Quant Without Maths!

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You should be going thru this

presentation if in a Quant class your
state resembles any of the following.

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Statutory Warning

This session is not

meant for those who
are good at Maths!

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Session Objectives
To work together in scoring some marks in
the Quant section
Maybe, do enough to clear QA cut-off
To demonstrate that a relaxed state of mind
can help us significantly while attempting
quant
To show that all of the above is possible
without really knowing Maths

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The Psychology of a Quant

Paper Setter
He/she spends 3-4 hours to
make a good question
and 30-40 seconds to make
4 options
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First Commandment
All questions are equally tough for me,
hence Ill read all of them
Reading means:
Reading the question and the choices

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Application Question 1
If ab cd = 1073 and ba cd = 2117, find the value of (ab + cd)
given that ab, ba and cd are all two digit positive integers.
1. 66

2. 65

3. 63

4. 95

ab and cd are odd because ab x cd = odd

Thus ab + cd = even,

Hence choice 2, 3 & 4 are incorrect.

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Application Question 2
Q. 64. Find the maximum value of |30 + 9x 3x2|, where
1.

93
4

3. 30

Let x = 0
x=0
value =30
hence maxima >= 30

2.

1 x 4

147
4

4. 18

Let x = 1
x=1
value =36
hence maxima >= 36

Hence , choice 1, 3 & 4 are incorrect

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First Commandment
When I read a question, I will also
always read the options too!
Always remember only one of the
options can be right!

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Second Commandment

If I am able to

eliminate 3 out of 5 options,

I will take a

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chance and mark an answer.

Third Commandment

Geometry is easy!
1. Geometry questions are always based on
a) Angles
b) Length of sides
c) Area / Volume
d) Ratios of the above

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Third Commandment

Steps to solving Geometry Qs

a) Check how close are the options?
b) If no figure is given I will draw it roughly to
Scale
c) If a figure is given, I will check if it is drawn
to scale, if not Ill redraw

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Third Commandment
My CAT admit card!

I have a ruler.
Can be used to draw lines and compare lengths

Protractor = 5 angles
Practice making these free hand
45
30
15

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60
75

Application Question 3
In the given figure, ABCD is a rectangle which is
divided into four equal rectangles by PS, QT and
RU.
If BC = 3 cm and AB = 8 cm then MN is
A

M
O
N
D

1. 0.33 cm

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2. 0.66 cm

3. 1 cm

4. 1.25 cm

Application Question 3
Modify the figure to make it to scale,
Use the admit card to compare lengths
A

3 cm

O
N
D

1. 0.33 cm

2. 0.66 cm

3. 1 cm

4. 1.25 cm

RU = BC = 3 and MN is the largest part of RU

Hence, choice 1, 2 & 3 are incorrect

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Mock 2, Question 16
In the given figure, P is a point on the circumcircle of
ABC. From P, perpendiculars PD, PE & PF are drawn
on the sides AC, BC and AB respectively. If BPF = 30,
then find the measure of <DPC
1. 30

2. 60

3. 40

4. 50

F
B

5. 20
The figure is to scale because PD, PE
and PF appear perpendicular and
angle BPF also appears to be 30

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P
E

Our method
F
B

2. 60
3. 40

E
A

1. 30

4. 50

5. 20

In the figure, DPC is less than 45 and more than 22.5 and looks
almost equal to DPC = 30

Hence , choice 2, 3, 4 & 5 are incorrect

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Third Commandment
Wherever possible I will assume a particular case for a
general case i.e. Hexagon implies a regular hexagon
Quadilaterlal / Parallogram=Square

Triangle=Equaliteral triangle or Right Angle Triangle

With sides

Usually with sides 3,4,5 or its multiples.

In a right angle triangle the ratio of sides is:
1:1: 2
if its angles are 45,45,90
1 : 3: 2
if its angles are 30,60,90

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Application Question 4
Q 60 An ant starts from point A and crawls along the surface
of the cylinder to reach the point B, vertically above A. The path
followed by the ant is equal to that of 4 identical spirals as
shown in the figure. Find the radius of the circle that
circumscribes a square such that the perimeter of the square
is equal to the distance traversed by the ant. The diameter of
the cylinder is 3/ units and the height is 16 units.
B

1.

