IPU CET key terms

A fixed order for evaluating arithmetic expressions: Brackets first, then Orders (powers and roots), then Division and Multiplication left to right, then Addition and Subtraction left to right. Applying it prevents ambiguous results in numerical-ability questions.

A fraction expressed with denominator 100, written with the % sign. To convert a fraction to a percentage, multiply by 100; to find a percentage of a quantity, multiply the quantity by the percentage divided by 100.

A ratio compares two quantities of the same kind by division, while a proportion states that two ratios are equal. Problems usually ask you to divide a total in a given ratio or to scale a recipe-like relationship up or down.

The sum of a set of values divided by how many values there are, also called the arithmetic mean. It shifts by the same amount as each value, and adding a new value changes it in a predictable way used in shortcut questions.

Interest calculated only on the original principal for the whole period, using the formula P × R × T ÷ 100 where P is principal, R the annual rate percent and T the time in years. It does not compound.

Interest calculated on the principal plus previously accrued interest, so the amount grows geometrically. For annual compounding the amount is P(1 + R/100)^T, and the interest is that amount minus the principal.

The relationship distance equals speed multiplied by time, with speed in units such as km/h or m/s. Converting between units uses 1 km/h = 5/18 m/s, and relative-speed problems add or subtract speeds for opposite or same directions.

Permutations count ordered arrangements, using nPr = n!/(n−r)!, while combinations count unordered selections, using nCr = n!/[r!(n−r)!]. The key decision in a question is whether the order of chosen items matters.

A number from 0 to 1 measuring how likely an event is, computed as favourable outcomes divided by total equally likely outcomes. Complementary events sum to 1, and independent events multiply their probabilities.

An equation of the form ax² + bx + c = 0 with a not zero. Its roots come from the quadratic formula, and the discriminant b² − 4ac tells whether the roots are real and distinct, equal, or complex.

A sequence in which each term after the first is obtained by adding a fixed common difference. The nth term is a + (n−1)d and the sum of n terms is n/2 times the first plus last term.

A sequence in which each term after the first is obtained by multiplying by a fixed common ratio. The nth term is ar^(n−1), and the sum of a finite series or of an infinite series with ratio below 1 in magnitude has standard formulas.

The measurement of lengths, areas and volumes of plane and solid figures. Candidates memorise formulas for triangles, circles, cylinders, cones and spheres, and often combine two solids or compare surface areas after reshaping.

The study of ratios between sides of right triangles, chiefly sine, cosine and tangent, plus their reciprocals. Standard values at 0, 30, 45, 60 and 90 degrees and the identities relating them are routinely tested.

Reading values from tables, bar charts, line graphs or pie charts and then computing differences, ratios or percentages from them. Accuracy in reading units and totals is as important as calculation speed.

A reasoning task where words or numbers are written in a disguised pattern and you must infer the rule, then apply it to a new item. Common rules shift letters by a fixed number or reverse the alphabet.

Reasoning questions that describe family links in words or in a diagram and ask how two people are related. Drawing a small family tree with clear gender and generation markers prevents errors.

A deductive reasoning problem giving two or more statements about categories and asking which conclusions necessarily follow. Only conclusions forced by every possible arrangement of the terms are valid.

A reasoning item presenting a sequence of letters, numbers or figures with a hidden rule and asking for the next or missing element. Checking differences, alternating sub-series and position patterns usually reveals the rule.

Three principles: a body stays at rest or in uniform motion unless a net force acts; force equals rate of change of momentum; and every action has an equal and opposite reaction. They underpin most mechanics questions.

For a conductor at constant temperature, the current through it is directly proportional to the potential difference across it, written V = IR. Resistance is measured in ohms and depends on material, length and cross-section.

Work is force times displacement along the force, energy is the capacity to do work measured in joules, and power is the rate of doing work measured in watts. Conservation of energy links potential and kinetic forms.

A logarithmic scale from 0 to 14 expressing hydrogen-ion concentration, where 7 is neutral, below 7 acidic and above 7 basic. Each unit step means a tenfold change in hydrogen-ion concentration.

The mole is the amount of substance containing Avogadro's number (about 6.022 × 10²³) of particles. It connects mass in grams to number of particles and to molar volume of gases at standard conditions.

Oxidation is loss of electrons or increase in oxidation number, while reduction is gain of electrons or decrease in oxidation number. The two always occur together in a redox reaction, and balancing them uses half-reactions.

A membrane-bound or non-membrane structure inside a eukaryotic cell with a specific job, such as mitochondria for respiration, ribosomes for protein synthesis, or chloroplasts for photosynthesis in plants. Structure matches function in exam questions.

The process by which green plants use light energy, carbon dioxide and water to make glucose and release oxygen, catalysed by chlorophyll. It occurs in chloroplasts and has light-dependent and light-independent stages.

Mitosis produces two genetically identical daughter cells for growth and repair, while meiosis produces four genetically varied gametes with half the chromosome number. Crossing over and independent assortment occur in meiosis.

Patterns of trait transmission described by Mendel, including dominance, segregation of alleles and independent assortment. Punnett squares predict offspring ratios such as 3:1 for a monohybrid cross between heterozygotes.

The rule that a verb must match its subject in number and person, so a singular subject takes a singular verb. Intervening phrases, collective nouns and either/or constructions are frequent traps.

Keeping verbs in a logically appropriate and stable tense within a sentence or passage unless a shift in time is clearly signalled. Unmotivated shifts between past and present are common errors in correction questions.

Voice shows whether the subject performs the action (active) or receives it (passive, formed with a form of be plus past participle). Passive is preferred when the doer is unknown or unimportant.

Direct speech quotes a speaker's exact words in quotation marks, while indirect speech reports them and shifts pronouns, tense and time words. Reporting verbs and question word order change accordingly.

A fixed expression whose meaning cannot be worked out from its individual words, such as 'a blessing in disguise'. Examiners test recognition of the figurative meaning and its correct use in a sentence.

A synonym is a word with nearly the same meaning as another, and an antonym is a word with the opposite meaning. Questions test vocabulary breadth and awareness of register and context.

Replacing a descriptive phrase with a single precise word, for example 'a person who speaks many languages' becomes 'polyglot'. These items reward a broad and precise English vocabulary.

Answering questions about a passage's main idea, details, inferences and tone. Correct answers are supported by the text itself, so eliminating options that overstate or contradict the passage is the core skill.

The ability to draw valid inferences from given statements, spot assumptions and evaluate arguments. In aptitude sections it covers deduction, analogy, classification and pattern-based puzzles rather than factual recall.