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Based on the CAT 2024 syllabus, we previously covered strategies for Algebra (Quadratic Equations), Cube (Logical Reasoning), and Sentence Corrections with CAT algebra questions on Day 14 of our preparation series.
Now, for Day 15, we’ll focus on strategies for tackling polynomial questions in the CAT exam.
To excel in CAT 2024, follow our 60-day preparation schedule to ensure you stay organized and on track with your study plan.
Polynomials are mathematical expressions that consist of variables or determinants, coefficients, exponents, and constant terms combined with mathematical expressions like addition, subtraction, or multiplication.
It is generally denoted by f(x).
The general form of a polynomial equation is:
an xn + an-1 xn-1 + an-2 xn-2 + ........ + a1 x + a0
Example:
4x2 + 2x + 3 is a polynomial where x is the variable.
An example of a polynomial equation with two variables is:
3x2 + 2xy + y2 + 4x + 5y + 7, where x and y are two variables.
The degree of a polynomial is the highest exponent of a variable in the polynomial expression with a non-zero coefficient.
Example:
7x4 + 3x3 + 9x + 1; Degree of the polynomial = 4
x3 + 3x2y4 + 3y4 + 5; Degree of the polynomial = 6
It is also to be remembered:
A polynomial with degree 0 is called a Constant or zero polynomial.
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In other words, the degree of zero polynomial is zero.
Example: f(x) = 2
A Polynomial with degree 1 is a Linear polynomial.
Example: f(x) = 2x + 1
A polynomial with degree 2 is a Quadratic polynomial.
Example: f(x) = 2x2 + x + 1
A polynomial with degree 3 is a Cubic polynomial.
Example: f(x) = 2x3 + 3x2 + x + 1
A polynomial with degree 4 is a Biquadratic polynomial.
Example: f(x) = 2x4 + 2y + 4z + 1
A zero of a Polynomials is a value of the variable (often denoted as "x") that makes the entire polynomial equal to zero. In other words, if you substitute that value for "x" in the polynomial expression, the result will be zero. Another term for the zero of a polynomial is "root" or "solution."
In general, the number of zeroes of a polynomial is equal to its degree, and some of the zeroes may be repeated. For example, a polynomial of degree 3 will have three zeroes (counting multiplicities), and so on. Understanding the zeroes of a Polynomials is crucial in solving various mathematical problems.
There are a few ways to find the zeros of a polynomial.
The factorization method is the most commonly used.
Quadratic formula
Synthetic division
We also have to study “polynomial regression”, “Types of Polynomials ”, and “polynomial function” to learn more about this chapter.
Here are some CAT previous year algebra questions shuffled up from different PYQs of the CAT exam before:
Q1. If a, b, c, and d are integers such that a + b + c + d = 30, then the minimum possible value of (a – b)2 + (a – c)2 + (a – d)2 is:
(TITA, CAT exam 2017)
5
6
2
8
Solution:
Given that a + b + c + d = 30.
For the minimum possible value of (a – b)2 + (a – c )2+ (a – d)2,
(a – b) = (a – c) = (a – d) = 0
But this is not possible because 30 is not a multiple of 4.
We should find a as close to b, c, and d as possible.
We should take values of a, b, c and d close to 30/4 = 7.5
So, a, b, c, and d should take the values of 7 or 8.
For the minimum possible value of (a – b)2 + (a – c)2 + (a – d)2, the difference of a taken with b, c or d should not be greater than 1.
So, Possible sets of a, b, c and d will be
a | b | c | d | (a – b)2 + (a – c)2 + (a – d)2 |
7 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 2 |
8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 2 |
7 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 2 |
7 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 2 |
8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 2 |
8 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 2 |
So, the minimum possible value of (a – b)2 + (a – c)2 + (a – d)2 is 2.
Hence, the correct answer is 2.
Q2. For real x, the maximum possible value of x/√(1+x4) is:
[CAT exam 2020]
A. 1
B. ½
C. 1/√2
D. 1/√3
Solution:
Dividing both numerator and denominator by x, we get,
1/√[(1/x2) + x2]
The value of (1/x2) + x2 should be the minimum to get the original fraction maximum.
For real values of x, (1/x2) + x2 has a minimum value equal to 2.
So, the maximum value of x/√(1+x4) is 1/√2.
Hence, the correct answer is 1/√2.
The standard form of a Linear polynomial is ax + b.
The standard form of a Quadratic polynomial is ax2 + bx + c.
The standard form of a Cubic polynomial is ax3 + bx2 + cx + d.
The standard form of a biquadratic polynomial is ax4 + bx3 + cx2 + dx + e.
The degree of a constant polynomial is 0.
