GMAT Focus Edition
GMAT Quant Formula Sheet
The formulas behind GMAT Focus Quantitative Reasoning, grouped by topic. Put them to work with practice questions by topic.
Arithmetic and percents
| Rule | Formula |
|---|---|
| Percent change | (new − old) ÷ old × 100 |
| Successive changes | (1 + a)(1 + b) − 1 |
| Simple interest | I = P × r × t |
| Compound interest | A = P(1 + r/n)^(nt) |
| Ratio a:b of total T | part = T × a ÷ (a + b) |
Number properties
| Rule | Formula |
|---|---|
| Number of factors of p^a q^b | (a + 1)(b + 1) |
| LCM × GCF | = a × b (for two numbers) |
| Sum 1 to n | n(n + 1) ÷ 2 |
| Divisible by 3 or 9 | digit sum divisible by 3 or 9 |
| Exponent rules | a^m × a^n = a^(m+n); (a^m)^n = a^(mn) |
Algebra
| Rule | Formula |
|---|---|
| Difference of squares | a² − b² = (a + b)(a − b) |
| Square of a sum | (a + b)² = a² + 2ab + b² |
| Quadratic formula | x = (−b ± √(b² − 4ac)) ÷ 2a |
| Arithmetic sequence | aₙ = a₁ + (n − 1)d |
| |x| < a | −a < x < a |
Word problems
| Rule | Formula |
|---|---|
| Distance | d = r × t |
| Average speed | total distance ÷ total time |
| Combined work | 1/T = 1/A + 1/B |
| Mixtures / weighted average | (w₁x₁ + w₂x₂) ÷ (w₁ + w₂) |
| Profit | revenue − cost |
Statistics, counting and probability
| Rule | Formula |
|---|---|
| Mean | sum ÷ count |
| Evenly spaced set | mean = median = (first + last) ÷ 2 |
| Permutations | nPr = n! ÷ (n − r)! |
| Combinations | nCr = n! ÷ (r!(n − r)!) |
| P(A or B) | P(A) + P(B) − P(A and B) |
| P(A and B), independent | P(A) × P(B) |
| P(at least one) | 1 − P(none) |
Questions
Is geometry on the GMAT Focus Edition?
No. The Focus Edition Quant section removed geometry. It covers arithmetic and algebra, including word problems, statistics and counting.
Do you get a formula sheet on test day?
No. You need to know these formulas. Quant allows no calculator; Data Insights provides an on-screen calculator.
Which formulas matter most?
Percent change, rate × time = distance, weighted averages, and combinations come up often. Knowing when to use each matters more than memorizing more.
GMAT™ is a trademark of GMAC. This site is not endorsed by or affiliated with GMAC.