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CAT 2008 Solutions Part - 1

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Section - I (Quantitative Ability)

This section contains 25 questions


Q. 1 The integers 1, 2,...., 40 are written on a blackboard. The following operation is then repeated 39 times. In each repetition, any two numbers, say a and b, currently on the blackboard are erased and a new number a + b-1 is written. What will be the number left on the board at the end?

  1. 820
  2. 821
  3. 781
  4. 819
  5. 780

Ans. Here, in each step we are adding two number and reducing the sum by 1. So after 39 operations, we will have the sum of all the numbers from 1 to 40 reduced by 39. Hence the final number will be S_{40}-S_{39}=\frac{40*40}{2}-39=781


Q. 2 What are the last two digits of 7^{2008}?

  1. 21
  2. 61
  3. 01
  4. 419
  5. 81

Ans. The last two digits of a number is nothing but the remainder obtained when the number is divided by 100.This number leaves a remainder 1 when divided by 4 as well as 25. Hence the remainder obtained when this number is divided by 100 is also 1. Hence the last two digits of this number are 01.


Q. 3 If the root of the equation x^3-ax^2+bx-c=0 are three consecutive integers, then what is the smallest possible value of b?

  1. -\frac{1}{\sqrt{3}}
  2. -1
  3. 0
  4. 1
  5. \frac{1}{\sqrt{3}}

Ans. We know that the coefficient of x is sum of all the products which are obtained by taking every two of the three roots. Assuming the three consecutive roots to be (n-1), n and n + 1
we have, b=n(n - 1) + n(n + 1) + (n - 1) (n + 1)
=3n^2 - 1
Since,3n^2 .\quad \underline> 0 minimum value of b is obtained for  3n^2 = 0
Hence the minimub=3 *0^2 -1 =-1


Q. 4 A shop stores x kg of rice. The first customer buys half this amount plus half a kg of rice. The second customer buys half the remaining amount plus half a kg of rice. Then the third customer also buys half the remaining amount plus half a kg of rice. Thereafter, no rice is left in the shop. Which of the following best describes the value of x?

  1. \quad 2 \quad \underline < \quad x \quad \underline < \quad 6
  2. \quad 5 \quad \underline < \quad x \quad \underline < \quad 8
  3. \quad 9 \quad \underline < \quad x \quad \underline < \quad 12
  4. \quad 11 \quad \underline < \quad x \quad \underline < \quad 14
  5. \quad 13 \quad \underline < \quad x \quad \underline < \quad 18

Ans. From the data, we get a table

Quantity of Rice in the shop Quantity of Rice bought Quantity left
x \bigg(\frac{x}{2}+\frac{1}{2}\bigg) \frac{x}{2}-\frac{1}{2}
\frac{x}{2}-\frac{1}{2} \bigg(\frac{x}{4}-\frac{1}{4}\bigg)+\frac{1}{2} \frac{x}{4}-\frac{3}{4}
\frac{x}{4}-\frac{3}{4} \bigg(\frac{x}{8}-\frac{3}{8}\bigg)+\frac{1}{2} \frac{x}{8}-\frac{7}{8}


\frac{x}{8}-\frac{7}{8}=0 \Rightarrow x= 7
Now, 5 \quad \underline < \quad 7 \quad \underline < \quad 8


Directions for Questions 5 and 6

Let f(x)=ax^2+bx+c, where a, b and c are certain constants and a \not= 0. It is known that f(5)=-3f(2) and that 3 is a root of f(x)=0.

Q. 5 What is the other root of f(x)=0 ?

  1. -7
  2. -4
  3. 2
  4. 6
  5. cannot be deterined

Ans. Givenf(x)= ax^2 + bx + c (a\not= 0).
3 is a root of f(x)
\therefore9a +3b + c = 0 \qquad \qquad.........(i)
also, f(5) = -3f(2).
 \therefore 25a + 5b + c = -3 (4a + 2b + c)
= -12a - 6b - 3c
 \therefore 37a + 11b + 4c = 0 \qquad \qquad .........(ii)
from (i) and (ii) a-b=0 \qquad \qquad  \therefore a=b
Thus we get f(x)= ax^2+ax+c
Dividing f(x) by x - 3, we get c = -12a
 \therefore f(x)= ax^2+ax-12a
f(x)=0  \Rightarrow-4 is second root.


