Number System is one of those topics that almost every banking aspirant studies in the beginning.
Still, many students lose marks here because the basics are not clear.
In banking exams like SBI PO, IBPS PO, Clerk, and RRB, questions from Number System are either asked directly or appear indirectly in other topics like simplification, percentage, and ratio.
In this post, I’ve shared basic Number System questions with simple explanations, especially for beginners.
Why Number System Matters in Banking Exams
- It is the foundation of Quantitative Aptitude
- Many easy questions come from this topic
- Helps in understanding other Quant chapters
- Scoring topic if concepts are clear
If your basics are strong, Number System can save a lot of time in the exam.
Important Number System Basics You Should Know
Before jumping into questions, let’s quickly revise some basic terms:
- Natural Numbers: 1, 2, 3, 4, …
- Whole Numbers: 0, 1, 2, 3, …
- Integers: … -2, -1, 0, 1, 2 …
- Even Numbers: Numbers divisible by 2
- Odd Numbers: Numbers not divisible by 2
- Prime Numbers: Numbers with exactly two factors
- Composite Numbers: Numbers with more than two factors
These definitions look simple, but many mistakes happen here.
Frequently Asked Number System Question Patterns
1- Prime and Composite Number Questions
Questions are asked to identify whether a number is prime or composite.
Example: Which of the following is a composite number – 7, 11, 13, 9?
2- Even and Odd Number Based Questions
These questions check understanding of even–odd logic and number ranges.
Example: How many even numbers are there between 1 and 50?
3- Divisibility Rule Based Questions
Questions test knowledge of divisibility by 2, 3, 5, 9, or their combinations.
Example: A number divisible by both 2 and 3 will be divisible by which number?
4- Factors and Multiples Questions
These questions focus on finding factors or counting the number of factors.
Example: How many factors does the number 24 have?
5- Sum of Numbers Questions
Questions involve the sum of natural, even, or odd numbers.
Example: What is the sum of the first 20 natural numbers?
6- Smallest and Largest Number Type Questions
Direct questions asking for minimum or maximum numbers under given conditions.
Example: What is the smallest even composite number?
Most Number System questions in banking exams repeat these patterns, so practicing them regularly helps save time in the exam.
Now that we’ve seen the common patterns, let’s understand how to prepare this topic effectively.
How to Prepare Number System for Banking Exams
- Start by clearing basic definitions like prime, composite, even, and odd numbers before solving questions
- Practice divisibility rules regularly, as many questions are based on them
- Solve simple factor and multiples questions to avoid silly mistakes
- Focus on accuracy first; speed will improve automatically with practice
- Practice previous year questions to understand how Number System is actually asked in exams
Common Mistakes to Avoid in Number System
- Skipping basics assuming they are easy
- Confusing prime and composite numbers
- Making calculation errors under pressure
Conclusion
Number System is one of those topics in Quant where strong basics can give you a clear advantage in the exam. If you are comfortable with this section, you are already ahead of many students, because most aspirants lose marks here due to weak fundamentals.
Regular practice of Number System questions not only improves accuracy but also increases calculation speed. When your speed improves, you get more time to attempt other questions in the exam, which can make a big difference in your overall score.
With daily practice and clear understanding, Number System can become a scoring and time-saving topic in banking exams.
In the next post, I’ll cover Percentage questions for banking exams, which is another high-scoring topic in Quant.
