Essential Quant Skills

Question 1

Fractions/Decimals

Answer 1

Base 7 fractions
1/7 = .143
2/7 = .286
3/7 = .429
4/7 = .571
5/7 = .714
6/7 = .857

Base 9 Fractions
1/9 = .111
2/9 = .222
4/9 = .444

Question 2

Using common denominators or numerators to equalize fractions and compare sizes.

Answer 2

Look for patterns across the numerator or denominator. “normalize” the fractions by applying a common factor (factor equals 1) and compare.

Question 3

Adding/Substracting 1 to a fraction

Answer 3

Adding 1 to numerator and denominator to a fraction will bring it closer to 1.

If it’s a pos fraction less than 1, adding a constant will make the fraction greater because it will be closer to 1

If it’s a pos fraction more than 1, adding a constant will make the fraction less because it will be closer to 1

If it’s a neg fraction more than -1, adding a constant will make the fraction greater because it will be closer to 1

If it’s a neg fraction less than -1, adding a constant will also make the fraction greater because it will be closer to 1.

Question 4

If a question asks which of the following will result in a real number and there is a variable under a radical or in the denominator…

Answer 4

Check for negatives under the radicals and for anything that results in zero in the denominator

Question 5

Complex fractions with binomials

Answer 5

If the binomial looks to be in factored form already, don’t multiply it across since your goal is to cancel out factors as much as possible to simplify the fraction.

Ex:

[(4x+9)(x+3)]/[(x^2+3x)(3)] = don’t multiple across in the numerator, you can factor the denominator and divide out factors. Use your spidey sense to see that if you multiply out the top, you won’t be able to cancel anything out.

Question 6

Use factoring to get creative

Answer 6

(30+15+15+20+15+4)(799)+798

(99) (799)+(798)
(99) (798+1)+798
(99) (798)+99(1)+798
(798) (100)+99

79,800 + 99

79,899