Algebra – 1

Topics Covered
 Polynomials
 Linear Equations
QA
 Quadratic Equations CEX-Q-0218/23

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Number of questions : 65

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1. It is given that F(x) = x4 – 2x3 + kx2 – 11,
6. If (x + 2) is a factor of x 4  4x 2  2ax  3 , then
where k is an unknown integer. If F(x) divided
find the value of ‘a’, where, a is a real constant

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by (x – 2) has a remainder of 1, then find the
and ‘x’ is a real number.
value of k.

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3 4
(1) (2)
3

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2. If (x – 2) and (x – 3) are factors of f(x) 4
= x4 – 10x3 + px2 – 50x + q, then find the
value of p and q. 4 3
(3) (4)
3 4

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(1) p = 35, q = 24 (2) p = 24, q = 35
(3) p = 25, q = 12 (4) p = 12, q = 25 (5) None of these

3.

(1) x4 – 3x3 – 2x2 + 2x – 3

(2) x4 – 2x3 – 2x2 – 2x – 3
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Find an equation of a polynomial function with
real coefficients having roots –1, 3 and i. 7. If M =
(2065  1965 )
(2064  1964 )

(1) 0 < M  0.1

, then

(3) x4 + 3x3 + 2x2 + 2x – 3 (2) 0.1 < M  0.5

(4) x4 + 2x3 – 2x2 + 2x – 3 (3) 0.5 < M  1.0
(4) M > 1.0
4. Find the remainder if p(x) = x5 + 2x4 + x3 – x2
– 22x + 15 is divided by x2 + 2x – 3. 8. G(y) is a fourth order polynomial with integer
(1) 8x + 4 (2) 4x + 12 coefficients and with no common factor. The
(3) 3x – 5 (4) 8x – 12 roots of G(y) are –2, –1, 1, 2. If n is a prime
number greater than 97, then the largest
5. If the equation x3 + ax2 + bx + 20 has three integer that divides G(n) for all values of n is:
distinct negative integer roots, then what (XAT)
could be the possible values of a and b? (1) 72 (2) 120
(1) a = 13, b = 29 (2) a = 10, b = 32 (3) 240 (4) 360
(3) a = 10, b = 29 (4) a = 13, b = 27 (5) None of the above

Algebra - 1 Page 1
9. Gopi gives Rs. 90 plus one turban as salary 15. Rahuls’s mother asks him to buy 100
to his servant for one year. The servant leaves chocolates worth Rs. 100. The chocolate
after 9 months and receives Rs. 65 and the shop has 3 kinds of chocolates: Munch,
turban. Find the price of the turban. Eclairs and Coffee byte. Munch costs Rs.
(1) Rs. 12 (2) Rs. 15 10 per chocolate, Eclairs costs Rs. 3 per
(3) Rs. 8 (4) Rs. 10 chocolate and Coffee byte costs 50 paise
(5) Rs. 16 per chocolate. If Rahul decides to buy at least
one chocolate of each type, how many Eclairs
should he buy? (XAT)

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10. Triplets (p, q, r) exist such that p, q, r  (1,
2, 3, 4), and qx + py = r and px + ry = q. (1) 1 (2) 2

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(a) How many triplets have a unique solution (3) 3 (4) 4

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for x and y? (5) 5

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(1) 64 (2) 58 16. Find the number of positive integral solutions
(3) 118 (4) 16

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for the equation 7x + 3y = 123, such that x is
(5) None of these always less than y.
(1) 5 (2) 6

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(b) How many triplets have infinite solution? (3) 3 (4) 2
(5) 4

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11. If the system of equations 3x + 2y + 4z = –1,
–4x + 3y – pz = 3 and 12x + qy – 13z = –14 17. If x and y are integers, then the equation

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have infinite solutions, where x, y and z are 5x + 18y = 63 has (CAT)
real numbers, then find the value of pq. (1) no solution for x < 300 and y < 0
(1) – 13 (2) – 12 (2) no solution for x > 250 and y > – 100

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(3) – 11 (4) – 10 (3) solution for 250 < x < 300
(5) – 9 (4) solution for – 59 < y < – 56

12.

z are real numbers.

(1) 10 (2) 11
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If 2x  y  z  15 and x  2y  2z  6, then
find the value of x + 8y + 8z, where, x, y and
18.

19.
The number of solutions of the equation
2x + y = 30, where both x and y are positive
integers and x  y is: (CAT)

The number of positive integer valued pairs

(3) 12 (4) 13 (p, q) satisfying 4p – 17q = 1 and p  500 is
(5) 14 (CAT)

13. Find the value of x + y + z if 2x + 5y + 3z = 4,
4x + 3y = – 1 and 2y + 5z = 19.
(1) 3 (2) 4
(3) 6 (4) 10
14. At a certain fast food restaurant, Amit can
buy 3 burgers, 7 shakes, and one order of
fries for Rs. 125 exactly. At the same place
it would cost Rs. 164.5 for 4 burgers, 10
shakes, and one order of fries. How much
would it cost for an ordinary meal of one
burger, one shake, and one order of fries?
(CAT)
20. A confused bank teller transposed the rupees
and paise when he cashed a cheque for Riya
giving her rupees instead of paise and paise
instead of rupees. After buying a chocolate
for 50 paise, Riya noticed that she was left
with exactly three times as much as the
amount on the cheque. Which of the following
is a valid statement about the cheque
amount? (CAT)
(1) Over Rupees 7 but less than Rupees 8
(2) Over Rupees 22 but less than Rupees 23
(3) Over Rupees 18 but less than Rupees 19
(4) Over Rupees 4 but less than Rupees 5
(5) Over Rupees 13 but less than Rupees 14

Page 2 Algebra - 1
21. A test has 100 questions. A student scores
1 mark for a correct answer,-1/3 for a wrong
answer, and -1/6 for not attempting a
question. If the net score of a student is 32,
the number of questions answered wrongly
by that student cannot be less than (CAT)
(1) 9 (2) 6
(3) 3 (4) 2
wrong answer, of two marks question, the
deduction is 1/3 of a mark. Moreover, 1/2 a
mark is deducted for any unanswered
question. The question paper has 10 one mark
questions and 10 two marks questions. In
the examination, students got all possible
marks between 25 and 30 and every student
had different marks. What would be the rank

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Directions for questions 22 and 23: Answer the of a student, who scores a total of 27.5

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marks? (XAT)
questions on the basis of the information given below.

