Navigating CAT : Unlocking the Power of Linear Equations, Direction, and Future Tense - Day 13

Navigating CAT : Unlocking the Power of Linear Equations, Direction, and Future Tense - Day 13

Team Careers360Updated on 19 Sep 2024, 03:24 PM IST

We're back with the strategy for Day 13 of our CAT 2024 preparation. Today, we'll focus on tackling CAT algebra questions. Stick to our 60-day CAT exam preparation schedule to maintain a steady flow, plan, and structure for your studies.

This Story also Contains

  1. Quantitative Aptitude for CAT 2024
  2. CAT Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation
  3. CAT Exam VARC (English grammar questions for CAT on tenses)
  4. Study material for CAT 2024
Navigating CAT : Unlocking the Power of Linear Equations, Direction, and  Future Tense - Day 13
CAT Exam Algebra Questions

Quantitative Aptitude for CAT 2024

Algebra (Linear Equation) And CAT Algebra Questions

Linear Equations is an important part of Algebra as well as for the CAT exam. You can expect 1 or 2 algebra questions for the CAT Exam.

Linear equations are mathematical statements which are used to find the value of some unknown variable(s). Graphically linear equations always form a straight-line curve.

What is a linear equation?

A linear equation is an algebraic equation in which each term is either a constant or the product of a constant and a single variable.

Linear Equations can have one or more variables.

The general form of a linear equation is based on the variables.

Types/ Representation of Linear Equations for CAT

  • Linear Equations in One Variables : ax + b = 0 a ≠ 0 and x is the variable.

  • Linear Equations in Two Variables : ax + by + c = 0 a ≠ 0, b ≠ 0, x and y are the variables.

  • Linear Equation in three variables: ax + by + cz + d = 0 a ≠ 0, b ≠ 0, c ≠ 0, x, y, z are the variables.

  • Slope intercept form: y = mx + b; m = slope of the line b = y-intercept

  • Point Slope form: (y - y1) = m(x - x1)

LiveIIM CAT 2025 Result (OUT) LIVE: MBA admission criteria for IIMs; CAT score weightage, cut-offsDec 26, 2025 | 2:23 PM IST

Candidates can check the expected cut-offs category-wise for MBA admissions from the table given below.

CAT 80-90 percentile IIM 2025

Category of the Students 

Expected CAT 2025 Cutoff 

IIM Sambalpur CAT Cutoff 2025

General

80+

IIM Vizag CAT Cutoff 2025

General

83+

IIM Amritsar CAT Cutoff 2025

General, OBC

89+

IIM Jammu CAT Cutoff 2025

General

89+

IIM Bangalore CAT Cutoff 2025

OBC

82+

IIM Lucknow CAT 2025 Cutoff

EWS, OBC

86-90

IIM Kozhikode CAT Cutoff 2025

EWS

83+

IIM Mumbai CAT Cutoff 2025

EWS

89+

IIM Indore CAT Cutoff 2025

OBC

82+

IIM Trichy

EWS, OBC

82+

IIM Udaipur

OBC, EWS

80-88+

IIM Rohtak

NC-OC

63+

IIM Sirmaur

SC

67+


Read More

To Solve Linear Equations, the Number of variables cannot be greater than the number of equations.

CAT linear equation questions can be categorised into the following types:

  • Questions that involve calculations of some unknown variables.

  • CAT linear arrangement questions that involve calculations of the number of solutions/ Types of solutions.

Methods of solving Linear Equations:

  • Method of Substitution: It involves picking one equation from the pair of linear equations in two variables and writing one variable in terms of the other. Then substitute that value in the other equation.

  • Elimination Method: It involves adding or subtracting the equations to eliminate one of the variables, making it possible to solve for the remaining variable.

  • Graphical Method: This method visually shows the solution to a pair of linear equations by plotting the lines and finding their intersection point.

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CAT Previous Year Algebra Questions for CAT exam

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?

[CAT Question Paper 2013]

  1. 7

  2. 5

  3. 6 (Correct answer)

  4. 8

Solution:

Let the number be (10a + b), so when the digits of the number are reversed, the number becomes (10b + a).

According the question, (10b + a) – (10a + b) = 18

⇒ 9 (b – a) = 18

⇒ b – a = 2

So, the possible pairs of (x, y) are

(1, 3), (2, 4), (3, 5), (4, 6), (5, 7), (6, 8), and (7, 9).

