Ctanujit Classes Blog: www.ctanujit.

in

B.Math. (Hons.) Admission Test 2011 Solved Paper

1. The equation of the circle of smallest radius which passes

through the points (-1, 0) and (0, -1) is:
(a) x2 + y2 + 2xy = 0
(b) x2 + y2 + x + y = 0
(c) x2 + y2 – x – y = 0
(d) x2 + y2 + x + y + 1/4 = 0

Solution: (B)

Clearly the circle of option (b) passes through the given two points. No other
option satisfies this condition.

2. The function f(x) = x2e-|x| defined on entire real line is

(a) Not continuous at exactly one point
(b) Continuous everywhere but not differentiable at exactly
one point
(c) Differentiable everywhere
(d) Differentiable everywhere.

Solution: (C)

Now, f(x) = x2e-|x|

 
f(x) = x2e-x if x > 0
 
f(x) = x2ex if x < 0
 
f(x) = 0 if x = 0

Now, lim f(x) as x -> 0+

= lim x2e-x as x -> 0+
= 0 lim f(x) as x -> 0-
= lim x2ex as x -> 0-
=0

f(0) = 0
f(x) is continuous everywhere.

Mob: 8420253573 Mail: ctanujitclasses@gmail.com

Ctanujit Classes Blog: www.ctanujit.in

Now, lim [{f(x) – f(0)}/(x – 0)] as x -> 0+

= lim {(x2e-x – 0)/x} as x -> 0+
= lim (2xe-x – x2e-x)/1 as x -> 0+ (Applying L’Hospital rule)
=0
lim [{f(x) – f(0)}/(x – 0)] as x -> 0-
= lim {(x2e x – 0)/x} as x -> 0-
= lim (2xee + x2ex)/1 as x -> 0- (Applying L’Hospital rule)
=0
So, f(x) is differentiable everywhere.

3. Let c1 and c2 be positive real numbers. Consider the function

f(x) = c1x 0 ≤ x < 1/3
f(x) = c2(1 – x) 1/3 ≤ x ≤ 1
If f is continuous and ∫f(x)dx = 1 (integration running from 0 to 1),
the value of c2 is
(a) 2
(b) 1
(c) 3
(d) ½

Solution: (C)

Now, lim f(x) as x -> 1/3-

= lim(c1x) as x -> 1/3-
= c1/3
lim f(x) as x -> 1/3+
= lim{c2(1 – x)} as x -> 1/3+
= 2c2/3 And, f(1/3)
= 2c2/3
f is continuous.
 
c1/3 = 2c2/3
 
c1 = 2c2
Now, ∫f(x)dx = 1 (integration running from 0 to 1)

∫ f(x)dx (integration
 running from 0 to 1/3) + ∫ f(x)dx (integration running from

1/3 to 1) = 1.
∫
 c1xdx (integration 
running from 0 to 1/3 + ∫ c2(1 – x)dx (integration running
from 1/3 to 1) = 1

Mob: 8420253573 Mail: ctanujitclasses@gmail.com

Ctanujit Classes Blog: www.ctanujit.in

  c1x2/2 (0 to 1/3) – c2(1 – x)2/2 (1/3 to 1) = 1 

  c1/18 + 4c2/18 = 1 
  2c2/18 + 4c2/18 = 1 (Putting c1 = 2c2) 
 
6c2/18 = 1
 
c2 = 3

4. Mr. Gala purchased 10 plots of land in the year 2007, all plots
costing the same amount. He made a profit of 25 percent on each
of the 6 plots which he sold in 2008. He had a loss of 25 percent on
each of the remaining plots when he sold them in 2009. If he ended
with a total profit of Rs. 2 crores in this project, his total purchase
price was
(a) 8 crores
(b) 40 crores
(c) 10 crores
(d) 20 crores.

Solution: (B)
Let purchase price of each plot is x crores.

In 2008 he made profit = x(25/100)×6 = 3x/2

In 2009 he made loss = x(25/100)×4 = x

Net profit = 3x/2 – x = x/2

According to question, x/2 = 2 crores

  x = 4 crores. 
 
10x = 40 crores.

