XAT Specific QA + DI - Solutions

1. [E] Let the 4-digit locker key be abcd, where 9 ≥ a, b, c, d > 0, and they are all unique.
It is given that a ≤ 3 & b/c = a
It is also given that 'd' is the smallest number.
Case (i): a = 1
Not possible, as 'd' is the smallest number, 'a' cannot be 1.
Case (ii): a = 2
Then 'd' can take only one value, i.e. d = 1
b = 2c
if c = 3, then b = 6
if c = 4, then b = 8
for c ≥ 5, 'b' will not be a single-digit number.
Hence, two cases are possible, i.e. (2631, 2841).
Case (iii): a = 3
'd' can take two values, i.e. d = 1 or d = 2
& b = 3c
If d = 1, then 'c' can take only one value. i.e. c = 2, then b = 6
If d = 2, then 'c' cannot take any value.
Hence one case is possible, i.e. (3621)
Amit has to try 3 different combinations. Option (E) is correct.

2. [A] The first number Haruka entered is 1.

From Rule-1, the series will be 2, 4, 8, 16
From Rule 2, 16 will be followed by 7
Like-wise, the series will be 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 7, 14, 5, 10, 1, 2, 4,......
The series is repeating itself for every 9 iterations.
Initially, input is 1 and after first iteration, result is 2.
This implies,
9n = 1
9n + 1 = 2
.
.
.
9n + 7 = 5
9n + 8 = 10
In the question, it is given that key is pressed 68 times.
68 = 9(7) + 5
68 is in the form of 9n + 5
This implies, 7 is the output.

3. [E] Option A) False, as it is mentioned no-one scored exactly 40 marks.

Option B) False, as only 1 student or only 2 students can score above 40 and group average
can be 40.
Case i:- 44, 39, 39, 39 & 39.
Case ii:- 42, 41, 39, 39 & 39.
Option C) False, student's scores could be 44, 39, 39, 39 & 39.
Option D) False, student's scores could be 44, 43, 42, 32 & 39.
Option E) True, if scores of all students are more than 40. The average will be more than 40.

4. [A] From the given information, we get that it is 8 inch × 8 inch square grid.
 Total ways of selecting 2 squares out of 64 in 64C2.
Two squares with a common side can be selected in the following ways.
(i) Horizontal Pairs.
In the first row, R1, we can select 7 pairs of squares with a common side.
They are (R1C1,R1C2), (R1C2,R1C3),.....(R1C7,R1C8).
It applies to other rows as well.
Hence the total number of squares = 7 × 8 = 56
(ii) Vertical Pairs.
In the first column, C1, we can select 7 pairs of squares with a common side.
They are (R1C1,R2C1), (R2C1,R3C1),.....(R7C1,R8C1).
It applies to other columns as well.
Hence the total number of squares = 7 × 8 = 56
56 + 56 112
The probability of two painted squares having a common side = 6 = .
C2 2016

5. [B] Let 'm' be the Greatest common divisor and A, B, C, D, E, F & G be the 7 unique numbers.
When 'm' divides A, B, ......& G, we get seven unique quotients. Let the quotients be a, b, c, d,
e, f, and g.
It is given,
A + B + C + D + E + F + G = 1740
m(a + b + c + d + e + f + g) = 1740
1740 = 22 × 3 × 5 × 29
m(a + b + c + d + e + f + g) = 1740 = 22 × 3 × 5 × 29
29 is a prime number and cannot be factorised further.
Therefore, largest possible value m can take is 60.
Least possible sum of 7 unique numbers is 1 + 2 + 3 +...+ 7 = 28
Replacing 7 with 8, we will get 29.
This implies 60(1 + 2 + 3 .....+ 6 + 8) = 1740
Largest possible G.C.D is 60.

6. [A] Let players at slips 1, 2 and 3 be a, b, and c, respectively.

Let the speed of the ball be m.
The trajectory of the ball is not specified in the question. But let's take it as straight line.

The distance between the 1st and 2nd slips is the same as the distance between the 2nd and 3rd
slips.
The length of 'ab' = The length of 'bc'. It implies Xb is the median of triangle Xac.
It takes 3 sec, 4 sec and 5 sec for the ball to reach a, b and c, respectively.
Hence, Xa = 3m, Xb = 4m and Xc = 5m.
Using Apollonius's theorem,
2 × ((4m)2 + (ab)2) = (3m)2 + (5m)2
16m2 + (ab)2 = 17m2
ab = m
Hence, ac = 2m
Using the properties of triangle, the sum of two sides should be greater than the third side,
But, Xa + ac = Xc
3m + 2m = 5m.
Hence, this arrangement is not possible.

