Shortcuts in Reasoning Disha Publication

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Index
VERBAL REASONING
1. Analogy & Classification 1-7
2. Series 8-12
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3. Alphabet & Number Test
4. Coding-Decoding
13-19
20-23
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5. Blood Relations 24-28
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6. Direction and Distance 29-32
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7. Time Sequence, Number & Ranking Test 33-34
8. Logical Sequence of Words

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9. Number Puzzles
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10. Venn Diagram

g.n 37-39
12. Coded Inequalities

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11. Mathematical Operation Arithmetical Reasoning 40-41
42-47
13. Problem Solving 48-57
14. Input and Output 58-68
15. Syllogism 69-78
16. Cube & Dice 79-84
17. Analytical Decision Making 85-90

NON-VERBAL REASONING
18. Series 91-95
19. Mirror & Water Images 96-99
20. Paper Cutting and Folding 100-101
21. Completion of Figure 102
22. Hidden / Embedded Figures 103

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23. Figure Formation and Analysis 104-105
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24. Visual Reasoning 106-110
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ANALYTICAL REASONING
25. Evaluating Inferences 111-114

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26. Statement & Arguments
27. Statement & Assumptions

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127-131
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28. Statement & Conclusions
g.n 132-133
29. Courses of Action
30. Critical Reasoning`

et 134-140
141-152

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VERBAL REASONING
Chapter
Analogy &
1 Classification
ANALOGY EXAMPLE
The meaning of analogy is ‘similar Scissors : Cloth
properties’ or similarity. If an object or 2. Synonym Based Analogy
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word or digit or activity shows any
similarity with another object or word or
In such type of analogy two words
have similar meaning.
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digit or activity in terms of properties,
type, shape, size, trait etc., then the
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particular similarity will be called analogy.
EXAMPLE
Huge : Gigantic
The relationship of analogy can be 3. Worker & Tool Based
established in two ways :
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This establishes a relationship
(i) A : B :: C : D
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person of that particular profession
(ii) A : B : : C : D nee who uses that tool.
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Writer : Pen
Word Analogy 4.
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Worker & Product Based
Analogy
Types of
Analogy
Letter Analogy
Number Analogy
Mixed Analogy
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This type of analogy gives a
relationship between a person of
particular profession and his/her
creations.
WORD ANALOGY EXAMPLE
In word analogy, candidates have to find Writer : Book
the relationship between given words in 5. Causes & Effect Based
a pair. Analogy
Remember In such type of analogy 1st word
acts and the 2nd word is the effect
1. Tool & Object Based Analogy of that action.
This establishes a relationship
EXAMPLE
between a tool and the object in
which it works. Work : Tiredness

2 Analogy & Classification

6. Opposite Relationship 11. Finished Product & Raw
(Antonym) Based Analogy Material Based Analogy
In such type of analogy the two In such type of analogy the 1st word
words of the question pair are is the raw material and 2nd word is
opposite in meaning. the end product of that raw material
EXAMPLE and vice-versa.
Poor : Rich EXAMPLE
Yarn : Fabric
7. Gender Based Analogy
In such type of analogy, one word 12. Utility Based Analogy
is masculine and another word is In such type of analogy the 2nd
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female’ or ‘sex’ relationship.
word shows the purpose of the 1st
word or vice-versa.
8.
w EXAMPLE
Man
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: Woman
Classification Based Analogy
EXAMPLE
Pen : Writing
13. Symbolic Relationship
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This type of analogy is based on
biological, physical, chemical or any
Based Analogy
In such type of analogy, the 1st word
other classification. In such
problems the 1 st word may be ngi is the symbol of the 2nd word and
vice-versa.
classified by the 2nd word and vice-
versa. nee EXAMPLE
EXAMPLE
rinWhite : Peace
14. Adult & Young One Based
9.
Oxygen : Gas
Function Based Analogy g.n
Analogy
In such type of analogy, 2nd word

describes the function of the 1st
word.
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In such type of analogy, the 1st word
is the adult one and 2nd word is the
young one of the 1st word or vice-
versa.
EXAMPLE EXAMPLE
Singer : Sings
Cow : Calf
10. Quantity and Unit Based
15. Subject & Specialist Based
Analogy
Analogy
In such type of analogy 2nd word is
In such type of analogy the 2nd
the unit of the first word and vice-
word is the specialist of 1st word
versa.
(subject) or vice-versa.
EXAMPLE
EXAMPLE
Distance : Mile
Heart : Cardiologist

Analogy & Classification 3

16. Habit Based Analogy 21. Analogy Based on Worker
In this type of analogy 2nd word is and Working Place
the habit of 1st and vice-versa. In this type of analogy the 1st word
represents a person of particular
EXAMPLE profession and 2nd word represents
Cat : Omnivorous the working place of that person (1st
17. Instrument and word) and vice-versa.
Measurement Based EXAMPLE
Analogy Doctor : Hospital
We see in this type of analogy, the 22. Analogy Based on Topic
1st word is the instrument to measure Study
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EXAMPLE
1st word is the study of the 2nd word
(or vice-versa) in the analogy like
w Hygrometer:
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18. Individual & Group Based
this.
EXAMPLE
Analogy
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Second word is the group of 1st
Birds
LETTER ANALOGY
: Ornithology
word (or vice-versa) in such type

of analogy. ngi In this, candidate has to find out the
Cow
EXAMPLE
: Herd
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relationship between given letters or
group of letters.
19. State & Capital Based rin

Analogy Based on Letters (or
Meaningless Words)
Analogy
1st word is the state and 2nd word is g.n
Case I : Forward alphabetical sequence
the capital of that state (1st word)

(or vice-versa) in the analogy like
this.
EXAMPLE
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CD : FG : : PQ : UV
Here, CD and FG are in the natural
alphabetical sequence. Similarly, PQ &
EXAMPLE UV are in the natural alphabetical
Bihar : Patna sequence.
Case II: Backward or Opposite
20. Analogy Based on Individual alphabetical sequence
& Dwelling Place
EXAMPLE
In such type of analogy 1st word is
the individual & 2nd word is the DC : GF : : QP : VU
dwelling place of that individual (1st In fact this case is opposite of case I
Case III: Vowel – Consonant relation
word) and vice-versa.
EXAMPLE EXAMPLE
Horse : Stable ATL : EVX : : IPR : ORS


Here, the 1st two words start with the 1st between IJK & NOP two letters skip and
two vowels A & E and the next two words they are L & M.
start with the next two vowels I & O. Case V: Jumbled letters relation
Last two letter of every word are EXAMPLE
consonants. (i) LAIN : NAIL : : EVOL : LOVE
Case IV: Skip letter relation Here, the 1st term gets reveresed to
EXAMPLE produce the 2nd term and similar
ABC : FGH : : IJK : NOP relation is shown in between 3rd and
Here, between ABC & FGH two letters 4th term.
skip and they are D & E. Similarly,
q Shortcut Approach
ww I: While solving the problems based on alphabet, you must have in your mind
w the exact positions of every letters of alphabet in forward order as well as in
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backward or reverse order as given below:
Letters positions in forward alphabetical order:
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A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26
M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 ngi
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Letters positions in backward or reverse alphabetical order:
Z Y X W V U T S R Q P O N M L K J I
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 rin
K J I H G F E D C B A
5 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26
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II: Just keep in mind, the following positions of the letters in the English alphabet
(forward order).
(i) E J O T Y
5 10 15 20 25
EJOTY Remember this word

(ii) C F I L O R U X
3 6 9 12 15 18 21 24
CFILORUX Remember
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w (iii) D
4
H
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8
L
12
P
16
T
20
X
24
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Remember
NUMBER ANALOGY
g.n EXAMPLE 3 : 21 : : 5 : 35
(Here, 3 × 7 = 21 and 5 × 7 = 35)
In this, candidate has to find out the
relationship the number or group of
numbers.
•
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Squares & Cubes of numbers
EXAMPLE 4 : 16 : : 8 : 64
(here, 42 = 16 and 82 = 64)
Remember
• Even and Odd numbers MIXED ANALOGY
EXAMPLE 84 : 51 : : 72 : 37
In this, candidate has to find out the
(Here, 84 & 72 are even and 51 & 37 relationship between the given group of
are odd numbers respectively) letters and a number on one side.
• Addition and subtraction of
EXAMPLE AB : 12 : : CD : : 34
numbers.
(Here, A B C D
EXAMPLE 234 : 9 : : 136 : 10
¯ ¯ and ¯ ¯
(Here, 2 + 3 + 4 = 9 and 1 + 3 + 6 = 10) 1 2 3 4
• Multiplication and Division of (positional (positional
numbers value) vlaue)


CLASSIFICATION (b) U V W X Y
In classification we take out an element
out of some given elements and the 2 letter gap
element to be taken out is different from (c) D E F G H
the rest of the elements in terms of
common properties, shapes, sizes, types, 2 letter gap
nature, colours, traits etc. In this way,
the rest of the elements form a group and (d) I J K L M N
the element that has been taken out is
not the member of that group as this 3 letter gap
single element does not possesses the
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common quality to be possessed by rest
of the elements.
(e) F G H I
2 letter gap
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Types of Classification
(1) Letter/meaningless word based
2. Meaningful Words Based
Classification
classification
(2) Mean ingful word based syE In such type of classification we
have to take odd word out of the
given group of meaningful words.
classification
(3) Digit based classification ngi EXAMPLE
(4) General knowledge based

classification
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(c) Greets
(b) Trims
(d) Grid
rin(e) Fight
Sl i m Tr i ms
1. Letter/Meaningless Word
Based Classification g.n
Sol. (a) Here,
1 vowel
(b)
1 vowel
Such classifications are based on
letters of English alphabet. So many
groups of letters are given in the
(c) etGr ee ts
2 vowels
(d)
Gr i d
1 vowel
question in which one group is F i ght
different from remaining groups and (e)
hence the different group will be our 1 vowel
answer. 3. Digit Based Classification
EXAMPLE In such type of classifications digits
(a) PQT (b) UVY or numbers are given to find out one
(c) DEH (d) IJN number that is not a part of the
(e) FGJ group of remaining numbers.
EXAMPLE
Sol. (a) Here, P Q R S T
(a) 122 (b) 128
2 letter gap (c) 199 (d) 200
(e) 388


Sol. 199 is an odd number while all the Sol. Octopus is the only animal out of
other options are even numbers. given options which is a water
animal. Rest of the options are land
4. General Knowledge Based
animals.
Classification
Such classification is done on the q Shortcut Approach
basis of our general knowledge. No Step I : See all the given options with a
doubts that this is a word based serious eye.
classification but without having
Step II : Try to make relation of similarity
general knowledge this type of among the given options.
questions can not be solved.
Step III :Find out the one word not
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(a) Cat
(c) Tiger
(b) Dog
(d) Octopus
having the common similarity like other
four options and that one word will be
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your answer.
ebooks Reference
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Practice Exercises with Hints & Solutions –
Page No.
P-1-7
Chapter Test ngi – C-1- 2

Past Solved Papers
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8 Series
Chapter
2 Series
INT RODUCTION
A series is a sequence of numbers/alphabetical letters or both which follow a
particular rule. Each element of series is called ‘term’. We have to analyse the
pattern and find the missing term or next term to continue the pattern.
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Types of series are explained in the following chart:
wNumber .EaAlphabet Alpha-numeric

SERIES
Mixed Continuous Pattern Correspondence

series
A series that is
series
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A series that is
series
A series in
series
A series which
is created by
series
A series of letters,
which follow a
series
A series consists of
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made by only made by only which both three sequence with
alphabets and the combination certain pattern, is three different
number or digit alphabetic letters of two or more
numbers are given with four / elements (for ex.
than two series five times blank capital letters,
used
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1. Ascending series spaces in between. numbers and small
2. Descending series The order of letters). An element
missing letters of each sequence is
3. Oscillating series correspond to the
is correct answer.
element of other
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basis of the similarity
in position.
NUMBER SERIES · g.n

Cube and cube roots of a numbers.
Number series is a form of numbers in
a certain sequence, where some
·
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Arithmetic
Addition
Subtraction
numbers are mistakenly put into the Operations Division
series of numbers and some number is Multiplication
missing in that series, we need to
observe first and then find the accurate Types of Number Series
number to that series of numbers.
1. Perfect Square Series
Remember This type of serics are based on
square of a number which is in
· Even and odd numbers.
same order and one square number
· Prime and composite numbers. is missing in that given series.
· Square and square roots of a
EXAMPLE 841, ?, 2401, 3481, 4761
numbers.
Sol. 292, 392, 452, 592, 692

Series 9
2. Perfect Cube series
EXAMPLE 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, __ , 19
Perfect Cube series is a
arrangement of numbers is a Sol. Here, the terms of the series are the
certain order, where some number prime numbers in order. The prime
which is in same order and one number, after 13 is 17. So, the
cube is missing in that given answer to this question is 17.
series.
6. Alternate Primes
EXAMPLE 4096, 4913, 5832, ?, 8000
It can be explained by below
Sol. 16 , 17 , 183, 193, 203
3 3
example.
3. Mixed number series
Mixed number series is a EXAMPLE 2, 11, 17, 13, __, 41
ww arrangement of numbers in a
certain order. This type of series
Sol. Here, the series is framed by taking
the alternative prime numbers.
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which arranged in alternatively in
single series or created according
After 23, the prime numbers are 29
and 31. So, the answer is 31.
to any non conventional rule.
EXAMPLE syE
6, ?, 33, 69, 141, 285
7. The difference of any term
from its succeding term is
Sol. × 2 + 3, × 2 + 3, × 2 + 3, × 2 + 3,
× 2 + 3, × 2 + 3 ngi constant (either increasing
series or decreasing series):
4. Geometric Series
Geometric Number series is a nee EXAMPLE 4, 7, 10, 13, 16, 19, __, 25
arrangement of numbers in a
certain order, where some numbers rin
Sol. Here, the differnce of any term
from its succeding term is 3.
are this type of series are based on
ascending or descending order of g.n
7–4=3
numbers and each continues
number is obtain by multiplication
or division of the previous number
8.
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10 – 7 = 3
So, the answer is 19 + 3 = 22
The difference between two
with a static number.
consecutive terms will be
In geometric series number is a
combination of number arranged. either increasing or decreasing
by a constant number:
EXAMPLE 21, 84, 336, ?, 5376
Sol. 21 × 4 = 84
EXAMPLE 2, 10, 26, 50, 82, __
84 × 4 = 336 Sol. Here, the difference between two
336 × 4 = 1344 consecutive terms are
1344 × 4 = 5376 10 – 2 = 8
26 – 10 = 16
5. Prime series
50 – 26 = 24
When numbers are a series of
prime numbers. 82 – 50 = 32

10 Series
Here, the difference is increased 12. Every third number can be the
by 8 (or you can say the multiples product of the preceeding two
of 8). So the next difference will be numbers :
40 (32 + 8). So, the answer is 82 +
40 = 122 EXAMPLE 1, 2, 2, 4, 8, 32. __
9. The difference between two Sol. Here, starting from the third number
numbers can be multiplied by 1×2=2
a constant number: 2×2=4
EXAMPLE 15, 16, 19, 28, 55, __ 2×4=8
Sol. Here, the differences between two 4 × 8 = 32
ww numbers are
16 – 15 = 1
So, the answer is 8 × 32 = 256
13. Every succeeding term is got by
w 19 – 16 = 3
28 – 19 = 9
55 – 28 = 27
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multiplying the previous term
by a constant number or
numbers which follow a
Here, the difference is multiplied
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by 3. So, the next difference will be
81. So, the answer is 55 + 81 = 136
special pattern.
EXAMPLE 5, 15, 45, 135, __
10. The difference can be
multiples by number which ngi Sol. Here,
will be increasing by a constant
number:
nee 5 × 3 = 15
15 × 3 = 45
EXAMPLE 2, 3, 5, 11, 35, __ rin45 × 3 = 135
Sol. The difference between two g.n

So, the answer is 135 × 3 = 405
14. In certain series the terms are
number are
3–2=1
5–3=2
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formed by various rule
(miscellaneous rules). By keen
11 – 5 = 6 observation you have to find
35 – 11 = 24 out the rule and the
11. Every third number can be the appropriate answer.
sum of the preceding two
numbers : EXAMPLE 4, 11, 31, 90, __
Sol. Terms are,
EXAMPLE 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, __
4 × 3 – 1 = 11
Sol. Here, starting from third number
3+5=8 11 × 3 – 2 = 31
5 + 8 = 13 31 × 3 – 3 = 90
8 + 13 = 21 So, the answer will be 90 × 3 – 4
So, the answer is 13 + 21 = 34 = 266

Series 11
q Shortcut Approach ×4 ×3 ×4 ×3 ×4
· First check the direct formulas.
(B) 1 3 12 60 ?
· If all the numbers are even, odd or 1 3 12 60 360
prime.
×3 ×4 ×5 ×6
· If all the number are perfect squares
(ii) If numbers are in descending
or cubes.
order in the number series,
· If all the numbers have a particular · Numbers may be subtracted or
divisibility. divided by certain numbers from
· If all the numbers are succeeding the first number.
ww by some additions or subtraction

or multiplications or divisions by a
(A) 34
34
18
18
10
10
6
6
4
4
?
3
wparticular number or addition of

their cubes and squares.
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720
–16 –8
120
120
–4
24
24
–2
6
6
–1
2 1 ?
2 1 1
Remember
· syE
When the difference between the
/6 /5 /4
(iii) If numbers are in mixing order
/3 /2
consecutive numbers is same/

constant or the number series is in
arithmetic progression.
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the number series.
a, a + d, a + 2d, ..., a + ( n – 1) d. nee

· Numbers may be in addition,
subtraction, multiplication and
Where 'a' is first term, d is the
common difference. rin division in the alternate numbers.
200 165 148 117 104 ?
· When any number series is in the g.n

200 165 148 117 104 77
et
(14) 2+4 (13) 2–4 (12) 2+4 (11) 2–4 (10) 2+4 (9) 2–4
form a, a + (a + 1), a + (a + 1) + (a + 2),
... , n th term of the series be Step 1: Check whether it is ascending,
é n(n + 1) ù descending or mixed order.
ê 2 ú Step 2: It is in mixing order. So it may
ë û be in addition, subtraction, division
and multiplication, squares and cubes.
q Shortcut Approach Step 3: In above series it is mixing of
square, addition and subtraction.
(i) If numbers are in ascending order
(14)2 = 196 + 4 = 200
in the number series.
(13)2 = 169. By adding 4 it gives 173.
· Numbers may be added or Try subtraction.
multiplied by certain numbers 169 – 4 = 165
from the first number.
Here we found it is in order of squaring
(A) 19 23 26 30 33 ? a number, adding by 4 and subtracting
19 23 26 30 33 37 by 4.
Hence, the answer for above series is 77.

12 Series
200 165 148 117 104 ? EXAMPLE K 1, M 3, P 5, T 7, ?

Sol. Alphabets follow the sequence
–35 –17 –31 –13
K M P T Y
+18 –14 –18 –14
\ = – 13 – 14 = – 27 +2 +3 +4 +5
? = 104 – 27 = 77 And numbers are increasing by 2.
(B)
14 17 31 48 ? 127 MIXED SERIES
14 17 31 48 79 127
EXAMPLE Z, L, X, J, V, H, T, F, __, __
14+17=31 17+31=48 31+48=79
Sol. The given sequence consists of
ww
ALPHABET SERIES
two series
(i) Z, X, V, T, __
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A series that is made by only alphabetic
letters.
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(ii) L, J, H, F, __. Both consisting
of alternate letters in the reverse
order.
Sol.
EXAMPLE
G H
G, H, J, M, ?
J M
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Q
\ Next term of (i) series = R, and
Next term of (ii) series = D
+1 +2 +3 +4 ngiCONTINUOUS PATTERN
SERIES
q Shortcut Approach
· Remember all the alphabets and
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It is a series of small/capital letters that
follow a certain pattern like repetition of
their place number. rin
letters.
· Intervals like :
E J O T Y , C F I L O R U X g.n
EXAMPLE baab–aba–bba––
Sol. b a a b b a / b a a b b a / b a
5 10 15 20 25 3 6 9 12 15 18 21 24 et
q Shortcut Approach
· Firstly, count the number of blanks
ALPHA NUMERIC SERIES
and given letters.
These kind of problems used both
mathematical operation and position of · Divide the whole sum of blanks and
letters in the alphabet in forward, letters by a multiple.
backward order. · Note down the pattern common to
all groups separately.
ebooks Reference Page No.

Practice Exercise with Hints & Solutions – P-8-14
Chapter Test – C-3-4

Solved Papers

Chapter
Alphabet &
3 Number Test
INTRODUCTION Here, we have solved this problem
with a general method. But this type
As we know that English alphabet is a
group of English letters, hence the of problem can also be approached
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problems based on alphabet are the
problems based on English letters.
through quicker method that will
help you save some extra consumed
(1)
w
Types of Problems
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General series of alphabet
time.
q Shortcut Approach
(2) Random series of alphabet
(3) Problems of word formation syE (a) If both the directions are same then
subtraction of numbers takes
(4)
(5)
Problems of letter gap
Finding Digits after rearrangement. ngi place.
(b) If the directions are opposite then
1. GENERAL SERIES OF nee addition of numbers takes place.

SHORTCUT METHOD FOR ABOVE
ALPHABET
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EXAMPLE :
EXAMPLE 1. Which of the following
options is seventh to the right of the 13th g.n
Now, for solving the example we apply
this rule. As we want to find out the 7th
letter from the left in a forward Alphabet
series?
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letter to the right of the 13th letter from
the left, the directions are opposite and
thus shortcut (b) will be applied here.
Sol. 1st of all we will write the forward
alphabet series as given below: Hence, we add 7 + 13 = 20. Therefore, the
answer will be 20th from left. Also, 20th
A B C D E F G H I J K L M
from left less mean 26 – 20 + 1 = 7th from
13th letter from left right. We can easily see,
\ 20th letter from left = T
N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Also 7th letter from right = T
7th letter After solving the example, you must
From the above series it is clear that have noticed that the above mentioned
M is the 13th letter from left and to trick is to calculate the actual position
the right of M (13th letter from left), of the required letter before going to
T is the 7th letter. search for it.

14 Alphabet & Number Test

Remember
mth element to be counted from left to right of a series of x characters is equal to
(x + 1 – m)th element to be counted from right to left of that series. This rule can be
better illustrated by an example which is given below:
Let us take the forward order alphabet series,
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26
As we know that English alphabet has 26 characters, hence, we have x = 26.
Now suppose, we have to find out the position of K in the above given series
counting from right to left.
Position of ‘K’ in the English alphabet from left to right is 11. Thus m = 11
ww
\ Position of K in the above given series from right to left would be (26 + 1 – 11) = 16
How to solve problems when letters are dropped or deleted at regular
w
intervals?
EXAMPLE
.Ea
2. If every 3rd letter from left to right of English alphabet is deleted,
then what would be the 6th letter from left in the new series obtained?
Sol. General method: syE
AB C DEF G H I J K L M N O
P Q RS T U V W X Y Z
ngi
nee
Here, deleted letters have been encircled and we find the new series as given
below:
A B D D E EG GH H J J KK M
1 21 32 34 45 5 6 6 7 7 88 9 10
rin
M NN PP Q Q S ST TV V
10 1111 121213 1314 14
W W
15 15
Y ZY Z
16 17
16 1817 18
g.n
It is clear, that 6th letter from left in the new series is H.
q Shortcut Approach
et
No doubt, above general method gives the correct answer. But we need to save
extra consumed time and this is the reason we go for a quicker approach.
As per the example, every third letter is deleted in the original series. It does
mean that we are left of two letters after every deletion. Here, ‘2’ is the key digit for
us and we have to find out 6th letter from the left in the new obtained series.
Therefore, we have to find a digit which is just less than 6 but divisible by 2. For
this question the digit just less than 6 and divisible by 2 is 4. Now, we follow the
operation given below:
4
6th letter from the left in the new series = 6 +
2
= 8th letter from the left in the original series, which is it.
In the same manners, we can find out any letter at a particular position in the
new obtained series.
14
\ 16th letter from the left in the new obtained series = 16 +
2

Alphabet & Number Test 15

= 23rd letter from the left in the original series which is W.
18th letter from the left in the new obtained series
16
= 18 +
2
= 26th letter from the left in the original series which is Z.
The sample example can be asked in following way also.
“If every third letter from left to right in English alphabet is dropped (or deleted),
then find out the 13th letter from right in the new obtained series”.
To solve this, we find first of all the number of letters in the new obtained series.
As every third letter is dropped, hence we have
ww æ 26 ö
çè 26 – ÷ø = 26 – 8 = 18 letters in the new series.
3
w Point to be noted here that we divide 26 by 2 as every 3rd letter is dropped and
.Ea
after division we take approximate value of
26
in round figure (approximate value
of
26
will be 8). syE 3
3
ngi
As per the example we have to find out 13th letter from right in the newly
obtained series. This loss mean (18 + 1 – 13) = 6th letter from left which is H.
nee
Note that : This shortcut approach can also be applied to the dropping of every 4th,
rin
5th, 6th, 7th..... and so on letters from left to right at regular intervals.
g.n
How to solve problems based on the backward (reversed) alphabet
series?
et
While solving problems based on general series of alphabet, we come across
the various cases. In some cases we see that whole alphabet series is reversed but
in some other cases 1st half of the series is reversed, or second half of the series is
reversed or many segments of the alphabet series are reversed.
Let us take a case when a forward order alphabet series get reversed in three
segments. In 1st segment 8 letters get reversed; in 2nd segment the next 8 letters get
reversed and in the 3rd segment the remaining 10 letters get reversed. Just see the
presentation given below:
Get reversed Get reversed Get reversed
H G F E D C B A P O N M L K J I Z Y X W V U T S R Q
(8 letters) (8 letters) (10 letters)


Now if you are asked to find out the 4th
letter from left in the new obtained
series, then through general method, we simply do counting from left in the new
series and find out our required answer as ‘E’ because ‘E’ is at 4th position from left
in the new obtained series. But while solving such type of problems, we have to do
some time consuming formalities like (a) writing the original series (b) writing and
reversing the letters of original series as per the question says and (c) counting
them to get the required answer. Such time consuming processes can be avoided if
we go through “Remember” and solve the question with shortcut approach.
q Shortcut Approach
It is clear that 4th letter from left in the new obtained series falls into first segment
which has 8 letters. Hence, 4th letter in the new obtained series = (8 + 1 – 4) = 5th letter
ww
from the left in the original series. As we know that exact position of 5th letter from left
in the original alphabet series is the position of E. Hence, E is our required answer.
w If we have to find out 18th letter from left in the new obtained series, then that will
.Ea
be 16 + (10 + 1 – 2) = 25th letter from left in the original alphabet series (why?) which is Y.
In fact, while finding out 18th letter, we can easily see that 18th letter is the 2nd
syE
letter of 3rd segment and hence it will be not affected by 1st two segments having 8
letters each. In other words to find out 18th letter in the new obtained series, we have
ngi
to find out the 2nd letter in the 3rd segment. This is the reason we find out the 2nd letter
in the 3rd segment and then add the 16 letters of 1st two segment to get the 18 th letter
nee
in the new obtained series. From this, we find that 18th letter from left in the new
obtained series is the 25th letter from left in the original series. As 25th letter from left
rin
in the original series is Y. So, (Y) will be our required answer.
Readers are advised to practice such type of problems as you much as possible
g.n
and after a certain time will notice that you have got a skill to solve such problems
in a few seconds and that too, without the use of pen and paper.
How to solve if positions of letters are interchanged? et
There is no any rule for such type of problems. Only the hard practice can given you
a skill to solve such questions in a quick time.
EXAMPLE 3. If A and C interchange their places, B and D interchange their
places, F and H interchange their places and so on, then which letter will be 5th to
the left of Q?
Sol. As per the question the interchanges take place as follows:
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P
Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Here we can see that Q interchanges with S. Then to left of Q, the 5th letter
would be P because P interchanges with N.


How to find the Middle Letter?
Note : In case I and case II (m + n) must
q Shortcut Approach be divisible by 2.
Case I : Remember that if mth and nth
letter from the left in the English
q Shortcut Approach
alphabet are given then Case III :Remember that if the mth letter
from the left and the nth letter from the
æ m + nö right are given then middle letter
Middle letter = çè ÷ th letter from
2 ø
the left. é (m – n) + 27 ù
=ê úû th letter from the
ë 2
EXAMPLE 4. Which letter will be
left in the alphabet.
midway between 8th letter from the left
ww
and 16th letter from the left in the
English alphabet?
EXAMPLE 6. Which letter will be
midway between 8th letter from the left
w
Sol . Here, m = 8 and n = 16
.Ea
then middle letter =
8 + 16 24
=
and 15th letter from the right?
Sol. Here, m = 8 and n = 15
2
syE 2
= 12th letter from left in the alphabet
=L
Then middle letter = é
êë
(8 – 15) + 27 ù
2 úû
q Shortcut Approach ngi é 20 ù

= ê ú = 10th
ë2û
Case II: Remember that if mth and nth
letter from the right in the English nee letter from left in the English
alphabet = J.
alphabet are given then
Middle letter rin
Note : In case III (m – n) + 27 must be
æ m + nö
=ç
è 2 ÷ø
th letter from right g.n
divisible by 2.
é æ m + nö ù
= ê 26 + 1 – ç
è 2 ÷ø úû
=
é æ m + nö ù
ê 27 – çè 2 ÷ø ú th
ALPHABET et
2. RANDOM SERIES OF
ë ë û This series is not in the proper

letter from the left in the English alphabet. sequence and letters take their
position in the series in jumbled
EXAMPLE 5. Which letter will be manner. Further, there is also a
midway between 8th letter from the right possibility that all the 26 letters of
and 16th letter from the right in the English alphabet are not available
English alphabet. in the series. Even same letters may
é æ 8 + 16 ö ù be repeated in the series.
Sol. Middle letter = ê 27 – ç th
ë è 2 ÷ø úû EXAMPLE 7. How many letters in the
letter from left in the alphabet. following series are immediately
or middle letter = (27 – 12) = 15th preceded by B but not immediately
letter from left = 0 followed by D?


