Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
-Important formulas for GMAT help solve 85% of quant questions with accuracy.
-Memorizing formulas boosts speed in the no-calculator GMAT Quant section.
-Learn when to apply each formula to save time and avoid confusion.
-Focus on high-use formulas like Pythagoras, interest, and area calculations.
The GMAT Quantitative section tests your basic math skills through tricky word problems. You’ll need to solve 31 questions in just 62 minutes, without a calculator. That’s why speed and accuracy matter a lot.
To save time and solve questions correctly, you must remember the important formulas for GMAT. These include formulas from arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and statistics. This guide will help you learn the most useful ones that often appear in the exam.
GMAT Math Formula Overview
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The GMAT quantitative section covers a broad range of math topics, making it essential to familiarize yourself with the important formulas for GMAT. The questions in this section test your understanding of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis. While calculators are not allowed during the test, knowing these formulas by heart can significantly speed up your calculations and improve your accuracy.
In this section, we will provide a breakdown of the important formulas for GMAT across various mathematical areas, helping you to prioritize and focus on the most relevant concepts. Understanding these formulas will not only streamline your study process but also boost your performance on test day.
GMAT Formula Flashcards
One of the most efficient ways to memorize the important formulas for GMAT is by using formula flashcards. These handy tools allow you to review key formulas on the go and ensure you retain essential information. Flashcards help in active recall, which is proven to improve memory retention. By organizing formulas into categories such as arithmetic, algebra, and geometry, you can focus on one area at a time and build your confidence progressively.
Example Flashcard Setup:
- Front: What is the formula for the area of a circle?
- Back: Area = π * r²
- Front: What is the quadratic formula?
- Back: x = (-b ± √(b² - 4ac)) / 2a
Creating your own GMAT formula flashcards or using pre-made ones allows you to personalize your learning. You can add tips or notes on the back of each card to remind yourself of tricky concepts or shortcuts. For instance, on a flashcard about percentage increase, you can note that "increase" means adding the percentage to 100% before calculating.
Incorporating daily review sessions with these flashcards will help reinforce the important formulas for GMAT, making it easier to retrieve them quickly during the GMAT exam.
Core Arithmetic Formulas
Arithmetic is one of the most fundamental areas tested in the GMAT quantitative section. Mastering the important formulas for GMAT in arithmetic will give you an edge in solving problems related to properties of numbers, percentages, ratios, averages, and interest calculations. Below are the essential arithmetic formulas you should know:
| Topic | Formula | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Properties of Integers | Even + Even = Even, Odd × Odd = Odd | 2 + 2 = 4, 3 × 3 = 9 |
| Percentage | ( Part / Whole ) × 100 | ( 50 / 200 ) × 100 = 25% |
| Ratio Formula | a : b = a / b | 3:1 = 3 / 1 |
| Average | Sum of terms / No. of terms | (50 + 60 + 70) / 3 = 60 |
Properties of Integers
Understanding integers is crucial for many GMAT problems. Key properties include:
- Even + Even = Even
- Odd + Odd = Even
- Even × Even = Even
- Odd × Odd = Odd. These simple properties are often tested in several property questions.
Percentages
Percentages are commonly used to measure change, profit, or discounts. Here are two essential formulas:
- Percentage Formula: (Part/Whole) × 100
- Percentage Increase/Decrease: ((New Value – Old Value) / Old Value) × 100
Ratios and Proportions
Ratios compare two quantities, while proportions indicate that two ratios are equal.
- Ratio Formula: a = a/b
- Proportion Formula: a/b = c/d. These are essential when solving problems involving the comparison of quantities or scaling.
Averages and Weighted Averages
The formula for an average is straightforward but frequently tested:
- Average: Sum of terms / Number of terms. For weighted averages, the formula adjusts based on the weight (importance) of each term:
- Weighted Average: (w1 × x1 + w2 × x2 + ... + wn × xn) / (w1 + w2 + ... + wn)
Interest Calculations
Interest problems usually involve simple or compound interest:
- Simple Interest Formula: I = P×R×T, where P is principal, R is the rate, and T is time.
- Compound Interest Formula: A= P × (1 + R/N)nt , where A is the amount, P is the principal, R is the rate, n is the number of times the interest is compounded per year, and T is time in years.
Key Algebra Formulas
Algebra plays a significant role in the GMAT quantitative section, and knowing the important formulas for GMAT algebra is essential to solving complex equations efficiently. Whether it's linear equations, quadratic equations, or inequalities, these formulas form the foundation of many GMAT problems.