5
2

2.

5
2

16

3.

A
3/
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5
2

4.

5
3

Application Question 4 contd.

In the worst case, ant travels 16 units (height of the cylinder).

Perimeter of square is atleast 16 and side atleast 4.
Hence, the diagonal of the square (which is the same as the
diameter of the circle) is > 4 2
Radius >2 2 = 2.8

Choice 1, 3 & 4 are < 2.8 and

hence incorrect

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Fourth Commandment

Algebra is my friend! How

1. In all series questions, I will add first 2-3 terms,

& eliminate options.
2. In quadratic equations, I will try to assume a
simple equation satisfying the given options &
eliminate options.

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Application Question 5
Q 54 If both the roots of the quadratic equation
( 2x2 + bx + c) = 0, are negative, then what is the
sign of

( b + c)
?
bc
( )

1. Always Negative

2. Always Positive

3. Cannot be determined

4. Will vary with the values of b and c

Choice 3 & 4 are incorrect because they imply the same thing
Let equation be -2(x + 1) (x+ 1) = - 2x2 4x 2,
This implies b = -4 , c = -2 and the sign of

( b + c)
( bc )

is (-)ive

Hence , answer is option 1

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Application Question 6
Find the value of 36S if
6
1
7
1
8
1
S=
+
+
+............. till infinite terms.
2
(2) (3) (4) 2 (3) (4) (5) 2 (4) (5) (6) 23

1. 4

2. 4.5

3. 5

4. 6
36 times the sum of the first two terms = 5.5

Hence Choice 1, 2 & 3 are incorrect

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Fourth Commandment contd.

3. In log questions, I will assume base 10 and
remember that:
a) Log is not defined for negative numbers
b) Log 10=1, Log 100=2 & so on.
c) Base can never be 1 or negative
4. In all a,b,c or x,y,z questions or where n terms are
given I will always assume them to be easy
numbers like 0,1,-1,2, etc.

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Application Question 7
Q 47. Which of the following is not a possible value of
(logyxy) (logxxy + logxyy)?
1. 2

2. 1

3. 4

4. 7

Let x = y = 10, the given expression reduces to:

(log10100 ) x (log10100 + log10010) = 2 (2 + log10010) = 4 + .

Hence the expression cannot be equal to 4.

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Application Question 8

Q 77 The natural number 555...5 consisting of 65 fives, is equal to

I.

1065 1
5
9

)(

II. 5 1 + 1013 + 1026 + ... + 1065 1 + 10 + 102 + .... + 1012

III.

) (

5 1 + 105 + 1010 + 1015 + ... + 1060 1 + 10 + ... + 104

1. Only I

2. Only I and II

3. Only I and III

4. All three
Statement 1 is correct as it is present in all the four choices.
Comparing the other statements with Statement 1, we find that
statement 2 is incorrect and Statement 3 is correct

Hence , answer is option 3

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Mock1, Q58
If x = a(b c), y = b(c a) and z = c(a b), then find the

1 x2 y2 z2
+ . (Given that xyz 0)
+
value of
abc yz xz xy
1.
3.
5.

1
abc

3
abc
1
3abc

2.

27
abc

4.

9
abc

Expression will hold for all values of x, y & z.

So put x = y = z = 1

3
Hence , answer is
abc
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Mock1, Q64
Find all the values of p, such that 6 lies somewhere
between the roots of the equation x 2 + 2 ( p 3 ) x + 9 = 0
(x is a real number)
3
1. p <
4

2. p > 6

3. 0 < p < 6

3
0
p
<
<
4.
4

3
5. p > 4

Product of roots is 9, hence let the roots be 9 and 1 and the equation is:
x2 - 10x + 9 = 0, comparing with the given equation we get p = -2
which is present only in choice 1

Hence , answer is option 1

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Mock2, Q1
1
1
1
1
.......
+
+
+
+
Find the sum of the series
.
log3 9 log9 9 log27 9
log n 9
3

n(n + 1)
1.
2
n(n + 1)(2n + 1)
3.
12

2
2.
n(n + 1)

n(n + 1)
4.
4

4
5.
n(n + 1)

S1 = 0.5 and S2 = 1.5, put n = 1 and 2 in the choices and eliminate

the incorrect options

Hence , answer is option 4

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Application Question 9
Q 50 Sum of the first n terms of a geometric progression
n
is given as

1
Sn = . +
3

If the sum of infinite terms of this series is unity, then

1. + = 1
3.