R S P Q B A H M A C F B A D N O P B A C D.
× ×
Sol. R S P Q B A H M A C F B A D N O P B A C D
ü ü
\ Only the two times A fulfill the Sol. Here, we are asked to solve problem
given condition and those A have according to English alphabet. In
been marked with the correct sign this case we have to count both
(ü). Those not fulfilling the condition ways. It does mean that we have to
have been marked with the cross count from left to right and from right
ww sign (×). \ Required answer is 2.

3. PROBLEMS ON WORD
to left. Let us see the following
presentation:
w
FORMATION
.Ea
In such problems, a word is given D R E A M L A N D
and you have to find out the number
syE
of words to be formed out of some
letters drawn from that particular The above presentation makes it
word.
ngi clear that the required pairs of letters
are 4. (Pairs: DA, EA, ML and LN)
EXAMPLE 8. How many meaningful
words can be formed from the 3rd, 4th, 6th nee
Case II:
and 8 th letter of the word
‘CONTROVERSIAL’? rin
EXAMPLE 10. How many pairs of
Sol.
g.n
letters are there in the word
‘DREAMLAND’ which have the same
C O N T R O V E R S I A L
3
rd
4th 6th 8th
sequence.
et
number of letters between them as in
the English alphabet in the same
Now, from letters N, T, O and E, Sol. Here, we are asked to solve problems
two words ‘NOTE’ and ‘TONE’ can according to the alphabetical
be formed. sequence. It does mean that we
4. PROBLEMS OF LETTER have to do counting only from left
GAP to right. Let us, see the following
presentation:
Case II:
D R E A M L A N D
EXAMPLE 9. How many pairs of letters
are there in the word ‘DREAMLAND’ The above presentation makes it
which have as many letters between them clear that the required pair of letters
as in the English alphabet? is only 1 (Pair: LN)


5. FINDING DIGITS AFTER 13. If all the three digits are arranged
REARRANGEMENT in ascending order (from left to
right) within the number, in each
In this type of problems, a specified of these numbers, then which of
order or pattern is used to rearrange these will be second lowest ?
the positions of digits of the Sol. According to the question,
number. Then, either the number of Original number : 7 1 3 3 6 1 4 5 8 9 3 2 7 2 4
those digits is found out whose New arrangement : 1 3 7 1 3 6 4 5 8 2 3 9 2 4 7
positions remain unchanged after So, the second lowest number will
rearrangement or the digit at be 137.
particular place from left or right of 14. If the positions of the second and
the number is to be found out. the third digits are interchanged
wwEXAMPLE : (Direction (Qs. 11-15) in each of these numbers, then
which of these will be exactly
w
Following questions are based on the
five three-digit numbers given below:
.Ea
713 361 458 932 724
divisibly by 2 ?
Sol. According to the question,
Original Numbers : 7 1 3 3 6 1 4 5 8 9 3 2 7 2 4
11. If the positions of the first and the
syE
third digits are interchanged in
each of these numbers, then which
New Arrangement : 7 3 1 3 1 6 4 8 5 9 2 3 7 4 2
So, two numbers will be exactly
of these will be an even number.
Sol. According to the question, ngi divisible by 2, i.e., 316 and 742.
15. If the following numbers are
nee arranged in descending order, then
what will be the square of the digits
New Arrangement : 3 1 7 1 6 3 8 5 4 2 3 9 4 2 7
So, here only one number is even rinsum of the third number from the
right end of the new arrangement ?
i.e., 854.
12. What is the difference between the g.n
Sol. According to the question,
sum of the three digits of the

highest and that of the second
highest number?
et
New Arrangement : 9 3 2 7 2 4 7 1 3 4 5 8 3 6 1
3rd from the right end

Sol. Highest number = 932 Now, digits sum of the 3rd number
Second highest number = 724 from the right
So, the required difference = 7 + 1 + 3 = 11
= (9 + 3 + 2) – (7 + 2 + 4) \ Square of the digits sum = (11)2 =
= 14 – 13 = 1 121.
Practice Exercises with Hints & Solutions – P-15-23

Chapter Test – C-5- 6
Past Solved Papers

20 Coding-Decoding
Chapter
4 Coding-Decoding
INTRODUCTION Pattern 2:
In this segment of commonsense Coding in backward sequence.
reasoning, secret messages or words EXAMPLE 2. If ‘NAME’ is coded as
ww
have to be decoded. They are coded as
per a definite pattern/ rule which should
‘MZLD’, then how will code 'SAME'?
Sol. Here, every letter of the word
w
be identified first. Then the same is
.Ea
applied to decode another coded word.
‘MZLD’ moves one place in
backward alphabet sequence. Let us
see:
TYPE-1 CODING BY LETTER
SHIFTING syE N A M E
–1 –1 –1 –1
Pattern 1:
ngi M Z L D
Similarly, every letter of the word
Coding in forward sequence
nee ‘SAME’ will move one place in
backward alphabet sequence. Let us
EXAMPLE 1. If ‘GOOD’ is coded as
‘HPPE’, then how will you code ‘BOLD’? rinsee :
S A M E
Sol. Here,every letter of the word
‘GOOD’ shifts one place in forward
g.n–1 –1 –1 –1
alphabetical sequence.
G O O D
et
R Z L D
\ Code for ‘SAME’ will be ‘RZLD’.
Pattern 3:
+1 +1 +1 +1
Coding based on skipped sequence.
H P P E
EXAMPLE 3. If the word ‘FACT’ is
Similarly, every letter in the word
‘BOLD’ will move one place in coded as ‘IDFW’; then how will you code
‘DEEP’?
forward alphabetical sequence as
Sol. Here, every letter of the word shifts
given below:
three place in forward alphabetical
B O L D order.
+1 +1 +1 +1 F A C T
C P M E +3 +3 +3 +3
\ Code for ‘BOLD’ will be ‘CPME’. I D F W

Coding-Decoding 21
Similarly, ‘DEEP’ can be coded. Let
EXAMPLE 5. If ‘TEMPERATURE’ is
us see :
coded as ‘ERUTAREPMET’, then how
D E E P will you code ‘EDUCATION’ following
+3 +3 +3 +3 the same scheme.
Sol. Here, the word ‘TEMPERATURE’
G H H S has been reversed. Hence, the code for
\ Code for ‘DEEP’ will be ‘GHHS’. ‘EDUCATION’ will be ‘NOITACUDE’.
q Shortcut Approach TYPE 4 : CODING IN FICTION
• Observe alphabets given in the LANGUAGE
code carefully.
In some cases of coding-decoding,
ww
•
•
Find the sequence it follows
whether it is ascending/descending
Detect the rule in which the
fictions language is used to code some
words. In such questions, the codes for
•
w alphabets follow.
.Ea
Fill the appropriate letter in the
a group of words is given. In such types
of problems, codes for each word can be
found by eliminating the common words.
blank given.
TYPE-2 : CODING BY syE EXAMPLE 6. In a certain code

language ‘over and above’ is written as
SUBSTITUTION
In this coding, some words are replaced
ngi ‘da pa ta’ and ‘old and beautiful’ is written
as ‘Sa na pa’. How is ‘over’ written in
by some substituted words and on the

basis of substituted word the code is
nee
that code language?
Sol. Over and above ® da Pa ta
derived.
rinOld and beautiful ® Sa na Pa
EXAMPLE 4. If 'cages' are called
'rockets', 'rockets' are called 'traps', g.n
Clearly, ‘and’ is common in both and
a common code is ‘Pa’.
'traps' are called 'planets', 'planets' are
called 'aeroplanes', 'aeroplanes' are
called 'cycles' are cycles' are called
et
\ Code for ‘and’ must be ‘Pa’.
Code for ‘over’ = ‘da’ or ‘ta’.
Code for above = ‘da’ or ‘ta’.
'cars', what is Earth Code for old = ‘Sa’ or ‘na’
(a) Cycles (b) Rockets Code for beautiful = ‘Sa’ or ‘na’
(c) Planet (d) Aeroplanes \ We can’t certainly say what will
(e) Cars be exact code for ‘over’. But it is
Sol. Earth is a planet and here planets sure that code for ‘over’ must be
are called aeroplanes. So, earth will either ‘da’ or ‘ta’.
be called aeroplanes.
q Shortcut Approach
TYPE-3 : CODING BY
• Firstly, write the words and their
REVERSING LETTERS codes as given in the question in
In this coding, all letters of a word has straight line with an arrow in
been reversed. middle.

22 Coding-Decoding
• Now, find the common words and EXAMPLE 8. In a certain code 3 is
their corresponding codes. coded as ‘R’, 4 is coded as ‘D’, 5 is coded
• Encircle each pair with the same as ‘N’, 6 is coded as ‘P’, then find the
code for ‘53446’.
shape.
Sol. As per the given condition
• Finally, we have each word and
its corresponding code. 3 4 5 6
R D N P
TYPE-5 : CODING BASED
5 3 4 4 6
ON NUMBERS Now,
N R D D P
ww
Pattern 1:
When numerical values are given to words.
\ Code for 53446 = NRDDP.
w .Ea
TYPE-6 : MATHEMATICAL
EXAMPLE 7. If in a certain language OPERATIONS WITH THE
A is coded as 1, B is coded as 2. C is POSITION NUMBERS OF
syE
coded as 3 and so on, then find the code LETTERS
for AEECD.
Sol. As given the letters are coded as
below:
ngi EXAMPLE 9. In a certain code, if
‘TALE’ is written as 38, then how will
A B C D E F G H I nee
you code ‘CAME’ using the same coding
scheme?
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
rin
Sol. Look at the numbered alphabet
A E E C D g.n
and write down the number
corresponding to the letters of the
Now, 1 5
\ Code for AEECD = 15534

5 3 4
T
20
et
word ‘TALE’.
A
1
L
12
E
5
The fact that the code for ‘TALE’ is
q Shortcut Approach
38, gives you a clue that the code is
• First you have to observe the probably obtained by performing an
number code. arithmatical operations of the
• Now, n otice the position of numbers of each other. Let us see :
number. 20 + 1 + 12 + 5 = 38
• Search the common pattern. Thus, the code for ‘CAME’ is
Pattern 2: C A M E
3 + 1 + 13 + 5 = 22
When alphabetical code value are given
for numbers. \ Code for ‘CAME’ = 22

Coding-Decoding 23
Remember Matrix I
• If the letters in the code look the 0 1 2 3 4
same as in the original text, it will be 0 I A U E O
a scramble type coding. 1 E U O A I
2 O A I E U
• If more than one codes are given
3 E U A O I
then likely the required code can be
4 E I O A U
drived from the question itself and
you will not need to solve it Matrix II
mathematically. 5 6 7 8 9
• If the code for a word is a one digit 5 K R L M N
ww number then likely the position of

the letters are added and the digits
6
7
M
K
R
N
K
M
N
L
L
R
w are summed up until the one digit
.Ea
number is arrived at.
1.
8
9
M
MONK
N
L
R
K
L
R
K
N
M
TYPE-7 : MATRIX CODING

syE
In this type of questions two matrices
(a) 58, 33, 67, 98
(b) 65, 02, 59, 67
are given. In each matrix there are 25 cells
and these cells contain two classes of ngi (c) 65, 04, 89, 75
(d) 65, 20, 89, 68
alphabets. The columns and rows of
matrix I are numbered from 0 to 4 and nee
Sol.
A ® 01, 13, 21, 32, 43
that of matrix II from 5 to 9. A letter from
these matrices can be represented first
E rin ® 03, 10, 23, 30, 40
by its row number and next by its column
number. For example. ‘A’ Can be
I
O g.n® 00, 14, 22, 34, 41
® 04, 12, 20, 33, 42
represented by 32 or 43. U
K
et
® 02, 11, 24, 31, 44
® 55, 67, 75, 87, 98
EXAMPLE 10. L ® 57, 69, 78, 86, 97
Directions: In each of the following M ® 58, 65, 77, 85, 99
questions find out the correct set of N ® 59, 68, 76, 89, 95
number pairs for the given word from the R ® 56, 66, 79, 88, 96
two matrices given above. So, 65, 04, 89, 75 is correct

Past Solved Papers

24 Blood Relations
Chapter
5 Blood Relations
INTRODUCTION (a) Past generations of father : Great
grandfather, great grandmother,
Blood relation does mean biological grandfather, grandmother etc.
relation. Remember a wife and husband (b) Parallel generations of father:
are met biologically related but they are
ww
biological parents of their own children.
Similarly, brother, sister, paternal
Uncles (Brothers of father), Aunts
(sisters of father) etc.
(c) Future generations of father:
w
grandfather, paternal grandmother
.Ea
maternal grandfather, maternal
grandmother, grandson, granddaughter,
Sons, daughters, grandsons,
granddaughters etc.
(ii) Blood relation from
TYPES OF BLOOD
syE
niece, cousin etc. are our blood relatives. maternal side:
This type of blood relations can
RELATIONS
ngi also be subdivided into three
types:
(a) Past generations of mother:
There are mainly two types of blood
relatives:
(i) Blood relation from paternal side
nee Maternal great grandfather,
maternal great grandmother,
(ii) Blood relation from maternal side
rin maternal grandfather, maternal
grandmother etc.
(i) Blood relation from paternal
side: g.n
(b) Parallel generations of mother:
Maternal uncles, maternal aunts etc.
This type of blood relation can be
further subdivided into thr ee
types:
et
(c) Future generations of mother:
Sons, daughters, grandsons,
granddaughters etc.
Table of Blood Relations
1 Son of father or mother Brother
2 Daughter of father or mother Sister
3 Brother of father Uncle
4 Brother of mother Maternal uncle
5 Sister of father Aunt
6 Sister of mother Aunt
7 Father of father Grandfather
8 Father of father's father Great grand father
9 Father of grandfather Great grandfather

Blood Relations 25
10 Mother of father Grandmother
11 Mother of father's mother Great grandmother
12 Mother of grandmother Great grandmother
13 Father of mother Maternal grandfather
14 Father of mother's father Great maternal grand father
15 Father of maternal grandfather Great maternal grandfather
16 Mother of mother Maternal grandmother

17 Mother of mother, mother Great maternal grandmother
ww
18 Mother of maternal grandmother
19 Wife of father
Great maternal grandmother
Mother
w
20 Husband of mother
.Ea
21 Wife of Grandfather
Father
Grandmother
22 Husband of Grandmother Grandfather
23 Wife of son syE Daughter-in-law
24 Husband of daughter
25 Brother of Husband ngi Son-in-law
Brother-in-law
26 Brother of wife
27 Sister of Husband nee Brother-in-law
Sister-in-law
28 Sister of wife
rin Sister-in-law
29 Son of brother
30 Daughter of brother g.n
Nephew
Niece
31 Wife of brother
32 Husband of sister
et
Sister-in-law
Brother-in-law
33 Son of sister Nephew
34 Daughter of sister Niece
35 Wife of uncle Aunt
36 Wife of maternal uncle Aunt
37 Son/daughter of uncle/Aunt Cousin
38 Son/daughter of maternal
Cousin
uncle/maternal aunt
39 Son/daughter of sister of Fathar Cousin
40 Son/daughter of sister of Mother Cousin

26 Blood Relations
41 Only son of grandfather Father

42 Only daughter of maternal Mother
grandfather
43 Daughter of grandfather Aunt
44 Sons of grandfather other Uncle
than father
45 Son of maternal grandfather Maternal Uncle.
/maternal grand mother
46 Only daughter in law of Mother
ww grandfather/ grandmother
47 Daughters in law of Aunt other than mother
w grandfather/ grandmother
.Ea
48 Daughters-in-law of Aunt maternal
syE
maternal grandfather/
49 Neither brother nor sister
grandmother
Self
Some Important Information

about Blood Relation
ngi the Hindu Community ‘Suman’ is
the name of both male and female.
A. Without the information of gender,
no relationship can be established
nee
q Shortcut Approach
between two people. For example, •
rin While solving blood relation
based question, first of all find out
If given that R is the child of P &
Q, then we can only say that P & g.n
that two persons between whom
a relationship has to be
Q are the parents of R. But we can
not find out:
(i) R is the son of P & Q or R is
the daughter of P & Q.
•
•
et
established.
Next, try to find out middle relation.
Finally, find out the relationship
(ii) Who is mother of R and who between two persons to be
is father of R. identified for this purpose.
But if we have given that P is a
male, Q is a female and R is male,
TYPES OF PROBLEMS
then we can easily say that R is (1) General Problems on Blood Relation
the son of P and Q. Further we can (2) Blood Relation based on Family
also say that P is father of R and Q Tree
is mother of R. (3) Coded Blood Relation
B. Gender can not be decided on the (1) General Problem on Blood
basis of name. For example, in Sikh Relation
community the names like Manjit,
Sukhvinder etc. are the names of EXAMPLE 1. Pointing towards a
both male and female. Similarly, in photograph, Mr. Sharma said, “She is the

Blood Relations 27
only daughter of mother of my brother’s Family tree :
sister.” How is Mr. Sharma related to the
– +
lady in the photograph? A+ C Q
Sol. Here, we have to find relationship
between Mr. Sharma & the lady in
the photograph.
Mother of my brother’s sister does
mean my (Mr. Sharma’s) mother. R+ D–
Only daughter of Mr. Sharma’s
As per the question Q is the brother of C
mother does mean “sister of Mr. and C is the sister of Q. Hence, relation
ww Sharma”.
q Shortcut Approach
between C & Q has been presented as
(C –
— Q+ ) where ‘–’ sign above C
• w Read the statement from right to
.Ea
left to develop the relation by
makes it clear that C is a female and ‘+’
sign above ‘Q’ makes it clear that Q is a
male. Similarly, for R and D. The
(2) Blood Relation based on syE
using blood relation table.
æ+ ö
presentation ç R — D- ÷ has been
Family Tree
EXAMPLE ngi
2. Q is the brother of C and
è ø
made. Further according to the question,
C is the sister of Q. R and D are brother
and sister. R is the son of A while A & C
nee
A and C are having a husband and wife
relationship and hence this has been
are wife and husband. How is Q related
rin æ+ ö
with D.
Sol. For such type of question a family g.n
presented as ç A Û C - ÷ . As it is already
è ø
tree is made in which some

symbols are used as below:
‘ Û’ is used for husband & wife.
et
given that C is the sister of Q and A and
C are wife and husband, this becomes
clear that A is the male member of the
family and this is the reason A has ‘+’ as
‘___’ is used for brother & sister
its gender sign. Lastly, the vertical line
‘ | ’ is used for parents (father or gives father and son relationship and has
mother). Parents are put on top
while children are put at the æ A+ ö
bottom. been presented as çç | + ÷÷ . Now from this
èR ø
‘–’ or minus sign is used for female
family tree it becomes clear that C is the
‘+’ or plus sign is used for male.
mother of R and D and as Q is the brother
Now, adopting and using the of C, then Q will definitely be the maternal
above given symbols we can make uncle of R & D. Hence, we can say that
a family tree and solve the given Q is the maternal uncle of D and this is
problem, let us see the family tree : the required answer for our question.

28 Blood Relations
q Shorcut Approach relate every statement to
'yourself'. The starting name of
• Follow the symbols for male (+)
the statement could be assumed
and (–) female. as your name or you.
• Remember the generations and • When the statement is very long,
relations. it can get confusing. So, break
Note : In solving family tree based down every statement in the
relations make sure that your diagram question into sub statements and
is in correct representation. solve the question.
(3) Codded Blood Relations – • Do not assume the gender of any
person in the question just based
EXAMPLE 3. If P + Q means P is on the names given in the
ww
husband of Q, P/Q means P is the sister
of Q, P*Q means P is the son of Q. flow •
question.
Draw a family tree where people
w
is D related to A in D*B + C/A ?
.Ea
Sol. C/A – C is sister of A.
B + C/A – B is brother-in-law of A
of the same generation are placed
at the same level and the entire
diagram is in the form of a
(Sister's husband – broter-in-law)
D*B + C/A – D is nephew of A
(Sister's husband's son means
syE hierarchy.
Remember
sister's son i.e., nephew)
So, D is nephew to A. ngi • Concentrate on points which give
maximum definite information.
Shortcut Method :
By using symbols and generation nee
• Read the questions carefully and
try identifying the persons
relations :
Couple Sister rinbetween whom relationship is to
B
(+)
C
(–)
A
g.n
be established. Possibly put
yourself in given character so that
it becomes easy for you to
D
Son
Ne
phe
w
•
et
understand.
Whilst concluding the relationship
between two people be careful
(+)
about the gender of the person
So, it is clearly shown that D is being talked about as it is possible
nephew to A. to commit mistake by assuming the
gender of the person which is not
q Shortcut Approach
given in the data or which can't be
• The best way to solve blood extracted from the data/
relation questions, you try and information given.

Past Solved Papers

Chapter
Direction and
6 Distance
INTRODUCTION Direction Map
This part of reasoning comes under the North
category of common sense reasoning.
North-West North-East
ww
In fact, this segment gauges the sense
of direction of a candidate.
w
CONCEPT OF DIRECTION
.Ea
In our day to day life, we make our
West East
concept of direction after seeing the

position of sun. In fact, this is a truth syE South-West South-East
that sun rises in the East and goes down
in the West. Thus when we stand facing ngi q Shortcut Approach
South
sunrise, then our front is called East while

our back is called West. At this position nee To remember four main
our left hand is in the Northward and the
right hand is in the Southward. Let us rin
directions, always remember the
word 'NEWS.'
see the following direction map that will
g.n
Note: On paper North is always on top
make your concept more clear.
et
be while South is always in bottom.
CONCEPT OF DEGREE
Let us see the following picture:
360º 360º
0º 0º
315º
Anti clockwise (ACW)
45º 45º 315º

Clockwise (CW)
270º 90º 90º 270º
225º 135º 135º 225º

180º 180º

30 Direction and Distance

Remember
B 2 km A
• Angle between two consecutive
main directions is always 90°. 4 km
• Angle between two consecutive
subdirections is always 90°. 1 km D
C 2 km E
• Angle between a main direction
and a subdirection is always 90°.
Remember
CONCEPT OF TURN
• If our face is towards North, than
Right turn = Clockwise turn
after left turn our face will be towards
Left turn = Anticlockwise turn
ww Let us understand it through

pictorial representation:
West while after right turn, it will be
towards East.
w Right turn
.Ea Left turn
• If our face is towards South, then
East and after right turn it will be
Right turn
Left turn
syE towards West.

Right turn
Left turn
• If our face is towards East, then after

left turn our face will be forwards
Right turn
(i)
Left turn
(ii) ngi North and after right turn it will be
towards South.
nee
• If our face is towards West, then
Right turn Left turn
rin
South and after right turn it will be
towards North.
g.n
• If our face is towards North-West,
then after left turn our face will be
(iii) (iv) et
towards South-West and after right
turn it will be towards North-East.
• If our face is towards South-West,
1. Raman walked 2 km
EXAMPLE then after left turn our face will be
towards South-East and after right
West from his office and then turned
turn it will be towards North-West.
South covering 4 km. Finally, he waked
3 km towards East and again move 1 km • If our face is towards South-East,
West. How far is Raman from his initial then after left turn our face will be
position. towards North-East and after right
Sol. Raman starts from his office A, turn it will be towards South-West.
moves 2 km West upto B, then 4 • If our face is towards North-East,
km to the South upto C, 3 km East
then after left turn our face will be
upto D and finally 1 km West upto
E, Thus his distance from the initial towards North-West and after right-
position AE = BC = 4 km. turn it will be towards South-East.

Direction and Distance 31

CONCEPT OF MINIMUM \ Rashmi’s distance from starting
DISTANCE point A
A
Minimum distance between = AD = AC 2 +CD 2 = 4 2 + 32
initial and last point
= 16 + 9 = 25 = 5km.
h2 = b2 + P2 From figure, D is to the North-East
P h
of A.
where,
h = Hypotenuse SHADOW CASE
ww
b = Base
P = Perpendicular
B b C In Morning/Sunrise Time
(a) If a person facing towards Sun, the
w
Remember this important rule is
.Ea
known as ‘Pythogoras Theorem’
(b)
shadow will be towards his back
or in West.
If a person facing towards South,
EXAMPLE
syE
2. Rashmi walks 10 km
towards North. She walks 6 km towards
the shadow will be towards his
right.
South then. From here she moves 3 km
towards East. How far and in which ngi
(c) If a person facing towards West,
direction is she with reference to her
starting point? nee
(d)
front.
If a person facing towards North,
Sol. It is clear, Rashmi moves from A 10
km Northwards upto B, then rin
the shadow will be towards his left.
moves 6 km Southwards upto C,
then turns towards East and walks (a) g.n
In Evening/Sunset Time
If a person facing towards Sun, the
3 km upto D.
Then, AC = (AB – BC) = 10 – 6 = 4
km
(b)
et
shadow will be towards his back
or in East.
If a person facing towards North,
CD = 3km.
B right.
6 km (c) If a person facing towards East,
3 km the shadow will be towards his
D
C front.
(e) If a person facing towards South,
10 km the shadow will be towards his left.
Note : At 12:00 noon there is no

shadow because the rays of the sun
A are vertically downward.

32 Direction and Distance

EXAMPLE 3. Early morning after q Shortcut Approach
sunrise, Rajesh was standing infront of • Draw four lines and write all
his house in such a way that his shadow
as falling exactly behind him. He starts directions on each edge of it
walking straight and walks 5 m. He same.
turns to his left and walks 3 m and again • Think the 'you' are standing at all
turning to his left walks 2m. Now in arrow head facing outward from
which direction is he from his starting centre.
point?
Sol. The shadow of Rajesh was falling • Read the statement line by line.
exactly behind him. So, he was facing • Move yourself as per statement
towards East. Diagram clearly shows
ww
that Rajesh was in North-East with
reference to the starting point.
asked and prepare a diagram as
per line by line statement.
w .Ea
2m
• Show, check and verify the
direction and distance of you
from starting point.
int
syE
g po
2m
tin
r
ngi
Sta
5m
nee
ebooks Reference rin Page No.
Practice Exercises with Hints & Solutions

g.n – P-40-45
Chapter Test
Past Solved Papers et
– C-11- 12

Chapter
Time Sequence, Number
7 & Ranking Test
TIME SEQUENCE Ordinary year

In time sequence, we have to defect exact • An ordinary year has 12 months.
time from the given time sequence. • An ordinary year has 365 days.
To solve problems related to time • An ordinary year has 52 weeks
sequence, let us gather first the and 1 day. Therefore, an ordinary
ww
following informations :
1 Minute = 60 seconds
1 Hour = 60 minutes
year has 1 odd day.
CENTURY (100 YEARS)

w 1 Day = 24 hours
.Ea
1 Week = 7 days
1 Month = 4 weeks
• A century has 76 ordinary years
and 24 leap years.
1 Year = 12 months
syE
1 Ordinary year = 365 days
1 Leap year =366 days
• A century has 5 odd days.
Odd days
1 Century = 100 years
Remember
ngi Odd days in an ordinary year = 1
Odd days in a leap year = 2
• A day is the period of the earth’s neeOdd days in 100 years = 5

Odd days in 200 years = (5 × 2)
•
revolution on its axis.
A ‘Solar year’ is the time taken the rin = 1 week + 3 days = 3
Odd days in 300 years = (5 × 3)
earth to travel round the sun. It is
equal to 365 days, 5 hours, 48 g.n = 2 weeks + 1 day = 1
Odd days in 400 years = (5 × 4 + 1)
•
1
minutes and 47 seconds nearly..
2
A ‘Lunar month’ is the time taken
et = 21 days
= 3 weeks + 0 day = 0
Similarly, each 800, 1600, 2000, 2004, etc.
has 0 odd days.
by the moon to travel round the
earth. It is equal to nearly 28 days. EXAMPLE 1. Neena returned home
Leap Year after 3 days earlier than the time she
had told her mother. Neena’s sister
• If the number of a given year is Veena reached five days later than the
divisible by 4, it is a leap year. day Neena was supposed to return. If
Hence, the years like 1996, 2008,
Neena returned on Thursday, on what
2012 are leap years. But years like
day did Veena return ?
1997, 1991, 2005, 2007 are not
divisible by 4 and therefore, such Sol. Neena returned home on Thursday.
years are not leap years. Neena was supposed to return 3
• In a leap year, February has 29 days. days later, i.e., on Sunday.
• A leap year has 52 weeks and 2 days. Veena returned five days later from
Therefore, a leap year has 2 odd days. Sunday. i.e., on Friday.

34 Time Sequence, Number & Ranking Test

NUMBER TEST Note : The above formulas are only for
In such test, generally you are given a a single person's position
long series of numbers. The candidate
is required to find out how many times a EXAMPLE
number satifying the conditions
specified in the question occurs.
EXAMPLE 2. How many 8s are there
in the following number sequence which
1 2 3 4 5
are immediately preceded by 5 but not
immediately followed by 3? |
38584583988588893 3rd from left
Sol. Let use see the following :
ww 3 8 8 4 5 8 3 9 88 5 8
8 8 93
3rd from right
Total = 3 + 3 – 1
w Clearly, two such 8s are there.

Remember
.Ea
q Shortcut Approach
Same for Vertical &

There is no rule as how to attempt these
questions : syE
questions but we can practice these Horizontal
(1) Total + 1 = Top + Bottom
Left <
A B C
> Right
ngi (2)
(3)
Top = Total + 1 – Bottom
Botom = Total + 1 – Top
A is preceding B C is the following B

nee (4) Total = Top + Bottom
RANKING TEST rin EXAMPLE 3. In a row of 40 students,
In such problems, the ranks of a person g.n

A is 13th from the left end, find the
rank from right end.
both from the top and from the bottom
are given and on the basis of this the total
number of persons is asked. Sometimes
question is twisted also and position
et
Sol. Total = 40
of a particular person is asked.

