Math XI KVPY Questions

BASIC MATHEMATICS
[Mathematics] (KVPY QUESTION WITH ANSWER KEY) [XI-Pathway-1]
Previous Years 3. The number of positive integers n in the set {2, 3, 200}
1
such that has a terminating decimal expansion is
YEAR 2018 n
[KVPY]
1. The number of different possible values for the sum
x + y + z, where x, y, z are real numbers such that (1) 16 (2) 18 (3) 40 (4) 100
x4 + 4y4 + 16z4 + 64 = 32 xyz is [KVPY] 4. If a, b, c are real numbers such that a + b + c = 0 and
(1) 1 (2) 2 (3) 4 (4) 8 a2 + b2 + c2 = 1, then (3a + 5b – 8c)2 + (– 8a + 3b + 5c)2
2. The number of pair (a, b) of positive real numbers + (5a – 8b + 3c)2 is equal to [KVPY]
satisfying a4 + b4 < 1 and a2 + b2 > 1 is [KVPY] (1) 49 (2) 98 (3) 147 (4) 294
(1) 0 (2) 1 5. Let ABC be a triangle and M be a point on side AC closer
(3) 2 (4) more than 2 to vertex C than A. Let N be a point on side AB such that
3. Let S be the sum of the digits of the number 152 × 518 in MN is parallel to BC and let P be a point on side BC
base 10. Then [KVPY] such that MP is parallel to AB. If the area of the
(1) S < 6 (2) 6  S < 140 5
quadrilateral BNMP is equal to ths of the area of
(3) 140  S < 148 (4) S  148 18
triangle ABC, then the ratio AM/MC equals [KVPY]
4. The number of solid cones with integer radius and
integer height each having its volume numerically equal 18 15
to its total surface area is [KVPY] (1) 5 (2) 6 (3) (4)
5 2
(1) 0 (2) 1 (3) 2 (4) infinite
6. Let n  4 be a positive integer and let l1, l2, ..., ln be the
5. Let ABCD be a square. An arc of a circle with A as center lengths of the sides of arbitrary n sided non-degenerate
and AB as radius is drawn inside the square joining the
l1 l2 l
points B and D. Points P on AB, S on AD. Q and R on arc polygon P. Suppose + + ... + n–1 = n
l2 l3 ln
BD are taken such that PQRS is a square. Further
suppose that PQ and RS are parallel to AC. Then Consider the following statements :
area PQRS I. The lengths of the sides of P are equal.
is [KVPY]
area ABCD
II. The angles of P are equal.
1 1 1 2
(1) (2) (3) (4) III. P is a regular polygon if it is cyclic.
8 5 4 5
Then [KVPY]
6. Suppose ABCD is a trapezium whose sides and height
(1) I is true and I implies II
are integers and AB is parallel to CD. If the area of ABCD
is 12 and the sides are distinct, then |AB – CD| (2) II is true
(1) is 2 (2) is 4 [KVPY] (3) III is false
(3) is 8 (4) I and III are true
(4) cannot be determined from the data 7. In a classroom, one-fifth of the boys leave the class and
YEAR 2017 the ratio of the remaining boys to girls is 2 : 3. If further
44 girls leave the class, the ratio of boys to girls is 5 : 2.
1. A spherical ball is kept at the corner of a rectangular How many more boys should leave the class so that
room such that the ball touches two (perpendicular) the number of boys equals that of girls? [KVPY]
walls and lies on the floor. If a point on the sphere is at
distance of 9, 16, 25 from the two walls and the floor, (1) 16 (2) 24 (3) 30 (4) 36
then a possible radius of the sphere is [KVPY] 8. Let ABCD be a trapezium with parallel sides AB and CD
(1) 13 (2) 15 (3) 26 (4) 36 such that the circle S with AB as its diameter touches
CD. Further, the circle S passes through the midpoints
2. Suppose BC is a given line segment in the plane and T of the diagonals AC and BD of the trapezium. The
is a scalene triangle. The number of points A in the smallest angle of the trapezium is [KVPY]
plane such that the triangle with vertices A, B, C (in some
order) is similar to triangle T is [KVPY]
   
(1) (2) (3) (4)
3 4 5 6
(1) 4 (2) 6 (3) 12 (4) 24
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MATHEMATICS KVPY QUIESTION
9. Let a, b, c, d be real numbers between – 5 and 5 such 17. If a, b, c, d are four distinct numbers chosen from the set
a c
that a  4  5  a , b  4  5  b , {1, 2, 3, ..., 9}, then the minimum value of + is
b d
[KVPY]
c  4 5c , d  4 5d
3 1 13 25
(1) (2) (3) (4)
Then the product abcd is [KVPY] 8 3 36 72
(1) 11 (2) – 11 (3) 121 (4) – 121 18. If 72x + 48y = 6xy, where x and y are nonzero rational
10. The number of solution pairs (x, y) of the simultaneous numbers, then x + y equals [KVPY]
equations 10 10
(1) 3 (2) (3) – 3 (4) –
log1/3(x + y) + log3(x – y) = 2 3 3
2
19. It is given that the number 43361 can be written as a
2y = 512x+1 is [KVPY] product of two distinct prime number p1, p2. Further,
(1) 0 (2) 1 (3) 2 (4) 3 assume that there are 42900 numbers which are less
than 43361 and are co-prime to it. Then, p1 + p2 is
11. Suppose p,q,r are real numbers such that
[KVPY]
q = p(4 – p), r = q(4 – q), p = r(4 – r)
(1) 462 (2) 464 (3) 400 (4) 402
The maximum possible value of p + q + r is [KVPY]
20. In an isosceles trapezium, the length of one of the parallel
(1) 0 (2) 3 (3) 9 (4) 27
sides, and the length of the non-parallel sides are all
12. Let a, b, c, d, e be real number such that a + b < c + d, eqaul to 30. In order to maximize the are of the trapezium,
b + c < d + e, c + d < e + a, d + e < a + b. Then [KVPY] the smallest angle should be [KVPY]
(1) The largest is a and the smallest is b
   
(2) The largest is a and the smallest is c (1) (2) (3) (4)
6 4 3 2
(3) The largest is c and the smallest is e
21. Let ABCD be a square and E be a point outside ABCD
(4) The largest is c and the smallest is b such that E, A, C are collinear in that order. Suppose
13. Let x, y, z be positive integers such that HCF(x, y, z) = 1 EB  ED  130 and the areas of triangle EAB and
and x2 + y2 = 2z2. Which of the following statements are
square ABCD are equal. Then the area of square ABCD
true? is [KVPY]
I. 4 divides x or 4 divides y
(1) 8 (2) 10 (3) 120 (4) 125
II. 3 divides x + y or 3 divides x – y
YEAR 2016
III. 5 divides z(x2 – y2) [KVPY]
1. The number of triples (x, y, z) of real numbers satisfying
(1) I and II only (2) II and III only the equation
(3) II only (4) III only x4 + y4 + z4 + 1 = 4 xyz is [KVPY]
14. A quadrilateral has distinct integer side lengths. If the (1) 0 (2) 4
second-largest side has length 10, then the maximum (3) 8 (4) more than 8
possible length of the largest side is [KVPY]
2. Ten ants are on the real line. At time t = 0, the k-th ant
(1) 25 (2) 26 (3) 27 (4) 28 starts at the point k2 and travelling at uniform speed,
15. Let a 1 , a 2 , a 3 , a 4 be real numbers such that reaches the point (11 – k)2 at time t = 1. The number of
distinct times at which at least two ants are at the same
a1 + a2 + a3 + a4 = 0 and a12  a22  a32  a24  1 . Then the
location is [KVPY]
smallest possible value of the expression
(1) 45 (2) 11 (3) 17 (4) 9
(a1 – a2)2 + (a2 – a3)2 + (a3 – a4)2 + (a4 – a1)2 lies in the
interval [KVPY] 3. The number of digits in the decimal expansion of 165516
(1) (0, 1.5) (2) (1.5, 2.5) is [KVPY]
(3) (2.5, 3) (4) (3, 3.5) (1) 16 (2) 17 (3) 18 (4) 19

