Caselets – Quantitative Aptitude
(Tripura TET – Teacher Eligibility Test – Quantitative Aptitude Section)
📌 What Are Caselets?
A caselet is a short paragraph (usually 2–5 sentences) that presents a real‑world situation containing numerical data.
From the paragraph you have to answer multiple questions (typically 2–4) using the information provided.
Why are they used?
- To test reading comprehension along with mathematical reasoning.
- To evaluate your ability to extract relevant data and solve problems quickly.
- To mimic realistic teaching scenarios where you must interpret quantitative information.
🔑 Key Points to Master Caselets
| # | Focus Area | How to Handle |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Read the paragraph once for gist | Get the overall context (who, what, where, why). |
| 2 | Identify & underline numbers | Write them on the margin or in a separate sheet. |
| 3 | Note units & relationships | (e.g., “per kg”, “percentage”, “ratio”). |
| 4 | Translate words into equations | Convert statements into algebraic forms. |
| 5 | Solve step‑by‑step | Keep track of each variable; avoid skipping steps. |
| 6 | Check for consistency | Verify that the answer fits all conditions. |
| 7 | Time‑management | Aim for 30–45 s per question after the first read. |
📈 Worked Example
Caselet
In a village, a cooperative sells 2 kg of rice for ₹48 and 3 kg of lentils for ₹90. The price of rice is 10 % lower than the price of lentils per kg.Questions
- What is the price per kg of rice?
- If the cooperative sells 5 kg of rice and 4 kg of lentils in a day, what is the total revenue?
- How many kg of lentils can be bought with the revenue from selling 6 kg of rice?
Step‑by‑Step Solution
| Question | Work |
|---|---|
| 1. Price per kg of rice | Let (x) = price of lentils per kg. Price of rice = (0.9x). Given: 2 kg rice → ₹48 ⇒ (2(0.9x)=48). (1.8x = 48) → (x = 48 ÷ 1.8 = 26.666… ≈ ₹26.67). Price of rice = (0.9x = 0.9×26.67 ≈ ₹24.00). |
| 2. Total revenue | Rice: (5 kg × ₹24 = ₹120). Lentils: (4 kg × ₹26.67 = ₹106.68). Total = ₹120 + ₹106.68 = ₹226.68. |
| 3. Lentils purchasable with revenue from 6 kg rice | Revenue from 6 kg rice = (6 × ₹24 = ₹144). Lentils price per kg = ₹26.67. Number of kg = (144 ÷ 26.67 ≈ 5.40). Answer: Approximately 5.4 kg. |
Key Takeaway – Always express every relationship algebraically first; then plug in the numbers.
📚 Quick Revision Summary
| Topic | Quick Tips |
|---|---|
| Reading | • Scan for numbers first. • Highlight words like per, ratio, difference, more than → indicates equations. |
| Variables | • Assign a letter to each unknown (e.g., (x) for price per kg). |
| Equations | • Translate: “10 % lower” → (0.9x). • “Per kg” → divide total amount by weight. |
| Calculations | • Use rounding only at final step. • Keep units consistent (kg, ₹, %, etc.). |
| Check | • Plug answer back into all given statements. |
| Time | • 1‑read for gist, 30–45 s for each question after that. |
| Practice | • Solve at least 5 caselets daily. • Review solutions to catch common pitfalls (unit mismatch, arithmetic errors). |
Final Thought
Caselets test both your comprehension and your numerical agility. By systematically reading → extracting → converting → solving, you’ll handle any caselet confidently. Keep practicing, focus on clarity, and you’ll ace this section of the Tripura TET! 🚀