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36. A certain city has projected population of 1,86,624 in In problems on coded inequalities, operators are coded with
10 years from now. If its population increases some symbols. So we first need to decode it and then check the
geometrically at the rate of 20% every two years, what is conclusions.
the population right now?
Example of Coded Inequality in Reasoning
(a) 90000 (b) 36000
(c) 18000 (d) None of these Directions: In the following questions, the symbols δ, @, ©, %
and ⋆ are used with the following meaning as illustrated below.
37. Hari bought a new car and is slowly breaking it in by
increasing his mileage by a constant number of miles each ‘A © B’ means ‘A is not smaller than B’.
week. How many miles will he have to drive the car in the ‘A % B’ means ‘A is neither smaller than nor equal to B’.
11th week if he drove it 280 miles in the third week and ‘A ⋆ B’ means ‘A is neither greater than nor equal to B’.
400 miles in the sixth week? ‘A δ B’ means ‘A is not greater than B’.
(a) 560 (b) 680 (c) 720 (d) 600 ‘A @ B’ means ‘A is neither greater than nor smaller than B’.
38. Nandhini wants to host a party. She invites 3 friends and Now in each of the following questions assuming the given
told them to invite 3 of their friends. The 3 friends do statements to be true, find which of the four conclusions I, II, II
invite 3 others and asks each to invite 3 more people. The and IV given below them is/are definitely true and give your
invitation process goes on for 5 generations of invitations. answer accordingly.
Including herself, how many people can Nandhini expect
Statements:
at her party?
(a) 120 (b) 124 (c) 121 (d) 240 P δ T, T @ R, R © O, O % K

Conclusions:
39. In a library there are certain number of books and they
are stacked in layers on a shelf. Each layer of books has I. R@P
one less than the layer below it, if there are 20 books on II. R%P
the bottom layer and one on the top layer, how many III. K⋆T
books are stacked on the shelf? IV. OδT
(a) 210 (b) 120 (c) 420 (d) 105 (1) Only either I or II is true

40. A piece of equipment cost a certain factory Rs.600,000. If (2) Only III and IV are true
it depreciates in value, 15% the first year, 13.5 % the next (3) Only either I or II and III are true
year, 12% the third year and so on, what will be its value (4) Only either I or II and IV are true
at the end of 10 years, all percentages applying to the (5) Only either I or II and III and IV are true
original cost?
Follow the steps given below to simplify the process.
(a) Rs.2,00,000 (b) Rs.1,05,000
Steps Involved in Solving Coded Inequality in Reasoning
(c) Rs.4,05,000 (d) Rs.6,50,000
Step 1: Make Decoding Table
CODED INEQUALITIES The easiest method is to first make a table as shown below.

Coded Inequality problems are the advanced version of

Mathematical Inequality questions. To solve Coded Inequality in
the Reasoning Sections of exams, we must know how to solve
Mathematical Inequality where direct inequality operators are
used (, , ,  and =). These types of questions are important
for competitive exams like IBPS Clerk, SBI Clerk, SSC CGL,
Placement Aptitude, IBPS PO, SBI PO, NICL AO, LIC AAO, SBI NOTE: Elements used in question are A and B so we have added
Associate Clerk, SBI Associate PO, CAT and others. A and B in table.

TIP: Sometimes, to make questions more complicated, reverse

In problems on mathematical equalities, operator ‘>’ and ‘<’ has
relations may be given as: ‘A * B’ means ‘B is not smaller than A’.
the highest priority. This is followed by ‘≥’ and ‘≤’. On the other
So here we will write B in the first row and A in the last row.
hand, ‘=’ has the least priority. So if a statement is A > B ≥ C = D
then A > C, D because ‘>’ has highest priority. B ≥ D because ≥ Step 2: Add Symbols to Table
has priority more than ‘=’.

Read Tips to Solve Mathematical Inequalities

Now we know how to get the relation between two elements. So,
we can go ahead and solve Coded Inequality in Reasoning.