For the quadratic equation ax2 + bx + c = 0 if the roots are α and β, then
Sum of the roots, α + β = –b/a
Product of the roots, α β = c/a
For the cubic equation ax3 + bx2 + cx + d = 0, if the roots are α, β, and γ, then
Sum of the roots, α + β + γ = –b/a
Product of the roots, α β γ = –d/a
Sum of the product of roots taken two at a time, α β + β γ + α γ = c/a
You have to solve different kinds of problems based on polynomials. Practice more and more problems on polynomials for CAT.
Also, learn
(x + y)2 = x2 + y2 + 2xy
(x – y)2 = x2 + y2 – 2xy
(x + y)3 = x3 + y3 + 3xy2 + 3x2y
(x – y)3 = x3 – y3 – 3x2y + 3xy2
(x – y – z)3 = x3 – y3 – z3 – 3x2y + 3xy2 – 3y2z – 3yz2 + 3xz2 – 3x2z + 6xyz
References to Study (Theory)
NCERT Class 9-10
How to Prepare Quantitative Aptitude by Arun Sharma (7th edition)
2IIM CAT Preparation (You-Tube)
References to Study (Practice) CAT Algebra Questions
Pearson (How to prepare quantitative aptitude for CAT)
https://iim-cat-questions-answers.2iim.com
Previous Year's Question Papers to practice polynomial questions for the CAT exam
The different kinds of questions asked in the CAT Exam on Cubes are:
Question. A cube painted on all faces is cut into 1331 cubes of the same size.
1. How many cubes are not painted on any face?
1000
729
81
270
Answer: (B)
Trick: Only the inner cubes
i.e., (k - 2)3, where k = dimension of larger cube/dimension of smaller cube
Here, k = 11
So, the number of cubes not painted on any face is (11 - 2)3 = 93 = 729
2. How many cubes are painted on three faces?
8
16
36
54
Answer: (A)
Trick: Corner cubes only.
A cube has 8 corners.
Hence, the correct answer is always 8.
Question. A cube of 4 cm is painted yellow on the pair of one opposite surface, red on the pair of another opposite surface and blue on the remaining pair of opposite surfaces. The cube is now divided into smaller cubes of equal size of 1 cm each.
3. Find the number of smaller cubes with three surfaces painted.
6
8
16
27
Answer: (B)
Trick: Corner cubes only.
A cube has 8 corners.
Hence, the correct answer is always 8.
4. Find the number of smaller cubes with two surfaces painted.
24
8
16
30
Answer: (A)
Trick: Surface cubes except for the corner cubes.
k = dimension of larger cube/ dimension of smaller cube
Cubes with two face painted = 6 × (k – 2)2 = 6 × 22 = 24
5. Find the number of cubes with two surfaces painted with yellow and red colour.
10
8
9
16
Answer: (B)
Trick: Cubes at the common edges of yellow and red surfaces, except corner cubes.
Common edges of yellow and red will be 4 and 2 cubes (except at corners) at each edge.
So, the number of cubes with two surfaces painted with yellow and red colour is 4 × 2 = 8
Question. Here is the information given below. Based on this information, answer the questions.
A cube has six sides, each of which has a different colour: black, blue, yellow, red, pink, and white.
The red side is opposite the black.
The yellow side is between the red and the black.
The blue side is adjacent to the white.
The black side is adjacent to the white.
The red side is the bottom face.
1. What are the four colours that are adjacent to the yellow?
Black, blue, pink, red
Black, blue, red, white
Black, blue, pink, white
Black, red, pink, white
Answer: A
Trick: Except for the colour opposite to the yellow face.
So, except for white, others are adjacent to yellow.
2. Which of the information can be deduced from the information given in statements I, II, and VI?
White is on the top.
Blue is on the top.
Black is on the top.
White is opposite to black.
Answer: C
Trick: Draw an open cube diagram.
Black must be at the top according to statements I, II, and VI.
References for Study (Theory):
Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning by R S Aggarwal. (Basic)
Cat preparation-iQuanta (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
A sentence is a group of words connected to make meaning. A sentence must use appropriate verbs, helping verbs, punctuation etc.
The Subject and Verb must agree in number and Person (Noun/ Pronoun, Singular/ Plural). Mastering subject-verb agreement rules is crucial for effective communication and writing in the English language.
Person Rule:
Person | Singular | Verb | Plural | Verb |
First Person | I | Am/was/shall | We | Are/ were/ shall |
Second Person | You | Are/ were/ will | You | Are/ were/ will |
Third Person | He/She/it | It/was/will | They | Are/ were/ will |
Number Rule: The number rule is not as simple as the person's rule. There are a few exceptions too.
There are many rules such as:
Subject and Verb should be either singular or plural.
Countable nouns can take a plural, can combine with counting quantifiers (e.g., one, hundred, every, many), and can take an indefinite article such as a or an. Examples of counting nouns are table, glass, and occasion.
Uncountable nouns: they cannot take plurals or combine with number words.