4. Consider the equation (1 + a + b)2 = 3(1 + a2 + b2),
16. Let a1, a2, ..., an be n nonzero real numbers, of which p
where a, b are real numbers.
are positive and remaining are negative. The number of
ordered pairs (j,k), j < k, for which ajak is positive, is 55. Then [KVPY]
Similarly, the number of ordered pairs (j, k), j < k, for (1) there is no solution pair (a, b)
which a j a k is negative, is 50. Then the value of (2) there are infinitely many solution pairs (a, b)
p2 + (n – p)2 is [KVPY]
(3) there are exactly two solution pairs (a, b)
(1) 629 (2) 325 (3) 125 (4) 221
(4) there is exactly one solution pair (a, b)
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KVPY QUIESTION MATHEMATICS
5. Let a and b be two positive real numbers such that 7. Given are three cylindrical buckets X,Y,Z whose circular
a + 2b  1. Let A1 and A2 be respectively, the areas of bases are of radii 1, 2, 3 units, respectively. Initially water
circles with radii ab 3 and b 2 . Then the maximum is filled in these buckets upto the same height. Some
A water is then transferred from Z to X so that they both
possible value of 1 is [KVPY] have the same volume of water. some water is then
A2
transferred between X and Y so that they both have the
1 1 same volume of water. If hY, hZ denote the heights of
(1) (2)
16 64 water at this stage in the buckets Y, Z respectively, then
hY
1 1 the ratio h equals [KVPY]
(3) (4) Z
16 2 32
4 9 81
YEAR 2015 (1) (2) 1 (3) (4)
9 4 40
1. The number of ordered pairs (x, y) of real numbers that
satisfy the simultaneous equations YEAR 2014
x + y2 = x2 + y = 12 is [KVPY] 1. Let x and y be two 2-digit numbers such that y is obtained

by reversing the digits of x. Suppose they also satisfy
(1) 0 (2) 1 (3) 2 (4) 4 x2 – y2 = m2 for some positive integer m. The value of
x + y + m is [KVPY]
 
2. If log(3x – 1) (x – 2) = log 2x 2 – 10x – 2 , then x (1) 88 (2) 112 (3) 144 (4) 154
9x 2
–6x+1
equals [KVPY] 2. In a cinema hall, the charge per person is Rs.200. On
the first day, only 60% of the seats were filled. The owner
(1) 9 – 15 (2) 3 + 15 decided to reduce the price by 20% and there was an
increase of 50% in the number of spectators on the next
(3) 2+ 5 (4) 6– 5 day. The percentage increase in the revenue on the
second day was [KVPY]
3. Suppose a, b, c are positive integers such that
(1) 50 (2) 40 (3) 30 (4) 20
a  2b  3c
2a + 4b + 8c = 328. The is equal to [KVPY]
abc 3. The population of cattle in a farm increases so that the
difference between the population in year n + 2 and
1 5 17 5 theat in year n is proportional to the population in year
(1) (2) (3) (4)
2 8 24 6 n + 1. If the populations in years 2010, 2011 and 2013
were 39, 60 and 123, respectively, then the population
4. Let x, y, z be positive reals. Which of the following implies
in 2012 was [KVPY]
x = y = z? [KVPY]
(1) 81 (2) 84 (3) 87 (4) 90
I. x3 + y3 + z3 = 3xyz
II. x3 + y2z + yz2 = 3xyz 4. Let a, b, c be non-zero real numbers such that
a + b + c = 0; let q = a2 + b2 + c2 and r = a4 + b4 + c4.
III. x3 + y2z + z2x = 3xyz
Then [KVPY]
IV. (x + y + z)3 = 27xyz
(1) q2 < 2r always
(1) I, IV only (2) I, II, IV only
(2) q2 = 2r always
(3) I, II and III only (4) All of them
(3) q2 > 2r always
5. In the figure given below, if the areas of the two regions
are equal then which of the following is true? [KVPY] (4) q2 – 2r can take both positive and negative values
5. The number of integers a in the interval [1, 2014] for
45º which the system of equations
2y 45º x2 y2
2y x + y = a,  4
y y x 1 y 1
45º
45º has finitely many solutions is [KVPY]
x y 2x
(1) 0 (2) 1007 (3) 2013 (4) 2014
(1) x = y (2) x = 2y (3) 2x = y (4) x = 3y
6. The number of all 3-digit numbers abc (in base 10) for
3 3 1 which (a × b × c) + (b × c) + (c × a) + a + b + c = 29 is
6. The least positive integer n for which n  1 n  is
12
[KVPY]
(1) 6 (2) 7 (3) 8 (4) 9 [KVPY] (1) 6 (2) 10 (3) 14 (4) 18
Previous Years Answers YEAR 2016
1. (2) 2. (3) 3. (3) 4. (4)

YEAR 2018 5. (2)
1. (3) 2. (4) 3. (2) 4. (2)
YEAR 2015
5. (4) 6. (2)
1. (4) 2. (2) 3. (3) 4. (2)
YEAR 2017
5. (2) 6. (3) 7. (4)
1. (1) 2. (3) 3. (2) 4. (3)
YEAR 2014
5. (1) 6. (4) 7. (2) 8. (4)
9. (1) 10. (2) 11. (3) 12. (1) 1. (4) 2. (4) 3. (2) 4. (2)
13. (2) 14. (2) 15. (2) 16. (3) 5. (3) 6. (3)
17. (4) 18. (4) 19. (1) 20. (3)
21. (2)
QUADRATIC EQUATION AND EXPRESSION
Previous Years 2. The quotient when 1 + x2 + x4 + x5 + ... + x34 is divided by

1 + x + x2 + x3 + ... + x17 is [KVPY]
YEAR 2018
(1) x17 – x15 + x13 – x11 + ... + x
1. Let xk be real numbers such that xk  k4 + k 2 + 1 for (2) x17 + x15 + x13 + x11 + ... + x
2018
1  k  2018. Denote N = Ek=1 k . Consider the following (3) x17 + x16 + x15 + x14 + ... + 1
inequalities :
(4) x17 – x16 + x15 – x14 + ... – 1
2
 2018   2018 
  kxk   N   kxk2  3. Let r(x) be the remainder when the polynomial
I.    
 k=1   k=1  x135 + x125 – x115 + x5 + 1 is divided by x3 – x. Then
2
(1) r(x) is the zero polynomial [KVPY]
 2018   2018 
II.   kx k   N   k 2 xk2  (2) r(x) is a nonzero constant
   
 k=1   k=1  (3) degree of r(x) is one
Then [KVPY]
(4) degree of r(x) is two
(1) both I and II are true
4. The sum of all non-integer roots of the equation
(2) I is true and II is false x5 – 6x4 + 11x3 – 5x2 – 3x + 2 = 0 is [KVPY]
(3) I is false and II is true
(1) 6 (2) – 11 (3) – 5 (4) 3
(4) both I and II are false
YEAR 2016
2. Let a = cos 1º and b = sin 1º. We say that a real number
is algebraic if it is a root of a polynomial with integer 1. The number of integers k for which the equation
coefficients. Then [KVPY] x3 – 27x + k = 0 has at least two distinct integer roots is
(1) a is algebraic but b is not algebraic [KVPY]
(2) b is algebraic but a is not algebraic (1) 1 (2) 2 (3) 3 (4) 4