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Step 3: Start decoding symbols one by one. Then add decoded
operator into the table.
Here symbols are:
© → not smaller than → means greater than or equal to → ‘≥’
% → neither smaller than nor equal to → means greater than
→ ‘>’
⋆ → neither greater than nor equal to → means smaller than
→ ‘<’
δ → not greater than → means smaller than or equal to → ‘≤’
@ → neither greater than nor smaller than → means equal to
→ ‘=’
But we know from the combined statement that P ≤ R. Hence
either conclusion I or II has to be true as they form
complementary pair.
TIP: Whenever there are 2 conclusions having the same 2
elements and both conclusions are false, always check for
complementary pair.
Complementary means combining in such a way as to enhance
or emphasize the qualities of each other or another.
Like, ‘<’, ‘>’ and ‘=’ form complementary pairs for any case. This
is because there cannot be any relation other than these if these
three cases are included.

So our decoding table becomes: Conclusion III: K ⋆ T → K < T

Now from the combined statement we get T = R ≥ O > K.
This can be shortened as T ≥ O > K.
Now according to priority, > has more priority than ≥. So the
final relation between T and K will be T > K.
Thus the conclusion is true.

We will now use this decoding table to solve the actual
questions
Step 4: Decode Statements using Decoding Table.
Statements: P δ T, T @ R, R © O, O % K
Conclusion IV: O δ T → O ≤ T
Now from the combined statement we get, T = R ≥ O.
According to priority, ≥ has more priority than =. So the final
relation between T and O will be T ≥ O.
Thus the conclusion is true.
So our final answer will be conclusion III, IV and either
conclusion I or conclusion II follows.
This trick will significantly reduce the time taken to solve
problems on coded inequality in reasoning sections of all
competitive exams.

Decoded statements: P ≤ T, T = R, R ≥ O, O > K PRACTICE EXERCISE

Step 5: Combine Decoded Statements Directions for Q1 to Q6: In the given questions, assuming the
Combined statement will be: P ≤ T = R ≥ O > K given statements to be true, find which of the given four
conclusions I, II, III and IV stands definitely true and give your
Step 6: Conclude Individually answer accordingly.
Look at conclusions one by one, decode each conclusion using
1. Statement: S>M≥D>H≤R≤T<W
the Decoding Table. Then check whether the conclusion follows
or not. Conclusions: I. S>H II. W > H
III. R < W IV. M > T
(a) I, II and III are true
(b) Only II is true
(c) I and II are true
(d) I and either II or IV are true
(e) All I, II, III and IV are true
Conclusion I: R @ P → R = P 2. Statement: M > U > L ≤ N; L ≥ Y > A
Now from the combined statement we get, P ≤ T = R. Conclusions: I. Y<N II. M > N
According to priority level we get, P ≤ R. III. N = Y IV. M > A
Thus R = P is false. (a) Only either II or III is true
(b) IV and either I or III are true
Conclusion II: R % P → R > P
(c) Only IV is true
From the combined statement we get, P ≤ T = R.
(d) Only II is true
Thus again we get P ≤ R.
(e) Only III is true
So R > P is false.

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3. Statement: J ≥ A > D = L; L < A < M 8. Statement: P<Q=R≥S≥T

