Functions, Graphs, Algebra –CAT past questions

Functions, Graphs, Algebra –CAT past questions

As a topic, Algebra has time and again proven to be a matter of discomfort for many of our students. In
this article we would be looking back at some of the questions in CAT from 1998 to 2006 that best capture
the essence of this topic.
Let me begin by breaking a myth that in CAT the Algebra questions are tough. I admit there were some
difficult questions, no doubt, but, in general, the questions that are posed to test your fundamental
knowledge in Algebra. You must have heard this bit from your teachers ad nauseam, but it is a proven
fact!

Let us rewind to the exam for the years 1998 to 2000.

CAT ’98:

Those were the days when CAT was focused heavily on Arithmetic. In fact, this was the last CAT I
remember which had more of Arithmetic than any other topic. The only noteworthy thing that one could
find in Algebra was a question on a “user defined” function.
User defined functions are not purely algebraic in nature. For example, a # b can be defined as a^b if
both a and b are positive, else = 0. It can take any form based on how we define them. Hence, these are
not standard algebraic functions.
Similar questions were found in a couple of CATs in the early ’90s. To crack such questions, what one
needed was not solid concepts, but merely an attitude of not getting intimidated by the “symbolic
language” which you are likely to find in most algebra questions.

CAT ’99:

It picked up the baton from the previous CAT. We witnessed a significant increase in the share of Algebra
in the paper. The big shift in this CAT was the predominance of Set based questions in Quant (each set
had from two to three questions) — quite a rude shock to the test takers.
There were questions based on the following concepts / expectations:
1) Finding positive integer solutions for an equation
2) Application of Binomial theorem. You were expected to
a) Identify the coefficients of (x +y) ^ n; when x, y are equal to 1.
b) How the first half of the coefficients is same as the second half, when n is odd

This question was disguised as a permutation combination problem.

Surprisingly, post this CAT, not a single question has been asked on
finding the nature of coefficients in a Binomial expansion.

3) Solving simple linear equation with a single variable, involving modulus. If you follow the trend in CAT,
you will find that these questions will gradually gain in prominence in subsequent CATs with the
expectations from the examiner getting a little higher than just knowing the definition.
4) Algebraic language to represent HCF of a set on numbers: h(a,b) is a function that is equal to
HCF(a,b)…If there are “n” numbers, how many times we have to operate on ‘h’ in order to find the HCF
of all the numbers.
This was nothing but a semantic puzzle, if one knew, to begin with, how to find the HCF of ‘n’ numbers.
Functions, Graphs, Algebra –CAT past questions

5) This was the first CAT in which 4 graphs needed to be identified. If one were aware of how odd and
even functions look as graphs, these would have been the 4 easiest questions of CAT’99. Even for those
who were not so comfortable with functions, all it required was checking with the coordinates and
identifying which of the choices fit in for the graphs — a not so smart way of solving the question, but,
nevertheless, good enough to get the answers.

6) Composite functions: This is the first time we saw composite functions

appearing in CAT. There were 3 questions based on this set: Given
F(x,y)…find F(F(F(x,y)))….and so on. It was scary from far, but quite
harmless when you attempted it.

7) User defined functions: There were 2 questions based on a set of instructions that are given out to a
robot moving on the graph sheet. This was actually a logic question in the guise of Algebra.
Those who had left out functions while preparing for CAT were hit the hardest. The lesson to be learnt is:
take a close look at the earlier CATs. They hold a lot of clues to the trends in the subsequent CATs.

