Simplification Most Important Questions for IBPS RRB Clerk

Simplification Most Imporatnt Questions for IBPS RRB Clerk: Simplification is among the most scoring topics in the IBPS RRB Clerk exam. The weightage of simplification is approximately 15 marks according to the previous year’s papers. Therefore, knowing how to solve simplification questions within seconds is important. Simplification question challenges your calculation speed, numerical ability, and your ability to manage time effectively. It becomes essential for the candidates to learn simplification methods and solve problems quickly to arrive at a good score in the IBPS RRB Clerk exam. Read this article to know how you can solve simplification questions easily and effectively. In this article, we have provided a detailed strategy to solve simplification questions within a few seconds. Also, download the PDF and attempt the mock test from the given link.

Simplification Most Important Questions for IBPS RRB Clerk

Check the most important simplification questions for the RRB Clerk exam 2025 below. These questions are a mix of subtopics of the simplification topic questions. You must check the solutions to more types of questions given in the PDF below. Try to solve the questions yourself first, then look at the solution provided in the PDF and analyse how your method of solving differs from that given here.

Question 1: What will come in the place of question mark (?) in the given expression?

9 × 14 + ? × 21 – 7 × 18 = 28 × 3

A) 8

B) 12

C) 4

D) 9

E) None of these

Question 2: What will come in the place of question mark (?) in the given expression?

10% of 720 – 16% of 450 = 20% of ?

A) 0

B) 2

C) 4

D) 8

E) None of these

Question 3: What will come in the place of question mark (?) in the given expression?

358 + 291 + ? – 583 = 21 × 24

A) 418

B) 422

C) 428

D) 432

E) 438

Question 4: What will come in the place of question mark (?) in the given expression?

[{(4608 ÷ 24) ÷ 12} ÷ 4] + 11² + √169 = ?

A) 133

B) 138

C) 143

D) 148

E) None of these

Question 5: What will come in the place of question mark (?) in the given expression?

125 + ? + 272 – 391 = 184 – 215 + 169

A) 124

B) 128

C) 132

D) 136

E) None of these

Disclaimer:
The content provided is intended for practice and educational purposes only. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS), Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), or any official examination authority. While care has been taken to prepare the simplification questions and explanations, they may not exactly match the format, difficulty level, or content of the actual IBPS RRB Clerk exam. Readers should always refer to official notifications and resources for authoritative information. The publisher and contributors accept no responsibility for any decisions, outcomes, or losses resulting from reliance on this material.

Why Simplification Matters in RRB Clerk?

The simplification question carries more weightage in the RRB Clerk exam as compared to the other topics in the Quantitative Aptitude section. Also, the time required to solve the questions can become less with practice. Also, it is possible to arrive at a correct answer in most cases. Further, simplification checks your calculation speed, which is the base for other topics. The candidates who know how to solve basic math problems can easily attempt simplification questions accurately.

• High Weightage in exam: There is high weightage for simplification questions in the exam.
• Time Efficiency: With right approach, the candidates can solve quickly.
• Base to solve other topics: Simplification questions provide you with a base to solve data interpretation and other arithmetic topics easily and accurately.

Understanding RRB Clerk Simplification Questions

Simplification questions are made to solve complex mathematical equations and arrive at a solution quickly. It makes use of addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, and decimals. It checks your basic knowledge of maths. Make use of the BODMAS rule to solve questions accurately and arrive at a possible solution to the problem as quickly as possible. Once you understand how to solve these questions, you will also be able to solve math problems from other topics, such as Data Interpretation and Arithmetic.

Types of Simplification Questions

Here we provided the types of simplification questions that will be asked in the examination. Candidates preparing for the IBPS RRB Clerk exam must learn to solve it with the right approach to score better in the exam.

• Solving Direct Equations: Solve a given expression, such as (725 \div \sqrt{625} + \frac{2}{5} \times 600).

• Missing Number Problems: Find the value that replaces the question mark, for example, (540 – ? + 75 = 6 \times 50 + 315).

• Estimation-Based Questions: Estimate values ​​for expressions such as (2345.66 + 3364.58 – 1245.78).

BODMAS Rule

• The first thing to keep in mind while solving simplification/approximation questions is the proper application of the ‘BODMAS’ rule.
• ‘BODMAS’ is an acronym that is used to denote the order of operations to be followed while calculating the simplified value of a given expression.
  It stands for
  B – Brackets
  O – Order of power or roots (it also stands for the expression “of”)
  D – Division
  M – Multiplication
  A – Addition
  S – Subtraction
• Mathematical expressions having multiple operations need to be solved from left to right using this order only i.e. BODMAS

Square and Cube

Learn the squares and cubes of the numbers at least from 1 to 30. Try to remember it as you will most probably face these while solving simplification equations. The squares and cubes of the numbers can also be learnt while practicing for several simplification questions. With time, you will be able to remember them without stressing too much.

Square and Cube Root

There are several methods to solve Square roots and Cube Roots. Square roots can be solved by the Prime factorization method, Pairing method, and take one factor from each pair method. Cube roots can be solved by Prime Factorization method, Group Factors method, Take one factor from each group method.