A
q Shortcut Approach 13L
Formulas to determine the positioning A's rank from right side
of a person = Total + 1 – left
(1) Left + Right = Total + 1
= 40 – 13 + 1
(2) Left = Total + 1 – Right
(3) Right = 1 + 1 – left = 27 + 1
(4) Total = left + Right = 28

Past Solved Papers

Chapter Logical Sequence

8 of Words
INTRODUCTION Sol. Member ® Family ®
Community® Locality®
In this particular type of problems, Country
certain inter-related words are given and
(iii) Sequence in Ascending or
numbered, followed by various
Descending order
ww
sequences of the numbers denoting
them, as alternatives. EXAMPLE1. Furniture
w
TYPES OF SEQUENCE
.Ea
(i) Sequence of occurence of
2. Forest
3. Wood
4. Country
process. syE
events or various stages in a 5. Trees
Sol. Country ® Forest ® Trees®
Wood ® Furniture.
EXAMPLE 1. Consultation
2. Illness ngi (iv) Sequential order of words
According to Dictionary
3. Doctor
4. Treatment
nee EXAMPLE1. Direct
5. Recovery
rin 2. Divide
3. Divest
Sol. Clearly illness occurs first. One
then goes to a doctor and after g.n 4. Devine
5. Divisons
consultation with him,
undergoes treatment to finally
attain recovery.
et
Sol. Devine ® Direct ® Divest ®
Divide ® Divisons.
(ii) Sequence of objects in a q Shortcut Approach
class or group
• Remember all English alphabets
EXAMPLE 1. Member in forward and reverse order
2. Country • Knowledge of our nature or
3. Community surroundings
4. Family
5. Locality

Past Solved Papers

Chapter
Number Puzzles
9
INTRODUCTION
82 25
In this, the questions are based on
different number. This type of problem 80 67
having figure which follows a particular 99 ?
ww
rule for their different number. We have
then asked to find a missing number by
using same rule. 97
103
w
TYPES OF NUMBER PUZZLE
.Ea
PATTERN 1 : SINGLE FIGURE
PATTERN
(ii) (iii)
Here, a series of figure is given. Checking
the pattern in the first two figures, we
416
4 syE
10
have to find missing number in the third.
If we observe the first two figure
685 33 ngi properly, we get an idea of the pattern.
?
Here, a clockwise pattern is being neeAs, 110 + 30 – 75 = 65, 97 + 82 – 80 = 99
So, 103 + 25 – 67 = 61.
followed. If we move clockwise we can
see that numbers are increasing. If we
rin
q Shortcut Approach
observe it more closely, we can crack the
pattern which is
As, 4 × 2 + 2 = 10, 10 × 3 + 3 = 33
•
g.nThe first step is to observe the
figure and check if there is any
So, 33 × 4 + 4 = 136
PATTERN 2 : MULTIPLE FIGURE
PATTERN •
et
familiar pattern in the given
question.
The second step is finding out the
pattern.
110
75 • Ther is no need to memorize any
65 pattern.
• All you need is to understand the
30 concept and decipher the pattern.
(i)

Past Solved Papers

Venn Diagram 37
Chapter
10 Venn Diagram
INT RODUCTION EXAMPLE
Venn diagrams are pictorial way of
represent the set of article. There are
different regions which needs proper 2
ww
understanding for solving problems
based on given Venn diagrams.
1
3
w .Ea
TYPES OF VENN DIAGRAM
– represents student passed
in English
– represents student passed
Analysis Based
syE
Identification of Relation
in Reasoning.
1 – represents student passed in
Venn Diagram Based Venn Diagram
ngi English only
(i) ANALYSIS BASED VENN
DIAGRAM - nee Reasoning only
both English Reasoning both.
In this type, generally a venn
diagram comprising of different rin
q Shortcut Approach
geometrical figures is given. Each
geometrical figure in the diagram g.n
Case: - II Three articles
Q
represents a certain class.
q Shortcut Approach
et1
P
5 2
Case - I:
Two articles: 7
6 4
P Q
3
IA IIAB IB R
1 – represents P only
2 – represents Q only
3 – represents R only
Here, IA represents only P 4 – represents Q and R (not P)
IB represents only Q 5 – represents P and Q (not R)
6 – represents P and R (not Q)
IIAB represents P and Q
7 – represents P, Q and R

38 Venn Diagram
EXAMPLE EXAMPLE
I – Mango
Engineer Doctor II – Fruit
Here, all mango are fruit.
1 5 2
q Shortcut Approach
7 If two classes of item are completely
6 4
different from each other but they all
3 are completely included in third class
then the relationship is represent of the
Farmer diagram.
ww 1 ® Engineer III
w 2 ® Doctor
.Ea
3 ® Farmer
I II
4 ® Doctor who is farmer also

syE
5 ® Engineer who is doctor also
6 ® Engineer who is farmer also
EXAMPLE
I – represent potato
7 ® Person who is Engineer, ngi II – represent onion
(ii)
doctor and farmer.
Identification of Relation Based nee III – represent vegetable
q Shortcut Approach
Venn Diagram -
• rin
If two group of items having some
In this type, some standard
representations for groups of g.n
common relationship and both of
them are all included in third
three items with different cases
of venn diagrams are given. et
class then the relationship is
represented by the diagram.
q Shortcut Approach III
When one class of items is completely II
I
included in the another class of item
then it is represented by the given
diagram
EXAMPLE Brother, Father, Male.
II I ® Brother
II ® Father
I III ® Male
Some Brother may be Father and
all are male.

Venn Diagram 39
q Shortcut Approach EXAMPLE
When one class of item is completely Graduate, Engineer and Doctor

Graduate may be Engineer and
included in another group while third
Doctor.
is not related to both of them then such
condition are diagrammati-cally q Shortcut Approach
represented by When two group of items are
completely unrelated to each other
II while they are partly related with third
group of item
I
ww I II III
w .Ea III
EXAMPLE Cloth, Red, Flowers.
EXAMPLE
syE
Cricketer, player and farmer
Some cloth are Red and also some
Flowers are red.
I – Cricketer ngiq Shortcut Approach

II – Player
III – Farmer
All cricketers are players but
nee
When group of items are completely
different from each other
farmers not.
rin
q Shortcut Approach
g.n I II
If three group of things are related to

each other
et III
I II
EXAMPLE
Red, Yellow, Black

III
These are all different colour.

Past Solved Papers

40 Mathematical Operation Arithmetical Reasoning
Chapter
Mathematical Operation
11 Arithmetical Reasoning
INT RODUCTION EXAMPLE 1. If ‘+’ stands for division,

In this type of problem, usually ‘×’ stands for addition, ‘–’ stands for
mathematical symbol are converted into multiplication, and ‘¸’ stands for
ww
another form by either interchanging the
symbol or using different symbol in
subtraction, then which of the following
equation is correct?
w
place of usual symbol and then calculate
condition. .Ea
the equation according to the given
(a) 36 × 6 + 7 ¸ 2 – 6 = 20
(b) 36 + 6 – 3 × 5 ¸ 3 = 24
(c) 36 ¸ 6 + 3 × 5 – 3 = 45
Remember syE Sol.

(d) 36 – 6 + 3 × 5 ¸ 3 = 74
36 × 6 ¸ 3 + 5 – 3
Þ 36 × 2 + 5 – 3 = 74
While simplifying a mathematical
problem follow 'VBODMAS' rule ngi (ii) INTERCHANGE OF SIGNS &
V - Viniculum bracket
B - Bracket
nee NUMBERS
In this, the given equation
O - Of rin
becomes correct and fully balanced
when either two signs of the equation or
D - Division
M - Multiplication g.n
both the numbers and the signs of the
equations are interchanged.
A - Addition
S - Subtraction
et
EXAMPLE 2. Given interchange :
sign ‘+’ and ‘–’and numbers 5 and 8.
Which of the following is correct?
TYPES OF MATHEMATICAL (a) 82 – 35 + 55 = 2
OPERATION (b) 82 – 35 + 55 = 102
(c) 85 – 38 + 85 = 132
(i) SYMBOL SUBSTITUTION (d) 52 – 35 + 55 = 72
In this, various mathematical Sol. 52 + 38 – 88 = 2
symbols, followed by a question (iii) BALANCINGTHE EQUATION
involving calculation of an expression. In this, the signs given in one of
It is required to put in the real signs in the alternatives are required to full up
the given equation and then solve the the blank spaces for the signs in order
question. to balance the given equation.

Mathematical Operation Arithmetical Reasoning 41

EXAMPLE 3. Select corr ect problems require basic mathematical
combination of mathematical sign to skills like addition, subtraction,
replace ‘*’ sign to balance the equation. multiplication, division etc. The tests
9 * 4 * 22 * 14 include operations with whole numbers,
(a) × = – rational numbers, average ratio and
(b) × – = proportion, interest and percentage, and
(c) = – × measurement. Arithmetical reasoning is
(d) – × = one factor that helps characterize
Sol. 9 * 4 * 22 * 14 mathematics comprehension, and it also
9 × 4 – 22 = 14 assesses logical thinking.
EXAMPLE 4 : The total of the ages of
q Shortcut Approach
ww
• Begin with replacin g coded
operators with their meanings.
Amar, Akbar and Anthony is 80 years.
What was the total of their ages three
•
w Write the entire expressions with
.Ea
correct operators and operand.
When sowing always remember
years ago ?
Sol. Here, required sum = (80 – 3 x 3)
years = (80 – 9) years
•
VBODMAS.
syE
If any interchnages are suggested,
= 71 years.
apply then before you start soling.

ngiq Shortcut Approach
If ages of n persons in a group are x1,
ARITHMETICAL REASONING
Arithmetical Reasoning tests the ability
nee
x2, x3 ... , xn yr, then average age of the
group
to solve basic arithmetic problems
rin x1 + x 2 + x 3 + ... + x n
encountered in everyday life. These =
g.n n
et

Past Solved Papers

42 Coded Inequalities
Chapter
Coded Inequalities
12
INT RODUCTION Sometimes we come across two numbers
As we know, where, we do not know the exact state of
inequality between them.
3×3=9
Let us see :
Now, we can say that the result of
ww
multiplication between 3 and 3 is equal
to 9. Therefore, 3 × 3 = 9 is a case of
m ³ n means m is either greater than or
equal to n.
w
equality. But when we multiply 3 × 4, we
.Ea
get 12 as a result of this multiplication. It
does mean that
m £ n means n is either less or equal to
m.
Hence, we can summarise the signs to
3× 4¹9
syE
As 3 × 4, is not equal to 9, it is a case of
be used in inequalities as below:
‘=’ denots equal to
‘>’ denots greater than
inequality.
When, we come to know that one thing ngi ‘³’ denots greater than or equal to
‘<’ denots less than
is not equal to another; there can be only
two possibilities:- nee
‘£’ denots less than or equal to
(i) One thing is greater than another
thing. rin
CHAIN OF INEQUALITIES
or
(ii) One thing is less than the another g.n
Sometimes two or more inequalities are
combined together to create a single
thing.
When, we denote (i) and (ii) mathematically,
then we will write.
et
inequality having three or more terms.
Such combination is called chain of
inequalities.
(i) One thing > another thing. Note : If you see the given problem
or format (Example). You will find that
(ii) One thing < another thing. your primarily task is to combine two
where ‘>’ denotes ‘greater than’. or more inequalities to create a single
and ‘<’ denotes ‘less than’ inequality.
Hence, you can write,
Conditions for Combining
3×4>9
Two Inequalities
4×1<9
( 3 × 4 > 9) means ‘Product of 3 and 4 is Condition I: Two inequalities will be
greater than 9’. combined if and only if
(4 × 1 < 9) means ‘Product of 4 and 1 is they have a common
less than 9’. term.

Coded Inequalities 43
Condition II: Two inequalities will be Clearly, (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) can not be
combined if and only if combined as they do not have any
the common term is common term and therefore, they do not
greater than (or ‘greater’ follow condition I and condition II.
than or equal to’) one and How to Derive Conclusions
less than (or ‘less than or
from a Combined Inequalities?
equal to’) the other.
EXAMPLE 14 > 13, 13 > 12 can be
To derive conclusion from a combined
inequality, you have to eliminate the
easily combined as ‘14 > 13 > 12’.
common term.
Coded Inequalities For example,
ww
Here,
14 > 13 > 12
(a) If we have
m>l>n
w .Ea
Common term
then, our conclusion is
m>n
Clearly, 14 > 13 and 13 > 12 have common
syE
term 13 and this common term is greater
than 12 and less than 14. Hence, 14 > 13
(b) When, we have
m<l<n
and 13 > 12 have been combined into
ngi
14 > 13 > 12 as per the conditions I and II.
then, our conclusion is
EXAMPLE 17 < 19, and 19 < 20 can be

easily combined as 17 < 19 < 20.
nee m<n
Here,
rin
(c) When, we have ‘³’ signs in the
combined inequalities then you
17 < 19 < 20
g.n
have to think a little bit more. Let
us consider the combined
Common term
Clearly, 17 < 19 and 19 < 20 have common

et
inequality given below:
m³l>n
term 19 and this common term is greater Here, m is either greater than l or
than 17 and less than 20. Hence, 17 < 19 equal to l.
and 19 < 20 have been combined into 17 Hence, the minimum value for m is
< 19 < 20 as per the conditions I and II. equal to l. But l is always greater
Now, let us see some examples of than n. Therefore, m is always
inequalities which can not be combined. greater than n.
Some such examples are given below:
i. 14 > 12, 19 > 18 \ Our conclusion is m>n
ii. 18 < 20, 22 < 25 (d) When, we have the following
iii. 100 > 99, 80 > 77 inequalities:-
iv. 100 < 115, 118 < 119 m> l³n

In this case, m is always greater Remember
than l and l is either greater than
n or equal to it. When l is greater
• If m > n, then n < m must be true.
than n; m will obviously be greater
• If m < n, then n > m must be true.
than n. Even when l is equal to n; • If m ³ n, then n £ m must be true.
m will be greater than n as m is • If m £ n, then n ³ m must be true.
always greater than l. EITHER CHOICE RULES
\ Our conclusion is m>n I. When your derived conclusion is
of the type m ³ n (or m £ n) then
(e) When, we have combine inequality check if the two conclusions are
m³l³n m > n and m = n (or, m < n and
m = n). If yes, choice “either
ww Here, m is either greater than l or
equal to l.
follows” is true.
II. If neither of the given conclusions
w
When m is greater than l; we have m > l
³ n, which gives the conclusion.
m>n .Ea — (A)

seems correct. Then try to check if
the given conclusions form a
complementary pair. Given
When m is equal to l; we havesyE

m = l ³ n, which gives the conclusion
conclusions form a complementary
pair in the 4 cases given below:-
(i) m ³ n and m < n
m ³ n — (B) ngi (ii) m > n and m £ n

(iii) m £ n and m > n
Combining (A) and (B), we have the final nee (iv) m < n and m ³ n
In such case, the choice “either follows”
conclusion as
m ³ n rin
is correct.
q Shortcut Approach
From (a), (b), (c), (d) and (e), we get a g.n

Steps for Solving Problems
rule for deriving conclusions from a
combined inequality, we may say it
‘Golden Rule’.
et
Step I: Decode the given symbols like
@, $, d, #, *, etc.
Step II: Take one conclusion at a time
and make an idea that which
GOLDEN RULE statements are relevant for
evaluating it.
Step III: Use conditions I and II and the
The conclusion inequality ‘Golden Rule’ to combine the
will have an '³' sign or a '£' relevant statements and derive
sign if and only if both the a conclusion from it. They are:
signs in the combined Condition I: There must be a common
inequality are '³' or '£' sign term.
Condition II: The common term must
Clearly, in (a), (b), (c), (d) and (e) only be less than or equal to
one inequality (e) (m ³ l ³ n) has ‘³’ as one term and greater than
its both the sign. or equal to another.

GOLDEN RULE: Now in each of following questions,
assuming the given statements to be
The conclusion — inequality is
true, find which of the two conclusions I
obtained by letting the common term
and II given below them is/are definitely
be eliminated and it has a ‘³’ or a ‘£’
true.
sign if and only if both the inequalities
in 2nd step had a ‘³’ or a ‘£’ sign. In all Give answer :
other cases, there will be a ‘>’ or a ‘<’ (a) if only conclusion I is true;
sign in the conclusion. (b) if only conclusion II is true;
After performing the above mentioned (c) if either I or II is true;
three steps, if a conclusion is established (d) if neither I nor II is true.
and verified, it is well and good. But if (e) if both I and II are true.
ww
does not happen so, then you have to
perform 4 more new steps given below:
Statements : P © T, M $ K, T = K
Conclusions : I. T © M II. T = M
w
New Step I: Check if the given
.Ea
conclusion directly
follows from anyone
Sol. Given statements :
P > T, M £ K, T = K.
T = K, K ³ M Þ T ³ M
syE
single statement.
New Step II: Check if the conclusion
Þ T > M or T = M Complementary
Þ T © M or T = M pair
— inequality you get is
essentially as same as the ngi So, either I or II is true.
given conclusion but

written differently. nee
DIRECT INEQUALITY
In this type of questions, direct relation
New Step III: Check if the derived
conclusion follows rin
between two or more than two elements
‘Either choice Rule I’.
New Step IV: If neither of the g.n
are given in a meaningful inequality.
Candidates are required to establish the
conclusions has been
proved correct till now,
then check ‘Either choice EXAMPLE
et
relation between elements with the help
of used signs between the elements.
2 : Which of the following
Rule II’. symbols should replace the question
mark in the given expression in order to
EXAMPLE 1 : In the following question,
make the expressions. ‘I > L’ as well as
the symbols ©, @, =,* and $ are ‘M ³ K’ definitely true?
used with the following meanings : I>J³K?L£N=M
P © Q means ‘P is greater than Q’; (a) > (b) <
P @ Q means ‘P is greater than or (c) £ (d) =
equal to Q’; (e) Either < or £
P = Q means ‘P is equal to Q’;
Sol. On putting sign (=) in place of
P * Q means ‘P is smaller than Q’;
question mark (?)
P $ Q means ‘P is either smaller
I> J³K=L£N=M
than or equal to Q’.
Þ means I > L and M ³ K

Remember EXAMPLE
Inequality depends upon combining
If A ³ B £ C then
more than two element with a common
A £ C = False, C ³ A = False
term. Now observe the below diagram
thoroughly But
Accordance to this diagram If A ³ B ³ C then
Definite Conclusion A ³ C = True, C £ A = True.
· >= ®> · <=®< Statement: B ³ D £ A ³ F ³ C
· ³=®³ · £=®£ Conclusions :
· ³>®> · £<®< I. A ³ C ® True
· <=£®< · >=³®> II. B £ F ® False
ww
Indefinite Conclusion
· > < ® No relation · ³ £ ® No relation
· > £ ® No relation · ³ < ® No relation
III. D ³ C ® False
w .Ea
q Shortcut Approach
q Shortcut Approach
Case 3. Sets Priority
1st Priority : < or >
Case 1. < OR >
syE
Two signs opposite to each other will
make the conclusion wrong But again
2nd Priority: £ or ³
3rd Priority: =
if the signs are in same manner that will
not make it wrong.
ngiStatement: P ³ R > Q = T ³ S
Conclusions :
EXAMPLE nee
I. P ³ Q ® False
II. P > Q ® True
If A > B < C > D then A < C = False,
rin
III. Q ³ S ® True
C > A = False .
But Case 4.
g.n
If E > F > G > H then E > G = True , F >
H = True , E > H = True.
Statement: A < D > C < E > B
et
When it occurs to you that the statement
of order is opposite just change the
sign into similar opposite direction.
Then change the sign into similar
Conclusions:
• C > B ® False opposite /corresponding / alternative
• A < E ® False direction.
• D > B ® False If A > B > F > C < D < E
In simple way, whenever these two sign
comes in opposite direction the answer than F < A ® True
will be false.
EXAMPLE
q Shortcut Approach
[Q A > B > F = F < B < A]
Case 2. £ OR ³ Statements : A > B > F > C; D > E > C
Two signs opposite to each other will Conclusions:
make the conclusion wrong But again I. C < A ® True
if the signs are same then it will be true. II. C > A ® False

q Shortcut Approach
Case 5. > or < and ³ or £ conclusions are wrong then if it is there
Whenever there is two conclusions then check whether the two variables
which are false then check for these are same. If It happens then write it as
two symbols (> or < and ³ or £). In 'Either or' but after checking their
most of case where two conclusions symbols.
are false and these two similar signs Rules:
are not there respectively then that 1. Both conclusion should False
statement can call it as either or but 2. Should have same Predicate or
should check there variable it should Variable
same. 3. Check the symbols
If above conditionsare satisfied then
ww
(A) Either Or :
Note : First thing need to check whether
in conclusion any two or mor e
write it as 'Either Or' Other wise leave it.
Note : If Rule 3 is satisfied than the
conclusions are called 'Either Or'.
w .Ea
Statement : W<X£Y>Z
Step 2. Both
conclusions
are false
Conclusion :
syE
I. W < Z ×
II. W ³ Z ×
Either Or
Step 1. Check both variable ngiStep 3. Check symbols

like
should be same
nee
a) '<&=' or '> & =' together
b) '< & ³ 'or '> & £' together
EXAMPLE
Statement : H= W£R>F rin
Rules:
1. Both conclusion should False
Conclusion : I.R = H
II.R > H Either Or g.n
2. Check the symbols
If both the rules are satisfied then write
it as " Neither Nor' other wise leave it.
Statement :
Conclusion :
Statement :
H> L= E < T
I.H £ T
II.H > T
S< T³R³M
Either Or
EXAMPLE et
Statement : P > Q ³ S = R
Conclusion : I. P ³ R
Conclusion : I.M < T II. R > Q Neither nor
II.M = T Either Or
Statement : L = T £ J ³ K
Statement : I ³H=T>S£R Conclusion : I. L > K
Conclusion: I.I > T Neither nor
Either Or II. T £ K
II.I = T Statement : V < L ³ J £ T
B. Neither Nor : Conclusion : I. V < J Neither nor
First thing you need to check whether in II. L = T
your conclusion any 2 or more conclusions Statement : G £ K £ F < M
are wrong then write it as 'Neither Nor' Conclusion: I. G > F
II. K £ M Neither nor
but before checking their symbols.
Past Solved Papers

48 Problem Solving
Chapter
13 Problem Solving
INTRODUCTION anything exactly but it gives a

In this chapter you will see some typical chance to eliminate a possibility.
problems in which you would be given a
TYPES OF PROBLEMS
ww
series of interlinked information and on
the basis of those informations you
would be expected to reach certain
1. Simple problems (based on
categorisation)
w
conclusions.
.Ea
TYPES OF INFORMATIONS
2. Problems based on arrangement
(Linear, circular, rectangular/
square).
IN A GIVEN PROBLEM
syE 3.
4.
Problems based on comparison.
Problems based on blood
1. Basic Informations
(Useful secondary informations): ngi 5.
relations.
Blood relations and profession
It is given in fi r st couple of
sentences of given data are such nee 6.
based problems.
Problems based on conditional
selection.
that they give you some basic
information that is essential to rin
1. SIMPLE PROBLEMS BASED
give you general idea of the
situation. g.n
ON CATEGORISATION
2. Actual Informations
Whatever remains after the basic
et
Tips to Solve Problems
These type of problems can easily be
informations are known as actual solved by construction of table.
information.
While trying to solve a problem EXAMPLE 1 Directions : Read the
one should begin with actual following information carefully
information and useful secondary and answer the question that
information should be solve by follows:
mind. 1. There are six cities L, M, N, O, P
and Q.
3. Negative Informations
2. L is not a hill station.
Actual informations having 3. M and P are not historical places.
negative sentences are called
4. O is not an industrial city.
negative information. A negative
5. L and O are not historical cities.
information does not inform us
6. L and M are not alike.

Problem Solving 49
Q. Which two cities are industrial centres ?
Sol. It can be solved by preparing a table in the manner given below:
L M N O P Q
Historical
place
Industrial
city
Hill station
(2), (3), (4), (5) are negative informations. Therefore as per such informations.
ww We put ‘X’ (not) mark wherever applicable. As a result the table looks like the
one below.
w .EaHistorical
L M N O P Q
× × × ×
place
IndustrialsyE ×
city
Hill station × ngi
nee
As above table gives definite informations about L, O. L is neither a historical
rin
place nor a hill station. So, it must be an industrial city. In the same manner O
is neither a historical nor an industrial city. So, O must be a hill station. Hence,
g.n
we put ‘P’ mark at the appropriate place which give the table following look:-
Historical
place
L
×
M
×
N O
×
et P
×
Q
Industrial P ×
city
Hill station × P
Now, as per the condition (6) (L and M are not alike), M can not be an Industrial
city. Also M is not a historical place either. Therefore, it is very obvious that M
is a hill station.
Again, in the given problem there is no negative information about N. Hence,
we can assume that N is a hill station as well as a historical place and an
industrial city. Combining if these aspects, the following table will be prepared
finally.

50 Problem Solving
L M N O P Q
Historical × × P × × P
place
Industrial P × P × P P
city
Hill × P P P P P
station
Now, after analysing the given question we get the answer:-

So, P and Q are two industrial centres.
ww
2. PROBLEMS BASED ON ARRANGEMENT
w In such problems a group of people, objects, etc, may have to be is arranged
.Ea
in a row, or in a circle or any other way.
Linear Arrangement
one row sequence syE
ngi
(A) When direction of face is not clear, then we take ourself as base and then the
diagram will be as follows
Face Face Face

nee Face Face
Left
A B C rin D E
Right
g.n
Middle
From the above diagram, it is clear that et
(i) B, C, D, E are right of A but only B is the immediate right of A.
(ii) D, C, B, A are left of E but only D is the immediate left of E.
(B) When direction of face is towards you, then the diagram will be as follows
A B C D E
Right Left
Face Face Face Face Face

From the above diagram, it is clear that
(i) B is immediate left of A, C is immediate left of B; D is immediate left of
C and E is immediate left of D.
(ii) D is immediate right of E; C is immediate right of D; B is immediate
right of C; and A is immediate right of B.

Problem Solving 51
two rows sequence and select the possibilities
Let us see 6 persons seating in two rows which does not violate any
P Q R condition.
Right Left
EXAMPLE 2. Directions : Just read
the following information
carefully to answer the questions
Left Right given below it:
S T U
From the above diagram, it is clear that Five friends P, Q, R, S, and T are
(i) P is sitting opposite S. sitting on a bench.
(ii) Q is sitting opposite T. (1) P is sitting next to Q.
ww
(iii) R is sitting opposite U.
(iv) P and U are sitting at diagonally
(2)
(3)
R is sitting next to S.
S is not sitting with T.
w opposite positions.
.Ea
(v) S and R are sitting diagonally
opposite positions.
(4)
(5)
T is on the last end of the bench.
R is on the 2nd position from the
right.
syE
Note: Point to be noted that in
arrangement problems, the actual
information can be classified into 2
(6)
(7)
Q.
P is on the right of Q and T.
P and R are sitting together.
All what position is P sitting?
categories:-
(a) Definite information
ngi
Sol.
Her e, 4th and 5th sentences
A definite information is one when
the place of object/man is
nee constitute definite information:
Comparative informations are: 1st,
definitely mentioned.
rin2nd, 6th and 7th sentences while 3rd
(b) Comparative information
In such information the place of g.n
is a negative information.
Now, start with definite information,
object/man is not mentioned
definitely but only a comparative
position is given. In other words
et
sketch the following arrangement:-
T __ __ R __
Now, this is the time to look for the
the positions of objects/men are comparative informations that tell
given in comparision to another about T and R. Such informations
objects/men. are 2nd, 6th and 7th sentences. Take
the 7th and the 1st sentence. If P
q Shortcut Approach and R are together and also Q and
Step I. Sketch a diagram of P are together, then P must be
empty places between Q and R. Now the
Step II. Fill up as many empty arrangement take the form as:-
places as possible using all
T Q P R ____
the definite informations.
By the virtue of the 2nd sentence:
Step III. With the help of
comparative information TQP RS
consider all possibilities So, P is sitting between Q and R.

