Simplification Questions for IBPS PO

BODMAS Rule — The Foundation

Every simplification problem follows a strict order of operations. BODMAS stands for Brackets, Of, Division, Multiplication, Addition, Subtraction. You must solve in this exact sequence left to right within the same priority level. Skipping or reversing the order is the single biggest source of wrong answers in this topic.

• Brackets first: solve innermost brackets (round, then curly, then square) first
• Of means multiplication, used with fractions: 1/2 of 50 = 25
• Division and Multiplication have equal priority — solve left to right
• Addition and Subtraction have equal priority — solve left to right
• Never add before you multiply — this is the most common trap
• Always re-read the expression after solving each bracket to avoid missing a sign

Fractions, Percentages and Conversions

A large number of simplification questions in IBPS PO use fractions and percentages interchangeably. If you memorize key fraction-to-percentage conversions, you can bypass lengthy calculations and go straight to the answer. This is where toppers save 30 to 45 seconds per question.

• 1/8 = 12.5%, 1/6 = 16.67%, 1/5 = 20%, 1/4 = 25%, 1/3 = 33.33%
• 3/8 = 37.5%, 2/5 = 40%, 3/5 = 60%, 5/8 = 62.5%, 3/4 = 75%
• When two fractions are added, take LCM of denominators — do not cross multiply blindly
• Mixed fractions: convert to improper form before any operation
• Percentage to fraction: divide by 100 and simplify
• In approximation questions, round off to nearest 0.5 or whole number first, then operate

Indices and Surds

Indices (powers) and surds (square roots, cube roots) appear frequently in Prelims simplification sets. You do not need to compute large powers manually. Instead, recognize patterns — perfect squares up to 30 squared, perfect cubes up to 15 cubed, and key surd values. Speed here comes from memory, not calculation.

• Squares to remember: 1 to 30 squared. Cubes: 1 to 15 cubed
• Square root of 2 = 1.414, root 3 = 1.732, root 5 = 2.236 — memorize these
• a^m x a^n = a^(m+n), a^m / a^n = a^(m-n), (a^m)^n = a^(mn)
• a^0 = 1 always, a^(-n) = 1/a^n
• Simplify surds by factoring out perfect squares: root 72 = 6 root 2
• Never add surds directly unless they have the same radicand: root 2 + root 3 is not root 5

Approximation Technique

Approximation questions give you a complex expression and ask you to find the closest value from options. You are not expected to find the exact answer. The trick is to round numbers to the nearest comfortable value, operate quickly, and match with options. In IBPS PO, the options in approximation are usually spread far enough that a rough answer still leads to the right choice.

• Round to nearest 5 or 10 for large numbers, nearest 0.5 for small decimals
• Always round ALL numbers in the same direction for a consistent estimate
• If answer options are close together (within 5 of each other), be slightly more precise
• Cube root and square root approximation: use nearby perfect squares/cubes
• After rounding, do the operation mentally — no pen work needed in most cases

• Doing addition before multiplication because the addition sign appears first left to right — always check BODMAS priority first
• Forgetting to convert mixed fractions to improper fractions before multiplying or dividing
• Approximating only some numbers in an expression and computing others exactly — this creates an inconsistent estimate and can push you to the wrong option
• Treating root(a + b) as root(a) + root(b) — this is completely wrong, surds do not split over addition
• In indices, writing a^m + a^n = a^(m+n) — this rule only applies to multiplication, not addition

• BODMAS mnemonic: Big Orange Dogs Make Amazing Sandwiches — B O D M A S — order locked in forever
• Fraction table trick: think of a clock. 1/12 of 60 minutes = 5 minutes. Scale fractions the same way — anchor to a known quantity
• Surd rule: surds are like apples and oranges — root 2 and root 3 cannot be added just as apples and oranges cannot become one fruit
• Approximation rule: RODA — Round, Operate, Decide, Answer — four steps, never skip Round first

• In IBPS PO Prelims 2022 and 2023, simplification had 5 straightforward questions and 5 approximation questions — always expect a 50-50 split
• Simplification questions are solvable in 30 to 45 seconds each if you know fraction-percent conversions by heart — this is your speed round, target 100% accuracy here
• Approximation options are always well-spaced in IBPS PO — you will never need to be exact, so do not waste time computing precisely
• Difficulty level is easy to moderate — these are the questions you should attempt first to build confidence and secure marks before DI sets
• Watch out for questions mixing percentage, fractions, and indices in a single expression — these are medium difficulty traps placed at question 4 or 5 in the set to slow you down