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 Numerical Ability-I

1. NUMBER SYSTEM

Number : A number is mathematical object used in counting and measuring. It is denoted by a

group of digits, called numerals. In our everyday life we represent numbers by using ten digits which are
0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and these numbers are called decimal numbers. It was taken from Hindu-Arabic
system.
Classification of numbers : There are a number of different ways to classify numbers used in
counting and measuring.

Numbers

Complex Real

Irrational Rational

Fraction Integer

Proper Improper Equivalent Whole Negative

Natural Zero (0)

Even Odd Prime Co-prime Composite Perfect

Real number : It is defined as the set of all numbers that can be represented on the number
line. A number line is a straight line with an arbitrary defined point zero (0).

-3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3
To the right of this point lie all positive numbers and to the left, all negative numbers. Also, every
point on the number line represents a unique real numbers.
Rational number : A number is called a rational number, if it can be written in the form p/q, where
p and q are integers and q  0. For example, 1, 2, 2/3, 3/4, –27/51,... are rational numbers. In general,
there are infinitely many rational numbers between any two given rational numbers.
Irrational number : A number is called irrational, if it cannot be written in the form p/q, where p
and q are integers and q  0. For example, 2, 3, 15, ,... are irrational numbers.
Integers : The set of all natural numbers, zero (0) and negatives of counting numbers are called
integers.
a. Positive integers : They are a subset of natural number. For example, {1, 2, 3, 4,...}.
b. Negative integers : They are a subset of opposite of natural number. For example, {–
1, –2, –3, –4,...}.

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 PART-A (Numerical Ability - I)

c. Non-negative integers : Zero (0) is neither positive nor negative. Hence, {0, 1, 2, 3,...}
is the set of non-negative integer.
d. Non-positive integers: {0, –1, –2, –3,...} is the set of non-positive integers.
Fraction : It is defined as a part of an integer of the form p/q, where the integers p and q are
called the numerator and denominator respectively.
Types of fractions
Proper fraction : The numerator is less than the denominator. It is a number between 0 and 1.
3 5 6 8
For example, , , , ,...
7 7 7 9

7 5 11
Improper fraction : The numerator is more than the denominator. For example, , , ,...
3 4 9
Equivalent fraction : They are the fractions that have different numbers but the same value. If
we multiply the numerator and denominator of a fraction by the same (non-zero) number. We can
2 22 4
produce a fraction with different form but exactly the same value. For example,   .
3 32 6
Whole numbers : All counting numbers together with zero (0) from the set of whole numbers.
It can be expressed as W = {0, 1, 2, 3,...}.
Natural numbers : The counting numbers are called as natural numbers. It can be expressed
as N = {1, 2, 3,...}.
Even number : A number divisible by 2 is called an even number. Thus, 0, 2, 4, 6, 8,... are all
even numbers.
Odd number : A number not divisible by 2 is called an odd number. Thus, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9,... are
odd numbers.
Prime number : A prime number is a natural number that can be divided, without leaving any
remainder, by only itself and one. A prime number has only two factors, itself and one. For example, 2
can be divided, without a remainder, only by 2 and 1. So, 2 is a prime number.
Co-prime number : Two numbers are said to be co-prime if they do not have any common factor
other than one 1. For example,The two numbers 6 and 25 are co-prime when they do not have any
common factor other than 1.
Factors of 6 = 1, 2, 3, 6
Factors of 25 = 1, 5, 25
On comparing the factors of numbers 6 and 25, we can see that both have only 1 as a common
factor. Hence we can say that numbers 6 and 25 are co-primes.
Composite number : A number that has more than two distinct factors is called a composite
number. In other words, all natural numbers other than prime numbers are known as composite numbers.
For example,
Factors of 24 = 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12 and 24.
Since, the given natural number 24 has more factors (other than itself and 1), we can say that
the given natural number 24 is a composite number.
Perfect number : A perfect number is a whole number, an integer greater than zero; and when
we add up all of the factors less than that number, we get that number.
For example, the factors of 6 are 1, 2, 3 and 6.
1 + 2 + 3 = 6.

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 PART-A (Numerical Ability - I)

Perfect square : A perfect square is a number that can be written as a product of two equal
factors.
The whole numbers we consider are : 1, 2, 3,...
Their squares are : 1 × 1 = 12 = 1; 2 × 2 = 22 = 4; 3 × 3 = 32 = 9...
Important facts about numbers
a. 1 is neither prime nor composite.
b. 2 is the only even number which is prime.
c. There are 25 prime numbers between 1 and 100. The prime numbers up to 100 are :
2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19, 23, 29, 31, 37, 41, 43, 47, 53, 59, 61, 67, 71, 73, 79, 83, 89 and
97.
d. A pair of primes are said to be twin primes if they differ by 2.
e. The integer 1 is co-prime to every natural number, including itself.
f. If p is a prime number and N is prime to p, then Np – N is divisible by p. For example,
if p = 3, N = 5, then 53 – 5 = 120 which is divisible by 3.
g. If we add or subtract multiples of N, the result is a multiple of N. If N is a divisor of x and
of y, then N is a divisor of x + y. For example, 6 is the divisor of 18 and 24, then 6 is a
divisor of 18 + 24 = 42.
h. If a is a factor of b, and b is a factor of c, then a is a factor of c. In other words, any integer
is divisible by all of its factors–and it is also divisible by all of the factors of its factors. For
example, if 72 is divisible by 12, then 72 is also divisible by all the factors of 12 (1, 2, 3,
4, 6, and 12).
i. All prime greater than 3 are of the form 6k – 1 or 6k + 1. For example, 29 is prime and
can be written as 6 × 5 – 1 and 37 is prime and can be written as 6 × 6 + 1.
Rules of Divisibility by Certain Integers
Divisibility by 2
A number is divisible by 2 if the last digit is even i.e., 2, 4, 6, 8, or 0. For example, 124 is divisible
by 2 because it is even (it ends in a 4).
Divisibility by 3
If the sum of the digits is divisible by 3, then the number is divisible by 3. For example, 1,290 is
divisible by 3 because 1 + 2 + 9 + 0 = 12, and 12 is divisible by 3 (12  3 = 4).
Divisibility by 4
If the number formed by the last two digits is divisible by 4, then the number is divisible by 4. For
example, 1,084 is divisible by 4 because 84 is divisible by 4 (84  4 = 21).
Divisibility by 5
A number is divisible by 5 if and only if the last digit is 0 or 5. For example, 150 is divisible by
5 because it ends in a 0.
Divisibility by 6
If the number is divisible by 2 and 3, it is also divisible by 6. For example, 1290 is divisible by
6 because it is divisible by 2 because it is even. It is divisible by 3 because the sum of the digits is
divisible by 3.
Divisibility by 7
A number is divisible by 7 if the integer obtained by subtracting twice the unit (last) digit from the
number represented by the remaining digits of a number. Then the original number is divisible by 7 if and
only if integer is divisible by 7. For example, 273 is divisible by 7, we take the last (unit) digit 3, double
it to 6, and then subtract it from 27, then 27 – 6 = 21, which is divisible by 7.