52 Problem Solving
Circular Arrangement
Circle is the most important case from the exam point of view. Most of the times
Circle kind of statements are there in exams.
From the exam point of view, in most cases they give 8 persons sitting in the circle.
But before solving the important thing is their ' Sitting Position '.
Step 1. Knowing NEWS! N= North , E= East , W=West , S= South
N
W E
S
ww
To remember this just remember combination ' North - South ' & ' West - East ' which
comes together to each other respectively.
• w
Step 2 : Picking Left & Right .
.Ea
Facing Center
Clock wise = Left
• Facing Outside
Anti - Clock wise = Right
NW
N syE
NE NW
N
NE
W E ngi W E
SW SE
nee SW SE
S
rin S
If it is mention in the statement that all is g.n

facing outside then just do opposite of
above like this:
Clock wise = Right & Anti-clock wise
et Left Right
• Imagine yourself at the position

= Left shown by the box.
Step 3 : Solving step wise the statement • Now your left hand is the left side
or Following the statement. and right hand is the right side.
q Shortcut Approach • Now, if in question it is given, P is
second to the right of Q, approach
• Imagine yourself as one of the as follows.
persons given in the question. ® Imagine yourself as Q.
• Count how many people are
mentioned in the question. Then
draw a circle with those many Left Right
lines.
Q

Problem Solving 53
® Now, P is second to right of 3. PROBLEMS BASED ON
Q. The right of Q is your right side. COMPARISON
So, place P two places from Q
In such problems comparison of
towards its right. different objects or persons has to
be made. Such comparisions are
P done on the basis of marks, ages
Right heights, etc.
Left
Q Method to Solve
If you give a serious look to the problem
EXAMPLE 3. Directions Study the you will find that such problems are as
ww
following information carefully and
answer the question given below.
same as the arrangement problems.
Therefore, we have to go like
w
Bunty, Dev, Manav, Kavya, Payal,
.Ea
Qasturba, Wasir and Himmat are sitting
around a circle facing at the centre.
arrangement problem while solving
problems based on comparison.
EXAMPLE 4. Directions : Read the
syE
Manav is to the immediate right of Bunty
who is 4th to the right of Kavya. Payal
informations given below to
answer the given question:
is 2nd to the left of Bunty and is 4th to
the right of Wasir. Qasturba is 2nd to ngi (1) 7 students A, B, C, D, E, F and
G take a series of tests.
the right of Dev who is 2nd to the right
of Himmat. nee (2) No two students obtain the
same marks.
Q. Who is 3rd to the right of Bunty?
rin(3) G always scores more than A.
(4) A always scores more than B.
Sol.
g.n
(5) Each time either C scores the
highest and E gets the least,
Wasir
et
or alternatively D scores the
highest and F or B scores the
least.
Himmat Manav Q. If D is ranked 6th and B is ranked
5th, which of the following can be
Seating
Bunty true?
Kavya Arrangement
Sol.
Dev Qasturba In this case, we see there is no definite
information. Sentence 5 gives a definite
Payal information but it is conditional. Still, we
draw all the possibilities based on
sentence 5.
Now, look at the given question and (1) C __ __ __ __ __ __ E
check that you get the answer. or, (2) D __ __ __ __ __ __ F
So, Himmat is 3rd to the right of Bunty. or, (3) D __ __ __ __ __ __ B

54 Problem Solving
We see that the two additional or
informations (3) and (4) are inadequate +
to reach a definite conclusion. Hence, A B
–
keeping these in mind. We move on to

the given questions.
D is ranked 6th and B is 5th. This
does mean that possibilities (2) and
(3) are violated. Hence, possibility D
+
E
–
(1) must be true. Thus, we have:

C ______ B D E –
G F
+
Also by virtue of (3) and (4) we can
have only one arrangement for G, or
A and B which is GAB. Accordingly,
ww there are two possibilities:

C G FAB D E
+
A B
–
w or, C G AF B D E
So, if D is ranked 6th and B is ranked
.Ea
5th, then f is ranked 3rd or 4th.
D
+ –
E
4. PROBLEMS BASED ON
BLOOD RELATION syE G
–
F+
Such problems involves analysis
of certain blood relations. ngi The above diagrams tells us:-
(a) A and B are couple; A is the
q Shortcut Approach nee husband while B is the wife.
(b) D is son of A and B while E
(i) Vertical/diagonal lines to
represent parent-child rin is daughter of A and B.
relationships.
(ii) Single/double horizontal line
like ( « / Û) to represent
g.n
(c) D is the brother of E and E is
the sister of D.
marriages.
(iii) A dashed line (—) for brother
et
(d) D has a son F
(e) F and G are couple; F is the
husband and G is the wife.
and sister relationship. (f) F is the grandson of A and
(iv) ‘+’ sign for male and ‘–’ sign B.
for female (g) G is the daughter in law of
For example. D.
+
A B
–
(h) E is the aunt (Bua) of F
(i) There are 3 males (A, D and
F) and 3 females (B, E, G)
+ –
D E EXAMPLE 5. Directions : Read the
following information carefully
and answer the question given
– +
G F below:

Problem Solving 55
There are 6 members in a family. M
(–) (+)
O
They are M, N, O, P, Q, R are
travelling together. N is the son of
O but O is not the mother of N. M
and O are a married couple. Q is (–)
P N
(+)
the brother O. P is the daughter of
M. R is the brother of N. Now, we add the two sentences
Q. How many male members are there ‘Q is the brother of O’ and ‘R is the
in the family? brother of N’ and we get the final
Sol. Here, all the sentences are actual diagram as below:-
information except the first out of (–)
these the 2nd and the fifth M (+)
O Q
(+)
ww sentences give information on

parent child relationship. We can
w begin with either of the two. Let

us begin with the 6th sentence. Our
.Ea
diagram will be as
P
(–)
R
(+)
N
(+)
So, there are 4 male members in the

family.
M
(?)
syE 5. PROBLEMS BASED ON
(–) ngi BLOOD RELATIONS

AND PROFESSION
P
As, we do not want to make many
diagrams and instead we would
nee Such problems are very much
similar to the problems related to
prefer to only add to the existing
rin blood relation. What makes it
diagsams. Therefore, we should
look for sentences that talk of M
or P. The 3rd sentence talks about
g.n
different is the addition of new
data:- the professions of family
M. Hence, we add this

information, that M and O are
married couple in our diagram.
et
members. You will get the more
clear idea about this type of
problem.
EXAMPLE 6. Directions : Read the
M O following information carefully
(?) (?)
below it:
(–)
P (1) A, B, C, D, E and P are
Now, the 2nd sentence talks about members of a family.
O. It says that N is the son of O (2) There are two married
but O is not the mother of N. couples.
Obviously, O must be the father of
(3) B is an engineer and the father
N. This means O is a male and
of E
hence M must be a female. Now
our diagram takes the form as (4) P is the grandfather of C and
following:- is a lawyer.

56 Problem Solving
(5) D is the grandmother of E and Now, the 4th sentence has the
is a housewife. remaining information and diagram
(6) There is one engineer, one for it is given below:-
lawyer, one teacher, one P
housewife and two students (+, Lawyer)
in the family.
Q. Who is the husband of A? P is a lawyer and
Sol. Here, (1), (2), and (6) are useful (?) grandfather of C
secondary informations. While
(3), (4) and (5) are the actual
informations. We start with the 3rd C
sentence because it mentions a (? ?)
ww parent. Child relationship its
diagram can be made as the
Now, we see that we have ended
up with two different component.
w following:-
B
(+, Eng)
.Ea
Then how to resolve this deadlock?
The answer is simple: - to resolve
it, we make use of the given useful
syE
B is an Engineer
and father of E
secondary information (USI).
“There are two married couple in
the family.” Clearly, the two
ngi possible pairs are of grandfather,
grandmother and father, mother.
E
(? ?) nee Therefore, we combine the two
diagrams into the following way.
Now, we move on to another
sentence that involves either B or
rin
P D
E. You see that the 5th sentence
gives some information about E. It g.n
(+, Lawyer) (–, Housewife)
says that D is the grandmother E.
Point to be noted that if D is the
grandmother of E, then the son of
D must be father of E and hence B
et A
B
is the son of D. Now, the diagram (+, Eng) (– ?)
takes the following form.
D
(–, Housewife)
E C
(? ?) (? ?)
B D is a housewife Point to be noted that the

(+, Eng) and grandmother E professions of A, E and C are
yet unknown . However, with
reasonable justification, we may
E assume that the mother (A) should
(?, ?) be the teacher and the two children

Problem Solving 57
E and C should be students. But Q. If there be 5 boys in the team, then
this conclusion can be challenged the lone girl member is ------
and has no reason at all. Sol. Make the group of all the pairs that
Apart from that the sexes of E and have to be together on one side
C can not be determined. So, B is and the pairs that must not be
husband of A. together on the other side. Next,
read each of the questions and
treat that as an additional
6. PROBLEMS BASED ON
information. Finally, analyse the
CONDITIONAL SELECTION possibilities and choose the
In this type of problems, a group possibilities that satisfies all the
of objects/persons has to be conditions. Let us see the process
ww selected from a given larger group,

as per the given restrictions. You
below:-
Firstly, we can summarise the
wwill get the better idea of such type
.Ea
of problem from the problem given
below:-
conditions in the following way:-
J, M S,T
(+ )(+ ) (-)(-)
® Group
syE
EXAMPLE 7. Directions : Study the
following information carefully
K, R L, Q
(+ )(-) (+ )(-)
'must be together '.

below:- ngi L, S, K, N, M, P
(+) (–) (+) (+) (+) (–1) ® Group never
From, amongst 6 boys J, K, L, M,
N, and O and 5 girls P, Q, R, S and nee be together’
Here, number of boys are 5. We
T, a team of 6 is to be selected
under the following conditions:- rin see than K and N can never be
together. Therefore, there are only
(i) J and M have to be together.
(ii) L can not go with S.
g.ntwo ways of selecting 5 boys:-
JKLMO and JNLMO. But the
(iii) S and T have to be together.
(iv) K can not be teamed with N.
et
possiblity is not possible because
if K would go then R should also
go, and if L goes than Q should
(v) M cannot go with P. also go. Hence, JNLMO is the only
(vi) K and R have to be together. possibility in which L’s friend Q
(vii) L and Q have to be together. would be the lone girl member.

Past Solved Papers

58 Input and Output
Chapter
14 Input and Output

INT RODUCTION PROBLEM OF SHIFTING
Problems related to input-output are We know that in such type of problems,
frequently asked questions in various a word/number processing machine
graduate level competitive examinations. generate output th rough shiftin g.
ww
They are not very tough stuff but take a
good deal of time to be solved or
Shifting does mean an operation in which
words or numbers of a given input give
w
sometimes students do not take attempt
to solve them because of time consuming
.Ea
impression of such type of questions.
But proper understanding of the subject
outputs in different steps through
shifting their place to different place as
per a fixed pattern.
syE
makes you believe that such problems
are not as tough and time consuming as
Note : In shifting problems, the previous
step of any step can possibly be
determined, so we can move in backward
they seem.
ngi or reverse order which is not possible
in some of the other type of problems.
CONCEPT OF INPUT-
OUTPUT PROBLEMS nee Methods to Solve
In such problems:
(a) It is imagined that there is some rin
Lets take an example
Input : Blue Cat Good Other Have Cake
kind of computer/word processing
machine. g.n
Step 1 : Blue Other Good Cat Have Cake
Step 2 : Blue Other Have Cat Good Cake
(b) An input is given to the computer/
word processing machine
(c) The computer/word processing
et
Step 3 : Cake Other Have Cat Good Blue
Step 4 : Cake Cat Have Other Good Blue
Step 5 : Cake Cat Good Other Have Blue
machine performs repeated Step 6 : Blue Cat Good Other Have Cake
operations as per a certain pattern Shifting of element can easily be
to give different output in different understood by making them equivalent
steps. to number like
Blue = 1, Cat = 2, Good = 3, Other = 4,
TYPES OF PROBLEMS Have = 5, Cake = 6
Input can be written as
(i) Problems of shifting 1 2 3 4 5 6
(ii) Problems of arrangement Blue Cat Good Other Have Cake
(iii) Problems of mathematical Step-1 : 2 and 4 interchanged
operation Step-2 : 3 and 5 interchanged
Step-3 : 1 and 6 interchanged
(iv) Miscellaneous. Step-4 : 1, 2 and 3 are repeated again.

Input and Output 59

) )
Input : 1 2 3 4 5 6 Step-3 : 6 4 5 2 3 1
)
) Step-4 : 6 2 5 4 3 1
Step-1 : 1 4 3 2 5 6
Step-5 : 6 2 3 4 5 1
Step-2 : 1 4 3 2 5 6 Step-6 : 1 2 3 4 5 6
PROBLEMS ON ARRANGEMENTS
1. Word Arrangement from Left Side:
EXAMPLE :
ww Input : mango tango orange banana pear

Step I: banana mango tango orange pear
w Step II: banana mango orange tango
.Ea
Step III: banana mango orange pear
pear
tango
syE
Here, we start arrangement from the word that comes 1st in the dictionary;
then comes the word coming 2nd in the dictionary, then comes the word
coming 3rd in the dictionary and so on. In this case, the arrangement start from
ngi
left side. This is the reason in step I banana comes 1st as it comes 1st in the
dictionary. In the 2nd step, orange comes at 3rd place because after the
nee
arrangement of step I the next word coming in the dictionary is mango but it
get arranged automatically and hence there is no need to arrange it in step II.
rin
This is the reason after arranging banana in step I, we directly come to the
word orange (coming 3rd in the dictionary) in step II. In the 3rd step, we
g.n
arrange the word ‘pear’ (coming 4th in the dictionary) and the word tango get
arranged automatically.
2. Word Arrangement from Right:
EXAMPLE :
et
Input: Name Fame Game Shame Jam
Step I: Name Game Shame Jam Fame
Step II: Name Shame Jame Game Fame
Step III: Shame Name Jam Game Fame
In this case, the arrangement starts from right side. The word coming 1st in the
dictionary comes at the 1st position from right. At the 2nd position from right
comes the word coming 2nd in the dictionary and the process goes on till the
arrangement gets completed. In the above given example, ‘Fame’ is the 1st
word coming in the dictionary and hence it comes at the 1st position from right
in the step I. In the step II, the 2nd word coming in the dictionary (Game)
comes at the 2nd position from right. Point to be noted that the word coming

60 Input and Output

third in the dictionary will come at the 3rd position from right and this word is
‘Jam’. But ‘Jam’ automatically get arranged as per the given pattern when we
arrange the word ‘Game’ in II step. This is the reason why we don’t arrange
‘Jam’ in the third step and jump directly to arrange the word. ‘Name’ that
comes 4th in the dictionary. ‘Name’ occupies 4th position from right and the
word ‘Shame’ automatically get arranged in the 3rd step. Hence, the word
‘Shame’ does not need to get arranged.
3. Word Arrangement from the Left-Right Alternate:
EXAMPLE :
Input: Sachin is a great cricket player
ww Step I: a
Step II: a
Sachin
is
is great
great cricket player
cricket player
Sachin
w Step III: a
Step IV: a
.Ea
cricket
cricket
is
great is
great player
player
Sachin
Sachin
Here, the arrangement is made by putting the first word at 1st place, then
syE
alphabetically last word at last place, then alphabetically second word at second
place from left and the further arrangements goes on in the same manner. In
ngi
the other words, are positioned from the left and from the right alternately. In
the step I the word coming 1st in the dictionary is ‘a’ and it takes 1st position
nee
from left. In the step II, the last word coming alphabetically is Sachin and it
takes last position (1st from right). In step III, the word coming 2 nd in dictionary
rin
is ‘cricket’ that comes at 2nd position from left. In step IV, the word coming 3rd
last in the dictionary takes the 3rd position from right. After the step IV, all the
g.n
words get arranged in alphabetical order. Point to be noted that after step IV,
there is no need to arrange the word ‘great’ as it get arranged automatically is
4.
step IV.
Arrangement in Increasing or Decreasing Order:
et
EXAMPLE :
Input: 25 17 18 58 100 35
Step I: 17 25 18 58 100 35
Step II: 17 18 25 58 100 35
Step III: 17 18 25 35 58 100
This arrangement gives a clear idea of arrangement of numbers in increasing
order. In step I, the smallest number (17) comes at the 1st position from left
pushing the remaining to the right. In step II, the 2nd smallest number (18)
comes at 2nd position from left pushing the remaining number to the right. In
step III, the 4th smallest number (35) takes 4th position from left and the other
two numbers 58 and 100 get arranged automatically.

Input and Output 61

Now, let us see decreasing order arrangement:
Input: 25 17 18 58 100 35
Step I: 100 25 17 18 58 35
Step II: 100 58 25 17 18 35
Step III: 100 58 35 25 17 18
Step IV: 100 58 35 25 18 17
The same arrangement can take place from right side (or in the reverse order)
as follow:
Input: 25 17 18 58 100 35
ww Step I:
Step II:
25
25
18
58
58
100
100
35
35
18
17
17
w Step III:
.Ea
Step IV:
58
100
100
58
35
35
25
25
18
18
17
17
5.
syE
Number Arrangment from Left-Right Alternate:
Like words left-right alternate arrangement, number arrangement also takes
ngi
place. The process of this arrangement is exactly the same as the arrangement
takes place in case of words. Just see the following cases:
Case I :
Input: 100 125 26 nee 10 15 35
Step I: 10 100 125
rin
26 15 35
Step II:
Step III:
10
10
100
15
26
100
15
26g.n 35
35
125
125
Step IV: 10 15 26 35
et 100 125
Here, the smallest number (10) takes 1st position from left in step I. In step II
the largest number takes the last (1st from right) position. Again in step III the
2nd smallest number (15) comes at the 2nd position from left. In the step IV, the
2nd largest number (100) comes at the 2nd position from right and the remaining
number (26 and 35) get arranged automatically.
Case II :
Input: 100 125 26 10 15 35
Step I: 100 26 10 15 35 125
Step II: 10 100 26 15 35 125
Step III: 10 26 15 35 100 125
Step IV: 10 15 26 35 100 125
In case II, the arrangements take place in the same way as the arrangements
take place in case I. But the difference here is that case I is a left-right

62 Input and Output

arrangement and case II is the right-left arrangement. In case II, the arrangement
starts with the largest number (125) coming at the 1st position from right and
this is step I. In step II, the smallest number (10) comes at the 1st position from
left. In step III the 2nd largest number (100) comes at the 2nd position from
right. In step III, the third largest number (35) automatically comes at the 3rd
position from right. In 4th step, the 2nd smallest number (15) comes at the 2nd
position from left and 26 get arranged automatically coming at 3rd position
from left.
Note: Left-right (or right-left) arrangement of numbers also take place in the
same manner when numbers are arranged in decreasing order.
ww
6. Arrangement of Words and Numbers Simultaneously:
w Just see the following outputs produced by a word and number machine.
Case I
Input: .Ea
50 32 Vandana Prerna Aradhna 100
Step I: 32
Step II: 32
50
syE
Aradhna 50
Vandana Prerna
Vandana
Aradhna 100
Prerna 100
Step III: 32
Step IV: 32
Aradhna 50
Aradhna 50
ngi Prerna
Prerna
Vandana 100
100 Vandana
nee
In such case, numbers and words get arranged alternately. In step I, the smallest
number (32) comes at the 1st position from left pushing the remaining members
rin
of input towards right. In the step II, the word coming 1st alphabetically (that
g.n
is the word ‘Aradhna’) takes the 2nd position from left pushing the remaining
member rightward. Point to be noted that the 2nd smallest number automatically
et
comes at the third position from left while arranging the word ‘Aradhna’ and
hence, there is no need to arrange the 2nd smallest number ‘50’. In step III, the
word (Prerna) coming 2nd alphabetically comes at the 4th position from left
pushing the other members to the right. In step IV, the largest number (100)
occupies the 5th position from left and the word (Vandana) coming last
alphabetically comes at last position automatically finishing the complete
arrangement.
Let us see some other cases of this type:
Case II:
Input: 50 32 Vandana Prerna Aradhna 100
Step I: 100 50 32 Vandana Prerna Aradhna
Step II: 100 Vandana 50 32 Prerna Aradhna
Step III: 100 Vandana 50 Prerna 32 Aradhan

Input and Output 63

In this case, largest number and the word coming last alphabetically get
arranged alternately. Then the 2nd longest number and the word coming 2nd
last alphabetically get arranged alternately and the process goes on till the
arrangements of all the numbers and words get completed. In this case,
arrangement completes in step III.
Case III:
Step I: Aradhna 50 32 Vandana Prerna 100
Step II: Aradhna 32 50 Vandana Prerna 100
Step III: Aradhna 32 Prerna 50 Vandana 100
ww In this case, arrangement starts with the word coming 1st alphabetically and
such word is ‘Aradhna’ that comes at the 1st position from left is step I. In step
w II, the smallest number (32) comes at the 2nd position from left. Then, in step
.Ea
III, the word coming 2nd alphabetically comes at the 3rd position from left and
all the other members get arranged automatically.
Case IV:
Input: 50
syE 32 Vandana Prerna Aradhna 100
Step I:
Step II:
Vandana
Vandana
50
100 50
ngi
32 Prerna
32
Aradhna 100
Prerna Aradhna
Step III: Vandana 100 Prerna nee 50 32 Aradhna
Step IV: Vandana 100 Prerna
rin 50 Aradhna 32
In this case, word coming last alphabetically comes 1st from left in step I and
g.n
such word is ‘Vandana’. In step II, the largest number (100) comes at the 2nd
position from left. In step III, the word coming 2nd last alphabetically occupies
et
the 3rd position from left, and such word is ‘Prerna’. As the 2nd largest number
(50) automatically get arranged as per the pattern going on and hence this is
not needed to arranged in step IV. In step VI, the word coming Ist alphabetically
comes at the 5th position from left and such word is ‘Aradhna’. The smallest
number (32) get arranged automatically coming at the last position from left in
step IV. Thus, it is clear that in this case the word coming lst alphabetically and
the greatest number get arranged alternately in 1st two steps; then 2nd last
word alphabetically and 2nd largest number get arranged alternately finishing
the whole arrangement in step IV.
Case V:
Step I: 32 50 Vandana Prerna Aradhna 100
Step II: 32 Vandana 50 Prerna Aradhna 100
Step III: 32 Vandana 50 Prerna 100 Aradhna

64 Input and Output

In this case, the smallest number comes at the 1st position from left in step I
and such number is 32. In step II, the word (Vandana) coming last alphabetically
occupies the 2nd place from left. In the 2nd step, the 2nd smallest number (50)
takes the 3rd position from left automatically and also the word coming 2nd
last alphabatically takes the 4th position from left automatically. Hence, there
is no need to arrange ‘50’ and ‘Prerna’. In the III step, the largest number (100)
occupies the 5th position from left completing the whole arrangement.
Case VI:
Step I: 100 50 32 Vandana Prerna Aradhna
ww Step II:
Step III:
100
100
Aradhna
Aradhna
50
50
32
Prerna
Vandana
32
Prerna
Vandana
w In this case, the logic is that the greatest number (100) comes at the 1st position
.Ea
from left in step I. In step II the word coming 1st alphabetically takes the 2nd
position from left and the 2nd largest number (50) gets arranged automatically.
syE
Hence, in step III, we direct arrange the word coming 2nd last alphabetically
(that word is ‘Prerna’) occupies the 4th position from left and the other two
ngi
members (32 and ‘Vandana’) get arranged automatically finishing the whole
arrangement.
7. nee
Arrangement Based on the Number of Letters in Words:
Just have a look at the following patterns:
rin
Case I :
Input: let pattern love fried g.n be mature
Step I: be
Step II: be
let
let
pattern love
love et
pattern fried
fried mature
mature
Step III: be let love fried pattern mature
Step IV: be let love fried mature pattern
Here, the words get arranged as per increasing number of letters. In other
words, the word having least number of letters comes 1st from left in step I and
such word is ‘be’. The word ‘let’ is bigger than ‘be’ and smaller than other
words letterwise and hence, it takes 2nd position from left but it gets arranged
automatically when the word ‘be’ is arranged in step I. In 2nd step, the word
‘love’ comes at the 3rd position from left as it is bigger than word ‘let’ letterwise.
In step III, the letterwise bigger word (fried) than love comes at the fourth
position from left. Similarly, mature comes at the 5th position from left and
pattern comes at the last position automatically while arranging the word
‘mature’.

Input and Output 65

Case II :
Input: let pattern love fried be mature
Step I: pattern let love fried be mature
Step II: pattern mature let love fried be
Step III: pattern mature fried let love be
Step IV: pattern mature fried love let be
In this case, the words get arranged in decreasing order in terms of letters. In
other words, the word having the largest number of letters comes 1st from left,
then comes the word having 2nd largest number of letters, then comes the
word having 3rd largest number of letters and the process goes on till the
ww word having the least number of letters occupies the last position from left.
Case III:
w Input:
Step I:
Step II:
let
.Ea
a
a
pattern gate
let
be
a
pattern gate
let
set
set
pattern gate
be
be
set
hope
hope
hope
Step III:
Step IV:
a
a
be
be syE let
let
set
set
pattern gate
gate
hope
pattern hope
Step V: a be let
ngi set gate hope pattern
Have you noticed something here? Here, the words get arranged in increasing
nee
order of litters. But when it comes to the case of two or more words having
equal number of letters the priority is given alphabetically. It does mean that
rin
the word coming 1st as per the alphabet will be put before the word coming
2nd. Similarly, the word coming 2nd alphabetically will be put before the word
g.n
coming third. This is the reason why ‘let’ has been put before ‘set’ and ‘gate’
has been put before ‘hope’.
Case IV:
Input: let pattern gate a
et set be hope
Step I: pattern let gate a set be hope
Step II: pattern hope let gate a set be
Step III: pattern hope gate let a set be
Step IV: pattern hope gate set let a be
Step V: pattern hope gate set let be a
In this case, the words get arranged in decreasing order of letters. But when it
comes to the case of two or more words having equal number of letters the
priority is given to the word that comes later alphabetically. It does mean that
the word coming 1st alphabetically will be put after the word coming 2nd and
the word coming 2nd will be put after the word coming 3rd. This is the reason
why ‘hope’ has been put before ‘gate’ and ‘set’ has been put before ‘let’.

66 Input and Output

Important Note: The case of arrangement discussed so far are the cases of push. In
all the cases a new word jumps from its place in every step, occupies its new and
due place and gives the remaining words and push either towards left or right as
per the requirement of the pattern. But in some cases of arrangement interchange
does take place and that format is given below:
8. Arrangement with Interchange:
EXAMPLE
Input: the most beautiful girl is Vandana
Step I: beautiful most the girl is Vandana
Step II: beautiful girl the most is Vandana
ww Step III: beautiful girl is most the Vandana

In this case, the word (beautiful) coming 1st in alphabetical order comes at the
w 1st position from left interchanging its place with the word ‘the’ and this is
.Ea
step I. In step II, the word (girl) coming 2nd in alphabetical order occupies the
2nd position from left interchanging with the word ‘most’. In step III, the word
syE
coming 3rd (is) comes at the third position from left interchanging with the
word ‘the’ and finishing the complete arrangement in alphabetical order.
This type of cases can also be seen in number arrangements and in the
ngi
arrangements of numbers and words simultaneously. The examples of these
type of arrangements are given below:
EXAMPLE nee
(Increasing order number arrangement)
Input: 25 11 50
rin
20 35
Step I:
Step II:
11
11
25
20
50
50
20
25g.n 35
35
Step III:
Step IV:
11
11
20
20
25
25
50
35
et 35
50
Presentation :
Step I: 11 25 50 20 35
Step II: 11 20 50 25 35
Step III: 11 20 25 50 35
Step IV: 11 20 25 35 50

Input and Output 67

The presentation gives you the clear idea of how interchange takes place in
every step.
EXAMPLE (Decreasing order number arrangement)

Input: 25 11 50 20 35
Step I: 50 11 25 20 35
Step II: 50 35 25 20 11
Presentation:
Step I: 50 11 25 20 35
ww
w Step II:
.Ea 50 35 25 20 11
syE
PROBLEMS OF MATHEMATICAL OPERATION—
ngi
In this type of problems, the input has some numbers. Different steps are obtained
by taking the numbers of the input and different arithmetic operations are performed
after that.
nee
EXAMPLE
Input : 44 35 18 rin
67 22 28 36
Step I : 36 27 10 59 g.n 14 20 28
Step II :
Step III :
16
132
15
105
8
54
42
201
et4
66
16
84
18
108
Step IV : 50 41 24 73 28 34 42
Step V : 8 8 9 4 4 1 9
Step VI : 64 64 81 169 16 100 81
Step VII : 20 19 12 46 8 20 22
In this case, in step I (each number of the input – 8). In step II, product of the
digits of each number of the input. In step III, each number of the input is
multiplied by 3. In step IV, each number of the input is added by 6. In step V,
keep adding the digits of each number of the input till they are converted into
single digit. In step VI, (digit sum of each number of input)2. In step VII, each
number of step II is added by 4.

68 Input and Output

MISCELLANEOUS PROBLEMS
In this type of problems, there is no fixed pattern of questions coming under this
category. Infact, questions under this category comes before you as a real surprise.
EXAMPLE
Input : every now and then same

Step I : every ow nd hen ame
Step II : ever no an the sam
Step III : vry nw nd thn sm
ww Step IV :
Step V :
ee
ery
o
w
a
d
e
en
ae
me
w In this case, in step I, first letter disappear. In step II, last letter disappear. In
.Ea
step III, vowels disappear. In step IV, consonants disappear. In step V, first two
letters disappear.
q Shortcut Approach
syE
1.
ngi
First of all, observe the given input line of words or numbers and the last step
of rearrangement, so that candidate may get an idea about the changes effected
2.
in various steps of rearrangement.
nee
In order to know what changes have been made in each step, observe two
3.
consecutive steps carefully.
rin
Now, correlate the input, the last step and anyone of the middle steps. This
4.
g.n
will enable you to identify the rule of arrangement.
In shifting problems, it is possible to determine the previous/earlier steps
5.
shifting problems.
et
including input. We can proceed/move backward or in reverse direction in
In shifting problems for convenience, we assign numeric value to given words.

Past Solved Papers

Syllogism 69
Chapter
15 Syllogism
INTRODUCTION All the sentences mentioned above give

a relation between subject and predicate.
Syllogism is a Greek word that does mean
Here, it is clear from the sentences that a
‘inference’ or ‘deduction’. The problems subject is the part of a sentence
ww
of syllogism are based on two parts :
1. Proposition / Propositions
something is said about, while a predicate
is the term in a sentence which is related
2.
w Conclusion / Conclusions drawn from
.Ea
given proposition/ propositions
to the subject.
Now, let us define the proposition :
A proposition is a sentence that makes a
PROPOSITION
syE
Just consider the sentences given below:
statement giving a relation between two
terms. It has three parts :
ngi
(a) The subject
(b) The predicate
(i) “All lions are pigs ”
nee
(c) The relation between subject and
predicate
Subject Predicate
rin
CATEGORICAL PROPOSITION
g.n
Let us see the sentences given below :
(ii) “No cat
Subject
is rat ”
Predicate
et
“All M are P”
“No M are P”
“Some M are P”
“Some M are not P”
What we notice in all above-Mentioned
(iii) “Some girls are beautiful ” sentences that they are condition free.
These type of sentences are called
Categorical Propositions. In other
Subject Predicate
words a categorical proposition has no
condition attached with it and it makes
direct assertion. It is different from non-
(iv) “Some kites are not birds ” categorical proposition which is in the
format
Subject Predicate “If M then P”

70 Syllogism
TYPES OF CATEGORICAL PROPOSITION:
Categorical proposition
Universal Particular
Positive Negative Positive Negative
ww All M are P
(A type)
No M are P Some M are P Some M are not P
(E type) (I type) (O type)
w
Therefore, it is clear, that universal
.Ea
propositions either completely include
the subject (A type) or completely
P
syE
exclude it (E type). On the other hand,
particular propositions either only partly
Some M are P (I type):
Either:
include the subject (I type) or only partly
exclude the subject (O type). ngi
Now, we can summarise the four types
of propositions to be used while solving nee M P
the problems of syllogism :

Format Type rin Some M are P
[Some M are not P]
All M are P
No M are P
A
E g.nOr :
Some M are P
Some M are not P O
I
et P
M
q Shortcut Approach
All M are P (A type): Some M are P
[All P are M]
P Some M are not P (O type):
and M, P Either:
M
[Possibility] M P
No M are P (E type):
Some M are not P
M [Some M are P]
Or:

Syllogism 71
EXAMPLE
P No one (student) is studious.
M [No student is studious]
(i) A negative sen tence with a
Some M are not P particular person as its subject is
[All P are M] E type propoistion.
HIDDEN PROPOSITIONS He does not deserve Bharat Ratna
(A) A type: Subject Predicate
Apart from ‘all’ it starts with every, Amitabh Bacchan is not a great actor.
ww each and any.