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(1) 5 (2) 6

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(3) 7 (4) 8
In a test comprising of 100 questions, four marks
(5) None of the above

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are awarded for every question answered correctly.
The marks deducted for every question answered
26. The cost of 6 desks is equal to the aggregate
wrongly and for every question left unattempted are

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2 and 1 respectively. cost of 6 chairs and 1 table. The aggregate
cost of 6 desks and 3 tables is equal to the

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cost of 12 chairs. Which of the following
22. If a student got 64 marks in the test, then
statements is false?

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which of the following can be the number of
questions solved wrongly by the student? Assume that the cost of all the chairs is the
(1) 12 (2) 25 same. The same holds true for the desks as
(3) 44 (4) 56

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well as the tables.
(5) 61 (1) The cost of 5 tables is equal to the

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23. If the total number of questions lef t
unattempted by a student in the test is 60,
then which of the following cannot be the to-
tal marks obtained by the student in the test?
(1) – 2 (2) 10
(3) 40 (4) – 26
(5) – 18
24. In an examination, there are 50 questions. 1
mark is given for each correct answer and
0.25 is deducted for every incorrect answer.
Swati attempted all the questions and scored
13.75. How many questions did she answer
incorrectly? (XAT)
25. In an examination, two types of questions are
asked: one mark questions and two marks
questions.
For each wrong answer, of one mark question,
the deduction is 1/4 of a mark and for each
aggregate cost of 5 chairs and 2 desks.
(2) The cost of 5 chairs is equal to the cost
of 4 desks.
(3) The cost of 2 desks is equal to the
aggregate cost of 1 chair and 1 table.
(4) The cost of 3 desks is equal to the
aggregate cost of 2 chairs and 1 table.
Directions for questions 27 and 28: In an
examination, there are 100 questions divided into
three groups A, B and C such that each group
contains at least one question. Each question in
group A carries 1 mark, each question in group B
carries 2 marks and each question in group C carries
3 marks. It is known that the questions in group A
together carry at least 60% of the total marks.
(CAT)
27. If group B contains 23 questions, then how
many questions are there in group C?
(1) 1 (2) 2
(3) 3 (4) Cannot be determined

Algebra - 1 Page 3
28. If group C contains 8 questions and group B Directions for questions 32 to 35: Answer the
carries at least 20% of the total marks, which questions on the basis of the information given below.
of the following best describes the number of
questions in group B? XYZ Ltd. produces silicon chips, 1,000 at a time in
(1) 11 or 12 (2) 12 or 13 a batch. The company has to ensure that it does
(3) 13 or 14 (4) 14 or 15 not supply defective chips, as they are critical to the
functioning of computer. If a buyer receives a defective
Directions for questions 29 and 30: Answer the chip, XYZ has to pay a penalty of Rs. 150 per chip.
questions on the basis of the information given below. XYZ wants to test the quality of its chips before

There are three different types of printers A, B and C

that are used for printing documents. A shop hires
shipping them to its buyers. It can use any or both
of two tests for quality control. Test 1 costs Rs. 6

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per chip but it detects only 80% of all defective chips.
the mentioned types of printers to print 1500

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Test 2 costs Rs. 9 per chip and can detect all
documents in a day. One printer each of types A, B defective chips. XYZ can rework upon defective chips

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and C can print 40, 60 and 75 documents in a day at a cost of Rs. 75 per chip to ensure that the buyer
respectively. The fixed cost of hiring one printer each does not receive any defective chip. Minimizing cost
of types A, B and C is Rs. 100, Rs. 150 and Rs. 180 is the only purpose of XYZ Ltd. In the following

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respectively. In addition, for every document printed questions ‘n’ is the number of defective chips per
by the printer of types A, B and C an extra cost of batch.

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Rs. 4, Rs. 5 and Rs. 3 is levied respectively.

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32. XYZ Ltd. should not use any quality control
29. If the shop hired 10 printers of type B, then test, if it is expected that
how many printers of type C must the shop (1) n < 50
hire in order to minimize the cost? (2) n < 100

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(1) 4 (2) 8 (3) 100 < n < 200
(3) 12 (4) 16 (4) n > 200

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(5) 10 (5) n > 400

30. If the total number of printers hired by the 33. If 200 < n < 400, then
shop is 25, then what is the least amount the (1) XYZ Ltd. should not use any Test
shop should pay for printing 1500 documents? (2) XYZ Ltd. should use Test 1
(1) Rs. 10,000 (2) Rs. 10,500 (3) XYZ Ltd. should use Test 2
(3) Rs. 9,750 (4) Rs. 9,345 (4) XYZ Ltd. can use either Test 1 or Test 2
(5) Rs. 9,000 (5) None of the above

31. Two men, A and B play a match of two games 34. If n = 100, XYZ Ltd. should use
on the condition: if A wins, B will pay him (1) Test 1
one rupee more than half the money B has, (2) Test 2
and if B wins, A will pay him one rupee less (3) Either Test 1 or no Test
than half the money A has. If A wins the first (4) Either Test 1 or Test 2
game and B the second, then the difference (5) No test
in the amounts with A and B becomes
Rs. 16. The initial amount with ‘A’ and ‘B’in 35. What should be the value of n, so that XYZ
Ltd. can use either Test 1 or Test 2?
that order could be
(1) 100 (2) 175
(1) Rs. 35, Rs. 38 (2) Rs. 20, Rs. 35
(3) 200 (4) 300
(3) Rs. 20, Rs. 38 (4) Either (1) or (3) (5) 400

