CAT 2020 Question Paper with Solution
Slot 3 QA
1. Let ‘m’ and ‘n’ be natural numbers such that n is even and 0.2 <
. Then, m – 2n equal
A. 3
B. 1
C. 4
D. 2
Answer: B
Solution:
0.2 < n/11 < 0.5
⇒ 2.2 < n < 5.5
Since n is an even natural number, we know the following:
n = 4
0.2 < m/20 < 0.5
⇒ 4 < m < 10 ……………………………………(1)
0.2 < n/m < 0.5
⇒ 0.2 < 4/m < 0.5
⇒ 5 > m/4 > 2
⇒ 20 > m > 8 ……………………………………(2)
Using (1) and (2), we get the following:
m=9
m – 2n = 9 – 2(4) = 1
###TOPIC###Quantitative Aptitude||Number System||Properties of
Numbers###
Page 1 of 27
2. If loga30 = A, loga(5/3) = –B, and log2a = 1/3, then log3 a equals _______.
A.
B. -3
C.
D.
Answer: C
Solution:
log a 2 3 ………………………………………………………………………………..…..(1)
log a 30 A
⇒ log a 2 log a 3 log a 5 A
⇒ loga 5 log a 3 A 3 …………………………………………………………………..(2)
5
loga B
3
⇒ loga 5 log a 3 B ………………………………………………………………..……..(3)
(3) – (2):
2loga 3 A 3 B
A B 3
loga 3
⇒ 2
2
log3 a
⇒ A B 3
###TOPIC###Quantitative Aptitude||Algebra||Logarithm###
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3. A batsman played n + 2 innings and got out on all occasions. His average
score in these n + 2 innings was 29 runs and he scored 38 and 15 runs in the
last two innings. The batsman scored less than 38 runs in each of the first ‘n’
innings. In these ‘n’ innings, his average score was 30 runs and lowest score
was ‘x’ runs. The smallest possible value of ‘x’ is ___.
A. 4
B. 1
C. 2
D. 3
Answer: C
Solution:
Sum of scores in (n + 2) innings = 29 × (n + 2) = 29n + 58
Sum of scores in n innings = 30 × n = 30n
30n + 38 + 15 = 29n + 58 or n = 5
Sum of scores in first 5 innings = 5 × 30 = 150
To minimize the score in one inning, we need to maximize the score in the other
4 innings.
The maximum possible score in each of the four innings = 37
Sum of 4 innings = 4 × 37 = 148
Minimum possible score in one of the first five innings = 150 – 148 = 2
###TOPIC###Quantitative Aptitude||Arithmetic||Averages###
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4.The points (2, 1) and (–3, –4) are opposite vertices of a parallelogram. If the
other two vertices lie on the line x + 9y + c = 0, then c is ___.
A. 12
B. 13
C. 14
D. 15
Answer: C
Solution:
Diagonals of a parallelogram bisect each other.
P is the midpoint of AC. We can calculate the coordinates of P using the
midpoint formula.
2 3 1 1 4 3
x , y
2 2 2 2
Equation of BD is given as the following:
x + 9y + c = 0
Since P lies on BD, we can put x = –1/2 and y = –3/2 in the equation of BD.
1 3
9 c 0
2 2
c 14
###TOPIC###Quantitative Aptitude||Geometry||Quadrilateral & Polygons###
Page 4 of 27
5. In the final examination, Bishnu scored 52% and Asha scored 64%. The
marks obtained by Bishnu is 23 less, and that by Asha is 34 more than the
marks obtained by Ramesh. The marks obtained by Geeta, who scored 84%, is
____.
A. 417
B. 357
C. 399
D. 439
Answer: C
Solution:
Let the maximum marks in the exam = 100k
Mishnu’s score = 52k
Asha’s score = 64k
According to question, we have the following:
⇒ 52k + 23 = 64k – 34
⇒ 57 = 12k
⇒ k = 19/4
Maximum marks = 100 × 19/4 = 475
Geeta’s score = 84% of 475 = 399.