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 PART-A (Numerical Ability - I)

Divisibility by 8
If the number formed by the last three digits is divisible by 8, then the number is divisible by 8.
For example, 1,240 is divisible by 8 because 240 is divisible by 8 (240  8 = 30).
Divisibility by 9
If the sum of the digits is divisible by 9, then the number is divisible by 9. For example, 504 is
divisible by 9 because 5 + 0 + 4 = 9, and 9 is divisible by 9 (9  9 = 1).
Divisibility by 10
A number is divisible by 10 if it ends in a 0. For example, 1,230 is divisible by 10 because it ends
in a 0.
Divisibility by 11
A number is divisible by 11 if and only if the difference of the sums of the digits in the even and
odd positions in the number is either 0 or divisible by 11.
For example, 2547039 is divisible by 11 since (2 + 4 + 0 + 9) – (5 + 7 + 3) = 15 – 15 = 0.
Last digit of a power
The last digit of a number of the form ab falls in a particular sequence or order depending on the
unit digit of the number (a) and the power the number is raised to (b). The power cycle of a number thus
depends on its unit digit.
Consider the power cycle of 2:
21 = 2, 25 = 32,
22 = 4, 26 = 64,
23 = 8, 27 = 128,
24 = 16, 28 = 256.
As it can be observed, the unit digit gets repeated after every 4th power of 2. Hence, we can say
that 2 has a power cycle of 2, 4, 8, 6 with frequency 4.
This means that, a number of the form
24k+1 will have the last digit as 2
24k+2 will have the last digit as 4
24k+3 will have the last digit as 8
24k+4 will have the last digit as 6 (where k = 0, 1, 2, 3,...)
This is applicable not only for 2, but for all numbers ending in 2.
Consider other example of power cycle of 7 :
71 = 7, 75 = 16807,
72 = 49, 76 = 117649,
73 = 343, 77 = 823543
74 = 2401, 78 = 5764801.
Here it can also be observed that the unit digit gets repeated after every 4th power of 7. Hence,
we can say that 7 has a power cycle of 7, 9, 3, 1 with frequency 4.
This means that, a number of the form
74k+1 will have the last digit as 7
74k+2 will have the last digit as 9
74k+3 will have the last digit as 3
74k+4 will have the last digit as 1 (where k = 0, 1, 2, 3,...)
This is applicable not only for 7, but for all numbers ending in 7.

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 PART-A (Numerical Ability - I)

Therefore to find the last digit of a number raised to any power, we need to know the power cycle
of digits from 0 to 9, which are given below.

Unit digit Power cycle Frequency

0 0 1
1 1 1
2 2, 4, 8, 6 4
3 3, 9, 7, 1 4
4 4, 6 2
5 5 1
6 6 1
7 7, 9, 3, 1 4
8 8, 4, 2, 6 4
9 9, 1 2

SOLVED EXAMPLES :
1. If the product of two successive positive integers is 6162, what is the smaller integer?
Sol. Let us suppose, the smaller integer is x then successive greater integer will be x + 1.
According to question,
x (x + 1) = 6162
 x2 + x – 6162 = 0
 x2 + 79x – 78x – 6162 = 0
 x(x + 79) – 78(x + 79) = 0
 (x – 78) (x + 79) = 0
x + 79 = 0, we cannot take negative value.
x – 78 = 0
Hence, smaller integer (x) = 78.
2. By how much is two-fifths of 200 greater than three-fifths of 125?

2 3
Sol. Required number = × 200 – × 125 = 80 – 75 = 5
5 5
3. What is the last digit of 773?
Sol. We know the power cycle of 7 as:
71 = 7, 75 = 16807,
72 = 49, 76 = 117649,
73 = 343, 77 = 823543,
74 = 2401, 78 = 5764801.
As it can be observed, the unit digit gets repeated after every 4th power of 7. Hence, we can say
that 7 has a power cycle of 7, 9, 3, 1 with frequency 4.
We can write 773 = 7(4×18)+1.
We know that if a number of the form 74k+1 will have the last digit as 7 (where k = 0, 1, 2, 3,...)
So, the last digit of 773 is 7.

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 PART-A (Numerical Ability - I)

2. SIMPLIFICATION

‘VBODMAS’ Rule
This rule gives the correct order in which various operations regarding simplification are to be
performed, so as to find out the values of given expressions in simple ways. Let us see what these
letters mean.
V = Vinculum or Bar
B = Brackets
Order of removing brackets
First Vinculum Brackets (Bar Brackets) ‘–’
Second Small Brackets (Circular Brackets) ‘( )’
Third Middle Brackets (Curly Brackets) ‘{ }’
Fourth Square Brackets (Big Brackets) ‘[ ]’
O = Of
D = Division
M = Multiplication
A = Addition
S = Subtraction
Order of above mentioned operations is as same as the order of letters in the ‘VBODMAS’ from
left to right as

V B O D M A S

Left to Right

Clearly, the order will be as follows :

First Vinculum bracket is solved,

[We know – 5 – 10 = – 15 but – 5 – 10 = – (–5) = 5]

Second Brackets are to be solved in order given above, [first, then second, then third and
then fourth]
Third Operation of ‘Of’ is done,
Fourth Operation of division is done,
Fifth Operation of multiplication is done,
Sixth Operation of addition is done, and
Seventh Operation of subtraction is done.
Absolute value of a Real Number
If m is a real number, then its absolute value is defined as

 m, if m  0
m 
 m, if m  0
 |3| = 3 and |–3| = –(–3) = 3.

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 PART-A (Numerical Ability - I)

SOLVED EXAMPLES:
Ex.1 Simplify 4 – [6 – {12 – (10 – 8 – 6 )}].
Sol. Given expression
= 4 – [6 – {12 – (10 – 8 + 6)}] Remove Vinculum
= 4 – [6 – {12 – 8}] Remove ( )
= 4 – [6 – 4] Remove { }
= 4 – 2 = 2 Remove [ ]

 1 1
Ex.2 Simplify  9.6  3.6  7.2  10.8 of  .
 18 10 

Sol. Given expression

1 1
= 9.6 × 3.6  7.2 + 10.8 of 
18 10

1
= 9.6 × 3.6  7.2 + 0.6 – Remove ‘of’
10

3.6
= 9.6 × + 0.6 – 0.1 Remove ‘’
7.2
= 4.8 + 0.6 – 0.1 Remove ‘x’
= 5.4 – 0.1 Remove ‘+’
= 53 Remove ‘–’
Ex.3 Simplify 10010 – 10000  10.
Sol. Given expression = 10010 – 10000  10

10000
= 10010 –
10
= 10010 – 1000 = 9010
Ex.4 Simplify 18800  940  10.
Sol. Given expression = 18800  940  10

18800
=  10
940
= 20  10 = 2

1 1 1
Ex.5 Solve 4 5 8 .
6 6 6

1 1 1
Sol. Given expression = 4 5 8
6 6 6

1 1 1
= (4 + 5 + 8) +  
6 6 6

3 1
= 17 + = 17
6 2

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 PART-A (Numerical Ability - I)

Ex.6 Simplify n – [n – (m + n) – {n – (n – m – n )} + 2m].

Sol. n – [n – (m + n) – {n – (n – m – n )} + 2m]
= n – [n – (m + n) – {n – (n – (n – m + n)} + 2m]
= n – [n – (m + n) – {n – (2n – m)} + 2m]
= n – [n – m – n – {n – 2n + n} + 2m]
= n – [– m – { – n + m} + 2m]
= n – [– m + n – m + 2m]
= n – [n] = n – n = 0

4 5
Ex.7 Simplify of × 6 + 15 –10.
15 8
4 5
Sol. Given expression = of × 6 + 15 – 10
15 8
4 5
   6  15  10
15 8
1 1
   6  15 – 10
3 2
1
  6  15 – 10
6
= 1 + 15 – 10 = 16 – 10 = 6

4x
Ex.8 If = 2, then x = ?
1
1
x
1
1 x

4x
Sol. We have, = 2
1
1
x
1
1 x

4x
2
1
1
 1
(1  x)

4x
 2
1  (1  x)
 4x = 2 [1 + (1 – x)]
 4x = 2(2 – x)
 4x = 4 – 2x
 4x + 2x = 4  6x = 4
4 2
 x = 
6 3

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 PART-A (Numerical Ability - I)

7 5 3
 
15
Ex.9 Simplify 2 2 2  .
7 5 3 14
 of
2 2 2

7 5 3
 
2 2 2  15
Sol. Given expression = 7 5 3 14
 of
2 2 2

7 2 3 21
 
15 15
 2 5 2  10 
7 4 14 14 14

2 15 15

21 15 14 21
   
10 14 15 10

1
2
10
Following formulae are useful in various operations of simplification :-
1. (a + b)2 = a2 + 2ab + b2
2. (a – b)2 = a2 – 2ab + b2
3. (a + b)2 + (a – b)2 = 2(a2 + b2)
4. (a + b)2 – (a – b)2 = 4ab
5. a2 – b2 = (a + b) (a – b)
6. (a + b)3 = a3 + b3 + 3ab (a + b)
7. (a – b)3 = a3 – b3 – 3ab (a – b)
8. a3 + b3 = (a + b) (a2 – ab + b2)
9. a3 – b3 = (a – b) (a2 + ab + b2)

a3  b3  c 3  3abc
10.  (a  b  c)
a2  b2  c 2  ab  bc  ca
11. If a + b + c = 0, then a3 + b3 + c3 = 3abc
12. (a + b + c)2 = (a2 + b2 + c2) + 2(ab + bc + ca)
Ex.10 Solve (10 + 5)2 – (10 – 5)2.
Sol. As we know, (a + b)2 – (a – b)2 = 4ab
 (10 + 5)2 – (10 – 5)2 = 4 × 10 × 5 = 200
Ex.11 Solve 163 + 193 + 3 × 16 × 19 (16 + 19).
 163 + 193 + 3 × 16 × 19 (16 + 19) = (16 + 19)3 = (35)3
= 35 × 35 × 35 = 42875

