Quantitative Ability Test 3

(Indices, Surds and Logarithms)

Number of Questions: 35 Section Marks: 30

Directions for questions 1 to 35: Select the correct alterna- 9. If 3x+3 – 3x−3 = 6552, then find x2.
tive from the given choices. (A) 5 (B) 25
1. Find the value of x, if 2x = 8y and 64y = 216x + y − 2. (C) 3 (D) 9
1 1 10. If x, y, z are real numbers such that xyz = 1, then the
(A) 2 (B) 2 1 1 1
4 2 + +
expression
1 1 1 + x + y −1 1 + y + z −1 1 + z + x −1
(C) 3 (D) 3
2 3 is equal to
3
(A) 1 (B)
x+ y+z
2. If x = 3 9 3
9 3 9 3 9................. , what is the value 3 x+ y+z
of x? (C) (D)
x + y −1 + z −1
−1
3
(A) 3 (B) –3
a b c

(C) 3 (D) 9 (81a ) (81b ) (81c )

11. If = 3.
(6561b ) − c (6561c ) − a (6561a ) − b
3. If 93x – 4 = 6561. 27 x − 2 , then find the value of x. Then a + b + c could be 1
(A) 1 (B) 2 (A) 2 (B)
(C) 3 (D) None of these 3
1 1
1 1 2
+ = (C) – (D) −
4. If p  = q m = r n and ,then which of the 2 3
 n m
following is valid? (p > 1, q > 1, r > 1) 1
12. If x = 1
find x.
Ι. p = q 2 ΙΙ. pq =  2 ΙΙΙ. p2 = qr 4+
1
(A) Both Ι and Ι (B) Both ΙΙ and ΙΙΙ 3+
1
(C) Both ΙΙΙ and Ι (D) None of these 4+
4 3 + ....∞
23
3( −1)
5. Find the value of x if (125) = (25)
2x −3
. 3 3
(A) 3+ (B) 3−
(A) 4.5 (B) 2.5 2 2
(C) 1.5 (D) None of these 1 1
(C) 3+ (D) 3−
2 2 2
6. If 22 x + 3 = 82 x +1 and x is positive, then what is the value
of x? 8 88 88

(A) 2 (B) 3 13. If A = 888 , B = 88 , C = 8888 and D = 88 , which of

(C) 1 (D) 4 the following represents the ascending order of the
values of A, B, C, D?
7. If t1 = 5 , t2 = 5 5 , t3 = 5 5 5 and so on, then (A) CDAB (B) CABD
the product of the first ten terms (t1) (t2) (t3) (t4)…. (t10) (C) CBAD (D) ACBD
is equal to
14. Solve for x: x + x − 1− x = 1 .
512 4609 2048 18431
(A) 5 (B) 5 16
(A) 1 (B)
1024
59217 512
54607 4 25
(C) (D)
(C) 5 (D) 0
8. If x ≠ x, then
2

x 4 b + x 2( a + b) + x 4 a 15. The arithmetic mean of two surds is 5 + 9 2 , and one

is equal to
( x 2a + x a+ b + x 2b )( x 2a − x a+ b + x 2b ) of the surds is 1 + 12 2
What is the square root of the other surd?
xa x 2a
(A) (B) (A) 6 − 21 2 (B) 4 − 3 2
xb x 2b
(C) xa+b (D) None of these (C) 3 ( 2 +1 ) (D) (
2 2− 3 )
 Quantitative Ability Test 3 | 1.49

1 1 24. If a2 + 4b2 = 12ab, what is the value of log(a + 2b)?