+2 = 1

2.3 + = 1
4.2 +3= 1

S0= 0 and S(infinity) = 1, solve the equations to get the values of

and

and then check the choices

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Application Question 10
2
If x + (x + 1)(x + 2)(x + 3)(x + 6) = 0, where x is a real number,
then one value of x that satisfies this equation is:

1.

3 3

2. (3 + 3)

3.

3+ 3

4. 0

Choice 1 & 3 are conjugate pairs and hence cannot be the answer.
Also x = 0 does not satisfy the equation

Hence , answer is option 2

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Fifth Commandment
1. In questions of probability involving n trials Ill
check for:

n=1, 2,

Probability of an events that has not happened is 0

n=0
2. I will check all those options where both
p and 1-p are given

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Application Question 11
Two dice are thrown together n times in succession. Find the
probability of obtaining 1 on the top face of both the dice in
at least one of the throws.
n

1
1.
36

35
2. 1

36
n

1
3.

36

4.

35
36

notice p and 1-p

At n = 0, probability should be 0,

Hence choice 1, 3 and 4 are incorrect

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Fifth Commandment
Probability of any event lies
between the best and the
worst case scenarios.
Thus,
I will simplify the question by
taking best and worst case
scenarios for anything to
happen or not to happen

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Mock1, Q54
Bag A contains 6 white balls and 4 black balls and bag B
contains 3 white balls and 2 black balls. A white ball is picked
from bag A and put into bag B. Then, three balls are picked
from bag B and put into bag A. Find the probability that a
ball picked now from bag A is black.
1. 1/4

2. 1/3

4. 5/12

5. 11/24

3. 7/12

Notice p and 1-p

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Our method
Probability! Hey Ram subah kiska muh dekha tha. . .
Probability will lie between the Best & the worst case scenario.
Bag A
Bag B

White
61=5
3+1=4

Black
4
2

3 Balls are transferred from Bag B to Bag A

Best Case
Worst Case

2 black balls and 1 White ball from B to A

3 White balls from B to A

Best Case
Worst Case

White
5+1=6
5+3=8

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Black
4+2=6
4+0=4

Prob. of black ball

6 / 12 = 1/2
4 / 12 = 1/3

Sixth Commandment

Graph questions are not as ugly as they look,

in fact in CAT, like in life, looks are deceiving.
The more intimidating they look, the easier
they are!

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Mock2, Q24

The graph of |y| against |x| is shown below:

|y|

(x, y) = (0, 2)

(0, -2) (3, 0) and (-3, 0)

Hence,
(x-1, y-1) = (-1, 1) (-1, -3) (2, -1) and (-4, -1)
Check the choices, the graph that does not have
these points is incorrect

(0, 2)
O
(0, 0)

(3, 0)

|x|

Which of the following shows the graph of (y 1)

against (x 1)?
[Note: The graphs are not drawn to the scale]

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Question
24 Cont.
(y1)

(y1)

(0, 7/3) D

B (0, 1/3)

C (1, 3)
B (4, 1)

( 1/2, 0) C

A (5/2, 0)

(x1)

(1/2, 0) E

F (4, 1)

A (5/2, 0) (x1)
F (0, 1/3)

(0, 7/3) D
E(1, 3)

(y1)

(y1)

(1, 3) B

(5/2, 0) C

B (0 , 1/3)

(x1)
A(1/2, 0)

(4, 1)D

(4,1) C
(5/2, 0) D

F (0, 7/3)
(1, 3) E

(0, 1/3) E

5. None of these

Hence , answer is option 3

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A(0, 7/3)
(x1)
F(1/2, 0)

Mock3, Q41
Which of the following graphs, represents the curve y = 2|x| + 3[x]?
Here, [x] represents the greatest integer function. [Figures not drawn
to the scale]
1.

y
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1

4 3 2 1

O1 2 3 4
1
2
3
4
5
6
7

y
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1

4 3 2 1 O 1 2 3 4
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

6
5
4
3
2
1
4 3 21

O1 2 3 4
1
2
3
4

8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1

4 3 2 1 O 1 2 3 4
1
2
3
4
5
6
7

5. None of these
Put values of x and y to eliminate the incorrect graphs

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Seventh Commandment

Bring your relaxed brain with you

for the exam, there are some really
easy questions we just need to be
patient with.