(5.9)3  (1.8)3  (4.8)3  3  5.9  1.8  4.8

Ex.12 Solve
(5.9)2  (1.8)2  (4.8)2  5.9  1.8  1.8  4.8  4.8  5.9

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 PART-A (Numerical Ability - I)

a3  b3  c 3  3abc
Sol. As we know, = (a + b + c)
a2  b2  c 2  ab  bc  ca

(5.9)3  (1.8)3  (4.8)3  3  5.9  1.8  4.8


(5.9)2  (1.8)2  (4.8)2  5.9  1.8  1.8  4.8  4.8  5.9

= (5.9 + 1.8 + 4.8) = 12.5

(9.8)3  (6.8)3
Ex.13 Solve .
9.82  9.8  6.8  6.82
Sol. As we know, a3 – b3 = (a – b) (a2 + ab + b2)

a 3  b3
  (a  b)
a2  ab  b2

(9.8)3  (6.8)3
  (9.8  6.8)  3
(9.8)2  9.8  6.8  (6.8)2
Ex.14 Solve (575)2 + (570)2 – 2 × 575 × 570.
Sol. As we know, a2 + b2 – 2ab = (a – b)2
 (575)2 + (570)2 – 2 × 575 × 570 = (575 – 570)2
= (5)2 = 25

(835  378)2  (835  378)2

Ex.15 Solve .
835  835  378  378

(a  b)2  (a  b)2
Sol. We know that,
a2  b2

2(a2  b2 )

(a2  b2 )

= 2
 Given expression = 2, where a = 835, b = 378.
Ex.16 If a + b + c = 13, a2 + b2 + c2 = 71, then (ab + bc + ca) = ?
Sol. We have, (a + b + c)2 = (a2 + b2 + c2) + 2(ab + bc + ca)
 132 = 71 + 2 (ab + bc + ca)
 2(ab + bc + ca) = 169 – 71 = 98

98
 ab + bc + ca = = 49
2

(435  379)2  (435  379)2

Ex.17 Solve .
435  379

(a  b)2  (a  b)2
Sol. We know that =
ab

4ab
= = 4, where a = 435, b = 379
ab
 Given expression = 4

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 PART-A (Numerical Ability - I)

3. HCF AND LCM

Factors and Multiples

If a number divides another number exactly (without leaving any remainder), then the number
which divides, is called a factor of the number that has been divided and the number that has been
divided is known as the multiple of the number which divides it.
In another words, we say that if ‘x’ divides ‘y’ exactly (without leaving any remainder), then x is
a factor of y and y is a multiple of x.
For example, 8 exactly divides 16, then 8 is a factor of 16 and 16 is a multiple of 8; 2 is a factor
of 4 and 4 is a multiple of 2; 3 is a factor of 6 and 6 is a multiple of 3; 6 is a factor of 12 and 12 is multiple
of 6 etc.
Common Multiple
A common multiple of two or more numbers is a number which is completely divisible (without
leaving remainder) by each of them.
For example, 30 is a common multiple of 2, 3, 5, 6, 10 and 15 because 30 is exactly divisible
by each of 2, 3, 5, 6, 10 and 15. Similarly, 36 is a common multiple of 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 12 and 18.
Least Common Multiple (LCM)
The LCM of two of more given numbers is the last number to be exactly divisible by each of them.
For example, we can obtain LCM of 4 and 12 as follows
Multiple of 4 = 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36, ..........
Multiple of 12 = 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72, ..........
Common multiple of 4 and 12 = 12, 24, 36, ...........
 LCM of 4 and 12 = 12
How to Calculate LCM?
Prime Factorization Method
Following are the steps to obtain LCM through prime factorization method :
Step I Resolve the given numbers into their prime factors.
Step II Find the product of the highest powers of all the factors that occur in the given numbers.
Step III This product of terms of highest powers of all factors is the required LCM.
Ex.1 Find the LCM of 8, 12 and 15.

2 8 2 12
3 15
2 4 2 6
5 5
Sol. 2 2 3 3
1
1 1

Factors of 8 = 2 × 2 × 2 = 23
Factors of 12 = 2 × 2 × 3 = 22 × 31
Factors of 15 = 3 × 5 = 31 × 51
Here, the prime factors that occur in the given numbers are 2, 3, and 5 and their highest powers
are 2 , 31 and 51.
3

 Required LCM = 23 × 31 × 51 = 8 × 3 × 5 = 120

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 PART-A (Numerical Ability - I)

Division Method
Following are the steps to obtain LCM through division method :
Step I Write down the given numbers in a line, separating them by commas.
Step IIDivide by any one of the prime numbers which exactly divides at least any two of the given
numbers.
Step III Set down the quotients and the divided numbers in a line below the 1st.
Step IV Repeat the process until you get a line of numbers which are prime to one another.
Step V The product of all divisors and the numbers in the last line will be the required LCM.
Ex.2 What will be the LCM of 15, 24, 32 and 45?
Sol.
2 15, 24, 32, 45
2 15, 12, 16, 45
2 15, 6, 8, 45
3 15, 3, 4, 45
5 5, 1, 4, 15
1, 1, 4, 3

 Required LCM = 2 × 2 × 2 × 3 × 5 × 4 × 3 = 1440

Common Factor
A common factor of two or more numbers is that particular number which divides each of them
exactly. For example, 3 is a common factor of 9 and 12 because 3 divides both 9 and 12 exactly.
Similarly, 2 is a common factor of 4, 6 and 8.
Highest Common Factor (HCF)
HCF of two or more numbers is the greatest number which divides each of them exactly. For
example, 6 is the HCF of 12 and 18 as there is no number greater than 6 that divides both 12 and 18.
Similarly, 3 is the highest common factor of 6 and 9.
HCF is also known as ‘Highest Common Divisor’ (HCD) and ‘Greatest Common Measure’ (GCM).
How to Calculate HCF?
Prime Factorization Method
Below are the given steps for calculating HCF through prime factorization method :
Step I Break the given numbers into prime factors.
Step II Find the product of all the prime factors common to all the numbers.
Step III The product of common prime factors with the least powers gives HCF.
Ex.3 Find the HCF of 24, 30 and 42.
Sol.
2 24
2 12 2 30 2 42
2 6 3 15 3 21
3 3 5 5 7 7
1 1 1

 Factors of 24 = 2 × 2 × 2 × 3 = (23 × 31)

Factors of 30 = 2 × 3 × 5 = (21 × 31 × 51)
Factors of 42 = 2 × 3 × 7 = (21 × 31 × 71)
 The product of common prime factors with the least powers = 21 × 31 = 6

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 PART-A (Numerical Ability - I)

Division Method
Following are the steps to obtain HCF through division method :
Step I Divide the larger number by the smaller one.
Step II Divide the divisor by the remainder.
Step III Repeat Step II till the remainder becomes zero. The last divisor is the required HCF.
Ex.4 Find the HCF of 26 and 455.
Sol.

26) 455 (17

26
195
182
13) 26 (2
26
x

 Required HCF = 13
Ex.5 What will be the HCF of 1785, 1995 and 3381?
Sol. At the 1st step, use any two of three numbers.

1785)1995 (1
1785
210 )1785 (8
1680
105 ) 210 (2
210
x

 HCF for 1785 and 1995 = 105

At the 2nd step, use obtained HCF 105 and the 3rd given number 3381.

