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With the CAT 2024 exam date approaching, you may be confused about how to study effectively in just 2 months, what strategy to use, and the best sources for theory and practice. Questions about whether you can crack the CAT in 2 months, how much CAT preparation time is needed, and the best study plans are common. You might also be considering a 2-month crash course.
For Day 14 of our CAT preparation, we’re focusing on Quadratic Equations questions. This article will help you practice and understand different types of Quadratic Equations that frequently appear on the exam.
Following the 60-day CAT exam preparation schedule we’ve provided will keep you on track with a structured plan. We’ve already covered strategies for Algebra (Linear Equations ), Direction ion (Logical Reasoning), and Future Tenses on Day 13. Today, we’ll dive into quadratic equations to further enhance your preparation.
Quadratic Equations are the equations with degree 2. Quadratic Equations are an important part of Algebra as well as for the CAT exam. You can expect 1 or 2 algebra questions for the CAT Exam (based on analysis of previous year's question papers).
Quadratic Equations are of the form of ax2 + bx + c =0.
Here ‘x’ denotes variables (unknown) and a, b, and c are constants and a≠ 0.
To prepare CAT Quadratic Equations questions, you should invest 4-5 hours. Here we will discuss the quadratic equation CAT questions, quadratic equation formula, quadratic equation solutions, roots of quadratic equations, Quadratic Equations examples etc.
Quadratic equation problems for CAT can be categorised into the following types:
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Questions that involve calculations of some unknown variable.
Questions that involve calculations of the nature of roots.
Formation of the quadratic equation.
There are three methods which are generally used to find the roots (zeros) of a quadratic equation.
Method of factorization
Example: 2x2 + 5x + 3 = 0
⇒ 2x2 + 2x + 3x + 3 = 0
⇒ 2x(x + 1) + 3(x + 1) = 0
⇒ (x + 1) (2x + 3) = 0
⇒ x = -1 or x = -3/2.
This method is suitable only if factors of the quadratic polynomial are possible.
Quadratic Formula (Sridharacharya Formula)
For equation ax2 + bx + c =0.
x = [-b ± √D] /2a
where D is discriminant which is equal to (b2 - 4ac).
Example: 2x2 + 5x + 3 = 0
D = 52 - 4 x 2 x 3 = 1
x = [-5 ± √1] /4 = [-5 ± 1] /4
⇒ x = -1 or -3/2.
Method of completing the square:
Convert the given equation in the form of either (A+B)2 or (A-B)2
Example:
2x2+ 5x + 3 = 0
⇒ x2 + 5x/2 + 3/2 = 0
⇒ x2 + 2 x 5x/4 + 25/16 – 25/16 + 3/2 = 0
⇒ (x + 5/4)2 – 1/16 = 0
⇒ (x + 5/4)2 = 1/16
⇒ (x + 5/4) = ± ¼
⇒ x = ± ¼ - 5/4
⇒ x = -1 or -3/2
The two Previously Asked Questions from Quadratic Equations in the CAT exam are given below, aspirants can also download the CAT Previous Year Algebra Questions pdf for more practice and references.
Q.1. Suppose one of the roots of the equation ax2 - bx + c = 0 is 2 + √3, where a, b, and c are rational numbers and a ≠ 0. If b = c3 then |a| equals [CAT question paper - 2021]
2
3
4
1
Solution: (a)
For a quadratic equation, ax2 + bx + c = 0.
Since the roots, a, b, and c are all rational and if one of the roots is irrational, the other root of the equation will also be irrational and a conjugate of the first root.
So, the other root is 2 - √ 3.
Sum of roots = −(-b)/a = b/a = (2 + √ 3) + (2 - √ 3) = 4
And Product of roots = c/a = (2 + √ 3) (2 - √ 3) = 4 - 3 = 1
But here the quadratic equation is ax2 - bx + c = 0.
Therefore, b = 4a and c = a
It is given that b = c3
4a = a3
So, a = 2 or -2.
So, |a| = 2.
Q.2. Let m and n be positive integers, If x2 + mx + 2n = 0 and x2 + 2nx + m = 0 have real roots, then the smallest possible value of m + n is [CAT Question Paper 2020]
8
6
5
7
Ans: (b)
CAT 2024 quadratic equations questions with answers
For real roots b2 ≥ 4ac
From first equation: m2 ≥ 4 (2n)
⇒ m2 ≥ 8n
From second equation: (2n)2 ≥ 4m
⇒ 4n2 ≥ 4m
⇒ n2 ≥ m
If n = 1; m2≥ 8; m ≥ 3
If m ≥ 3 at n = 1, n2 ≥ m is not true.