CAT 2000

This year was marked by a quantum leap in the difficulty of the test. Maybe this was a function of the rise
in the number of CAT takers — an increase of almost 60%, mainly due to the dotcom bust.
The concepts that were checked in this year’s CAT paper were:
1) Given x and y coordinates for a set of points, is it possible to guess the graph?
For people who did not know the ‘difference method’ this was a bouncer. This concept was unique to CAT
2000. Neither had it appeared earlier, nor after.
2) There were 4 questions based on series
a) If ‘An’ indicates the nth term of the series…A1 was given, A(n+1) was given in terms of An . It was
required to find A100. Questions of this type have been repeated often in CAT. One could have easily
solved this question using the given options. There were enough cues in the choices.
b) A series was given, having n terms. You were asked to find the sum of these terms. In fact, the series
was such that every one of the terms was getting further split into 2 terms…and when all these terms
were added, the entire summation collapsed to just a couple of terms. This type of question has
reappeared in subsequent CATs. What was being tested here is the ability of the aspirant to split any term
further into two terms.
c) Property-based question: to prove that the middle term of an AP is also the average of the terms of the
AP.
3) Functions:
a) User defined functions: @(A,B) = avg (A,B)….there were 3 such definitions and 2 questions based on
these definitions. Those who were conversant with previous CAT papers found these questions to be a
breeze. In many such questions, one is tested on the number properties, too, as well as a little bit of
logical thinking.
Another set of 3 questions were based on a similar thought, where 6 functions were defined .
Eg: f(x,y,z) = min ( max(x,y), max (y,z), max(x,z)) g(x,y,z) = max(min(x,y), min(y,z), min(x,z))…….
All of these could have been simplified by using the properties of numbers and a little bit of Arithmetic.
Functions, Graphs, Algebra –CAT past questions

b) Algebraic Functions: For different domains of x,y; f(x,y) and

g(x,y) were defined . Again it was a mix of algebra and number
theory. The questions were not tough, but involved an
understanding of the symbolic language of Algebra. There
were 2 questions based on this data.

c) Graphs of functions: 3 questions were asked based on a graph. For each of these questions, one had to

identify whether the graph satisfied the condition.

F(x) = 3 F (-x) or
F(x) = - F(-x) or
F(x) = F(-x) or
F(x) = 2 F(-x) if x >=0

It was not a tough ask, if one had a look at the graphs of the previous CATs. It could have been solved
using points listed on the graph, as well.
d) Recursive functions: The challenge in the 3 questions on this topic was to identify patterns that
satisfied the question.
In the first set of 2 questions…F(x) was defined for non negative and negative values of x separately. Fn(x)
= Fn-1(F(x))..in other words a composite function of F(x) was defined.
You were asked to solve two questions based on a series of composite functions. It was simple if someone
listed down the first few terms and noticed the pattern.

The other question was where

F(0,y) = y+1 ; f(x+1,0) = f(x,1) ; f(x+1,y+1) =
f(x,f(x+1,y))…asked to find f(1,2)…a little bit of number play
was expected in this question.

4) Solving equations / drawing the graphs:

Two of these questions involved modulus functions:

In the first question, the equations x^2 + y^2 = 1 and |x-y|=0.2 were
given and one was asked to find the max value of |x| + |y|
The second question involved finding the area enclosed by 3 modulus
graphs |x+y| = 1; |x| = 1 and |y| = 1

The third question was a cubic equation with 3 real roots. The test taker was asked to find the values that
some of the coefficients cannot have. At the outset it looked like a tough problem. But with taking one of
the values of the coefficients, it could easily have been split into two factors, one linear and one
quadratic. And the quadratic graph, in that case, had imaginary solutions.
5) The other question was given as a series of functions
Quantz Tricks-1.doc
Code:
Percentage Table
SUBTRACTED
ADDED
4
4.16(1/24)
3.86(1/26)
5
5.26(1/19)
4.76(1/21)
10
11.11(1/9)
9.09(1/11)
12.5 14.28(1/7)
11.11(1/9)
15
17.55
13
20
25
16.67(1/6)
25
33.33
20(1/5)
30
42.8
23
40
66.67(2/3)
28
50
100
33.33(1/3)
60
150
37.5(3/8)
when subtracted then add this%
when added the subtarct this%
-This table is used in questions related to topics like Profit and loss,
time speed and distance, C.I.,S.I, etc. and also in D.I.
-This reduces ur calculation to the minimum level( but u shud know the
reciprocals till 30 for that coz it will help a lot)
-Example – If the price of sugar increases then by how much % should one
reduce his consumption to avoid extra expenditure.
When price of sugar is increased by 50% the consumption will reduce by
33.33%and like wise.
This will b most useful in TSD questions.
{If anyone knows abt. This % table in any book plz. Let me know the name of
the book.}
As my personal advice I wud suggest all ppl seriously wanting to appear for
cat shud learn the reciprocals, squares and cubes till 30 and roots also. I
have felt that this makes calculations much faster. When I was preparing for
cat we were told to keep on thinking in numbers until we were comfortable
with there use all of us.
COIN CONCEPT
When 2 quantities are sold as a group together .
Here r some more fundas, with examples.