(3) both a and b are algebraic 2. The polynomial equation x3 – 3ax2 + (27a2 + 9)x + 2016
(4) neither a nor b is algebraic = 0 has [KVPY]
3. The number of real roots of the polynomial equation (1) exactly one real root for any real a
x4 – x2 + 2x – 1 = 0 is [KVPY] (2) three real roots for any real a
(1) 0 (2) 2 (3) 3 (4) 4 (3) three real roots for any a  0, and exactly one real
root for any a < 0
4. The number of polynomials p(x) with integer coefficients
such that the curve y = p(x) passes through (2, 2) and (4) three real roots for any a  0, and exactly one real
(4, 5) is [KVPY] root for any a > 0
(1) 0 (2) 1 3. The remainder when the polynomial 1 + x2 + x4 + x6

+ ... + x22 is divided by 1 + x + x2 + x3 + ... + x11 is
(3) more that 1 but finite
(1) 0 (2) 2 [KVPY]
(4) infinite
(3) 1 + x2 + x4 + ... + x10 (4) 2(1 + x2 + x4 + ... + x10)
YEAR 2017
4. Suppose the quadratic polynomial p(x) = ax2 + bx + c
1. Let x1, x2, ..., x6 be the roots of the polynomial equation has positive coefficients a, b, c in arithmetic progression
x6 + 2x5 + 4x4 + 8x3 + 16x2 + 32x + 64 = 0. in that order. If P(x) = 0 has integer roots  and , then
 +  +  equals [KVPY]
Then [KVPY]
(1) 3 (2) 5 (3) 7 (4) 14
(1) |xi| = 2 for exactly one value of i
5. Let t be real number such that t2
= at + b for some
(2) |xi| = 2 for exactly two values of i positive integers a and b. Then for any choice of positive
(3) |xi| = 2 for all values of i integers a and b, t3 is never equal to [KVPY]
(1) 4t + 3 (2) 8t + 5 (3) 10t + 3 (4) 6t + 5

(4) |xi| = 2 for no value of i
6. Suppose a is a positive real number such that a5 – a3 + 3. Let r be a root of the equation x2 + 2x + 6 = 0. The value
a = 2. Then [KVPY] of (r + 2) (r + 3) (r + 5) is equal to [KVPY]
(1) a6 < 2 (2) 2 < a6 < 3 (1) 51 (2) – 51 (3) – 126 (4) 126
(3) 3 < a6 < 4 (4) 4  a6
4. Let p(x) = x2 – 5x + a and q(x) = x2 – 3x + b, where a and
7. 2
Consider the quadratic equation nx + 7 n x + n = 0 , b are positive integers. Suppose hcf (p(x), q(x)) = x – 1
where n is a positive integer. Which of the following and k(x) = 1 cm (p(x), q(x)). If the coefficient of the highest
statements are necessarily correct? [KVPY] degree term of k(x) is 1, the sum of the roots of
(x – 1) + k(x) is [KVPY]
I. For any n, the roots are distinct.
II. There are infinitely many values of n for which both (1) 4 (2) 5 (3) 6 (4) 7
roots are real.
III. The product of the roots is necessarily an integer.
(1) III only (2) I and III only
(3) II and III only (4) I, II and III
Previous Years
YEAR 2015
1 YEAR 2018
Let f  x  = x – 2 +
2
1. where  is a real constant. The
x
1. (1) 2. (3) 3. (2) 4. (1)
smallest  for which f(x)  0 for all x > 0 is [KVPY]
22 23 24 25 YEAR 2017
(1) (2) (3) (4)
33 33 33 33 1. (3) 2. (4) 3. (3) 4. (4)
2. Two distinct polynomials f(x) and g(x) are defined as
YEAR 2016
follows : [KVPY]
f(x) = x2 + ax + 2; g(x) = x2 + 2x + a. 1. (2) 2. (1) 3. (4) 4. (3)
If the equations f(x) = 0 and g(x) = 0 have a common root 5. (2) 6. (3) 7. (2)
then the sum of the roots of the equation f(x) + g(x) = 0 is
YEAR 2015
1 1
(1) – (2) 0 (3) (4) 1
2 2 1. (4) 2. (3)
YEAR 2014 YEAR 2014
1. Suppose a parabola y = ax2 + bx + c has two x intercepts, 1. (2) 2. (3) 3. (3) 4. (4)
one positive and one negative, and its vertex is (2, – 2).
Then which of the following is true? [KVPY]
(1) ab > 0 (2) bc > 0
(3) ca > 0 (4) a + b + c > 0
2. The number of integers n for which 3x3 – 25x + n = 0 has

three real roots is [KVPY]
(1) 1 (2) 25
(3) 55 (4) infinite
PROGRESSION AND SERIES
Previous Years 4. Let n be the smallest positive integer such that

1 1 1
YEAR 2018
1+ + + ... +  4 . W hich one of the following
2 3 n
1. Suppose the sum of the first m terms of an arithmetic statements is true? [KVPY]
progression is n and the sum of its first n terms is m, (1) 20 < n  60 (2) 60 < n  80
where m  n. Then the sum of the first (m + n) terms of (3) 80 < n  100 (4) 100 < n  120
the arithmetic progression is [KVPY]
5. Let A, G and H be the arithmetic mean, geometric mean
(1) 1 – mn (2) mn – 5 and harmonic mean, respectively of two distinct positive
(3) – (m + n) (4) m + n real numbers. If  is the smallest of the two roots of the
equation A(G – H)x2 + G(H – A)x + H(A – G) = 0, then
2. What is the sum of all natural numbers n such that the
product of the digits of n (in base 10) is equal to (1) – 2 <  < –1 (2) 0 <  < 1 [KVPY]
n2 – 10n – 36? [KVPY] (3) – 1 <  < 0 (4) 1 <  < 2
(1) 12 (2) 13 (3) 124 (4) 2612
YEAR 2016
YEAR 2017
1. Let a1, a2, ..., a100 be non-zero real numbers such that
1. Let S be the infinite sum given by a1 + a2 + ... + a100 = 0.

an
S= 2n
Then, [KVPY]
n=0 10
 i1 ai 2ai  0  i1 ai 2–ai  0

100 100
where  an n0 is a squence defined by a0 = a1 = 1 and (1) and
aj = 20 a j–1 – 108 aj–2 for j  2. If S is expressed in the
 i1 ai 2ai  0  i1 ai 2–ai  0
100 100
a (2) and
form , where a, b are coprime positive integers, then
b
a equals [KVPY]
 i1 ai 2–ai  0
100
 i1 ai 2ai  0
100
(3) and
(1) 2017 (2) 2020 (3) 2023 (4) 2025
 i1 ai 2ai  i1 ai 2–ai
100 100
(4) the sign of or depends on
1
2. Let a i = i + for i = 1, 2, ..., 20. Put the choice of ai’s
i
1 1  1 1 1  YEAR 2015
P=  a1 + a 2 + ... + a20  and q =  + + ... + 
20 20  a1 a2 a20 
1. The largest perfect square that divides
Then [KVPY]
20143 – 20133 + 20123 – 20113 + ... + 23 – 13 is
 20 – p   22 – p 2  22 – p  
(1) q   0,  (2) q ,  (1) 1 2 (2) 2 2 [KVPY]
 21   21 21 
 
(3) 1007 2 (4) 2014 2
 2  22 – p  22 – p   22 – p 4  22 – p   2. If n is the smallest natural number such that n + 2n + 3n

