Mock Season Strategy

In a month or two it would be the beginning of mocks season for all MBA 15-16 aspirants. What you learn is what you will score but what you gain in terms of percentile to reach from a point A to a higher ground B would majorly depend on how you analyze mocks and work to improve through it. Hence today I write or rather illustrate how to go about analyzing your mocks..

Principle of Mocks
First come first, you need to understand the principle of mocks. Mocks are there to provide you a wide array of expected pattern and variety in terms of content and structure. The sole purpose is to ready you for anything that might be thrown at you on D-day. So, don't let any extremes in terms of scores affect you. Maintaining consistency and/or improving should be your sole purpose of taking mocks.

Which mocks to take?
It is advisable you opt for two different test series but if you do not wish to for some reason you should opt for one that you follow religiously and get previous years from your friends or form a sharing mechanism within your peer groups. MBA is going to be most of all about peer learning and developing networks,so you might as well step up on that from now only.

Now that you understand the prerequisites of the mock season ahead of you, let's try and understand how you go about taking them and analyzing them for improvement.

Taking the mocks powerplay at the right time
It is very important to pace your development during this journey to cracking the MBA exams(Maybe you can get some tips from MS Dhoni for that). There is a time to consolidate,a time to powerplay, and there is a time to peak and finish it off in style.

You should ideally make a schedule or work intuitively but nevertheless plan to conclude your major learning of concepts by June/July. You will never feel ready enough until you start taking mocks. Understand that your syllabus is not over until you take mocks and take a few more learnings out of it.


Analyzing and improvement strategy
If you have read other articles for it online, you might have heard that there is no one common strategy. Well, I will just say there is one common goal and that is improving our percentiles. I have developed a simple template for you all which you can simply download and print multiple copies for each mock and then combine results at some stages.

What will be these stages?
Stage 1 : In any of the mock test series, initially mocks are spaced out and happen at longer intervals. You take a period of about 1.5-2 months from start,at the end of which you combine your results. You will be in August mid to end by this time. You need to put in 2 weeks at this moment to sort out any major issues for you conceptually or strategically.

Stage 2 : Mocks will start to occur frequently and you need to start using your powerplay during this period. With your set strategy and concepts plus continuous analysis improve and consolidate your position in this phase. Don't let the low scores/fall of wickets stop you, keep building partnerships/analysis and you will reach a good score eventually.

Stage 3 : Close to the exams, mocks shall still continue happening ever more frequently now. It's my personal view that 15-20 days before exam you need to pick your mocks at the right intervals for you. Take out your consolidated notes at this time,analysis of mocks and just fine tune the little things. Whenever you try focusing on bigger unknown domains, you end up faltering on the little things done easily. So revise the basics, take a small topic test for some topic you do not feel comfortable with. It will pop up some small areas you don't remember, just revisit them briefly and get it done with.

Being consistent with your scores/percentiles at this stage would be a positive influence, but it is no sure indicator for anyone having or not having them. So just stick to your plan and be confident in your preparation.

Maybe bookmark this post's link to revisit when you are losing focus or confidence and don't worry as sometimes the pitches are dicey and you will need to persevere with your preparation but you will succeed one way or the other.

Download the template from the following link and take out copies later whenever you need them :

Click this link to download the Mock analysis sheet

or you could use the details presented by institutes and analyze them on the parameters presented in the mock analysis sheet in the link.


Cheers!
AS

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Para Jumbles Ebook

Content of the ebook :
1) 3 solved examples with complete explanation to illustrate how you go about each type.
2) Key Parameters to look for while reading the para jumbles
3) 185 unsolved examples compiled from various sources to give you a good practice across all parajumble types followed up by answer keys to confirm your answer[Explanation is not provided for this part]

Due to the overwhelming response, this ebook is being made available for free by simply downloading through the following link :
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0mcpRjZ14mFMnFhNnlkUUNSQTQ/view?usp=sharing

Do not use it for commercial purposes.

