Approximation Questions for IBPS RRB Exam, Solved Problems

To help students score better in IBPS PO, IBPS Clerk, IBPS RRB PO/Clerk, SBI PO/Clerk, RBI Assistant, and other banking prelims exams, approximation plays a crucial role. It not only speeds up calculations but also boosts accuracy when solving quantitative aptitude approximation questions, which are often asked alongside number series, simplification, and data interpretation.

In recent years, banking exams have shown a shift toward mixed-approximation questions, where students need to apply approximation inside long expressions or DI sets. Practicing these variations improves both speed and confidence.

Approximation Questions in IBPS RRB Exam

Approximation questions are a key part of the Quantitative Aptitude section in the IBPS RRB exam for Probationary Officer and Clerk Posts, designed to test a candidate’s ability to quickly estimate numerical values to save time during the exam. These questions typically involve rounding off numbers and performing simplified arithmetic operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, percentages, and square roots to arrive at an approximate answer rather than an exact one.

When to Use Approximation

Approximation should be used when the question demands speed over exact precision. It is most effective when:

• Numbers are close to round figures like 50, 100, 200, etc.

• Options are far apart (difference of more than 10–20 units).

• The question involves long multiplications or divisions that become easy after rounding.

• Solving exact values takes much longer than estimating.

• DI questions include big numbers where only rough comparisons are required.

Example: 483.9 × 19.7 → Approximate as 480 × 20 = 9600.

When NOT to Use Approximation

Sometimes approximation reduces accuracy, especially when options are very close. Avoid approximation when:

• The difference between two options is less than 3–5 units.

• Questions involve compound interest, partnership, or profit-loss where decimal accuracy matters. This balanced approach helps in selecting the right method under pressure.

Range-Based Approximation

Range-based approximation means estimating an answer by creating an upper and lower boundary. Example: Actual expression: 249 × 3.9 Lower bound: 250 × 4 = 1000 Upper bound: 248 × 4.1 ≈ 1016 So the approximate answer should lie between 1000 and 1016. Useful when options are wide apart.

<<Added Content: Practice Set – Latest Pattern Questions>>

1. Approximate the value: 159.8 × 8.9 ÷ 4.02

2. Approximate the value: 448.6 + 239.4 − 98.5

3. Approximate the value of 19.6% of 847

4. Approximate (563.8 ÷ 28.4) × 9.7

5. Approximate √(152.9 + 48.1)

Importance of Approximation in Banking Exams

1. Time Efficiency: Approximations allow you to solve problems faster by simplifying calculations. This is important in bank exams, where time management is a significant factor.

2. Simplifying Complex Calculations: It helps in breaking down complex arithmetic operations into more manageable steps.

Checking Reasonableness of Answers: Approximation can be used to quickly verify if an answer is reasonable, which is useful for multiple-choice questions.

Weightage of Approximation Questions

1. You can expect 5 to 10 approximation questions in every bank exam especially in the prelims phase.

2. These questions are quite easy to solve if you have practiced well on your calculation speed.

3. You can solve all the questions within 3 to 4 minutes with 100% accuracy.

4. These questions can increase your chances of clearing the exam.

Approximation Questions PDF Calculation Tricks

To move through Approximation Questions for IBPS RRB Exam at top speed, you must know specific shortcuts.

These methods save a lot of time. Every good approximation questions PDF includes these techniques.

Trick 1: Immediate Squares and Roots Recall

This is the biggest time-saver for approximation questions for IBPS RRB Exam. You must memorize the squares and cube roots up to 30.

If you see \sqrt{168.9}, you must instantly think 13. This is because 13^2 = 169.

Wasting time on calculating the root manually is a huge mistake.

Trick 2: Rapid Percentage Calculations

Never change percentages into complex fractions. Use simple mental math shortcuts.

• To find 10\%, just shift the decimal one place to the left.

• To find 1\%, shift the decimal two places to the left.

• Example: Find 40\% of 150. First, 10\% is 15. Then, multiply 15 by 4 to get 60.

• Example: 20\% of 200.04 is quickly 20\% of 200. The answer is 40.

These percentage tricks let you finish calculations in just a few seconds.

Approximation Questions for IBPS RRB: Banking Exams Tricks

1. Rounding Off Numbers:

• Round off numbers to the nearest ten, hundred, or thousand to simplify addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

• For example, rounding 498 to 500 or 1523 to 1500.

2. Using Significant Figures:

• Retain a few significant digits and drop less significant ones to simplify calculations.

• For example, approximating 123.456 to 123.5 or 0.004567 to 0.00457.

3. Multiplication and Division by Powers of 10:

• Simplify calculations by multiplying or dividing by powers of 10.

• For example, 423 × 99 can be approximated as 423 × 100 = 42300 and then subtract 423 (42300 - 423 = 41877).