13 is already there, so other possible numbers are 24, 35, 46, 57, 68, and 79.

So, the total number of possible numbers (except 13) is 6.

Question 2. Let k be a constant. The equations kx + y = 3 and 4x + ky = 4 have a unique solution if and only if [CAT Question Paper 2020]

  1. k ≠ 2

  2. |k| = 2

  3. k = 2

  4. |k| ≠ 2 (Correct answer)

Solution:

For a unique solution,

a1/ a2 ≠ b1/ b2

⇒ k / 4 ≠ 1 / k

⇒ k2 ≠ 4

⇒ |k| ≠ 2

Question 3. The cost of 12 apples and 15 oranges is INR 660. The cost of 15 apples and 21 oranges is INR 870. Find the cost of one apple.

  1. INR 25

  2. INR 15

  3. INR 30

  4. INR 20

Solution:

Let the cost of one apple be x and one orange is y.

According to the question,

12x + 15y = 660 .......(1)

And, 15x + 21y = 870 ........(2)

Multiplying equation (1) by 5 and equation (2) by 4, we get,

60x + 75y = 3300 and 60x + 84y = 3480

Subtracting these equations, we get,

75y - 84y = 3300 - 3480

⇒ 9y = 180

⇒ y = 20

Putting this value in (1), we get,

12x + 15(20) = 660

⇒ 12x + 300 = 660

⇒ 12x = 360

⇒ x = 30

Hence, the correct answer is INR 30.

Question 4. The cost of 3 pieces of bread and 1 packet of juice at a certain store is Rs. 323.50. At the same store, the cost of 5 pieces of bread and 1 packet of juice is Rs. 433.50. What will be the cost of 2 pieces of bread and 2 packets of juice at this store?

  1. Rs. 427

  2. Rs. 350

  3. Rs. 403

  4. Rs. 433

Solution:
Let the cost of one bread be b and the cost of one packet of juice be j.

The cost of 3 breads and 1 packet of juice.

⇒ 3b + j = 323.50---(1)

The cost of 5 breads and 1 packet of juice.

⇒ 5b + j = 433.50---(2)

Subtracting the first equation from the second,

⇒ 2b = 433.50 - 323.50 = 110

⇒ b = 110/2 = 55

Substituting b = 55 into the first equation,

⇒ 3 × 55 + j = 323.50

⇒ j = 323.50 - 165 = 158.50

So, the cost of one bread is Rs. 55 and the cost of one packet of juice is Rs. 158.50.

Therefore, the cost of 2 breads and 2 packets of juice is,

⇒ 2b + 2j = 2 × 55 + 2 × 158.50 = 110 + 317 = 427

Hence, the correct answer is Rs. 427.

Prerequisite To Algebra Practice Questions:

For this topic, students must have knowledge of the following while preparing through Algebra practice questions:

  • Speed Maths/ Vedic Maths.

  • Unitary Method

  • Variables and constants.

Tips to Prepare Linear Equations for CAT Exam:

Use the Elimination method by making the coefficient of one variable equal in two equations.

See the solution either as consistent or inconsistent.

  • If two lines intersect exactly at one point, then the system of equations has only one Unique solution.

  • If two lines coincide or stay on the same line and overlap completely, then the system of equations has infinitely many solutions.

  • If two lines are parallel and never intersect each other, then the system of equations has no solution. In this case, the slopes of the two lines are the same but their intercepts are different.

If a1x + b1y + c1 = 0 and a2 x + b2y + c2 = 0 are two linear equations,

Then,

  • a1 / a2 ≠ b1/ b2 to have a unique solution.

  • a1/ a2 = b1/ b2 = c1/ c2 to have to have infinitely many solutions.

  • a1/ a2 = b1/ b2 ≠ c1/ c2 to have no solution.

References to Study (Theory):

  • NCERT Class 9-10

  • Quantitative Aptitude for CAT by N K Sinha

  • 2iim (You-Tube)

References to Study (Practice) CAT Algebra Questions:

  • Quantum CAT by S K Verma

  • https://iim-cat-questions-answers.2iim.com

  • Previous Year's Question Papers

CAT Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation

Direction Sense (LR)

Direction Sense Consists of the following types of questions in CAT:

  • To Find the direction of a person after taking some turns from its initial position.