Ebook password : Lagom_Anubhav

Please do fill the feedback form after viewing and/or using the ebook. Much appreciated.
http://goo.gl/forms/NjGDtrMLQt

Cheers!
AS

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Calculation Tricks : Multiplication

I write this article today amidst the excitement of release of my first ever compiled ebook on parajumbles. Visit the FB page : https://www.facebook.com/mbadecoded for more on that. Today we look at the calculation tricks for multiplication. First we start with the specific tricks that pertain to multiplication by a specified number. Then eventually we look at how multiplication can be done faster in general.

Multiplication by 11

Step 1 : Put the right most digit of number being multiplied as the right most digit of your answer.
Step 2 : Each successive digit of number being multiplied is added to the digit next to it and put as the next digit moving right to left. If the sum is of two digits the ten's place digit is carried over to the left.


example : 5892 * 11
Step 1 : Answer : -----2 which is nothing but 2 + 0(as no right hand side neighbour)
Step 2 : 9 + 2 = 11. Carry over 1. Put 1 beside 2. Answer : ----12
Step 2(Contd) : 8 + 9 + 1(carry) = 18. Carry over 1. Put 8 beside 12. Answer : ----812
Step 2(Contd) : 5 + 8 + 1(carry) = 14. Carry over 1. Put 4 beside 812. Answer : ---4812
Step 2(Final) : 5 + 1(carry) = 6. Put 6 beside 4812 to get your final answer : 64812

How about multiplication by 12 or 13 or ..?
Before adding the right hand neighbour you double each digit first in each step.
5324 * 12 = Written as : 05324 * 12
4*2 = 8. Answer : ----8
2*2 + 4 = 8. Answer : ----88
3*2 + 2 = 8. Answer : ----888
5*2 + 3 = 13.Add 3 to the left and carry over 1. Answer : --3888
0*2 + 5 + 1(carry) = 6. Final answer : 63888
Try figuring out the logic and you will be able to generalize multiplication for more numbers..For now moving onto other special cases.


Multiplication by 25

As simple as it can get. 25 = 100/4. You add two zeroes to your number and divide it by 4. Just an alternative to your usual calculation.

example : 1761253 * 25 = 176125300/4 = 44031325

Multiplication by 111

To multiply a two-digit number by 111, add the two digits and if the sum is a single digit, write this digit twice  in between the original digits of the number.

example : 35x111= 3885 ; 63x111= 6993

The same idea works if the sum of the two digits is not a single digit, but you need to take the carry over to the left.

example : 57x111= 6(5 + 1) | 3(=2 + 1) | 2 | 7 = 6327
because 5+7=12

For 3 digit numbers,
Carry if any of these sums is more than one digit.

example :
123x111 = 1 | 3 (=1+2) | 6 (=1+2+3) | 5 (=2+3) | 3 = 13653
241x111 = 2 | 6(=2 + 4)| 7(=2 + 4 + 1) | 5(=4 + 1) | 1 = 26751

352x111=3 | 9 (=3+5 + 1) | 10 (=3+5+2)| 7 (=5+2)| 2 = 39072



Multiplication of numbers close to 100(called the "base")

Case 1 : 102*106 i.e both numbers greater than 100.

Left part of the answer will be : (102 + (106 - 100)) = 108 OR (106 + (102 - 100) = 108

Right part of the answer will be : A two digit multiplication of surplus from both numbers = 2*6 = 12. Carry the left most digits of this right part if the answer is more than two digits.

Answer : 10812


Case 2 : 95*97 i.e both numbers are less than 100
Similar approach. Just surplus replaced with deficits. Left part : (95 - 3) = (97 - 5) = 92
Right part : 3*5 = 15. Carry if required.

Answer : 9215


Case 3 : 104*95 i.e one number is less and other greater than 100

Again the similar approach. Left part will be : (104 + (-5)) = (95 + 4) = 99

Right part = 4*(-5) = -20.

Answer : 99 | -20 <- Does that look right to you? I hope so no. Let's look at how to make it look right.

Removing the negative sign
You borrow a 1 from the neighbouring 9 which by value is a 100. So your answer will become :
99 - 1 | 100 - 20 = 9880

Another example for such a kind where you need to borrow again but this time something different. Idea is to bring down the right hand side to a positive two digit number.

