People often confuse Quantitative Aptitude with Mathematics thinking that both
are the same, however, that’s not the case. It is true that Quantitative Aptitude entails
questions relating to numerical and equations but both are not the same.
Mathematics is the subject that deals with questions of profit and loss,
percentage, probability, geometry, trigonometry, etc. while Quantitative Aptitude
is the ability of a person to solve such questions. Mathematics is a separate field
of study while Quantitative Aptitude is an important section of various entrance
examinations.
Aptitude can be regarded as the knowledge or ability that a person gains from
learning and practice. The level of aptitude is measured through tests and exams
and given ranks accordingly. These tests are held to measure the ability to reason
and react in different situations as well as the ability to learn from past
experiences. When this ability is measured through solving problems related to
Mathematics it is known as Quantitative Aptitude.
Aptitude Tests were conducted long back to evaluate the skills of soldiers and the military. With innovations and the emergence of various fields of study, aptitude tests
are now being used in almost every field so as to verify whether the candidates
will be able to function with reason and logic in the future. The first Aptitude Test
was conducted by Sir Francis Galton in the 19th century which was later rejected
for being physical and sensory in nature. The tests that are conducted now are
mental and cognitive in nature.
Mathematics has been developed from calculations, shapes, motions, objects
with the use of logic and reasoning. Practical Mathematics and mathematical
structures have been used to define real phenomena since ancient times.
Mathematics has become an important study in the fields of engineering, science,
finance, etc. In Aristotle’s words, “Mathematics is the science of quantity”.
“Mathematicians seek and use patterns to formulate new conjectures; they
resolve the truth or falsity of such by mathematical proof”. Like Aptitude,
mathematics also has a long history. The earliest civilizations including the
Mesopotamian and Egyptian civilizations have been using mathematics as a tool in
their everyday lives to record time. In 6th Century BC, a proper discipline of
Mathematics emerged with the Pythagoreans and the term “mathematics” was
It makes sense to say that both Mathematics and Quantitative Aptitude deals with logic and reason. However, they are not entirely the same and have different roles to play. This article emphasizes the difference between Mathematics and Quantitative Aptitude with respect to approach, method, and importance.
In Mathematics, greater emphasis is laid on the method of solving a particular
problem rather than the answer. While in Quantitative Aptitude more emphasis is
laid on the answer than the method. Since the method is important in
Mathematics one single step by step method is acknowledged while solving the
problem. That is why in schools teachers used to give step marking, i.e. marks
were given for the method even if the answer was wrong. While in Quantitative
Aptitude multiple methods can be used in order to find the answer. It is important
in Quantitative Aptitude that the answer should be quick and accurate.
The basis of Mathematics lies in formulas and calculations while the basis of Quantitative Aptitude lies in conceptual understanding and the application of this understanding of the problem. For a question of profit and loss in Mathematics, we have to derive the answer by showing the step by step process. For the same question in Quantitative Aptitude, various methods can be used to derive the answer and the step need not be shown.
The approach used is different for Mathematics and Quantitative Aptitude. In
Quantitative Aptitude we use elimination or shortcut approach where four
options will be given and we have to choose the correct answer eliminating the
other options. However, in Mathematics there is no shortcut method. We have to
show the question step by step and show the entire method.
have been taught from class 1 to class 12. In entrance exams such as CLAT, Hotel
Management, Mass Communication, etc. only the basics are required while for
the exams of IIM, DU, etc. higher mathematics topics such as integration, limits,
and differentiation will be added. All tests are conducted using a standard method
by which the result of one candidate can be compared with other candidates.
Mathematics is the subject encompassing difficult questions that require a though
process while Quantitative Aptitude evaluates the ability of a person to solve the
question accurately within a short span of time. QA demands one’s analytical
and logical skills. A candidate has 1-1.5 minutes to deal with a question. Within
that time he is expected to read and understand the question, analyze and apply
the formula, evaluate and verify, and tick the correct answer.
The major branches of Mathematics include Algebra, Geometry, Arithmetic,
Number Theory and Trigonometry. Mathematics has now emerged as a diverse
field of study and has made significant contributions to technology. While
Quantitative Aptitude evaluates the problem solving and managerial skills of the
students, where the Arithmetic part tests how one understands patterns, algebra
tests the ability to find correlations, and geometry tests the ability to handle
challenges. The topics covered under Quantitative Aptitude are Profit and loss,
percentage, probability, time speed and distance, average, etc. we can get the algebra, geometry, and trigonometry course by checking out this link-https://www.percentilers.in/s/store
Though both mathematics and QA requires immense practice, the latter demands
greater effort than the former since there is no scope for evaluating a problem
using a long method and only a few seconds can be spared to solve the question.
One must have sharp calculation skills so that even the complex questions can be
solved within seconds.
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