Page 4 Algebra - 1
36. Find the roots of F(x) = x2 – 18x + 45 = 0. (1) 0 (2) 1
(1) –3, –15 (2) –9, –5 (3) 2 (4) 3
(3) 3, 15 (4) 9, 5 (5) 4

37. Find the roots of the equation
x2 – 2x – 6 = 0.
(1) x  1  3 or x  1  3
(2) x  1  5 or x  1  5
(3) x  1  7 or x  1  7
43. Sonu and Monu attempted to solve a
quadratic equation. Sonu made a mistake in
writing down the constant term. He ended
up with the roots (4, 3). Monu made a
mistake in writing down the coefficient of x.
He got the root as (10, 1). What will be the

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exact roots of the original quadratic equation?

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(4) x  1  11 or x  1  11 (CAT)

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(1) (6, 2) (2) (–3, 4)
38. Let t be a positive integer and k = t2 – t. (3) (5, 2) (4) (7, –3)

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If t  4, then (k2 – 2k) is always divisible by
(CAT) 44. How many total number of integral values of

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(1) 15 (2) 20 ‘a’ exist such that x2 + ax + 10 = 0 has
(3) 24 (4) 25 integral roots.
(1) 1 (2) 2
39.

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If both a and b belong to the set {1, 2, 3, 4}, (3) 3 (4) 4

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then the number of equations of the form
ax2 + bx + 1 = 0 having real roots is 45. f(x) = ax2 + bx + c where a  0. How many
(1) 10 (2) 7 positive real roots does f(x) = 0 have if the

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(3) 6 (4) 12 maximum value of f(x) occurs at a root?
(1) 0 (2) 1

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40. Let A and C be the elements of the set (3) 2 (4) Either (1) or (2)
{2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12} and B, an element of the (5) Either (2) or (3)
set {22, 24, 26}. How many equations of the
form Ax2 + Bx + C = 0 can be formed such 46. f(x) = ax2 + bx + c where a  0. How many
that the equation has real roots? positive real roots does f(x) = 0 have,
(1) 90 (2) 108 if f(x) = 0, has integral roots and the minimum
(3) 107 (4) 89 value of f(x) is –2 at x = 0.5?
(1) 0
(2) 1
41. If 0 < p < 1, then roots of the equation
(3) 2
(1 – p) x2 + 4x + p = 0 are ___
(4) Either (1) or (2)
(1) Both 0 (5) Either (2) or (3)
(2) Real and both negative
(3) Imaginary 47. The equation ax2 + bx + c = 0, where a, b, c
(4) Real and both positive are real numbers, has one root greater than 2
(5) Real and of opposite signs. and the other root less than zero. Which of
the following is necessarily true?
42. How many real and distinct solutions does (1) a(a + b + c) > 0
(2) a(a + b + c) < 0
x2  x  1 52  5  1 (3) a + b + c > 0
 have?
x2  x  1 52  5  1 (4) a + b + c < 0

Algebra - 1 Page 5
48. Let f(x) be a quadratic expression with a 53. A quadratic function f(x) attains a maximum
positive number coefficient of x2. If the roots of 3 at x = 1. The value of the function at
of f(x) = 0 lie in the interval (–1, 1) , then which x = 0 is 2. What is the value of f(x) at x = 10?
of the following is necessarily true? (CAT)
(1) f(1) > 0 and f(–1) > 0 (1) – 59 (2) – 70
(2) f(1) > 0 and f(–1) < 0 (3) – 78 (4) – 105
(3) f(1) < 0 and f(–1) < 0 (5) – 119
(4) f(1) < 0 and f(–1) > 0

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(5) None of these 54. If f(x) = 5x – 3x2 – 3, where –1  x  0, then
find the maximum possible value of f(x).
49. Find all the values of p, such that 6 lies
somewhere between the roots of the equation
x2 + 2(p – 3)x + 9 = 0.
(1) – 2

(3) 3
(2) – 3

(4)

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11
12
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3
(1) p   (2) p > 6 (5) – 4
4
3

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(3) 0 < p < 6 (4) 0  p  55. If the roots of the equation y3 – ay2 + by – c
4 = 0 are three consecutive integers, then what

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is the smallest possible value of b? (CAT)
Directions for questions 50 and 51:

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1
Let f(x) = ax2 + bx + c, where a, b and c are certain (1) (2) –1
constants and a  0. It is known that f(5) = –3f(2) 3
and 3 is a one of the root of f(x) = 0. (CAT) (3) 0 (4) 1

50. What is the sum of roots of f(x) = 0?

(1) –1
(3) 2
(2) –4
(4) 6
(5) Cannot be determined
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(5)
1
3

If x1, x2, x3 and x4 are the roots of the equation

3x4 + 2x3 + 7x2 + x + 2 = 0, then find the
value of (1 – x1) (1 – x2) (1 – x3) (1 – x4).
abc
51. What is the value of ? (1) 5 (2) 6
3 (3) 7 (4) Data insufficient
(1) 9 (2) 14
(3) 13 (4) 37 57. Three consecutive positive integers are raised
(5) Cannot be determined to the f irst, second and third powers
respectively and then added. The sum so
52. Find the maximum and the minimum possible obtained is a perfect square whose square
values of the function f(x) = 2x2 + 7x – 5, root, equals the total of the three original
where x is a real number. integers. W hich of the following best
(1) ,  22 (2) 89,  23 describes the minimum, say m, of these three
integers? (CAT)
87 (1) 1  m  3 (2) 4  m  6
(3) , (4) . – 19
4 (3) 7  m  9 (4) 10  m  12
–89 (5) 13  m  15
(5) ,
8