5. Let f(x) = xsin(1/x) for x > 0. Then

(a) f is unbounded
(b) f is bounded
(c) lim f(x) as x -> ∞ = 1
(d) lim f(x) as x -> ∞ = 0.

Solution: (C)

lim f(x) as x -> ∞

= lim {xsin(1/x)} as x -> ∞

Let, z = 1/x. As z -> 0 as x -> ∞

So, the limit is lim(sinz/z) as z -> 0 = 1.

Mob: 8420253573 Mail: ctanujitclasses@gmail.com

Ctanujit Classes Blog: www.ctanujit.in

6. Let
f(x) = x2sin(1/x), x ≠ 0
f(x) = 0, x = 0. Then
(a) f is continuous at x = 0.
(b) f is differentiable, and f’ is continuous.
(c) f is not differentiable at x = 0.
(d) f is differentiable at every x but f’ is discontinuous at x = 0.

Solution: (D)

Now, lim f(x) as x -> 0+ = lim x2sin(1/x) as x -> 0+

Let z = 1/x
z -> ∞ as x -> 0

The limit is, lim (sinz)/z2 as z -> ∞ = 0 (as -1 ≤ sinz ≤ 1)

Similarly, lim f(x) as x -> 0- = 0

f(x) is continuous everywhere.

Now, lim [{f(x) – f(0)}/(x – 0)] as x -> 0+

= lim {x2sin(1/x)}/x as x -> 0+
= xsin(1/x) as x -> 0+
=1

Similarly, lim [{f(x) – f(0)}/(x – 0)] as x -> 0- = 1

f(x) is differentiable everywhere.
Now, f’(x) = 2xsin(1/x) + x2cos(1/x)(-1/x2)
= 2xsin(1/x) – cos(1/x)
lim f’(x) as x -> 0 = lim {2xsin(1/x) – cos(1/x)} as x -> 0
= does not exist

7. Let P(x) = a0 + a1x + a2x2 + ... + anxn be a polynomial of degree

n with real coefficients ai. Suppose that there is a constant c > 0
and an integer k ≥ 0 such that |P(x)| < cxk for all x > 0. Then
(a) n must be equal to k
(b) The given information is not sufficient to say anything
about n
(c) n ≥ k
(d) n ≤ k.

Solution: (D)

Mob: 8420253573 Mail: ctanujitclasses@gmail.com

Ctanujit Classes Blog: www.ctanujit.in

Let, n = 1 and so, P(x) = a0 + a1x

Now, let k = 0

Then -C < a0 + a1x < C

  x < (C – a0)/a1 
 
This is not defined for all x > 0
 
k≥n

8. Let f be a strictly increasing function on R, that is f(x) < f(y)

whenever x < y. Then
(a) f is a continuous function
(b) f is a bounded function
(c) f is an unbounded function
(d) The given information is not sufficient to say anything
about continuity or boundedness of f.

Solution: (D)

9. The minimum value of x2 + y2 subject to x + y = 1 is

(a) 0
(b) ½
(c) ¼
(c) 1

Solution: (B)

Now, (x2 + y2)/2 ≥ {(x + y)/2}2

 x2 + y2 ≥ ½ 

10. The number 2532645918 is divisible by

(a) 3 but not 11
(b) 11 but not 3
(c) Both 3 and 11
(d) Neither 3 nor 11.

Solution: (C)

(8 + 9 + 4 + 2 + 5) – (1 + 5 + 6 + 3 + 2) = 28 – 17 = 11

So, divisible by 11.

Now, 28 + 17 = 45

Mob: 8420253573 Mail: ctanujitclasses@gmail.com

Ctanujit Classes Blog: www.ctanujit.in

So, divisible by 3 as well.

11. Let p > 3 be a prime number. Which of the following is always

false?
(a) p + 2 is a prime number.
(b) p + 4 is a prime number.
(c) Both p + 2 and p + 4 are prime numbers.
(d) Neither p + 2 nor p + 4 are prime numbers.