Subject Predicate
w EXAMPLE
.Ea
Every girl is beautiful.
[All girls are beautiful.]
(ii) Sentences in following formats are
E type :
“No student except
(i)
syE
A positive sen tence with a
particular person as its subject is
definite exception
A type.
ngi Reena has failed”
He should be amended Bharat Ratna

nee “Is there any truth left in the
world”
[No truth is left in the world.]
Subject Predicate
rin
(C) I type:
Amitabh Bacchan is a great actor. g.n Apart from some it also starts with
Subject Predicate et
words such as often, frequently,
almost, generally, mostly, a few,
most etc.
(ii) A sentence in with a definite
EXAMPLE
exception is A type :
(i) Almost all the girls are beautiful.
definite exception [Some girls are beautiful].
(ii) Most of the garments are
“All girls except Reeta are healthy.” handmade.
[Some of the garments are
handmade].
(B) E type:
It is clear from the above examples
Apart from ‘no’ this type of that negative sentences begining
propositions starts from ‘no one’, with words like ‘few’, ‘rarely’,
‘seldom’, etc. (Also ‘hardly’,
‘none’, ‘not a single’ etc. ‘scarcely’, ‘little’ etc.) are to be
reduced to I type.

72 Syllogism
Just see the other formates given below Also, see the following formates :
Not a definite exception as name of No definite exception as name of

girls are not given. girls are not given.
All girls except a few are beautiful.

No girls except three are beautiful.
[Some girls are beautiful]
[Some girls are not beautiful.]
Not a definite exception as name of
girls are not given. No definite exception as name of
women are not given.
ww All girls except 5 have passed
w
[Some girls have passed]
.Ea
Therefore, a positive proposition with
No women except a few are housewife.
Therefore, a negative proposition with

an indefinite exception is reduced to I
type.
(D) O type :
syE an indefinite exception, is reduced to O
type.
Apart from “Some ....... not’ this ngi EXCLUSIVE PROPOSITIONS

type of statements start with words
like ‘all’, ‘every’, ‘any’, ‘each’, etc. nee
Such propositions start with ‘only’,
‘alone’, ‘none else but’, ‘none but’ etc.
EXAMPLE
rin
and they can be reduced to either A or E
or I format.
(i) All girls are not beautiful.
[Some girls are not beautiful] g.n
EXAMPLE
(ii) Poor are usually not healthy.
[Some poor are not healthy]
Now, it is clear from the above mentioned Officers.
et
Only graduates are Probationary
examples that negative propositions with Þ No graduate is Probationary

words such as ‘almost’, ‘frequently’, Officer (E type)
‘most’, ‘mostly’, ‘a few’, generally, etc. Þ All Probationary Officers are
ar e to be reduced to th e O–type graduates. (A type)
propositions. Þ Some graduates are Probationary
Again, positive propositions starting Officers (I type)
with words like ‘few’, ‘scarcely’, ‘rarely’, General format of sentences given in the
‘little’, ‘seldom’ etc. are said to be O– examinations :
type. All M are P (A type)
EXAMPLE No M are P (E type)
Seldom are women jealous. Some M are P (I type)
[Some women are not jealous] Some M are not P (O type)

Syllogism 73
Note : General format given above are After conversion it becomes
frequently asked formats in the
Subject Predicate
examinations. But students must be
ready for other hidden formates of A,
E, I and O types of propositions as “Some P are M ” (I type)
problems in hidden formates can also
be given in question papers. Therefore, I gets converted into I.
(iv) Conversion of O type :
CONVERSION OF
O type of proposition can’t be
PROPOSITIONS converted.
Before solving the problems of syllogism Note : In each conversion, subject
it is must to know the conversion rules of becomes predicate and predicate
ww
all A, E, O, and I types of propositions :
(i) Conversion of A type :
becomes subject.
In fact, conversion is an immediate
w Subject
.Ea Predicate
inference that is drawn from a single
proposition while inference drawn from
two propositions are called mediate
“All M are
After conversion it becomes.
syE
P ” (A type) inference.
q Shortcut Approach
Subject Predicate
ngiTable of conversion :
“Some P are M ” (I type) nee

A
Type of
proposition
I
Ge t conve rte d into
Therefore, it is clear that A type of

propositions get converted into I type. E rin E
(ii) Conversion of E type : I
O g.n I
Never get converted
Subject Predicate
“No M are P ”(E type)

et
Rule to draw conclusion :
After knowing con version of
propositions, we must learn the rules
After conversion it becomes to draw conclusions. In problems of
Subject Predicate syllogism, conclusions are drawn either
from single propositions or from two
“ No P are M ” (E type) proposition or from both. But a
conclusion from single proposition is
Therefore, E gets converted into E. just a conversion of that proposition
(iii) Conversion of I type : while to get conclusion from two
propositions a certain table is used that
tells us what type of conclusion (in form
Subject Predicate
of proposition) we get out of two
propositions. To understand it, let us
“Some M are P ” (I type) see the following conclusion table :

74 Syllogism
Conclusion Table
I Proposition II Proposition Conclusion
A A A
A E E
E A (O)R
E I (O)R
I A I
I E O
Note : EXAMPLE
(a) Apart from above 6 pairs of
ww propositions, no other pair will
give any conclusion.
Statements :
I. No pen is chair..
w
(b) The conclusion drawn out of two
.Ea
propositions is itself a proposition
and its subject is the subject of
II. Some tables are pen .
syE
the Ist statement while its
predicate is the predicate of the
2nd statement. The common term
EXAMPLE
Statements :
get disappeared.
(c) (O) R does mean that the
ngi I. Some women are men .
conclusion is O type but is in

reverse order. In this case, the
nee II. No men is chair..
subject of the inference or
conclusion is the predicate of the rin
In all the above mentioned example, we
notice that in two statements of every
2nd proposition and the predicate
of the conclusion is the subject of
g.n
example, there is a common term. In
the Ist sentence or statement.

(d) The conclusion table gives
correct conclusions or inference
et
example 1 the word ‘girl’ is common; in
example 2 the word ‘pen’ is common
while in example 3 the word ‘men’ is
common.
if and only if the two propositions
Now, the aligning of the two statements
are aligned properly.
(propositions) does mean that the pair
WHAT IS ALIGNING ? of statements must be written in such a
way that the common term is the
Let us see the following examples :
predicate of the 1st sentence and the
EXAMPLE subject of the 2nd.
Statements : Just think over the following examples :
Statements :
I. All girls are beautiful.
I. Some girls are cute .
II. Some girls are Indian. II. All cute are tall.

Syllogism 75
Here, the common term cute is the METHODS:
predicate of the I statement and subject (1) By Analytical Method
of the 2nd statement. Therefore, the two (2) By Venn Diagram
statements (I & II) are properly aligned. (1) Analytical method :
But see another example. This method has two main steps:
Statements : (a) Aligning the pair of sentences.
I. Some bats are chairs. (b) Using conclusion table to
draw conclusion.
II. Some cats are bats .
EXAMPLE Statements :
Here, the sentences are not aligned as
the predicate of the 1st statement is not I. All rats are cats.
II. All rats are men.
ww
the subject of the 2nd.
Then how to align it ? In such type of
cases we change the order of sentences.
When aligned it takes the form as
w
In another words we put I sentence in
.Ea
place of II and II in place of I :
I.
II.
Some cats are rats [I type]
All rats are men [A type]

II.
I.
Some cats are bats .
Some bats are chairs.

syE Now we use the conclusion table
given in this chapter that says
I + A = I type of conclusion.
Therefore, as per the requirement and
nature of the sentence the alignment is
ngi Therefore, the drawn conclusion
must be
done.
(i) only by changing the order
nee “Some cats are men”
It is clear that the conclusion drawn
of sentences.
rin
“Some cats are men” is a mediate
inference as it is the result of two
or
(ii) only by converting of the g.n
propositions. But in actual problem
immediate inferences are also given in
sentences.
or
(iii) By changing the order of the
below : et
conclusion part and that format is given
statements and then EXAMPLE: Statements:

converting on e of the I. All rats are cats.
sentences. II. All rats are men.
IEA Rule Conclusion:
(i) Some cats are men.
Alignment must be done in IEA order. It (ii) Some men are cats.
does mean that if the two statements are (iii) Some rats are cats.
I & E then the conversion must be done (iv) Some cats are rats.
for I and for E & I it will be done for E. (v) Some rats are men.
After discussing all the minute things (vi) Some men are rats.
about this chapter, now we have come Here, all the options are correct.
at the position of solving the problems conclusion (i) follows because it is the
of syllogism. mediate inference of statements I & II.

76 Syllogism
Conclusion (ii) is the conversion of METHOD TO SOLVE
conclusion (i) conclusion (iii) is the (a) 1st step is sketching all possible
immediate inference (conversion) of pictorial representation for the
statement I while conclusion (iv) is the statements separately.
conversion of conclusion (iii). (b) 2nd step is combining possible
Conclusion (v) is the immediate inference pairs of these representations of
(conversion) of statement II while all the statements into one.
conclusion (vi) is the conversion of (c) 3rd and final step is making
conclusion (v). interpretation of this combined
Further, in some problems figure.
complementary pairs are also seen in th Conclusions are true if they are
ww
e conclusion part in the forms of sentence
given below:
supported by all the combined
figures in 2nd step.
w
(a) (i) Some cats are rats.
.Ea
(ii) Some cats are not rats I - O pair
(b) (i) All cats are rats.
EXAMPLE
Statements :
A. All chairs are books.
(c) (i) Some cats are rats.
(ii) No cats are rats.
syE
(ii) Some cats are not rats. A- O pair
I- E pair
B. All books are ties.
Conclusions :
Apart from I - O, A - O and I - E pair the
two sentences must have some subject ngi I. Some ties are books.
II. Some ties are chairs.
and predicates as are the above
mentioned pairs. for these pairs we write nee 1st Step :
the form 'Either (i) or (ii) follows.

METHOD TO SOLVE rin b
(a) First step is aligning the g.n c t b
sentences.
(b) Second step is using conclusion
table.
et 1A 1B
(c) Third step is checking immediate

inferences.
(d) Fourth step is checking through c, b b, t
the conversion of immediate
inferences & immediate inferences.
(e) First step is checking the 2A
2B
complementary pairs. Here, 1A and 2A are representations for
(2) Venn diagram method for solving statement A while 1B and 2B are
problems : representations for statement B. In these
Students will have to adopt three representations
steps to solve the syllogism b = books
problems through Venn diagram c = chairs
method : t = ties

Syllogism 77
2nd step : POSSIBILITY
Let us combine all the possible pairs of
this pictorial representations : Possibility is a concept of inconsistency
for an event which is not yet verified but
if true would explain certain facts or
b c t phenomena.
Generally, the meaning of possibility is
probability, viz. possibility exists where
(1A + 1B) nothing is certain between the objects.
In general language determination of
possibility exist easily in that condition
b c t when between two objects have no
ww certainty or the truth facts accordingly.

Let's understand below table in which
w t
(1A + 2B)
c, b .Ea
possibility exists where no definite
relation occurs between the objects and
definite or proper relation between the
syE objects eliminate existance of any

possibility. In simple way given
condition eliminates the possibility and
(2A + 1B)
ngi improper condition favours the
possibility. Here, we can go through with
c, b t
nee
an example which will also clear the term
possibility.
rin
Condition Possibility
(2A + 2B)
3rd step :
When we interpret the pictures in step
g.n
Given facts
Imaginary facts
cannot be determined
can be determined
II, we find that all the pictures support
both the conclusions. Therefore,
conclusion I :
EXAMPLE et
Statements Some boxes are trees
“Some ties are books” and Some trees are hens.
conclusion II. Conclusions
“Some ties are chairs” I. Some boxes being hens is a
both are true. possibility
Note : In the Venn diagram method, II. All trees being hens is a
any conclusion given with any possibility
problem will be true if and only if it is
supported by all the combined
pictorial representations through 2nd Boxes Trees
step. If any pictorial representation
contradicts the given conclusion, it Hens
will be put in the category of incorrect Hens
or wrong conclusion.

78 Syllogism
In Conclusion I, before deciding the possibility between boxes and hens, we
must notice the relation between both, we find that there is no relation between
boxes and hens, so possibility favours the condition and the conclusion I is true
for possibility and in Conclusion II we must notice the relation between trees
and hens. We find that both have some type of relation between them so the
possibility of ‘All between trees and hens is true. Hence, both the Conclusions
I and II follow.
q Shortcut Approach
Desired
Given Exclusive Proposition Possibility
Proposition
ww All
Some
All
Some
´
´
w No
No
.Ea
No
Some not
´
´
Some All ü
syE
No proper relation Some All ü
ngi
Note: Improper relation between two objects favours the possibility (In above
example Conclusion I)
nee
SPECIAL CASES OF EXCLUSIVE PROPOSITION
If the statement is of Conversion rin

Illustration
Meaningful
Conversion
Much, more, many,
very,
Some Most A are B.
g.n
A few X are Y.
Some A and B.
Some X or Y.
a few, most, almost
Atleast Some
et
Atleast some A are B. Some A and B.
Definitely No use Some A are definitely B. Some A are B.

Some X are definitely not Y. Some X are not Y.
Only Only A are B. All B are A.
1% to 99% Some 38% A are B. Some A are B.
98% X are Y. Some X are Y.

Past Solved Papers

Cube & Dice 79
Chapter
16 Cube & Dice

CUBE • Faces of the cube are ABCD,
EFGH, CDGH, BCHE, ABEF and
INTRODUCTION ADFG.
ww
A cube is three dimensional figure whose
length, breadth and height are equal and
any two adjacent faces are inclined to
When a cube is painted on all of
its faces with any colour and
w
each other at 90°. It has 6 faces, 8 corners
and 12 edges.
.Ea
further divided into various
smaller cubes of equal size, we
get following results :
G
syE
H (i) Smaller cubes with no face painted
will present inside faces of the
D C
ngi undivided cube.
(ii) Smaller cubes with one face
F
E
nee painted will present on the faces
of the undivided cube.
A B rin
(iii) Smaller cubes with two faces
• Corners of the cube are A, B, C, D, g.n

painted will present on the edges
of undivided cube.
•
E, F, G and H.
Edges of the cube are AB, BE, EF,
AF, AD, CD, BC, EH, CH, GH, DG
et
(iv) Smaller cubes with three faces
painted will present on the corners
of the undivided cube.
and FG.
Cube with Cube with

two sides three sides
painted painted
Cube with
one side
painted
The above figure may be analysed by dividing it into three horizontal layers :

80 Cube & Dice

Layer I or top layer :
The central cube has only one face coloured, four cubes at the corner have
three faces coloured and the remaining 4 cubes have two faces coloured.
Top layer
Bottom unpainted
Layer II or middle layer :
The central cube has no face coloured, the four cubes at the corner have two
ww faces coloured and the remaining 4 cubes have only face coloured.
Middle layer Top unpainted
w .Ea Unpainted cube
syE Bottom unpainted
Layer III or bottom layer :

ngi
nee
The central cube has only one face coloured, four cubes at the corner have
three faces coloured and the remaining 4 cubes have two faces coloured.
Bottom layer
rin
g.n
et
Bottom unpainted
Also, if n = no. of divisions on the faces of cube

Length of the edge of undivided cube
= .
Length of the edge of one smaller cube
q Shortcut Approach
Æ Number of smaller cubes with no face painted = (n – 2)3

Æ Number of smaller cubes with one face painted = (n – 2)3 × 6
Æ Number of smaller cubes with two faces painted = (n – 2) × 12
Æ Number of smaller cubes with three faces painted = 8

Cube & Dice 81
EXAMPLE 1. A cube is painted blue Form 2:

1 2
on all faces is cut into 125 cubes of 3
equal size. Now, answer the following
question : 4
How many cubes are not painted on any 5 6
face?
Number 1 is opposite to 6.
Sol. Since, there are 25 smaller cubes
of equal size, therefore, n = number
of divisions on the face of
undivided cube = 5. Form 3:
ww Number of cubes with no face

painted = (n – 2)3
1
2
w
DICE
= (5 – 2)3 = 27
.Ea
3 4
5
INTRODUCTION syE 6
A dice is three-dimensional figure with
6 surfaces. It may be in the form of a
ngi Number 2 is opposite to 5.
cube or a cuboid. After observing these nee Form 4:
1
figures, we have to find the different side
(opposite or adjacent sides) of the dice. rin 2 3
Dice Formation g.n 4
A Dice is formed by folding a sheet of

paper. These forms may be
et 5 6
Form 1: Number 3 is opposite to 5.
1
2 3 4 Form 5:
1
5 2 3
6 4 5
6
Number 2 is opposite to 4. Number 1 is opposite to 4.
Number 3 is opposite to 6. Number 2 is opposite to 5.

82 Cube & Dice
TYPES OF DICE
ORDINARY STANDARD
DICE DICE
1. Ordinary Dice :
In this type of dice, the sum of opposite sides is not 7 but the sum of two
ww adjacent sides are seven.
w .Ea 3
5
4
syE
ngi
Ordinary Dice
nee
4+3 = 7
2. Standard Dice:
rin
g.n
In such type of dice, the sum of opposite sides is 7 or sum of adjacent side is
not 7.
Here,
et
3 1 1+4 =5
5 4 4+5=9
4 5 1+5=6
Ordinary Dice Opposite of 1 . ......6 (since 1+6 =7)

Opposite of 5 . ......2 (since 5+2 =7)
Opposite of 3 . ......4 (since 3+4 =7)

Cube & Dice 83

IMPORTANT RULES
Rule- 1 :
If two sides of cubes are common( has same numbers or symbols), then the
remaining two will be opposites of each other.
3 1
5 4
4 5
ww In above shown two dices, number 4 and 5 are

common in both dices, hence, 3 and 1
w .Ea
will be apposite to each other.
Rule 2: If one side of dices is common
If one side of given dices are common then list these sides (numbers on them)
syE
either in clock-wise or anti-clockwise. Comparing the numbers obtained from both
dices will give you the opposite numbers.
2 ngi 3
4
1
nee 2
6
rin
In this figure, number 2 is common in both dices. Now, writing the remaining no,
in clock-wise direction, we get:
2.............1. ............4 (dice 1) g.n
2.............3. ............6 (dice 2)
Through the above observed data, we can say that:
1 is opposite to 3
et
4 is opposite to 6
2 is opposite to 5
Rule 3 : If one side is common and it's place is same in both

dices.
If one side is common in both cubes and it's place is same in both of these dices,
then the remaining two sides of respective dices which appear in figure will be the
opposite of each other.
2 2
6 1
4 3

84 Cube & Dice

As you can see, number 2 is common in
both of these dices and it appears in the 1 1
same face in both these dices. In such 2 6
case, the remaining two sides in both 3 5
dices will be opposite to each other. In
this figure, the opposite sides are : (i) (ii)
4 is opposite to 3 (as the position of 4 and (a) 1 (b) 2
3 are same on two dices) (c) 5 (d) 6
6 is opposite to 1 (as the position of 6 and Sol. From the two figures it is clear that
1 are same on two dices) the numbers 2, 3, 5 and 6 cannot
2 is opposite to 5 (we already know the appear opposite 1. So, 4 appears
position of 1, 6, 3, 4 and 2. The only one opposite 1. Therefore, when 4 is at
ww
remaining is 5)
EXAMPLE 2. Two positions of a dice
the bottom, 1 will be on the top.
w
are shown, when 4 is at the bottom, what
.Ea
number will be on the top?
ebooks Reference
syE Page No.
Chapter Test ngi

–
P-118-123
C-31- 32
Past Solved Papers
nee
rin
g.n
et

Analytical Decision Making 85
Chapter Analytical Decision

17 Making
INTRODUCTION qualifications of the candidates are also
mentioned. The decision about each
Analytical Decision Making is based on
candidate is to be made from amongst
a set of relationships laid out, generally
arbitrarily, from which new information the five answer choices given.
ww
can be deduced. This involves two
steps-first of analysis and second of FORMAT OF THE QUESTION
w
reasoning. Analytical decision making
.Ea
deals with questions in which you have
to decide upon the course of action
Example (Directions): Read carefuly the
informations given below and answer the
questions based on it:
syE
taken upon a candidate who has applied
for a post or membership to an institution
The following are the given conditions
for the recruitment of a candidate as a
keeping in mind the essential requisites
and the data given for the candidate.
ngi
family member in a computer institute:
(i) The candidate must be in the age
CATEGORIES OF
ANALYTICAL DECISION
nee range of 23 years to 28 years as on
1st November, 2013.
MAKING rin
(ii) The candidate must have work
experience as a teacher or
Category I
g.n
programming experience of at least
2 years.
In this type a vacancy is being
declared. The necessary qualifications
required by the recruiting agencies are
given with certain exceptions. The
et
(iii) The candidate must have a PG
degree in computer application,
[MCA, M.Tech. or M.Sc.
(computer science)] with not less
qualifications and the merits of the than 60% marks.
candidates are mentioned. The decision (iv) Out of total 50 marks in the
about each candidate has to be made interview, the candidate must
from amongst the five choices given, obtain 50%. In the case when a
which state the courses of action to be candidate
taken as per the candidate's potential. (v) Fulfils the above conditions, he/
Category II she shall be appointed as senior
teacher.
Here, the eligibility conditions for joining
(vi) Has less than 60% but more than
a course or availing certain benefits etc
50% marks in his/her PG degree in
are given as against the vacancies
computer application, he/she will
mentioned in the former category. The
be appointed as junior teacher.

86 Analytical Decision Making

(vii) Is of age more than 28 years but (2) Some conditions have been given
less than 32 years as on 1 st for candidates to fulfil in order to
November, 2013, the case may be get selected for a particular job/
reffered to the GM of the institute.
post. In case of the given format,
On the basis of the above mentioned
conditions and information about each four conditions have been given.
of the candidates in the question below, (3) When a candidate fulfils all the
you have to decide which of the criteria except some, then different
following courses of action should be course of action has to be taken
than against each candidate. Point to be for him.
noted that nothing extra will be assumed
except the given information. The Some more things to
ww
decision must be based only on the data
provided.
understand
Basic conditions: In the given question
w
Mark your answer:
.Ea
(a) If the candidate is to be selected
as a Junior teacher
format, there are four basic conditions
— (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv). They are called
basic conditions because they are the
(b) If the candidate is to be selected original conditions.
as a Senior teacher
syE
(c) If the case will be reffered to the
Additional conditions: In the given
question format, there are two more
GM of the institute.
(d) If the data are inadequate ngi conditions apart from the basic
conditions and they are (vi) and (vii).
(e) If the candidate is not to be
selected. nee point to be noted that (v) will not be on
additional condition as it does not talk
of exceptions. In fact (v) is only a
QUESTIONS:
rin
totality of the four basic or original
1. Mukesh Verma was born on 31st
July, 1985. He is an M.Tech. in g.n
conditions given in the question
format.
computer engineering with 70%
marks. He has been working in an
institution as a programmer for the
et
What is data inadequacy?
As one of the answer is given as ‘data
last 7 years. inadequate’ we must be clear about what
2. Karishma Tiwari is MCA with exactly does data inadequacy mean?
72% marks. Her date of birth is 14th When details given about any candidate
August, 1990. She has worked as
provide no information as required by
a computer teacher for 4 years. She
the basic conditions/additional
has got 35 marks in interview.
conditions then this would be the case
What You See in the given of data inadequacy, For example, let us
Question Format? see the first question given in the format.
In the given format you can see the No information is given about what
following things: marks have been obtained by Mukesh
(1) Informations about some Verma in the interview. Hence, the data
candidates have been provided. is inadequate here.


How to solve a given question format with serious eye, we find
problem? that the following combination can be
Let us consider the questions given in formed.
the format and start one stepwise i + ii + iii + iv ® 2 [Senior teacher]
process. vii + ii + iii + iv ® 3 [Case will be
STEP I reffered to GM]
Write the name of the candidates in the i + ii + vi + iv ® 1 [Junior teacher]
left side and then write the symbols (i, ii, When we have decided the above three
iii, iv) of the basic conditions to the top combination giving answer choices
right. Now, put the symbols of the remain and the answer choice (a), (b) and
additional conditions (vi and vii) below (c), two answer choices remains and they
the symbols of that basic condition with are answer choice (d) and answer choice
ww
which these might be related. For
example, (vi) is a condition about
(e). The answer choice (e), which says
that the candidate is not to be selected,
w
educational qualification and so, it is an
.Ea
exception of (iii). Hence (vi) should be
written below (iii). Similarly, (vii) should
should be chosen when any one or more
of the given conditions is violated. The
answer choice (d), which tells that the
syE
be written below (i). Now, after the
completion of step I, the following format
will be prepared:
data are inadequate, should be chosen
when no information is given about any
i ii iii iv ngi one or more conditions.

How to examine data?
After step II you are required to read
1
Mukesh
(vii) (vi)
neeall the statements carefully. Just take
each question one by one and compare
2
Verma
Karishma rin
then with the given conditions. Examinees
Tiwari
Brijesh g.n
are suggested to use following
symbols while doing this comparision:
I If a basic condition is fulfilled mark
3
4
Shankar
Mansi
Ranjan
II et
‘ü’ sign below it.
If a basic condition is violated and
it is not attached with an
Subodh additional condition then mark ‘X’
5 sign below it.
Saxena
III If a basic condition is violated but
NOTE : To differentiate between basic it is attached with an additional
conditions and additional conditions. condition, then
The additional conditions have been (A) Mark a ‘×’ sign below it if additional
condition is also violated.
encircled.
(B) Mark a ‘ü ’ sign below it if
STEP II additional condition is fulfilled.
At the 2nd step just see the given answer IV In case of unavailability of any
choices carefully and decide which information about any condition,
combination of the conditions leads to a mark '?' Will be put below that
which conclusion. If we see the given condition.


To understand point (i) to point (iv) let does mean that one necessary
us see the presentation given below: requirement is not being fulfilled.
Hence, we reach at a conclusion
Question that the selection is not possible
I II/V III/VI IV
No. even it other conditions are
1 ü ü ü × fulfilled.
2 ü ü ü ü
STEP IV
3 ü (ü) (ü) ü Now, this is the time to select your
4 ü ü (×) ü answer choices on the pattern
5 ü ? ü ü given below:
(i) If find a ‘×’ or (×) below any
Now just see the explanation of above
ww
table:
(1) I, II, III and IV are basic conditions
condition, go for the answer choice
“not to be selected”
(ii) If you find no cross mark but there
w while (V) and (VI) are two
.Ea
additional conditions. (V) is
attached to II and (VI) is attached
is a question mark below any
condition, your answer choice
would be “data are inadequate”.
to III.
syE
(2) In question (1), I, II and III are
satisfied while VI is violated
(iii) If you find neither any cross
mark nor any question mark, than
compare the combination with
(3) In question (2), all the basic
conditions I, II, III and IV are ngi the three answer combinations
obtained in step II and select the
satisfied
STEP III
nee answer choice accordingly.
After understanding the above
(i) One by one, read the questions
very carefully and compare the rin
steps, now we are at a position
of solving the question given in
facts given with the various
condition.
g.n
the question format. Let us see
the solution:
(ii) Mark the appropriate sign or ‘ü’
or ‘×’ (ü) or (×)? As required
(iii) When a ‘×’ or a (×) sign is obtained,
Solution:
et
Question No. (i) / (vii) (ii) (iii)/ (vi) (iv)
1 Mukesh (ü) ü ü ?
then stop examining further and Verma
without any hesitation select the 2 Karishma ü ü ü ü
answer choice “not to be selected” Tiwari
for that particular question. In 3 Brijesh (×) ü (ü) ü
another words whenever you get Shankar
‘×’ or (×) sign, do not take any 4 Mansi ü ü (ü) ×
botheration to examine the Ranjan
remaining condition, select your 5 Subodh ü ü (ü) ü
answer as “not to be selected and Saxena
quickly move on to th e next Condition (V) is attached to II while the
question. It so happens because, additional condition is VI attached with
if a condition as well as its the basic condition III.
additional condition is violated, it


STEP WISE EXPLANATION a mental calculation that on 31st
th
OF ABOVE TABLE: July, 2013 he turned 28 . This is
the reason that on 1st November
Step I
2013, he is more than 28 years.
At the step I level, we read the
Therefore, (i) is violated, but the
question carefully and find out
that there are four, basic conditions additional condition of (i) is (vii)
(i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) and two which is fulfilled and we write (ü)
additional conditions (vii) and (vi). mark here. Further, Mukesh Verma
further, it is clear that ‘(vii)’ is an is having a programming
exception of ‘(i)’ and ‘(vi)’ is an experience of 7 years (more than 2
exception of ‘(iii)’. Now we write years). So we mark (ü) below (ii).
ww the name of the candidates in

extreme left and then put the basic
Lastly, there is no information
about marks of Mukesh in the
w conditions (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) at
.Ea
the top-right of the candidate in
question 1. Next, we write
interview. Thus the sign of
question mark ‘?’ is put below d.
Karishma Tiwari
syE
additional condition ‘(vii)’ below
‘o’ and additional condition ‘(vi)’
Karishma is an MCA with 72%
marks. This fulfills (iii), so we put
below ‘(iii)’.
Step II ngi the mark ‘ü’ below (iii). Her date
of birth is 14th August, 1990, So on
At the 2nd level, we look at the
answer choices and prepare one nee 1st November, 2013, she is more
than 23 years. This fulfills ‘(i)’ and
answer combinations accordingly.
This will be: rin hence we put a (ü) mark below ‘(i)’.
She is a computer teacher from last
i + ii + iii + iv Þ b
vii + ii + iii + iv Þ c g.n
4 years. This fulfils (ii) and we put
(ü) mark below (ii), lastly, she has
i + ii + vi + iv Þ a
Step III
At the step III level, we read every
et
obtained 35 marks in the interview.
This marks is more than the
required 50% (25 marks out of 50
question carefully and compare the marks), therefore (iv) is also fulfilled
facts given in it with the various
and we put (ü) mark below (iv).
conditions.
Step IV
Let us see the detailed analysis of
At 4th level we select the answer
every candidate question wise.
choices.
Mukesh Verma
Sol. 1. No cross mark. But a question
He is an M.Tech in computer
mark is available. Hence, data is
engineering with 70% marks. This
inadequate.
fulfills condition C. Hence we write
Sol. 2. i + ii + iii + iv Þ b [step II]
‘ü’ mark below C. Next, his date of
So, the candidate is to be selected
birth is 31st July, 1985. Here, we do
as a senior teacher.


q Shortcut Approach • Once the symbol ×/(×) is put in
the table, there is no need to check
• For selection all basic conditions
further conditions as person is
must be fulfilled.
declared rejected at this stage
• For rejection atleast one
only.
independent basic condition must
be violated/basic '+' additional
• If for one basic condition, the data
condition must be violated. is not given while all other basic
• If a basic condition is violated but conditions are fulfilled, it means
data is inadequate.
an additional condition attached
with it is fulfilled and all other • If any information is not given
ww remaining basic conditions are

fulfilled, then the case will be
and answer choices don't have
data inadequate option, then
condition related to that particular
w referred to the person given in the
questions.
.Ea information is supposed to be
violated.
syE
ngi
nee
ebooks Reference
rin Page No.