4. Using Common Fractions:

• Convert complex fractions into simpler ones.

• For example, instead of using 0.3333, use 1/3, or instead of 0.142857, use 1/7.

500 approximation questions pdf: Maximizing Practice Time

You know the strategies now. The next job is to build speed. You must solve many approximation questions to reach that 10-second speed. Find a strong 500 approximation questions pdf and practice every day with a timer.

Here are rules to follow to practice perfectly:

• Use a Timer: Practice sets of 10 questions at a time. Aim to finish all 10 questions in 100 seconds or less.

• No Calculator Rule: Never use a machine to solve these problems. You must build your mental calculation power for the real test.

• Analyze Errors: After every practice set, look closely at your mistakes. Did you round 2.4 up to 3? Your main focus is fixing your mistake pattern.

• Recognize Patterns: Train your brain to see common question formats. Many approximation questions for the IBPS RRB Exam repeat the same structure.

Working through a large 500-approximation-questions pdf helps your brain. It makes the shortcuts happen automatically.

Free approximation questions for IBPS RRB exam

After consistent practice, you must test your speed in a mock exam. Full-length mock tests are the best way to measure speed.

Many platforms offer free approximation questions for ibps rrb exam in their practice materials. Make this practice a key part of your daily study.

Here is a vital tip for the real exam:

• When the exam starts, quickly look at the Quantitative Aptitude section.

• Start immediately with the 5 to 10 approximation questions for the IBPS RRB exam.   

• Solving these quickly gives you instant confidence and a score boost.

• Move to simplification next. Save the harder data interpretation and arithmetic for the extra time you have created.

Always check your answers against the approximation questions with solutions pdf after your mock test. This confirms you are applying BODMAS and rounding correctly under pressure.

Approximation Solved Examples

1. Addition/Subtraction:

Approximate 674 + 289. Round off to 670 + 290 = 960.

2. Multiplication:

Approximate 47 × 19. Round off to 50 × 20 = 1000.

3. Division:

Approximate 635 ÷ 48. Round off to 640 ÷ 50 = 12.8.

4. Percentage Calculations:

Calculate 32% of 249. Round off 32% to 30% and 249 to 250, giving 30% of 250 = 75.

BODMAS Rule in Approximation

The BODMAS rule (Brackets, Orders, Division and Multiplication, Addition and Subtraction) is essential for solving mathematical expressions accurately. When applying the BODMAS rule in approximation, the goal is to simplify complex expressions while still adhering to the correct order of operations. Here’s how you can apply the BODMAS rule effectively in approximation:

BODMAS Rule Overview

• Brackets: Simplify expressions inside brackets first.

• Orders: Handle exponents and roots next.

• Division and Multiplication: Proceed from left to right.

• Addition and Subtraction: Proceed from left to right.

Applying BODMAS in Approximation

1. Simplify Within Brackets:

• Approximate values inside brackets first.

• Example: For (49.6+52.3), approximate as (50+50)=100.

2. Handle Orders (Exponents and Roots):

• Approximate values before applying exponents or roots.

• Example: 5.1252=25

3. Perform Division and Multiplication:

• Approximate numbers before dividing or multiplying, if possible.

• Example: 49.8×19.2 ≈ 50×20 = 1000

4. Perform Addition and Subtraction:

• Approximate numbers before adding or subtracting.

• Example: 674.3+289.6 ≈ 670+290 = 960

Approximation Solved Questions

Q1. Simplify (49.8+50.4)÷4.2

1. Brackets: Approximate 49.8+50.4 ≈ 50+50=100

2. Division: Approximate 100÷4.2 ≈ 100÷4 = 25

Q2. Simplify 15.3+8.7×(3.2+1.8)

1. Brackets: Approximate 3.2+1.8 ≈ 5

2. Multiplication: Approximate 8.7×5 ≈ 9×5 = 45

3. Addition: Approximate 15.3+45 ≈ 15+45 = 60

Simplify (98.7−45.6)×2.3(98.7 - 45.6) \times 2.3(98.7−45.6)×2.3

1. Brackets: Approximate 98.7−45.6 ≈ 100−45 = 55

2. Multiplication: Approximate 55×2.3 ≈ 55×2 = 110

Previous Year Asked Approximation Questions

Ques 1: Approximate the value of the following expression: 123.45 + 678.9 − 45.67

Ques 2: Approximate the value of 15.7 × 6.9 ÷ 3.2

Ques 3: Approximate the value of the following expression: 245.5+39.88.4

Ques 4: Approximate the value of 33.6% of 198

Ques 5: Approximate the value of 1235

Ques 6: Approximate the value of 472.315.8​

Ques 7: Approximate the value of 39.7×4.2

Ques 8: Approximate the value of (225.4+174.9)÷9.8

Ques 9: Approximate the value of 68.9% of 505

Ques 10: Approximate the value of 87.5−29.6+43.7

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