7. [C] sin2 15° = a and sin2 75° = b

Then the given equation becomes,
 a 3 + b3 + 6ab
a 2 + b 2 + 5ab
( a + b ) − 3ab ( a + b ) + 6ab
3

( a + b ) − 2ab + 5ab
2

Using sin (θ) = cos (90 − θ)

We get, sin2 75° = cos2 15°
Now, a + b = sin2 15° + sin2 75° sin2 15° + cos2 15° = 1
1 + 3ab + 6ab 1 + 3ab
The equation becomes, = = =1
1 − 2ab + 5ab 1 + 3ab

8. [D] Let a and b be the speeds of Rahim and the speed boat in still water, respectively
Let 'c' be the speed of the stream.
Speed boat starts after 1 minute of Rahim's departure and crosses him after 4 minutes.
It implies that the speed boat covered the same distance in 4 minutes that Rahim took 5
minutes.
a−c 4
Hence, the ratio of upstream speeds of Rahim and Speed boat = =
b−c 5
Using Statement 1, we get b = 30 kmph. But, it's not sufficient to get the value of 'a'.
Using Statement 2, we get a − c = 30/3= 10 kmph. But it's also not sufficient to get the value
of 'a'.
using both statements, we get
a−c 4 10 4
=  =
b−c 5 30 − c 5
50 = 120 − 4c
c = 17.5
a = 17.5 + 10 = 27.5 kmph

9. [A] Let m be the number of matches Guava played till now. They won 0.4m matches.
After playing another n matches and wining all of them, their winning percentage will improve
to 50. i.e,
0.4m + n
= 0.5
m+n
⇒ m = 5n
Playing 15 more matches and wining all of them, their winning percentage will improve from
50 to 60. i.e
0.4m + n + 15
= 0.6
m + n + 15
Solving, we get 6+ 0.4n = 0.2m
Substituting m = 5n
We get, 6 + 0.4n = n
n = 10 & m = 50
Hence, Guava club played 50 matches so far.

10. [C] Given that, AD⊥ BC , BE = 3, BC = 5

Using Pythagoras' theorem

AD2 + BD2 = AB2 ....(1)
AD2 + DE2 = AE2 ....(2)
AD2 + DC2 = AC2 ....(3)
 (1) - (2) gives
BD2 + DE2 = AB2 − AE2
x2 − (3 − x)2 = AB2 − AE2
AB2 − AE2 = 6x − 9
AB2 − AE2 + 6CD = 6x − 9 + 6 (5 − x) [CD = (5 − x)]
AB2 − AE2 + 6CD = 6x − 9 + 30 − 6x
AB2 − AE2 + 6CD = 21

11. [D] Let the amount Jose borrowed be x. The rate of interest is 10%
Interest occurred on x is
x  1 0.1 2 x  2  0.1 2 x  3  0.1
+ +
5 5 5
=1.1x/5
The invested amount doubled at the end of the fourth year, i.e. 2x.
Jose's profit after paying principal and interest amounts to his friend at the end of the fourth
year is Rs 97500, i.e. 2x – x – 1.1x/5 = 97500
3.9x/5 = 97500 ⇒ x = 125000
The amount that Jose borrowed is Rs 1,25,000.

12. [A] Let the amount invested by Jack and Sristi be x.

Jack's amount after four months will become x/24 and after six months it will become x/26 .
Sristi's amount after four months will become x − (4 × 15000) and after six months it will
become x − (6 × 15000)
From the given information,
x x
4
2 = 26
x − ( 4 15000 ) x − ( 6 15000 )
(x − (4 × 15000)) × 22 = x − (6 × 15000)
⇒ 3x = 300000
⇒ x = 100000
The amount invested by Jack and Sristi is 100000.

13. [D] Let printed price be 100.