105)3381(32
315
231
210
21)105 (5
105
x

 Required HCF = 21
How to Calculate LCM and HCF of Fractions?
The LCM and HCF can be obtained from the following formula :

LCM of Numerators
 LCM of fractions = HCF of Denominators

HCF of Numerators
 HCF of fractions = LCM of Denominators

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 PART-A (Numerical Ability - I)

36 9
Ex.6 Find the HCF of and 3 .
51 17

36 12 9 60
Sol. Here  and 3 
51 17 17 17
12 60
Now, we have to find the HCF of and .
17 17
According to the formula,

HCF of Numerators HCF of 12 and 60 12

HCF of fractions = LCM of Denomin ators  LCM of 17 and 17  17 .

72 126 162
Ex.7 Calculate the LCM of , and .
250 75 165

72 36 126 42 162 54
Sol. Here,  ,  and 
250 125 75 25 165 55
 According to the formula,

LCM of 36, 42 and 54 756 1

 Required LCM = HCF of 125, 25 and 55  5  151 5

How to Calculate LCM and HCF of Decimals?

Below are given the steps to calculate LCM and HCF of decimals :
Step I If necessary, make the same number of decimal places in all the given numbers.
Step II Find their LCM/HCF as if they were integers.
Step III Mark in the result as many decimal places as there are in each of the numbers.
Ex.8 Find the LCM of 0.6, 9.6 and 0.12.
Sol. The given numbers are equivalent to 0.60, 9.60 and 0.12.
Now, we have to find the LCM of 60,960 and 12.

2 60, 960, 12
2 30, 480, 6
3 15, 240, 3
5 5, 80, 1
1, 16, 1

 LCM of 60, 960 and 12 = 2 × 2 × 3 × 5 × 16 = 960.

 The required LCM = 9.60
Ex.9 Find the HCF of 16.5, 0.90 and 15.
Sol. The given numbers are equivalent to 1650, 90 and 1500. Firstly, we have to find the HCF of 1650,
90 and 1500.
2 1500
2 1650 2 750
3 825 2 90
3 45 3 375
5 275 5 125
5 55 3 15
5 5 25
11 5

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 PART-A (Numerical Ability - I)

Factors of 1650 = 2 × 3 × 5 × 5 × 11 = 21 × 31 × 52 × 111

Factors of 90 = 2 × 3 × 3 × 5 = 21 × 32 × 51
Factors of 1500 = 2 × 2 × 3 × 5 × 5 × 5 = 22 × 31 × 53
 HCF of 1650, 90 and 1500 = 21 × 31 × 51 = 2 × 3 × 5 = 30
 Required HCF of 16.5, 0.90 and 15 is 0.3.
Technique 1
Product of two numbers = HCF of the numbers × LCM of the numbers.
Ex.10 The LCM of 2 numbers is 2079 and their HCF is 27. If the 1st number is 189, find the 2nd number.
Sol. According to the formula,
Product of two numbers = HCF × LCM
 189 × 2nd number = 2079 × 27

2079  27
 2nd number = = 297
189
Technique 2
The greatest number which divides the numbers x, y and z, leaving remainders a, b and c,
respectively
= HCF of (x – a), (y – b), (z – c)
[This formula is true for any number of numbers.]
Ex.11 Find the greatest number which divides 29, 60 and 103 leaving remainders 5, 12 and 7 respectively.
Sol. According to the question, x = 29, y = 60, z = 103
a = 5, b = 12, c = 7
Now, according to the formula,
Required number = HCF of (29 – 5), (60 – 12), (103 – 7)
= HCF of 24, 48, 96
Now,

2 96
2 48 2 48
2 24 2 24
2 12 2 24
2 12 2 12
2 6 2 6
3 2 6
3 3

 Factors of 24 = 2 × 2 × 2 × 3 = 23 × 31
Factors of 48 = 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 3 = 24 × 31
Factors of 96 = 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 3 = 25 × 31
 Required HCF of 24, 48 and 96 = 23 × 31 = 8 × 3 = 24
 24 is the required number.
Ex.12 Find the largest number that will divide 260, 720 and 145 leaving 7 as remainder in each case.
Sol. Given that, x = 260, y = 720, z = 145
a = b = c = 7
 According to the formula,
Required number = HCF of (260 – 7), (720 – 7), (145 – 7)
= HCF of 253, 713 and 138

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 PART-A (Numerical Ability - I)

Now
253)713 (2
506
207) 253 (1
207
46) 207 (4
184
23) 46 (2
46
x
Again,

23)138 (6
138
x

Clearly, HCF of 253, 713 and 138 = 23

 Required number = 23
Technique 3
The least number which when divided by x, y and z leaves the remainders a, b and c respectively,
is given by [LCM of (x, y, z)] – k.
where k = (x – a) = (y – b) = (z – c)
This formula is true for any number of numbers.
Ex.13 Find the least number which when divided by 24, 32 and 36 leaves the remainders 19, 27 and
31 respectively.
Sol. According to the question,
x = 24, y = 32, z = 36
24 – 19 = 5, 32 – 27 = 5, 36 – 31 = 5,
 k = 5
According to the formula,
Required number = (LCM of 24, 32 and 36) – 5
Now, LCM of 24, 32 and 36

2 24, 32, 36
2 12, 16, 18
2 6, 8, 9
3 3, 4, 9
1, 4, 3

LCM = 2 × 2 × 2 × 3 × 4 × 3 = 288
 Required number = 288 – 5 = 283
Technique 4
The least number which when divided by x, y and z leaves the same remainder k in each case,
is given by [LCM of (x, y, z) + k].
This formula is true for any number of numbers.

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 PART-A (Numerical Ability - I)

Ex.14 Find the least number which when divided by 24, 30 and 54 leaves 5 as remainder in each case.
Sol. According to the question,
x = 24, y = 30, z = 54, k = 5.
According to the formula,
Required number = [LCM of (24, 30 and 54)] + 5
Now, LCM of 24, 30, 54

2 24, 30, 54
3 12, 15, 27
4, 5, 9

 LCM = 2 × 3 × 4 × 5 × 9 = 1080
 Required number = 1080 + 5 = 1085
Technique 5
The greatest number that will divide x, y and z.....leaving the same remainder in each case, is
given by [HCF of |x – y|, |y – z|, |z – x|......].
Ex.15 What is the greatest number that will divide 99, 123 and 183 leaving the same remainder in each
case? Also, find the common remainder.
Sol. Given that, x = 99, y = 123, z = 183
According to the formula,
Required number = [HCF of |x – y|, |y – z|, |z – x|]
Now, |x – y| = |99 – 123| = 24
|y – z| = |123 – 183| = 60
|z – x| = |183 – 99| = 84
Therefore,

2 24 2 60 2 84
2 12 2 30 2 42
2 6 3 15 3 21
3 5 7

Factors of 24 = 23 × 31
Factors of 60 = 22 × 31 × 51
Factors of 84 = 22 × 31 × 71
 HCF of 24, 60 and 84 = 22 × 31 = 4 × 3 = 12
Common remainder

99 3 123 3 183 3
8 ,  10 ,  15
12 12 12 12 12 12
 Clearly, the required common remainder = 3
Technique 6
When the HCF of each pair of n given numbers is a and their LCM is b, then the product of these
numbers is given by
(a)n–1 × b
or (HCF)n–1 × LCM

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 PART-A (Numerical Ability - I)

Ex.16 There are five numbers. HCF of each possible pair is 4 and LCM of all the five numbers is 27720.
What will be the product of all the five numbers?
Sol. Given, HCF = 4, LCM = 27720
n = 5
According to the formula,
Required product = (HCF)n–1 × LCM
= (4)5–1 × 27720
= (4)4 × 27720
= 256 × 27720 = 7096320
How to Solve Questions Based on Bells?
To solve such questions, following steps are used :
Step I Find the LCM of given time intervals.
Step II Obtained LCM is added to the initial time and result of this addition will be our answer
(The next time when bells ring together).
Ex.17 Seven bells ring at intervals of 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9 and 12 min, respectively. They started ringing
simultaneously at 5:00 in the morning. What will be the next time when they all ring simultaneously?
Sol. LCM of 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9 and 12

2 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 12
2 1, 3, 2, 3, 4, 9, 6
3 1, 3, 1, 3, 2, 9, 3
1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 3, 1

 LCM = 2 × 2 × 2 × 3 × 3
= 72 min
= 1 hr 12 min
 Required time = (5 + 1.12) o’clock
= 6.12 o’clock in the morning
Ex.18 Six bells ring at intervals of 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 sec, respectively. They started ringing
simultaneously. How many times will they ring together in 30 min?
Sol. LCM of 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 = 120
 Bells will ring together after every 120 sec or 2 min.
since bells rings together after every 2 min so in 30 min it will ring as (30 min/2 min)= 15 times but at
starting (0 sec it also rings so total 16 times.)