16. + =
6 + 7 − 13 6 − 7 − 13  a  b
(A) log   + log   + log 2
1  2  2
(A) 6 (B) 1
6 (B) (log a + log b – log 2)
1 2
(C) 6 (D) 1
6 (C) (log a + log b + 4 log 2)
17. Find the square root of 2
1
 1 1 1  (D) (log a – log b + 4 log 2)
1 + 2 + 1 + 3 + 2 + 4 + 3
+ ......... 2
 
 1  log m p.log n p
  25. Simplify .
 324 + 323  log m p + log n p
1 (A) 1 (B) logp (m + n)
(A) 3 2 (B) (C) logp mn (D) logmnp
2
3 −1 26. If a > 1, loga a + log 1 a + log 1 a + …..+ log 1 a =
(C) 2 3 (D) a2 a3 a 20
2 (A) 420 (B) 210
18. If xy = yz = zx and (x, y, z) > 0, then (C) 380 (D) 190
 xy + yz + zx  xy + yz + zx log x log y log z
(A) 3   (B) 27. If = = , then find the value of
 xyz  xyz y−z z−x x− y
x+ y+z xy + yz + zx
(C)
xyz
(D)
x+ y+z  ( 2

)( 2

)(
2 2

)
log  x y + yz + z + z y z + zx + x + z z x + xy + y + z 
2 2


(A) 2 (B) 0
19. If log43, log4 (3m − 2) and log4  3m − 8  are in
  (C) 3 (D) None of these
3
arithmetic progression, then the number of possible 28. If abc = 1, then find the value of
1 1 1
values of m are + +
log bc a log ac b log ab c 3
3 3

(A) 1 (B) 2
−1 1
(C) 4 (D) 5 (A) (B) log abc
3 3
20. If logx 162 = m and logx72 = n, then what is the value of
(C) –1 (D) log a + b + c abc
logx 7776 in terms of m and n?
m + 3n 3m − 5n 29. If log 6 27 = t , then find the value of log18 4 in terms
(A) (B)
m + 5n m + 2n of t.
m + 3n 3m − 5n  2 −t  3−t
(C) (D) (A) 3   (B) 2  
2 2  2+t  3+ t 
21. Which of the following is a possible value of x if 6+t 4 −t
(C) (D)
log3x2 − log3x x = 8logx 3? 3+ t 3+ t
1 1 30. For a ≥ b, b > 1 the value of the expression
(A) (B)
81 243  a  b
log a   + log b   can never be
(C) 243 (D) 9  b  a
(A) 0 (B) 1
22. If a = a = log 4 31 , then _____ . (C) −2 (D) −0.5
(A) a < 2 (B) 2 < a < 2.5
(C) 2.5 < a < 2.8 (D) 2.8 < a 31. If log 4 ( x 2 + x ) − log 4 ( x + 1) = 2 , then x =
23. If log10 (2x + 3) − 1 = log10x, then find x. (A) 2 (B) 4
(C) 8 (D) 16
2 3
(A) (B) 4 32. If log 10 3 = 0.4771, then find the number of digits in
7
7 3 (243)50.
(C) (D) (A) 200 (B) 205
8 8
(C) 120 (D) 210
1.50 | Quantitative Ability Test 3

33. If (log 16) (log 27) = (log x) (log y) and (log 4096) (A) 2.5 (B) 3
[log x – log 27] = [log16 – log y] (log 512), which of the (C) 1.5 (D) 1
following can be the value of (x – y)?
(A) –11 1 1 1
35. If logbca = , logcab = and logabc = , find the
(B) 73 p q r
(C) –73 1 1 1
(D) More than one options value of + +
p +1 q +1 r +1
34. What is the value of? 3
(A) 1 (B)
2
log64 512 512 512 512.................. ∝ . (C) 2 (D) None of these

Answer Keys
1. A 2. A 3. D 4. D 5. B 6. B 7. C 8. D 9. B 10. A
11. C 12. B 13. B 14. B 15. C 16. B 17. A 18. A 19. B 20. C
21. A 22. B 23. D 24. C 25. D 26. B 27. B 28. C 29. B 30. B
31. B 32. C 33. D 34. C 35. A

Hints and Explanations

1. Given 2x = 8y ⇒ 2x = (23)y Hence p  = k ; log p k = 

⇒ x = 3y
log q k = m; log r k = n given that
Also 64y = 216x + y − 2
⇒ 64y = 63 (3y + y − 2) 1 1 2
+ =
⇒ 64y = 612y − 6  n m
⇒ 4y = 12y − 6 1 1 2
3 ⇒ + =
⇒ 6 = 8y ⇒ y = 4 log p k log r k log q k