Page 5 of 27
###TOPIC###Quantitative Aptitude||Arithmetic||Percentages###
6. The vertices of a triangle are (0, 0), (4, 0), and (3, 9). The area of the circle
passing through three points is ______.
A.
B.
C.
D.
Answer: D
Solution:
Let the equation of the circle be the following [considering the general format of
circle]:
x2 + y2 + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0 …………………………………………………………………(1)
Substituting the point (0, 0) in the above equation, we get the following:
(0)2 + (0)2 + 2g(0) + 2f(0) + c = 0
c = 0 ………………………………………………………………………………………………….(2)
Putting (4, 0) in the above equation, we get the following:
(4)2 + (0)2 + 2g(4) + 2f(0) + c = 0
16 + 8g + c = 0
g = –2 ………………………………………………………………………………………………….(3)
Putting (3, 9) in the above equation, we get the following:
(3)2 + (9)2 + 2g(3) + 2f(9) + c = 0
9 + 81 + 6 (-2) + 18f + 0 = 0
f = –13/3 ………………………………………………………………………………………………(4)
205
g2 f 2 c 4 169 / 9 0
Radius of circle = 3
2
205 205
3 9
Area of circle =
Page 6 of 27
###TOPIC###Quantitative Aptitude||Co-ordinate Geometry||Co-ordinate
Geometry###
7. Let k be a constant. The equations kx + y = 3 and 4x + ky = 4 have a unique
solution if and only if ______.
A. k ≠ e
B. |k| = 2
C. |k|≠ 2
D. k = 2
Answer: C
Solution:
Kx + y = 3
4x + ky = 4
For unique solution,
k 1
4 k
k 2
###TOPIC###Quantitative Aptitude||Algebra||Linear Equations###
Page 7 of 27
8. Let m and n be positive integers. If x 2 + mx + 2n = 0 and x2 + 2nx + m = 0
have real roots, then the smallest possible value of m + n is ___.
A. 5
B. 8
C. 7
D. 6
Answer: D
Solution:
x2 + mx + 2n = 0 have real roots.
m2 4 1 2n 0
⇒ m 8n 0 ………………………………………………………(1)
2
x2 + 2nx + m = 0 have real roots.
(2n)2 4 1 m 0
⇒ n m 0 ……………………………………………………….(2)
2
The least combinations (m, n) which satisfy the first inequality are (3, 1), (4, 1),
(4, 2), (5, 1), (5, 2), (5,3)….. and so on.
Among them, (3, 1) and (4, 1) do not satisfy the second inequality.
Hence, the least combination which satisfies both the given inequalities is m = 4
and n = 2.
Smallest value of m + n = 4 + 2 = 6
###TOPIC###Quantitative Aptitude||Algebra||Quadratic Equations###
Page 8 of 27
9. A man buys 35 kg of sugar and sets a marked price in order to make a 20%
profit. He sells 5 kg at this price, and 15 kg at a 10% discount. Accidentally, 3
kg of sugar is wasted. He sells the remaining sugar by raising the marked price
by p percent so as to make an overall profit of 15%. Then p is nearest to ___.
A. 22
B. 25
C. 35
D. 31
Answer: B
Solution:
Let the CP of 1 kg sugar be 100a.
So, MP = 120a
SP of 5 kg = 120a × 5
SP of 15 kg = 0.9 × 120a = 108a
Let the SP of the remaining 12 kg sugar be b.
Total SP = 5 × 120a + 15 × 108a + 3 × 0 + 12 × b = 2220a + 12b
Total CP = 35 × 100a = 3500a
Given, 2220a + 12b = 1.15 × 3500a
⇒ 12b = 1805a
⇒ b = 150.42a (approx)
150.42a 120a
100 25.4% (approx)
Required percentage = 120a
###TOPIC###Quantitative Aptitude||Arithmetic||Profit, Loss and Discount###
Page 9 of 27
10. In a trapezium ABCD, AB is parallel to DC, BC is perpendicular to DC and ∠BAD = 45O. If
DC = 5 cm and BC = 4 cm, the area of the trapezium in sq cm is ___.