Solution: (C)

Now, p is a prime> 3.

p ≡ 1, -1 (mod 3)
At first, let p ≡ 1 (mod 3)


p + 2 ≡ 1 + 2 =3 ≡ 0 (mod 3)

Now, p ≡ -1 (mod 3)
 
p + 4 ≡ -1 + 1 = 0 (mod 3)

Either p + 2 or p +
4 i divisible by 3 and both together cannot be prime
when p is prime.

12. By a diagonal of a convex polygon, we mean a line segment

between any two non-consecutive vertices. The number of diagonals
of a convex polygon of 8 sides is:
(a) 15
(b) 20
(c) 28
(d) 35.

Solution: (A)

Mob: 8420253573 Mail: ctanujitclasses@gmail.com

Ctanujit Classes Blog: www.ctanujit.in

The diagonals are,

From 1, (1, 3); (1, 4); (1, 5); (1, 6); (1, 7) = 5

From 2, (2, 4); (2, 5); (2, 6); (2, 7); (2, 8) = 5

From 3, (3, 5); (3, 6); (3, 7); (3, 8) = 4 (3, 1 is already taken) From 4,

(4, 6); (4, 7); (4, 8) = 3 ((4, 1); (4, 2) are already taken) From 5, (5, 7);

(5, 8) = 2 ((5, 1); (5, 2); (5, 3) are already taken) From 6, (6, 8) = 1

((6, 1); (6, 2); (6, 3); (6, 4) are already taken) Therefore, total number

of diagonals = 5 + 5 + 4 + 3 + 2 + 1 = 20.

13. The coefficients of three consecutive terms in the expansion

of (1 + t)n are 120, 210, 252. Then, n must be
(a) 10
(b) 12
(c) 14
(d) 16

Solution: (A)

Let, nCr = 120, nCr+1 = 210 and nCr+2 = 252

 
n!/{(n – r)!×r!} = 120,

Mob: 8420253573 Mail: ctanujitclasses@gmail.com

Ctanujit Classes Blog: www.ctanujit.in

 
n!/{(n – r – 1)!×(r + 1)!} = 210 and
 
n!/{(n – r – 2)!×(r + 2)!} = 252

Now, [n!/{(n – r – 1)!×(r + 1)!}]/[ n!/{(n – r)!×r!}] = 210/120

  (n – r)/(r + 1) = 7/4 
  4n – 4r = 7r + 7 
 
4n – 11r = 7 ......(A)

Now, [n!/{(n – r – 2)!×(r + 2)!}]/[n!/{(n – r – 1)!×(r + 1)!}] = 252/210

  (n – r – 1)/(r + 2) = 126/105 
  105n – 105r – 105 = 126r + 252 
 
105n – 231r = 357 ....(B)

From (A), 84n – 231r = 147 (multiplying both sides by 11)

Now, subtracting from (B) we get,

105n – 84n = 357 – 147

  21n = 210 
 
n = 10

14. If 2sec(2α) = tan(β) + cot(β), then α + β can have the value

(a) π/2
(b) π/3
(c) π/4
(d) 0.

Solution: (C)

Now, 2sec(2α) = tan(β) + cot(β)

  2sec(2α) = sin(β)/cos(β) + cos(β)/sin(β) 
 
 2sec(2α) = {sin2(β) + cos2(β)}/sin(β)cos(β)
  
sec(2α) = 1/2sin(β)cos(β)
  
1/cos(2α) = 1/sin(2β)
  
cos(2α)= sin(2β)
  
2α = 2β = π/4
  (α + β) = π/4. 




Mob: 8420253573 Mail: ctanujitclasses@gmail.com

Ctanujit Classes Blog: www.ctanujit.in

15. Consider the unit circle x2 + y2 = 1. The locus of a point P such

that the tangents PA, PB at the points A, B respectively, of the
circle are so that angle AOB = 60°, where O is the origin, is
(a) A circle of radius 2/√3 with centre O.
(b) A circle of radius √3 with centre O.
(c) A circle of radius 2 with centre O.
(d) A pair of straight lines.