Q. 6. What is the value of a + b+ c ?

  1. 9
  2. 14
  3. 13
  4. 37
  5. cannot be determined

Ans.. a + b + c = a + a - 12a = -10a
Since a is not explicitly given, we cannot get the value of a + b + c.


Q. 7. The number of common terms in the two sequences 17, 21, 25, ..., 417, and 16, 21, 26, ...., 466 is

  1. 78
  2. 19
  3. 20
  4. 77
  5. 22

Ans.. %{font-family:verdana;font-size:13px}Let S_1 = 17, 21, 25, ..., 417
and S_2 = 16, 21, 26, ..., 466
So, term of S_1 are in the form  4n + 1 (4\quad \underline < \quad n\quad \underline <\quad 104)
And term of S_2 are in the form  5m + 1 (3\quad \underline <\quad m \quad \underline < \quad 93)
In order to have same terms, we should get 4n = 5m.
This happens only 20 times.
Thus, we get 21, 41, 61, ..., 401 i.e. 20 common terms.


Q. 8. How many integers, greater than 999 but not greater than 4000, can be formed with the digits 0,1,2,3 and 4, if repetition of digits is allowed?

  1. 499
  2. 500
  3. 375
  4. 376
  5. 501

Ans.. For number other than 4000:
1st digit = 3 possibilities
2nd digit = 5 possibilities
So, Total possible numbers = 15k + 1
The only option satisfying this is 376.


Directions for Questions 9 and 10

The figure below shows the plan of a town. The streets are at right angles to each other. A rectangular park (P) is situated inside the town with a diagonal road running through it. there is also a prohibited region (D) in the town.

Q. 9.. Neelam rides her bicycle from her house at A to her office at B, taking the shortest path. Then the number of possible shortest paths that she can choose is

  1. 60
  2. 75
  3. 45
  4. 90
  5. 72

Ans.
Photo 21761
Neelam has to take path XY
A to X = ^4C_2 = 6 possibilities
Y to B =^6C_{12} = 15 possibilities
In all 6 * 15 = 90 possibilities


Q. 10.. Neelam rides her bicycle from her house at A to her club at C, via B taking the shortest path. Then the number of possible shortest paths that she can choose is

  1. 1170
  2. 630
  3. 792
  4. 1200
  5. 936

Ans. From A to B = 90 paths
From B to C via N = 6 (an not via M)
From B to C via M = 7 paths
In all 90 * (6+7) = 1170 paths


Q. 11.. Let f(x) be a function satisfying f(x) f(y)=f(xy) for all real x,y. If f(2) = 4, then what is the value of f(\frac{1}{2}) ?

  1. 0
  2. \frac{1}{4}
  3. \frac{1}{2}
  4. 1
  5. cannot be determined

Ans. We have f(x)f(y)=f(xy)
\therefore f(1) f(1)=f(1 * 1) =f(1)
\Rightarrow f(1)^2 = f(1)
\Rightarrow f(1)= 0 or f(1)= 1
If f(1)= 0 then f(x)= 0 for any x \ddot{.} x = x * 1
\Rightarrow f(1)= 1
Now, f(2)= 4
So, 1 = f(1) = f\bigg(\frac{1}{2} * 2\bigg) = f\bigg(\frac{1}{2}\bigg) f(2) =f\bigg(\frac{1}{2}\bigg) * 4
\Rightarrow f\bigg(\frac{1}{2}\bigg) = \frac{1}{4}

Q. 12. Suppose, the seed of any positive integer n is defined as follows:
seed(n)=n , if n < 10
=seed (s(n )), otherwise,
where s(n) indicates the sum of digits of n. for example,
seed(7)=7, seed(248)=seed(2 + 4 + 8) =seed(14)=seed(1 + 4)=seed(5)= 5 etc. How many positive integers n, such that n < 500, will have seed(n) = 9?

