and the digit sum of 30 is 3.

If the product's digit sum (from the multiplication of 23 and 42) also yields 3, then you've likely got the multiplication right!

LegalEdge CLAT Toppers

LegalEdge CLAT Toppers

Easy Calculation Techniques for CLAT 2024 - Unit Digit Method

Mathematical agility can often be your ticket to ensuring a top rank. One such often-overlooked yet invaluable technique is the "Unit Digit Method". Designed to make calculations swift and intuitive, this method is a must-have tool to make an ideal Quantitative Technique study plan for CLAT.

What is the Unit Digit Method?

The Unit Digit Method is a clever mathematical technique to determine a number's unit digit (or the last digit), especially when raised to an exponent. Instead of calculating the entire value, which can be time-consuming, this method focuses only on finding the unit digit of the result, saving you both time and effort.

Why is it Relevant for CLAT?

While the CLAT (Common Law Admission Testisn’t primarily a math examination, it tests your aptitude in various areas, including mathematics.

Often, questions may not require you to compute the full answer but rather identify options based on certain characteristics of the result, like its unit digit.

Being familiar with the Unit Digit Method can give you a quick and efficient way to tackle certain numerical problems, saving precious time during the exam.

Practical Uses in CLAT:

  • Eliminating Incorrect Choices: Multiple-choice questions often have answers that can be easily eliminated based on their unit digits. Knowing the expected unit digit can help you quickly eliminate implausible options.
  • Speeding Up Calculations: For problems that involve large powers or multiplications, directly computing the answer is time-consuming. The Unit Digit Method lets you bypass extensive calculations by focusing on only one aspect of the result.
  • Cross-checking Answers: Even if you’ve done the math the traditional way, checking the unit digit can be a quick method to ensure you haven’t made calculation errors.

Check Out: Data Interpretation Questions for CLAT 

How Does it Work?

When using this method, you only need to focus on the unit digit of the base number and then identify its pattern when raised to different powers. By determining the remainder when the exponent is divided by the length of the pattern, you can swiftly find the unit digit of the result.

We can find the answers using the unit digit method only for addition, subtraction, and multiplication. We can not find the solution for division using this method.

The Unit Digit Method involves recognizing patterns in the powers of numbers. For example:

  • The unit digit of powers of 2 follows a pattern: 2, 4, 8, 6, 2, 4... and so on.
  • The unit digit of powers of 3 follows: 3, 9, 7, 1, 3, 9... and so on.

For instance, to find the unit digit of 258258:

The pattern of 2 is: 2, 4, 8, 6. The cycle repeats every 4 numbers. Divide 58 by 4, and the remainder is 2. The second number in our pattern is 4. Therefore, the unit digit of 258258 is 4.

Multiplication: When multiplying two numbers, only the unit digits are considered to determine the unit digit of the result.

Example: For 57×4357×43, only consider 7 and 3. The unit digit of the result is 1, as 7×3=217×3=21.

Exponentiation: For numbers raised to a power, the cyclicity of the unit digit is determined. When raised to successive powers, most numbers follow a certain pattern in their unit digits.

Example: Consider 7. Powers of 7 have unit digits in the cycle of 7, 9, 3, 1, and then it repeats. So, 7171 ends in 7, 7272 ends in 9, 7373 ends in 3, and 7474 ends in 1.

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LegalEdge CLAT Coaching

Easy Calculation Techniques for CLAT 2024 - Approximation Method

In the fast-paced environment of CLAT, the approximation method can be the difference between a correct answer and a missed opportunity. This is one of the best quantitative techniques for CLAT.

What is the Approximation Method?

At its core, the approximation method is about simplifying complex calculations. Instead of getting bogged down with exact numbers, this method involves rounding numbers off to the nearest whole number, tens, hundreds, or even thousands.

By working with these rounded figures, you can compute answers much faster. Once the calculation is done, you can compare the obtained results with the options provided to select the closest answer.

Why is it Relevant for CLAT?

The math section in the CLAT isn't designed to test your ability to churn out precise answers like a calculator. Instead, it examines your logical and numerical skills.

The options provided are often spaced enough for the approximation method to work effectively. By using approximation, you can:

  1. Save precious minutes during the test.
  2. Reduce chances of silly mistakes in lengthy calculations.
  3. Enhance accuracy by focusing on the bigger picture rather than getting lost in the details.

Practical Uses in CLAT:

Here's how approximation can come in handy during the exam:

  • Percentages: When faced with peculiar percentages (37% of 218), round it to a simpler number (40% of 220) for quick calculations.
  • Multiplication: Instead of multiplying 299 by 201, approximate it to 300 x 200 = 60,000.
  • Division: Instead of dividing 1023 by 57, consider it as 1000 divided by 50.

Remember, it's all about recognizing when and how to apply the technique effectively.

Find Out: CLAT Time Management Tips

How Does it Work?

The approximation method emphasises that our brain can process rounded numbers faster and more efficiently. Here's a step-by-step guide:

  1. Identify: Recognize the numbers in the question. Are they complex? Do they have multiple decimals or large figures?
  2. Round Off: Simplify the numbers. This could mean rounding up or down, depending on what gets you closer to a more 'manageable' number.
  3. Calculate: Perform the necessary operations (add, subtract, multiply, divide) with the rounded numbers.
  4. Compare: Once you get an approximate answer, compare it with the options provided. Choose the one that's closest to your result.

For example, 

The approximate value of 1134.67 is 1135.

Find the 324.99 of 48.07%.

First, convert the 324.99 value to the nearest value.

The approximate value becomes 325.

The approximate value of 48.07% is 48%.

Now, it becomes 325*48/100

= 325/2.1

= 154.7

The approximate value of 154.7 is 155.

Therefore, the weight of 324.99 of 48.07% is 155.

Apart from this, the percentage table and their equivalent fractions is something all must keep in mind:

Percentage Fraction
100% 1 or 1/1
50% 1/2
33.33% 1/3
25% 1/4
20% 1/5
16.66% 1/6
14.28% 1/7
12.5% 1/8
11.11% 1/9
10% 1/10
9.09% 1/11

LegalEdge CLAT Mocks

LegalEdge CLAT Mocks

Conclusion

In conclusion, mastering easy calculation techniques for CLAT 2024 can significantly enhance your performance in the mathematics section of the exam.

By focusing on data interpretation rather than fundamental mathematical problems, the revised exam pattern demands expertise in calculations and logical reasoning. Here are the key takeaways:

  • Easy calculation techniques are essential to solve data interpretation questions efficiently.
  • Calculation speed provides an edge and saves valuable time during the exam.
  • Clear fundamentals in mathematics are crucial for swift problem-solving.
  • Despite having the least weightage, the mathematics section should not be overlooked.
  • Utilize resources like the Digit Sum video by Legal Edge for effective preparation.

By incorporating these techniques and strategies into your CLAT 2024 preparation, you can confidently approach the mathematics section and maximize your chances of success.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I better prepare for CLAT's Quantitative Techniques section?

What are the best books for the preparation of the CLAT's Quantitative Techniques section?

How can I improve my accuracy in the CLAT exam?

How many questions come in CLAT from the Mathematics section?

What is the difficulty level of questions asked in the CLAT mathematics section?

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