Proximity Rule: Where two or more subjects are connected by: or, either…or, neither…nor. The subject that is closest to the verb decides the number of the verb.
Students can also practice on “subject-verb agreement worksheets with answers pdf”, “40 rules of subject-verb agreement pdf”, and “subject-verb agreement exercises with answers doc” to learn more about this chapter.
The following subject-verb agreement exercises are VARC questions for CAT, based on topic subject-verb agreement based on the previous year's question papers of the CAT exam.
Correct the sentences:
Q1. The Seven Strangers, Manav included, was supposed to meet for dinner later that night after a conference.
was supposed to meet
was supposed to have met
were suppose to be meeting
were supposed to meet
they were supposed to be meeting
Answer: (D)
Here the subject is “The seven strangers”, which is plural.
So, the plural verb “were” will be used here.
The correct sentence will be:
“The Seven Strangers, Manav included, were supposed to meet for dinner later that night after a conference.”
Q2. Without proper guidance and better support, there is no chances that our candidate will win the election.
there is no chances that
there can be no chance for
there is no chance that
there are no chances for
there will be no chances for
Answer: (C)
Here the singular verb ‘is’ does not agree with the plural subject ‘chances’.
So, replace chances with a chance.
The correct sentence will be:
“Without proper guidance and better support, there is no chance that our candidate will win the election.”
Q3. After he attended the seminar, many more resources were at Philip’s disposal, including new contacts, excellent books and pamphlets to help him improve his resume.
many more resources were at Philip’s disposal
at Philip’s disposal were many more resources
there were many more resources at Philip’s disposal
Philip, at his disposal, had many more resources
Philip had many more resources at his disposal
Answer: (E)
On Comparison, we found that ‘E’ is most suitable.
The correct sentence will be:
“After he attended the seminar, Philip had many more resources at his disposal, including new contacts, excellent books, and pamphlets to help him improve his resume.”
To identify the subject, one must spot the verb and ask a question that the verb along with the predicate is supposed to answer.
A collective noun is considered as a whole and takes a singular verb.
When the plural noun denotes some specific quantity considered as a unit, the verb used is generally singular.
Words such as glasses, pliers, and scissors are regarded as plural and require plural verbs unless they’re preceded by the phrase ‘pair of ‘and this word becomes the subject.
Write rules and revise them regularly.
Attempt Mock-Test papers.
Complete Knowledge of Nouns
Complete Knowledge of Pronouns
Knowledge of Articles
Knowledge of Verbs
Basic knowledge of Tenses.
References to Study (Theory):
Advanced English grammar by Wren and Martin
CAT Edurav (Youtube Channel)
References to Study (Practice):
How to Prepare for Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension for CAT by Meenakshi Upadhyay and Arun Sharma (9th Edition)
https://www.800score.com/gmat-prep/prep-guide/sample-questions/
Practice Sample Question Papers.
CAT 2024 Quantitative Aptitude Study Material PDF - Geometry and Mensuration | CAT 2024 preparation tips with 30-day study material by Experts |
The student cannot join the postgraduate MA program directly in the second year of the MA after completing the MBA.
Universities generally expect students to begin the first year of a masters' program even though they had qualifications at the level of a bachelor's degree. The university's curriculum along with the courses are planned to give an in-depth knowledge of the subjects.
But you could opt for:
Postgraduate Studies:
Research Career: In case research interests you, then you can pursue a Ph.D. in your specific interest.
Specialized Master's Programs: Find any specific master's course that supports the career goal.
Professional Certifications:
Make a professional certification in CFA, CA, or FRM to enhance the professional skills and better opportunities in the career field.
Job Entry via MBA
After gaining an MBA from a renowned institution, it's possible to get entry into the corporate world where the diversity in the career field is assured.
In the end, it would depend on what you would like and what you are particularly interested in. It will be better if you take a suggestion from your academic advisor or career counselor.
Hello Pratik,
If your family income exceeds 8 LPA, it will affect your eligibility for the NC-OBC category under the CAT reservation rules. The NC-OBC category requires that the family income should be below 8 LPA to qualify. If you anticipate that your income will exceed this threshold, you should update your status and notify the CAT authorities .
Here's what you can do:
Email the CAT authorities
: Inform them about the potential change in your income status and request to be considered under the
General
category, if applicable. You should do this before the examination or any further processing, as your eligibility for the OBC category depends on the income criteria.
Documents and Proof
: Make sure you have a valid
OBC certificate
and any relevant documentation regarding your family income, in case they require verification. Also, be aware that if your income exceeds 8 LPA, you might need to apply under the
General
category, as the OBC-NC reservation is no longer applicable.
General Category Consideration : If your application is accepted as General, you will be evaluated based on the General category criteria, including cutoffs and ranking.
