CAT 2007QA

All 29 QA questions from CAT 2007, with the answer key and detailed solutions. Practise free — check answers as you go, or tap Show solution.

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29 questions

CAT 2007 · QA

QA
Arithmetic ProgressionEasy
Q1.

The price of Darjeeling tea (in rupees per kilogram) is 100 + 0.10n, on the nth day of 2007 (n = 1, 2, ..., 100), and then remains constant. On the other hand, the price of Ooty tea (in rupees per kilogram) is 89 + 0.15n, on the nth day of 2007 (n = 1, 2, ..., 365). On which date in 2007 will the prices of these two varieties of tea be equal?

QA
Graph & Maximum or Minimum value of Quadratic functionEasy
Q2.

A quadratic function f(x) attains a maximum of 3 at x = 1. The value of the function at x = 0 is 1. What is the value of f(x) at x = 10?

QA
2 CirclesEasy
Q3.

Two circles with centres P and Q cut each other at two distinct points A and B. The circles have the same radii and neither P nor Q falls within the intersection of the circles. What is the smallest range that includes all possible values of the angle AQP in degrees?

QA
Forming a committeeEasy
Passage / Data

Answer the next 2 questions based on the information given below.

Let S be the set of all pairs (i, j) where 1 ≤ i < j ≤ n and n ≥ 4. Any two distinct members of S are called “friends” if they have one constituent of the pairs in common and “enemies” otherwise. For example, if  n = 4, then S = {(1, 2), (1, 3), (1, 4), (2, 3), (2, 4), (3, 4)}. Here, (1, 2) and (1, 3) are friends, (1, 2) and (2, 3) are also friends, but (1, 4) and (2, 3) are enemies.

Q4.

For general n, how many enemies will each member of S have?

QA
Forming a committeeEasy
Passage / Data

Answer the next 2 questions based on the information given below.

Let S be the set of all pairs (i, j) where 1 ≤ i < j ≤ n and n ≥ 4. Any two distinct members of S are called “friends” if they have one constituent of the pairs in common and “enemies” otherwise. For example, if  n = 4, then S = {(1, 2), (1, 3), (1, 4), (2, 3), (2, 4), (3, 4)}. Here, (1, 2) and (1, 3) are friends, (1, 2) and (2, 3) are also friends, but (1, 4) and (2, 3) are enemies.

Q5.

For general n, consider any two members of S that are friends. How many other members of S will be common friends of both these members?

QA
PercentageEasy
Passage / Data

Answer the next 2 questions based on the information given below.

Shabnam is considering three alternatives to invest her surplus cash for a week. She wishes to guarantee maximum returns on her investment. She has three options, each of which can be utilized fully or partially in conjunction with others.

Option A: Invest in a public sector bank. It promises a return of +0.10%

Option B: Invest in mutual funds of ABC Ltd. A rise in the stock market will result in a return of +5%, while a fall will entail a return of –3%

Option C: Invest in mutual funds of CBA Ltd. A rise in the stock market will result in a return of –2.5%, while a fall will entail a return of +2%

Q6.

The maximum guaranteed return to Shabnam is:

QA
PercentageEasy
Passage / Data

Answer the next 2 questions based on the information given below.

Shabnam is considering three alternatives to invest her surplus cash for a week. She wishes to guarantee maximum returns on her investment. She has three options, each of which can be utilized fully or partially in conjunction with others.

Option A: Invest in a public sector bank. It promises a return of +0.10%

Option B: Invest in mutual funds of ABC Ltd. A rise in the stock market will result in a return of +5%, while a fall will entail a return of –3%

Option C: Invest in mutual funds of CBA Ltd. A rise in the stock market will result in a return of –2.5%, while a fall will entail a return of +2%

Q7.

What strategy will maximize the guaranteed return to Shabnam?

QA
Boats and StreamsEasy
Passage / Data

Answer the next 2 questions based on the information given below.