(3) q , ,  (4) q   ,  + ... + 99n is a perfect square, then the number of digits
 21 7   7 21 
    in n 2 is [KVPY]
3. The number of 5-tuples (a, b, c, d, e) of positive integers (1) 1 (2) 2

such that (3) 3 (4) more than 3
I. a, b, c, d, e are the measures of angles of a convex
pentagon in degrees;  cos  n 
3. Let C    =  . W hich of the following
II. a  b  c  d  e; n=0
n!
III. a, b, c, d, e are in arithmetic progression statements is FALSE? [KVPY]
is [KVPY] (1) C(0)  C() = 1 (2) C(0) + C() > 2
(1) 35 (2) 36 (3) 37 (4) 126 (3) C() > 0 for all R (4) C()  0 for all R
YEAR 2016
1. (1)
Previous Years
YEAR 2015
YEAR 2018
1. (3) 2. (3) 3. (4)
1. (3) 2. (2)
YEAR 2017
1. (4) 2. (1) 3. (2) 4. (1)
5. (2)
TRIGONOMETRIC RATIOS AND IDENTITIES

Previous Years
YEAR 2017
Previous Years
44
1
1. The integer part of the number  YEAR 2017
k=0
coskº cos k +1 º is
[KVPY] 1. (3)
(1) 50 (2) 52 (3) 57 (4) 59
TRIGONOMETRIC EQUATION
Previous Years YEAR 2014
1. The number of solutions to the equation

YEAR 2018
1 1
1. The number of real solutions x of the equation cos4 x + 2
= sin4 x + in the interval [0, 2] is
cos x sin2 x
1

cos2 x sin  2x  +  1  x2
= cos2 x + sec 2 x [KVPY]
(1) 6 (2) 4 (3) 2 (4) 0

is [KVPY]
(1) 0 (2) 1 (3) 2 (4) infinite
2. The number of solutions x of the equation

sin (x + x2) – sin(x2) = sin x in the interval [2, 3] is
[KVPY]
(1) 0 (2) 1 (3) 2 (4) 3

Previous Years
YEAR 2017
1. The number of solutions of the equation YEAR 2018

sin  + cos  = sin 2 in the interval [–, ] is [KVPY]
1. (2) 2. (3)
(1) 1 (2) 2 (3) 3 (4) 4
YEAR 2017
2. The number of real solutions of the equation
2 sin 3x + sin 7x – 3 = 0 which lie in the interval [– 2, 2]
1. (2) 2. (2) 3. (2)
is [KVPY]
(1) 1 (2) 2 (3) 3 (4) 4 YEAR 2015
3. One of the solutions of the equation 8 sin3  – 7 sin  1. (3)

+ 3 cos  = 0 lies in the interval [KVPY]
YEAR 2014
(1) (0º, 10º] (2) (10º, 20º]
(3) (20º, 30º] (4) (30º, 40º] 1. (2)
YEAR 2015
1. The number of real numbers  for which the equality
sin    cos   
–   – 1,
sin  cos 
holds for all real  which are not integral multiples of

/2 is [KVPY]
(1) 1 (2) 2 (3) 3z (4) Infinite
SOLUTION OF TRIANGLE AND HEIGHT & DISTANCE
YEAR 2018 1. A sphere with centre O sits a top a pole as shown in the
figure. An observer on the ground is at a distance 50m
1. Consider a triangle PQR in which the relation from the foot of the pole. She notes that the angles of
QR 2 + PR 2 = 5PQ 2 holds. Let G be the point of
elevation from the observer to points P and Q on the
intersection of medians PM and QN. Then QGM is
always [KVPY] sphere are 30º and 60º, respectively. Then, the radius
of the sphere in meters is [KVPY]
(1) less than 45º
(2) obtuse
O Q
(3) a right angle
(4) acute and larger than 45º P
2. Let a, b, c be the side-lengths of a triangle, and l, m, n
l +m +n
be the lengths of its medians. Put K = . Then ,
a+b+c
as a, b, c vary, K can assume every value in the interval 60º
30º
 1 2 1 4 50m
(1)  ,  (2)  ,  [KVPY]
4 3 2 5
 1  50 6
(1) 100  1–  (2)
3  4 5  3 3
(3)  ,1 (4)  , 
4  5 4
3. Let PQR be a triangle in which PQ = 3. From the vertex  1  100 6
(3) 50  1–  (4)
R, draw the altitude RS to meet PQ at S. Assume that  3 3
RS  3 and PS = QR. Then PR equals [KVPY]
2. A points A, B, C, D, E are marked on the circumference
of a circle in clockwise direction such that ABC = 130º
(1) 5 (2) 6 (3) 7 (4) 8 and CDE = 110º. The measure of ACE in degrees is
4. Let PQR be an acute-angled triangle in which PQ < QR. [KVPY]
From the vertex Q draw the altitude QQ 1, the angle
bisector QQ2 and the median QQ3, whith Q1, Q2, Q3 (1) 50º (2) 60º (3) 70º (4) 80º
lying on PR. Then [KVPY] 3. Three circles of radii 1, 2 and 3 units respectively touch
(1) PQ1 < PQ2 < PQ3 (2) PQ2 < PQ1 < PQ3 each other externally in the plane. The circumradius of
(3) PQ1 < PQ3 < PQ2 (4) PQ3 < PQ1 < PQ2 the triangle formed by joining the centers of the circles
is [KVPY]
YEAR 2017
(1) 1.5 (2) 2 (3) 2.5 (4) 3
1. Let A1 A2 A3, ... A9 be nine-sided regular polygon with
4. Let P be a point inside a triangle ABC with ABC = 90º.
side length 2 units. The difference between the lengths Let P1 and P2 be the images of P under reflection in AB
of the diagonals A1A5 and A2A4 equals [KVPY] and BC respectively. The distance between the
circumcenters of triangles ABC and P1PP2 is [KVPY]
(1) 2 + 12 (2) 12 – 2
(3) 6 (4) 2 AB AP + BP + CP
(1) (2)
2. Let ABC be a triangle with C = 90º. Draw CD 2 3
perpendicular to AB. Choose points M and N on sides
AC AB + BC + AC
AC and BC respectively such that DM is parallel to BC (3) (4)
2 2
and DN is parallel to AC. If DM = 5, DN = 4, then AC and
BC are respectively equal to [KVPY]
41 41 39 39 38 38 37 37
(1) , (2) , (3) , (4) ,
4 5 4 5 4 5 4 5
YEAR 2015 YEAR 2014
1. In a triangle ABC, points X and Y are on AB and AC, 1. Let ABC be a triangle such that AB = BC. Let F be the
respectively, such that XY is parallel to BC. Which of the midpoint of AB and X be a point on BC such that FX is
two following equalities always hold? (Here [PQR] perpendicular to AB. If BX = 3XC then the ratio BC/AC
denotes the area of triangle PQR) [KVPY] equals [KVPY]
(1) [BCX] = [BCY] 3

(1) 3 (2) 2 (3) (4) 1
(2) [ACX]  [ABY] = [AXY]  [ABC] 2
(1) Neither (I) nor (II) 2. In a quadrilateral ABCD, which is not a trapezium, it is
known that DAB = ABC = 60º. Moreover,
(2) (I) only
CAB = CBD. Then [KVPY]
(3) (II) only
(1) AB = BC + CD (2) AB = AD + CD
(4) Both (I) and (II)
(3) AB = BC + AD (4) AB = AC + AD
2. Let P be an interior point of a triangle ABC. Let Q and R
be the reflections of P in AB and AC, respectively. If Q, A, 3. In a triangle ABC with A = 90º, P is a point on BC such
R are collinear then A equals [KVPY] that PA : PB = 3 : 4. If AB = 7 and AC = 5 , then
(1) 30º (2) 60º (3) 90º (4) 120º BP : PC is [KVPY]
(1) 2 : 1 (2) 4 : 3 (3) 4 : 5 (4) 8 : 7

