Q1. Assume x is a natural number.

If f(x) = x!. Then how many trailing zeroes do we have in f(10)? i.e. how many zeroes after the first
non-zero digit in f(10) ?

A. 0
B. 1
C. 2
D. 3

Answer – Since 10 is a very small number, we can actually direct calculate the factorial of this
number also.
f(10) = 10! = 3628800.
So, clearly two trailing zeroes.

Alternatively - For any natural number N!, number of trailing zeroes is given by

[N/5] + [N/25] + [N/125]+ ……

Where [x] denotes the greatest integer function of x. meaning the round down value of x.
For example [3.4] = 3, [5.9] = 5 etc.

So Trailing zeroes of 10! Is given by

[10/5] + [10/25] + [10/125] + [10/625] + ….
= 2 + 0 + 0 +… = 2.

Q2. Assume x is a natural number.

If f(x) = x!. Then how many trailing zeroes do we have in f(100)? i.e. how many zeroes after the first
non-zero digit in f(100) ?

A. 24
B. 25
C. 97
D. 98

Answer – Now notice that since f(100) = 100!, this is a very large number. Hence, our earlier
approach of simply writing the factorial won’t work.

So we have to use the earlier formula.

So, trailing zeroes of 100! Is
[100/5] + [100/25] + [100/125] + [100/625] + …..
= 20 + 4 + 0 + 0 + ….
= 24
Q3. Let f(1) = 2.
And f(a+1) – f(a) = 3, given that a>=1.
Then what is f(20) = ?

A. 59
B. 60
C. 61
D. 62

Answer –
f(1) = 2.
F(1+1) – f(1) = 3.
So f(2) – 2 = 3.
So, f(2) =5.

F(2+1) – f(2) = 3.
So, f(3) – 5 = 3.
So, f(3) = 8.

Observe that this is an arithmetic progression with first term = 2, and common difference = 3.
So f(20) gives the 20th term of this AP.
So, f(20) = 2 + (20-1)*3 = 59.

Q4. If f(1) = 2.
And f(a+1)/f(a) = 3. For a>=1.
Then what is f(20)?

A. 2*3^19
B. 2*3^20
C. 2*3^21
D. 2*3^18

Answer –
F(2)/f(1) = 3
So f(2) = 3*2 = 6.
F(3)/f(2) = 3.
So f(3) = 3*6 = 18.

Observe now that this is a geometric progression with first term = 2, and common ratio = 3.
So f(20) is the 20th term of this GP.
So f(20) = 2*319

Q5. Assume x is a natural number.

If f(x) = x!, then what is the last non-zero digit of f(11)?
A. 0
 B. 2
C. 4
D. 8

Answer – Observe that earlier in question1, we found that f(10) = 10! = 362880. Last non-zero digit =
8 here.
f(11) = 11! = 11*10!.
Here last non-zero digit = 1*8 = 8.

Q6. If f(x) = x2+2x+3, and given that x is a real number. Then what is the maximum possible value of
the function?
A. 2
B. 3
C. 4
D. None of the above

Answer – Clearly as x gets larger this quadratic function will keep on getting larger. So, the maximum
is clearly infinite. Which is in none of the options.

Q7. If f(x) = x2 + x + 3, and given that x is a real number. Then what is the minimum possible value of
f(x) ?

A. 2
B. 3
C. 4
D. None of the above

f(x) = x2 + x + 3 = x2 + 2*(1/2)x + 3 = x2 + 2*(1/2)x + (1/2)2 + 3-(1/2)2

= (x+1/2)2 + 11/4.
Since, smallest value of square of a number can’t be below zero. Hence, function will be minimum
when (x+1/2) = 0. i.e. when x = -1/2.
Hence f(-1/2) = 11/4 is the minimum which occurs at x= -1/2
Hence, none of the options.

Q8. If f(x) = x2 + 2x + 3, and given that x is a real number. Then for that value of x is the function f(x)
minimum?

A. 2
B. 3
C. 4
D. None of the above

Answer – f(x) = x2 + 2x + 3 = x2 + 2*1*x + 12 + 3 – 12 = (x+1)2 + 2.

This function will be minimum when x = -1. And minimum will be given by f(-1) = 2.
But we are not asked for the minimum value. We are asked for x which will make it minimum. Hence
-1 is the answer. Which is none of the above.
Q9. If f(x) = x2 + 2x + 3, and given that x is a real number. Then what is the minimum value of the
function?

A. 2
B. 3
C. 4
D. None of the above

Answer – As done in the above question, minimum value of the function is 2.

Q10. Given x is a real number.

If f(x) = x*(x+1/(x3)).
Then how many possible values of x exist such that f(x) = 2?

A. 0
B. 1
C. 2
D. 3

Answer –
F(x ) = x2 + 1/(x2) = 2
Let x2 = k.
k+1/k = 2
On simplifying, we get k2 – 2k + 2 = 0
So (k-1)2 = 0.
So k = 1
So x2 = 1
So x = 1,-1.
So, two solutions.

Alternatively,
F(x ) = x2 + 1/(x2)
X2 >= 0
So AM >= GM
AM = (x2 + 1/(x2))/2 = 2/2 = 1.
GM = √x2*(1/x2) = 1
Observe that AM = GM only if all terms are the same.
So x2 = 1/x2
So, x4 = 1.
So, x = 1, -1.
Again, only two solutions.

Q10. Given x is a real number.

If f(x) = x*(x+1/(x3)).
Then how many possible values of x exist such that f(x) = 2?

A. 0
B. 1
C. 2
 D. 3

Answer –
F(x ) = x2 + 1/(x2)
X2 >= 0
So AM >= GM
AM = (x2 + 1/(x2))/2 = ½
GM = √x2*(1/x2) = 1
Clearly AM >=GM is not satisfied. Hence, no such x can exist.