9 1 ⇒ log k p + log k r = 2 ⋅ log k q

∴ x = 3y = 4 = 2
4 ⇒ log k ( pr ) = log k q 2 pr = q2 Choice (D)
 Choice (A)
34
5. 2 is always even, as 2 raised to any power is even.
34
2. Given x = 3
9 3
9 3 9 3 9................. Hence ( −1)2 = (–1)even number = +1
4
23
3( −1) 1
Hence, (25) = (25)3 = 56.
⇒ x = 9 39
3 3
9 3 9 3 9................. = 9x
(125)2x–3 = 56. ⇒ 53(2x–3) = 56. ⇒ 2x – 3 = 2; x = 2.5
⇒ x = 0, 3, –3. Since x is positive, x = 3. Choice (A)  Choice (B)
(x – 2)
3. 93 x – 4 = 38. (27) 2 6. By equating the index of 2 on both sides we get
2x2 + 3 = 6x + 3 ⇒ x = 3 (as x > 0) Choice (B)
( x – 2)
93 x – 4 = 38. (33 )
1 1
2 1−
7. t1 = 5 2 = 5 2

(x – 2) 3 1
3 1−
32( 3 x – 4 ) = 38 ·3 2
t2 = 5 4 = 5 22

3x
6x – = 8+8– 3 7
1−
1
2 t3 = 5 8 = 5 23

(3 x – 6 ) 1−
1
6x – 8 = 8 + t10 = 5 210
2
9x 26  1− 1   1− 12   1− 13 
= 13 ⇒ x =  Choice (D) = (t1 )(t2 ) (t3 ) ..... (t10 ) =  5 2   5 2   5 2 
2 9    
4. Given that p  = q m = r n  1− 110 
…..  5 2 
Let each be equal to k.  
 Quantitative Ability Test 3 | 1.51

2 2 2
1 1 1 1 
10 −  + 2 + 3 + .... + 10 
11. 81a + b + c 2 2 2

= 5 2 2 2 2 
[ −2 bc − 2 ca − 2 ab ]
= 81a + b + c + 2 ab + 2 bc + 2 ca
81
1 1 1 1
10 − 1 + + 2 + .... + 9  1
= 81( a + b + c ) = 3 = 814
2

= 5 2 2 2 2 

 1  1
10 −
1−
1  210  ⇒ a+b+c=±
2 1 2
1−  Choice (C)
=5 2
1
10 −1+
1 12. Given x = 1
=5 210
=
1024
59217 4+
1
 Choice (C) 3+
1
2( a + b) 4+
x +x
4b
+x 4a
3 + ......∞
8. Let E = E = .
( x + x + x )( x − x
2a a+ b 2b 2a a+ b
+ x 2b )
⇒ x=
1
x=
3+ x
1 ⇒ 4 (3 + x ) + 1
Den (E) = x ( x + x + 1) . x ( x
2b 2a− 2b a−b 2b 2a− 2b
− x a − b + 1) 4+
3+ x
x (1 + x +x 4b
) 2(a - b ) 4( a -b )
3+ x
E= ⇒ x=
x 4 b 1- x (a- b ) + x 2( a-b )  1 + x a-b + x 2( a-b )  4 x + 13
Considering xa-b = t, we get ⇒ 4x2 + 12x − 3 = 0
1+ t 2 + t 4 1+ t 2 + t 4 −12 ± 144 + 48
= =1 ⇒ x=
( )(
1- t + t 2 1 + t + t 2 1 + t + t
2
)4 8