Example- A horse and a carriage were bought for Rs. 12000. the carriage was sold
at a loss of 10% , horse was sold at a profit of 20%. Together I received Rs.13500.
what is the C.P. and S.P. of each.
Method-Assume everything to be a horse, so I shud have sold everything at 20%
profit.20% of 12000+12000= 14400.But I received Rs. 13500 only that makes a
difference of 900 or Rs. 900 are less. This also makes a difference of 30% coz we
calculated 40% profit (20+20%), but we had [+20%+(-10%)]=10%
I calculated 30% more on carriage.
30% or carriage=900
therefore 100%=3000
so now we have the individual cost of the horse, the carriage is for 9000/-and the
S.P. can b calculated now.
We have similar questions in many forms which can b done by applying the above
concept
Sample Question. 5 kg of rice and 2 kg of tea cost Rs/- 35, prices of rice grew by
10% and tea by 35% and together I could purchase it for Rs.420. What is the price
of tea.
(in these type of questions, whatever is asked take reverse of that, here tea is asked
so work on rice.)
Method
350+10% of 350=385
420-385=35
There is a difference of 25%(35%-10%)
This is Rs. 35
25% corresponds to Rs. 35
therefore 100%=140
2 Kg=Rs 140. so 1kg =70
Example.- I hired a servant for Rs. 300 per month and a cycle if he works for a year.
After 8 months I threw him out and paid him Rs. 50 for that month and the cycle.
How much does the cycle cost?
Method- In 8 months the servant has earned 2/3rd (8/12) of the cycle. So he is left
with just 1/3rd of the cycle, which we will cut in place of 300 we gave him only 50.
1/3 corresponds to (300-50)=250
therefore 1=750. so the cost of the cycle is Rs. 750.
Sample Questions –
1. Deccan queen moves for Pune from Mumbai at 5:00 a.m. and it reaches Pune at
9:00 a.m. .Shatabdi starts at 7:00a.m. from Pune and reaches Mumbai at 10:30
a.m.. What time did the 2 trains meet.
2. Ajay and Vijay are at a distance of 100 mts., when 3rd time they meet ,they are
at a distance of 20mts from Vijay’s side and each of them have completed at least
100 mts., what are the ratio of the speed of Ajay and Vijay.
3. One car sets off at 8:00 a.m. at 60kmph, at 11:00 a.m. another car starts at
100kmph. At what distance from the starting point both will meet.
4. Mumbai to Pune local starts at 5:00 a.m. and they end at 12:00in the night. They
take 4 hrs .And every 15 mins. one local is initiated from each station. – a)A
5:00a.m. local will meet how many locals in its journey. b) at what intervals it will
meet the local.
5. On a highway12 trucks cross in 1hour at the equal intervals, if I move from
opposite directions at double the speed of the truck , in one hr. I will cross how many
trucks?
6. Vijay and Pallavi went for 100, mts. ski race. Initially Pallavi’s speed was
1m/smore so Pallavi gave Vijay some lead in terms of time, when Pallavi caught up
with Vijay, then Vijay increased his speed by 2m/s and he was the winner by 7
minutes and 8 seconds. Had the race been 500mts longer, he would have won by 25
more seconds. A) at what point Pallavi caught up with Vijay b.) what was the lead
given to Vijay. C)speed of Pallavi, speed of Vijay.
Ans. for each question.
1. 7:56 a.m.
2. ratio-14:11
3. 450kms.
4 a)17 trains
5 36 trucks.
6 A)1440 mts. C)V-3m/s P-4m/s.
7. On a republic a day a 10 KM convoy has to cover 30km distance. Convoy moves at
10kmph. A motorcyclists starts from back of the convoy, moves in front , again goes
back and from back again goes to the front, and in the mean time the convoy has
completed its journey.
a. What is the speed of the motorcyclists?
b. If he increases his speed by double, then how many rounds will he take ?
8. A,B,C had to go 100 kms. A had a motorcycle by which he could go@25 kmph.
Walking is done @5kmph. A picks up B, while C walks, after sometime A drops B , B
moves on , A comes back picks up C and all of them reach at the same time.
a. At what distance B was dropped
b. Motorcyclists traveled how many kms?
c. Journey is of how many hours?
d. A picked up C at what distance?
9. Robbery took place at 5:00a.m. and robbers took at speed of 60kmph at 9:00
a.m. police went after the chase @80kmph . A helicopter moved @120 kmph which