ZOHO Aptitude: Step-by-Step Formula Guide

Clear formulas, neat step-by-step worked examples, and curated practice websites to master each topic.

1. Number System
Core formulas:
• HCF × LCM = Product of two numbers (for integers).
• Number of factors of n = (e1+1)(e2+1)... if n = p1^e1 * p2^e2 ...
• Sum of divisors (σ) formula: Π (p_i^(e_i+1)-1)/(p_i-1)
Worked examples (step-by-step):
Example 1: Find HCF and LCM of 36 and 48.
Step 1: Prime-factorize: 36 = 2^2 × 3^2; 48 = 2^4 × 3^1.
Step 2: HCF: take min powers → 2^2 × 3^1 = 4 × 3 = 12.
Step 3: LCM: take max powers → 2^4 × 3^2 = 16 × 9 = 144.
Step 4: Check: 12 × 144 = 1728 = 36 × 48.

2. Algebra (identities & symmetric functions)

Core formulas:
• (a+b)^2 = a^2 + 2ab + b^2
• (a-b)^2 = a^2 - 2ab + b^2
• a^3+b^3 = (a+b)(a^2 - ab + b^2)
Worked examples (step-by-step):
Example 1: If a+b=7 and ab=10, find a^2+b^2.
Step 1: Use (a+b)^2 = a^2 + 2ab + b^2 → a^2+b^2 = (a+b)^2 - 2ab.
Step 2: Compute: (7)^2 - 2×10 = 49 - 20 = 29.
Example 2: Given x+y=6 and xy=8, find x^3+y^3.
Step 1: Use x^3+y^3 = (x+y)^3 - 3xy(x+y).
Step 2: Compute: 6^3 - 3×8×6 = 216 - 144 = 72.

3. Averages
Core formulas:
• Average = Sum of values / Number of values
• Weighted average: (Σ w_i x_i) / (Σ w_i)
Worked examples (step-by-step):
Example 1: Average of 5 numbers is 20. One number is replaced by 30. New average becomes 22. Find the
replaced number.
Step 1: Total original sum = 5×20 = 100.
Step 2: New total after replacement = 6×22 = 132 (Note: new count should be 5 not 6 — check: here interpret
as one of the five replaced, so new average still with 5 numbers → New avg 22 means new total 110).
Step 3: Assume replaced number = r. 100 - r + 30 = 110 ⇒ r = 20.

4. Logarithms
Core formulas:
• log_a(mn) = log_a m + log_a n
• log_a(m^k) = k log_a m
• log_a(a)=1, log_a(1)=0
Worked examples (step-by-step):
Example 1: Simplify log2(32) + log2(8).
Step 1: log2(32) = 5, log2(8) = 3.
Step 2: Sum = 8.
Example 2: If log10 x = 3.5, find x.
Step 1: x = 10^{3.5} = 10^{3} × 10^{0.5} = 1000 × √10 ≈ 3162.28.

5. Progressions (AP & GP)

Core formulas:
• AP nth term: a_n = a + (n-1)d; Sum S_n = n/2[2a + (n-1)d]
• GP nth term: a_n = a r^{n-1}; Sum (r≠1): S_n = a(1 - r^n)/(1 - r)
Worked examples (step-by-step):
Example 1: AP: Given first term 4 and common difference 3, find 10th term and sum of first 10 terms.
Step 1: 10th term = 4 + (10-1)×3 = 4 + 27 = 31.
Step 2: Sum = 10/2×[2×4 + 9×3] = 5×(8 + 27) = 5×35 = 175.
Example 2: GP: a=3, r=2, find sum of first 5 terms.
Step 1: Terms: 3,6,12,24,48. Sum = 3(1-2^5)/(1-2) = 3(1-32)/-1 = 3×31 = 93.

6. Height & Distance (trigonometry)

Core formulas:
• tan θ = opposite/adjacent, sinθ = opp/hyp, cosθ = adj/hyp
Worked examples (step-by-step):
Example 1: A ladder 5m long leans against wall making 60° with ground. Height reached = ?
Step 1: Use sin 60 = height / 5.
Step 2: sin 60 = √3/2. Height = 5 × √3/2 = (5√3)/2 ≈ 4.33 m.
Example 2: Tower casts shadow 10m long. Angle of elevation = 30°. Find height.
Step 1: tan 30 = height/10 = 1/√3 ⇒ height = 10/√3 ≈ 5.77 m.
7. Time, Speed & Distance
Core formulas:
• Speed = Distance/Time; Time = Distance/Speed
• Relative speed: same direction = |v1-v2|, opposite = v1+v2
Worked examples (step-by-step):
Example 1: A car covers 150 km in 3 hours. Find speed and time to cover 200 km at same speed.
Step 1: Speed = 150/3 = 50 km/h.
Step 2: Time for 200 km = 200/50 = 4 hours.
Example 2: Two trains 100m and 150m long moving opposite at 40 km/h and 20 km/h. Time to cross each other?
Step 1: Relative speed = 60 km/h = 60×(5/18) = 50/3 m/s.
Step 2: Distance to cover = 250 m. Time = 250 / (50/3) = 15 s.