(1 – t + t ) (1 + t + t2) = (1 + t2– t) (1 + t2 + t)
2
⇒ x=
(
4 −3 ± 12 )
=( (1 + t2)2 – t2) 8
Note: The condition x2 ≠ x means x ≠ 0, x ≠ 1. If x = 0, −3 ± 2 3
⇒ x=
E is not defined. If x = 1, E = 1. 2
∴ This condition need not be imposed. But impos- Since x > 0,
ing the condition does not make the statement −3
(that E = 1) false. Choice (D) x= x= + 3 Choice (B)
2
9. 3 – 3 = 6552
x+3 x−3
8 88 88

 1 13. A = 888 B = 88 C = 8888 D = 88

3x 33 − 3  = 6552 Since the base of all the numbers is 8, the number power
 3 
with highest index is the greatest number. Clearly ‘C’
 728 
3x  = 6552 has the lowest value.
 27  Consider A = 888
8

3x = 243 = 35
and B = 8888 .
⇒ x=5
Consider the indices is 888
∴ x2 = 52 = 25 Choice (B)
and 888
10. Given xyz = 1
1 1 (88)8 and (811)8
⇒ qxy = , =z -- (1) Since 811 > 88
z xy
888 > 888
Given expression, ∴ B>A
1 1 1 Also, among the four powers the greatest power is
−1
+ −1
+
1+ x + y 1+ y + z 1 + z + x −1 8
88 . Hence D is the largest number.
y 1 1 ∴ the ascending order is CABD. Choice (B)
= + +
y + xy + 1 1 + y + xy 1 + + 1 (from (1))
1
14. x + x − 1− x = 1
xy x
Squaring both sides we get, x − 1 − x = 1 + x − 2 x
y 1 xy
= + + Squaring again, we get, 1 – x = 1 + 4x – 4 x
y + xy + 1 1 + y + xy xy + 1 + y
16x = 25x2
y + 1 + xy 16
= = 1 Choice (A) x=  Choice (B)
1 + xy + y 25
1.52 | Quantitative Ability Test 3

15. Let the other surd be “a”.  1x + 1y + 1z  1 1 1

1
a + 1 + 12 2 =
x
log 1k = x+ y+z
kx  
= 10 + 18 2
a=9+6 2 1 1 1 1
Similarly log x xyz = + + and 1 log xyz
( )
2
= 9 + 2 18 = 6+ 3 y x y z z
y

∴ a= ( 6+ 3  ) Choice (C) =
1 1 1
+ +
x y z

16.
1
=
( 6 + 7 + 13 ) (1) Hence the given expression is equal to
6 + 7 − 13 ( 6+ 7+ 13 ) ( 6 + 7 − 13 ) 1 1 1
3 + +  = 3 
 xy + yz + zx 
 
6 + 7 + 13 6 + 7 + 13 x y z xyz
 Choice (A)
= =
( ) − ( 13)
2 2
6+ 7 13 + 2 42 − 13
 8
19. Given log4 3 + log4  3m −  = 2 log 4 (3m − 2)
6 + 7 + 13  3
=
2 42  8
( )
2
⇒ 3  3m −  = 3m − 2
1
=
(
1 6 − 7 + 13 )  3
⇒ 3m + 1 − 8 = 32m + 4 − 4 (3m)
6 − 7 − 13 ( 6 − 7 − 13 )( 6 − 7 + 13 ) ⇒ 32m − 7 (3m) + 12 = 0
6 − 7 + 13 6 − 7 + 13 Let 3m = x
= = ⇒ x2 − 7x + 12 = 0
( ) − ( 13)
2 2
6− 7 13 − 2 42 − 13 x2 − 4x − 3x + 12 = 0
x (x − 4) − 3 (x − 4) = 0