  • To find the distance between the initial and final position.

  • Questions on Shadow.

  • Questions on the direction of the hands of the clock.

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Basic Concepts of Direction Sense:

  1. Basic Directions

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  1. Concept of Shadow

Facing of a Person

Direction of Shadow (Morning)

Direction of Shadow (Evening)

North

West

East

East

West

East

South

East

West

West

East

West

3. Distance between initial and final positions will be calculated by using Pythagoras theorem.

Direction Senses test tricks:

Draw a direction diagram.

You can count the number of rotations to find the final direction with respect to the initial direction

1 Right turn = 3 left turns = to the right of initial direction

2 Right turns = 2 left turns = to the opposite of initial direction

3 Right turns = 1 left turn = to the left of initial direction

4 Right turns = 4 left turns = in the same direction of initial direction

3. (Hypotenuse)2 = (Base)2 + (Perpendicular)2 (For right triangle)

4. Draw the distances in proportion while drawing a distance diagram.

Now we have to practise some direction sense aptitude questions, direction sense test questions pdf, and direction sense test MCQ to have a better understanding of this concept.

Questions that can help you to build the concept of Direction Sense (Based on CAT):

Question 1. Raju, a child labourer is looking for his uncle. He went 60 metres in the West before turning to his left. He went 20 metres before turning to his right again to look for his uncle at his home 30 metres from this point. His uncle was not there. From here he went 60 metres to the South before meeting his uncle at a grocery shop. What is the smallest distance between the starting point and his uncle’s position (nearest to its integer value)? [TITA]

Solution:

For such questions, always remember that when a person moves to his left side, he will move in anti- clockwise direction and when a person moves to his right side, he will move in a clockwise direction.

1695700370671

Vertical distance = 20 + 60 = 80 metres

Horizontal distance = 30 + 60 = 90 metres

Distance between initial and final position= 802 + 902 = √14500 = 120 m (Approx)

Question 2. A is in the West of B which is in the north of C. If P is in the south of A, then in which direction of B, is P?

  1. North-East

  2. West

  3. South

  4. South- West

Solution: (D)

1695700370224

P is in the south-west of B. (Even P can be anywhere in the line above it)

Prerequisite for CAT Logical Reasoning:

To Prepare the questions based on direction sense, a student must have the knowledge of

  1. Knowledge of basic direction

  2. Pythagoras theorem

References to Study (Theory):

  • A New Approach to Reasoning by B.S. Sijwali & S. Sijwali Arihant

  • wifistudy (YouTube Channel)

References to Study (Practice):

  • Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning by R S Aggarwal. (Basic)

  • LRDI for CAT and GMAT by Nishit K Sinha. (Advance)

  • Previous Year's Question Papers

CAT Exam VARC (English grammar questions for CAT on tenses)

Tenses Part-3 (Future Tense)

As discussed in the previous two articles, tenses are divided into three types. Today we are going to discuss the future Tense and future tense formulas.

Future Tense: Future tense is used to describe the event that will have to occur in the coming time.

Future tense can further be divided into four categories to indicate the action as follows:

Simple Future Tense/ Future Indefinite Tense: denotes habitual action in the coming time. The action is supposed to be finished in the future but its time is not definite.

Formula: Subject + Will + Verb(present form) + Object

Example: Geetha will go abroad to study.

Future Perfect Tense: it refers to an action that will have to be completed on a later date or day but its time is known.

Formula: Subject + Will be + Verb(Present participle) + Object

Example: Geetha will have reached Delhi by next week.

Future Continuous Tense: denotes an action that will be in progress in the future.

Formula: Subject + Will have + Verb(Past participle) + Object

Example: Geetha will be coming to us in the next hour.

Future Perfect Continuous Tense: denotes an action that is under work or incomplete but will be finished in the coming time.

Formula: Subject + Will have been + Verb(Present participle) + Object

Example: Geetha will have been here by next week.

Students can make a past present future tense chart or practice on the simple future tense worksheet to understand it better.
Also, read simple future tense formulas and simple future tense examples to know better.

Tenses Exercise With Answers on Future Tense: [Based on PYQs]

Question 1. Mother dolphins whistle to their calves frequently after birth so that the calves will learn to recognize their distinctive whistle. [Sentece correction]

[Previous Year Question]

  1. learn to recognise their distinctive whistle.

  2. learn to recognise their distinctive whistle.

