Arithmetic Questions for IBPS Clerk 2026 cover important Quantitative Aptitude topics such as Percentage, Profit & Loss, Ratio & Proportion, Average, Simple & Compound Interest, Time & Work, Speed, Distance & Time, Mixture & Allegation, Partnership, Ages, Boats & Streams, and Pipes & Cisterns. These questions help improve conceptual clarity, calculation speed, accuracy, and time management for the IBPS Clerk exam.
For effective preparation, revise the basic formulas first, then practise topic-wise and exam-level questions under timed conditions. This article includes 200+ arithmetic questions, a cheat sheet with shortcuts, topic-wise weightage, a 10-question practice quiz, and detailed solutions to help you strengthen your Quantitative Aptitude preparation.
Arithmetic Questions for IBPS Clerk 2026 : Free Quiz
Test your concepts under real exam conditions with this curated 10-question preliminary practice set:
Q1. A and B can complete a work in 12 days and 18 days respectively. They start together, but A leaves after 4 days. In how many days will B alone complete the remaining work?
Explanation: Take total work = 36 units. A = 3 units/day and B = 2 units/day. In 4 days together they complete 20 units. Remaining work = 16 units. B takes 16/2 = 8 days.
Q2. The present ages of Rahul and Vikas are in the ratio 4:5. After 6 years, the ratio becomes 5:6. What is Rahul's present age?
Explanation: Let ages be 4x and 5x. Then (4x+6)/(5x+6)=5/6. Solving gives x=6. Rahul's present age = 24 years.
Q3. A shopkeeper marks an item 40% above cost price and allows a 20% discount on marked price. Find the net profit percentage.
Explanation: Let CP = 100. MP = 140. SP = 140×0.80 = 112. Profit = 12, so profit percentage = 12%.
Q4. The simple interest on a sum at 8% p.a. for 3 years is ₹1,440. What will be the compound interest on the same sum at 10% p.a. for 2 years, compounded annually?
Explanation: 1440 = P×8×3/100, so P = ₹6,000. Two-year CI at 10% = 6000[(1.10)^2−1] = ₹1,260.
Q5. A train 240 m long crosses a 360 m platform in 30 seconds. What is the speed of the train in km/h?
Explanation: Total distance = 240+360 = 600 m. Speed = 600/30 = 20 m/s = 72 km/h.
Q6. In an 80-litre mixture of milk and water, the ratio is 5:3. How much water must be added to make the ratio 1:1?
Explanation: Milk = 50 litres and water = 30 litres. To make the ratio 1:1, water must become 50 litres. Water to add = 20 litres.
Q7. A speed boat takes 4 hours to travel 48 km downstream and 6 hours to travel the same distance upstream. Find the speed of the stream.
Explanation: Downstream speed = 12 km/h and upstream speed = 8 km/h. Stream speed = (12−8)/2 = 2 km/h.
Q8. A, B and C invest in the ratio 3:4:5, while their investment periods are in the ratio 2:3:1. Find the ratio of their profits.
Explanation: Profit ∝ investment × time. Therefore A:B:C = 3×2 : 4×3 : 5×1 = 6:12:5.
Q9. Pipe A fills a tank in 10 hours, B in 15 hours, and C empties it in 20 hours. If all three are opened together, in how many hours will the tank be filled?
Explanation: Net rate = 1/10 + 1/15 − 1/20 = 7/60 tank/hour. Time = 60/7 ≈ 8.57 hours.
Q10. The average weight of 15 students is 45 kg. When one new student joins, the average becomes 46 kg. What is the weight of the new student?
Explanation: Old total = 15×45 = 675 kg. New total = 16×46 = 736 kg. New student's weight = 736−675 = 61 kg.
Quiz Summary
Quiz Completed!
Practise more IBPS Clerk Arithmetic questions.
