Karnataka TET – Quantitative Aptitude
Topic: Tables
What is a table?
Think of a table as a price list or a menu.
It shows several values side‑by‑side so you can find the one you need quickly.
1. Why Tables Are Useful
| Why you need tables | Example |
|---|---|
| Quick lookup | Seeing “(5 \times 7 = 35)” without multiplying |
| Avoid mistakes | A table gives the exact answer, no calculation errors |
| Save time | In exams you can find an answer in a second |
2. Common Types of Tables in TET
| Type | What it shows | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Multiplication Table | Product of two numbers | Find (6 \times 9) instantly |
| Division Table | Result of dividing two numbers | Know (45 ÷ 5 = 9) |
| Time Table | How long a job takes with different workers | “10 workers finish 200 kg in 5 days” |
| Salary/Allowance Table | Earnings for different positions | “Grade‑A teacher earns ₹30,000” |
| Conversion Table | Convert one unit to another | 1 km = 1000 m |
| Percentage Table | How much 1 % of a number is | 5 % of 200 = 10 |
Tip – In the TET paper, the most common tables are Multiplication, Division, and Time tables.
3. How to Read a Table
- Identify the row header – the first column (or row) tells you the first number.
- Identify the column header – the top row tells you the second number.
- Find the intersection – the cell where the row and column cross is the answer.
Analogy – Imagine a supermarket grid:
Rows are the product types, columns are the sizes.
The spot where row “Apples” and column “1 kg” meet gives you the price.
4. Quick Tricks for Using Tables
| Trick | How it helps |
|---|---|
| Remember first row/column | If you know the first row of a multiplication table (1×, 2×, …) you can find any product by looking at the correct row. |
| Use symmetry | In multiplication tables, (a \times b = b \times a). The table is symmetric along the diagonal. |
| Check the diagonal | Diagonal entries (1×1, 2×2, 3×3…) are simply the squares of the numbers. |
| Use “time table” logic | If 5 workers finish a job in 4 days, 10 workers will finish in half the time: 2 days. |
5. Tiny Example
Problem
“Find how many days it will take 15 workers to finish 300 kg of work if 10 workers finish 200 kg in 5 days.”
Using a Time Table
| Workers | Days to finish a given weight |
|---|---|
| 10 | 5 days (200 kg) |
| 15 | ? days (300 kg) |
Step 1: Find days per kg per worker.
(5 \text{ days} ÷ 200 \text{ kg} ÷ 10 \text{ workers} = 0.0025 \text{ days per kg per worker})
Step 2: Compute for 15 workers & 300 kg.
(0.0025 \times 300 \times 15 = 11.25) days.
Answer: 11.25 days (or 11 days 6 hrs).
Quick check – Using a table, you’d jump straight to the “15 workers” row and “300 kg” column, then read “11.25”.
6. Practice Tips
- Draw mini tables for numbers you use often (1–12 multiplications).
- Solve a “time table” problem daily – practice with different workers and weights.
- Flashcards – front: “(8 \times 7)”; back: “56”.
- Check symmetry – if you’re unsure, flip the numbers and see if the answer matches.
Key Takeaway
Tables are like ready‑made shortcuts.
With a quick glance, you can get the answer you need—no messy calculations required.
Practice reading them, and they’ll become your fastest tool in the Quantitative Aptitude section.