Quantitative Aptitude – Caselets
Chandigarh TET – Teacher Eligibility Test (Topic: Quantitative Aptitude)
Caselets are short, story‑based problems that test your ability to apply basic mathematical concepts (arithmetic, algebra, geometry, ratios, percentages, etc.) in a real‑world context. They are usually 1–2 paragraphs long and require you to extract the relevant information, set up an equation, and solve it.
1. Simple Explanation
| Aspect | What it Means |
|---|---|
| Definition | A concise narrative problem, often framed as a situation or scenario, that asks for a numerical answer. |
| Purpose | To assess logical reasoning, comprehension, and the ability to translate words into mathematics. |
| Typical Length | 1–3 sentences, sometimes 2–4 lines. |
| Frequency in TET | Occurs frequently in the Quantitative Aptitude section; usually 1–2 caselets per paper. |
2. Key Points to Remember
| # | Point | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Read Carefully | Missed words (e.g., “more than,” “at least,” “difference”) can change the entire equation. |
| 2 | Identify Variables | Assign symbols (x, y, etc.) to unknowns before writing equations. |
| 3 | Set Up Equations Early | Write down the relationships before solving; this prevents errors. |
| 4 | Use Simple Math | Most caselets rely on addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, percentages, ratios, or basic algebra. |
| 5 | Check Units | Make sure units (days, kg, km) are consistent or cancel out. |
| 6 | Verify Reasonableness | Does the answer make sense in the given context? |
| 7 | Time Management | Allocate 1–2 minutes per caselet; solve quickly but accurately. |
3. Step‑by‑Step Problem‑Solving Approach
- Read the whole problem once – get the gist of the scenario.
- Highlight or underline key data – numbers, words like “more,” “less,” “total,” “difference.”
- Define variables – e.g., let
x= number of books. - Translate statements into equations – use algebraic expressions.
- Solve the equations – isolate the variable, perform arithmetic.
- Plug back to check – ensure the solution satisfies all conditions.
- Round/convert – if the problem asks for an integer or a specific unit, round appropriately.
4. Worked Example
Caselet
A school purchased 30 sets of books for its science department. Each set contains 12 books. If the total cost of all the books is ₹9,000 and the school wants to give an equal number of books to 5 teachers, how many books will each teacher receive?
Solution
| Step | Explanation |
|---|---|
| 1. Identify known quantities | 30 sets, 12 books per set, total cost ₹9,000. |
| 2. Find total number of books | 30 sets × 12 books/set = 360 books. |
| 3. Determine books per teacher | 360 books ÷ 5 teachers = 72 books per teacher. |
| 4. Answer | Each teacher receives 72 books. |
Check
- 72 books × 5 teachers = 360 books ✔️
- No other constraints (cost irrelevant to distribution).
5. Quick Revision Summary
- Definition: Short narrative problem → translate to math.
- Read thoroughly, highlight numbers.
- Assign variables early.
- Write equations before solving.
- Common Operations: Adding/subtracting, multiplying/dividing, percentages, ratios, simple algebra.
- Check: Verify units, reasonableness.
- Time: 1–2 minutes per caselet.
6. Additional Tips
| Tip | Example |
|---|---|
| Look for “difference” or “difference of” | “The number of students in class A is 5 more than class B.” → A = B + 5. |
| Watch for “at least” or “at most” | “At least 10 students were present.” → ≥ 10. |
| Use a quick mental math trick | Multiplying by 9 → (×10) – (original number). |
| Practice with past TET papers | Identify recurring patterns (e.g., ratio problems, percentage increases). |
Remember: In caselets, clarity of understanding the story is the first step. Once you convert words into a clean equation, the rest is just arithmetic. Happy practicing!