Page 6 Algebra - 1
 3 2
58. If a, b and c are roots of x – 6x + 11x – 6 x
3
= 0 and the roots of the equation x – px +
2
62. If f(x)  x 3   x 2 –   can be factorised
2
qx – r = 0 are a + b, b + c and c + a, then r
as (x   )(x  )(x   ), then f(3) is equal to
equals:
(1) 40 (2) 50 ( ,  and  are real numbers  0)
(3) 60 (4) 70 (1) 1 (2) 0

59. m is the smallest positive integer such that 35 31

(3) (4) 

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for any integer n  m, the quantity n3 – 8n2 4 2
+13n – 6 is positive. What is the value of m?

60.
(CAT)

Find the sum of all possible real values of ‘p’

63. How many roots are there for the equation

x  x  1 x  1?

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2 (1) None (2) One
for which the equation 2x  x  3p  0 and
(3) Two (4) Three
x 2  x  p  0 have a common root.

(1) 
4
25
(2) 
21
4

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value of m.

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29
(3)  (4) 0
4 65. How many roots are there for the equation
(5) – 4

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4  4  4  4  x  x?
61. If all the roots of the equation x4 – 4x3 + ax2

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+ bx + 1 = 0 are positive, then find the values
of ‘a’ and ‘b’, where x, a and b are real
numbers.
(1) 4 and 6 (2) 6 and –4
1 7 7 1
(3) and (4) and 
2 2 2 2

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Algebra - 1 Page 7
 QA : Solutions CEX-Q-0218/23
Algebra – 1
1 3 2 1 3 2 4 4 5 2 6 4 7 4 8 4 9 4 10(a) 2
10(b) 4 11 1 12 3 13 2 14 46 15 1 16 5 17 3 18 10 19 29
20 3 21 4 22 4 23 5 24 29 25 1 26 4 27 1 28 3 29 3

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30 5 31 4 32 2 33 3 34 3 35 3 36 3 37 3 38 3 39 2

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40 3 41 2 42 3 43 3 44 4 45 4 46 2 47 2 48 1 49 1

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50 1 51 5 52 5 53 3 54 2 55 2 56 1 57 1 58 3 59 7

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60 1 61 2 62 3 63 2 64 2 65 2

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1. 3 If F(x) is divided by (x – 2) has a remainder of 1, then 5. 2 Let –, – and – be the three distinct integer roots.
F(2) = 1 (Remainder theorem) f(x) = x3 + ax2 + bx + 20
(2)4 – 2(2)3 + k(2)2 – 11 = 1 We know,

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 16 – 16 + 4k = 12 (–) + (–) + (–) = –a ...(1)
 4k = 12 (+  + ) = b ...(2)

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– = –20 ...(3)
 k = 3.
From (3)

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= 20
2. 1 If (x – c) is a factor of f(x) then f(c) = 0 Possible values of ,  and  are 1, 2, 10 or 1, 4, 5
Here (x – 2) is a factor of f(x) Case I: If = 1, = 2, = 10
 f(2) = 0 = 20
 (2)4 – 10(2)3 + p(2)2 – 50(2) + q = 0 +  +  = 2 + 2 0+ 10 = 32

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16 – 80 + 4p – 100 + q = 0  b = 32 (from 2)
4p + q = 164 ....(1) –(+  + ) = –a
(x – 3) is also a factor of f(x)

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–(1 + 2 + 10) = –a
 f(3) = 0  a = 13
(3)4 – 10(3)3 + p(3)2 – 50(3) + q = 0
81 – 270 + 9p – 150 + q = 0 Case II: If = 1, = 4, = 5
9p + q = 339 ....(2)
 = 20
From (1) and (2) p = 35, q = 24.
+  +  = 4 + 20 + 5 = 29
+  +  = 10
3. 2 Roots: –1, 3, i
 a = 10, b = 29
Since i is a root, its complex conjugate is also a root.
Now from options, option (3) satisfies.
 f(x) = (x + 1) (x – 3) (x + 1) (x – i)
= (x2 – 2x – 3) (x2 – xi + xi – i2) 6. 4 Using the remainder theorem,
= (x2 – 2x – 3) (x2 + 1) f(x) = x4 – 4x2 + 2ax + 3
= (x4 – 2x3 – 3x2 + x2 – 2x – 3)
 f(–2) = 16 – 16 – 4a + 3 = 0
= (x4 – 2x3 – 2x2 – 2x – 3)
 f(x) = x4 – 2x3 – 2x2 – 2x – 3. 3
a=
4
4. 4 (x5 + 2x4 + x3 – x2 – 22x + 15) ÷ [x2 + 2x – 3]
Remainder: Ax + B
x2 + 2x – 3 = (x + 3)(x – 1) 20 65  1965
7. 4 M
 p(–3) = (–3)5 + 2(–3)4 + (–3)3 – (–3)2 – 22(–3) + 15 20 64  1964
= –36
= A(–3) + B (20  19)(2064  2063  19  2062  192  ...1964 )

 –3A + B = –36 ...(1) (2064  19 64 )
p(1) = (1)5 + 2(1)4 + (1)3 – (1)2 – 22(1) + 15 = –4
=A+ B  1  2063  19  2062  192  ... 
M  1  
 A + B = –4 ...(2)  20 64  19 64 
From (1) and (2), we get
A = 8, B = –12 M = 1+ (positive quantity)
M > 1.
 Remainder = 8x – 12.