  1. 39
  2. 72
  3. 81
  4. 108
  5. 55

Ans.. From the definition of "seed", it is clear that we have to count number of integers between 1 and 500, which are divisible by 9. The smallest is 9 and the largest is 495. 9 * 1 =9 and 9 * 55 = 495. Hence there are 55 such numbers.



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  1. tushneel08 saidWed, 19 Nov 2008 05:45:50 -0000 ( Link )

    nice one

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  2. rkmittal saidWed, 19 Nov 2008 05:46:01 -0000 ( Link )

    It would be of excellent help and guidance for the aspirants of CAT and other such competitive exams. Great work, Sureshbala. Thanks.

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  3. sumitdeb saidThu, 20 Nov 2008 21:16:49 -0000 ( Link )

    very good info given….much helpfull

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  4. lucyinthesky saidTue, 25 Nov 2008 18:52:28 -0000 ( Link )

    Great! This is an excellent way to prepare for the CAT exams.

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  5. kvin2kool saidWed, 26 Nov 2008 02:10:13 -0000 ( Link )

    Ths is v helpful…for ques 9, 10 .. i think the labels in the diagram are missing, can this be amended as well

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  6. kiranb saidTue, 02 Dec 2008 09:56:26 -0000 ( Link )

    very thankful for providing CAT 2008 latest papers vth solutions

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  7. karthikgupta saidSat, 06 Dec 2008 11:46:02 -0000 ( Link )

    Author,If you dont mind, shall I ask where is the photo for the path you had taken for the 10th question.?

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  8. sandipkumar789 saidSun, 14 Dec 2008 11:37:58 -0000 ( Link )

    thanks

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  9. yasoda saidThu, 18 Dec 2008 07:21:24 -0000 ( Link )

    it is very helpful to us. thanq so much for providing this papers

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  10. ashwinsathya saidSun, 21 Dec 2008 13:52:43 -0000 ( Link )

    this is so nice.its very helpful.

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  11. jmanipal saidSun, 21 Dec 2008 16:52:20 -0000 ( Link )

    Excellent, Mr.Bala it is quite helpful. thankyou.

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  12. rcarora saidTue, 30 Dec 2008 05:59:38 -0000 ( Link )

    dear sir it is very nice to receive your solutions which is very helpful. in the soln of ist Q ,I think it should be S40-S39=40*41/2-39 =820-39=781 Ans pl write -it is correctly found yours r c arora

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  13. Gokhul S A saidSat, 03 Jan 2009 01:31:52 -0000 ( Link )

    Excellent sir, it is very helpful . thank you

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  14. sakthi ranjana saidSat, 10 Jan 2009 06:01:15 -0000 ( Link )

    thanks….........

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  15. indreesh saidSat, 10 Jan 2009 06:46:19 -0000 ( Link )

    simply superb thanx

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  16. mishti saidTue, 13 Jan 2009 09:08:31 -0000 ( Link )

    Excellent it is very helpful to me.

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  17. srikrishna02 saidSun, 15 Mar 2009 05:59:37 -0000 ( Link )

    thanks for providing …looking for more of these which would surely help many of us here.

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  18. nidhi1267 saidThu, 09 Apr 2009 04:42:32 -0000 ( Link )

    thanks its very excellent help for us.

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  19. swapana saidFri, 10 Apr 2009 04:37:19 -0000 ( Link )

    thaks,its very excellent help 4 me. its a plesure 4 me. thank u very much.

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  20. hallias saidSat, 02 May 2009 17:59:14 -0000 ( Link )

    wer is x n y in quetion 9 n 10 sir?

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