3. A triangular corner is cut from a rectangular piece of
paper and the resulting pentagon has sides 5, 6, 8, 9,
12 in some order. The ratio of the area of the pentagon
to the area of the rectangle is [KVPY]
11 13 15 17
(1) (2) (3) (4)
18 18 18 18 Previous Years
4. Let ABCD be a trapezium with AD parallel to BC.
Assume there is a point M in the interior of the segment YEAR 2018
BC such that AB = AM and DC = DM. Then the ratio of the
area of the trapezium to the area of triangle AMD is 1. (3) 2. (3) 3. (3) 4. (1)
(1) 2 (2) 3 (3) 4 [KVPY] YEAR 2017
(4) not determinable from the data 1. (4) 2. (1)

5. The sides of a right-angled triangle are integer. The
YEAR 2016
length of one of the sides is 12. The largest possible
radius of the incircle of such a triangle is [KVPY] 1. (3) 2. (2) 3. (3) 4. (3)
(1) 2 (2) 3 (3) 4 (4) 5
YEAR 2015
1. (4) 2. (3) 3. (4) 4. (2)
5. (4)
YEAR 2014
1. (3) 2. (3) 3. (1)
CARTESIAN COORDINATES AND STRAIGHT LINE
Length=a
Previous Years
YEAR 2018 a/2
1. All the vertices of a rectangle are of the form (a,b) with

a,b integers satisfying the equation (a – 8)2 – (b – 7)2 =
5. Then the perimeter of the rectangle is [KVPY]
(1) 20 (2) 22 (3) 24 (4) 26
YEAR 2017
1. Let BC be a fixed line segment in the plane. The locus 1

(1) 2 (2) 2 (3) 1 (4)
of a point A such that the triangle ABC is isosceles, is 2
(with finitely many possible exceptional points) 4. Let O = (0,0) : let A and B be points respectively on x-axis
(1) a line [KVPY] and y-axis such that OBA  60º . Let D be a point in
the first quadrant such that OAD is an equilateral
(2) a circle
triangle. Then the slope of DB is [KVPY]
(3) the union of a circle and a line
1 1
(4) the union of two circles and a line (1) 3 (2) 2 (3) (4)
2 3
2. Let A = (a1, a2) and B = (b1, b2) be two points in the plane
YEAR 2015
with integer coordinates. Which one of the following is
not a possible value of the distance between A and B? 1. Let ABCD be a square of side length 1, and  a circle
passing through B and C and touching AD. The radius
[KVPY] of  is [KVPY]
(1) 65 (2) 74 (3) 83 (4) 97 3 1 1 5

(1) (2) (3) (4)
8 2 2 8
YEAR 2016
1. Let ABCD be a trapezium in which AB is parallel to CD. 2. Let ABCD be a square of side length 1. Let P, Q, R, S be
AB = 11, BC = 4, CD = 6 and DA = 3. The distance points in the interiors of the sides AD, BC, AB, CD
between AB and CD is [KVPY] respectively, such that PQ and RS intersect at right
3 3
(1) 2 angles. If PQ  then RS equals [KVPY]
4
(2) 2.4
2 3 3 2 +1
(3) 2.8 (1) (2) (3) (4) 4–2 2
3 4 2
(4) not determinable with the data
YEAR 2014
2. Consider a cuboid all of whose edges are integers and
1. The angle bisectors BD and CE of a triangle ABC are
whose base is a square. Suppose the sum of all its
divided by the incentre I in the ratios 3 : 2 and 2 : 1
edges is numerically equal to the sum of the areas of
respectively. Then the ratio in which I divides the angle
all its six faces. Then the sum of all its edges is
bisector through A is [KVPY]
[KVPY]
(1) 3 : 1 (2) 11 : 4 (3) 6 : 5 (4) 7 : 4
(1) 12 (2) 18 (3) 24 (4) 36 2. Let b, d > 0. The locus of all points P(r, ) for which the
3. Let S1 be the sum of areas of the squares whose sides line OP (where O is the origin) cuts the line r sin  = b in
are parallel to coordinate axes. Let S2 be the sum of Q such that PQ = d is [KVPY]
areas of the slanted squares as shown in the figure. (1) (r – d) sin  = b (2) (r ± d) sin  = b
Then S1/S 2 is [KVPY]
(3) (r – d) cos  = b (4) (r ± d) cos  = b
YEAR 2016
1. (2) 2. (3) 3. (1) 4. (4)

Previous Years
YEAR 2015
YEAR 2018 1. (4) 2. (2)
1. (1)
YEAR 2014
YEAR 2017
1. (2) 2. (2)
1. (4) 2. (3)
BINOMIAL THEOREM
Previous Years 3. Let (1 + x + x2) 2014 = a 0 + a 1x + a 2 x 2 + a 3 x 3 + ... +

a 4028 x4028, and let
A = a0 – a3 + a6 – ... + a4026,
YEAR 2017
B = a1 – a4 + a7 – ... + a4027,
1. Consider the following statements : For any integer n,
C = a2 – a5 + a8 – ... + a4028,
I : n2 + 3 is never divisible by 17
Then [KVPY]
II : n2 + 4 is never divisible by 17
(1) |A| = |B| > |C| (2) |A| = |B| < |C|
Then [KVPY]
(1) both I and II are true (2) both I and II are false (3) |A| = |C| > |B| (4) |A| = |C| < |B|
(3) I is false and II is true (1) I is true and II is false
2. The fractional part of a real number x is x – [x], where [x]

is the greatest integer less than or equal to x. Let F1 and
 44 – 
2017
F 2 be the fractional parts of 2017 and
 44 + 
2017
2017 respectively. Then F 1 + F 2 lies
between the numbers [KVPY] Previous Years
(1) 0 and 0.45 (2) 0.45 and 0.9
(3) 0.9 and 1.35 (4) 1.35 and 1.8
YEAR 2017
TYEAR 2015 1. (4) 2. (3)
1. Let n > 1 be an integer. Which of the following sets of TYEAR 2015

numbers necessarily contains a multiple of 3? [KVPY]
1. (2) 2. (1) 3. (4)
(1) n19 – 1, n19 + 1 (2) n 19, n 38 – 1
(3) n38, n38 + 1 (4) n38, n19 – 1
   
1/3 1/3
2. Let x = 50 + 7 – 50 – 7 . Then [KVPY]
(1) x = 2
(2) x = 3
(3) x is a rational number, but not an integer