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Eighth Commandment

I will use all illegitimate methods

at my disposal to find the answer.

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Application Question 12
Q 59 A function f is defined for all whole numbers n by the
following relation f(n + 2) + f(n) 2f(n + 1) = 0
If f(16) = 4 and f(24) = 7, what is the value of f(16 + 24)?
1. 10

2. 13

3. 170

4. 3340

Choice 3 & 4 are incorrect as the given function is increasing at a

very slow pace and answer has to be > 10

Hence , choice 1, 3 & 4 are incorrect

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Mock1 Q51
Two identical Re. 1 coins are kept on a table
touching each other as shown in the figure below.
One of the coins is fixed on the table whereas the
other coin rolls (without sliding) along the periphery
of the fixed coin, touching it at all times. How many
complete rotations has the rolling coin made, when
it reaches its initial position again for the first time?
1. 1
3. 2
5. 3

2. Between 1 and 2
4. Between 2 and 3

Have you got 2, Re 1 coins in your pocket?

To nikaalo na, question solve karna hai. . .

Hence , answer is 2
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Mock1, Q55
All natural numbers that give remainders 1 and 2
when divided by 6 and 5, respectively, are written in
ascending order, side by side from left to right. What
is the 99th digit from the left?
1. 2

2. 7

4. 9

5. 0

3. 1

7,37,67,97,127,157,187,217,247,277,307,337,367,397,427,457,
487,517,547,577,607,637,667,697,727,757,787,817,847,877,
907,937,967,997,1027

Hence , answer is 0
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Ninth Commandment
I will not be afraid of any question in
quant, however scary it looks
M

A
D

G
N

F
B

B
F

16

P
E

A
3/

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Application Question 13
Q 66 ABCD is a square. Arc AC and BD are drawn on the square
ABCD with centres at D and C respectively. Find the ratio of area of
the shaded region to the area of the square ABCD.
3
1.
2.
2
3

3. 3 3
2
2

4.

3
4

3 2

B
Area of the shaded region has to be
between 0.25 and 1

Hence , choice 2, 3 & 4

are incorrect
D
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Mock CAT Questions

Attempt the following questions from Mock CATs to practise
the commandments discussed earlier.
Mock
Mock
Mock
Mock
Mock
Mock

CAT
CAT
CAT
CAT
CAT
CAT

1
2
3
4
5
6

Q
Q
Q
Q
Q
Q

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51, 54, 55, 58, 64, 69, 75

1, 5, 7, 14, 24,
29, 38, 39, 41, 47,
11, 16,
41, 44, 50, 55, 65, 66, 67, 71, 75
61, 65, 76, 84, 90

What about real CAT Papers

Will the commandments apply there ?

Real CAT is a different animal

CAT 05 was so tuff

Mercifully atleast the quant of CAT 06 was easy!

What about CAT 07?

Let`s check the real CAT Papers

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CAT Questions
You should be able to apply the commandments in the
following questions of CAT:
CAT 2005
CAT 2004

2
1
2
1

mark
mark
mark
mark

Qs:
Qs:
Qs:
Qs:

Q
Q
Q
Q

14, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26,

3, 6, 7, 8, 9
61, 65, 68, 72
43, 44, 47, 48, 53, 54, 55, 57, 58

Check out the earlier CAT papers to identify the QWM questions

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All the very best!

Contact us:

arindam.lahiri@careerlauncher.com
arjun.wadhwa@careerlauncher.com
gp@careerlauncher.com
harpreet.dhody@careerlauncher.com
sanjeev.srivastava@careerlauncher.com

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