Algebra - 1 Page 1
 Alternative Solution: 11. 1 3x + 2y + 4z = – 1 ...(i)
65 – 4x + 3y – pz = 3 ...(ii)
 1 
2065  2065  1   12x + qy – 13z = – 14 ...(iii)
2065  (20  1)65  20  From (i) and (ii), we get
M 
2064  (20  1) 64
 1 
64
17y + (16 – 3p) z = 5 ...(iv)
20 64  20 64  1  
 20  From (ii) and (iii), we get
65 (q + 9) y – (13 + 3p) z = – 5 ...(v)
  1  
1   1  Since the equations have infinite solutions, from (iv)
2065  
  20   and (v), we get
M  64 
2064 1   1  1   17 16  3p 5
   
  20   q  9  13  3p   5

s

1  (0.95)65   a1 b1 c1 

e
M  20  64   Remember   for inf inite solution 
1  (0.95)   a 2 b 2 c 2 

s
1  (0.95)65  17
  1  q  26

s

In 1  (0.95)64  , numerator is only slightly less q9
 

la
than 1 and denominator is only slightly more than 1. 16  3p 1
and   1 p 
Hence, M is certainly greater than 1.  13  3p  2
Hence, pq = –13.
8. 4 Given that G(y)   y  2  y  1 y  1 y  2 

C
Putting y = n, we have 12. 3 2x  y  z  15 ...(i)
G  n  n  2n  1n  1n  2  x  2y  2z  6 ...(ii)

e
2(i) – 3(ii) will give
Now n is in the form 6K  1 where K is a positive
x + 8y + 8z = 12
integer.

il n
G  6K  1   6K  3  6K  2  6K  6K  1 13. 2 2x  5y  3z  4 ...(i)
  36 2K  1 3K  1 K  6K  1 …(i) 4x  3y  1 ...(ii)
G  6K  1   6K  1 6K  2 6K  6K  3  2y  5z  19 ...(iii)

n
 36  6K  1 3K  1 K 3K  1 …(ii) 5(ii)  3(i) : 14x  9z  17 ...(iv)
Please note that the value of K  17 and expression 5(iii)  2(i) : 19z  4x  87 ...(v)

O
G(6K + 1) and F(6K – 1) always bear the factor 10. Solving (iv) and (v), we get that z = 5 and x = 2.
Hence, 360 is the correct choice. Putting the value of x = 2 in (ii), we get y = –3.
Therefore, x + y + z = 2 – 3 + 5 = 4.
9. 4 Let the price of turban be x.
Thus, for one year the salary = (90 + x). 14. 46 Let the cost of 1 burger, 1 shake, and 1 fries be x, y
3 and z.
For 9 months he should earn (90  x ) . Then, 3x + 7y + z = 125 ...(1)
4 4x + 10y + z = 164.50 ...(2)
Now he gets one turban and Rs. 65.
On performing (1) × 3 – (2) × 2, we get
3 x + y + z = 46.
Thus, (90  x )  65  x
4
or 270 + 3x = 260 + 4 x 15. 1 Let the number of chocolates of Munch, Eclairs and
or x = 10. Cof fee byte purchased by Rahul be a, b and c
respectively. Then,
10. (a) 2
a + b + c = 100 and 10a + 3b + 0.5c = 100
Since each of p, q and r can take any value from (1, After solving, we get
2, 3, 4), total triplets of (p, q and r) will be 64.
100  19a
But p 2  qr, hence q and r can not have values: (1, 1), 19a + 5b = 100  b 
5
(2, 2), (3, 3), (4, 4), (1, 4) and (4, 1). As b is a positive integer, a = 5 and hence b = 1.
Therefore, required number of triplets = 64 – 6 = 58.
(b) 4 123  7 x 7x
For infinite solution 16. 5 7x + 3y = 123 or y   41 
3 3
q p r For integer value of y, x has to be a multiple of 3.
 
p r q Every increase of 3 in the value of x would be
 p2 = qr and r2 = pq compensated by the decrease of 7 in the value of y.
The only set of values satisfying the above Hence, the solutions of (x, y) are (3, 34), (6, 27),
equations is possible when all p, q and r are equal. (9, 20), (12, 13) and (15, 6)
Therefore, possible values are when p = q = r = 1, But since x is always less than y, there are only 4
2, 3 and 4. integer solutions of the equation.

Page 2 Algebra - 1
17. 3 5x + 18y = 63 The second equation can be written as,
W e see that if y = 1, we get an integer value of 6x – 2y – z = 192 ...(ii)
x i.e., 9. Adding the two equations, we get
Now, if y changes (increases or decreases) by 5, x 292  y
will change (decrease or increase) by 18. 7x – y = 292 or x 
7
Looking at the options, if x = 297, we get y = –79.
Since x and y are both integers, the minmum value of
Using these values we see options (1), (2) and (4)
y must be 2.
are eliminated and also that there exists a solution
for 250 < x < 300.
22. 4 Let the number of questions solved correctly, solved
18. 10 2x + y = 30 wrongly and left unattempted be x, y and z

s
xy respectively.
 x  y  z  100

e
 y = 30 – 2x
Values of x and y that satisfy the equation.  4x  2y  z  64

s
164  y
x y x 

s
5
1 28
Only y = 56 and 61 give an integer value of ‘x’,

la
2 26 therefore, option (4) is the correct choice.
3 24 [At y = 61, x + y > 100, which is not possible]
4 22

C
5 20 23. 5 Let ‘k’ be the total marks obtained in the test.
 x  y  100  60  40
. .

e
. .  4x  2y  k  60
9 12 140  k

il n
x 
10 10 6
Only option (5), i.e. k = – 18, will not give an integer
 10 values of (x, y) satisfy the equation such that value of x and hence is the correct choice.
x  y.

n
24. 29 Let the number of wrong answers be x, so number
19. 29 First we find out the solution for p and q. Once we of right answers is (50 – x).
get the solution, values of p would be an AP with