(4) x is an irrational number
2 PATHFINDER : 96K, S.P. Mukherjee

2 Road, Hazra More, Kolkata-700026,  24551840 / 24544817
PERMUTATIONS AND COMBINATIONS
5. Thirty two persons X1, X2, ..., X32 are randomly seated
Previous Years
around a circular table at equal intervals. Two persons
YEAR 2018 Xi and Xj are said to be within earshot of each other if
there are at most three persons between them on the
1. Let R be a rectangle, C be a circle and T be a triangle in minor arc joining Xi and Xj. The probability that X1 and
the plane. The maximum possible number of points X 2 are within earshot of each other is,
common to the perimeters of R, C and T is [KVPY]  
n n!
 Here   = 
 r   n – r  !r! 
 [KVPY]
(1) 3 (2) 4 (3) 5 (4) 6 
2. Let m (respectively, n) be the number of 5-digit integers
 32   32 
obtained by using the digits 1,2,3,4,5 with repetitions   30!   30!
(respectively, without repetitions) such that the sum of  2  2
(1) (2)
m 8  32! 4  32! 
any two adjacent digits is odd. Then is equal to
n
8 4
[KVPY] (3) (4)
31 31
(1) 9 (2) 12 (3) 15 (4) 18 200!
6. The largest power of 2 that divides is [KVPY]
100!
YEAR 2017
(1) 98 (2) 99 (3) 100 (4) 101
1. There are exactly twelve Sundays in the period from
7. Consider the set A = {1,2,3,...,30}. The number of ways
January 1 to March 31 in a certain year. Then the day
in which one can choose three distinct numbers from
corresponding to February 15 in that year is [KVPY]
A so that the product of the chosen numbers is divisible
(1) Tuesday by 9 is [KVPY]
(2) Wednesday (1) 1590 (2) 1505 (3) 1110 (4) 1025
(3) Thursday 8. How many different (mutually moncongruent)
trapeziums can be constructed using four distinct side
(4) not possible to determine from the given data
lengths from the set {1,3,4,5,6}? [KVPY]
2. Consider a three-digit number with the following
(1) 5 (2) 11 (3) 15 (4) 30
properties : [KVPY]
YEAR 2016
I : If its digits in units place and tens place are
interchanged, the number increases by 36; 1. The number of all 2-digit numbers n, such that n is equal
II : If its digits in units place and hundreds place are to the sum of the square of digit in its tens place and the
interchanged, the number decreases by 198 cube of the digit in units place is [KVPY]
(1) 0 (2) 1 (3) 2 (4) 4
Now suppose that the digits in tens place and
hundreds place are interchanged. Then the number 2. The number of monocongruent integer-sided triangles
whose sides belong to the set {10, 11, 12, ..., 22} is
(1) increases by 180 (2) decreases by 270
[KVPY]
(3) increases by 360 (4) decreases by 540
(1) 283 (2) 446 (3) 448 (4) 449
3. The least value of a natural number n such that
3. Suppose we have to cover the xy-plane with identical
 n – 1  n – 1  n   n n! tiles such that no two tiles overlap and no gap is left
 –     , where   = , is [KVPY]
 5   6  7  r   n – r  !r! between the tiles. Suppose that we can choose tiles of
the following shapes : equilateral triangle, Square
(1) 12 (2) 13 (3) 14 (4) 15
regular pentagon, regular hexagon. Then the tiling can
4. Among the inequalities below, which ones are true for be done with tiles of [KVPY]
all natural numbers n greater than 1000 ? [KVPY]
(1) all four shapes
I. n!  nn II. (n!)2  nn
(2) exactly three of the four shapes
III. 10n  n! IV. nn  (2n)!
(3) exactly two of the four shapes
(1) I and IV only (2) I, III and IV only
(4) exactly one of the four shapes
(3) II and IV only (4) I, II, III and IV
4. Three schools send 2, 4 and 6 students, respectively to 2. The houses on one side of a road are numbered using
a summer camp. The 12 students must be consecutive even numbers. The sum of the numbers of
accomodated in 6 rooms numbered 1,2,3,4,5,6 in such all the houses in that row is 170. If there are at least 6
a way that each room has exactly 2 students and both
houses in that row and a is the number of the sixth
from the same school. The number of ways, the
students can be accommodated in the rooms is house, then [KVPY]
(1) 60 (2) 45 [KVPY] (1) 2  a  6 (2) 8  a  12

(3) 32400 (4) 2700
(3) 14  a  20 (4) 22  a  30
YEAR 2015
3. Let n  3 be an integer. For a permutation  = (a1, a2,
1. In the figure given below, a rectangle of perimeter 76
...,an) of (1,2,...,n) we let f(x) = anxn–1+ an–1xn–2 + ...+a2x
units is divided into 7 congruent rectangles. [KVPY]
+ a1. Let S be the sum of the roots of f(x) = 0 and let S
denote the sum over all permutations  of (1,2,...,n) of
the numbers S. Then [KVPY]
(1) S < – n! (2) – n! < S < 0
(3) 0 < S < n! (4) n! < S

What is the perimeter of each of the smaller rectangles?
(1) 38 (2) 32 (3) 28 (4) 19 4. Let S = {(a,b)|a,bZ, 0  a, b  18}. The number of
2. The largest non-negative integer k such that 24k divides elements (x,y) is S such that 3x + 4y + 5 is divisible by 19
13! is [KVPY] is [KVPY]
(1) 2 (2) 3 (3) 4 (4) 5
(1) 38 (2) 19 (3) 18 (4) 1
3. The number of distinct primes dividing 12! + 13! + 14! is
5. Suppose a2, a3, a4, a5, a6, a7 are integers such that
[KVPY]
(1) 5 (2) 6 (3) 7 (4) 8 5 a2 a3 a4 a5 a6 a7
= + + + + + ,
4. How many ways are there to arrange the letters of the 7 2! 3! 4! 5! 6! 7!
word EDUCATION so that all the following three
conditions hold? [KVPY] where 0  aj < j for j = 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. The sum
— the vowels occur in the same order (EUAIO); a2 + a3 + a4 + a5 + a6 + a7 is [KVPY]
— the consonants occur in the same order (DCTN); (1) 8 (2) 9 (3) 10 (4) 11
— no two consonants are next to each other.
(1) 15 (2) 24 (3) 72 (4) 120
5. An urn contains marbles of four colours : red, white,
blue and green. When four marbles are drawn without Previous Years
replacement, the following events are equally likely :
YEAR 2018
(1) the selection of four red marbles;
1. (4) 2. (3)
(2) the selection of one white and three red marbles;
YEAR 2017
(3) the selection of one white, one blue and two red 1. (3) 2. (4) 3. (3) 4. (2)
marbles; 5. (3) 6. (3) 7. (1) 8. (2)
(4) the selection of one marble of each colour. YEAR 2016
The smallest total number of marbles satisfying the 1. (3) 2. (3) 3. (2) 4. (3)
given condition is [KVPY]
YEAR 2015
(1) 19 (2) 21 (3) 46 (4) 69
1. (3) 2. (2) 3. (1) 4. (1)
YEAR 2014 5. (2)
1. The number of 6-digit numbers of the form ababab YEAR 2014
(in base 10) each of which is a product of exactly 6 1. (3) 2. (3) 3. (1) 4. (2)
distinct primes is [KVPY]
5. (2)
(1) 8 (2) 10 (3) 13 (4) 15
PARABOLA
1. Suppose OABC is a rectangle in the xy-plane where O

YEAR 2018 is the origin and A, B lie on the parabola y = x2. Then C
must lie on the curve [KVPY]
1. A rectangle with its sides parallel to the x-axis and y-axis
is inscribed in the region bounded by the curves (1) y = x2 + 2 (2) y = 2x2 + 1
y = x2 – 4 and 2y = 4 – x2. The maximum possible area (3) y = – x2 + 2 (4) y = – 2x2 + 1
of such a rectangle is closest to the integer [KVPY]
(1) 10 (2) 9 (3) 8 (4) 7
2. The maximum possible area bounded by the parabola

y = x2 + x + 10 and a chord of the parabola of length 1 is
[KVPY] Previous Years
1 1 1 1
(1) (2) (3) (4) YEAR 2018
12 6 3 2
1. (2) 2. (2)
YEAR 2017
1. Let AB be the latus rectum of the parabola y2 = 4ax in the YEAR 2017
xy-plane. Let T be the region bounded by the finite arc AB
of the parabola and the line segment AB. A rectangle 1. (4)
PQRS of maximum possible area is inscribed in T with
P, Q on line AB and R,S on arc AB. Then area (PQRS)/ YEAR 2016
area (T) equals [KVPY]

1. (3) 2. (2)
1 1 1 1
(1) (2) (3) (4) YEAR 2015
2 3 2 3
YEAR 2016 1. (1)
1. Suppose the tangent to the parabola y = x2 + px + q at