Cities A and B are in different time zones. A is located 3000 km east of B. The table below describes the schedule of an airline operating non-stop flights between A and B. All the times indicated are local and on the same day.

Assume that planes cruise at the same speed in both directions. However, the effective speed is influenced by a steady wind blowing from east to west at 50 km per hour.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Q8.

What is the time difference between A and B?

QA
Boats and StreamsEasy
Passage / Data

Answer the next 2 questions based on the information given below.

Cities A and B are in different time zones. A is located 3000 km east of B. The table below describes the schedule of an airline operating non-stop flights between A and B. All the times indicated are local and on the same day.

Assume that planes cruise at the same speed in both directions. However, the effective speed is influenced by a steady wind blowing from east to west at 50 km per hour.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Q9.

What is the plane’s cruising speed in km per hour?

QA
Number TheoryEasy
Passage / Data

Answer the next 2 questions based on the information given below.

Cities A and B are in different time zones. A is located 3000 km east of B. The table below describes the schedule of an airline operating non-stop flights between A and B. All the times indicated are local and on the same day.

Assume that planes cruise at the same speed in both directions. However, the effective speed is influenced by a steady wind blowing from east to west at 50 km per hour.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Q10.

Consider all four digit numbers for which the first two digits are equal and the last two digits are also equal. How many such numbers are perfect squares?

QA
Permutation & CombinationEasy
Passage / Data

Answer the next 2 questions based on the information given below.

Cities A and B are in different time zones. A is located 3000 km east of B. The table below describes the schedule of an airline operating non-stop flights between A and B. All the times indicated are local and on the same day.

Assume that planes cruise at the same speed in both directions. However, the effective speed is influenced by a steady wind blowing from east to west at 50 km per hour.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Q11.

In a tournament, there are n teams T1 , T2 ....., Tn with n > 5. Each team consists of k players, k > 3. The following pairs of teams have one player in common:

T1 & T2 , T2 & T3 ,......,  Tn − 1 & Tn , and Tn & T1.

No other pair of teams has any player in common. How many players are participating in the tournament, considering all the n teams together?

QA
Graph & Maximum or Minimum value of Quadratic functionEasy
Passage / Data

Answer the next 2 questions based on the information given below.

Mr. David manufactures and sells a single product at a fixed price in a niche market. The selling price of each unit is Rs. 30. On the other hand, the cost, in rupees, of producing x units is 240 + bx + cx2, where b and c are some constants. Mr. David noticed that doubling the daily production from 20 to 40 units increases the daily production cost by 66.66%. However, an increase in daily production from 40 to 60 units results in an increase of only 50% in the daily production cost. Assume that demand is unlimited and that Mr. David can sell as much as he can produce. His objective is to maximize the profit.

Q12.

How many units should Mr. David produce daily?

QA
Graph & Maximum or Minimum value of Quadratic functionEasy
Passage / Data

Answer the next 2 questions based on the information given below.

Mr. David manufactures and sells a single product at a fixed price in a niche market. The selling price of each unit is Rs. 30. On the other hand, the cost, in rupees, of producing x units is 240 + bx + cx2, where b and c are some constants. Mr. David noticed that doubling the daily production from 20 to 40 units increases the daily production cost by 66.66%. However, an increase in daily production from 40 to 60 units results in an increase of only 50% in the daily production cost. Assume that demand is unlimited and that Mr. David can sell as much as he can produce. His objective is to maximize the profit.

Q13.

What is the maximum daily profit, in rupees, that Mr. David can realize from his business?

QA
Geometric ProgressionEasy
Passage / Data

Answer the next 2 questions based on the information given below.

Let a1 = p and b1 = q, where p and q are positive quantities.

Define:
an = pbn−1     bn = qbn−1,  for even n > 1 and 
an = pan − 1   bn = qan − 1,  for odd n > 1.

Q14.

Which of the following best describes an+bn for even n?

QA
Geometric ProgressionEasy
Passage / Data

Answer the next 2 questions based on the information given below.