O
common difference of 17 whereas values of q would x
Hence, (50  x)     13.75
be an AP with common difference of 4. 4
Valid solutions: p = 13, q = 3 x
50  x   13.75
p = 30, q = 7 4
p = 47, q = 11 So, the number of incorrect answer is 29.

p = 489, q = 115 25. 1 Possible marks are given below:

489  13 1 mark questions 2 marks questions Total

Number of terms =  1 = 28 + 1 = 29.
17 Not Not
Wrong Wrong
Correct ans. Marks Correct ans. Marks
(–1/4) (–1/3)
20. 3 Suppose the cheque for Riya is of Rs. X and Y paise. (–½) (–½)
As per question, 10 0 0 10 10 0 0 20 30
3(100X + Y) = (100Y + X) – 50 9 1 0 8.75 10 0 0 20 28.75
 299X = 97Y – 50 9 0 1 8.5 10 0 0 20 28.5
299X  50 10 0 0 10 9 1 0 17.67 27.67
Y
97 10 0 0 10 9 0 1 17.5 27.5
Now the value of Y should be an integer. 9 1 0 8.75 9 0 1 17.5 26.25
Checking by options for X = 18, Y is an integer and
8 2 0 7.5 10 0 0 20 27.5
the value of Y = 56.
8 1 1 7.25 10 0 0 20 27.25
21. 4 Let the number of questions answered correctly be 27.5 becomes 5th highest rank.
‘x’, that of answered wrongly be ‘y’ and that of left
unattempted be ‘z’. 26. 4 Let the cost of 1 desk, 1 chair and 1 table be ‘D’, ‘C’
Thus, and ‘T’.
x + y + z = 100 ...(i) 6D = 6C + T ...(i)
y z 12C = 6D + 3T ...(ii)
and x    32
3 6

Algebra - 1 Page 3
 Solving equations (i) and (ii), we get 31. 4 Let Initial amount with ‘A’ and ‘B’ be Rs.A and Rs.B. The
6 following Table can be prepared as per the data in the
T= (D) question.
5
3
T = (C)  C : T : D = 4 : 6 : 5 Amount A B
2
Let the value of C, T and D be 4x, 6x and 5x Initialy A B
respectively. Only option (4) doesn’t hold true. After  B  B 
 A   1   1
1st game  2  2 
27. 1 Since Group (B) contains 23 questions, the marks
associated with this group are 46. After 2A  B  2  B  (2A  B  2)
 1   1  1

s
Now check for option (1). If Group (C ) has one 2nd game 4 2  4
question, then marks associated with this group will

e
be 3. This means that the cumulative marks for these As per the question, difference in the amounts of A

s
two groups taken together will be 49. Since total and B after two games is Rs.16 and obviously B must
number of questions are 100, Group (A) will have 76 have a larger amount.

s
questions, the corresponding weightage being 76
marks. This satisfies all conditions and hence is the B 
 The difference    1  1  1  16

la
correct option. It can be easily observed that no other 2 
option will fit the bill.  B = 38
Initial amount with ‘A’ is not playing any role in getting

C
28. 3 Since G roup (C) contains 8 ques tions, the the value of B
corresponding weightage will be 24 marks. This figure
 ‘A’ can have any amount in the beginning.
should be less than or equal to 20% of the total marks.

e
Check from the options . Option (3) provides 13 or 14
For questions 32 and 33:
questions in G roup (B), with a corresponding

il n
weightage of 26 or 28 marks. This means that number
of questions in Group (A) will either be 79 or 78 and
will satisfy the desired requirement.
Let ‘n’ be the number of defective chips per batch and C be the
cost incurred as penalty or cost incurred in testing and
correcting the defective chips by XYZ Ltd.

(i) If no test is applied, then

n
29. 3 Number of printers of type B hired by the shop is 10,
therefore the value of b is 10. C = 150n.
(ii) If Test 1 is applied, then
 8a  15c  300  12  10  180

O
C = 6000 + 0.8n × 75 + 0.2n × 150 = 6000 + 90n
Possible values of ‘a’ and ‘c’ that satisfy the above
(iii) If Test 2 is applied, then
equation in that order are (15, 4) and (0, 12).
C = 9000 + 75n
Total cost for printing 1500 documents when c = 4:
 4  40  15  5  60  10  3  75  4  100  15
For the cost effectiveness of No Test:
 150  10  180  4 150n < 6000 + 90n and 150n < 9000 + 75n
 2400  3000  900  1500  1500  720 = Rs. 10720  n < 100 and n < 120
Total cost for printing 1500 documents when c = 12:
 n < 100
 4  40  0  5  60  10  3  75  12 For the cost effectiveness of Test 1:
 150  10  180  12 6000 + 90n < 150n and 6000 + 90n < 9000 + 75n
= 0 + 3000 + 2700 + 1500 + 2160 = Rs. 9360  100 < n < 200
Since the cost is minimized, the number of printers of For the cost effectiveness of Test 2:
type C that should be hired by the shop is 12. 9000 + 75n < 6000 + 90n and 9000 + 75n < 150n
 n > 200 and n > 120
30. 5 8a  12b  15c  300  n > 200
a  b  c  25
 4b  7c  100 32. 2
Possible values of ‘a’, ‘b’ and ‘c’ in that order are
(3, 18, 4); (6, 11, 8); (9, 4, 12) 33. 3 For n = 300( > 200), the company should use Test 2.
Case 1: (a = 3, b = 18, c = 4)
Cost = Rs. 10,500 34. 3 For n = 100, the company should either use Test 1 or
Case 2: (a = 6, b = 11, c = 8) no test.
Cost = Rs. 9,750
Case 3: (a = 9, b = 4, c = 12) 35. 3 The company can use either Test 1 or Test 2 only
Cost = Rs. 9,000 when the cost for both is the same.
Minimum cost = Rs. 9,000. 6000 + 90n = 9000 + 75n  n = 200.