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 PART-A (Numerical Ability - I)

4. AVERAGES

Basically the average is the arithmetic mean of the given data. For example if the x1, x2, x3, x4
.... xn be any ‘n’ quantities (i.e., data), then the average (or arithmetic mean) of these ‘n’ quantities.

x1  x 2  x 3  ...x n

n
PROPERTIES OF AVERAGES
1. The average of any two or more quantities (or data) necessarily lies between the lowest and
highest values of the given data. i.e., if xl and xh be the lowest and highest (or greatest) values of the
given data (x1, x2,....xl,....xh,....xn) then xl < Average < xh; xl  xh

x1  x 2  x 3  xl ...  x h ...  xn )
i.e., xl < < xh
n
Ex.1 The average of 8, 9, 12, 13, 15, 9 is :
(A) 11 (B) 6
(C) 16 (D) 18

8 + 9 + 12 + 13 + 15 + 9 66
Sol.(A) Average =  = 11
1
6 6
Ex.2 A has 8 pencils, B has 10 pencils and C has 15 pencils, then the average number of pencils with
them :
(A) 8 (B) 10
(C) 15 (D) lies between 9 and 15

8  10  15
Sol.(D) Average number of pencils = = 11
1
3
So, option (D) is correct.

2. If each quantity is increased by a certain value ‘K’ then the new average is increased by K.
Ex.3 A, B, C, D, E are the five electronic shops in the Naza market, which have 20, 30, 60, 80 and
50. T.V. sets with them respectively, then the average number of T.V. sets in each shop is :
(A) 24 (B) 48
(C) 50 (D) 60
Sol.(B) Average number of T.V. sets

20  30  60  80  50

5
= 48
So option (B) is correct.
Ex.4 In the previous example, if each of A, B, C, D and E have imported 12 new T.V. sets, then the
average number of T.V. sets is:
(A) 50 (B) 56
(C) 60 (D) 144
Sol.(C) Average number of T.V. sets

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 PART-A (Numerical Ability - I)

(20  12)  (30  12)  (60  12)  (80  12)  (50  12)

5

300
  60
5
Ex.5 The average number of shirts with Salman, Ambani and Dalmiya is 60, if all of them reached a
shopping mall (AMBI) in Gurgaon and purchased 6 shirts each of them then the average number
of shirts each of them now has :
(A) 66 (B) 63
(C) 62 (D) can’t be determined
Sol.(A) Required average = Old average + New average
= 60 + 6 = 66

3. If each quantity is decreased by a certain value K, then the new average is also decreased
by K.
Ex.6 A, B, C, D, E, F are the only six families in Indira nagar. A, B, C, D, E and F has 7, 8, 10, 13,
6, and 10 members in their families respectively.
If 1 member from all the six families left their respective families to accommodate themselves
in the hostel of IIM lucknow, then the average number of members now in each family of Indira
nagar is:
(A) 8 (B) 9
(C) 10 (D) 13

(7  1)  (8  1)  (10  1)  (13  1)  (6  1)  (10  1)

Sol.(A) Required average =
6

(7  8  10  13  6  10) (6  1)
 
6 6
= 9 – 1 = 8
Ex.7 Last year Sahara, Tata, Singhania and Birla each has 250 industries. This year everyone has sold
out 10 factories due to the recession of the economy and poor turnout. The average number of
industries which each of them now has :
(A) 260 (B) 240
(C) 25 (D) None of these
Sol.(B) Required average = Old average – New average
= (250) – (10) = 240

4. If each quantity is multiplied by a certain value K, then the new average is the product of old
average with K.
Ex.8 In a flower shop there were 6 flowers in each bouquet. If the seller has doubled the number of
flowers in each bouquet then the new average of flowers in each bouque is :
(A) 12 (B) 8
(C) 3 (D) None of these
Sol.(A) Now required average = Old average × Multiplicand
= 6 × 2 = 12

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 PART-A (Numerical Ability - I)

1
5. If each quantity is divided by a certain quantity ‘K’, then the new average becomes times
K
of the initial average, where K  0.
Ex.9 The average of 100, 200, 300, 400, ..., 1000 is 550. If each number is divided by 5, then the new
average will be equal to :
(A) 450 (B) 45
(C) 55 (D) None of these

(100  200  300  ...  1000)

Sol.(D) Actual average = = 550
10

550
the new average = = 110
5
Hence, (D) is correct.

6. If ‘A’ be the average of x1, x2, xm, ... y1, y2, ..., yn. where x1, x2, ..., xm be the below A and y1,y2,
y3, ..., yn be the above A, then
(A – x1) + (A – x2) + ... (A – xm)
= (y1 – A) + (y2 – A) + ...(yn – A)
i.e., the surplus above the average is always equal the net deficit below average.
Ex.10 The salary of A, B, C, D, E is Rs. 8000, Rs. 5000, Rs. 11000, Rs. 7000, Rs. 9000 per month
respectively, then the average salary of A, B, C, D and E per month is :
(A) Rs. 7000 (B) Rs. 8000
(C) Rs. 8500 (D) Rs. 9000

8000  5000  11000  7000  9000

Sol.(B) Average salary =
5
= Rs. 8000
Ex.11 The average of 6 numbers 13, 17, 25, 11, 26, 10 is :
(A) 20 (B) 17
(C) 15 (D) 25
Sol.(B) Let the average be 20.
then 20 – 13 = 7 20 – 25 = 5
20 – 17 = 3 and 20 – 26 = 6
20 – 11 = 9 11
20 – 10 = 10 (Surplus)
29 (deficit)
The net difference (surplus – deficit) = (11 – 29) = –18

18
Therefore average variation = = –3
6
Hence, the actual average = 20 + (–3) = 17

7. Weighted average : When the average of groups or sets, instead of individuals, having
different number of elements is being calculated, then it is called the weighted average. Since in this
case the number of elements is different for the different sets thus they carry different weightage. If the

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 PART-A (Numerical Ability - I)

number of elements in n different groups be K1, K2, K3, K4,...., Kn and the averages of the respective
groups be A1, A2, A3, A4 ... An then the

K1A1  K 2 A 2  K 3 A 3  ...K n A n
weighted average = K1  K 2  K 3  ...K n

Ex.12 The average salary of 12 employees of STAR plus is Rs. 18,000 per month and 15 employees
of NDTV is Rs.16,000 per month, The average salary of all the 27 employees is :
(A) Rs.17,000 (B) Rs.16,500
(C) Rs.16,888.88 (D) None of these

12  18,000  15  16,000 4,56,000

Sol. Required average salary =  = Rs. 16,888.88
12  15 27
Ex.13 The number of students at IIM in morning batch, evening batch and weekends batch is 30,40 and
60 respectively and their respective averages ages (in years) are 22, 21 and 25, then the average
age of all the students (combined) is :

1 1
(A) 22 years (B) 23 years
13 13
(C) 24.5 years (D) None of these

30  22  40  21  60  25 3000 1
Sol.   23 years
130 130 13

8. Problems based on ages :

(i) If the average age of ‘n’ members of a family is x years then K years back, the average
age of the family is (x – K) years, provided that no any person is expired or born in K years
period.
(ii) If the present age of ‘n’ members of a family is x years then K years later the average age
of the same family will be (x + K) years.
Ex.14 The average age of 7 members of Patel’s family is 25 years. The average age of the same family
3 years ago was :
(A) 21 years (B) 22 years
(C) 25 years (D) None of these
Sol. Present average age of family = 25 years
3 years ago average age of family = 25 – 3 = 22 years.
Ex.15 The average age of all the 16 professors of Lucknow University is 52 years. Four years later the
average age of all the 16 professors will be, if there is no any retirement or recruitment :
(A) 68 (B) 64
(C) 56 (D) None of these
Sol.(C) Present average age = 52 years
4 years later the average age = 52 + 4 = 56 years
Ex.16 6 months ago the present age of the student of class 10th was 14 years. 6 months hence, the
age of the same students will be :
1
(A) 15 years (B) 15 years
2
(C) 20 years (D) None of these

