Math Problems

Question

I noticed in my case interviews I sometimes struggle with identifying what equations to derive and use to the different math word problems. Ofcourse, there are the general profit and loss formulas that are easy to use/apply but I mainly struggle when there are complications to the units that are being used.

Does anyone else have this problem? Is it possible to improve on this? If so, how?

Answer 1

I always suggest not to try remember formulas by heart. As you were saying, during the cases you have to derive easy formulas and you have just to learn to structure your thoughts in the right way.

Is just a problem of deriving the right formulas or also to do calculations?

Answer 2

Hi,
I recommend practicing with Preplounge math tool (https://www.preplounge.com/de/mental-math.php) and watching the videos of this super-useful Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYrgjMubh-c

Hope it helps,
Antonello

Answer 3

Hello!

I found very useful this anwer >> https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/math-for-case-interviews-1078#first-answer

Hope it helps! Cheers,

Clara

Answer 4

Hi,

A couple of recommendations here:

Never start your calculations if the interviewer is not asking for them
Make sure you understand what is the metric system(e.g. if the interviewer is talking about number of people in a queue, you should not calculate people per hour)
Make sure you understand the objective and the final number you have to get
Try to calculate first As Is and then To Be

Finally - the best way to practice is taking all casebooks available online and going through the math problems there. There is a limited number of math problems types in cases

Best!

Answer 5

Hi Anonymous,

in terms of deriving the formula and the units to use, it would be useful if you could provide an example of a problem you found challenging to provide specific suggestions.

In general terms I would recommend the following for a math problem:

Repeat the question – candidates sometimes do mistakes answering the wrong question in the math part
Present how you would like to proceed from a theoretical point of view (you may ask for time before presenting if you initially don't know how to approach the problem)
Ask for time and perform the first computations
Present interim steps to the interviewer to keep him/her aligned – don’t just say the final number
Continue with the computations until you find the final answer
Propose next steps on the basis of the results you found

Hope this helps,

Francesco

Answer 6

Hi,

As mentioned by other experts here, I recommend that you use the mental math tool to brush up your math skills. But furthermore, when I work with my trainees, I give them some basic homework (equations with one unknown). You can create something similar on your own, and solve them every now and then.

Best,

Deniz