Important Mensuration (2D) Formulas

Posted in Quants, Study Notes On August 22, 2016

It is very important to have an understanding of Different Formulas of quadrilaterals and
circle for you to comfortably attempt Advanced Maths questions which covers a major
portion of Quant Section of Competitive Exams. Here we are providing you formulas and
shortcuts on how to solve mensuration questions.

Important Formulas on Quadrilateral and Circle

Rectangle
A four-sided shape that is made up of two pairs of parallel lines and that has four right angles;
especially: a shape in which one pair of lines is longer than the other pair.

The diagonals of a rectangle bisect each other and are equal.

Area of rectangle = length x breadth = l x b
OR Area of rectangle =

OR Area of rectangle =

if one sides (l) and diagonal (d) are given.

if perimeter (P) and diagonal (d) are given.

Perimeter (P) of rectangle = 2 (length + breadth) = 2 (l + b).

OR Perimeter of rectangle =

if one sides (l) and diagonal (d) are given.

Square
A four-sided shape that is made up of four straight sides that are the same length and that has
four right angles.

The diagonals of a square are equal and bisect each other at 900.
(a) Area (a) of a square

Perimeter (P) of a square

= 4a, i.e. 4 x side

Length (d) of the diagonal of a square

Circle
A circle is the path traveled by a point which moves in such a way that its distance from a
fixed point remains constant.

The fixed point is known as center and the fixed distance is called the radius.
(a) Circumference or perimeter of circle =
where r is radius and d is diameter of circle

(b) Area of circle

is radius

is diameter

is circumference

circumference x radius

(c) Radius of circle =

Sector :
A sector is a figure enclosed by two radii and an arc lying between them.

here AOB is a sector

length of arc AB= 2r/360
Area of Sector ACBO=1/2[arc ABradius]=rr/360
Ring or Circular Path:
R=outer radius
r=inner radius

area=(R2-r2)
Perimeter=2(R+r)
Rhombus
Rhombus is a quadrilateral whose all sides are equal.

The diagonals of a rhombus bisect each other at 900

Area (a) of a rhombus
= a * h, i.e. base * height

Product of its diagonals

since d22

since d22
Perimeter (P) of a rhombus
= 4a, i.e. 4 x side

Where d1 and d2 are two-diagonals.

Side (a) of a rhombus

Parallelogram
A quadrilateral in which opposite sides are equal and parallel is called a parallelogram. The
diagonals of a parallelogram bisect each other.
Area (a) of a parallelogram = base altitude corresponding to the base = b h

Area (a) of parallelogram

where a and b are adjacent sides, d is the length of the diagonal connecting the ends of the
two sides and

In a parallelogram, the sum of the squares of the diagonals = 2

(the sum of the squares of the two adjacent sides).
i.e.,
Perimeter (P) of a parallelogram
= 2 (a+b),
Where a and b are adjacent sides of the parallelogram.
Trapezium (Trapezoid)
A trapezoid is a 2-dimensional geometric figure with four sides, at least one set of which are
parallel. The parallel sides are called the bases, while the other sides are called the legs. The

term trapezium, from which we got our word trapezoid has been in use in the English
language since the 1500s and is from the Latin meaning little table.

Area (a) of a trapezium

1/2 x (sum of parallel sides) x perpendicular
Distance between the parallel sides

i.e.,

Where, l = b a if b > a = a b if a > b

And
Height (h) of the trapezium

Pathways Running across the middle of a rectangle:

X is the width of the path

Area of path= (l+b-x)x
perimeter= 2(l+b-2x)

Outer Pathways:

Area=(l+b+2x)2x
Perimeter=4(l+b+2x)
Inner Pathways:
Area=(l+b-2x)2x
Perimeter=4(l+b-2x)
Some useful Short trick:

If there is a change of X% in defining dimensions of the 2-d figure then its perimeter
will also changes by X%

If all the sides of a quadrilateral is changed by X% then its diagonal will also changes
by X%.

The area of the largest triangle that can be inscribed in a semi circle of radius r is r2.

The number of revolution made by a circular wheel of radius r in travelling distance d

is given by

number of revolution =d/2r

If the length and breadth of rectangle are increased by x% and y% then the area of the
rectangle will increased by.

(x+y+xy/100)%

If the length and breadth of a rectangle is decreased by by x% and y% respectively

then the area of the rectangle will decrease by:

(x+y-xy/100)%

If the length of a rectangle is increased by x%, then its breadth will have to be
decreased by (100x/100+x)% in order to maintain the same area of the rectangle.

If each of the defining dimensions or sides of any 2-D figure is changed by x% its
area changes by

x(2+x/100)%
where x=positive if increase and negative if decreases.