Let a1 = p and b1 = q, where p and q are positive quantities.

Define:
an = pbn−1     bn = qbn−1,  for even n > 1 and 
an = pan − 1   bn = qan − 1,  for odd n > 1.

Q15.

If p = 1/3 and q = 2/3, then what is the smallest odd n such that an + bn < 0.01?

QA
Weighted AverageEasy
Passage / Data

Answer the next 2 questions based on the information given below.

Let a1 = p and b1 = q, where p and q are positive quantities.

Define:
an = pbn−1     bn = qbn−1,  for even n > 1 and 
an = pan − 1   bn = qan − 1,  for odd n > 1.

Q16.

Each question is followed by two statements A and B. Answer each question using the following instructions.
Mark (1) if the question can be answered by using statement A alone but not by using statement B alone.
Mark (2) if the question can be answered by using statement B alone but not by using statement A alone.
Mark (3) if the question can be answered by using both the statements together but not by using either of the statements alone.
Mark (4) if the question cannot be answered on the basis of the two statements.

The average weight of a class of 100 students is 45 kg. The class consists of two sections, I and II, each with 50 students. The average weight, WI, of Section I is smaller than the average weight, WII, of Section II. If the heaviest student, say Deepak, of Section II is moved to Section I, and the lightest student, say Poonam, of Section I is moved to Section II, then the average weights of the two sections are switched, i.e., the average weight of Section I becomes WII and that of Section II becomes WI. What is the weight of Poonam?

A. WII – WI = 1.0
B. Moving Deepak from Section II to I (without any move from I to II) makes the average weights of the two sections equal.

QA
Number TheoryEasy
Passage / Data

Answer the next 2 questions based on the information given below.

Let a1 = p and b1 = q, where p and q are positive quantities.

Define:
an = pbn−1     bn = qbn−1,  for even n > 1 and 
an = pan − 1   bn = qan − 1,  for odd n > 1.

Q17.

Each question is followed by two statements A and B. Answer each question using the following instructions.
Mark (1) if the question can be answered by using statement A alone but not by using statement B alone.
Mark (2) if the question can be answered by using statement B alone but not by using statement A alone.
Mark (3) if the question can be answered by using both the statements together but not by using either of the statements alone.
Mark (4) if the question cannot be answered on the basis of the two statements.

Consider integers x, y and z. What is the minimum possible value of x2 + y2 + z2 ?

A. x + y + z  = 89
B. Among x, y, z two are equal.

QA
Basics of QuadrilateralsEasy
Passage / Data

Answer the next 2 questions based on the information given below.

Let a1 = p and b1 = q, where p and q are positive quantities.

Define:
an = pbn−1     bn = qbn−1,  for even n > 1 and 
an = pan − 1   bn = qan − 1,  for odd n > 1.

Q18.

Each question is followed by two statements A and B. Answer each question using the following instructions.
Mark (1) if the question can be answered by using statement A alone but not by using statement B alone.
Mark (2) if the question can be answered by using statement B alone but not by using statement A alone.
Mark (3) if the question can be answered by using both the statements together but not by using either of the statements alone.
Mark (4) if the question cannot be answered on the basis of the two statements.

Rahim plans to draw a square JKLM with a point O on the side JK but is not successful. Why is Rahim unable to draw the square?

A. The length of OM is twice that of OL.
B. The length of OM is 4 cm.

QA
SphereEasy
Passage / Data

Answer the next 2 questions based on the information given below.

Let a1 = p and b1 = q, where p and q are positive quantities.

Define:
an = pbn−1     bn = qbn−1,  for even n > 1 and 
an = pan − 1   bn = qan − 1,  for odd n > 1.

Q19.

Each question is followed by two statements A and B. Answer each question using the following instructions.
Mark (1) if the question can be answered by using statement A alone but not by using statement B alone.
Mark (2) if the question can be answered by using statement B alone but not by using statement A alone.
Mark (3) if the question can be answered by using both the statements together but not by using either of the statements alone.
Mark (4) if the question cannot be answered on the basis of the two statements.