Chapter Test g.n
–
–
P-124-129
C-33- 34
Past Solved Papers

et

NON-VERBAL REASONING
Chapter
18 Series
INT RODUCTION · Positions of Elements –
Th e word “series” is defined as Top or Up middle
anything that follows or forms a specific element
pattern or is in continuation of a given Central
ww
pattern or sequence.
In this type of non-verbal test, two sets
Upper left
element A B C
element
Upper right
element
w
of figures pose the problem. The sets
.Ea
are called Problem Figures and Answer
Figures. Each problem figure changes
Middle left
element
Lower left
element
H
G
I
F
D
E
Middle right
element
Lower right
element
q Shortcut Approach
syE
in design from the preceding one. Bottom or Down
middle element
· Directions – There are eight ngi· Movement of Elements Through

Distance –
directions as follows :
Up nee P Q R
N rin
NW NE
g.n
W S
Left W
SW
S
SE
E Right
V et U T
Clockwise Movement
Down 1
· Rotational Directions – P®Q= arm/step
2
There are two rotational directions P ® R = 1 arm/step
as follows :
1
P®S=1 arm/step
2
P ® T = 2 arm/step
1
P®S=2 arm/step
2
Clockwise Anticlockwise P ® R = 3 arm/step
direction (CW) direction (ACW)

92 Series
1 1
P®Q=3 arm/step P®P=3 arm/step
2 2
· Directional Movement of Elements –
P Q R
P Q R
W S 45° 90°
360° 135°
W S
315° 180°
V U T 270° 225°
V U T
Anti Clockwise Movement
ww P®W=
1
arm/step
Clockwise Movement
w 2
P ® V = 1 arm/step
1.Ea P Q R
P ® U = 1 arm/step 360° 315°
2
1
P ® U = 2 arm/step
syE W
45°
90°
270°
225°
S
2
P ® V = 3 arm/step ngi V
135° 180°
U T
P®W=3
1
2
arm/step nee Anticlockwise Movement
rin
TYPES OF SERIES
Type-I g.n
EXAMPLE 1.
et
A definite relationship between elements in given figures.
Study the problem figures marked (A), (B) and (C) carefully and try to
establish the relationship between them. From the answer figures marked
a, b, c and d, pick out the figure which most appropriately completes the
series.
Problem Figures
(A) (B) (C)

Series 93
Answer Figures
(a) (b) (c) (d)

Sol. The direction of arrow which changes alternately. The dots are also changing
alternately. Hence, we are looking for a figure in which the arrow points down
and the dots and positioned as in figure (b).
TYPE II. Additions of Elements :
ww In these type of questions, each figure is obtained by either sustaining the
element of preceding figure as it is or adding a part of element or one element or
w more than one element of the preceding figure in a systematic way.

EXAMPLE 2.
.Ea
Problem Figures
syE
ngi
(A) 2
(B)
Answer Figures
(C)
nee
(D)
rin
g.n
(a) (b) (c) (d)
et
Sol. Two line segments are added in A to obtain B and one line segment is added in
B to obtain C. This process is repeated again to obtain D. Hence, answer figure
(d) continues the series.
TYPE III. Increasing/Decreasing of Elements:
In these questions, the items in the diagrams either increase or decrease in number.
EXAMPLE 3.
Problem Figures
(A) (B) (C)

94 Series
Answer Figures
(a) (b) (c) (d)

Sol. The small circles are decreasing consecutively and the black dots are
increasing. So, figure (c) continues the series.
TYPE IV Deletion of Elements :
In these type of questions, each figure is obtained by either sustaining
ww the element of preceding figure as it is or deleting a part of an element or

one element or more than one element of the preceding figure in a
w
EXAMPLE
systematic way.
4.
.Ea
Problem Figures
syE
ngi
(A) (B)
Answer Figures
(C)
nee (D) (E)
rin
g.n
Sol.
(a) (b) (c) (d)
et
The qualitative characteristic of various elements in the diagrams change
to complete the series. So, figure (a) continues the series.
TYPE V Rotation Type :
The various elements in the diagrams move in a specific manner. They
may rotate in clockwise or anti-clockwise direction.
EXAMPLE 5.
Problem Figures
+ +
+
(A) (B) (C)

Series 95
Answer Figures
+ + +
(a) (b) (c) (d)

Sol. The sign of plus is rotating clockwise. The pin changes direction alternately.
So, figure (d) coninues the series.
TYPE VI Replacement of Elements :
ww In these type of questions, each figure is obtained by either sustaining

the element of preceding figure as it is or replacing a part of element or
w one element or more than one element by a new element of the preceding
.Ea
figure in a systematic way.
EXAMPLE 6.
Problem Figures syE
=
?
X
*
?
X
ngi*
D *
? X =
2
* ? nee C D
(A) (B)
Answer figures
(C) (D)
rin (E)
* # C # * C g.n
#
D
(a) (b)
*
D
( c)
D
(d)
D
et
Sol. The elements positioned at north-east (NE) corners disappear from the odd-
numbered figures. The elements positioned at the south-west (SW) corners
disappear from the even-numbered figures. Therefore * should not appear in
the answer figure. Hence (a), (b) and (d) cannot be the answers. Also new
elements are introduced at the NE corners in even-numbered figures. Therefore,
answer figure (c) continues the given series.

Past Solved Papers

96 Mirror & Water Images
Chapter

Mirror Images
INTRODUCTION
In this category, questions are based on
ww
the criteria that a few figures are given
and you have to find out which one is
w
the exact image of the given figure in a
.Ea
mirror placed in front of it. This image
3.
Object Image
The line joining the object point

formation is based on the principle of
syE
‘lateral inversion’ which implies that size
of the image is equal to the size of the
with its image is normal to the
reflecting surface.
object but both sides are interchanged.

ngi 4. The size of the image is the same
as that of the object.
The left portion of the object is seen on
the right side and right portion of the nee
I. Mirror Images of Capital Letters
object is seen on the left side. For
example, mirror image of ABC = rin
Note : There are ‘11’ letters in English
Alphabet which have identical mirror
g.n A
B
N
O
images: A, H, I, M, O, T, U, V, W, X, Y.
Characteristics of Reflection by plane

et
C
D
P
Q
mirror E R
1. Perpendicular distance of object F S
from mirror = Perpendicular G T
distance of image from mirror. H U
2. The image is laterally inverted.
I V
J W
K X
L Y
M Z

Mirror & Water Images 97

II. Mirror Images of Small Letters q Shortcut Approach
a Whenever you have to solve a mirror
n
image question, imagine a mirror placed
b o in front of the object and then try to
c p find its inverted image. The portion of
d q the object that is near the mirror will
e r now be the portion of the image near
f to the mirror in the inverted form.
s
g t EXAMPLE 1.
h u
By looking in a mirror, it appears
ww i
j
v
w
that it is 6 : 30 in the clock. What is
the real time ?
w k
l
m .Ea
x
y
z
Sol. As,
syE
III. Mirror Images of Numbers Time = 6 : 30
0
1
6
7
ngi (Fig A)
2 8 nee
3
4
9
10 rin Time = 5 : 30
5
g.n
IV. Mirror Images of Clock:
There are certain questions in
which the position of the hour-
et
(Fig B)
Clearly, fig (A) shows the time
(6 : 30) in the clock as it appears in
hand and the minute-hand of a a mirror. Then its mirror-image i.e.
clock as seen in a mirror are given. Fig (B) shows the actual time in the
On the basis of the time indicated clock i.e. 5 : 30. You can solve it
by the mirror-image of the clock quickly if you remember that the
sum of actual time and image time
we have to detect the actual time
is always 12 hours.
in the clock. In the solution of
such questions we use the fact Water Images
that if an object A is the mirror- The reflection of an object as seen in
water is called its water image. It is the
image of another object B then B
inverted image obtained by turning the
is the mirror-image of A. object upside down.


Water-images of Capital Letters
Letters A B C D E F G H I J K L M
Water-image
Letters N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Water-image
Water-images of Small Letters
Letters a b c d e f g h i j k l m
Water-image
Letters n o p q r s t u v w x y z
Water-image
ww
Water-images of Numbers
w Letters
.Ea
Water-image
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Note :
syE
1. The letters whose water-images are identical to the letter itself are : C, D, E, H,
I, K, O, X
ngi
2. Certain words which have water-images identical to the word itself are :
KICK, KID, CHIDE, HIKE, CODE, CHICK
q Shortcut Approach
nee
rin
Whenever we have to analyze the water image of an object, imagine a mirror or a
g.n
surface that forms an image just under the given object. The portion of the object
that is near the water surface will be inverted but will be near the water surface in
the image as well.
EXAMPLE 2.
et
Find the correct option for the water images below:
STORE
water surface
?
Sol. In case of water image, the water reflection will usually be formed under the
object / word.
In this case, the water image of the word will be an outcome of the water
images of each of the letters like, the water images of S is , T is , O is ,
R is and E is . Thus, the water image of the word ‘STORE’ is ‘ .’
STORE

Mirror & Water Images 99

q Shortcut Approach
(i) While solving a question, try eliminating some options and solving the
questions will become easier. To eliminate options, keep in mind the pattern
used in the object (given diagram whose image is to be formed) as well as the
position of mirror or water such that the portion of the object near to the
mirror / water will produce the same portion near the mirror / water in an
inverted form.
(ii) Images are images, be it water or mirror, in both the cases an inverted image of
the alphabets / numerals / clocks / any other object are formed by inverting the
object. Inverting of the object solely depends upon the position of mirror or
water surface w.r.t. the object.
ww
w ebooks Reference
.Ea
Page No.
P-134-137

Past Solved Papers
syE
ngi
nee
rin
g.n
et

100 Paper Cutting and Folding
Chapter
Paper Cutting and
20 Folding
INTRODUCTION
In this section, a sheet of paper is folded in given manner and cuts are made on it. A
cut may be of verying designs. We have to analyze how this sheet of paper will look
when paper is unfolded.
ww
Note that when a cut is made on folded paper, the designs of the cut will appear on
each fold.
w
EXAMPLE 1.
.Ea
Directions In the following example, figures A and B show a sequence of folding a
syE
square sheet. Figure C shows the manner in which folded paper has been cut. You
have to select the appropriate figure from alternatives which would appear when sheet
is opened.
ngi
nee
(A) (B) (C ) rin
g.n
(a) (b) (c)
et
(d)
Sol. Step I-When sheet C is unfolded once, it will appear as follows
Step II -
Clearly, the circle will appear in each of the triangular quarters of the
paper. So, figure (c) would appear when sheet is opened.

Paper Cutting and Folding 101

EXAMPLE 2. q Shortcut Approach
· Consider a mirror placed on the
dotted line facing the portion/part
which is to be folded and the
(A) (B) mirror image thus obtained is
(C)
superimposed on the design of
the other side to get the folded
pattern.
(a) (b) (c) (d) · When more than one fold is made
before punching then virtually try
Sol. Here, a circular cut is made on the to unfold each fold one by one
ww quarter circle. Hence, this sheet,

when completely unfolded, will
and predict the complete unfolded
pattern.
w contain small circle on each quarter
.Ea
and will appear as option (d).
ebooks Reference
syE
Page No.
P-138-142
Chapter Test
Past Solved Papers ngi – C-39- 40
nee
rin
g.n
et

Chapter
21 Completion of Figures
INTRODUCTION
In this section, an incomplete figure is (c) (d)
given, in which some part is missing. We
have to choose the segment, given in Sol.
ww
choices, that exactly fits into the blank
portion of figure so that the main figure
In this question, half shaded leaf
is moved clockwise. So, option (b)
w
is completed.
.Ea
Note : If you observe carefully, you
notice that the missing portion may
is right one.
syE
be the mirror image of any one of the
quarters.
EXAMPLE 1. ngi
Select from alternatives the figure
(X) that exactly fits in the main neeq Shortcut Approach
figure to complete its original
pattern. rin
· If answer figures contain similar
figure but in rotated forms, then
g.n
the correct answer figure is that
figure which can be substituted
? ·
et
at the missing part with least
change in orientation.
The correct option for the missing
figure can be given in any rotated
(X) from, so student can rotate the
figures to check the correctness
(a) (b) of option.

Past Solved Papers

Chapter
Hidden / Embedded
22 Figures
INTRODUCTION Sol. Clearly, fig. (X) is embedded fig. (b)
A figure (X) is said to be embedded in a as shown below :
figure Y, if figure Y contains figure (X) as
its part. Thus problems on embedded
ww
figures contain a figure (X) followed by
four complex figures in such a way that
w
fig (X) is embedded in one of these. The
.Ea
figure containing the figure (X) is your
answer. Hence, the answer is (b)
EXAMPLE 1.
syE
Directions : In each of the following ex-
q Shortcut Approach
· There may be some questions in
amples, fig (X) is embedded in any one
ngi
of the four alternative figures (a), (b), (c)
which the question figure is not
directly embedded in any of the
or (d). Find the alternative which con-
tains fig. (X) as its part. nee answer figure. In these type of
questions, change the orientation
rin of question figure to find the
· g.n
correct answer figure.
In some questions, the question
(X)
et
figure embedded in two or more
answer figures, then the most
appropriate answer is that in
which the question figure is
embedded with least change in its
orientation.
(a) (b) (c) (d)

Past Solved Papers

104 Figure Formation and Analysis
Chapter
Figure Formation and
23 Analysis
INTRODUCTION Sol. If figures A, B and E are fitted
In this topic, a question is one of the together, the resultant figure will
following types : be a triangle.
I. Formation of triangles/square/
ww rectangle etc. either by joining of

three figures after choosing them
w from the given five figures or by
.Ea
joining any other pieces after
selecting them from given alternatives.
A
B
E
TYPE-II : Making up a figure from
components. syE
II. Making up a figure from given
III. Making up a three dimensional

given components
figure by paper folding.

IV. Rearrangement of the parts of given ngi EXAMPLE 2.
Find out which of the alternatives
figure.
V. Fragmentation of key figure into nee (a), (b), (c) and (d) can be formed
from the pieces given in box ‘X’.
simple pieces.
TYPE-I : Formation of triangles/ rin
square/rectangle etc. either by joining
of three figures after choosing them from g.n
the given five figures or by joining any
other pieces after selecting them from
given alternatives.
et (X)
EXAMPLE 1.
A set of five figures (A), (B), (C),
(D) and (E) are followed by four
combinations as the alternatives.
Select the combination of figures (a) (b) (c) (d)
which if fitted together, will form a
complete triangle. Sol.
Figure (b) can be formed from the pieces

(A) (B) (C) (D) (E) the given in box 'X'.

Figure Formation and Analysis 105

TYPE-III : Making up a three dimensional
figure by paper folding. In this type, we
have to analyze when a paper folded
along the lines, how a three dimensional (a) (b) (c) (d)
figure look like. Sometimes, a key figure Sol. Figure (a) is the rearrangement of
is given which is made by folding one of the parts of the given figure 'X'.
the four figures given in alternatives. We
have to determine which figure can be TYPE-V : Fragmentation of key figure
used to create the key figure. into simple pieces.
This type is opposite to TYPE-II. In this
EXAMPLE 3. type, a key figure is given and every
A figure ‘X’ is given. You have to alternatives has different pieces. We
choose the correct figure, given in have to select the set of pieces that can
ww the alternatives, when folded

along the lines, will produce the
given figure ‘X’.
make the given key figure.
EXAMPLE 5.
w .Ea Find out which of the alternatives
will exactly make up the key figure
(X)
(X) syE
ngi (X)
(a) (b) (c) (d) nee

Sol. Figure (a) will produce the given
figure 'X' rin (a) (b) (c) (d)
TYPE-IV : Rearrangement of the parts
of given figure. g.n
Sol. Figure (a) will exactly make up the
key figure 'X'
In this type of questions, a key figure is
given. We have to identify the figure from
alternatives that is a rearrangement of ·
et
q Shortcut Approach
The number of elements given to
parts of key figure. form a figure must be equal to the
EXAMPLE 4. elements present in the answer
Which figure is the rearrangement figure. This will help you to easily
of the parts of the given figure. eliminate some of the option figures.
· The size of pieces of figures in
the question figure and the size
of pieces used to form a figure may
vary but their shapes must have
(X) to be similar.
Past Solved Papers

106 Visual Reasoning
Chapter
24 Visual Reasoning
INTRODUCTION EXAMPLE 1.
Visual intelligence measures the ability Directions : In the following question,
to process visual material and to employ a group of five figures is given. Out of
ww
both physical and mental images in
thinking. As a result people with a high
which four figures are similar to each
other in a certain way and one is different
from other. Find the odd figure out.
w
visualization find it easier to comprehend
.Ea
information and communicate it to
others. Your visualization skills
syE
determine how well you perceive visual
patterns and extract information for
(a) (b) (c) (d) (e)
Sol. After examining the above figure, it
the ability to form associations between ngi

further use. Visualization also facilitates is found that except (d) all figures
can easily be obtained by clockwise
and anti-clockwise movement or
pieces of information something which
helps improve long term memory. nee
2.
each other.
Number of Elements or Lines
Types of Visual Reasoning
rinA group of figure may be classified
on the basis of number of elements
(A) Odd-Man Out Type
(B) Counting of Figures g.n
or the number of lines present in
figures. The figures can also be
(A) ODD-MAN OUT TYPE
1. Rotation of same Figure
et
classified on even or odd number
of lines or elements present in
figures. Classification can also be
This is the most common type of done on the ratio of number of lines
classification. The similar figures and elements.
are actually the rotated forms of EXAMPLE 2
the same figure in clockwise or
Directions : In the following question, a
anti-clockwise direction. The group of five figures is given. Out of
figure which comes out to be which four figures are similar to each
different from other is that figure other in a certain way and one is different
which cannot be obtained by from other. Find the odd figure out.
rotation of either of the other
figures,
(a) (b) (c) (d) (e)

Visual Reasoning 107

Sol. All except figure (c) contains odd 5. Relation between Elements of
number of arrows. Figure
3. Division of Figures In this type of classification, the
This type of classification is done elements of the figure bears a
on the equal or inequal division of certain relationship between them
figures or divisioin of figure in in which the odd figure does not
some specified ratio or parts. posses. This relation can be based
on shape of elements presents,
EXAMPLE 3.
inversion of elements etc.
group of five figures is given. Out of EXAMPLE 5.
which four figures are similar to each Directions : In the following question, a
ww
group of five figures is given. Out of
w .Ea
(a) (b) (c) (d) (e)

syE
Sol. Except figure (a) all figures are
divided into two equal parts. (a) (b) (c) (d) (e)
4. Similarity of Figures
Classification on the basis of ngi Sol. Except figure (c) in all the figures,
both the inside and outside figures
similarity of figure is done when
orientation, shape, measure of nee
6.
are similar but differ in size.
Interior-Exterior Consideration of
angle or method of presentation
of group is same except for the odd rin Elements
A figure can be formed from two
figure.
g.n
or more elements, it is likely that
some elements may lie in interior
EXAMPLE 4.
et
of other elements while some may
lie in the exterior of the other
elements. This consideration can
be used for classification of
elements from a group.
EXAMPLE 6.
(a) (b) (c) (d) (e) which four figures are similar to each
Sol. Let us consider the two adjacent other in a certain way and one is different
bent lines as a pair. Then, in each from other. Find the odd figure out.
figure except (d) there are two
straight lines between the bent pair
and the remaining bent line when
the direction of bent is considered. (a) (b) (c) (d) (e)


Sol. Only figure (d) does not contain (b) Triangle –
any element present in the interior It is a closed figure bounded by
of the closed figure. three side.
(B) COUNTING OF FIGURES TYPE
A
Type-1 : Counting of Straight Lines
and Triangles
(a) Straight lines
B C
A. Horizontal line A B
A
q Shortcut Approach
B. Vertical line
ww B
A A
· Smallest triangles are counted
first.
w C. Slant line
.Ea B B
· Now, counted those triangles
which are formed with the two
triangles and further counting
goes on in the same way.
q Shortcut Approach
·
syE
Consider a line (AB) given
· Largest triangle is counted in the
last.
A
C
B ngi EXAMPLE 2.
· Then, on counting, it will be
counted as one line, i.e., AB and nee How many triangles are there in the
figure ?
not as a two straight lines AC and
CB. rin
EXAMPLE 1. g.n
How many straight lines are there
in the figure ?
Sol. et A
B C
Sol. A R B Smallest triangle = BOC = 1
Largest triangle = ABC = 1
O \ Total triangle = 1 + 1 = 2
P Q
Type-2 : Counting of Quadrilaterals
D S C and Polygons
Horizontal lines = AB + PQ + DC = 3 (a) Square
Vertical lines = AD + RS + BC = 3 It has four equal sides, equal
Slant lines = 0 diagonals, and each of the four
\ Total lines = 3 + 3 + 0 = 6 angles equal to 90°.

Visual Reasoning 109

q Shortcut Approach (b) Rectangle
It has four sides, and opposite
· Count smallest squares first. sides are equal. It has equal
· Now, count squares which are diagonals and each of the four
formed with two squares and angles is equal to 90°.
further counting goes on in the
same way. EXAMPLE 4.
· Largest square is counted in the last.
How many rectangles are there in
the figure?
EXAMPLE 3.
How many square are there in the
figure ?
ww Sol. A B C D
w
Sol. A G
.Ea
B H G F
Smallest rectangles = ABGH +
E
E
O F
syE BCFG + CDEF = 3
Rectangles formed with two
D H C
Smallest squares ngi rectangles = ACFH + BDEG = 2
Largest rectangles = ADEH = 1
= AGOE + GBFO + EOHD + OFCH
=4 nee \ Total rectangles = 3 + 2 +1 = 6
Formula for Counting of
Square formed with four squares
= ABCD = 1 rin
Rectangles and Parallelograms
\ Total squares = 4 + 1 = 5
Formula for Counting Squares g.n
Let r be the number of rows and c be
the number of columns.Now, total
Let r be the number of rows and c be

the number of columns.
Now, total number of squares
et
number of rectangles or parallelograms
= [(r + (r – 1) + (r – 2) + ..... +1]
× [c + (c – 1) + (c – 2) + ...... + 1]
= (r × c) + {(r – 1) × (c – 1)
+ (r – 2) × (c – 2) + ......
The terms are continued upto the term
which is equal to zero (0). This method
is applicable only to the figure. where
each row and column is divided into
squares of equal sections.
The method is applicable only to the

figure, where each row and column is
divided into rectangle of equal
sections.


Type-3 : Circle
Circle is a closed figure. It has zero
sides.
q Shortcut Approach
· Keep writing numbers one by one
inside the circles starting from 1 Sol. Here, we start counting of circles
i.e., for 1st circle put 1, for 2nd and mark them, as 1, 2 and so on
circle put 2, for 3rd circle put 3 and finally we end on getting 5
and so on. number of circles as shown below:
· The number which is put for the
ww last circle is the required number

of circles. 1 2 3
wEXAMPLE 5.
.Ea
How many circles are there in the 4 5
figure ?
ebooks Reference
syE Page No.
ngi
Chapter Test
Past Solved Papers
nee – C-47- 48
rin
g.n
et

ANALYTICAL REASONING
Chapter
Evaluating Inferences
25
INT RODUCTION (e) If the inference is ‘definitely false’
This chapter makes you aware about a i.e., it cannot possibly be drawn
from the facts given or it
special type of question pattern which
contradicts the given facts.
has become a regular trend of almost all PASSAGE
ww
type of competitive examination. An
inference is a logical conclusion on
In its most ambitions bid ever to house
6 crore slum dwellers and realise the vision
w
evidence. A valid inference is believable
and realistic. As per the pattern, a
.Ea
passage is given followed by some
inferences (conclusions) and the
of a slum-free India, the government is
rolling out a massive plan to build 50 lakh
dwelling units in five years across 400
towns and cities. The programme could
syE
examinee is asked to decide whether a
given inference follows or not in the light
free up thousands of acres of valuable
government land across the country and
of the given passage. Let us see the
format below: ngi generate crores worth of business for real
estate developers. Proliferation of slums
has had an adverse impact on the GDP
What is the problem like?
Problem Format/ Sample Problem:- nee
growth for years. Slum dwellers are
characterised by low productivity and
Directions (Qs 1-5): Below is given a
passage followed by several possible rin
susceptibility to poor health conditions.
The government believes that better
inferences which can be drawn from the
facts stated in the passage. You have to g.n
housing facilities will address social
issues and also have a multiplier effect
examine each inference separately in the
context of the passage and decide upon
its degree of truth or falsity.
Mark answer:
et
and serve as an economic stimulus.
Q 1. Development of land occupied by
slums in cities of India will not have
any effect on the common public.
(a) If the inference is definitely true i.e., Q 2. Majority of the slums in cities and
it properly follows from the towns in India are on prime private
statement of facts given. properties.
(b) If the inference is ‘probably true’ Q 3. Per capita income of slum dwellers
though not definitely true in the is significantly lower than that of
light of the facts given. those living in better housing
(c) If the ‘data are inadequate’ i.e. from facilities.
the facts given you can not say Q 4. Cities and towns of developed
whether the inference is likely to countries are free from slums.
be true or false. Q 5. Health and sanitary conditions in
(d) If the inference is ‘probably false’ slums are far below the acceptable
though not definitely false’ in the norms of human habitat in Indian
light of the facts given. cities and towns.

112 Evaluating Inferences

Before solving the sample problem, (A) Is the extra assumption an
we must see the pattern of the universal truth?
problem and find out what it puts (B) Can the extra assumption
before the students to think. never be false?
A minute look will make you clear If you find ‘yes’ for the question
that here the examiner has graded (A) and ‘no never’ for the
the choices very closely. He/ question (B), then accept it as
she has given two positive choices definitely true, otherwise pick
instead of one. ‘Probably true’.
i. Definitely true 2. Definitely false or probably false
ii. Probably true If the given inference does not
Further, he/ she has also given two follow from the passage, it falls
under the category of definitely
ww negative choices instead of one:-

i. Definitely false
ii. Probably false
false. But confusion may arise when
the given inference is not given
w This pattern requires a deeper
.Ea
thinking as it leaves before you
following areas of confusion:-
directly in the passage and seems
‘almost’ definitely false. But as
related things are not mentioned
clearly in the passage, you think
true syE
1. Definitely true or probably
2. Definitely false or probably

that ‘probably false’ may be correct.
To get rid of this confusion try to
false
3. Data inadequate or probably ngi recheck your reasoning. If the
opposite of the inference has not
been mentioned in the passage,
true
4. Data inadequate or probably nee then you must assume something
extra to reach your conclusion. Just
1.
false
Definitely true or probably true: rinask the following questions to
yourself.
If the given inferences is a direct
consequences of something given g.n
(A) Is this assumption an universal
truth?
in the passage, then it falls under
the category of definitely true. But
the confusion may arise when the
given inference is not directly
et
(B) Can this assumption never be
false?
If you find ‘yes’ for question (A)
and ‘no, never’ for question (B)
stated in the passage but it appears then select your answer as
‘almost’ definitely true to you. But definitely false, otherwise probably
as it is not clearly stated in the false will be your correct answer.
passage, you may think that even 3. Data inadequate or probably true
‘Probably true’ could be the answer. When an indirect inference is
To get rid of this confusion, you drawn from the passage, this
have to recheck your reasoning. If confusion may arise. As the given
the given inference has not been inference is not explicitly
mentioned directly in the passage, mentioned, you think that data are
then you must have assumed inadequate and that sufficient
something ‘extra’ to draw this information has not been given to
draw a conclusion. However, the
conclusion. Now, ask the following
given inference appears to be in
questions from yourself.