Solution: (A)

Angle AOB = 60°


Angle POB = 30°
Now, OB = 1 and OP = √(h2 + k2)
In triangle BOP, cos30° = OB/OP
  1/√(h2 + k2) = √3/2 
 h2 + k2 = 4/3 
 
 Locus of point P is, x2 + y2 = 4/3

Mob: 8420253573 Mail: ctanujitclasses@gmail.com

Ctanujit Classes Blog: www.ctanujit.in

16. Let, x, y be integers. Consider the two statements (I) 10x + y

is divisible by 7, and, (II) x + 5y is divisible by 7. Then
(a) (I) implies (II) but not conversely
(b) (II) implies (I) but not conversely
(c) The two statements are equivalent
(d) Neither statement implies the other.

Solution: (C)

Now, 10x + y ≡ 0 (mod 7)

  3x – 6y ≡ 0 (mod 7) 
  x – 2y ≡ 0 (mod 7) 
 
x + 5y ≡ 0 (mod 7)

Now, x + 5y ≡ 0 (mod 7)
  x – 2y ≡ 0 (mod 7) 
  3x – 6y ≡ 0 (mod 7) 
 
10x + y ≡ 0 (mod 7)


17. The number of solutions of the equation 6m + 15n = 8 in
integers m and n are
(a) Zero
(b) One
(c) More than one but finitely many
(d) Infinitely many.

Solution: (A)

The equation is, 6m + 15n = 8

Dividing the equation by 3 we get.

0 + 0 ≡ 2 (mod 3)
Which is impossible.

No solution.

Mob: 8420253573 Mail: ctanujitclasses@gmail.com

Ctanujit Classes Blog: www.ctanujit.in

18. Let A, B be real numbers both greater than 0. The graph of the
function f(x) = Bx5 + 2Ax + Asin(2x) passes through the two
points P = (-1, 2) and Q = (0, 1) for
(a) Finitely many values of A and infinitely many values of B
(b) Infinitely many values of A and infinitely many values of B
(c) No values of A and B
(d) None of the above.

Solution: (C)

The graph of the function passes through Q = (0, 1)

  f(0) = 1 
  B×05 + 2A×0 + Asin(2×0) = 1 
 
0=1

Which is impossible.

19. A triangle in the plane has area 1. Then its perimeter ( = sum
of the lengths of its three sides) p must satisfy
(a) p < 1
(b) p < 2
(c) p > 2
(d) p = 2.

Solution: (C)

Now, √{s(s – a)(s – b)(s – c) = 1

Now, {s + (s – a) + (s – b) + (s – c)}/4 > {s(s – a)(s – b)(s – c)}1/4
(AM > GM)
  {4s – (a + b + c)}/4 > 1 
  (4s – 2s)/4 > 1 
  s>2
  p/2 > 2 
 
p>4

None of the option matches.

We take option (c) as it is closest.

Mob: 8420253573 Mail: ctanujitclasses@gmail.com

Ctanujit Classes Blog: www.ctanujit.in

20. A sequence is defined by a1 = 1 and the inductive formula

an+1 = √(1 + anu) where u is a real number greater than 0. If
this sequence converges to a finite limit then u must be
(a) > 0
(b) > 2
(c) < 2
(d) = 2.

Solution: (C)

Let u = 2.

Now, a2 = √2, a3 = √3, a4 = √4,... i.e., in general an = √n and it is not a

converging sequence.

Now, u > 2, let u = 4

Now, a2 = √2, a3 = √5, a4 = √26,.... which is not a converging sequence.

Options (b) and (d) cannot be true.

21. Let a, b, c be three nonzero real numbers. If f(x) = ax2 + bx + c

has equal roots, then a, b, c are in
(a) Arithmetic progression
(b) Geometric progression
(c) Harmonic progression
(d) None of the above.

Solution: (D)

Roots are equal.

 
b2 = 4ac
22. Let a, b, c be real numbers such that 3b > a2. Then the function g :
R -> R given by g(x) = x3 + ax2 + bx + c is
(a) One-one an onto
(b) Onto but not one-one
(c) One-one but not onto
(d) Neither one-one nor onto.

Solution: (A)

Let us take any two points x1 and x2

Let us see if g(x1) = g(x2) or not.