Page 4 Algebra - 1
36. 3 F(x) = 0 respectively. Therefore, roots of the given equation
 x2 – 18x + 45 = 0 are real and negative.
x2 – 15x – 3x + 45 = 0 Hence, (2) is the correct choice.
 x(x – 15) –3(x – 15) = 0
(x – 15) (x – 3) = 0 42. 3 x = 5 is an apparent solution.
 x = 3 or x = 15. Dividing Nr and Dr by x2 in L.H.S. and 52 in R.H.S.,

b  b2  4ac x2  x  1 52  5  1
37. 3 Using formula : x 
2a x2  52
Here a = 1, b = 2, c = –6 x2  x  1 52  5  1

s
2  4  4(1)( 6) x2 52
x

e
2(1) 1 1
1 
1  x  x2 5 52

s
 
2  4  24 2  28 1  x  x2 1  1  1

s
 
2 2 5 52

la
1
2  2 7 x= is another possible solution
  1  7 5
2
And since it turns out to be a quadratic equation, it can

C
Henc e, 1  7 and 1  7 are the roots of never have more than two roots.
equation.
43. 3 Quadratic equation having roots (4, 3) is

e
38. 3 k = t2 – t, t  4 (x – 4)(x – 3) = 0
k2 – 2k = (t2 – t)2 – 2(t2 – t) = (t – 2)(t – 1) t (t + 1)  x2 – 7x + 12 = 0 … (i)

il n
The above number is a product of four consecutive Quadratic equation having roots (10, 1) is
integers, and thus it must be divisible by 24. (x – 10)(x – 1) = 0
 x2 – 11x + 10 = 0 … (ii)
39. 2 ax2 + bx + 1 = 0 Picking the coefficient of x from (i) and the constant

n
term from (ii), we get the required equation
For real roots, b2  4ac  0 x2 – 7x + 10 = 0
 (x – 5) (x – 2) = 0

O
 b2  4a(1)  0
 b2  4a
For a = 1, 4a = 4,  b = 2, 3, 4
a = 2, 4a = 8,  b = 3, 4
a = 3, 4a = 12,  b = 4
a = 4, 4a = 16,  b = 4
 Number of equations possible = 7.
40. 3 A and C can take any value from 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12.
So total number of ways will be 6 × 6 = 36. B can have
3 values. So number of ways of putting the values of
A, B and C will be 36 × 3 = 108.
But the roots of the equation should be real, so
B2  4AC. The only exception will be B = 22, A = 12
and B = 12. So the answer will be 108 – 1 = 107.
 x = 2, 5
Hence, actual roots are (5, 2).
44. 4 f(x) = x2 + ax + 10 = 0
Let  and  be the roots of f(x)
We know, sum of roots  +  = –a ...(i)
Product of roots =  = 10 ...(ii)
Here product  = 10 (positive)
So,  and  both must be negative or both must be
positive.
Now possible factors of 10 are 1 × 10 or 2 × 5
  = 2 and  = 5 (or vice versa)
or  = 1 and  = 10 (or vice versa)
or  = –2 and  = –5 (or vice versa)
or = –1 and  = –10 (or vice versa)
From (i),
 Possible values of a are 7, – 7, 11 and – 11
 4 value of ‘a’ are possible.

41. 2 The given equation is (1 – p) x2 + 4x + p = 0 45. 4 Since the maximum value of f(x) occurs at a root,
It’s discriminant 16 – 4 (1 – p) p or 16 – 4p (1 – p) there will be only one distinct root of the given equation
is positive as 0 < p < 1. and it may be positive or negative. Hence, the number
of distinct positive real roots will be either 0 or 1.
 –4 
Als o sum of roots   and product of
 1 – p   46. 2 Since f(x) has a minimum value at x = 0.5, its graph
must be an upward parabola symmetric about the line
 p 
roots   are negative and positive in s ign x = 0.5. So one root will be less than 0.5 and the other
1– p  root will be greater than 0.5. Now since the equation

Algebra - 1 Page 5
 has integral roots, only one lying to the right will be
positive and the other will be either 0 or negative. We
can see the following graph to understand the situation.
Y
49. 1
The graph of the quadratic equation, (in both the above
cases) when the coefficient of x2 is positive, is given
above. So, f(1) > 0 and f(–1) > 0
Let f(x) = x2 + 2(p – 3) x + 9
As the co-efficient of x2 in ‘x2 + 2(p – 3) x + 9’ is
greater than zero, we can say that f(x) must be
represented by an upward parabola. So either it would
cut the x-axis at two points (in case of real distinct
roots for f(x) = 0) or it won’t.

s
X If 6 lies between the roots of f(x) = 0, than this means
0
–4 –3 –2 –1 1 2 3 4 that the parabola does cut the x-axis and the position

e
of (6, 0) can be shown as-

s
f(x)

s
(6, 0)
x

Hence, the number of distinct positive real roots in this

case is 1.

C
(6, f(6))

la
Definitely f(6) is less than zero (see figure).

e
47. 2 Let f(x) = ax2 + bx + c. Hence,  62  2 p – 3 6  9  0
If a > 0, then f(x) will be an upward parabola and f(1)

il n
must be less than zero. 3
p–
If a < 0, then f(x) will be an downward parabola and 4
f(1) must be greater than zero. Note: W e do not need to consider D > 0 (i.e. the
Hence, a(a + b + c) is definitely less than zero. condition for real roots) as f(6) < 0 itself ensures that

n
the upward parabola of f(x) cuts the x-axis at some
48. 1
points and hence f(x) = 0 has real roots.