Evaluating Inferences 113

sync with the general 'tone' of the if you can not find any acceptable
passage In such case you may go assumption which, combined with
for ‘Probably true’. what is said in the passage, may
To get rid of this confusion, lead to some definite conclusion.
recheck your general mental ability. In such case, you can not get
You can declare the given convin ced whether the given
inference as probably true, if with inference is likely to be true or false.
the help of some extra assumption, Now, lets try to apply the above
the given inference seems likely to rules in the passage given above
be true. Thus, you can some how and try to solve the sample
convince yourself that the problems.
inference is likely to be true. On Solution to sample problems:
the other hand, you can declare 1. (c) As we have no information
ww that data are inadequate if no

definite conclusion can be drawn
about how the freed up land
will benefit the common
public, hence data inadequate’
w from the passage even with the
help of some extra assumption.
.Ea
Hence, in such case you can get
convinced that the inference is
will be our correct answer
choice. The passage do not
suggest us any related
4. syE
likely to be true or false.
Data inadequate or probably false: 2.
assumption.
(e) The passage says to the
contrary getting rid of slums
When the given inference is drawn
indirectly from the passage, such
confusion may arise. As it is not
ngi would “Free up ..... valuable
government land”. The
explicitly said in the passage, you
come to the conclusion that data nee
3.
inference does not follow
from the passage.
(b) The extra assumption that
are inadequate because sufficient
information has not been provided rin makes this option probably
true is : Low productivity is
to draw a definite conclusion.
However, the given inference g.n likely to lead to low income.
The passage does not
appears to you in contradiction with
the general ‘tone’ of the passage.
Therefore, you are tempted to pick
up ‘probably false’ as your answer.
4.
et
directly talk about per capita
income.
(b) As slums have led to a lower
GDP growth in India. The
To get rid of this confusion recheck statement is in sync with the
your general mental ability. You can 'tone' of the passage. The
declare an inference probably false. extra assumption here can be
Only if you are able to find out a that as countries develop
reasonable assumption, combining they need to deploy things
which with what is said in the given that improves their GDP. So
passage the inference appears it can be probably true that
likely to be false. all slums vahish.
Thus, somehow, you can convince 5. (a) The passage says that the
yourself that the given inference slums dwellers are susceptible
is likely to be false. On the other “to poor health conditions”.
hand, you should pick up the This is directly mentioned in
choice ‘data are inadequate’ only the passage.

114 Evaluating Inferences

q Shortcut Approach
Yes The inference No

is given in
passage
Yes Is it 100% Yes Is it in the No

DT true in context context of the DF
(Definitely of passage passage (Definitely
True) False)
No
ww Contradicts
the passage
Chance that it is
not 100% true in
Can it be
proved 100%
true using some
universally accepted
wYes
.Ea
Chance that
it is not 100%
the context of
passage
PT
Yes
assumption
No
DF
False)
false in the
(Definitely passage
(Probably
True)
syE
Data not
available to
prove the trueness
Yes May or may not Negates
DT
| be true
|
Not false
the passage definitely
| |
PF
(Probably
False) DI
(Data Inadequate) ngi
(Definitely
True)
PT
(Probably
True)
DF PF
(Definitely (Probably
False) False)
nee
Practice Exercises with Hints & Solutions g.n – P-164-169

Chapter Test
Past Solved Papers et
– C-49- 50

Chapter
Statement &
26 Arguments
INT RODUCTION Part I: “Mr. Sharma bought a large
In this chapter, we are going to study quantity of sweets.”
arguments. In fact, this is the study what Part II: “He must have celebrated some
ww
we call the basics of all logic. Do you
know what do we do in logic? In logic,
we advocate certain point of view with
occasion.
Here, ‘Part II’ is the conclusion part of
w
the help of some evidences and certain
.Ea
assumptions and that is called
argumentation. This is a fact that almost
the given argument. How has this
conclusion (part II) been arrived at? In
fact, this conclusion has come out with
syE
all segments of analytical reasoning are
someway associated with argumentation
the help of supporting evidence or
premise that is part I of the argument.
Did you notice that in this argument part
and this is the reason why study of
argumentation is so important for the ngi I and part II (Premise and conclusion)
are connected by a hidden premise
examinees preparing for various
competitive examinations. nee
which is not explicitly stated. That
hidden premise is “a large quantity of
Concept of Argument
rin
sweets is bought only on occasions”
A sequence of two or more sentences
(or statements)/ phrases/clauses that g.n
and this premise may be called an
assumption. Hence, in reality the given
includes a conclusion (or claims), is called
an argument. This conclusion of the
argument is based on one or more than
et
argument has three parts.
Part I: (Premise) Mr. Sharma bought a
large quantity of sweets.
one statement and these statements may
be called premises (propositions). Apart Part II: (Assumption or hidden premise)
from this, arguments may also have some a large quantity of sweets is bought only
hidden premises. which may be called on occasions.
assumptions. Let us see the following Part III: (Conclusion) He must have
example: celebrated some occasion.
Example: Point to be noted is that part II is an
Mr. Sharma bought a large quantity of assumption (a hidden premise) that
sweets, he must have celebrated some connects part I (premise) and part III
occasion. (conclusion) and hence, it is a missing
Explanation: The foregoing example link between part I and part III of the
has two parts: given argument.

116 Statement & Arguments

No doubt that above mentioned example (ii) Explanation for question: Just
brings to us the basic characteristics of consider the argument given as
argumentation but it also leaves some “Vandana is tall. She is slim and has
questions before us like: beautiful eyes. She has long hair and
charming face as well. So, Vandana
(i) Is the assumption or hidden premise
is a beautiful girl.”
always present in an argument? Here,
(ii) Is the number of premise only one in 1st premise: Vandana is tall.
an argument? 2nd premise: She is slim and has
Our answer for both the questions beautiful eyes.
will be a big ‘No’. Why so? Let us 3rd premise: She has long hair and
see the explanations for both the charming face as well.
ww questions given below:

(i) Explanation for question: Just
Conclusion: So, Vandana is a
beautiful girl.
This proves that an argument can
w consider an argument given as “Mr.
.Ea
Sharma bought a large quantity of
sweets. A large quantity of sweets
have more than one premises.
Further this explanation is also a
reply for question (i) as the given
syE
is bought on occasions only. Hence,
he must have celebrated an
occasion”.
argument has no missing link. This
argument is complete in itself and
hence, it is free of hidden premise or
Here, we see that this argument has ngi assumption.
Ways of Argumentation: So far, you must
no assumption (hidden premise)
because the premise or supporting
evidence (Mr. Sharma bought a large
nee
have understood the basic concept of
argumentation and come to the
quantity of sweets) and conclusion
rin
conclusion that an argument is usually
made to make strong a particular point
(Hence, he must have celebrated an
occasion) are connected by an g.n
of view in order to convince someone
about something.
explicit statement (A large quantity
of sweets is bought on occasions
only). Remember, an assumption is a
et
(i) Argument based on Analogy:
Analogy based arguments are often
used to make strong a particular
hidden premise. It does mean point of view. In fact analogy is an
assumption is a missing link in the infer ence drawn out of a
chain of logic. Therefore, if an resemblance between particular
argument is complete in itself and things, occasion or events (that are
known) to a further (unknown)
does not have any missing link, then
resemblance. For example, if we find
it will not have any assumption. In
a fat-woman eating very much and
the given argument, the explicit meet in another woman who is also
statement (A large quantity of sweets fat then, by analogy, we expect that
is bought on occasions only) the other fat woman would also be
connects premise or supporting eating very much. We can say it in
evidence and conclusion to make the another way that if x, y, z, q are any
argument assumptionless. entities and u, v, w are any attributes

Statement & Arguments 117

then the analogical argument may be is clear that this analogical argument
represented in the following form : does not seem strong. Similary, in case
x, y, z, q all have the attributes ‘u and v’ of example (2) we can say that India may
x, y, z have the attribute ‘w’ or may not defeat Australia and England
\ q probably has the attribute ‘w’ in the game of cricket only because India
EXAMPLE 1. Sachin scored a has defeated both the countries in two
century in the 1st test against Australia different games (Football and Hockey).
and so did Dhoni; Sachin scored more Hence, the argument given in example
than 150 runs in the 2nd test against (2) also seems to be a weak argument.
Australia and so did Dhoni; Sachin has Final comment: Analogy based
scored a double century in the 3rd test arguments are weak arguments.
ww
against Australia. So, Dhoni will also hit
a double century in this 3rd test match
against Australia.
(ii) Argument based on cause: Such
arguments relate a cause with a
w
EXAMPLE 2. Australia and England
.Ea
have both lost to India in football and
result. Let us see the examples given
below:
EXAMPLE 1. India will win the world
countries in cricket.
Findings:
syE
hockey. So, India should defeat both the cup 2011 because it is the most balanced
one day team in the world in present day
cricket.
In Example 1, Sachin and Dhoni ngi EXAMPLE 2. He came back home late
performed very well in the 1st two
matches against Australia. In fact, it
seems that Dhoni did the same thing
nee
night. He must have gone to watch a
movie.
what Sachin did in the 1st and 2nd test.
rin
Findings: We see in the foregoing
examples that effects have been related
As Sachin has played a great inning
scoring a double century in the 3rd test g.n
with causes. In example (1), the cause
(the most balanced one day team) well
match, hence on the basis of similar
situation the conclusion has been made
that Dhoni will also make a double
et
supports the effect (India will win the
world cup) and hence, it is a good
argument. But in Example (2) it is argued
century.
that since the effect (coming home late
We also know that performing good or night) has taken place, the cause
bad is a matter of chance. It is also a (watching movie) must have occurred.
matter of chance that two players But the point to be noted that effect may
(Sachin and Dhoni) performed equally occur (he may come home late night)
good in the last two test matches. because of the other reason as well.
Therefore, we cannot say definitely that Hence, the argument given in the Example
Dhoni will make a double century because (2) is not a good argument or it may be
Sachin has done so. In fact, we can say called a weak argument.
that he may or may not hit a double
Final Comment: Arguments based on
century. It can also be said that future
causes may be strong or weak or
performances can not be predicted on
fallacious.
the basis of past performances. Thus, it


(iii) Argument based on example: product. He speaks of the advantages
Sometimes an argument is given by and the benefits of his product.
citing some example/ examples as Hence, a salesman argument is one
premise/ premises. Let us see the where a conclusion comes out
following examples that will illustrate because of the positive points and
the concept: the benefits that it leads to. Such
EXAMPLE 1. We should use X brand types of arguments are very common
of cold cream because X brand is used in day to day life.
by ‘Madhuri Dixit”, the famous EXAMPLE 1. Exercise is good for
bollywood actress. health and students need good health
EXAMPLE 2. We must like Roses to put hard labour in their studies. This
ww
because Chacha Nehru loved Roses.
Findings: In example (1) we have
is the reason why every educational
institution must have a gym.
w
arrived at the conclusion (we should use
.Ea
X brand of cold cream) by using the
premise as example (X brand is used by
EXAMPLE 2. There should be a ban
on strikes as they disrupt the normal life
of the common people.
syE
Madhuri Dixit). In example (2) the
conclusion (we must like roses) has come
out by using the premise as example
Findings: In example-1, the conclusion
is that every educational institution must
(because Chacha Nehru loved it). Here,
we can say in case of Example-1 that
ngi have a gym because exercise is good for
health and students need good health.
using certain brand by a particular
actress, does not mean that X brand will
nee
No doubt the good health ensures good
mind but it is not practically feasible for
be liked by all people as likes and dislikes
rin
every educational institution to have a
gym. Hence, Example-1 will be a weak
are the personal choices. In example (2),
the case is also the same. Everyone g.n
argument. In example-2, ban on strikes is
being demanded and this demand is
cannot like the roses only because
Chacha Nehru loved roses.
Final comment: Example based
et
reasonable as argument has negative
feature of strike. Hence, example-2 is a
strong argument.
arguments are either weak or fallacious. Final comment: Such arguments can
Note: In Example-1 and 2, conclusion part be both weak or strong.
is the start of the arguments. Sometimes
(v) Argument based on chronology:
you can also see that conclusion is given
Very often we see that a conclusion
in the middle. It does mean that
is drawn only on the basis of
conclusion part is not always in the last.
But it depends on the style of writing of chronological order of some events.
different writers/authors. Let us see the examples given below:
(iv) Argument based on blind advocacy: EXAMPLE 1. Computer was invented
Such argument is like a salesman’s later than television. Therefore, television
argument who argues only for the has a technology inferior to that of a
purpose of selling a particular computer.


EXAMPLE 2. Song ‘B’ was released keywords/phrases are absent, then
two months earlier than song ‘C’. So the apply your common sense and take out
former could not be the copy of the latter. the sentences that can follow one of
Findings: In example-1, it is assumed that these keywords/ phrases and that
a technologically inferior object always sentence will be your conclusion.
comes before the superior objects. This After learning concept of argument we
may be true most of the time but this is can easily move on to the problems of
not true in 100% cases. Hence, the reasoning which are asked in various
conclusion given in example 1 is exams wherein examinee is required to
questionable making the given argument evaluate the forcefulness of the
a weak one. In 2nd case, it is the arguments. On the basis of a statement,
ww
possibility that song ‘C’ was recorded
earlier although released later than the
song ‘B’. Hence, in such a situation the
arguments are given in the questions
and the candidate is required to find out:
w
possibility of copying can not be denied
.Ea
and this makes argument given in
Example-2 a weak argument.
(a)
(b)
Which argument is strong.
Which argument is weak.
We know that “strong” arguments are
syE
Final comment: This type of arguments
are usually weak and unconvincing.
those which are both important and
directly related to the question. “Weak”
By now, all the standard ways of
argumentation have been discussed in ngi arguments are those which are of minor
importance and also may not be directly
detail. We will now take a look at the key
words so that you could easily take out
the conclusion part from the given
nee
related to the question or may be related
to a trivial aspect of the question. To find
out if a given argument is strong or not
argument. The keywords are given
rin
we will move according to the solution
below:
So, Hence, g.n
steps given below:
Solution steps
Therefore,
Thus,
Consequently
Apart from above given keywords, the

Step I:
et
Do the preliminary screening
of the given arguments.
Step II: Fin d out if the given
conclusion part can also be identified by arguments really follow or
the certain phrases given below: not.
As a result Step III: Fin d out if the given
It can be inferred that arguments are really desirable
Which means that (in case of positive argument)
Which suggests that / harmful (in case of negative
Which proves that arguments)
Which shows that Step IV: Find out if the argument and
It follows that suggested course of action
are properly related.
If you find one of these keywords/
phrases before any sentence then take Now, we will discuss all the steps one by
that sentence as your conclusion. If the one.


Step I: Preliminary screening of the and confusing impression on our mind
given arguments making the given argument very weak.
At the very 1st level we test how weak (ii) Useless/ superfluous arguments:
an argument is. If at the very 1st level we Such arguments do not do a deep
find the argument weak, then there is no analysis of the given statement.
need to go for further steps. In many They simply ‘glance’ at the
cases the weak arguments are very statement and put them under the
clearly visible and we do not need to category of weak arguments.
think much before arriving at the EXAMPLE 2.
conclusion that they are weak. Such type
of arguments come under the following Statement: Cricket must be banned in
ww
category:
(i) Doubtful/Ambiguous arguments:
India.
Argument: Yes, it has no use.
wThese arguments do not make it clear
.Ea
that how they are related to a course
of action. They also do not give the
Comment: Here, the argument does not
go deep down into the matter making
itself a weak argument.
syE
clear idea about what exactly the
author or writer wants to say.
(iii) Arguments in the form of question:
Such arguments are very weak in
nature as the arguments given in the
EXAMPLE 1.
Statement: One should enjoy every ngi question form are without any
substance and have no technique
second of one’s life because everyone
has to die one day. nee of argumentation. In fact, in such
arguments arguers throw back the
Argument: No, because one must think
rin question.
about fulfilling one’s ambition in life and
should not think about death as one’s g.n
EXAMPLE 3.
Statement: Should import be banned in
goal.
Comment: Here, statement and argument
are not properly related. Statement
India?
et
Argument: Yes, why not?
Comment: Here, statement is given in
suggests to enjoy every second of life. the form of question and arguer throws
Enjoying life does not mean that one back the question without giving any
should not follow the path of fulfilling convincing statement in the form of
one’s ambition. In fact a person can argument. Hence, the given argument is
enjoy his/ her life in the course of very weak.
fulfilling his/her ambition. In fact, we can (iv) Very simple arguments: Such
say without enjoying work of our own arguments are very simple in nature.
choice, we can not fulfill our ambition. They are given in small sentences
Further the given statement does not but do not get any support by facts
give any indication that one should see or established notions. Further, such
death as one’s goal. Hence, in this case arguments are not ambiguous and
statement and argument leave doubtful they are properly related with the


statement but because of their simple Argument: Yes, living separate will give
nature they come under the category married people a greater freedom.
of weak arguments. EXAMPLE 4.
EXAMPLE 4. Statement: Should smoking be promoted?
Statement: Enjoying life should be the Argument: No, smoking is injurious to
principle of our life. health.
Argument: No this thinking hardly Comment: In the above examples, all the
enable us to do anything. given arguments are expected to follow
Comment: Here, the given argument is as they all are established facts.
Therefore, all the arguments presented
only a simple assertion which contains
can be said to pass the test of step II.
no substance. Here, it will come under
ww
the category of weak arguments.
Step II: Finding out if the given
NOTE : Point to be noted that arguments
given under Example 1, Example 2,
Example 3 & Example 4 have passed
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arguments really follow or not.
.Ea
If the arguments are rejected at the
preliminary step then we do not need to
the step II only so far but it has not yet
been determined whether these
arguments are forceful or not (strong
syE
test them further. But, if the preliminary
step has been cleared, then we move on
or not). They will be called strong only
when they will pass step III and step IV.
to step II.
Case I: When the result follows ngi (ii) Prediction on the basis of
experience: Such arguments are
At the step II, the result will follow in the
cases given below:
(i) Established fact: An established fact
nee very near to established facts type
of arguments. But, in reality, they are
not established facts as they are not
does mean that it must be universally
rin yet so universally acknowledged as
acknowledged/ scientifically
established. A result will follow a g.n
to be treated as established fact. In
fact, such arguments are given on
course of action if it is an established
fact that this particular result follows
this particular course of action.
et
the basis of experiences. Just see the
following example:
EXAMPLE 5.
EXAMPLE 1. Statement: Captains should not have
Statement: Should drinking be avoided? given their say in selection of national
Argument: Yes, it contributes to bad sports teams.
health. Argument: Yes, it discourages favouritism
EXAMPLE 2.
towards some particular players.
Comment:The result or consequences
Statement: Should Tendulkar be selected given in this example will be a probable
in the team even after 10 years from now? result as our experiences suggest this.
Argument: Yes, Tendulkar is one of the Hence, this will go for further test.
greatest cricketers in the world. (iii) Logically given arguments: Such
EXAMPLE 3. arguments are given on the basis of
Statement: Married people should live logic. It does mean that the emphasis
separate from their parents. here is on the logic and not on the


established fact or experience. If we a sin. As, the given argument is likely to
see such type of arguments we can be strong it will go for next step test.
easily predict that such cases have Case II (When the result does not follow
occurred in practice. But when we argument will be rejected).
think over such situations with Following are the cases when results do
proper logic and reasoning then we not follow and arguments are rejected at
arrive at the conclusion that such 2nd level test in step II only.
an argument may be true. Let us see (i) Established fact: If it is an
the example given below: established fact that a particular
EXAMPLE 6. result will not follow a particular
course of action, then the argument
Statement: World leaders must try for will be rejected at step II. Let us see
ww
complete disarmament.
Argument: Yes, complete disarmament
the example given below:
EXAMPLE 8.
w
will make a war free world.
.Ea
Comment: The example gives an
argument that is logically convincing:
Statement: Should smoking be
discouraged in the country?
Argument: No, it give relaxation when
syE
The argument is probable as the logic
behind it is that if there will be armless
world then there will be a war free world.
one gets tired and this way contributes
to health.
Hence, the argument passes the step II
test and will go for further test. ngi Comment: It is an established fact that
smoking is injurious to health and thus,
(iv) Notions of truth: Such arguments are
unquestionable truth because of the
nee
we can say that this argument is incorrect
and weak enough to be rejected at step II.
simple reason of universal
acceptance. It does mean that they rin
(ii) Prediction on the basis of
experiences: If the experiences say
are the ideas or thoughts already
acknowledged by society. This is the
g.n
that the result will not follow then
the given argument will be rejected
reason why they are very similar to
established facts in many ways. The
following example illustrates this
et
at the step II. Let us see the example
given below:
Statement: Should cricketer A be
point: appointed the next captain of the Indian
EXAMPLE 7. cricket team?
Argument: Yes, it will end the favouritism
Statement: Should marriages between in selection of team as cricketer A has
blood relatives be promoted?
made allegations of favouritism against
Argument: No, it will promote incest the current captain.
which is a sin. Comment: In this example, the argument
Comment: No, doubt, the given suggests that cricketer A should be
argument seems strong as it is based on appointed captain of the Indian cricket
prevailing notion of truth that our society team because it will end the favouritism
does not allow marriages between blood in the team selection. This suggestion
relatives and consider such marriages as has been given on the basis that A has


made allegation of favouritism against Comment: In our society, it is widely
the current captain. But the experiences accepted truth (or universally accepted
say that there have been so many cases truth) that the marriages between blood
when people did the things what they relatives are considered to be a sin as it
opposed. Hence, saying one thing and promotes incest. The given argument
doing other is very common. This is the violates this prevailing notion of truth and
reason why it can not be made sure that is weak enough to be rejected in step II.
A will not do favouritism in team selection (v) Arguments based on examples/
only because he has criticised the current analogies: Very often it is seen that
captain for this. It is clear that the given an example or a precedent is made
argument is weak enough to be rejected the basis of an argument. But point
in step II. to be noted that analogy or example
ww
Note : This is the exactly opposite to
point (ii) in step II (Case I).
based arguments come under the
category of bad arguments. It must
w .Ea
(iii) Argument with faulty logic: This is
exactly opposite to the point (iii) in
be cleared that just because
someone did something in the past,
the same can not be said as
following example: syE

step II (case I). Let us see the
Statement: Should the culprits behind

pursuable. Let us see the example
given below:
Statement: Should ever yone be
the fodder scam in Bihar be punished?
ngi optimistic in Life?
Argument: Yes, Indira Gandhi was
Argument: No, a political vaccum will
be created if the culprits get punishment.
Comment: As per the logic, punishing
nee
optimistic and this is the reason why she
became the prime minister of India.
culprits behind the fodder scam in Bihar
rin
Comment: Here, the example of Indira
Gandhi is given that makes the argument
would please the public and improve the
image of the Bihar government. How can g.n
very weak. Thus, such type of arguments
are rejected in step II.
it create a political vaccum? This argument
has been given with a faulty logic and
hence will be rejected in step II only.
et
(vi) Arguments based on individual
perceptions (or assumptions): In
some cases it is seen that an
(iv) Argument violating prevailing assumption or view of the author is
notions of truth: Argument that the substance of an argument. Such
violates unquestionable notions arguments neither have proper logic
(Ideas that are universally accepted nor substance of established fact.
and acknowledged by society) will These arguments are called bad
be rejected in step II. Let us see the arguments and they can be rejected
example given below: in step II.
Statement: Should marriage in blood Statement: Should India be declared a
relations be promoted in India? Hindu Rashtra?
Argument: Yes, if the two mature blood Argument: No, it will lead to chaos.
relatives are willing to do so, then they Comment: What message author gives
can not be prohibited from doing it. through the argument is view of the


author. In fact, declaring India a Hindu from parents is undesirable. Further,
Rashtra may or may not lead to the result separating from parents does mean
given in the argument. It means that avoiding duty of taking care of parents.
assertion made by argument may or may Hence, argument given in example 3 is
not follow in actual practice and if the not desirable and is weak enough to be
author has a rigid stand on this assertion, rejected in step III.
it is his/ her individual perception or
assumption which makes the argument EXAMPLE 4. As smoking is injurious
weak enough to be rejected in step II. to health, its promotion is harmful. This
Step III: Given arguments are really reason makes the argument strong
desirable/ harmful enough to pass the step III test.
ww
In step II, we come to the conclusion
that Examples 1-7, have passed the 2nd
EXAMPLE 5. It is true that favouritism
takes place on the part of captains at
w
level test and qualified for the step III
(3rd level test). Hence, we will take the
.Ea
examples to be qualified for step III one
times, but that does not mean that they
should not be given their say while
selecting team. In fact, captains are
by one: expected to bring positive and desired
syE
EXAMPLE 1. Here, the argument is
positive and therefore, we have to check
result if given their say in team selection.
Further, giving their say in team selection
ngi
the desirability. As, it is a established fact
that drinking contributes to bad health
makes the captains more responsible for
the bad performance of the team and this
and thus it is desirable to avoid it. It is
clear row that Example 1 passed the 3rd
nee
inspires the captain to draw best out of
the players in the team. Hence, the result
level test.
rin
is not desirable and the given argument
proves to be weak enough to be rejected
EXAMPLE 2. No doubt that at present
Tendulkar is one of the greatest g.n
in step III.
cricketers in the world. He will also remain
in the list of great ones in the history of
the game of cricket. But it is also a truth
EXAMPLE
et 6. If it is possible to make
world free of wars through complete
disarmament, it is well and good. But,
that he has spent more than 20 years in
complete disarmament does not assure
this game and is a retired cricketer. This
th at there would be no an tisocial
is the reason that after 10 years he will
definitely not be in team as his selection elements like murderers, looters, terrorists
is impossible. Hence, despite being an and the likes. To tackle these kind of anti-
established fact the argument is not social elements, police and different
desirable and is rejected in step III. security forces are needed. How do
(Example 2 is a weak argument) police and other security forces function
without arms? No, doubt, it is impossible
EXAMPLE 3. Here, it is true that living
for such security providing bodies to
separately from parents gives married
work without arms. Hence, the argument
people more freedom but at the same time
given in Example 6 is weak and will be
getting freedom at cost of separation
rejected in step III.


EXAMPLE 7. Marriages in blood argument “No smoking is injurious to
relatives promote incest which is a sin health” is a strong argument and this is
and hence harmful for the established the final conclusion.
norm of society. On the basis of this EXAMPLE 3. Marriages in blood
logic, argument given in Example 7 is relatives and promotion of incest is
strong enough to pass the 3rd level test directly and properly related. Hence, the
step III. given argument “No, it will promote
Now, we have, incest which is a sin” is a strong
Examples qualified for step IV test: argument and this is the final conclusion.
Example-1, 4 and 7. Rejected examples in Now, we have come to the end of
step III: Example- 2, 3, 5 and 6. this chapter. For the understanding of
ww
Note : How to decide a positive
argument which is really desirable or a
students, below is given a question
format the for the examination. The
w
negative argument which is really
.Ea
harmful, is only the matter of common
sense. Just apply your common sense,
question format has been made with the
Example 4 given in this chapter.
Question format:
syE
think over the argument, try to go by
proper logic and general norms of
society.
Direction: Each question given below
is followed by two arguments numbered
Step IV: Finding proper relation ngi I and II. You have to decide which one of
the arguments is a ‘strong’ argument and
between argument and suggested
course of action. nee
which is a 'weak' argument.
Give answer (a) If only argument I is
What does proper relation between
statement and argument mean? In fact, it rin
strong.
(b) If only argument II is strong.
does mean that argument must be
pinpointed on the main issue involved g.n
(c) If either I or II is strong.
and it should not focus on any irrelevant,

insignificant or minor issues. Now, we
move on to step IV or final test. As
et
(d) If neither I nor II is strong.
(e) If both I and II strong.
Statement: Should smoking be
Example-1, 4 and 7 have qualified for this promoted?
test, let us check the three examples one Argument: I: No, smoking is injurious
by one: to health.
II: Yes, why not?
EXAMPLE 1. Drinking and bad health
are properly and directly related. Hence, Solution:
the given argument “Yes, it contributes I will follow (the reason already given
to bad health” is a strong argument and see Example 4)
this is the final conclusion. II will not follow as it is a question back
EXAMPLE 2. Smoking and bad health type of argument and such type of
arguments are very weak.
(injurious to health) are directly and
properly related. Hence, the given Hence, option (A) is the correct answer.


q Shortcut Approach
Step I: Preliminary Screening of argument
Passes Fails — Weak Argument
Step II: The argument follows the statement
ww
w .Ea Passes Fails — Weak Argument
syE
Step III: The argument is desirable (for positive statements)
/ harmful (for negative statements)
ngi
Passes nee
Fails — Weak Argument
rin
g.n
Step IV: The argument is properly related to the statement.
Passes Fails
et
— Weak Argument
Strong Argument

Past Solved Papers

Chapter
Statement &
27 Assumptions
INTRODUCTION Statement: “A” television — the largest
selling name with the largest range” —
Assumptions are essential part of an advertisement.
analytical reasoning. This is the reason Assumptions:
ww
why in various competitive examinations,
examinees ar e asked to iden tify
I. There is a demand for televisions in
the market.
w
assumptions. In this chapter, we will see
.Ea
how to identify assumptions. Before we
go ahead, we must have a look at a
II. ‘A’ television is the only one with
wide variations.
The given statement in the problem
syE
common format of the problem as it will
give you a clear idea of the questions to
format is an advertisement. This is
the one form of statement. But the
statement may be in different forms
be asked in the examination.
PROBLEM FORMAT
ngi like it can be in the form of a passage;
in the form of a single line; in the
(SAMPLE PROBLEM) nee form of a notice; in the form of an

appeal; in any other different forms.
Directions: In every question given
below a statement (or a passage) is rin
WHAT DOES AN
followed by two assumptions number I g.n
ASSUMPTION MEAN?
& II. An assumption is something
supposed or taken for granted. You have
to consider the statement and the
et
Assumption is the hidden part of an
argument. It does mean that an
assumption is something which is
following assumptions and then decide assumed, supposed and taken for
which of the assumptions is implicit in granted. In fact, when a person says
the statement. something, he does not put everything
into words and leaves some part unsaid
Mark answer:
as why does he ? so?
(a) If only assumption I is implicit.
He does so because he takes this unsaid
(b) If only assumption II is implicit.
part for granted. In other words he thinks
(c) If eith er assumption I or this unsaid part will be understood
assumption II is implicit. without saying and hence there is no
(d) If neither of the assumption is need to put this (unsaid part) into words.
implicit It does mean this unsaid part is hidden
(e) If both the assumptions are in the given statement and this hidden
implicit. part is called assumption. Let us

128 Statement & Assumptions

understand it in another way. Just
EXAMPLE 1.
remember your childhood days when
you used to solve the given arithmetic Statement: Of all the mobile sets
problem without leaving any single step. manufactured in India 'M' brand has the
But what you do today? Today your largest sale.
approach is totally different. Today you Assumption: The sale of all the mobile
leave easier steps as you assume that sets manufactured in India is known.
the person who see your solution, is Comment: The given assumption is
very much aware of these elementary valid. Here the statement makes a claim
operations. Therefore, this is an example that of all the mobile sets manufactured
of assumption. in India, 'M' brand has the largest sale.
To get the concept of assumption more In fact, without knowing sale figures may
ww
clearly just suppose a thrilling one day
international cricket match is going on
be rough data of all mobile brands
manufactured in India, no such claim
w
between India and Australia. The
.Ea
Australian team has scored 300 runs but
while chasing the score India has made
about M brand could be made. Hence, it
must have been implicitly assumed in the
given statement that sale figure of all
brands is known.
syE
280 runs in 48 overs and now, the
situation is India has to score 21 runs to
win the match in remaining two overs.
EXAMPLE 2.
As Yuvraj Singh is batting, you tell your

friend - “No need to worry as Yuvraj is a
ngi Statement: Virat is in great form and
therefore, India is going to beat New
big hitter. India will definitely win the
match”. What do you find in this
nee
Zealand in upcoming test series.
Assumption:
statement. In fact this statement has two
parts:- rin
I. Virat will give a good performance in
upcoming series against New
(i) No need to worry as Yuvraj is a big

g.n
Zealand.
II. Virat will score a triple century in the
hitter.
(ii) India will win the match.
Now, this is the time to think over these
two parts. How do you relate them?
et
upcoming series against New
Zealand.
Comment: Assumption I is valid as the
statement says that Virat is in great form
Obviously, by assuming that a big hitter and therefore, India is going to beat New
may score 21 runs in the remaining two Zealand in the upcoming test series. It
overs. Therefore, this is another example does mean that it is assumed in the
of assumption. The above statement can statement that Virat will perform well in
be written in three parts as follows:- the upcoming test series against New
(i) No need to worry as Yuvraj is a big Zealand and on the basis of that good
hitter. performance India will beat New Zealand.
(ii) A big hitter may score 21 runs in 2 But II is invalid because if Virat is in great
overs (Hidden part/Assumption) form, that does not mean he will surely
(iii) So, India will win the match. hit a triple century. He may or may not
Let’s get more ideas about assumption do so. Hence, assumption II is not hidden
with some simple examples given below:- in the statement.