Solve More QuestionsTopic-Wise Weightage of IBPS Clerk Arithmetic Section
To maximize your score in the prelims and mains stages, prioritize your preparation according to Arithmetic Questions topic-wise weightage:
| Core Arithmetic Topic | Expected Prelims Questions | Key Focus Areas |
| Percentages, Profit & Loss | 2 – 3 | Successive discounts, marked price vs cost price, faulty balances |
| Ratio, Proportion & Partnership | 2 | Profit sharing ratios, varying investment timelines |
| Averages & Ages | 1 – 2 | Replacements, weighted averages, age equations across time gaps |
| Time & Work / Pipes & Cisterns | 1 – 2 | Combined efficiency, alternate working days, tank leakage rates |
| Speed, Time, Distance & Trains | 1 – 2 | Relative speeds, platform/bridge lengths, upstream/downstream rates |
| Simple & Compound Interest | 1 | Difference between SI and CI over 2 or 3 years |
| Mixtures & Alligations | 1 | Repeated replacement formula, blending price algorithms |
Core Arithmetic Formulas and Shortcut Techniques for IBPS Clerk 2026
A key element in solving bank exam Quantitative Aptitude questions quickly is avoiding lengthy algebraic calculations whenever a direct formula or shortcut can be used.
1. Profit and Loss Relation
CP / MP = (100 – Discount%) / (100 + Profit%)
Where:
- CP = Cost Price
- MP = Marked Price
2. Difference Between CI and SI for 2 Years
Difference = P × (R / 100)²
Where:
- P = Principal
- R = Rate of Interest per annum
3. Boat and Stream Formula
Let:
- D = Downstream speed
- U = Upstream speed
- u = Speed of boat in still water
- v = Speed of stream
Then:
u = (D + U) / 2
v = (D – U) / 2
4. Important Fraction-to-Percentage Conversions
1/6 = 16.67%
1/7 = 14.29%
1/8 = 12.5%
1/9 = 11.11%
1/12 = 8.33%
These conversions should be memorised to reduce calculation time and improve accuracy during the exam.
Smart Strategies to Score 30+ in IBPS Clerk Quant
Use the Core Splitting Method:
Avoid using x and y for every word problem. Convert percentages into fractions wherever possible to solve ratio-based questions faster and with fewer calculations.
Prioritise Speed Maths:
Attempt Simplification, Approximation, Number Series, and Quadratic Equations early. These questions can help you secure quick marks before moving to lengthy arithmetic problems.
Use Option Elimination:
Check the answer options before starting lengthy calculations. In questions such as Partnership, the options may help you identify the correct profit share directly from the investment ratio.
Benefits of Solving 200+ Topic Wise Arithmetic Questions
- Improves Calculation Speed & Accuracy: Daily timed practice reduces reliance on paper steps, training you to execute mental calculations under time pressure.
- Mastery Over Miscellaneous Word Problems: Solving topic-wise sets ensures exposure to all standard variations of banking arithmetic problems.
- Boosts Performance in Data Interpretation (DI): Modern IBPS Clerk Mains Arithmetic DI sets are built directly on core concepts like Profit & Loss, Percentages, and Mixtures.
- Identifies High-Yield Weak Areas: Working through a complete 200-question practice set highlights concept gaps before exam day.
Conclusion
Mastering arithmetic questions for the IBPS Clerk 2026 exam requires a balanced combination of concept clarity, shortcut formulas, and consistent timed practice. By utilizing the 200+ topic-wise practice strategy and reviewing the step-by-step solutions provided in our practice PDF, you can easily secure 10+ marks from the word problems section.
Arithmetic Questions for IBPS Clerk 2026 Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many arithmetic questions are asked in IBPS Clerk Prelims?
In the IBPS Clerk Prelims exam, out of 35 Quantitative Aptitude questions, around 10 to 12 questions are miscellaneous arithmetic word problems.
2. Can I skip arithmetic and still clear the IBPS Clerk cutoff?
While speed math (simplification, series, quadratic equations) can help you reach 20–22 marks, clearing overall competitive cutoffs usually requires scoring 30+ in Quant, making arithmetic essential.
3. What are the most scoring arithmetic topics for IBPS Clerk 2026?
Percentages, Profit & Loss, Ratio & Partnership, Ages, and Time & Work are considered the most direct and high-scoring topics.
4. How can I improve my speed in arithmetic word problems?
Master percentage-to-fraction conversions, apply ratio method concepts, avoid unnecessary variable equations, and eliminate options systematically.
5. Are IBPS Clerk Mains arithmetic questions different from Prelims?
Yes. Prelims arithmetic questions are direct and single-concept focused, whereas IBPS Clerk Mains features multi-concept word problems and Arithmetic-based Data Interpretation (DI).
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