Answer: 28
Solution:
Using the given information, we can draw the following figure:
Draw DE perpendicular on AB.
In triangle AED,
tan 45 = DE/AE
1 = DE/AE
AE = 4 cm
1
5 9 4 28cm2
Area of trapezium = 2
###TOPIC###Quantitative Aptitude||Geometry||Quadrilateral & Polygons###
Page 10 of 27
11. If a, b, c are non-zero and 14a = 36b = 84c, then 6b is equal to ___.
Answer: 3
Solution:
Let 14 36 84 k
a b c
14a k
alog14 logk
logk
a
log14 ………………………………………………………..(1)
On the other hand, we know the following:
logk logk
b c
log 36 and log 84 ……………………………………..(2)
1 1 logk log 84 log14 log 6
6b 6 6 3
c a log 36 logk logk 2log 6
###TOPIC###Quantitative Aptitude||Number System||Indices and Surds###
Page 11 of 27
12. A person invested a certain amount of money at 10% annual interest,
compounded half-yearly. After one and a half years, the interest and principal
together became Rs. 18522. The amount, in rupees, that the person had
invested is ______.
Answer: 16000
Solution:
Let the principal be P.
Rate = 10% p.a. = 5% half yearly
Time = 1.5 years = 3 ‘Half-years’
Amount = Rs. 18522
18522 = P (1 + 5/100)3
⇒ p = Rs. 16000
###TOPIC###Quantitative Aptitude||Arithmetic||Interest (Simple and
Compound)###
Page 12 of 27
13. How many of the integers 1, 2, ….120 are divisible by none of 2, 5, and 7?
A. 43
B. 42
C. 41
D. 40
Answer: C
Solution:
2 and 5 are prime factors of 120.
So, number of integers from 1 to 120 which are not divisible by 2 or 5
1 1
120 1 1 48
2 5
Numbers from 1 to 120 which are multiple of 7 but not 2 or 5 are (7, 21, 49, 63,
77, 91, 119). There are seven such numbers.
Number of integers from 1 to 120 which are divisible by none of 2, 5, and 7 =
48 – 7 = 41
###TOPIC###Quantitative Aptitude||Number System||Factors and their
properties###
Page 13 of 27
14. Let N, x, and y be positive integers such that N = x + y, 2 < x < 10 and 14
< y < 23. If N > 25, then how many distinct values are possible for N?
Answer: 6
Solution:
2 < x < 10 and 14 < y < 23
N=x+y
3 + 15 ≤ N ≤ 9 + 22
⇒ 18 ≤ N ≤ 31
But it is given that N > 25.
So, the possible values of N = 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31
Hence, 6 distinct values are possible for N.
###TOPIC###Quantitative Aptitude||Algebra||Higher Degree Equations###
Page 14 of 27
15. Anil, Sunil, and Ravi run along a circular path of length 3 km, starting from
the same point at the same time, and going in the clockwise direction. If they
run at speeds of 15 km/h, 10 km/h, and 8 km/h, respectively, how much
distance in km will Ravi have run when Anil and Sunil meet again for the first
time at the starting point?
A. 4.8
B. 4.6
C. 5.2
D. 4.2
Answer: A
Solution:
Ratio of speeds of Anil and Sunil = 15:10 = 3:2
So, when Anil and Sunil meet for the first time at the starting point, Anil should
have completed 3 rounds and Sunil should have completed 2 rounds.
2 3 3
hrs
Time taken by Anil to complete 2 rounds = 10 5
3
8 4.8 km
Distance covered by Ravi in 3/5 h = 5
###TOPIC###Quantitative Aptitude||Arithmetic||Speed, Time and
Distance###
Page 15 of 27
16. Dick is thrice as old as Tom and Harry is twice as old as Dick. If Dick’s age is
1 year less than the average age of all three, then Harry’s age, in years, is ___.
Answer: 18
Solution:
Let the age of Tom, Dick, and Harry be k, 3k and 6k, respectively.