=
− ( 6− 7 + 13 ) ⇒ (x − 4) (x − 3) = 0
⇒ x = 4 or 3
2 42 ⇒ 3m = 4 or 3m = 3
⇒ m = log3 4 (or) m = 1
Required value =
6 + 7 + 13
+
− ( 6 − 7 + 13 ) Hence m can take two values. Choice (B)
2 42 2 42 20. Given logx 162 = m
2 7 1
= = ⇒ log x 34 (2) = m
 2 42 6 Choice (B) ∴ m = 4 log x 3 + log x 2
1 1 Given logx 72 = n
17. The given function is 1 + + +
2 +1 3+ 2 ⇒ log x 32 23 = n
2 −1 3− 2 4 − 3 ∴ n = 2 log x 3 + 3log x 2
= 1+ + + + ....+
Let logx3 = 1 and logx2 = b
2 −1 3−2 4−3
⇒ m = 4a + b --- (1)
(on rationalizing the denominator of each term)
n = 2a + 3b --- (2)
= 1 + 2 – 1 + 3 – 2 + 4 – 3 + .... + 2 (2) − (1) gives
324 − 323 2n − m
5b = 2n − m ⇒ b =
5
= 324 = 18 (∵ all terms cancel off except 324 )
3m − n
Hence, the square root of the given expression is 18 similarly a =
10
= 3 2 . Choice (A) Now consider logx 7776
18. Let xy = yz = zx = k
1 1 1
= log x 35.25
⇒ x=k ,y=k ,z=ky z x
= 5[logx3 + logx2]
1  3m − n 2n − m 
consider log z xyz = 5 +
x  10 5 
1  1. 1 1   m + 3n  m + 3n
= log 1  k y k z .k x 
x kx  
= 5 = 2
  10  Choice (C)
 Quantitative Ability Test 3 | 1.53

1 1 1
21. log3 x2 − log3x x 26. log a a + log a a + log a a + …. + log a a
2 3 20
= 8 logx3
x2 log a log a log a log a
log = 8log x 3 = + + + ..... +
⇒ 3 log a 1 1 1
x x log a 2 log a 3 log a 20
⇒ log3 x = 8log x 3 20 × 21
= 1 + 2 + 3 + ….+ 20 = = 210  Choice (B)
1 8 2
⇒ log3 x =
2 log3 x log x log y log z
27. Let = = =k
⇒ (log3 x )
2
= 16 y−z z−x x− y
⇒ log3x = 4 logx = k(y − z)
1 logy = k(z − x)
⇒ x = 34 = 81 or x = 3−4 =

81
Choice (A) logz = k(x − y)
2
+ yz + z 2 + z
1 log x y = (y2 + yz + z2 + z) (log x)
22. log 4 31 = log 22 31 = log 2 31
2 = k ( y − z ) ( y 2 + yz + z 2 + z )
2 < 31 < 2
4 5
= k ( y3 − z3 ) + k ( y − z) z  --- (1)
⇒ log 2 24 < log 2 31 < log 2 25
= k ( z − x ) ( z + xz + x + z )
2 2
2 2
+ xz + x + z
log y z
⇒ 4 log 2 2 < log 2 31 < 5 log 2 2
4 1 5 = k ( z 3 − x3 ) + k ( z − x) z  --- (2)
⇒ < log 2 31 <
= k ( x − y ) ( x 2 + xy + y 2 + z )
2 2
+ xy + y + 2
2 2 2 log z x
1 = k(x3 − y3) + k (x y) z  --- (3)
⇒ 2< log 2 31 < 2.5. Choice (B)
2 Adding (1), (2) and (3),
2 2 z 2 + xz + x 2 + z x 2 + xy + y 2 + z
23. log (2x + 3) − 1 = logx log x y − yz + z + z + log y + log z
= k(y3 – z3) + kz (y – z) + k(z3 – x3) + kz(z – x) + k(x3 – y3)
log (2x + 3) − log10 = logx + kz(x – y)
 2 x + 3 = k(y3 – z3 + z3 – x3 + x3 – y3) + kz(y – z + z – x + x – y)
⇒ log  = log x
 10  = 0 + 0 = 0 Choice (B)
2x + 3 1 1 1
⇒ =x 28. + +
10 log bc a log ac b log ab c 3
3 3

