CLATAPULT

Mathematics
 Foreword
CLAT or the Common Law Admission Test is a multiple
choice aptitude test designed to measure the test tak-
ers’ ability to cope up with the academic brain-stretching
that law school entails and thus to predict success in law
school. CLAT tests the test takers’ aptitude in five areas,
namely legal aptitude, general knowledge and current af-
fairs, elementary mathematics, rudimentary English and
critical thinking or logical reasoning.

This section tests how proficient the test taker is with

elementary mathematics. As the name suggests, the top-
ics required for CLAT math are elementary, i.e. what you
learn in high school. Many a test taker would find the in-
clusion of math in an aptitude test for admissions into law
school downright bizarre.

Why would an aspiring lawyer need to be tested in math?

Well, to enable you to calculate your billing fee of course!
How else would you know if your client is not ripping you
off? Just kidding. Jokes apart, the mathematics section is
required primarily to test your logic.
Most of the math problems would not be the direct for-
mula application type problems, but would be problems
where you would have to solve them by devising your own
equations, such as rate of doing labor, rate of tanks filling
up etc.

Math after all is the bluntest and most blatantly obvious

form of logic. This module aims to provide a summary of
all the basic concepts which are most likely to appear in
the test, and to provide numerous practice problems as to
ensure that even those test takers who are averse to math
will find it relatively easy.
Chapters Topics Page No.

Chapter 1 Numbers, HCF, LCM 1-8

Chapter 2 Time And Work 9-17
Chapter 3 Time And Distance 18-21
Chapter 4 Linear Equations 22-26
Chapter 5 Averages, Mean 27-30
Chapter 6 Ration Proportion And Variation 31-37
Chapter 7 Alligations & Mixtures 38-43
Chapter 8 Percentages 44-48
Chapter 9 Profit And Loss 49-53
Chapter 10 Simple Interest And Compound 54-62
Interest
Chapter 11 Clock And Calendar 63-72
Chapter 12 Mensuration 73-81

Chapter 13 Permutation And Combination 82-88

Chapter 14 Probability 89-95

Chapter 15 Sequences And Series 96-99
 CLATAPULT MATHEMATICS MODULE

90
80 100
70 110
100 80 12
60 110 70 0
0 60 13
50 12
50
0

N
0
13

14
40
UMBERS,

0
0

40
14

15
30
0

0
30
15

HCF & LCM

160
20
160

20

170
10
180 170

10

180
0

0
▶ RATIONAL NUMBERS- The numbers of the form p/q, where p and q are inte-
gers and q≠0 are rational numbers, e.g., 1/2, 3/7, 0/2, (-2)/3, etc
▶ IRRATIONAL NUMBERS- A number which cannot be expressed in the form
p/q where q≠0, is called an irrational number, e.g. √2, which gives an approximate answer
in the form of fraction or decimal but the digits after the decimal point are non-ending.
Similarly, Π =3.14 is an irrational number. Therefore an infinite non recurring decimal is
an irrational number.
▶ RATIONALISATION- Consider a fraction of type 1/(√2) or 1/(√7+√5). Here
the denominator is an irrational number. To perform any mathematical operation using
such numbers, we need to convert the denominator to a rational number. This process is
known as rationalisation.

1/(√2) = 1/(√2) x (√2)/(√2) = (√2)/2

1/(√7+√5) = 1/(√7+√5) x (√7-√5)/(√7-√5) = (√7-√5)/(7-5) = (√7-√5)/2

Note: a) Sum or difference of a rational and an irrational number is always irrational.

b) Product of a rational and an irrational number is always irrational.

▶ REAL NUMBERS- The combination of all rational and irrational numbers

forms the set of all real numbers.

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 CLATAPULT MATHEMATICS MODULE
▶ IMAGINARY AND COMPLEX NUMBERS- A number of the form k.i, where k
is a real number, k≠0 and i=√-1 is called an imaginary number, e.g. 5i, -2i, √3i, etc.
A number of the form a+bi, where a and b are real numbers and i=√-1 is called a complex
number, e.g. √5+i√2, 2+√3i, etc.

▶ HIGHEST COMMON FACTOR (HCF)

Highest Common Factor of two or more numbers is the greatest number that divides each
of them exactly, i.e the remainder is 0.
e.g., i) If 15 and 18 are two given numbers then their HCF is 3.
ii) If 20 and 50 are two given numbers then they are exactly divisible by 2,5,10. Since
the highest of the factors is 10, their HCF is 10.