  3. will learn to recognise their distinctive whistle.

  4. learn to recognise their mother's distinctive whistle.

Solution: (d)

Simple present tense for the verb ‘learn’ should be used in place of future verb ‘will learn’ as the verb ‘whistle’ used in the main clause is in simple present tense.

Question 2. By the end of this year, she_______worked for AJ production house for eighteen years. [Fill in the blanks]

  1. Will work

  2. Had been working

  3. Will have been working

  4. Will be working

Solution: (c)

Future perfect continuous tense should be used since work will be completed in the coming time and work is underway.

Prerequisite

  • Basic Knowledge of Nouns, Pronouns and Verbs.

  • Basic knowledge of subject-verb agreement.

  • Knowledge of the use of helping verbs (Will/Will be/ Shall be/ Will have/ Shall have/Will have been)

Tips to Prepare Error correction in Future tenses:

  • Learn the rules of all types of future tenses.

  • Do basic exercises on Future tense.

  • Try to make new sentences by yourself.

  • Attempt Mock-Tests.

References to Study (Theory):

  • Advanced English Grammar by Martin Hewings

  • Learn English with Rebecca · engVid (YouTube Channel)

  • References to Study (Practice):

  • Purdue Online Writing Lab

  • How to Prepare for Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension for CAT by Meenakshi Upadhyay and Arun Sharma (9th Edition)

  • Practise Sample Question Papers.

Study material for CAT 2024

CAT 2024 GD PI Preparation: Experts and Toppers Tips

Click here to download

MBA Exams Computer Based Mock Test 2024 - CAT, MAT, XAT, SNAP, NMAT

Click here to download

We will be back with Day 14 tomorrow. Do practice and be focused.

Thank You

All the best.

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Questions related to CAT

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to CAT ?

Hello,

The results for the CAT 2025 entrance, which is conducted on November 30, 2025, were declared on December 22, 2025. Candidates can download and see their results on the official IIM CAT website. On the website, click on the "CAT 2025 Result/Scorecard" link to download the result by entering the required details.

I hope it will clear your query!!

Hello,

The link to the website where you can check the published result is attached herewith.  The result will be out soon. You can also check the cutoffs on the website of Careers360.

https://bschool.careers360.com/articles/cat-result

Thank you.

CAT does not restrict eligibility based on stream. Candidates from commerce, arts, science, engineering or any other background can appear for CAT and apply to MBA programmes offered by IIMs and other top B-schools.

The basic eligibility criteria for CAT are:
You must hold a bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognised university with at least 50 percent marks (45 percent for SC, ST and PwD categories). Final-year graduation students are also eligible to apply.

Being a commerce graduate can actually be an advantage in areas such as accounting, finance, economics and business studies, especially during MBA coursework in finance, marketing and operations.

After qualifying CAT, admission depends on multiple factors including CAT percentile, academic background, work experience (if any), performance in GD, WAT and personal interview rounds. Many IIMs and B-schools follow a diverse academic background policy, which means non-engineering candidates, including commerce graduates, often receive additional weightage.

Apart from IIMs, several reputed institutes such as FMS Delhi, SPJIMR Mumbai, MDI Gurgaon, IMT Ghaziabad, and many state and private universities also accept CAT scores for MBA admissions.

So, as a commerce graduate, you are fully eligible to appear for CAT and pursue an MBA, provided you meet the minimum academic requirements and perform well in the selection process.

If you want, I can also help you with realistic CAT percentile targets based on your academic profile or suggest suitable MBA colleges.


Hello aspirant,

With a CAT 2025 raw score of 84 and strong sectionals, your expected percentile may fail in the high 98 range , depending on scaling. Your excellent academics and 2 years of work experience strengthen your profile .IIM Lucknow calls are possible but competitive for EWS engineers , while FMS Delhi looks mainly at CAT score and VARC , so you have a reasonable chance there . Final calls depend on cutoffs and composite score.

FOR REFERENCE : https://bschool.careers360.com/articles/cat-cutoff

Hope the details will help you.

THANK YOU

Hello,

For a raw score of 56 in CAT 2025 Slot 3, your expected overall percentile is likely to be in the range of the 90th-95th percentile. The exact percentile can vary slightly on the final normalization process and the process and performance of all test-takers. In this article you'll find more about the CAT result.

I hope it will clear your query!!