Rajnish bought it at 25% discount, C.P of Rajnish = 75% of 100 = 75.
He sold it at 10% discount on printed price, S.P of Rajnish = 90% of 100 = 90
90 − 75
Hence, Rajnish, profit% =  100 = 20
75

14. [B] Given equation, A = ∣x + 3∣ + ∣x − 2∣ − ∣2x − 8∣

Case (i):- x + 3 ≥ 0, x − 2 ≥ 0 & 2x − 8 ≥ 0
then, A = x + 3 + x − 2 − 2x + 8 = 9
The maximum value of |A| = 9
Case (ii):- x + 3 ≥ 0, x − 2 ≥ 0 & 2x − 8 < 0
x ≥ −3, x ≥ 2 & x < 4
then A = x + 3 + x − 2 + 2x − 8 = 4x – 7
The range of x is [2,4). Hence the value of A varies from [1,9).
The maximum value of |A| < 9
Case (iii):- x + 3 ≥ 0, x − 2 < 0 & 2x − 8 < 0
x ≥ −3, x < 2 & x < 4
then A = x + 3 − x + 2 + 2x − 8 = 2x – 3
The range of x is [-3, 2). Hence the value of A varies from [-9,1).
The maximum value of |A| = 9
Case (iv):- x + 3 < 0, x − 2 < 0 & 2x − 8 < 0
x < 3, x < 2 & x < 4
then A = −x − 3 − x + 2 + 2x − 8 = −9
The maximum value of |A| = 9
From the above cases, The maximum value of |A| = 9.

15. [D]
 The length of AB = (b + 4c) − (b − 2c) = 6c (X-coordinates of A&B are same).
The altitude of triangle ABC, CD = a − (−2a) = 3a.
AB  CD 6c  3a
Area of triangle ABC = = = 9ac
2 2

16. [E] The given equation is, x (x – p) – y (y + p) = 7p

x2 − px − y2 − py = 7p
x2 − y2 − px − py = 7p
(x + y) (x − y) − p (x + y) = 7p
(x − y − p) (x + y) = 7p
As 7 & p both are prime numbers
(x − y − p) (x + y) can be expressed as (7 × p) or (7p × 1)
Case (i) - (x + y) × (x − y − p) = 7 × p
x+y+x−y−p=7+p
2x − p = 7 + p
x = 7/2 + p
But it's given that x is a positive integer. This case is not possible.
Case (ii) - (x + y) × (x − y − p) = 7p × 1
x + y + x − y − p = 7p + 1
2x − p = 7p + 1
x = ½ + 4p
But it's given that x is a positive integer. This case is not possible.
The given equation is not possible with given conditions E is correct.

1
17. [C] Given that a1 = 1 & an +1 =
1
1+
an
1 1 1 1
a2 = = , a2 = = , ……..
1 2 1 3
1+ 1+
1 1
 
2
This implies, an = 1/n
Required value = a1a2 + a2a3 + ........ + a2008a2009
1 1 1 1 1 1
=  +  + ....... + 
1 2 2 3 2008 2009
1 1   1 1   1 1 
=  −  +  −  + ....... +  − 
 1 2   2 3   2008 2009 
1 2008
1− =
2009 2009

18. [E] The shortest route ant takes to travel from the bottom corner to the diagonally opposite top
corner is shown below. The route goes through lateral faces (vertical faces) of the cubical
room.
 The length of route, r = ( 2 + 2) + 22 = 20 = 2 5
2

19. [B] Let the positive integers Raju & Sarita chose be r & s.
2r − 20 2 s − 20
After doing the given operations, the final numbers they get are &
5 5
2r − 20 2s − 20
Adding results we get, + = 16
5 5
2r − 20 + 2s − 20 = 80
2r + 2s = 80 + 40 = 120
r + s = 60
For maximum value of |r – s|, one of r & s has to be maximum and other has to be minimum.
As r & s are positive integers minimum value they can take is 1.
If r = 1, then s = 59
∣r − s∣ = ∣1 − 59∣ = 58
If s = 1, then r = 59
∣r − s∣ = ∣59 − 1∣ = 58
Hence maximum value of ∣r − s∣ is 58.

20. [A] Given that, CPD is an equilateral triangle

∠CPD = ∠PDC = ∠DCP = 60∘

As AQ is parallel to PC ∠CPD = ∠QAP = 60°
As BC is parallel to AD ∠QAP = ∠AQB = 60° (alternate interior angles).)
Given, Area of equilateral triangle CPD is 4√3
a2 3
This implies, =4 3a=4
4
a 3
From figure, length of AB = Height of △ CPD = =2 3
2
AB 2 3
From △ ABQ, BQ = = =2
tan 60o 3
2 2 3
Area of △ ABQ = ½ × AB × BQ = =2 3
2

21. [E] The ratio of contents in the bigger jar was 85:5:10 (water, lime and sugar respectively).
Let volume of water be 85x
85 x
Percentage of water in bigger jar =  100 = 85%
85 x + 5 x + 10 x

22. [B] From the given information we get the following table,
 The possible maximum marks are shown below.

Therefore, sixth highest possible score is 94.

23. [C]

24. [E]

25. [C]

26. [D]

27. [E]

28. [D]