■ Method to find HCF of given numbers:-

By Factorisation- Express each given number as the product of primes. Now take the
product of the common factors which is HCF.
e.g. , Find HCF of 144, 336, 2016
144 = 24 * 32
336 = 24 * 3 * 7
2016 = 25 * 32 * 7
therefore, HCF = 24 * 3 = 48

▶ LOWEST COMMON MULTIPLE (LCM)

The least number which is exactly divisible by each of the given numbers is called their
LCM.
e.g. , i) LCM of 15 and 18 is 90
ii) LCM of 15 and 30 is 30
■ Methods to find LCM:-
1) By Factorisation- Resolve each of the given numbers into prime factors, then
their LCM is the product of highest powers of all factors, of the numbers.

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 CLATAPULT MATHEMATICS MODULE
e.g. , Find LCM of 45, 120, 180
45 = 3*3*5 ; 120 = 2*2*2*3*5 ; 180 = 2*2*3*3*5
therefore, LCM = 23 * 32 * 51 = 360

2. Common Division Method- Arrange the given numbers in a row in any or-
der. Divide a number which divides exactly atleast two of the given numbers and carry
forward the numbers which are not divisible. Repeat the above process till no two of the
numbers are divisible by the same number except 1. The product of the divisors and the
undivided numbers is the required LCM of the given numbers.

▶ PRODUCT OF TWO NUMBERS = PRODUCT OF THEIR HCF AND LCM

▶ HCF AND LCM OF FRACTIONS:-

■ HCF of Fractions = (HCF of Numerators)/(LCM of Denominators)

■ LCM of Fractions = (LCM of Numerators)/(HCF of Denominators)

Solved Examples:-
1) The sum of three prime numbers is 100. If one of them exceeds the another by 36, then
one of the numbers is
a)7 b) 29 c) 41 d) 67

Solution
x + (x+36) + y = 100
or, 2x + y = 64
therefore, y must be even-prime which is 2
or, 2x + 2= 64
therefore, x=31
Ans: d)

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CLATAPULT MATHEMATICS MODULE
2) The largest natural number by which the product of three consecutive even natural
numbers is always divisible, is
a)16 b) 24 c) 48 d) 96
Solution
Required Number = 2 * 4 * 6 = 48

3) Which of the following numbers must be added to 11158 to make it exactly divisible
by 77?
a)5 b) 7 c) 8 d) 9
Solution
On dividing 11158 by 77, we get remainder 70
Therefore, required number to be added = 77-70 = 7

4)A number when divided by the sum of 555 and 445 gives two times their difference as
quotient and 30 as the remainder. The number is
a)1220 b) 1250 c) 22030 d) 220030
Solution
Required number = (555 + 445) * 2 * (555-445) + 30 = 220030

5) Two numbers are in the ratio 15:11. If their HCF is 13, find the numbers.
Solution
Let the two numbers be 15x and 11x, then their HCF is x. So x=13. Therfore, the num-
bers are 15*13 and 11*13, i.e 195 and 143.

6) Find the greatest possible length which can be used to measure exactly the lengths 4m
95 cm, 9m, 16m 65 cm.
Solution
Required length= HCF of 495cm, 900cm, 1665cm
■ 495= 32 * 5 * 11
■ 900= 22 * 32 * 52
■1665= 32 * 5 *37
Therefore, HCF = 32 * 5 = 45
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Hence, required length = 45cm

7) Find the greatest number which on dividing 1657 and 2037 leaves remainders 6 and 5
respectively.
Solution
Required number = HCF of (1657-6) and (2037-5) = HCF of 1651 and 2032
■ Divide 2032 by 1651, remainder =381
■ Divide 1651 by 381, remainder = 127
■ Divide 381 by 127, remainder = 0
Therefore, required number = 127

8) Find the least number exactly divisible by 12, 15, 20, 27.
Solution
Required number = LCM of 12, 15, 20, 27 = 540

9) Find the least number which when divided by 20, 25, 35, 40 leaves remainders 14, 19,
29, 34 respectively.
Solution
Here,■ 20-14 = 6
■ 25-19 = 6
■ 35-29 = 6
■ 40-34 = 6
Required number = (LCM of 20, 25, 35, 40) – 6
= 1394
10) The traffic lights at 3 different road-crossings change after every 48 sec, 72sec, 108sec
respectively. If they all change at 8:20:00 hours, then at what time will they again change
simultaneously?
Solution
Time interval = LCM of 48, 72, 108 = 432 sec. So the lights will again change simultane-
ously after every 432 sec, i.e 7min 12 sec.
Hence, next simultaneous change will happen at 8:27:12 hours.