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 PART-A (Numerical Ability - I)

Sol.(A) Since the time difference between two dates is 1 year, hence the average age will be increased
by 1 year.
Thus the average age of the class 6 months hence will be 15 years.
Ex.17 The average age of Priyambada’s family consisting of 5 members 3 years ago was 35 years.
One year ago a new baby was born in this family. Three years hence the average age of the
family will be :
5
(A) 36 years (B) 34 years
6
4
(C) 35 years (D) None of these
5
Sol.(B) 3 years ago total age of 5 members
= 5 × 35 = 175 years
At the time of birth of new baby the total age of family
= 175 + (2 × 5)
= 185 years
The present age of family = 185 + (1 × 6) = 191 years
3 years hence, the average age of family

191  (3  6) 5
  34 years
6 6
Ex.18 10 years ago the average age of all the 25 teachers of the Girls college was 45 years. 4 years
ago, the principal has retired from her post at the age of 60 year. So after one year a new principal
whose age was 54 years recruited from outside. The present average age of all the teachers is,
if principal is also considered as a teacher :
18 17
(A) 54 years (B) 55 years
25 25
1
(C) 49 years (D) None of these
2
Sol.(A) 10 years ago average age of 25 teachers = 45 years
4 years ago (just before the retirement of principal) average age of 25 teachers = 45 + 6 = 51
years
and the same time total age of 25 teachers = 51 × 25
= 1275 years
and the total age of remaining 24 teachers when just the principal has retired
= 1275 – 60 = 1215 years
1 year later (i.e., 3 years ago from present) total age of 24 teachers (just before the recruitment
of new principal)
= 1215 + (1 × 24) = 1239 years
and the total age of 25 teachers including new principal just after the recruitment
= 1239 + 54 = 1293 years
Thus the present age of all the 25 teachers
= 1293 + (3 × 25) = 1368 years
Hence, the present average age of the 25 teachers

1368 18
  54 years
25 25

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 PART-A (Numerical Ability - I)

Ex.19 The ratio of the age of the father and the daughter at present is 3 : 1. Four years ago the ratio
was 4 : 1. The average age of the father and daughter 2 years hence will be :
(A) 24 (B) 26
(C) 25 (D) 36
Sol.(B)Let the present ages of father be 3x and daughter be x.
So the 4 years ago father’s age and daughter’s age was (3x – 4) and (x – 4)

 3x  4  4
Therefore  
 x4  1
 x = 12 years and 3x = 36 years
Hence, the present average age of father and daughter = 24 years and the average age 2 years
hence will be 26 years.

9. Problems based on income/salary

Income = Expenditure + Savings
Ex.20 The average salary of Rajesh, Bahadur and Amir is Rs.8000 per month. The average expenditure
of the Rajesh, Bahadur and Amir per month is Rs. 5000. The average savings of all the 3 persons
per month is :
(A) Rs. 3000 (B) Rs. 5000
(C) Rs. 2500 (D) Rs. 9000
Sol.(A) Average saving = Average Income – Average Expenditure
= 8000 – 5000
= 3000
Ex.21 The average salary of A, B and C is Rs. 10,000 and average expenditure of A is Rs. 6000 then
the average savings of B and C is :
(A) Rs. 5500 (B) Rs. 4500
(C) Rs. 4000 (D) can’t be determined
Sol.(D) Total income = Total Expenditure + Total savings
We can not find the average savings of B and C, since data is insufficient.
Ex.22 The average salary of A, B is Rs. 6000 and that of C, D and E is Rs. 8000. The average salary
of all the 5 people is :
(A) Rs.7200 (B) Rs.7000
(C) Rs.7500 (D) can’t be determined

6000  2  8000  3 36000

Sol.(A) Required average salary =  = Rs.7200
(2  3) 5

Ex.23 The average salary of all the 60 employees in an office is Rs.12,000 per month. If the number
of executives is twice the number of non executive employees, then the average salary of all the
non executive employees is :
(A) Rs. 9000 (B) Rs. 8000
(C) Rs. 6000 (D) can’t be determined

No. of executives 2
Sol.(D) No. of non  executives  1

Therefore number of executives = 40

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 PART-A (Numerical Ability - I)

and number of non-executive employees = 20

Now, go through the options
Total salary = 40 × salary of executive + 20 × salary of non-executive
60 × 12000 = 40 × k + 20 × l, here k, l are unknowns
So we can’t determine the required average salary.

2
Ex.24 In the above problem, if the average salary of non-executives be th of the average salary of
5
executives, then the average salary of non-executive employees is :
(A) Rs. 9000 (B) Rs. 8000
(C) Rs. 6000 (D) data insufficient
5
Sol.(C) 60 × 12000 = 20 × x + 40 × x
2
 x = 6000

10. Problems based on speed, time and distance :

Case 1: When the distance travelled in different time slots or parts is same i.e., if a person or
vehicle moves x km at a speed of u km/hr and further he goes or comes back the same distance x km
2uv
at a speed of v km/hr. Then the average speed = .
(u  v)

If there are 3 parts of distance x km travelled with 3 different speeds i.e., if a person goes first
x km @ speed of u km/hr and next x km @ v km/hr and the last x km @ w km/hr.

3uvw
Then the average speed = .
(uv  vw  wu)
Note : In this type of questions the average speed is independent of the distance travelled.

Total dist ance

General Formula : Average speed = Total time

The above two formulae are derived with the help of the general formula of average speed.
Proportion Method : If the half of the distance is covered at u km/hr and the rest half of the
journey is covered at v km/hr then the average speed can be found as follows :
Step 1. Divide the difference of u and v in the ratio of u : v (where u < v)

(u  v)  u
Step 2. u
(u  v)

(u  v) v
or v
uv
Case 2. When the distances travelled at different speeds are different then we calculate the
average speed with the help of general formula of average speed e.g., A person first goes x1 km at the
speed of u km/hr and x2 km at the speed of v km/hr and x3 km at the speed of w km/hr and so on, then
the
Total dis tance
Average speed = Total time

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 PART-A (Numerical Ability - I)

x1  x 2  x 3  ...

t1  t 2  t 3  ...

x1  x 2  x 3  ...

x1 x 2 x 3
   ...
u v w
Ex.25 Einstien goes from Ahmedabad to Lucknow at the speed of 40 km/hr and returned at the speed
of 60 km/hr. The average speed of Einstien during the whole journey is :
(A) 48 km/hr (B) 24 km/hr
(C) 50 km/hr (D) None of these
2  40  60 4800
Sol.(A) Average speed of Einstien during the whole journey =   48 km / hr
(40  60) 100
Ex.26 Sri Krishna took the chariot and started his journey from Mathura to Gokul by his chariot at the
speed of 40 km/hr and then, the same distance he travelled on his foot at the speed of 10 km
hr from Gokul to Brindaban. Then he returned from Brindaban to Mathura via Gokul at the speed
of 24 km/hr riding on the horse. The average speed of the whole trip is :
(A) 20 km/hr (B) 25 km/hr
(C) 19.2 km/hr (D) 18.5 km/hr
Sol.(C)Since the distance from Mathura to Gokul is same as that of Gokul to Brindaban.
So the average speed from Mathura to Brindaban
2  40  10
  16 km / hr
(40  10)
Again since he returned on the same path, so the distance from Mathura to Brindaban is same
2  16  24
in both the directions. Thus the required average speed =   19.2 km / hr
(16  24)