ABC Corporation is required to maintain at least 400 Kilolitres of water at all times in its factory, in order to meet safety and regulatory requirements. ABC is considering the suitability of a spherical tank with uniform wall thickness for the purpose. The outer diameter of the tank is 10 meters. Is the tank capacity adequate to meet ABC’s requirements?

A. The inner diameter of the tank is at least 8 meters.
B. The tank weighs 30,000 kg when empty, and is made of a material with density of 3 gm/cc.

QA
3 Variable EquationsEasy
Passage / Data

Answer the next 2 questions based on the information given below.

Let a1 = p and b1 = q, where p and q are positive quantities.

Define:
an = pbn−1     bn = qbn−1,  for even n > 1 and 
an = pan − 1   bn = qan − 1,  for odd n > 1.

Q20.

Suppose you have a currency, named Miso, in three denominations: 1 Miso, 10 Misos and 50 Misos. In how many ways can you pay a bill of 107 Misos?

QA
Number TheoryEasy
Passage / Data

Answer the next 2 questions based on the information given below.

Let a1 = p and b1 = q, where p and q are positive quantities.

Define:
an = pbn−1     bn = qbn−1,  for even n > 1 and 
an = pan − 1   bn = qan − 1,  for odd n > 1.

Q21.

How many pairs of positive integers m, n satisfy 1/m + 4/n = 1/12 where n is an odd integer less than 60?

QA
2 Variable EquationsEasy
Passage / Data

Answer the next 2 questions based on the information given below.

Let a1 = p and b1 = q, where p and q are positive quantities.

Define:
an = pbn−1     bn = qbn−1,  for even n > 1 and 
an = pan − 1   bn = qan − 1,  for odd n > 1.

Q22.

A confused bank teller transposed the rupees and paise when he cashed a cheque for Shailaja, giving her rupees instead of paise and paise instead of rupees. After buying a toffee for 50 paise, Shailaja noticed that she was left with exactly three times as much as the amount on the cheque. Which of the following is a valid statement about the cheque amount?

QA
Basics of AverageEasy
Passage / Data

Answer the next 2 questions based on the information given below.

Let a1 = p and b1 = q, where p and q are positive quantities.

Define:
an = pbn−1     bn = qbn−1,  for even n > 1 and 
an = pan − 1   bn = qan − 1,  for odd n > 1.

Q23.

Consider the set S = {2, 3, 4, ..., 2n + 1}, where n  is a positive integer larger than 2007. Define X as the average of the odd integers in S and Y as the average of the even integers in S. What is the value of X – Y?

QA
Change in AverageEasy
Passage / Data

Answer the next 2 questions based on the information given below.

Let a1 = p and b1 = q, where p and q are positive quantities.

Define:
an = pbn−1     bn = qbn−1,  for even n > 1 and 
an = pan − 1   bn = qan − 1,  for odd n > 1.

Q24.

Ten years ago, the ages of the members of a joint family of eight people added up to 231 years. Three years later, one member died at the age of 60 years and a child was born during the same year. After another three years, one more member died, again at 60, and a child was born during the same year. The current average age of this eight member joint family is nearest to:

QA
Basics (Functions)Easy
Passage / Data

Answer the next 2 questions based on the information given below.

Let a1 = p and b1 = q, where p and q are positive quantities.

Define:
an = pbn−1     bn = qbn−1,  for even n > 1 and 
an = pan − 1   bn = qan − 1,  for odd n > 1.

Q25.

A function f(x) satisfies f(1) = 3600, and f(1) + f(2) + ... + f(n) = n²f(n), for all positive integers n > 1. What is the value of f(9)?

QA
MiscellaneousEasy
Passage / Data

Answer the next 2 questions based on the information given below.

Let a1 = p and b1 = q, where p and q are positive quantities.

