IBPS SO Formula Sheet
Ten formulas, what each one is for, and a worked example.
IBPS SO Prelims has a Quantitative Aptitude section for most posts, including IT, Agriculture Field Officer, Marketing and HR. Law Officers and Rajbhasha Adhikaris take General Awareness instead. Most of the quant section is data interpretation.
These ten formulas are the ones that DI sets keep asking for, with a worked example.
You save ₹450
- Prelims + Mains PK mocks
- Post-specific question banks
- Prelims speed drills
One payment, no subscription
The 10 Formulas
1
Formula
Percentage change
Expression
(New − Old) ÷ Old × 100
Use it for
Growth and fall in values, and the base of most DI questions.
2
Formula
Percentage share
Expression
Part ÷ Total × 100
Use it for
A bar or pie chart category as a share of the whole.
3
Formula
Growth rate (CAGR)
Expression
(End value ÷ Start value)^(1/n) − 1
Use it for
Average yearly growth across several years in a DI table.
4
Formula
Average
Expression
Sum of observations ÷ Number of observations
Use it for
Averages, and finding a missing or replaced value.
5
Formula
Dividing in a ratio
Expression
Share of A = Total × a ÷ (a + b)
Use it for
Splitting an amount, profit or quantity in a ratio.
6
Formula
Profit %
Expression
(SP − CP) ÷ CP × 100
Use it for
Profit or loss on cost price.
7
Formula
Simple interest
Expression
SI = P × R × T ÷ 100
Use it for
Interest that isn't added back to the principal.
8
Formula
Compound interest
Expression
A = P × (1 + R/100)ᵀ; CI = A − P
Use it for
Interest compounded once a year.
9
Formula
Speed, distance, time
Expression
Distance = Speed × Time; km/h × 5/18 = m/s
Use it for
Trains, journeys and unit conversions.
10
Formula
Percentage point vs percent
Expression
Points = Rate₂ − Rate₁; Percent = (Rate₂ − Rate₁) ÷ Rate₁ × 100
Use it for
Interpreting changes in rates or shares in DI.
| # | Formula | Expression | Use it for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Percentage change | (New − Old) ÷ Old × 100 | Growth and fall in values, and the base of most DI questions. |
| 2 | Percentage share | Part ÷ Total × 100 | A bar or pie chart category as a share of the whole. |
| 3 | Growth rate (CAGR) | (End value ÷ Start value)^(1/n) − 1 | Average yearly growth across several years in a DI table. |
| 4 | Average | Sum of observations ÷ Number of observations | Averages, and finding a missing or replaced value. |
| 5 | Dividing in a ratio | Share of A = Total × a ÷ (a + b) | Splitting an amount, profit or quantity in a ratio. |
| 6 | Profit % | (SP − CP) ÷ CP × 100 | Profit or loss on cost price. |
| 7 | Simple interest | SI = P × R × T ÷ 100 | Interest that isn't added back to the principal. |
| 8 | Compound interest | A = P × (1 + R/100)ᵀ; CI = A − P | Interest compounded once a year. |
| 9 | Speed, distance, time | Distance = Speed × Time; km/h × 5/18 = m/s | Trains, journeys and unit conversions. |
| 10 | Percentage point vs percent | Points = Rate₂ − Rate₁; Percent = (Rate₂ − Rate₁) ÷ Rate₁ × 100 | Interpreting changes in rates or shares in DI. |
Worked Example: Percentage Change in a DI Table
A bank's loans grew from ₹240 crore to ₹276 crore. Find the percentage increase.
- 1
Change
276 − 240 = ₹36 crore.
- 2
Divide by the old value
36 ÷ 240 = 0.15.
- 3
Answer
15%.
Prelims-style questions to start with. No signup.
Always Divide by the Old Value
The commonest DI mistake is dividing a change by the new value. The base for percentage change is always the starting figure.
FAQs
Do all IBPS SO posts have a quant section?expand_more
No. Law Officer and Rajbhasha Adhikari posts take General Awareness on Banking instead.
Is the quant section qualifying?expand_more
Prelims is qualifying. The final merit list is based on Mains and the interview. Check the current notification for the exact weightage.
What is a percentage point?expand_more
The plain difference between two percentages. 8% to 10% is 2 percentage points, but a 25% increase.
Next steps
Take a full IBPS SO mock testPrelims plus your stream's Professional Knowledge paper.