Simplification and Approximation – Rules, Tips & Solved Examples

Simplification is a score-gaining section in the exam. In this section, you just need to solve expressions using basic rules of simplification. While solving these questions, it is crucial that you must follow the principle of BODMAS. Unlike Simplification questions where we can find the exact output by simplifying the given expression, the approximate output is required in approximation questions. In these questions, there is no need to calculate the exact answer, however, it should be close to the exact answer. In this article, we are going to learn the key concepts of Simplification and Approximation along with the various types of questions, and tips and tricks. We have also added a few solved examples, which candidates will find beneficial in their exam preparation.

Simplification and Approximation-Concept

Simplification means reducing the expression in a simpler form using various operations while Approximation is simplifying the mathematical expression to its nearest value but not exactly correct. To find the approximate value, we round off the digits in the expression to the nearest value and simplify the expression using BODMAS.

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The operations used to simplify follows a fixed order known as BODMAS

where,

B = Bracket
O = of
D = Division
M = Multiplication
A = Addition
S = Subtraction

The simplification and approximation topic is one of the simplest ones in the numerical ability/quantitative aptitude part and simply effective calculation can help candidates answer questions from this section quickly and correctly.

The main purpose behind proposing questions from the approximation and simplification point is to examine the understanding of an applicant to manage with numbers and basic predictions. 

Questions are composed to mislead the candidates with extended decimal numbers and computations which may look confusing and complex but this topic is one where a candidate can secure maximum without initiating errors. 

The simplification questions can be examined in two styles:

• Missing numbers – A given equation in the exam paper would ask the candidates to fill in the blank in that particular equation, provided either on the Left-hand side or Right-hand side.
  For example, 240 – __+100 = 5 × 35 + 265. Here the candidates are required to fill the space with the appropriate options.

Simplifying the equation – Another approach in which the simplification questions may be asked is the direct method of furnishing an equation and solving it to obtain the result.
For example: 242 – 235 + 90 = ?.
In such problems, applicants have to respond to what comes in the position of the question mark (?).

Some important terms related to simplification and approximation are given below.

Vinculum – Vinculum is a horizontal line drawn over a group of terms in a mathematical expression to indicate that they are to be operated on as a single entity by the preceding or following operator.

Brackets – Brackets in simplification are of three types.

• Round brackets – denoted by the symbols ( )
• Curly brackets – denoted by the symbols { }
• Box brackets – denoted by the symbols [ ]

The order in which these brackets are operated is ( ), { } and [ ]. Of means multiplication but it is operated before division.
The operation of adding or subtracting can be interchanged or can be performed simultaneously.

Surds and Indices – A surd is an irrational number that can be expressed with roots, such as √12 or ∛12.
An index is a power to which a number is raised and the plural of the index is indices. For example, k12 has an index of 12.

Rules of Simplification and Approximation

Some important rules related to simplification and approximation are given below.

Tips and Tricks to Solve Simplification and Approximation Questions

Candidates can find different tips and tricks below for solving the questions related to simplification and approximation:

• If all the fractions have a common denominator, then the integer part and the fraction part can be calculated separately.
• To find the approximate value of an expression containing decimals, just convert the decimals into integers and solve the expression.
• That is, the numbers that are presented in a decimal format, practice a rounded-off value for those numbers. For example, 46.72 can be taken as 47, 21.10 can be taken as 21, and so on. 
• Always determine the approximation or simplification problems following the BODMAS rule.
• Memorizing tables at least till 20 can be of great help for the aspirants and would help them save some extra time for the complex question.
• Do not overcomplicate the problems and make sure that the hard calculations require to be skipped in order to work the equations in the shortest time possible.

Remember the primary important formulas which can be applied in such question:

Simplification and Approximation Important Topics

Learn about some of the important simplification and Approximation Topics with the below table:

Unitary method	Determining the value of a unit first from the given value of a multiple.
Mensuration	Geometric method of measurement of parameters such as area, volume, length, lateral surface area, surface area, total surface area and so on.
Basic Geometry	Elementary academic-level concepts of geometry are concerned with the shapes and sizes of the articles, their corresponding position, and the properties of objects.

Simplification and Approximation-Sample Examples

Example 2: 4 of 2 + 15 ÷ 3 ÷ 5 – 1

Solution 2:
⇒Step 1: 8 + 15 ÷ 3 ÷ 5 – 1
⇒Step 2: 8 + 5 ÷ 5 – 1 (In case of multiple division, we start division from the left side)
⇒Step 3: 8 + 1 – 1 = 8.

Example 3: Square of 35?

Solution 3:
⇒Step 1: Divide 35 into 3 / 5.
⇒Step 2: The next consecutive digit of 3 is 4. So Multiply 3 with 4. i.e. 12.
⇒Step 3: 12 / Square of 5 i.e. 25
Ans: 1225

Example 4: Square of number 98?

Solution 4:
⇒Nearest best to 98 = 100. 98 is less than 100 by 2
⇒Step 1: Subtract 98 by 2 = 98 – 2 = 96.
⇒Step 2: Square of 2 = 04 (Number of digits should be equal to number of zeros in base)

Ans: 9604 

Example 5: Square of number 102?

Solution 5: 

Nearest best to 102 = 100. 102 is more than 100 by 2
⇒Step 1: Add 102 by 2 = 102 + 2 = 104.
⇒Step 2: Square of 2 = 04 (Number of digits should be equal to number of zeros in base)
Ans: 10404.

Example 6: 64 × 99

Solution 6:
⇒Step 1: 64 – 1 = 63
⇒Step 2: Complement of 64 = 100 – 64 = 36
Ans: 6336.

Example 7: 678 × 999 = ?

Solution 7:
⇒Step 1: 678 – 1 = 677
⇒Step 2: Compliment of 678 = 1000 – 678 = 322
Ans: 677322.

Example 8: 78 × 999 = ?

Solution 8: 

Take 78 as 078 and solve normally.
⇒Step 1: 078 – 1 = 077
⇒Step 2: Compliment of 078 = 1000 – 078 = 922
Ans: 77922

Example 9: Square of number 988?

Solution 9: 

Nearest best to 988 = 1000. 988 is less than 100 by 12
⇒Step 1: Subtract 988 by 12 = 988 – 12 = 976.
⇒Step 2: Square of 12 = 144 (Number of digits should be equal to number of zeros in base)
Ans: 976144

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