Conclusions: I. M<J II. J > L Conclusion: I. T≤Q II. R > P
III. D > L IV. E < M 9. Statement: A ≤ B < C; A ≥ D; C ≤ F
(a) Only II is true (b) I and III are true Conclusion: I. D<C II. F ≥ D
(c) None is true (d) II and IV are true
10. Statement: U>A=I≤O<E
(e) I and II are true
Conclusion: I. I≤E II. O > U
4. Statement: Y > F ≤ O ≤ P; F ≥ U < T
Directions for Q11 and Q12: In each of the following
Conclusions: I. Y>P II. T < F questions, relationship between different elements is shown in
III. O > T IV. P < U the statements. These statements are followed by two
(a) Only I is true (b) Only II is true conclusions.
(c) Only III is true (d) None is true Give answer
(e) I and IV are true (a) If only conclusion I follows.
(b) If only conclusion II follows.
5. Statement: M>H≤Y≤R<U=Z≥E
(c) If either conclusion I or II follows.
Conclusions: I. M>R II. Z ≤ R
(d) If both conclusion I and II follow.
III. R > E IV. Z > H
11. Statement: P ≥ Q = R, Q > S > T
(a) I and II are true (b) Only IV is true
Conclusions: I. P ≥T II. T < Q
(c) None is true (d) II and IV are true
(e) II and III are true 12. Statement: F ≥ G = H, G > J ≥ K
Conclusions: I. F≥K II. K < H
6. Statement: P>Q≤C≤B=M>D
Conclusions: I. M>Q II. D < P 13. Which of the following expressions will be true if the
given expression K ≥ G > H ≤ F is definitely true?
III. M = Q IV. C > D
(a) F ≥ K (b) H < K (c) F < G
(a) None is true
(d) K ≥ H (e) None of these
(b) Only IV is true
(c) Only either I or III is true Directions for Q14: In this question, relationship between
(d) III and II are true different elements is shown in the statements.
(e) Only is true Give answer
(a) if only conclusion I is true
Directions for Q7: In each of the following questions,
(b) if only conclusion II is true
relationship between different elements is shown in the
(c) if either conclusion I or II is true
statements. These statements are followed by two conclusions.
(d) if neither conclusion I nor II is true
Give answer
(e) if both conclusions I and II are true
(a) If only conclusion I follows.
(b) If only conclusion II follows. 14. Statement: F ≥ G = H; G > J ≥ K
(c) If either conclusion I or II follows. Conclusion: I. F≥K II. K < H

(d) If both conclusion I and II follow. Directions for Q15 to Q19: In these questions, relationship
between different elements is shown in the statements. These
7. Statement: A < B = C, D > C = E statements are followed by two conclusions.
Conclusions: I. E≥A II. A < D Mark answer if
Directions for Q8 to Q10: In these questions, relationship (a) Only conclusion I follows.
between different elements is shown in the statements. These (b) Only conclusion II follows.
statements are followed by two conclusions. (c) Either conclusion I or II follows.
Give answer (d) Neither conclusion I nor II follows.
(a) if only conclusion I is true (e) Both conclusion I and II follow.
(b) if only conclusion II is true 15. Statement: P≥Q=R>S>T
(c) if either conclusion I or II is true Conclusion: I. P≥T II. T < Q
(d) if neither conclusion I nor II is true
16. Statement: L≤M<N>O≥P
(e) if both conclusions I and II are true
Conclusion: I. O<M II. P ≤ N

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17. Statement: A > B, B ≥ C = D < E Application 2

Conclusion: I. C<A II. D ≤ B Find the roots of the equation x2 + 2x – 2 = 0.
Solution
18. Statement: H > J = K, K ≥ L, L > T, T < V
Conclusion: I. K>T II. L ≤ H 2  4  8 2  2 3
x 
2 2
19. Statement: A ≤ B = C, D > C = E
So, the roots of the given equation are 1  3 and 1  3
Conclusion: I. E≥A II. A < D

Directions for Q20: In these questions, relationship between Application 3

different elements is shown in the statements. These statements
If 2 – 2 is a root of the equation x2 + 4x + 2 = 0, find its other
are followed by two conclusions.
root.
Mark answer if
Solution
(a) Only conclusion I follows.
Let the other root be  .
(b) Only conclusion II follows.
(c) Either conclusion I or II follows. b
Sum of the roots  = –4
(d) Neither conclusion I nor II follows. a
(e) Both conclusion I and II follow.  2 – 2 +  = –4 or  = –2 – 2
20. Statement: Z > T, T < M, M < J  Other root is –2 – 2 .
Conclusion: I. T<J II. J < Z
Application 4
QUADRATIC EQUATIONS If  and  are the roots of the equation 6x2 –x –1 = 0, find the
1 1
An equation of form ax2 + bx + c = 0 where a, b and c  R and equation whose roots and .
 
a  0 is called as the quadratic equation. It is a polynomial of
degree 2. Solution
Roots of the quadratic can be found using factorization method b 1 c 1
    and    
2 a 6 a 6
b  b  4ac
or the formula x  .
2a Sum of the roots of the required equation:
1
If  and  are the roots of the equation ax2  bx  c  0, then the 1 1   6
    1
b c    1
sum of the roots      and the product of the roots   . 
a 6
a
1
NATURE OF THE ROOTS Product of the roots of the required equation:  6

The nature of the roots is decided by the expression b2  4ac,  1 1 1
So, the required equation is x2     x  0
called the discriminant.     