To summarize, notifying the CAT authorities is the correct approach to avoid discrepancies later, and if your income is above the threshold, you will be treated as a General candidate for the admissions process.
For more details about CAT exam you can check out an article by Careers360 whose link is given below:
Link: https://bschool.careers360.com/exams/cat
I hope this answer helps you. If you have more queries then feel free to share your questions with us we will be happy to assist you.
Thank you and wishing you all the best for your bright future.
Hi Shreya ,
Having a tattoo on your wrist should not create a problem during the CAT exam as long as it does not contain any content that violates exam rules , such as communication-related symbols , unauthorised messages or any text resembling formulas or answers .
For a safe side , it is recommended :
1. Inform the Invigilators : Let them know about your tattoo during the identification check , so there are no misunderstandings .
2. Follow the Guidelines : Ensure you follow all instructions regarding permissible items and dress code on the exam day .
Hope this helps you .
ALL THE BEST .
To know about this please prefer our college predictor
Hello,
Yes, you can also join IIMs two years after graduation, depending upon the justification in interviews and your performance in entrance exams. If you are not sure about CAT, try those other management exams less hard:
Common Management Admission Test: Easier than CAT; 4-5 months of continuous preparation will suffice.
MAT : Much easier and takes place thrice a year.
SNAP (Symbiosis National Aptitude Test): A bit easier than CAT, apt for Symbiosis Institutes.
Xavier Aptitude Test or XAT : Hence, easier than CAT but the unique decision-making section.
Use exams like CMAT and MAT as a challenge to be competitively prepared. This can be given about 4-5 months, along with a few rounds of mock tests and smart studying.
A career as Marketing Director is also known as a marketing expert who is responsible for the overall marketing aspect of the company. He or she oversees plans and develops the company's budget. The marketing Director collaborates with the business team to plan and develop the marketing and branding strategies for the company's products or services.
A Business Development Executive (BDE) is a professional responsible for identifying growth opportunities and fostering strategic partnerships to enhance a company's market position. Typically, a BDE conducts market research, analyses industry trends, and identifies potential clients or business prospects. He or she plays a crucial role in developing and implementing sales strategies to achieve revenue targets.
A BDE often collaborates with cross-functional teams, including marketing and product development, to align business objectives. Strong communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills are essential for success in this role. BDE strives to expand the company's customer base, drive sales, and contribute to overall organisational growth in a dynamic and competitive business environment.
Content Marketing Specialists are also known as Content Specialists. They are responsible for crafting content, editing and developing it to meet the requirements of digital marketing campaigns. To ensure that the material created is consistent with the overall aims of a digital marketing campaign, content marketing specialists work closely with SEO and digital marketing professionals.
A sales manager is a revenue-generating source for a company. Any organisation or company which sells a commodity or service requires sales to generate revenue. A Sales manager is a professional responsible for supervising the sales team. An Individual as a sales manager works closely with salespeople, assigns sales territories, sets quotas, mentors the members of the sales, assigns sales training, and builds a sales plan.
The Sales Manager work also includes hiring and laying off sales personnel after evaluating his or her work performance. In bigger entities, sales quotas and plans are usually set at the executive level. He or she is responsible for overseeing the set target or quotas met by salespeople or upholding any policy. He or she guides his or her fellow salespeople and allows them to sell.
Individuals who opt for a career as a business analyst look at how a company operates. He or she conducts research and analyses data to improve his or her knowledge about the company. This is required so that an individual can suggest the company strategies for improving their operations and processes.
In a business analyst job role a lot of analysis is done, things are learned from past mistakes and the successful strategies are enhanced further. A business analyst goes through real-world data in order to provide the most feasible solutions to an organisation. Students can pursue Business Analytics to become Business Analysts.
A marketing manager is a person who oversees a company or product marketing. He or she can be in charge of multiple programmes or goods or can be in charge of one product. He or she is enthusiastic, organised, and very diligent in meeting financial constraints. He or she works with other team members to produce advertising campaigns and decides if a new product or service is marketable.
A Marketing manager plans and executes marketing initiatives to create demand for goods and services and increase consumer awareness of them. A marketing manager prevents unauthorised statements and informs the public that the business is doing everything to investigate and fix the line of products. Students can pursue an MBA in Marketing Management courses to become marketing managers.
An SEO Analyst is a web professional who is proficient in the implementation of SEO strategies to target more keywords to improve the reach of the content on search engines. He or she provides support to acquire the goals and success of the client’s campaigns.
Digital marketing is growing, diverse, and is covering a wide variety of career paths. Each job function aids in the development of effective digital marketing strategies and techniques. The aims and objectives of the individuals who opt for a career as a digital marketing executive are similar to those of a marketing professional: to build brand awareness, promote company services or products, and increase conversions. Individuals who opt for a career as Digital Marketing Executives, unlike traditional marketing companies, communicate effectively through suitable technology platforms.
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