Mob: 8420253573 Mail: ctanujitclasses@gmail.com

Ctanujit Classes Blog: www.ctanujit.in

So we have, x13 + ax12 + bx1 + c = x23 + ax22 + bx1 + c

 
(x13 – x23) a(x12 – x22) + b(x1 – x2) = 0

 2 2 
(x1 – x2)(x1 + x1x2 + x2 ) + a(x1 + x2)(x1 – x2) + b(x1 – x2) = 0
 
(x1 – x2)(x12 + x1x2 + x22 + ax1 + ax2 + b) = 0
Now, we assume, x12 + x1x2 + x22 + ax1 + ax2 + b = 0

x12 + x1(x2 + a) + (x22 + ax2 + b) = 0
Now, this is a quadratic on x12.
Now, the discriminant of the equation is, (x2 + a)2 – 4(x22 + ax2 + b) ≥ 0
(for real solution of x1)
  x22 + 2ax2 + a2 – 4x22 – 4ax2 – 4b ≥ 0 
  0 ≤ a2 – 2ax2 – 3x22 – 4b < a2 – 2ax2 – 3x22 – 4a2/3 (As 3b > a2) 
  -a2/3 – 2ax2 – 3x22 > 0 
  a2 + 6ax2 + 9x22 < 0 
  (a + 3x2)2 < 0 
  Our assumption was wrong. 
  If g(x1) = g(x2) then x1 = x2. 
 
g(x) is one-one.

Now, g(x) = x3 + ax2 + bx + c


g’(x) = 3x2 + 2ax + b
Now, the discriminant of the equation is, 4a2 – 12b = 4(a2 – 3b) < 0
(As 3b > a2)
  g’(x) = 0 has no solution. 
  g(x) doesn’t have any extreme point. 
  g(x) is stretching towards -∞ to ∞. 
 
g(x) is onto.

23. Express the polynomial f(x) = (2 + x)n as f(x) = c0 + c1x + c2x2 +

....+ cnxn, where n is a positive integer. If ∑cj (summation running
from j = 0 to j = n) = 81, then the largest coefficient cj of f is
(a) 64
(b) 16
(c) 24
(d) 32.

Solution: (D)

Mob: 8420253573 Mail: ctanujitclasses@gmail.com

Ctanujit Classes Blog: www.ctanujit.in

Let n = 6, then the middle term = 23×6C3 = 8×6×5×4/3×2 = 160 > 81

Let n = 5, then middle term = 22×5C2 = 4×10 = 40

There is another middle term and = 40.
First term i.e. c0 = 32

The sum > 81.

Let n = 4,

Then c0 = 16, c1 = 8×4C1 = 32, c2 = 4×4C2 = 24, c3 = 2×4C1 = 8, c4 = 1

Now, c0 + c1 + c2 + c3 + c4 = 16 + 32 + 24 + 8 + 1 = 81
 
n = 4 and largest cj = c1 = 32

24. Let l, m, n be any three positive such that l2 + m2 = n2. Then,

(a) 3 always divides mn
(b) 3 always divides lm
(c) 3 always divides ln
(d) 3 does not divide lmn.

Solution: (B)

Now, l2 + m2 = n2
Let 3 does not divide any of l, m and n
  l ≡ ±1 (mod 3) 
 2 2 
l ≡ (±1) = 1 (mod 3)
Similarly, m2, n2 ≡ 1 (mod 3)
Now, dividing the equation by 3 we get,

1 + 1 ≡ 1 (mod 3)

2 ≡ 1 (mod 3)
Which is impossible.

Let 3 divides n.

Now, dividing the equation by 3 we get,

1 + 1 ≡ 0 (mod 3)

Mob: 8420253573 Mail: ctanujitclasses@gmail.com

Ctanujit Classes Blog: www.ctanujit.in

Which is impossible.

Let 3 divides any one of m or l

Let 3 divides m.

Now, dividing the equation by 3 we get,

1 + 0 ≡ 1 (mod 3)

Which is consistent equation.

  3 divides any one of l or m. 

25. Let a1 = 10, a2 = 20 and define an+1 = an-1 – 4/an for n > 1.
The smallest k for which ak = 0

(a) Does not exist.

(b) Is 200
(c) Is 50
(d) Is 52.

Solution: (D)

Mob: 8420253573 Mail: ctanujitclasses@gmail.com