According to question, we can write the following:
k 3k 6k
3k 1
3
9k 10k 3
k 3
Age of Harry = 6k = 18 years
Page 16 of 27
###TOPIC###Quantitative Aptitude||Arithmetic||Averages###
17. A contractor agreed to construct a 6 km road in 200 days. He employed 140
persons for the work. After 60 days, he realized that only 1.5 km of road had
been completed. How many additional people would he need to employ in order
to finish the work exactly on time?
Answer: 40
Solution:
Let’s assume k additional persons are required.
N1 = 140 persons N2 = (140 + k) persons
D1 = 60 days D2 = 200 – 60 = 140 days
W1 = 1.5 km W2 = 6 – 1.5 = 4.5 km
Since work done is directly proportional to the number of persons and number of
days, we have the following:
N1D1 W1
N2D2 W2
140 60 1.5
(140 k) 140 4.5
180 140 k
40 k
Hence, 40 additional persons are required.
###TOPIC###Quantitative Aptitude||Arithmetic||Time and Work###
Page 17 of 27
18. equals ____.
Answer: 24
Solution:
2 4 8 16
(log2 4)2 (log4 8)3 (log8 16)4
2 4 8 16
2 3 4
log 4 log8 log16
log2 log 4 log8
2 4 8 16
2 3 4
2 3 4
1 2 3
2 4 8 16
24
128
3
###TOPIC###Quantitative Aptitude||Algebra||Logarithm###
19. If f(x + y) = f(x)f(y) and f(5) = 4, then f(10 ) – f(–10) is equal to
_________.
A. 3
B. 0
C. 15.9375
D. 14.0625
Answer: C
Solution:
It is given that f(x + y) = f(x) × f(y)……………………………(1)
Putting x = 5 and y = 5 in equation (1), we get the following:
f(10) = f(5) × f(5) = 4 × 4
⇒ f(10) = 16 ………………………………………..………….(2)
Putting x = 0 and y = 5 in equation (1), we get the following:
f(5) = f(0) × f(5)
⇒ 4 = f(0) × 4
⇒ f(0) = 1 ………………………………………………………….(3)
Page 18 of 27
Putting x = 10 and y = –10 in equation (1), we get the following:
f(0) = f(10) × f (–10)
⇒ 1 = 16 × f(–10)
⇒ f(–10) = 1/16 ……………………………………………………(4)
f(10 ) – f(–10) = 16 – 1/16 = 15.9375
###TOPIC###Quantitative Aptitude||Functions and Graphs||Functions and
Graphs###
Page 19 of 27
20. How many pairs (a, b) of positive integers are there such that a ≤ b and ab = 4 2017?
A. 2017
B. 2019
C. 2018
D. 2020
Answer: C
Solution:
ab = 42017
⇒ ab = (22)2017
⇒ ab = 22034
Let a = 2p and b = 2q, where p ≤ q.
2p × 2q = 22034
Since p ≤ q, we know the following:
The possible pairs are (20, 22034), (21, 22033), (22, 22032)………………….(22017, 22017).
Hence, there are 2018 pairs.
Page 20 of 27
###TOPIC###Quantitative Aptitude||Number System||Factors and their
properties###
21. A and B are two railway stations 90 km apart. A train leaves A at 9:00 a.m.,
heading towards B at a speed of 40 km/h. Another train leaves B at 10:30 a.m.,
heading towards A at a speed of 20 km/h. The trains meet each other at
_______.
A. 11:20 a.m.
B. 10:45 a.m.
C. 11:45 a.m.
D. 11:00 a.m.
Answer: D
Solution:
Let A and B meet t hours after the first train started.
Distance covered by the 1st train in t hours + distance covered by 2nd train in (t
– 1.5) hours = 90
40(t) + 20(t – 1.5) = 90
60t – 30 = 90
t=2
The two trains meet at 11:00 a.m.
###TOPIC###Quantitative Aptitude||Arithmetic||Speed, Time and
Distance###
Page 21 of 27
22. The area, in sq. units, enclosed by the lines x = 2, y = |x – 2| + 4, the X-
axis, and the Y-axis is equal to ____.