(0, 3) has slope –1. Then p + q equals [KVPY]
(1) 0 (2) 1 (3) 2 (4) 3

2. Suppose the parabola (y – k)2
= 4(x – h), with vertex A,
passes through O = (0,0) and L = (0, 2). Let D be an end
point of the latus rectum. Let the y-axis intersect the axis
of the parabola at P. Then PDA is equal to [KVPY]
1 2
(1) tan–1 (2) tan–1
19 19
4 8
(3) tan–1 (4) tan–1
19 19
ELLIPSE AND HYPERBOLA
Previous Years 2. An ellipse with its minor and major axis parallel to the
coordinate axes passes through (0,0), (1,0) and (0,2).
YEAR 2018 One of its foci lies on the y-axis. The eccentricity of the
 ellipse is [KVPY]
1. For 0 <  < , four tangents are drawn at the four points
2
x2 y2 3 –1
(± 3 cos , ± 2 sin ) to the ellipse + = 1 . If A() (1) 3 – 1 (2) 5 – 2 (3) 2 – 1 (4)
9 4 2
denotes the area of the quadrilateral formed by these
four tangents, the minimum value of A() is [KVPY] 3. The sound of a cannon firing is heard one second later
(1) 21 (2) 24 (3) 27 (4) 30 at a position B than at position A. If the speed of sound
is uniform, then [KVPY]
2. On a rectangular hyperbola x2 – y2 = a2, a > 0, three
points A,B,C are taken as follows : A = (– a,0); B and C (1) the positions A and B are foci of a hyperbola, with
are placed symmetrically with respect to the x-axis on the
cannon’s position on the branch of the hyperbola
branch of the hyperbola not containing A. Suppose that
the triangle ABC is equilateral. If the side-length of the (2) The position A and B are foci of an ellipse with
triangle ABC is ka, then k lies in the interval [KVPY]
cannon’s position on the ellipse
(1) (0,2] (2) (2,4] (3) (4,6] (4) (6,8]
(3) One of the positions A,B is focus of a parabola with
x2
y 2 cannon’s position on the parabola
3. Let + = 1 , a > b, be an ellipse with foci F1 and F2.
a2 b2 (4) it is not possible to describe the positions of A,B
Let AO be its semi-minor axis, where O is the centre of and the cannon with the given information
the ellipse. The lines AF1 and AF2, when extended, cut
the ellipse again at points B and C respectively. x2 y2
suppose that the triangle ABC is equilateral. Then the 4. An ellipse 2
+
2
= 1, a > b and the parabola
a b
eccentricity of the ellipse is [KVPY] x2 = 4(y + b) are such that the two foci of the ellipse and
the end points of the latus rectum of parabola are the
1 1 1 1 vertices of a square. The eccentricity of the ellipse is
(1) (2) (3) (4)
2 3 3 2
[KVPY]
4. Let x2 = 4ky, k > 0, be a parabola with vertex A. Let BC be
1 2 1 2
its latus rectum. An ellipse with center on BC touches (1) (2) (3) (4)
the parabola at A, and cuts BC at points D and E such 13 13 11 11
that BD = DE = EC(B,D,E,C in that order). The
eccentricity of the ellipse is [KVPY] 5. The parabola y2 = 4x – 1 divides the disc x2 – y2  1 into
two regions with areas A1 and A2. Then |A1 – A2| equals
1 1 5 3
(1) (2) (3) (4) [KVPY]
2 3 3 2
YEAR 2017 1 2  
(1) (2) (3) (4)
3 3 4 3
1. Consider a rigid square ABCD as in the figure with A and
B on the x and y axis respectively. YEAR 2016
1. A wall is inclined to the floor at an angle of 135º. A ladder

C of length l is resting on the wall. As the ladder slides
down. its mid-point traces an are of an ellipse. Then the
area of the ellipse is [KVPY]
B D
Wall
A
When A and B slide along their respective axes, the locus
of C forms a part of [KVPY] 135º Ladder
(1) a circle (2) a parabola
(3) a hyperbola l 2
(4) an ellipse which is not a circle (1) (2) l2 (3) 4l2 (4) 2l2
4
YEAR 2015
1. A mirror in the first quandrant is in the shape of a

hyperbola whose equation is xy = 1. A light source in the
Previous Years
second quadrant emits a beam of light that hits the
mirror at the point (2, 1/2). If the reflected ray is parallel YEAR 2018
to the y-axis, the slope of the incident beam is [KVPY]
1. (2) 2. (2) 3. (4) 4. (3)
13 7 15
(1) (2) (3) (4) 2
8 4 8 YEAR 2017
YEAR 2014 1. (4) 2. (3) 3. (1) 4. (2)
1. In an ellipse, its foci and the ends of its major axis are 5. (2)
equally spaced. If the length of its semi-minor axis is
YEAR 2016
2 2 , then the length of its semi-major axis is [KVPY]
1. (1)
(1) 4 (2) 2 3 (3) 10 (4) 3
YEAR 2015
2. An ellipse inscribed in a semi-circle touches the circular
arc at two distinct points and also touches the bounding 1. (3)
diameter. its major axis is parallel to the bounding
diameter. When the ellipse has the maximum possible YEAR 2014
area its eccentricity is [KVPY]

1. (4) 2. (4)
1 1 1 2
(1) (2) (3) (4)
2 2 3 3
SET, VENN DIAGRAM AND RELATION
Previous Years 6. Let S be the set of all ordered pairs (x, y) of positive
integers satisfying the condition x2 – y2 = 12345678.
YEAR 2018 Then [KVPY]
1. Let S = {xR : cos(x) + cos  

2 x < 2}. Then [KPVY]
(1) S is an infinite set (2) S is the empty set
(3) S has exactly one element
(1) S = 
(4) S is a finite set and has at least two elements.
(2) S is a non-empty finite set
7. Let A1, A2, A3 be regions in the xy-plane defined by
(3) S is an infinite proper subset of R/{0}
A1 = {(x,y) : x2 + 2y2  1}, [KVPY]
(4) S = R/{0}
A2 = {(x,y) : |x|3 + 2 2 |y|3  1},
YEAR 2017
1. Let S be the set of all ordered pairs (x,y) of positive 

A3 = {(x,y) : max x , 2 y  1 } 
integers, with HCF(x,y) = 16 and LCM(x,y) = 48000. The Then
number of elements in S is [KVPY]
(1) A1  A 2  A 3 (2) A 3  A1  A 2
(1) 4 (2) 8 (3) 16 (4) 32 (3) A 2  A 3  A1 (4) A 3  A 2  A1
2. Consider the set A of natural numbers n whose units 8. Let R be a relation on the set of all natural numbers
digit is nonzero, such that if this units digit is erased, given by aRb  a divides b2.
then the resulting number divides n. If K is the number
Which of the following properties does R satisfy?
of elements in the set A, then [KVPY]
I. Reflexivity II. Symmetry
(1) K is infinite (2) K is finite but K > 100
III. Transitivity [KVPY]
(3) 25  K  100 (4) K < 25
(1) I only (2) III only
a c (3) I and III only (4) I and II only
3. Let S be the set of all points  ,  on the circle with
b d YEAR 2016
radius 1 centred at (0,0) where a and b are respectively
prime integers, c and d are relatively prime integers (that 1. Let A1, A2, ..., Am be non-empty subsets of {1,2,3,...,100}
is HCF (a,b) = HCF(c,d) = 1), and the integers b and d satisfying the following conditions : [KVPY]
are even. Then the set S [KVPY]
(1) the numbers |A1|, |A2|, ..., |Am| are distinct :
(1) is empty
(2) A1, A2, ..., Am are pairwise disjoint.
(2) has four elements
(Here |A| denotes the number of elements in the set A)
(3) has eight elements (4) is infinite
Then the maximum possible value of m is
 a + b + c 
2 2 2
4. Let S= : a,b,c  R, ab + bc + ca  0 , (1) 13 (2) 14 (3) 15 (4) 16
 ab + bc + ca  2. Let X = {xR : cos (sin x) = sin(cosx)}. The number of
where R is the set of real numbers. Then S equals elements in X is [KVPY]
[KVPY] (1) 0 (2) 2 (3) 4 (4) not finite
(1) (– , –1]  [1,) (2) (– , 0)  (0, )
3. For each positive real number . Let A be the set of all
(3) (– , –1]  [2, ) (4) (– , – 2]  [1, )
5. Let A be the set of all permutations a 1, a 2, ..., a 6 of
natural numbers n such that sin  
n + 1 – sin  n <  .
1,2,...,6 such that a1, a 2, ... ak is not a permutation of Let A c be the complement of A in the set of all natural
1,2,...,k for any k, 1  k  5. Then the number of elements numbers. Then [KVPY]
in A is [KVPY]
(1) A 1 ,A 1 ,A 2 are all finite sets
(1) 192 (2) 408 (3) 312 (4) 528
2 3 5
(2) A 1 is a finite set but A 1 ,A 2 are infinite sets