91*112 = (91 + 12) | -9*12 = 103|-108 = 103 - 2 | 200 - 108 = 101|92 = 10192

Let's end this one here today. Practice a lot on these techniques(Squares one earlier as well) if you want them to actually save your time in calculations. Solve at least 15-20 questions on each type by constructing various number combination. Like and share if you like the content on Lagom.
Next time we ll discuss the general multiplication techniques as well as when the base is changed from 100 i.e to say the numbers are close to say 50 or 400 or 1000 or anything like that. Keep following..Till then..



Cheers!
AS

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Calculation Tricks : Squares and Cubes

Calculation Tricks will be a series of articles to aid you in handling all kinds of calculations that can be done faster. The phase 1 of this learning involves understanding the method while phase 2 involves practicing it on basic problems on the concepts. Eventually, phase 3 on your end will involve imbibing the methods into all your calculations as the methods discussed will be specific to situations so taking out the right weapon at the right occasion is an art you will have to hone by practice.


The first article today will be focused upon calculating squares and cubes of any number with a detailed focus on squares as cubes are not a frequent occurrence in calculations.
Prerequisite : Must know squares from 1-25(actually till 30 is advisable) as presented in the image below for quick reference. Do not use calculators,pen or paper while going through these articles or while practicing these concepts as it would defeat the whole purpose. You need to master this series with only mental means and completely take the physical means out of running.




Concept 1 : Squares of numbers ending with the digit 5

Let the number be written as n5. Then the square is given as : n(n + 1) | 25 where | indicates just a separator to visualize the squared number in two parts.

examples : 15^2 = 1*(1 + 1) | 25 = 225 , 45^2 = 4*5 | 25 = 2025 , 135^2 = 13*14 | 25 = 18225

Practice yourself : 35^2 , 225^2 , 1005^2

Concept 2 : Finding squares 26 - 75

The numbers in this range can be seen as (50 - x) for 26-49 or (50 + x) 51 - 75.
The square in this scenario is given as : (25 -+ x) | x^2 where the right hand part(x^2) must be written as a two digit number only. Hence 3^2 = 9 will be written as 09 while in case of a three digit square for right hand part, the left most digit of the square is added as carry to left hand part.

examples : 44^2 = (25 - 6) | 6^2 = 1936 , 53^2 = (25 + 3) | 3^2 = 2809 , and
64^2 = (25 + 14) | 196 = (39 + 1) | 96 = 4096
Practice yourself : 37^2 , 62^2, 73^2


Concept 3 : Finding squares 75 - 130

The numbers in this range can be seen as (100 - x) or (100 + x). Right hand part must again be two digit number only while left hand part is calculated as (100 +- 2x).

examples : 93^2 = (100 - 2*7) | 7^2 = 8649 , 113^2 = (100 + 26) | 13^2 = (126 + 1) | 69 = 12769

Pick examples for yourself in this range and practice.


Concept 4 : Finding squares 175 - 230 , 275 - 330 and so on..


The concept primarily remains same as concept 3 with the only change in base of our square calculation. These are calculated : (200 +- 2x)*2 | x^2 where the right hand part again remains as a two digit number since we are dealing in hundreds.

examples : 202^2 = (200 + 2*2)*2 | 04 = 40804 , 193^2 = (200 - 2*7)*2 | 49 = 37249

Practice your own examples to get familiar with the concept.

For 275 - 300 range we take (300 +- 2x)*3 | x^2 and so on for 875 - 930 range..


Concept 5 : Find squares of n digit numbers where n >= 4 i.e thousands and beyond

The change for 1000s , 10000s and beyond is that right hand part is taken as a three digit number, four digit number and so on respectively..
examples :
1017^2 = (1000 + 2*17) | 17^2 = 1034 | 289 = 1034289 [ No carries this time ]
1994^2 = (2000 - 2*6)*2 | 6^2 = 3976 | 036 = 3976036  and so on..