If the expression b2  4ac  0, then the roots are real and  x2 + x – 6 = 0

unequal.
Application 5
If the expression b2  4ac  0, then the roots are real and equal.
If  and  are the roots of the equation x2 + 4x – 45 = 0, find the
2 value of 4 + 4.
If the expression b  4ac  0, then the roots are not real but
will be imaginary and conjugate to each other. Solution
Here,  +  = –4 and  = –45
Application 1
 
2
4  4  2  2  222
Find the roots of the equation x2 – x – 12 = 0.
Solution
 
2 2
     2  222 =(16 + 90)2 – 4050
x2 – x – 12 = x2 – 4x + 3x – 12= x(x –4) +3 (x – 4)
 (x – 4)(x + 3) = 0 = 11236 – 4050 = 7186
So, the roots of the given equation are 4 and –3.

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Application 6
A and B solves a quadratic equation. In solving, A commits a SMART Tip
mistake in constant term and finds the roots as –2 and –8. In
solving, B commits a mistake in the coefficient of x and finds the For ax2  bx  c  0 with a > 0, the minimum value of the
roots as 8 and 3. Find the correct roots of the equation. 4ac  b2 b
expression is for x  .
Solution 4a 2a
Let the correct equation be x2 + ax + b = 0 For ax2  bx  c  0 with a < 0, the maximum value of the
A's equation is x2 + 10x + 16 = 0
4ac  b2 b
expression is for x  .
As he commits mistake in constant term, correct value of a = 10 4a 2a
B's equation is x2 – 11x + 24 = 0
As he commits mistake in the coefficient of x, correct value of b PRACTICE EXERCISE
= 24 1. If 7a  8b  53 and 9a  5b  47, find the values of a and b.
So, the given equation is x2 + 10x + 24 = 0 (a) (4, 5) (b) (4, 3) (c) (3, 4) (d) (5, 4)
Therefore, the correct roots of the given equation is –6 and –4
[
2. If I add 7 times my age seven years from now and 3 times
my age three years ago, I get 12 times my current age.
How old will I be 3 years from now?
SMART Tip (a) 22 years (b) 23 years
(c) 24 years (d) 25 years
In a quadratic equation ax2  bx  c  0.
3. A farmer has some chickens and feed for them. The feed
If b = 0, then roots are equal in magnitude but opposite in sign. lasts for exactly 30 days. He sold 10 of the chickens and
If c = 0, then one of it root is zero. purchased some feed such that the entire feed with him
will last for 150 days. Now, he has thrice the initial feed.
If a = c, then roots are reciprocal to each other. Find the initial number of chickens.
Application 7 (a) 25 (b) 30
(c) 40 (d) Cannot be determined
For what value of k, the equation 4x2 – 4x + k = 0 has equal roots?
Solution 3 th
2
4. Tree I grows at of tree II. If both the trees together
Determinant = b  4ac  16 – 16k = 0 or 1 – k = 0 7
So, for k = 1, the given equation has equal roots. grow 3 ft for every 3 years, find the time required by tree
II to grow 7 ft.
Application 8 (a) 7 years (b) 10 years
Find the range of p, so that the equation x2 + px + 16 = 0 has real (c) 8 years (d) 12 years
roots.
5. Find the quadratic equation whose roots are the
Solution
reciprocals of the roots of the equation x2  7x  12  0.
For the solution to be real, determinant  0 .
(a) x2  12x  7  0 (b) x2  12x  7  0
Determinant = p2 – 64  0 or (p + 8)(p – 8)  0
So, the required range is p  8 and p  –8 (c) 12x2  7x  1  0 (d) 12x2  7x  1  0

Application 9 6. The equation 4 x  9  11x  1  7 x  4  0 has

Solve: x  3  2x  9 (a) no solution
Solution (b) 1 solution
On squaring the given equation, (c) 2 solutions
x  3  4x2  36x  81 (d) more than 2 solutions