A. 6
B. 8
C. 12
D. 10
Answer: D
Solution:
We can draw the following graph from the given equations.
Required Area = Area of Trapezium OABC
1
(4 6) 2 10 sq. units
= 2
###TOPIC###Quantitative Aptitude||Co-ordinate Geometry||Co-ordinate
Geometry###
Page 22 of 27
23. If x1 = –1 and xm = xm + 1 + (m + 1) for every positive integer m, then
x100 equals _______.
A. –5150
B. –5051
C. –5050
D. –5151
Answer: C
Solution:
xm = xm+1 + (m + 1)
⇒ xm+1 = xm – m – 1 ………………………………………(1)
Let m = 1
⇒ x2 = x1 – 1 – 1 .............................................(2)
Let m = 2
x3 = x2 – 2 – 1
⇒ x3 = x1 – 1 – 1 – 2 – 1
⇒ x3 = x1 – (1 + 1) – ( 1 + 2) ……………………………(3)
Let m = 3
x4 = x3 – 3 – 1
⇒ x4 = x1 – (1 + 1) – ( 1 + 2) – 3 – 1
⇒ x4 = x1 – (1 + 1 + 1) – ( 1 + 2 + 3) ………………….(4)
Similarly, we can write the following:
x100 = x1 – (1 + 1 + 1…….. 99 times) – ( 1 + 2 + 3 + .……… + 99)
⇒ x100 = x1 – 99 – 99 × 100/2
⇒ x100 = –1 – 99 – 4950
⇒ x100 = –5050
###TOPIC###Quantitative Aptitude||Functions and Graphs||Functions and
Graphs###
Page 23 of 27
24. Two alcohol solutions, A and B, are mixed in the proportion 1:3 by volume.
The volume of the mixture is then doubled by adding solution A such that the
resulting mixture has 72% alcohol. If solution A has 60% alcohol, then the
percentage of alcohol in solution B is ____.
A. 89%
B. 94%
C. 90%
D. 92%
Answer: D
Solution:
The initial mixture has 1 unit of A and 3 units of B.
Then the volume is doubled by adding A.
⇨ 4 units of A are added.
⇨ The final mixture has 5 units of A and 3 units of B.
Let solution B contain k% alcohol. Using the formula of weighted average, we
get the following:
60 5 k 3
72
53
300 3k 576
k 92
Hence, B contains 92% alcohol.
Page 24 of 27
###TOPIC###Quantitative Aptitude||Arithmetic||Mixtures and Alligations###
25. How many integers in the set {100, 101, 102,….999} have at least one digit
repeated?
Answer: 252
Solution:
The set {100, 101, 102,….999} is the set of all three-digit numbers.
Total number of 3-digit numbers = 9 × 10 × 10 = 900
Number of 3-digit numbers having distinct digits = 9 × 9 × 8 = 648
Number of 3-digit numbers having at least one digit repeated = 900 – 648 =
252
###TOPIC###Quantitative Aptitude||Higher Maths||Permutation and
Combination###
Page 25 of 27
26.Vimla starts for office every day at 9 a.m. and reaches exactly on time if she
drives at her usual speed of 40 km/h. She is 6 minutes late as she drives at 35
km/h. One day, she covers two-thirds of her distance to office in one-thirds of
her usual time to reach office, and then stops for 8 minutes. The speed, in km/h,
at which she should drive the remaining distance to reach office exactly on time
is ____.
A. 28
B. 26
C. 29
D. 27
Answer: A
Solution:
Let the distance be ‘d’.
According to the question, we can write the following:
d d 6
35 40 60
⇒ d 28 km
28
hrs 42 mins
Usual time = 40
She covers 56/3 km in 14 min and then takes a break of 8 min.
Remaining distance = 28/3 km
Remaining time = 42 – 14 – 8 = 20 min = 1/3 h
28 / 3
28 km / hr
Required speed = 1 / 3
###TOPIC###Quantitative Aptitude||Arithmetic||Speed, Time and
Distance###
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Page 27 of 27