⇒ 2x + 3 = 10x 1 1 1
3 = + +
⇒ x= log 1 a3 log 1 b3 log 1 c 3
8 a b c
 Choice (D)
 1 1 1
24. a2 + 4b2 = 12ab; adding 4ab to both sides of the equa- ∵bc = a , ac = b and ab = c 
tion, we get (a + 2b)2 = 16ab = 1 1 1
2 log (a + 2b) = 4 log 2 + log a + log b + +
1 log a-1 a3 log b-1 b3 log c-1 c 3
log (a + 2b) = 1 1 1
2
= −3 + −3 + −3 = −1  Choice (C)
[log a + log b + 4 log 2] Choice (C)

log m p.log n p log10 27 3log10 3

25. 29. t = log6 27 = =
log m p + log n p log10 6 log10 2 + log10 3
1 1 3log 3 3log 2
= = Now 3 – t = 3 − =
log m p + log n p 1 1 log 2 + log 3 log 2 + log 3
+
log m p.log n p log n p log m p 3log 3 3log 2 + 6 log 3
3 + t = 3+ =
1 1 log 2 + log 3 log 2 + log 3
= =
log p n + log p m log p mn (3log 2)
= logmnp Choice (D)
3− t
=
(log 2 + log 3)
3 + t (3log 2 + 6 log 3)
(log 2 + log 3)
1.54 | Quantitative Ability Test 3

log 2 = log 512 (log16 – logy)

= = log18 2
log 2 + 2 log 3 becomes

∴ 2
(3- t ) = 2 log 2 = log18 4
12 log 2 (X – 3log3) = 9log2(4log2 – Y)
18 4(X – 3log3) = 3(4log2 – Y)  –––––––– (1)
 3+ t Choice (B)
and (log 16) (log 27) = (logx) (logy) becomes 12
 a  b log2log3 = XY ––––––– (2)
30. Given: log a   + log b  
 b  a eliminating Y using (1) and (2) we have
= log a a − log a b + log b b − log b a = 2 − (logab +logba) 4(X – 3log3) = 3(4log2 – 12(log2) (log3) ÷ X)
1
But logab + logb a is in the form of x + which is ≥ 2 4X (X – 3log3) = 3(4X log2 – 12 log2.log3)
x
∴ logab + logba ≥ 2 4X2 – 12X log3 = 12X log2 – 36 log2.log3
∴ The given expression can not be positive X2 – 3X log3 – 3X log2 + 9 log2log3 = 0
∴ It can not be 1 Choice (B) (X – 3log3) (X – 3log2) = 0
 ( x 2 + x)  ⇒ X = log27 or X = log8
31. log  =2
 ( x + 1)  i.e., logx = log27 or logx = log8
4

( x2 + x) ⇒ x = 27 or 8
= 42 when x = 27 then y = 16 and x – y = 11 and when
( x + 1)
x = 8, then y = 81 and x – y = – 73
⇒ x2 + x = 16x + 16
 Choice (D)
= x² – 15x – 16 = 0
x² – 16x + x – 16 = 0
x (x – 16) + 1(x – 16) = 0 34. Let 512 512 512 512........... ∝ = x
⇒ (x + 1) (x − 16) = 0
x2 = 512 512 512 512........ ∝
x = –1 or 16
x = 16 = 4 x2 = 512x, ⇒ x = 0 or 512.
 Choice (B)
As x is clearly not zero, x = 512.
32. Let k = (243) = 3
50 250

Hence the required quantity is log 64 512.

Taking log on both sides, we get
log k = 250 log3 3
= log82 8 = = 1.5 
3
Choice (C)
= 250 (0.4771) 2
100 35. logbca = 1/p ⇒ p = logabc ⇒ p + 1 = logaabc
= 25(4.771) = (4.771) = 119.4 Similarly logcab = 1/q ⇒ q + 1 = logbabc
4
The characteristic of log k is 119. and logabc = 1/r ⇒ r + 1 = logcabc
Number of digits in (243)50 are 119 + 1 = 120 1 1 1
∴ + + .= logabca + logabcb + logabcc
 Choice (C) p +1 q +1 r +1
33. Given (log16) (log 27) = (log x) (log (y)
= logabcabc = 1 Choice (A)
let logx = X and logy = Y then (log 4096) (logx – log27)