Quantitative Reasoning
"PhiLSAT Quantitative Reasoning? Yes, lawyers need math too! Computing damages, analyzing financial statements, and understanding statistics are part of the job. Let's get your math skills court-ready, Counsel!"
1. Basic Math & Algebra 🧮
Brush up on the basics. You need to be fast and accurate.
Core Concepts:
- Fractions/Decimals/Percents: Converting between them is essential.
- Ratios & Proportions: Used in dividing assets or liabilities.
- Algebraic Equations: Solving for x (unknown variables).
- Inequalities: Determining ranges of values.
Formulas to Know:
- Interest: I = Prt (Simple), A = P(1+r)^t (Compound)
- Percent Change: (New - Old) / Old × 100%
- Average: Sum of terms / Number of terms
- Probability: Favorable outcomes / Total outcomes
2. Data Interpretation 📊
Analyzing graphs, charts, and tables. Crucial for evidence analysis!
Strategy:
- Scan the Title & Labels: Understand what data is presented.
- Check the Legend: What do the colors/symbols mean?
- Note the Units: Are they in thousands? Millions? Percentages?
- Identify Trends: Is the data increasing, decreasing, or fluctuating?
- Read the Question Carefully: Are they asking for a specific year, an average, or a comparison?
3. Word Problems 📝
Real-world scenarios. Translate the story into a mathematical equation.
Common Types:
- Work Problems: Rate = 1/Time. Combined Rate = 1/T1 + 1/T2.
- Mixture Problems: (Vol1 × Conc1) + (Vol2 × Conc2) = (Total Vol × Final Conc).
- Set Theory (Venn Diagrams): Total = Group A + Group B - Both + Neither.
- Profit & Loss: Profit = Revenue - Cost.
4. Practice Questions 🧠
Practice Set
Q1: A law firm has 50 employees. 30 are lawyers, 25 are partners. 10 are neither. How many are both lawyers and partners?
Answer: 15. Formula: Total = A + B - Both + Neither. 50 = 30 + 25 - Both + 10. 50 = 65 - Both. Both = 15.
Q2: If the price of a property increased from ₱2M to ₱2.5M, what is the percent increase?
Answer: 25%. (2.5M - 2M) / 2M = 0.5 / 2 = 0.25 = 25%.
Test Your Knowledge! 🧠
Ready ka na ba? Take the practice quiz for Quantitative Reasoning to reinforce what you just learned.
Start Practice Quiz 📝