Before moving onto cubes, did anyone think why are we able to do this ?
(50 +- x)^2 = 2500 + x^2 +- 100x = (25 +- x)*100 + x^2 = (25 + x)|x^2
(100 + -x)^2 = 10000 + x^2 +- 200x = (100 +- 2x)*100 + x^2 = (100 +-2x)|x^2
and  so on..
Whenever you learn shortcuts, do try to be curious about the concept behind it. Would give you a more generic outlook to the shortcut..


Concept 6 : Finding cubes

We ll discuss the method for finding two digit cubes as more than that is not useful for our purpose nor necessary. The prerequisite for this shortcut is you knowing the first 10 cubes by heart.
1^3 = 1 , 2^3 = 8 , 3^3 = 27 , 4^3 = 64 , 5^3 = 125 , 6^3 = 216 , 7^3 = 343 , 8^3 = 512 , 9^3 = 729 and 10^3 = 1000 [ Advisable to learn up to 15 if you have the time ]


Let's learn the calculation technique then :




That's about it you will ever need for calculating squares and cubes. Next article in this series would take up some other aspect of calculation part involved in any of your MBA exam papers. If you like the content here on Lagom, please help spread the word by sharing,liking and commenting on posts about the content.


Until next time..
Cheers !
AS

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Mass Point Geometry : Mastering the art

This article will take your through some of the beautiful geometry problems that will be solved using mass point geometry(MPG) and unveil its extensions & applications in the geometry domain.
You can read the article on MPG basics here : http://mbadecoded.blogspot.in/2015/03/mass-point-geometry-explored.html

So moving on to the agenda of this article, let's see our first problem :

Q1 In triangle ABC, medians AD and CE intersect at P, PE = 1.5 , PD = 2, and DE = 2.5. What is the area of AEDC?
a) 13  b) 13.5  c) 14  d) 14.5  e) 15
                             

Assign B mass m. Thus, because E is the midpoint of AB, A also has a mass of m.

Similarly, C has a mass of m. D and E each have a mass of 2m because they are between B and C and A and B respectively. Note that the mass of D is twice the mass of A, so AP must be twice as long as PD.

PD has length 2, so AP has length 4 and AD has length 6. Similarly, CP is twice PE and PE = 1.5, so CP = 3 and CE = 4.5.

Now note that triangle PED is a 3-4-5 right triangle with the right angle DPE. This means that the quadrilateral AEDC is a kite.

The area of a kite is half the product of the diagonals, AD and CE. Recall that they are 6 and 4.5 respectively, so the area of AEDC is 6*4.5/2 = 13.5


You can refer the alternate solutions to this problem here : http://artofproblemsolving.com/wiki/index.php/2013_AMC_10B_Problems/Problem_16


Q2 Triangle ABC has AB = 21, AC = 22 and BC = 20. Points D and E are located on AB and
AC, respectively, such that DE is parallel to BC and contains the centre of inscribed circle of triangle ABC. Then, DE = m/n, where m and n are relatively prime positive integers. Find m + n.

You can refer the alternate solutions to this problem here : http://artofproblemsolving.com/wiki/index.php/2001_AIME_I_Problems/Problem_7


Q3 In the given figure, DE || BC and AD : DB = 5 : 4 , find the ratio of areas of triangles BDE and BCF.
a) 70 : 81  b) 16 : 25  c) 56 : 81  d) 52 : 81

Let the area of triangle ABC be A. Then Area of triangle ADE = 5*5*A/[(5 + 4)(5 + 4)] = 25A/81
Applying MPG as following and getting the shown ratios.

We can say area of triangle BDE = (4/5)(25A/81) [Areas divided in the ratio of their shared base]
Then we find the area of CEF similarly and subtract these areas from total to get area of BCF and our answer.



Reference : You can try more interesting problems which haven't been discussed here in detail and try reaching the answer yourself using MPG.
http://artofproblemsolving.com/wiki/index.php/Mass_points




This brings us to the close of article series on Mass point geometry. I hope after going through the two articles here on blog and practicing problems on the given link you will start reaching a good confidence level while dealing with problems in this area.

If you like the content here on Lagom, please like,share and spread the posts and our name to your peers. Happy sharing :)


Cheers!
AS

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