If n = 2; m2 ≥ 16; m ≥ 4
If m ≥ 4 at n = 2, n2 ≥ m which is a valid result, if m = 4 and n = 2
So, the minimum sum of m and n is 4+2 = 6.
Q.3. The sum of twice a number and thrice its reciprocal is 25/2. What is the number?
(a) 7 (b) 6 (c) 5 (d) 4
Ans: (b)
Given: The sum of twice a number and thrice its reciprocal is 25/2.
Let the number be x.
According to the question,
⇒ 2x + 3/x = 25/2
⇒ 4x2 + 6 = 25x
⇒ 4x2 – 25x + 6 = 0
⇒ 4x2 – 24x – x + 6 = 0
⇒ (4x – 1)(x – 6) = 0
⇒ (4x–1) = 0 or (x–6) = 0
⇒ x = 6 or ¼
After checking the options, we get, x=6
Hence, the correct answer is option (b).
Q.4. If (x – 2)(x – p) = x2 – ax + 6, then the value of (a – p) is:
(a) 0 (b) 1 (c) 2 (d) 3
Ans: (c)
Given: (x – 2)(x – p) = x2 – ax + 6
⇒ x2– px – 2x + 2p=x2 – ax + 6
⇒ x2 – (p + 2)x + 2p=x2 –ax + 6
By comparing both sides of the equation,
p + 2 = a
⇒ a – p = 2
Hence, the correct answer is option (c).
Q.5. If x2 + y2 + 2x + 1 = 0, then the value of x31 + y35 is:
(a) –1 (b) 1 (c) 2 (d) 0
Ans: (a)
Given:
x2 + y2 + 2x + 1 = 0
⇒ x2 + 2x + 1 + y2 = 0
⇒ (x+1)2 + y2 = 0
Since the addition of the squares of the two terms is zero,
So, both the terms are individually zero.
Therefore, (x + 1)2 = 0 and y2 = 0
⇒ x = –1 and y = 0
Now, x31 + y35
= (–1)31 + (0)35
= –1
Hence, the correct answer is option (a).
For this topic, students must have knowledge of
Degree of Polynomials and zeros of a polynomial.
Learn all the methods of solving Quadratic Equations and use those methods according to the situation.
If the sum of zeros of a quadratic equation is ‘s’ and the product of zeros is ‘p’. Then the quadratic equation will be x2 - sx + p = 0
The nature of zeros is calculated by just finding the value of D.
If D = 0, zeros/ roots are real and equal.
If D > 0, zeros/ roots are real and unequal.
If D < 0, zeros/ roots are imaginary.
The sum of the roots = -b/a; Product of roots = c/a.
Always check for the feasibility of solutions.
How to Prepare Quantitative Aptitude by Arun Sharma (6th edition)
2iim (You-Tube)
NCERT Class 9-10
https://iim-cat-questions-answers.2iim.com
Questions based on cubes play an important role in CAT. Here we will discuss cube CAT questions, Cube Logical Reasoning questions, cube logical reasoning tricks etc.
A cube is a 3-D figure which consists of 6 faces, 12 edges, and 8 vertices.
CAT questions on Cube are based on the following concepts:
Painted surface
Opposite faces
Consecutive faces
Number of cuts to make smaller cubes of equal dimension
If all the faces of a cube (n x n x n) painted with the same colour are cut into (n x n x n) equal parts.
Number of cubes with 3 faces painted = 8 cubes
Number of cubes with exactly 2 faces painted = (n-2) x 12
Number of cubes with exactly 1 face painted = (n – 2)2 x 6
Number of cubes with 0 faces painted = (n-2)3
You can assume your room is a cube to analyze the situation.
You can use the approach of the open cube to solve the question.
Six faces can be seen like this
(1,6), (2,4), and (3,5) form opposite pairs.
Adjacent faces to face 3 are 1,2,4 and 6. Similarly, we can find the others.
Number of cuts to small cubes of equal size (n) from a larger cuboid of dimension (a x b x c) = (a/2 -1) + (b/2 -1) + (c/2 -1)
An Iron cube is coloured black on four adjoining surfaces while the opposite sides are coloured red. The cube is then cut two times vertically and four times horizontally at right angles. Based on the same answer to the next question.
Q.1. How many cubes (cuboids) have exactly one face coloured black?
1
2
3
4
Ans: D
One cube/cuboid at each black face has exactly one face black colour.
Q.2. How many cubes/cuboids have only one face painted that too in red?
2
3
4
5
Ans: A
The cube/cuboid with each red face has exactly one face red coloured.
