Introduction:
CAT Number System is far the most talked about topic for this exam. Majority of the students start their CAT preparation with this topic and devote a substantial amount of time to this topic. In all fairness, this is the right thing to do as Number System is the foundation of the subject. It teaches you the absolute basics of the mathematics and helps you understand the subject.
Question 1: When you reverse the digits of the number 13, the number increases by 18. How many other two digit numbers increase by 18 when their digits are reversed?
(a) 7
(b) 5
(c) 6
(d) 8
Answers: (c)
Answers and Explanations
Let the number be (10x + y), so when the digits of number are reversed the number becomes (10y + x).
According the question, (10y + x) – (10x + y) = 18
⇒ 9 (y – x) = 18          ⇒y – x = 2
So, the possible pairs of (x, y) are
(1, 3), (2, 4), (3, 5), (4, 6), (5,7), (6, 8) and (7,9).
But we want the number other than 13.
Thus, there are 6 possible numbers, i.e., 24, 35, 46, 57, 68, 79.
So, total number of possible numbers are 6.
Question 2: A rectangular floor is fully covered with square tiles of identical size. The tiles on the edges are white and the tiles in the interior are red. The number of white tiles is the same as the number of red tiles. A possible value of the number of tiles along one edge of the floor is :
(a) 10
(b) 12
(c) 14
(d) 16
Answers and Explanations
Answers: (b)
Let the rectangle has x and y tiles along its length and breadth respectively.
The number of white tiles
W = 2x + 2(y – 2) = 2 (x + y – 2)
And the number of red tiles = R = xy – 2 (x + y – 2)
Given that the number of white tiles is the same as the number of red tiles
⇒ 2 (x + y – 2) = xy – 2 (x + y – 2)
⇒ 4 (x + y – 2) = xy
⇒ xy – 4x – 4y = –8
⇒ (x – 4) (y – 4) = 8 = 8 ×1 or 4 × 2
⇒m – 4 = 8 or 4 ⇒m = 12 or 8
Therefore.the number of tiles along one edge of the floor can be 12
Question 3: X persons stand on the circumference of a circle at distinct points. Each possible pair of persons, not standing next to each other, sings a two-minute song one pair after the other. If the total time taken for singing is 28 minutes, what is X?
(a) 5
(b) 7
(c) Â 9
(d) None of these
Answers and Explanations
Answer (b)
Question 4: Each family in a locality has at most two adults, and no family has fewer than 3 children. Considering all the families together, there are more adults than boys, more boys than girls, and more girls than families. Then the minimum possible number of families in the locality is : (a) 4 (b) 5 (c) 2 (d) 3
Answers and Explanations
Answer (c)
Given, Number of adults > Number of boys > Number of girls > Number of families.
Going back from the choices, let us start with the least value given in the choices.
Since the minimum possible number of families has been asked.
In choice (c), Number of families = 2
⇒Number of girls > 3, Number of boys > 4 and Number of adults > 5
But two families together can have a maximum of 4 adults.
Therefore, the number of families is not equal to 2.
In Choice (d). Number of families = 3.
Therefore, the Number of (girls) > 4. Number of (boys) > 5 and Number of (adults) > 6
3 families can have 9 children and a maximum of 6 adults.
Hence, the minimum number of families = 3.
Question 4: Each family in a locality has at most two adults, and no family has fewer than 3 children. Considering all the families together, there are more adults than boys, more boys than girls, and more girls than families. Then the minimum possible number of families in the locality is :
(a) 4
(b) 5
(c) 2
(d) 3
Answers and Explanations
Answers: (d)
Given, Number of adults > Number of boys > Number of girls > Number of families.
Going back from the choices, let us start with the least value given in the choices.
Since the minimum possible number of families has been asked.
In choice (c), Number of families = 2
⇒Number of girls > 3, Number of boys > 4 and Number of adults > 5
But two families together can have a maximum of 4 adults.
Therefore, the number of families is not equal to 2.
In Choice (d). Number of families = 3.
Therefore, the Number of (girls) > 4. Number of (boys) > 5 and Number of (adults) > 6
Question 5:The owner of a local jewellery store hired 3 watchmen to guard his diamonds, but a thief still got in and stole some diamonds. On the way out, the thief met each watchman, one at a time. To each he gave 1/2 of the diamonds had then, and 2 more besides. He escaped with one diamond. How many did he steel originally?
(a) 40
(b) 36
(c) 25
(d) None of these
Answers and Explanations
How to solve CAT Number System questions?
- We all the importance of this topic and therefore, you need to devote sufficient time to this topic. This topic is not only important from the viewpoint of understanding mathematics but is also important from the viewpoint of understanding the basics of the subject. After all, this is the topic that will help you understand the different types of numbers.
- The two books that you can refer to for CAT Number System are: Number System by Nishit Sinha and Koncepts of Numbers by Gajendra Kumar. Both these books do a good job of explaining the basic concepts and provide sufficient practice for the topic.
- Make sure you approach CAT Number System with a plan and provide sufficient time to the individual topics in this vast area.