Square root example:

1. Prime Factorization: Break down the number into its prime factors.
   • For example, 36 = 2 x 2 x 3 x 3.
2. Pairing Factors: Form pairs of identical factors.
   • In 36, you have two pairs: (2 x 2) and (3 x 3).
3. Take One Factor from Each Pair: Multiply the single factor from each pair.
   • √36 = √(2 x 2) * √(3 x 3) = 2 * 3 = 6 

Cube Root Example:

1.  Prime Factorization: Break down the number into its prime factors.
   • For example, 64 = 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 2.
2.  Group Factors: Form groups of three identical factors.
   • In 64, you have two groups of three: (2 x 2 x 2) and (2 x 2 x 2).
3. Take One Factor from Each Group: Multiply the single factor from each group.
   • ∛64 = ∛(2 x 2 x 2) * ∛(2 x 2 x 2) = 2 * 2 = 4 

Indices

Solving problems involving indices (also known as exponents or powers) relies on understanding and applying the laws of indices. These laws provide shortcuts for simplifying expressions and solving equations.

Here’s a breakdown of the key techniques:

1. Laws of Indices:

• Multiplication: When multiplying terms with the same base, add the indices (powers): a^m * a^n = a^(m+n) 
• Division: When dividing terms with the same base, subtract the indices: a^m / a^n = a^(m-n) 
• Power of a Power: When a term with an index is raised to another power, multiply the indices: (a^m)^n = a^(m*n) 
• Zero Power: Any non-zero number raised to the power of 0 equals 1: a^0 = 1 
• Negative Index: A term with a negative index is the reciprocal of the term with the positive index: a^-n = 1/a^n 
• Fractional Index: A term with a fractional index represents a root and a power: a^(m/n) = (n√a)^m = n√(a^m) 

2. Example of Indices:

• Simplify: (2^3 * 2^2) / 2^4
• Step 1: Apply the multiplication law: 2^(3+2) = 2^5
• Step 2: Apply the division law: 2^5 / 2^4 = 2^(5-4)
• Step 3: Simplify: 2^1 = 2

Fraction

To solve problems involving fractions, you’ll need to understand how to add, subtract, multiply, and divide them. The key is to find a common denominator when adding or subtracting, and to remember that multiplying fractions involves multiplying numerators and denominators, while division involves multiplying by the reciprocal of the second fraction. 

• Find LCM of Denominator to add or subtract fraction.
• Multiplying fractions involves multiplication of numerators and denominators of both fractions.
• Dividing Fractions involves multiplication of one factor by the reciprocal of the other factor.

For example: Add 1/4 and 1/3

1. Find the LCM of 4 and 3 (which is 12). 
2. Convert 1/4 to 3/12 and 1/3 to 4/12. 
3. Add the numerators: 3/12 + 4/12 = 7/12. 
4. Simplify: 7/12 is already in its simplest form. 

For example: Multiply 1/2 and 3/4

1. Multiply the numerators: 1 * 3 = 3.
2. Multiply the denominators: 2 * 4 = 8.
3. Result: 3/8 (already simplified). 

For example: Divide 1/2 and 3/4

1. Find the reciprocal of 3/4 (which is 4/3).
2. Multiply 1/2 by 4/3: 1/2 * 4/3 = 4/6.
3. Simplify 4/6 to 2/3. 

Strategies to Solve Simplification Questions in Less Than 10 Seconds

Candidates must learn and practice to solve the simplification questions asked in the IBPS RRB Clerk exam accurately within a few seconds. There are some strategies that one must use to solve complex simplification problems easily. Here we have provided these strategies, which will prove to be useful for the candidates preparing for the IBPS RRB Clerk exam. To solve simplification questions in under 10 seconds, combine the following strategies:

1. Remember BODMAS rules

• Multiplication Tables: Learn multiplication tables up to 30 to multiply and divide quickly, and solve the questions.
• Learn Squares and Cubes: Memorise squares up to 25 and cubes up to 10 to handle exponents efficiently.
• Practice Reciprocals: Learn reciprocals (e.g., ( \frac{1}{4} = 0.25 )) to simplify divisions.

2. Break Down Complex Expressions

• Divide large expressions into smaller parts and solve step-by-step to minimise errors.
• Focus on high-priority operations (brackets, powers) first, as per BODMAS.

3. Practice Shortcuts

• Percentage Calculations: Memorise common percentages (e.g., 10% = 0.1, 25% = 0.25) to compute quickly.
• Vedic Math Tricks: Use techniques like multiplying by 11 (e.g., ( 11 \times 23 = 2 | 2+3 | 3 = 253 )) or squaring numbers ending in 5 (e.g., ( 25^2 = (2 \times 3) | 25 = 625 )).
• Pattern Recognition: With regular practice, identify recurring calculation patterns to develop intuitive shortcuts.

4. Practice with Previous Year Questions (PYQ)

• Solve at least 10-20 simplification questions daily to build speed and familiarity with question patterns.
• Analyse past trends to understand the difficulty level and common question types.
• Use mock tests and sectional tests to simulate exam conditions and improve time management.

5. Make Your Calculations Simple

• Skip lengthy calculations by estimating where exact values aren’t required, especially in approximation questions.
• Focus on accuracy first, then speed, to minimize errors that could cost marks.

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