Linear Equations
Linear equations describe a straight-line relationship between two variables. The standard form is:
- Formula: y = mx+b, where m is the slope and b is the y-intercept. Linear equations can also be written in the form ax+by=c, which is often used in simultaneous equations or when finding points of intersection.
Quadratic Equations
Quadratic equations involve terms raised to the power of two and follow the general form:
- Formula: ax2+bx+c=0 To solve quadratic equations, you can use the quadratic formula.
Inequalities
Inequalities are similar to equations but involve greater than (>) or less than (<) relationships. The key property of inequalities is that multiplying or dividing both sides by a negative number reverses the inequality sign.
- Example: If 3x>6, dividing both sides by 3 gives x > 2.
- Important Tip: If you divide or multiply by a negative number, reverse the inequality sign.
Functions and Graphs
Functions describe relationships where each input has a single output. The most common form of a function is:
- Formula: f(x)=ax+b, where x is the input and f(x) is the output. Graphing functions helps you visualize their behavior. For instance, linear functions create straight lines, while quadratic functions create parabolas.
Essential Geometry Formulas
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Geometry is a key component of the GMAT quantitative section, and knowing the important formulas for GMAT geometry will help you solve problems related to shapes, areas, and distances. Below are the essential geometry formulas you need to memorize:
| Shape | Perimeter Formula | Area Formula |
|---|---|---|
| Rectangle | 2(l + w) | l × w |
| Circle | 2πr | πr² |
| Triangle | Sum of all sides | (1/2) × base × height |
Perimeter and Area of Basic Shapes
Understanding the perimeter and area of basic geometric shapes is vital for solving a variety of questions:
Rectangle
- Perimeter: 2(l+w), where l is the length and w is the width.
- Area: l×w
Circle
- Perimeter (Circumference): 2πr, where r is the radius.
- Area: πr2
Triangle
- Perimeter: Sum of all sides.
- Area: 1/2×base×height
Properties of Triangles
Triangles are one of the most frequently tested shapes on the GMAT. Key properties include:
- Sum of Angles: The sum of the interior angles of any triangle is always 180°.
- Isosceles Triangle: Two sides are equal in length, and the two base angles are equal.
- Equilateral Triangle: All three sides are equal, and each angle is 60°.
- Area of Right-Angle Triangle: 1/2×base×height
Pythagorean Theorem
The Pythagorean theorem is crucial for solving problems related to right-angle triangles. It relates the lengths of the sides of a right triangle:
- Formula: a2+b2=c2, where a and b are the lengths of the legs, and c is the length of the hypotenuse. This formula is particularly useful when calculating distances or verifying whether a triangle is a right-angle triangle.
Do You Need to Memorize GMAT Math Formulas?
Yes, memorizing the important formulas for GMAT is essential for excelling in the quantitative section. While the GMAT tests your reasoning skills, knowing key formulas by heart will allow you to focus more on problem-solving rather than spending time deriving formulas during the exam.
However, not all formulas carry the same weight, so it’s important to prioritize which ones to memorize. Helpful Tips for Memorizing Formulas:
- Start with the Basics: Focus on core arithmetic, algebra, and geometry formulas that are used frequently. These include percentages, ratios, linear and quadratic equations, and the area and perimeter of shapes.
- Understand the Concepts: Simply memorizing formulas isn’t enough. Understand when and how to apply each formula. For example, knowing that the quadratic formula solves any second-degree equation will help you quickly identify when to use it.
- Use Flashcards: As mentioned earlier, flashcards are a great way to regularly review formulas. Write the formula on one side and an example problem or a note about its use on the other.
- Focus on High-Yield Areas: Some topics, like number properties, geometry, and algebra, are tested more frequently than others. Prioritize learning formulas from these areas first.
- Practice Regularly: Apply the formulas you’ve memorized by solving practice questions. The more you use them, the easier it becomes to recall them under exam conditions.
Related Blog:
- GMAT quant data sufficiency
- GMAT quant for non-math backgrounds
- GMAT Quant Exam Day Strategies
- GMAT quant vs. verbal preparation
Conclusion
Knowing the important formulas for GMAT helps you solve quant questions faster and with more accuracy. From algebra to geometry, these formulas save time and boost your score. Practice them often, use flashcards, and focus on smart problem-solving under time pressure. With the right prep, you’ll handle the GMAT Quant section with confidence.