1 1
Ex.27 Anoop travels first rd of the total distance at the speed of 10 km/hr and the next rd distance
3 3
1
at the speed of 20 km/hr and the last rd distance at the speed of 60 km/hr. The average speed
3
of Anoop is :
(A) 15 km/hr (B) 18 km/hr
(C) 25 km/hr (D) 30 km/hr
Sol.(B) Since all the three distances are same, hence the average speed
3  10  20  60  3uvw 
   uv  vw  wu 
(200  1200  600)  
36000
= = 18 km/hr
2000
Ex.28 Columbus started his journey from Lucknow to Kolkata, which is 200 km, at the speed of 40 km
hr then he went to Bangalore which is 300 km, at the speed of 20 km/hr. Further he went to
Ahmedabad which is 500 km, at the speed of 10 km/hr. The average speed of Columbus is :

2 5
(A) 14 km/hr (B) 14 km/hr
7 7
(C) 15.6 km/hr (D) None of these

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 PART-A (Numerical Ability - I)

Total dis tance

Sol.(A) Average speed = Total time

(200  300  500)


 200 300 500 
 40  20  10 
 

1000 100 2
   14 km / hr
70 7 7
= 14.2857 km/hr

11. Some Important Concepts

1. a + b = k and b + c = l and a + b + c = m
then [(a+b) + (b + c) – (a + b + c) = (k + l) – m
or b = k + l – m
2. a + b = k, d + e = l and a + b + c + d + e = m
then c = (a + b + c + d + e) – [(a + b) + (d + e)]
= m – [k + l]
Ex.29 The average weight of all the 11 players of Indian cricket team is 50 kg. If the average of first six
lightest weight players is 49 kg and that of the six heaviest players is 52 kg. The average weight
of the player which lies in the sixth position in the list of players when all the 11 players are
arranged in the order of increasing or decreasing weights :
(A) 56 kg (B) 52 kg
(C) 51 kg (D) None of these
Sol.(A) Let A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, be the 11 players in the order of increasing weight then,
A + B + C + D + E + F = 49 × 6 = 294
F + G + H + I + J + K = 52 × 6 = 312
and A + B + C + D + E + F + G + H + I + J + K = 50 × 11 = 550
Therefore F = (A + B + C + D + E + F) + (F + G + H + I + G + K)
– (A + B + C + D + ... J + K)
= 294 + 312 – 550 = 56
Hence the average weight of F = 56 kg.
Ex.30 The average presence of students in a class on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday is 30 and on
the Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday is 28 then number of students who attended the
class on Wednesday is, if the average number of students on all the six days is 27 :
(A) 24 (B) 25
(C) 20 (D) 40
Sol.(D) Since W = (M + T + W) + (W + Th + F + S) – (M + T + W + Th + F + S)
= (30 × 3) + (28 × 4) – (27 × 6)
= 202 – 162 = 40
Ex.31 The average age of A, B, C, D and E is 40 years. The average age of A and B is 35 years and
the average age of C and D is 42 years. The average age of E is :
(A) 46 (B) 48
(C) 32 (D) None of these

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 PART-A (Numerical Ability - I)

Sol.(A) A + B + C + D + E = 40 × 5 = 200
A + B = 35 × 2 = 70
C + D = 42 × 2 = 84
Therefore E = (A + B + C + D + E) – [(A + B) + (C + D)]
= 200 – (70 + 84) = 46
Thus the average age of E = 46 years.
Ex.32 The average temperature on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday is 38°C. The average temperature
on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday is 43°C. If the average temperature on Monday and
Thursday is 18.5°C. The average temperature on Monday is :
(A) 11°C (B) 21°C
(C) 35°C (D) 27°C
Sol.(A) (M + T + W) = 38 × 3 = 114 ...(i)
(T + W + Th) = 43 × 3 = 129 ...(ii)
Therefore By [eq. (ii) – (i)] , Th – M = 15 ...(iii)
and Th + M = 18.5 × 2
Th + M = 37 ...(iv)
By eq. (iii) + eq. (iv) , 2Th = 52  Th = 26 ...(v)
using eq.(v) in eq.(iv), 26 + M = 37 M = 37 – 26 = 11.
Thus the temperature on Monday is 11°C and on Thursday is 26°C.

12. Average of Some Important Series of Numbers :

n 1
(i) Average of first ‘n’ natural numbers =
2
(ii) Average of first ‘n’ even numbers = (n + 1)
(iii) Average of first ‘n’ odd numbers = n
(iv) If there are (p + q) elements in a set or group but the average of p elements is r and the
average of q elements is s, then the average of all the elements of the set (or group) is
(pr  sq)
.
(p  q)

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 PART-A (MSP)

CSIR-UGC (NET) Part-A

Model Solved Paper

Time : 40 minutes Maximum Marks : 40

Note : This paper contains twenty (20) objective type questions, each question carries two (2)
marks. Attempt all the questions. Negative marking for each wrong answer will be 25%.

1. A two digit number is six times the sum of its digits. If that number is represented as ab, then
what will be the value of ab?
(A) 625 (B) 1024
(C) 256 (D) 150

2. A gardener was asked to plant flowers in a row containing equal number of plants. He tried to
plant 6, 8, 10 and 12 in each row, but 5 plants left in each case but when he planted 13 in a row,
no plant was left. Find the least number of plants with him.
(A) 120 (B) 125
(C) 845 (D) 245

3. The average of five consecutive odd numbers is 47. What is the product of first and fourth
number?
(A) 1940 (B) 2008
(C) 2021 (D) 2107

4. The boys and girls in a collegiate school are in the ratio 3 : 2. If 20% of the boys and 25% of the
girls are adults, then what is the percentage of students who are minor?
(A) 78% (B) 58%
(C) 88% (D) 68%

5. A reduction of 10% in the price of rice enables a person to obtain 22 kg more for Rs.250. What
is the original price of rice per kilogram?
(A) Rs.1.35 (B) Rs.1.50
(C) Rs.1.20 (D) Rs.1.24

6. The salary of Nitin increases every year in April by 15%. If his salary in July 2007 was Rs.20000,
what was his salary in September 2009?
(A) Rs.26540 (B) Rs.26450
(C) Rs.24650 (D) Rs.25640

7. If the rate of interest be 4% per annum for the first year, 5% per annum for second year and 6%
per annum for a third year, then what will be the compound interest of Rs.10000 for 3 years?
(A) Rs.1650.80 (B) Rs.1575.20
(C) Rs.1765.20 (D) Rs.2000
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 PART-A (MSP)

8. Two alloys containing copper and iron in the ratio 5 : 8 and 5 : 3 are melted in equal quantities.
What is the ratio of iron and copper in the resulting mixture?
(A) 103 : 105 (B) 15 : 24
(C) 105 : 103 (D) 24 : 15

9. Sanjay bought 40 kilograms of wheat at Rs.12.50 per kilogram and 25 kilograms at Rs.15.10 per
kilogram. He mixed them together. At what rate should he sell the mixture to earn 10% profit?
(A) Rs.13.50 (B) Rs.14.85
(C) Rs.14.75 (D) Rs.13.75

10. A float is drifting in a river, 10 m downstream of a boat that can be rowed at a speed of 10 m
minute in still water. If the boat is rowed downstream, the time taken to catch up with the float
(A) will be 1 minute
(B) will be more than 1 minute
(C) will be less than 1 minute
(D) can be determined only if the speed of the river is known

11. Ankur, Bindu and Chandu completed a piece of work costing Rs.1800. Ankur worked for 6 days,
Bindu for 4 days and Chandu for 9 days. If their daily wages are in the ratio 5 : 6 : 4, how much
amount will be received by Amit?
(A) Rs.800 (B) Rs.600
(C) Rs.900 (D) Rs.750

12. Mamta rolls an ordinary six-sided die repeatedly, keeping track of each number as she rolls, and
stopping as soon as any number is rolled for the fifth time. If Mamta stops after her ninth roll, and
the sum of these numbers she has rolled is 20, then how many combinations of numbers could
she have rolled?
(A) 10 (B) 12
(C) 14 (D) 15

13. There is a botanical garden near your pond with a walkway around it. The figure shows the
dimensions of the pond and the walkway. Find the area of the walkway.