4x2 – 37x + 78 = 0 7. The equation  cos p  1 x2   cos p  x  sin p  0 has

4x2 – 24x – 13x + 78 = 0
real roots if p lies in the interval
4x(x – 6) – 13(x – 6) = 0 or (4x – 13)(x – 6) = 0
(a) 0, 2 (b)   , 0
13
Therefore, x = 6 (as x = does not satisfy the given equation)   
4 (c)   ,  (d) 0, 
 2 2

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8. If the sum of the roots of the equation ax2  bx  c  0 is 16. Let  ,  be the roots of x2  x  p  0 and  ,  be the
equal to the sum of the squares of their reciprocals, then roots of x2  4x  q  0. If  ,  ,  ,  are in G.P., find the
(a) ab2 , ca2 , bc2 are in A.P. values of p and q.
(a)  2,  32 (b)  2, 3
(b) ab2 , bc2 , ca2 are in A.P.
(c)  6, 3 (d)  6,  32
(c) ab2 , bc2 , ac2 are in A.P.
(d) None of these 17. If one root of the quadratic equation ax2  bx  c  0 is
three times the other, find the relationship between a, b
9. Let a, b, c be  R and a  0. If  is a root of and c.
a x  bx  c  0,  is a root of a2x2  bx  c  0 and
2 2
(a) 3b2  16 ac (b) b2  4 ac
0     , then the equation a2x2  2bx  2c  0 has a 2 a 2  c2 b
(c)  a  c   4b (d) 
root  that always satisfies ac 2

(a)  
1
2
   (b)    

2
18. If the roots of the equation a 2

 b2 x2  2b  a  c  x

(c)      (d)       2
 b c 2
  0 are equal, then a, b, c are in
(a) A.P. (b) G.P.
10. If for the quadratic equation x2  kx  1  0, one of the (c) H.P. (d) Cannot be determined
roots is A such that tan A  2 5  1, then the other root is 19. If 2 quadratic equations ax2 + ax + b=0 and x2 + x + b = 0
(a) greater than 1 (b) greater than 2 have a common root, x = 1 find out which of the following
(c) less than 1 (d) None of these statements is correct.
(a) a + b = -3.5 (b) ab = 3
11. If p and q are the roots of the equation x2  px  q  0, (c) (d) a – b = – 0.5
then
20. Find the least value of x2 + 6x – 27.
(a) p  1 (b) p  1 or 0
(a) – 63 (b) – 36 (c) 42 (d) 24
(c) p   2 (d) p   2 or 0
GEOMETRY & MENSURATION
12. If a, b, c are positive real numbers which are in G.P., then
1. The diagonal of a rectangle is 26 cm long and its
the equation ax2  2bx  c  0 and dx2  2ex  f  0 have
perimeter is 68 cm. Find the area of the rectangle.
a b c A
a common root if , , are in D
d e f
26 cm
(a) A.P. (b) G.P.
(c) H.P. (d) None of these
B C

13. If f  x   x2  2x  5 and g( x )  5x  30, find the roots of (a) 240 sq.cm (b) 235 sq.cm
the quadratic equation gf(x)  0. (c) 260 sq.cm (d) 225 sq.cm

(a)  1,  1 (b) 2,  1 2. A toy is in the form of a cone mounted by a hemisphere of

radius 3.5 cm. The total length of the toy is 15.5 cm. Find
(c)  1  2,  1  2 (d) 1, 2 the volume and the total surface area of the solid.

14. The only value of x satisfying the equation

x 4 x
6 2  11, x  R is 15.5 cm
4 x x

4 16 4 16
(a) (b) (c)  (d) 
35 3 35 3
3.5 cm
15. The number of real values of x satisfying the equation
 1   1
2  x2  2   9  x    14  0 is
 x   x 2 3 2
(a) 234.82, 205.5 cm (b) 243.82 cm , 214.5 cm
(a) 1 (b) 2 (c) 3 (d) 4 2 2
(c) 224.82, 220.5 cm (d) 214.82, 234.5 cm

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