8. Profit & Loss

Core formulas:
• Profit = SP - CP, Profit% = (Profit/CP)×100
• SP = CP×(1 + P%/100)
Worked examples (step-by-step):
Example 1: CP = ■400, profit 25%. Find SP.
Step 1: SP = 400×(1 + 25/100) = 400×1.25 = ■500.
Example 2: If profit% = 20 and SP = 720, find CP.
Step 1: CP = SP/(1+P/100) = 720/1.2 = ■600.

9. Ratio & Proportion

Core formulas:
• If a:b = m:n and b:c = n:p then a:b:c = m:n:p when consistent
• To divide X in ratio a:b, parts = X×a/(a+b) and X×b/(a+b)
Worked examples (step-by-step):
Example 1: Divide ■900 in ratio 2:3:4.
Step 1: Total parts = 2+3+4 = 9.
Step 2: Values = 900×2/9 = 200; 900×3/9 = 300; 900×4/9 = 400.

10. Simple & Compound Interest

Core formulas:
• SI = (P×R×T)/100
• A = P(1 + R/100)^T for compound interest annually
Worked examples (step-by-step):
Example 1: P=2000, R=5% p.a., T=3 years (CI). Find amount and CI.
Step 1: A = 2000*(1.05)^3 = 2000*1.157625 = 2315.25.
Step 2: CI = A - P = 315.25.

11. Geometry & Mensuration

Core formulas:
• Area circle = πr^2, Circumference = 2πr
• Area triangle = 1/2 × base × height
Worked examples (step-by-step):
Example 1: Find area of triangle with base 10 and height 6.
Step 1: Area = 1/2×10×6 = 30.
Example 2: Circle radius 7 cm. Area?
Step 1: Area = π×7^2 = 49π ≈ 153.94.

12. Simplification (BODMAS)

Core formulas:
• Follow order: Brackets, Orders (powers/roots), Division, Multiplication, Addition, Subtraction
Worked examples (step-by-step):
Example 1: Simplify: 8 + (6 - 2^2) × 3 ÷ 2
Step 1: Evaluate inside bracket: (6 - 4) = 2.
Step 2: Expression: 8 + 2 × 3 ÷ 2 = 8 + (6 ÷ 2) = 8 + 3 = 11.

13. Probability
Core formulas:
• P(E) = favorable outcomes / total outcomes
• For independent events A and B, P(A and B) = P(A)×P(B)
Worked examples (step-by-step):
Example 1: From a bag 2 red, 3 blue. Pick one at random. P(blue)?
Step 1: Total = 5, favorable = 3, P = 3/5 = 0.6.
Example 2: Two fair dice rolled. P(sum=7)?
Step 1: Favorable pairs = 6 (1+6,2+5,...), total = 36, P = 6/36 = 1/6.

14. Permutation & Combination

Core formulas:
• nPr = n!/(n-r)!
• nCr = n!/[r!(n-r)!]
Worked examples (step-by-step):
Example 1: From 5 books, how many ways to choose 3 to arrange on shelf (order matters)?
Step 1: Use permutations: 5P3 = 5×4×3 = 60.
Example 2: From 7 students choose committee of 2 (order doesn't matter).
Step 1: Use combinations: 7C2 = 21.

15. Data Sufficiency (Strategy)

Core formulas:
• Assess whether each statement alone or together is sufficient. Use yes/no for sufficiency, don't calculate unless
needed.
Worked examples (step-by-step):
Example 1: Q: What is x? (1) x+5=10 (2) x×2=10
Step 1: Statement 1 alone: x=5 ⇒ sufficient.
Step 2: Statement 2 alone: x=5 ⇒ sufficient. Either alone sufficient.
Practice Websites (curated)
• PrepInsta — Zoho-specific preparation and placement guides — https://prepinsta.com/zoho/
• IndiaBIX — Aptitude questions with detailed solutions and online tests — https://www.indiabix.com/
• FACE Prep — Aptipedia and Test Gym for placement practice — https://faceprep.in/
• HackerRank — Aptitude & coding tests for companies — https://www.hackerrank.com/
• Brilliant — Conceptual practice and problem-solving courses — https://brilliant.org/

How to use this PDF for maximum benefit:

• Start by learning core formulas for each topic and practice one worked example until you understand every step.
• Time yourself while solving ZOHO-style question sets; aim to gradually reduce time per question.
• Use the practice websites listed to take topic-wise tests and full mocks; review solutions carefully.
• For topics you find hard, do 10 targeted practice questions daily for two weeks.