7 ft 15 ft

13 ft

35 ft
2
(A) 525 ft (B) 455 ft2
(C) 91 ft2 (D) 662.5 ft2

14. It requires 12 litres of paint to paint the 6 sides of a cube with dimensions 2 m × 2 m × 2 m.
The number of litres of paint required to paint the outside of a rectangular box with dimensions
4 m × 1 m × 8 m is
(A) 40 (B) 44
(C) 45 (D) 47
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 PART-A (MSP)

15. If the height of a pole is 2 3 meters and the length of its shadow is 2 meters, find the angle of
elevation of the sun.
(A) 45° (B) 60°
(C) 30° (D) 90°

16. Select a figure from the four alternatives that would complete the figure matrix.

(A) 1 (B) 2
(C) 3 (D) 4

17. The ratio of a two–digit natural number to a number formed by reversing its digits is 4 : 7. Which
of the following is the sum of all the numbers of all such pairs?
(A) 220 (B) 332
(C) 330 (D) 132

18. Sides of a triangle are 6, 10 and x for what value of x is the area of the triangle will be maximum?
(A) 8 cms (B) 9 cms
(C) 12 cms (D) None of these

19. In this question, there is a certain relationship between two given numbers on one side of : : and
one number is given on another side of : : while another number is to be found from the given
alternatives, having the same relationship with this number as the numbers of the given pair bear.
Choose the best alternative.
583 : 293 : : 488 : ?
(A) 291 (B) 288
(C) 487 (D) 281

20. Ms. Deepti Jain invests 11% of her monthly salary, i.e. Rs. 5,236 in Fixed Deposits. Later she
invests 19% of her monthly salary of Life Insurance Policies, also she invests another 7% of her
monthly salary on Mutual Funds. What is the total annual amount invested by Ms. Deepti Jain?
(A) Rs. 2,11,344 (B) Rs. 17,612
(C) Rs. 1,05,672 (D) Rs. 35,324

ANSWER KEY

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
A C D A D B B C B A
11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
B A D B B C C D B B

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 PART-A (MSP)

SOLUTIONS

1. (A) According to the question,

10a + b = 6(a + b); where a represent ten’s place and b unit’s place.
Or, 10a + b = 6a + 6b
Or, 4a = 5b. Hence, a/b = 5/4.
This shows that ratio of ten’s place digit to unit’s place digit is 5 : 4.
So, the number is 54.
Therefore, ab = 54 = 625.
2. (C) Minimum number of plants with gardener = L.C.M. of (6, 8, 10, 12) + 5 = 120 + 5 = 125.
This number will be repeated at the interval of L.C.M.
Hence the next number will be 125 + 120 = 245 and next number will be 245 + 120 = 365
and so on.
Least number of plants = 120 × 7 + 5 = 845, which is divisible by 13.
3. (D) Let the number be x, x + 2, x + 4, x + 6 and x + 8.
xx2x4x6x8
According to the question, = 47
5
5x + 20 = 235

215
x= = 43
5
First number = 43 and fourth number = 43 + 6 = 49.
So, product of first and fourth numbers = 43 × 49 = 2107.
4. (A) Let the boys be 3x and girls 2x.
80 75 24x  15x 39x
Number of minors = 80% of 3x + 75% of 2x =  3x   2x  
100 100 10 10
39x 1
Hence, required percentage =  × 100 = 78%.
10 5x
5. (D) Reduction in 10% corresponds to 22 kg.
 10% corresponds to 22 kilograms.
 100% corresponds to 220 kilograms.
Hence, at new price he can buy 220 kilograms.
Thus, at old price he can buy = 220 – 22 = 198 kilogram

250
Hence, original price = = Rs.1.24 per kilogram.
198
6. (B) According to question,
During the given period of July 2007 to September 2009, the salary of Nitin increased
twice.

15  15
Thus, the overall increase in the salary = 15 × 15 + = 32.25%
100

20000  132.25
Hence, the salary in September 2009 = = Rs.26450
100

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 PART-A (MSP)

  4   5   6 
7. (B) Amount = Rs. 10000   1    1    1  
  100   100   100  

 26 21 53  57876
= Rs. 10000      Rs.  Rs.11575.20
 25 20 50  5

Compound interest = Rs.(11575.20 – 10000) = Rs.1575.20.

8. (C) Assume the quantity of one alloy = x

5 5 5x 5x
x  x 
Copper 13 8  13 8  105 .

Iron 8 3 8x 3x 103
x  x 
13 8 13 8
9. (B) Cost price of wheat = (40 × 12.50) + (25 × 15.10) = Rs.877.50
110
Selling price = 877.50 × = Rs.965.25
100
965.25
 Price per kilogram = = Rs.14.85.
65
10. (A) The float is 10 m downstream of the boat.
Since there is no external force on the float, then speed of the float = speed of the river.
As we know that, speed of the boat = rowing speed of the boat + speed of the river.
Distance to be covered by the boat = 10 m.
Relative speed of the boat
= speed of the boat – speed of the float.
= (rowing speed of the boat + speed of the river) – speed of the river
= rowing speed of the boat = 10 m/minute.
Hence, time by the boat to catch up with the float
Dis tance to be cov ered by the boat 10
= 
Relative speed of the boat 10 = 1 minute.
11. (B) Ratio of wages of Ankur, Bindu and Chandu
= (6 × 5) : (4 : 6) : (9 : 4) = 30 : 24 : 36 = 5 : 4 : 6
 5 
Ankur’s share = Rs.  1800   = Rs.600.
 15 
12. (A) Consider number as: x = 1, then a + b + c + d = 15
Combinations are : (2, 2, 5, 6)
(2, 3, 4, 6)
(2, 3, 5, 5)
(3, 3, 3, 6)
(3, 3, 4, 5)
(4, 4, 4, 3)
(4, 4, 2, 5)
Consider number as : x = 2, then a + b + c + d = 10 (1, 1, 3, 5)
(1, 1, 4, 4)
(3, 3, 3, 1)
Possible number of combinations is 10.

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 PART-A (MSP)

13. (D)
A C
L K

O 7 ft 15 ft M Y
13 ft
13 ft
N X
B D
35 ft
Total area of botanical garden is
(AB / 2)2 (CD / 2)2
  15  35 
2 2
2
 15 
     525  176.78  525  701 ft 2
 2 
The area of the walkway = total area of garden – area of pond = 701 – 38.5 = 662.5 ft2.
14. (B) Total surface area of cube = 6(2 × 2) m2 = 24 m2
Total surface area of rectangular box
= [2(8 × 1) + 2(4 × 1) + 2(8 × 4)]m2
= [16 + 8 + 64]m2 = 88 m2
If 24 m2 needs 12 litre of paint, i.e. 1 litre for every 2 m2, 88 m2 needs 44 litre of paint.
15. (B) Let AB be the pole and AC be its shadow.
B

2 3m


C
2m A
Then, ACB = .
Then, AB = 2 3 m, AC = 2m,

AB 2 3
tan     3
AC 2
So,  = 60°.
16. (C) The third figure in each row comprises of objects common to the first two figures.
17. (C) Let the two digit number be 10a + b and the number formed by reversing its digits be
10b + a.
(10a + b)/(10b + a) = 4/7
70a + 7b = 40b + 4a
66a = 33b
Therefore,
a/b = 1/2
So, let us list down all possible values for a and b.

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 PART-A (MSP)

a b Number Reversed Number

1 2 12 21
2 4 24 42
3 6 36 63
4 8 48 84
Hence, the sum of all the numbers would be,
12 + 21 + 24 + 42 + 36 + 63 + 48 + 84 = 330.
The question is "Which of the following is the sum of all the numbers of all such pairs?"
Hence, the answer is "330".
18. (D) Side of a triangle are. 6, 10, x.
Area = 1/2 × 6 × 10 × sinBAC.
Area is maximum, when BAC = 90o

x = (100  36) = 136

There is a more algebraic method using hero's formula. Try that also.
The question is "Sides of a triangle are 6, 10 and x for what value of x is the area of the
 the maximum?"
Hence, the answer is None of these.
19. (B) Sum of digits of the first number is 2 more than the sum of digits of the second number.
20. (B) Total Investment
 (11% + 19% + 7%) of Monthly salary
= 37 % of Monthly salary
11 % of monthly salary = 5236

5236
37 % of monthly salary =  37
11
= 476 × 37
= Rs. 17612

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