ST.

PAUL’S COLLEGE
MidYearExam 2015-2016

Mathematics

Founded 1851

Suggested Solutions
Section A 60 marks
Candidates’ performance :
(Q11) Very good. Few students did not understand the meaning of the statement
“express 270 and 504 as products of prime factors”.
(Q12) (a) Fair. The students’ performance in this part was not as good as expected
and most of them could not figure out “ − (−2)2 =−4” .
(b) Fair. With “k%=0.15”, many students could not get “k=15” which should
be learnt in primary levels.
(c) Fair. Multiplying 6 to both sides would be a recommended skill in solving
x 2
the equation x + − x =10 because fractional expressions would be
2 3
removed. Those students who kept the fractions in their work failed to get
the correct answer due to the clumsy expressions involved.
(Q13) Fair. Misuse of units was found : x°=8°, x=8°, … .
(Q14) Good. The nature of this question was basic in Algebra.
(Q15) Good. Cost price, selling price, marked price, profit, discount were not properly
distinguished by some students.
Keys of the multiple choice questions :
1B 2C 3D 4C 5A 6B 7D 8A 9C 10D

Question 1:
The square of the sum of 3 and −8 is
A. 1 B. 25 C. −25 D. 45

Solutions : Ans.: B
. The square of the sum of 3 and −8 = [3 + (−8)]2 = 25

Question 2:
The L.C.M. of 2  32  52 and 22  34  7 is
A. 2  32 B. 2  32  52  7
C. 22  34  52  7 D. 23  36  52  7

Solutions : Ans.: C

Question 3:
Tom is three times the age of his daughter now. If Tom’s daughter was x years old
2 years ago, find the present age of Tom.
1
A. 6x B. (x + 2) C. 3(x − 2) D. 3(x + 2)
3

Solutions :
. The present age of Tom’s daughter is (x + 2). Ans.: D

Question 4:
It is given that P = a − 3(b + 2) . If b = −7, a = 10, find the value of P.
A. −35 B. −5 C. 25 D. 35

Solutions : Ans.: C
. P = ( 10 ) − 3[ (−7) + 2 ] = ( 10 ) − 3( −5 ) = 25
Question 5:
If 200 is changed to 150, the percentage change is
A. − 25 % B. + 25 % C. − 75 % D. + 75 %

Solutions : Ans.: A
150 − 200
. % change =  100% = −25 %
200

Question 6:
Which of the following is/are true ?
(1) 5%  20% = 100%
(2) 1 + 5%  2 = 2.1
(3) 1  20% = 5
A. (1) only B. (3) only C. (1),(2) only D. (2),(3) only

Solutions : Ans.: B
(1) is not true because
5%  20% = (0.05)(0.20) = 0.01 = 1%
(2) is not true because
1 + 5%  2 = 1 + (0.05)(2) = 1.1 = 110 %
(3) is true because
1  20% = 1  (0.2) = 5

Question 7:
In a company, 60% of the staff are female and the number of male staff is 240. What
is the total number of staff in the company?
A. 96 B. 144 C. 400 D. 600

Solutions : Ans.: D
. Total numer of staff × (1−60%) = 240
Total numer of staff = 240(0.4) = 600

Question 8:
If the general term of a sequence is n2 , find the sum of the fifth and the tenth terms.
A. 125 B. 150 C. 200 D. 225

Solutions : Ans.: A
2 2
. The sum of the 5th & the 10th terms = 5 + 10 = 125
Question 9:
Which of the following is (are) NOT a polyhedron (polyhedra)?

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

A. (1) only B. (3) only C. (1),(3) only D. (2),(4) only

Solutions : Ans.: C
. By definition, a polyhedron is a solid in three dimensions with flat polygonal
faces, straight edges and sharp corners or vertices.

Question 10:
Which of the following is/are the angles of an isosceles right-angled triangle ?
(1) 30° (2) 45° (3) 90°

A. (1) only B. (3) only C. (1),(2) only D. (2),(3) only

Solutions : Ans.: D
. An isosceles right-angled triangle is
an isosceles triangle with one of its
angles being a right angle as shown.

Question 11:
(a) Using index notations, express 270 and 504 as products of prime factors.
(b) Using the results of (a), find the H.C.F. of 270 and 504 . (5 marks)

Solutions :
(a) . 270 = 2  33  5
. 504 = 23  32  7

(b) . H.C.F. = 2  32 = 18
Question 12:
11 − 3(3 −10)
(a) Calculate .
− (− 2)2
(b) k % of 240 is 36, find k.
x 2
(c) Solve the equation x + − x =10 . (7 marks)
2 3

Solutions :
(a) .
11 − 3(3 −10)
=
11− 3(− 7)
− (4)
=
11 + 21
−4
= −8
− (− 2)2

(b) . 240 
k
= 36
100
10
k = 36  = 15
24
(c) .
x 2
x+ − x = 10
2 3
x 2x
6 x + 6 −6 = 6 10
2 3
x + x − x = 
x = 12

Question 13: A

(2y+1)°
In ABC shown in the figure, ABC = 90°,
D is a point on AB with BDC = 8x°, D
BCD = (3x +2)° , ACD = y°and 8x°
DAC = (2y +1)° .
y°
Find x and y .
(3x+2)°
(6 marks) B C

Solutions :
. 90o + 8xo + (3x + 2)o = 180° (sum of )

11x° = 88°

x = 8
. (2 y + 1)o + yo + (3x + 2)o + 90o = 180° (sum of )
3 yo + 1o + (3  8 + 2)o + 90o = 180°

y = 21
Question 14:
Andy spent $82 on buying some mangoes at $5 each and x oranges at $3 each.
He bought 20 mangoes and oranges altogether. Find x . (5 marks)

Solutions :
. 5(20 − x) + 3x = 82

−5x + 3x = −100 + 82

x = 9

Question 15:
Peter is a shopkeeper. Peter bought an item A at $250 and marked it at $400 .
(a) Find the profit percent of Peter in selling item A if it is sold at the marked
price.
(b) In order to draw the customers’ attention to item A, Peter offers a discount
of 20% on the marked price of item A .
(i) Find the discounted price of item A .
(ii) If item A is sold at the discounted price, find the profit percent of Peter
in selling item A. (7 marks)

Solutions :
selling price − cost price
(a) . Profit percent = 100%
cost price
400 − 250
=  100%
250

= 60 %
(b) (i) Selling price = marked price  (1 − discount%)
= 400  (1 − 20%)

= 320 ($)
selling price − cost price
(ii) Profit percent = 100%
cost price
320 − 250
=  100%
250

= 28 %