Define:
an = pbn−1     bn = qbn−1,  for even n > 1 and 
an = pan − 1   bn = qan − 1,  for odd n > 1.

Q26.

Each question is followed by two statements, I and II. Answer each question using the following instructions:

Mark (1) if the question can be answered by using statement I alone but not by using statement II alone.
Mark (2) if the question can be answered by using statement II alone but not by using statement I alone.
Mark (3) if the question can be answered by using either of the statements alone.
Mark (4) if the question can be answered by using both the statements together but not by either of the statements alone.
Mark (5) if the question cannot be answered by using any of the statements.

In a football match, at the half-time, Mahindra and Mahindra Club was trailing by three goals. Did it win the match?

I. In the second-half Mahindra and Mahindra Club scored four goals.
II. The opponent scored four goals in the match.

QA
Data SufficiencyEasy
Passage / Data

Answer the next 2 questions based on the information given below.

Let a1 = p and b1 = q, where p and q are positive quantities.

Define:
an = pbn−1     bn = qbn−1,  for even n > 1 and 
an = pan − 1   bn = qan − 1,  for odd n > 1.

Q27.

Each question is followed by two statements, I and II. Answer each question using the following instructions:

Mark (1) if the question can be answered by using statement I alone but not by using statement II alone.
Mark (2) if the question can be answered by using statement II alone but not by using statement I alone.
Mark (3) if the question can be answered by using either of the statements alone.
Mark (4) if the question can be answered by using both the statements together but not by either of the statements alone.
Mark (5) if the question cannot be answered by using any of the statements.

In a particular school, sixty students were athletes. Ten among them were also among the top academic performers. How many top academic performers were in the school?  

I. Sixty per cent of the top academic performers were not athletes.
II. All the top academic performers were not necessarily athletes.

QA
Data SufficiencyEasy
Passage / Data

Answer the next 2 questions based on the information given below.

Let a1 = p and b1 = q, where p and q are positive quantities.

Define:
an = pbn−1     bn = qbn−1,  for even n > 1 and 
an = pan − 1   bn = qan − 1,  for odd n > 1.

Q28.

Each question is followed by two statements, I and II. Answer each question using the following instructions:

Mark (1) if the question can be answered by using statement I alone but not by using statement II alone.
Mark (2) if the question can be answered by using statement II alone but not by using statement I alone.
Mark (3) if the question can be answered by using either of the statements alone.
Mark (4) if the question can be answered by using both the statements together but not by either of the statements alone.
Mark (5) if the question cannot be answered by using any of the statements.

Five students Atul, Bala, Chetan, Dev and Ernesto were the only ones who participated in a quiz contest. They were ranked based on their scores in the contest. Dev got a higher rank as compared to Ernesto, while Bala got a higher rank as compared to Chetan. Chetan’s rank was lower than the median. Who among the five got the highest rank?

I. Atul was the last rank holder.
II. Bala was not among the top two rank holders.

QA
PercentageEasy
Passage / Data

Answer the next 2 questions based on the information given below.

Let a1 = p and b1 = q, where p and q are positive quantities.

Define:
an = pbn−1     bn = qbn−1,  for even n > 1 and 
an = pan − 1   bn = qan − 1,  for odd n > 1.

Q29.

Each question is followed by two statements, I and II. Answer each question using the following instructions:

Mark (1) if the question can be answered by using statement I alone but not by using statement II alone.
Mark (2) if the question can be answered by using statement II alone but not by using statement I alone.
Mark (3) if the question can be answered by using either of the statements alone.
Mark (4) if the question can be answered by using both the statements together but not by either of the statements alone.
Mark (5) if the question cannot be answered by using any of the statements.

Thirty percent of the employees of a call centre are males. Ten per cent of the female employees have an engineering background. What is the percentage of male employees with engineering background?

I. Twenty five per cent of the employees have engineering background.
II. Number of male employees having an engineering background is 20% more than the number of female employees having an engineering background.