Important Mensuration (3D) Formulas

Posted in Quants, Study Notes On May 19, 2016

It is very important to have an understanding of Different Formulas of quadrilaterals and

circle for you to comfortably attempt Advanced Maths questions which covers a major
portion of Quant Section of Competitive Exams. Here we are providing you formulas and
shortcuts on how to solve mensuration questions.
Important Mensuration (3D) Formulas

Cube

s = side

Volume: V = s^3

Lateral surface area = 4a2

Surface Area: S = 6s^2

Diagonal (d) = s3

Cuboid

Volume of cuboid: length x breadth x width

Total surface area = 2 ( lb + bh + hl)

Right Circular Cylinder

Volume of Cylinder = r^2 h

Lateral Surface Area (LSA or CSA) = 2 r h

Total Surface Area = TSA = 2 r (r + h)

Right Circular Cone

l^2 = r^2 + h^2

Volume of cone = 1/3 r^2 h

Curved surface area: CSA= r l

Total surface area = TSA = r(r + l )

Frustum of a Cone

r = top radius, R = base radius,

h = height, s = slant height

Volume: V = / 3 (r^2 + rR + R^2)h

Surface Area: S = s(R + r) + r^2 + R^2

Sphere

r = radius

Volume: V = 4/3 r^3

Surface Area: S = 4^2

Hemisphere

Volume-Hemisphere = 2/3 r^3

Curved surface area(CSA) = 2 r^2

Total surface area = TSA = 3 r^2

Prism

Volume = Base area x height

Lateral Surface area = perimeter of the base x height

Pyramid

Volume of a right pyramid = (1/3) area of the base height.

Area of the lateral faces of a right pyramid = (1/2) perimeter of the base
x slant height.

Area of whole surface of a right pyramid = area of the lateral faces + area
of the base.

You can also view the Different Formulas of quadrilaterals and circle in Mensuration
section from the link given below:

Short Tricks for Boat and Stream in Quant

Section
Posted in Quants On March 17, 2016
Here we are providing short tricks on Boat and Stream which covers minimum 2-3
questions in every exam of SSC. These shortcuts would be really helpful in every exams.
Upstream: When the boat moves against the current of the river (i.e. in opposite direction),
then the relative speed of the boat is the difference of the speed of the boat and stream. It is
known as upstream speed.
Remember it with UP as going up the hill means against the direction of the force (speed) of
the river.
If speed of boat or swimmer is x km/h and the speed of stream is y km/h then,

Speed of boat upstream = (x y) km/h

Downstream: When the boat moves with the current of the river (i.e. in same direction), then
the relative speed of the boat is the sum of the speed of the boat and stream. It is known as
downstream speed.
Remember it with DOWN as going down the hill means towards the direction of the force
(speed) of the river.
If speed of boat or swimmer is x km/h and the speed of stream is y km/h then,

Speed of boat downstream = (x + y) km/h

Important Points

When speed of boat is given then it means speed in the still water, unless it is stated
otherwise.

Some Basic Formulas

Speed of boat in still water is

= (Downstream Speed + Upstream Speed)

Speed of stream is
= (Downstream Speed Upstream Speed)

Types of Questions asked in Previous Exam By SSC

Type 1: When the distance covered by boat in downstream is same as the distance covered by
boat upstream. The speed of boat in still water is x and speed of stream is y then ratio of time
taken in going upstream and downstream is,
Short Trick:
Time taken in upstream : Time taken in Downstream = (x+y)/(x-y)
Example:
A man can row 9km/h in still water. It takes him twice as long as to row up as to row down.
Find the rate of the stream of the river.
Solution:
Time taken in upstream : Time taken in Downstream = 2 : 1
Downstream speed : Upstream speed = 2 : 1
Let the speed of man = B, & speed of stream = S
B + S : B S = 2/1
By using Componendo & Dividendo
B/R = 3/1, R = B/3
R = 9/3 = 3km/h
Type 2: A boat cover certain distance downstream in t1 hours and returns the same distance
upstream in t2 hours. If the speed of stream is y km/h, then the speed of the boat in still water
is:
Short Trick:
Speed of Boat = y [(t2 + t1) / (t2 t1)]
Example
A man can row certain distance downstream in 2 hours and returns the same distance
upstream in 6 hours. If the speed of stream is 1.5 km/h, then the speed of man in still water is
Solution:
By using above formulae
= 1.5 [(6+2) / (6-2)] = 1.5 * (8/4) = 1.5 * 2 = 3km/h

Type 3: A boats speed in still water at x km/h. In a stream flowing at y km/h, if it takes it t
hours to row to a place and come back, then the distance between two places is
Short Trick: Distance = [t*(x2 y2)]/2x
Example
A motor boat can move with the speed 7 km/h. If the river is flowing at 3 km/h, it takes him
14 hours for a round trip. Find the total distance covered?
Solution: By using above formulae
= [14 * (72 32)]/2* 7 = [14 * (49-9)]/2*7
= 14*40/2*7 = 40km

Type 4: A boats speed in still water at x km/h. In a stream flowing at y km/h, if it takes t
hours more in upstream than to go downstream for the same distance, then the distance is
Short Trick: Distance = [t*(x2 y2)]/2y
Example
A professional swimmer challenged himself to cross a small river and back. His speed in
swimming pool is 3km/h. He calculated the speed of the river that day was 1km/h. If it took
him 15 mins more to cover the distance upstream than downstream, then find the width of the
river?
Solution: By using the above formulae
Distance = [t*(x2 y2)]/2y
= [(15/60) (32 12)]/2*1
= [(1/4) * 8] / 2
= 2/2 = 1 km.

Type 5: A boats speed in still water at x km/h. In a stream flowing at y km/h, if it cover the
same distance up and down the stream, then its average speed is
Short Trick: Average speed = upstream * downstream / mans speed in still water
Note: The average speed is independent of the distance between the places.
Example

Find the average speed of a boat in a round trip between two places 18 km apart. If the speed
of the boat in still water is 9km/h and the speed of the river is 3km/h?
Solution: Average speed = upstream * downstream / mans speed in still water
Average speed = 6 * 12 / 9 = 8km/h