Q.3. How many cubes/cuboids have more than 2 sides painted?
2
4
6
8
Ans: D
More than two faces painted means 3 faces painted i.e. a number of cubes formed at each corner.
To Prepare the questions based on Cube, students must have the knowledge of
This topic requires basic calculations
Imagination
Analytical Approach
Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning by R S Aggarwal. (Basic)
Cat preparation-iQuanta (YouTube Channel)
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
In previous articles, we have made strategies to prepare tenses. Today we are going to discuss how to solve problems of sentence correction based on Tenses. Also, we will explain error correction based on tenses, grammatical error correction, error correction examples etc.
Errors in sentences can be due to any of the following reasons:
Confusion in present tenses
Confusion in past tenses
Confusion in future tenses
Use of the wrong verb
You have to identify which type of error is there in the sentence and prepare them accordingly.
CAT Verbal Ability Questions
Here are some CAT verbal ability questions curated for aspirants to practice:
Find the correct phrase for underlining.
Q.1. The glass of the car broke while the players were playing football.
Broke
Was broken
No correction is required
Was broke
Ans: a
The action was done in the past but the time is not known. So, Past indefinite tense is used.
Q.2. I will be meeting you in the morning.
Meet
Meeting
No correction is required
Met
Ans: (a)
Future indefinite tense should be used.
Q.3. Preeti attended dance class every Thursday.
Attends
No correction required
Is attending
Will attending
Ans: (a)
Action is in the present time at a regular interval of time. Present indefinite should be used.
Q.4. Rani was playing when her father entered the room.
Played
No correction required
Plays
Is playing
Ans: (b)
Past continuous tense is to be used as the other sentence is in Past indefinite tense.
Q.5. It had stopped raining when I was leaving the office.
Leave
Was leaving
Left
Leaves
Ans: (c)
Past perfect tense should be used as the first phrase in the past perfect tense.
Basic Knowledge of Nouns, Pronouns and Verbs.
Basic knowledge of Tenses.
Knowledge of the use of helping verbs.
Practice a lot to improve your grammar.
Write rules and revise them on a regular basis.
During the examination, check on every possibility of error.
Attempt Mock-Test papers and solutions after the test to check your mistakes.
Advanced English grammar by Wren and Martin
GMATPrepNow (Youtube Channel)
How to Prepare for Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension for CAT by Meenakshi Upadhyay and Arun Sharma (9th Edition)
Practice CAT Sample Question Papers.
With a 59.95 percentile in CAT 2024 and ST category, you can expect calls from newer IIMs like IIM Bodh Gaya, IIM Jammu, and IIM Sirmaur, as they have lower cutoffs for reserved categories. Non-IIM options like IIT Madras (MBA), NIT Trichy (MBA), and state universities like Delhi School of Economics (DSE) might also consider your profile. Apply to institutions that prioritize diversity and offer ST reservation. Ensure your application highlights strong academics and achievements.
For more details you can visit the link given below
https://bschool.careers360.com/cat-percentile-predictor
Hi,
Based on the previous year analysis, According to your CAT 2024 percentile some of the best colleges offering MBA and PGDM course in Telangana in which you have chances to get a seat are the following
For more information about the colleges in which you have chances to get a seat you can predict using MBA college predictor tool provided below
https://bschool.careers360.com/cat-college-predictor
Hope this information will help you
Hi,
With a CAT 2024 score of 93.94 percentile, you have a good chance of getting calls from several IIMs. Here are some possibilities:
IIM Jammu
IIM Bodhgaya
IIM Udaipur
IIM Kashipur
IIM Vizag
Apart from IIMs, you can also consider other prestigious B-schools like:
Management Development Institute (MDI) Gurgaon
FMS Delhi
IIT Delhi
IIM Lucknow
IIM Indore
IIM Raipur
CAT exam is conducted every year for purpose of admission to various prestigious business school and management institutes in India. The exam is also considered among toughest entrance exams in India. The exam rats the logical skills of the candidates. You can get the college list based on your CAT score by simply visiting CAT College Predictor 2024
Hi Sonu,
Preparing for CAT 2025 through self-study requires the right study materials, a structured plan, and consistent effort. CAT Syllabus comprises of Quantitative Aptitude (QA), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC).
You can get more detailed information in the mentioned website of Careers360, it will be helpful enough for preparation of CAT 2025.
If looking for online sources, you can go through few channels on YouTube like- Study Buzz, Takshzila, and Career Launcher. Apps like unacademy and Byju's can help as well.
All the best for your CAT preparation.
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