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 CLATAPULT MATHEMATICS MODULE

1)Which of the following fractions is the smallest?

a)13/16 b) 15/19 c) 17/21 d) 7/8 e) 5/21

2) What least number must be subtracted from 2000 to get a number exactly divisible by
17?
a) 11 b) 13 c) 9 d) 14 e) 15

3) On dividing 15968 by a certain number, the quotient is 89 and the remainder is 37.
What is the divisor?
a)150 b) 165 c) 179 d)119 e) 121

4)There are four prime numbers in ascending order. The product of first three is 385 and
that of the last three is 1001. The last number is:
a)11 b) 13 c) 15 d) 17 e) 19

5) 5A2 is a three digit number where A is the missing digit. If the number is divisible by 6,
then the missing digit is:
a)2 b) 3 c) 6 d) 7 e) 5

6)If x and y are the 2 digits of a number 653xy, such that the number is divisible by 80,
then x+y= ?
a)2 b) 3 c) 4 d) 6 e) 5
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7) When a number is divided by 31, the remainder is 29. When the same number is di-
vided by 16, what is the remainder?
a)11 b) 13 c) 15 d) data inadequate e)16
8) A number when successively divided by 4 and 5, leaves remainders 1 and 4 respectively.
If the same number is divided by 5 and 4 successively, then what would be the respective
remainders?
a) 1,2 b) 2,3 c) 3,2 d) 4,1 e) 3,4

9) Find a+b, if 3478a9b is divisible by 3 and 11 both.

a)11 b) 13 c) 12 d) 19 e) 16

10) The HCF of two numbers is 11 and their LCM is 693. If one of the numbers is 77, find
the other.
a) 78 b) 99 c) 81 d) 66 e) 49

11)Find the largest number which divides 62, 132, 237 to leave the same remainder in
each case.
a)27 b) 21 c) 35 d) 39 e) 25

12)Find the least number which when divided by 6, 7, 8, 9, 12 leaves the same remainder 1
in each case.
a) 505 b) 512 c) 572 d) 475 e) 507

13) Find the smallest number of 5 digits which is exactly divisible by 16, 24, 36, 54.
a)10368 b) 10236 c) 10298 d) 10567 e) 10334

14) Find the least number which when divided by 5, 6, 7, 8 leaves a remainder 3, but when
divided by 9 leaves no remainder.
a) 1789 b) 1543 c) 1685 d) 1683 e)1765

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 CLATAPULT MATHEMATICS MODULE
15) Find the largest number of four digits which is exactly divisible by 12,15,18,27.
a) 9720 b) 9815 c) 9912 d) 9624 e) 9732
16) The sum of two numbers is 528 and their HCF is 33. The number of pairs of numbers
satisfying this condition is:
a) 4 b) 6 c) 8 d) 12 e) 15

17) The HCF of two numbers is 12 and their difference is 12. What are the numbers?
a) 66, 78 b) 70, 82 c) 94, 106 d) 84, 96 e) 58, 70

18) The LCM of two numbers is 495 and their HCF is 5. If the sum of the numbers is 10,
what is the difference?
a)10 b) 46 c)70 d) 90 e) 85

19)The least number which should be added to 2497 so that the sum is exactly divisible by
5, 6, 4, 3 is:
a) 3 b) 13 c) 23 d) 33 e) 43

20) The least number which when increased by 5 is divisible by each one of 24, 32, 36, 54
is:
a) 427 b) 859 c) 869 d) 4320 e) 510

Answer key:-

1(e) 2(a) 3(c) 4(b) 5(a) 6(d) 7(d) 8(b) 9(a) 10(b)

11(c) 12(a) 13(a) 14(d) 15(a) 16(a) 17(d) 18(a) 19(c) 20(b)

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