2 2 5
Previous Years
(3) A c1 , A c1 , A c2 are all finite sets
2 3 5
YEAR 2018
(4) A 1 , A 2 are finite sets and A 1 is an infinite set

1. (4)
3 5 2
YEAR 2014 YEAR 2017
 n   1. (2) 2 (4) 3. (1) 4. (4)

1. For each positive integer n, let A n = max   0  r  n  .
r
  
5. (4) 6. (2) 7. (4) 8. (1)
Then the number of elements n in {1,2,...,20} for which
An YEAR 2016
1.9   2 is [KVPY]
A n–1
1. (1) 2. (1) 3. (3)
(1) 9 (2) 10 (3) 11 (4) 12
2. Let S = {(a,b) : a,b  Z, 0  a, b  18}. The number of YEAR 2014

elements (x,y) in S such that 3x + 4y + 5 is divisible by 19
is [KVPY] 1. (3) 2. (2) 3. (3)
(1) 38 (2) 19 (3) 18 (4) 1
3. Let X be a set of 5 elements. The number d of ordered

pair (A,B) of subsets of X such that A  , B  , A  B = 
satisfies [KVPY]
(1) 50  d  100 (2) 101  d  150

(3) 151  d  200 (4) 201  d
STATISTICS AND MATHEMATICAL REASONING
1. Let n  3. A list of numbers x1, x2, ..., xn has mean  and

YEAR 2018 standard deviation . A new list of numbers y1, y2, ..., yn
x1 + x 2 x + x2
is made as follows : y1 = , y2 = 1 and
Statistics 2 2
yj = xj for j = 3, 4, ..., n. The mean and the standard
deviation of the new list are ̂ and ̂ . Then which of the
1. The median of all 4-digit numbers that are divisible by
following is necessarily true? [KVPY]
7 is [KVPY]
(1)  = ˆ and   ˆ (2)  = ˆ and   ˆ
(1) 5497 (2) 5498.5 (3) 5499.5 (4) 5490
(3)  = ˆ (4)   ˆ
2. A 100 mark examination was administered to a class of
50 students. Despite only integer marks being given,
the average score of the class was 47.5. Then, the
maximum number of students was could get marks
more than the class average is [KVPY]
Previous Years
(1) 25 (2) 35 (3) 45 (4) 49
YEAR 2018
YEAR 2017
1. (2) 2. (4)
Statistics
1. In a Mathematics test, the average marks of boys is x% YEAR 2017
and the average marks of girls is y% with x y. If the

1. (1)
average marks of all students is z%, the ratio of the
number of girls to the total number of students is YEAR 2016
[KVPY]
1. (3)
z–x z–y z+y z+x YEAR 2014

(1) (2) (3) y–x (4) y–x
y–x y–x
1. (2)
YEAR 2016
Statistics
1. The average incomes of the people in two villages are

P and Q, respectively. Assume that P  Q. A person
moves from the first village to the second village. The
new average incomes are P and Q, respectively. Which
of the following is not possible? [KVPY]
(1) P > P and Q > Q (2) P > P and Q < Q

(3) P = P and Q = Q (4) P < P and Q < Q

Math XI KVPY Questions

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Math XI KVPY Questions

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BASIC MATHEMATICS

[Mathematics] (KVPY QUESTION WITH ANSWER KEY) [XI-Pathway-1]

(3) (2.5, 3) (4) (3, 3.5) (1) 16 (2) 17 (3) 18 (4) 19

x + y2 = x2 + y = 12 is [KVPY] 1. Let x and y be two 2-digit numbers such that y is obtained

Previous Years Answers YEAR 2016

1. (2) 2. (3) 3. (3) 4. (4)

Previous Years 2. The quotient when 1 + x2 + x4 + x5 + ... + x34 is divided by

(2) b is algebraic but a is not algebraic (1) 1 (2) 2 (3) 3 (4) 4

(1) 0 (2) 1 3. The remainder when the polynomial 1 + x2 + x4 + x6

(1) 4t + 3 (2) 8t + 5 (3) 10t + 3 (4) 6t + 5

YEAR 2014 YEAR 2014

(1) ab > 0 (2) bc > 0

(3) ca > 0 (4) a + b + c > 0

2. The number of integers n for which 3x3 – 25x + n = 0 has

(3) 55 (4) infinite

Previous Years 4. Let n be the smallest positive integer such that

 i1 ai 2ai  0  i1 ai 2–ai  0

 2  22 – p  22 – p   22 – p 4  22 – p   2. If n is the smallest natural number such that n + 2n + 3n

3. The number of 5-tuples (a, b, c, d, e) of positive integers (1) 1 (2) 2

1. (4) 2. (1) 3. (2) 4. (1)

TRIGONOMETRIC RATIOS AND IDENTITIES

Previous Years YEAR 2014

1. The number of solutions to the equation

(1) 6 (2) 4 (3) 2 (4) 0

(1) 0 (2) 1 (3) 2 (4) infinite

2. The number of solutions x of the equation

(1) 0 (2) 1 (3) 2 (4) 3

1. The number of solutions of the equation YEAR 2018

(1) 1 (2) 2 (3) 3 (4) 4 YEAR 2015

3. One of the solutions of the equation 8 sin3  – 7 sin  1. (3)

(3) (20º, 30º] (4) (30º, 40º] 1. (2)

1. The number of real numbers  for which the equality

holds for all real  which are not integral multiples of

(1) 1 (2) 2 (3) 3z (4) Infinite

Previous Years YEAR 2016

YEAR 2015 YEAR 2014

(1) [BCX] = [BCY] 3

(1) 2 : 1 (2) 4 : 3 (3) 4 : 5 (4) 8 : 7

(1) 2 (2) 3 (3) 4 [KVPY] YEAR 2017

(4) not determinable from the data 1. (4) 2. (1)

1. (4) 2. (3) 3. (4) 4. (2)

1. (3) 2. (3) 3. (1)

YEAR 2018 a/2

1. All the vertices of a rectangle are of the form (a,b) with

1. Let BC be a fixed line segment in the plane. The locus 1

(1) 65 (2) 74 (3) 83 (4) 97 3 1 1 5

1. (2) 2. (3) 3. (1) 4. (4)

YEAR 2018 1. (4) 2. (2)

Previous Years 3. Let (1 + x + x2) 2014 = a 0 + a 1x + a 2 x 2 + a 3 x 3 + ... +

(3) I is false and II is true (1) I is true and II is false

2. The fractional part of a real number x is x – [x], where [x]

TYEAR 2015 1. (4) 2. (3)

1. Let n > 1 be an integer. Which of the following sets of TYEAR 2015

(3) n38, n38 + 1 (4) n38, n19 – 1

(3) x is a rational number, but not an integer

2 PATHFINDER : 96K, S.P. Mukherjee

(1) 60 (2) 45 [KVPY] (1) 2  a  6 (2) 8  a  12

(1) S < – n! (2) – n! < S < 0

(3) 0 < S < n! (4) n! < S

Previous Years YEAR 2015

1. Suppose OABC is a rectangle in the xy-plane where O

(1) 10 (2) 9 (3) 8 (4) 7