O
50. 1 Given that f(x) = ax2+ bx + c
Also, f(5) = –3f(2)  f(5) + 3f(2) = 0
 (25a + 5b + c) + 3(4a + 2b + c) = 0
   37a + 11b + 4c = 0 …(i)
Also, as 3 is a root of f(x) = 0, thus, f(3) = 0.
–1 1 Therefore, 9a + 3b + c = 0 …(ii)
Using equation (i) and (ii), we get that a = b
Therefore, c = –12a
 f(x) = a(x2 + x –12) = a(x + 4) (x – 3)
Therefore, the other root of f(x) = 0 is –4.
Hence, sum of roots = 3 + (–4) = –1.
OR
51. 5 f(x) = a(x2 + x – 12)
Therefore, the value of a + b + c cannot be uniquely
determined.

52. 5 f(x) = 2x2 + 7x – 5

 7 
 f(x)  2  x 2  x   5
 2 

 2 2
7 7   7
–1 +1  f(x)  2  x 2  2  x      5  2   
 4  4    4

2
 7 89
 f(x)  2  x   
 4 8

Page 6 Algebra - 1
 2
Since the three integers are positive, the value of ‘n’
 7 cannot be equal to 1, therefore the value of ‘n’ = 4 or m
As  x    0 ,
 4 = n – 1 = 3.
Hence, the three consecutive positive integers are 3,
89 4 and 5.
Minimum value of f(x) 
8
Maximum value of f(x)   58. 3 The given equation is x3 – 6 x2 + 11x – 6 = 0, sum of the
roots is a + b + c = 6 and product of the roots abc = 6.
Only values which satisfies are 1, 2 and 3.
53. 3 Let f(x) = ax2+ bx + c
So value of r for the equation x3 – p x2 + qx – r = 0 is
At x = 1, f(1) = a + b + c = 3
(a + b)(b + c) (c + a)

s
At x = 0, f(0) = c = 2
i.e., (1 + 2)( 2 + 3)(3 + 1) = 60.
The maximum of the function f(x) is attained at

x= 
b
2a
=1=
a 1
2a
 a = –1 and b = 2
 f(x) = –1x2 + 2x + 2
59. 7 Let y = n3 – 8n2 + 13n – 6
At n = 1, y = 0

s
 (n – 1) (n2 – 7n + 6) = (n – 1)2 (n – 6)
Now (n – 1) 2 is always positive.

s e
la
For n < 6, the expression gives a negative quantity.
Therefore, f(10) = –78.
Therefore, the least value of n will be 7.
Hence, m = 7.
54. 2 f(x) = 5x – 3x2 – 3

C
 f(x)  –(3x 2  5x)  3
60. 1 2x 2  x  3p  0
 5 25  25

e
 f(x)  –3  x 2  2  x   3
 6 36  12  x2  x  p  0
2

il n
 5 11 For the above two equations to have a common root ,
 f(x)  –3  x   
 6  12
 1 x  0 x2 x 1
 
Maximum value of f(x) will be at x = 0 p  3p 3p  2p 2  1

55. 2
Maximum value of f(x) 

y3 – ay2 + by – c = 0
3  25 11
36

12
 3 .

O n
Let the roots of the above cubic equation be ( – 1),
, ( + 1)
Eliminating x, we get that 25p2  4p

 p  0 or 
4
25

 4  4
  ( – 1) +  ( + 1) + ( + 1) ( –1) = b Sum of all possible real values of p  0      
 2 –  + 2 +  + 2 – 1 = b  25  25
 32 – 1 = b
Thus, the minimum possible value of ‘b’ will be equal 61. 2 Let us say the roots are   and given that sum
to – 1 and this value is obtained at  = 0. of the roots        = 4 and product of roots
 = 1.
56. 1 Since x1, x2, x3 and x4 are roots of
Since    and  are positive, the only possible
3x4 + 2x3 + 7x2 + x + 2 = 0, we have, values of and is = == = 1because the
3(x – x1) (x – x2) (x – x3) (x – x4)
product of these four roots is maximum.
= 3x4 + 2x3 + 7x2 + x + 2
  = 1.
Putting x = 1 we have,  a = = 6
3  2  7  1 2 –b =   
(1 – x1) (1 – x2) (1 – x3) (1 – x4) =  5.
3  –b = 4  b = –4
57. 1 Let the three consecutive positive integers be equal to
‘n – 1’, ‘n’ and ‘n + 1’. 
62. 3 f  x  = x3 –  x 2  x
2 3
 n  1  n   n  1   3n  2 2
Also, the roots of the equation f(x) = 0 are ,  and .
 n3  4n2  4n  9n So,             0 ...(i)
 n2  5n  4  0 (since n  0)
 
Also,           (   )  2
 n  1 or n  4 2 2

Algebra - 1 Page 7
   64. 2
    0       m  2  2  2  ...
2 2
m  2m
1 1 m2 = 2 + m
 ,  ...(ii)
2 2 m2 – m – 2 = 0
And –   (m – 2)(m + 1) = 0
m = 2 or m = –1
  1,    2 m = – 1 is not valid
m = 2.
 1  1  35
 f(3)  (3  2)  3   3   

s
 2  2 4

e
65. 2 4 4 4 4x x

s
63. 2 x  x  1 x  1 W e can rewrite it as

s
 x  1  x  1 x 4 4x x
Squaring both sides,

la
On squaring both sides, we get
x  1 2 x  x  1 x 4  4  x  x2

2 2
 4  x  x2  4

C

 2 x 1   1 x  Again squaring both sides
4 – x = (x2 – 4)2
x4 – 8x2 + x + 12 = 0

e
16
On further simplifying, we get x = .
9 (x2 – x – 3) (x2 + x – 4) = 0

il n
1  13 1  17
x , x
2 2
But positive values of x are considered.
So, total number of roots = 2.

O n

Page 8 Algebra - 1