Statement & Assumptions 129

EXAMPLE 3. EXAMPLE 5.
Statement: The next meeting of the Statement: The crisis of onion has
governing body of the society X will be worsened and the government should
held after one year.
make every effort to boost import of onion.
Assumption: Institute X will remain in
Assumption:
function after one year.
I. Import is the best solution to avert
Comment: The given assumption is valid
the onion crisis.
as we know that the common practice is
II. Import is a reasonably good solution
to hold meetings of only those bodies
to the onion crisis.
that are functional. Hence, it does mean
III. Import is the only solution to
that the announcer must be assuming
overcome the onion crisis.
that the society will remain functional
ww
after one year.
EXAMPLE 4.
IV. The onion crisis will definitely be
averted by boosting import of onion.
w
Statement: The student is too clever to
.Ea
fail in the examination.
Assumption: Very clever students do not
V. The onion crisis will probably be
averted by boosting import of onion.
Comment: In the above mentioned
example, the assumption II and V are
fail in the examination.
syE
Comment: This is a valid assumption. As
valid. But I, III and IV are not valid. The
reason is that there is use of definitive
per the given statement the student will
not fail (This is an effect) as he / she isngi words (best, only and definitely) in case
of I, III and IV. The given statement
very clever (This is a cause). Clearly, it
has been assumed in the statement that nee
mentions a fact that crisis of onion has
worsened and then makes a suggestion
very clever students do not fail.
HOW DOES A SINGLE

rin
that imports of onion should be boosted.
In fact the statement assumes that import
WORD OR PHRASE MAKE A g.n

should help to overcome onion crisis or
that import is a good/ reasonably good
DIFFERENCE?
A. Definitive Words Cases:
et
solution to the onion crisis. But, there is
no hint that import is the only solution/
best solution/a definitely effective
Just consider the words like ‘all’, solution.
‘only’, ‘best’, ‘strongest’, ‘certainly’, Therefore, the example given above
‘definitely’, etc. These are some illustrates how a definitive word may give
words that put a greater degree of a different ‘tone’ to a sentence.
emphasis or more weight on the
sentence than some others. In fact, B. Cases of Conjunctions:
these words impart a kind of The words like ‘because’,
exclusiveness to the sentence and ‘therefore’, ‘in spite of’, ‘despite’,
thereby reduce the scope / range of ‘so’, ‘after’, ‘even’, ‘although’ ‘as’,
the sentence. In fact, some kind of ‘as a result of’ are some significant
certainty is associated with all these conjunctions. When a statement has
words. Let us consider the following two clauses and the clauses are
examples: connected by a conjunction, then

130 Statement & Assumptions

the nature of conjunction helps in EXAMPLE 9.
detecting the assumption that the Statement: There was no outbreak of any
author suggests in his statement. epidemic even after the continuous
Suppose ‘x’ is one clause of a deposition of rain water for six days.
sentence that mention an event (or Valid Assumption: Deposition of rain
fact/suggestion) and ‘y’ is the water usually leads to epidemic.
another clause of the same sentence
which mentions another event (or C. Cases of Connotive Phrases:
fact/suggestion), than depending Sometimes words used by th e
upon the conjunction, we can author are slightly indirect or
conclude the following assumption. unconventional. This is the reason
(i) x because/ as a result of y Þ It is you may miss the thing which the
ww assumed that ‘y’ leads to x.

EXAMPLE 6.
author wants to say. Such indirect
or unconventional words are called
w
Statement: You will find improvement in
.Ea
your English after taking classes in
institute M.
connotative or connotive phrases.
For example “It is true that ....” can
be put / written as:
help in improving English. syE

Valid Assumption: An institute may (i) It can be claimed with reasonable
degree of truth that...
(ii) It would be correct to say that...
(ii) x therefore/ hence y Þ It is
assumed that ‘x’ leads to ‘y’. ngi (iii) Even the most sceptic of men
EXAMPLE 7.
Statement: Sachin Tendulkar has become nee would agree that....
Similarly, “It is false” is put / written by
the author as :
the 1st man to score 50th test century,
therefore all Indians must be feeling very rin (i) It is baseless to say that ...
proud on his achievement.
Valid Assumption: An achievement by a g.n
(ii) It would be highly misleading
to say that....
fellow countryman makes other citizens
proud.
(iii) x even after/ despite/ in spite of y Þ
et
(iii) Nothing could be farther from
truth than...
It is assumed that usually x does not Note: The role of connotative phrases is
occurs when y occurs. very limited in the questions asked
because they are given so that they do
EXAMPLE 8. not escape your eyes whenever one
Statement: There was a theft in the city come across them.
mall last night inspite of the maximum
Conditions for Invalidity of Assumptions:
security arrangement made by the police.
Valid Assumption: Maximum security (a) Restatement
arrangement is usually sufficient to If the given assumption is a
prevent theft. restatement of the given statement,
(iv) Not ‘x’ even after/ in spite of/ despite then the given statement will be
‘y’ Þ It is assumed that usually x invalid. In fact, in such case, same
occurs when y does. thing is put in different words.

Statement & Assumptions 131

EXAMPLE 10. sentence without changing its
Statement: Of all the computer brands, meaning.
manufactured in India, brand M has the EXAMPLE 12.
largest sale. Statement: Beauty is lovable.
Invalid Assumption: No other brand of Invalid Assumptions :
computer has as high a sale as brand M. I. Ugliness is not lovable
(b) Long-drawn Conclusion: If an II. Beauty is not hateable
assumption makes too far fetched (d) Conversion : When you study the
logic or long drawn conclusion, then chapter of syllogism, you see that
it will be considered as invalid statements are converted to get
assumption. immediate inference. In fact, there
ww EXAMPLE 11.
Statement: All teaching should be done
are three standard cases of
conversion:
w
in religious spirit as religious instruction
leads to a curiosity for knowledge.
.Ea
Invalid Assumption: Curious persons are
(i) All M are N, converted into
Some N are M.
(ii) Some M are N, converted into
good persons. Some N are M.
syE
(c) Observation : It is slightly different
from the restatement case. In such
(iii) No M are N, converted into No
N are M
case, two of the trio (Subject, verb,
predicate) are changed into negative ngiPoints to be noted that given
assumptions will be invalid if they are
that changes the appearance of the
q Shortcut Approach
nee
conversions of the given statements.
Assumption will be implicit if rin

Assumption will not be implicit if
· it is in context of passge g.n
· not in context of statement or passage
· it is not directly mentioned
· it is a mandatory factor condition for

statementet
· it is directly mentioned in the
· it is not an accepted fact or cannot be

the statement to be correct. truly inferred
· there is use of definitive words
Note : The assumption must follow all · it is a restatement or a long-drawn
the above rules for it to be implicit. conclusion or negative rephrasing or
a converted syllogism form.

Past Solved Papers

132 Statement & Conclusions
Chapter
Statement &
28 Conclusions
INTRODUCTION EXAMPLE 2.
In this type of questions, a statement is Statement : Today, out of the world
given followed by two conclusions. We population of several thousand million,
the majority of men have to live under
ww
have to find out which of these
conclusions definitely follows from the
given statement.
government which refuses them personal
liberty and the right to dissent.
w .Ea
WHAT IS A ‘CONCLUSION’?
‘Conclusion’ means a fact that can be
Conclusions :
I. People are indifferent to personal
liberty and the right to dissent.
II. People desire personal liberty and
syE
truly inferred from the contents of a given
sentence. Conclusion is the art of
judging or deciding, based on reasoning.
the right to dissent.
Sol. (b) It is mentioned in the
DIRECTIONS (for Examples 1 to 3) : In
each of the following questions, a ngi statement that most people
are forced to live un der
statement is given followed by two
conclusions I and II. Give answer : nee governments which refuse
them personal liberty and right
to dissent. This means that
(a) if only conclusion I follows;
(b) if only conclusion II follows; rin they are not indifferent to
these rights but have a desire
(c) if either I or II follows;
(d) if neither I nor II follows; g.n for them. So, only II follows.
(e) if both I and II follows;
EXAMPLE 1.
Statement : The oceans are a storehouse
EXAMPLE
et 3.
Statement : It has been decided by the
Government to withdraw 33% of the
of practically every mineral including subsidy on cooking gas from the
uranium. But like most other minerals, it beginning of next month—a spokesman
is found in extremely low concentration of the Government.
– about three gms per 1000 tonnes of Conclusions :
water. I. People no more desire or need such
Conclusions : subsidy from government as they
I. The oceans are a cheap source of can afford increased price of the
uranium. cooking gas.
II. The oceans harbour radiation hazards. II. The price of the cooking gas will
Sol. (d) I can not be concluded as most increase at least by 33% from the next
of the minerals are available in month.
similar concentration levels in Sol. (d) I does not follow because a
oceans. II is out of context of govt’s policy is not determined
the sentence. merely by people’s needs.

Statement & Conclusions 133

II does not follow. Let the II. The government of country X seems
present price be x to be serious in attracting tourists.
\ Price if subsidy is removed Sol. (e) Clearly, the government has
x taken the step to attract more
= = 1.49x tourists. So, both I and II follow.
0.67
Hence increase in price will be
around 49%
q Shortcut Approach
DIRECTIONS (for Examples 4 to 5) : In For a adhere conclusion to follow a
each of the following questions, a statement must to the following
statement is given followed by two 4 GOLDEN RULES.
conclusions I and II. Give answer : 1. The conclusion must be in context
(a) if only conclusion I follows; of the statement. If out of context
than it does not follow.
ww
(b) if only conclusion II follows;
(c) if either I or II follows;
(d) if both I and II follow.
2. The conclusion must support the
contents of the statement. If it
w
(e) if neithter I nor II follows;
EXAMPLE 4.
.Ea
Statement : Interest rate will be fixed on
negates than it does not follow.
3. The conclusion must be truly
inferred. If there is some doubt that
it may or may not be correct or truly
syE
the basis of our bank’s rate prevailing
on the date of deposit and refixed every
quarter thereafter.
inferred, than it does not follow.
4. The conclusion must not repeat or
Conclusions:
I. It is left to the depositors to guard ngi rephrase the statement. If so, it does
not follow.
Now let us apply these rules to the 5
their interest.
II. The bank’s interest rates are subject nee
examples solved above.
Ex. 1 I. Rule 2 applies as it negates the
to change on a day-to-day basis
depending on market position. rin statement.
II. Rule 1 applies as it is out of
Sol. (b) I does not follow because the
statement is silent about the g.n context.
Ex. 2 I. Rule 2 applies as it negates the
depositors. II follows from the
phrase “bank’s rate prevailing
on the date of deposit” which
means the rates are subject to
et
statement.
II. Fulfils all the conditions in Rule
1-4.
Ex. 3 I. Rule 1, 2 & 4 follow but 3 does
day-to-day changes. not as there can be various
reasons to withdraw subsidy.
EXAMPLE 5.
II. Rule 1, 2 & 4 follow but 3 does
Statement : The government of country not as the price increase is
X has recently announced several actually 49%
concessions and offered attractive Ex. 4 I. Rule I applies as it is out of
package tours for foreign visitors. context.
Conclusions : II. Follows all the 4 rules perfectly.
I. Now, more number of foreign Ex. 5 Both I & II follow all the 4 rules
tourists will visit the country. and hence follow the statement.
Past Solved Papers

134 Courses of Action
Chapter
INTRODUCTION NOTE : In the examinations more than

In many competitive examinations two courses of actions may also be given.
questions related to courses of action
are frequently asked. Types of Problems
ww
The basic reason behind asking such
questions is to test your ability to judge
a problem correctly in order to determine
(1) Problems based on problem and
solution relationship.
(2) Problems based on fact &
w
the root of the given problem and then
.Ea
finding out a proper course of action for
that particular problem.
improvement relationship.
1. Problems based on problem
and solution relationship
syE
What is the format of the problem?
Directions: In the question given below
This is a case when the given
statement talks of a problem and the
is given a statement followed by two
suggested courses of action number I ngi suggested course of action talks of
and II. A course of action is a step or
administrative decision to be taken for nee a solution. It is very easy to find out
when a suggested course of action
is acceptable and when it is not. In
improvement, follow up, or further action
in regard to the problem, policy etc. On rinfact, the suggested course of action
the basis of the information given in the
statement. Read the situation carefully g.n
will be acceptable if:
(a) it solves/ reduces or minimises the
and then decide which of the given
courses of action follow/ follows.
Mark answers:
(a) If only I follows
et
given problem
(b) it gives a practical and wise solution.
Now, what to do ? Just see the given
(b) If only II follows problem with a serious eye; think over
(c) If either I or II follows that; apply your day to day experiences;
(d) If neither I nor II follows apply your common sense and use your
(e) If both I & II follow. general knowledge to judge whether a
Statement: The sale of a particular suggested course of action solves or
product ‘A’ has gone down considerably, reduces or minimises the problem given
causing great concern to company ‘X’. in the statement. After this step, the next
Courses of action : step is checking the practicality. Here,
I. Company ‘X’ should mark a proper
you have to check if the solution
study of the rival products in the
market. suggested by the given course of action
II. The price of product ‘A’ should be is wise enough and applicable in
reduced. practical way in day to day life.

Courses of Action 135

Infact (a) is the 1st step test and after Courses of action:
passing the step I test, the given course I. The child should be sent to child
of action will have to pass step II (which welfare society. (correct action)
is (b)). If the given course of action II. The child should be put in jail and
passes both the tests [step I and step II] severly beaten (wrong action)
only then it will be called a correct action. Comment: In example I, I is rejected as it
Step I test is an irrelevant action. It does not make
To pass the step I test a suggested it clear how instructing population for
course of action must be not coming out of their houses will solve
(i) based on an established fact or or reduce the problem of spreading
(ii) based on logical prediction or malaria. But II is a proper course of action
ww
(iii) based on experiences
(iv) based on prevailing notions of truth
as it is an established biological fact that
malaria can be prevented by using
safeguards against mosquitoes. This is
w
Let us discuss all the conditions
mentioned above:-
.Ea
(i) Action based on established
the reason that II will go for further test
(step II test) proving itself a proper course
of action in 1st level test (step I test).
fact: -
syE
In some of the cases an action taken
In example 2, II is rejected on the basis
that it is totally illogical to beat a child
is an established fact which
suggests that the given problem can
be reduced or solved by this
ngi and put into jail as a child is not mature
enough to decide what is right and what
particular solution. It does mean that

the solution suggested by the given
nee
is wrong. Further, it is an established fact
(socially established fact) that child
course of action is universally

acknowledged to the given problem. rin
criminals must not be treated as
punishable wrong doer but they should
Let us see the examples given below:
g.n
be made to mend their ways and on the
basis of this I is the correct course of
EXAMPLE 1.
Statement: Southern part of India has
been coming rapidly into the grip of
et
action. Hence, I will qualify for the 2nd
round test ( Step II test)
(ii) Action based on logical
malaria. prediction :
Courses of action: In such type of cases, solutions
I. The Southern Indian population provided for the given problems are
must be instructed not to come out neither an established fact nor they
of their houses. [wrong action] can be considered as proper action
II. Anti-mosquito liquids should be on the basis of our past experiences.
sprayed in the southern part of Hence, in such cases examinees are
India. [correct action] required to apply certain logic and
EXAMPLE 2. reasoning to find out if the given
Statement: A child was caught while course of action solves or reduces
stealing money of a respectable person or minimises the problem. Let us see
of society. the example given below:


EXAMPLE 3. Course of action: Efforts should be made
Statement: Jammu & Kashmir is that the Indians remain united for any
experiencing, again, the rise of terrorism eventuality. [correct action]
and it is obvious that Pakistan is Comment: Our past experiences say that
we (India) became a sufferer several times
encouraging it.
because of the foreign powers and at
Course of action: India must go to the
that time we lacked our unity. In another
international bodies with all the proof of
words, India has fallen victim to foreign
Pakistani involvement in Jammu &
powers only when our country (India)
Kashmir and demand that Pakistan must
has not remained united. Hence, on the
be declared a terrorist nation. [ correct
basis of our past experience, we can
action]
conclude that the given course of action
ww
Comment : Here, the given course of
action is the correct one at step I test. In
fact, it is a matter of simple logic of
solves or reduces the problem making
its entry for 2nd level (step II) test.
w
diplomacy that in case of disturbances
.Ea
created by a hostile nation within our
country, we put this issue before
(iv) Action based on prevailing notions
of truth: In such type of cases
solutions provided for the given
syE
international bodies so that the hostile
nation stands at disadvantage. Thus Ex.
problem is as per the social norms.
In other words, the given course of
3 will qualify for the next step test (step
II or practicality test). ngi action suggests a solution that is
prevailing notion of truth. In fact,
they are the ideas that are universally
(iii) Action based on experiences: In
certain cases, while deciding if a nee accepted and acknowledged by the
society and hence in many ways they
given course of action solves or
reduces or minimises the given rinare similar to established fact. Let us
see the following examples:
problem, our experiences work. In
fact, in such cases the given problem g.n
EXAMPLE 5.
may be a relatively new one. It will
not be totally new but it will not be
very old either. This is the reason
et
Statement: Mr Sharma got angry and beat
his son mercilesely.
Course of action : Mr.Sharma should be
that the solution can not be said as caned publicly [ wrong action]
an established fact. However, based
EXAMPLE 6.
on our past experiences, in the similar
kind of situation, we can reach the Statement : Most of manufacturing
conclusion that the given problem companies in India are running in losses.
can be solved/ reduced/ minimised Course of action: Prospects of
by this particular action. Let us see privatisation of these companies must
the example given below: be explored. [correct action]
Comment: In example 5, the given
EXAMPLE 4. solution is against the societal worm as
Statement: Several foreign powers public beating is not considered a good
having expansionist thinking are threat punishment. In other words, it is
to India. prevailing notion of truth that public


beating is not good. Hence, on the basis EXAMPLES FOR (A)
of this the given solution is rejected and
will not go for 2nd level test (step II test). EXAMPLE 7.
In example 6, the given course of action Statement : Lack of discipline is a good
suggests privatisation for loss making reason for low productivity in India.
manufacturing companies and no Course of action : Government must take
doubts, it is a prevailing notion of truth step to make military traing compulsory
that privatisation can reduce or minimise for all Indian citizens. [ wrong action]
their losses. There is also a chance that EXAMPLE 8.
privatisation can convert a loss making
Statement: As per the report of ‘WHO’
company into a profitable one. Hence,
(World Health Organisation) the life
we conclude the given solution is
ww
correct one and will qualify for further
test (2nd level test or step II test). Now,
expactancy of an average Indian is
continuously declining.
Course of action : A serious effort must
w
we can move on to step II test.
.Ea
Step II (Test of Practicality)
be made to prevent children from making
noises. [wrong action]
Comment: In Example 7, the given course
syE
This is the 2nd part of test. In the 1st
part we just found out whether a
suggested action really solves/ reduces/
of action is not a good solution for the
given problem. No, doubt that military
minimises the given problem. But an
important part also remains to be checked ngi training wold be a solution for lack of
discipline but is it a practical solution?
and that is the test of practicality. Point
to be noted that a given course of action nee
Your answer will be a big ‘No’ (why?). In
reality, at the 1st step test the given
may solve/ reduce/ minimise a particular
problem but if it is not practically rin
course of action may seem true as it
solves the given problem but when it
possible, it will be consider useless. This
is the reason why this point too, needs g.n
comes to the 2nd level test, it becomes
clear that it is too severe solution for a
sound checking. For this you have to
keep the following things in your mind:
A. The problem and solution must be
et
relatively small problem. Hence, on this
basis the given course of action is
rejected finally.
In example 8, the given course of
well matched and must be in action suggests that problem of
proportion. In other words, if declining life expectancy can be solved
solutions are too simple for too if children are prevented from making
severe problems, they will be noises. At one stage the given course of
useless. Conversly, we can say that action reduces the problem to some
too severe solutions are not good extent as it suggests that less noise will
solutions for too simple problems. increase the chances of low blood
B. Even after passing the step I test, pressure and this will result in less
the given solution is creating a new deaths. But when we think analytically,
problem, then the given solution we come to the conclusion that the
will not be a good solution and will problem is very serious and the given
fail in practicality test. solution is very simple for it. Hence on


this basis the given course of action In the past we have also seen that such
would be declared a wrong one and steps have been taken. Not in the past
would be rejected finally. only even today whenever it seems that
mosquito born diseases are imminent,
EXAMPLE FOR (B)
the anti-mosquito liquids are sprayed.
EXAMPLE 9. Such step is taken only because it is
Statement: In recent years, people have practical. Here, the IInd course of action
developed a tendency of tax evasion and given under example 1 passes both the
this is the reason it has increased at an test to be finally declared as proper and
alarming level. correct solution.
Course of action : Government must Step II test of Example 2 [Course of
action I]:
ww
make law to abolish taxes. [ wrong action]
Comment: Here, the given problem is
about tax evasion. Tax evasion does
Ist course of action given under example
2 is “child should be sent to child welfare
w
mean showing less income to pay less
.Ea
tax. Why tax evasion is a problem?
Because tax evasion generates black
society”. In step II, we need to check if it
is a practical solution. In so many cases
we have seen that when a child does a
syE
money. The given course of action
suggests the abolition of taxes which
crime like stealing and some other more
serious crime, then they are put under
such atmosphere that they can
connot be a good solution as taxes are
taken to provide people certain indirect ngi understand the seriousness of their
crime and try to mend their ways. For
services like the facilities of roads, parks,
police etc. Suppose if taxes are not
charged, how and where from money will
nee
such children, child welfare societies and
some other such kind of organisations
come to provide such indirect services
rin
are very helpful. Hence, this course of
action passes its final test to be declared
to community. No doubts, the tax
abolition will create a new problem. g.n
a correct course of action.
Step II test of Example 3 :
Hence on this basis the given course of
action will be rejected finally as it fails
the 2nd level test (step II test) of
et
The course of action given under
example 3 is “India must go to the
international bodies with all the proof of
practicality. Pakistani involvement in Jammu &
Now after understanding what is a Kashmir and demand that Pakistan must
practical solution, we can test the be declared a terrorist nation” and this is
courses of action that have passed the a very practical solution. As we have
step I test and given under examples 1, seen in certain circumstances in past that
2, 3, 4 and 6. India has put such type of demand from
Step II test of Example 1 ( Course of UNO and even from some other nations
action II): on individual basis. No doubts, that on
IInd course of action given under example such demands India has got support to
1 is “Anti mosquito liquids should be some extent. Hence it is a very practical
sprayed in the southern part of India". solution and this given course of action
In step II, we need to check if it is a passes it practicality test to be declared
practical solution for the given problem. a proper and correct course of action.


Step II test of Example 4 : (i) Find out whether the suggested
The given course of action “efforts course of action will help in
should be made that the Indians remain improvement of the situation.
united for any eventualities” is a practical (ii) Find out whether the two are
one as we have shown this type of unity properly balanced.
in the past. For example, in the freedom In fact problem given under example
struggle we were united. How this unity 7 is such type of problem.
took place? Only because this was Now we have come to the end of
practically possible. Hence, this given this chapter and this is the time to
course of action, too, passed the solve the problem given under 'what
practically test to be declared finally a is the format of the problem'? Let us
ww
proper and correct course of action.
Step II test of Example 6:
The given course of action “Prospects
solve it:
Statement : The sale of a particular
product ‘A’ has gone down considerably,
w
of privatisation of these (loss making)
.Ea
companies must be explored is not a
correct solution at the end at the 2nd
causing great concern to company ‘X’.
Courses of action :
syE
level test (Practicality test) because the
course of action and the given statement
I. Company should make a proper
study of rival products in the
market.
are not properly linked. The statement
does not make it clear that it talks only ngi II. The price of product ‘A’ should be
reduced.
about public sector manufacturing
concerns as even a private sector nee
Solution. Option (a) is the correct option
as only I follows.
manufacturing company may be a loss
making company. Hence the statement rin
Reason /Explanation: If the sale of ‘A’
and given course of action creates
confusion. Therefore, the given course g.n
has gone down, then there must be some
solved reasons. The company X must
of action is rejected at 2nd level test.
2. Problem based on fact and
improvement relationship
et
know this reason. As I suggest the similar
solution, it follows. But II does not follow.
The company should first know if price
was a factor behind the drop in sale.
This is the 2nd type of problem Without knowing this, reducing price
related to course of action. But point may turn out to be a wrong and harmful
to be noted is that this does not action.
require any new skill. The solving
method is exactly the same as you Note : If you see 'an either choice' in the
have solved the 1st type of problem answer options avoid it. It will be a wrong
that is problem solution based. In answer. Either choice can be in the form
fact you have to solve this type of like “Either of I or II (or III or I etc.)
problem in two steps: follows”.


q Shortcut Approach
Study the Statement
Problem Fact
Solution Type Improvement Type
Solves/minimises/reduces Does it help in improving

the problem the situation ?
Yes No Rejected Yes No Rejected

wwCheck if it is a balanced Check if it is a balanced
w
or proportionate solution
Yes
.Ea
No Rejected
solution?
Yes No Rejected
Does it creates new
problems ? syE Accepted
Yes No Rejected
ngi
Accepted
nee

g.n– P-193-198
Chapter Test
Past Solved Papers
–
et C-57- 58

Chapter
Critical Reasoning
30
INTRODUCTION to manipulate the argument to weaken/
strengthen it, find the conclusion,
Critical Reasoning (CR) is ability to assumption, explanation, do an inference
reason clearly to evaluate and judge or supplement a statement, etc.
arguments. You are using this skill a lot
ww
during your everyday life while reading
newspapers or watching movies. When
Whatever it is that you have to do, you
will need 2 things to succeed: know the
basic structure of arguments and clearly
w
you think that the movie is pushing the
.Ea
limit of the Reasonable or the news
sounds less reasonable than the movie
understand the argument.
In general, most of them, arguments
consist of evidence, usually 2 pieces, a
syE
that was pushing the limit, you are using
your Critical Reasoning skills to produce
these conclusions. The argument you
conclusion - the main point of an
argument, and an assumption - the
bridge between the evidence and
ngi
meet can be anything from a classical
argument to an advertisement or a dialog.
conclusion. The majority of the
arguments you encounter on the test will
nee
Critical Reasoning questions will ask you be 3 step arguments:
Evidence 1 + Evidence 2 = Conclusion.
rinAs
sumptio
n
E1 + E2 = C
g .ne
EXAMPLE 1. Last week Mike was
detained for shoplifting at a groceries
t
EXAMPLE 2. There are a lot of
mosquitoes outside today, please do not
store near his house, but he has been a turn on the light in the room because a
Christian for 10 years, therefore, the lot of them will fly in.
police must have been wrong accusing
Note : Here the evidences are ‘there are
him in stealing. a lot of mosquitoes outside today’ and
Note : There are two pieces of evidence: ‘do not turn on the light’. The
‘Mike was accused of stealing’ and that conclusion is that ‘Many will fly in’ and
‘he is a Christian’. The conclusion is the assumption is ‘mosquitoes will
that ‘the police are wrong’. Therefore, approach the light.’
our huge assumption here is that ‘a There is no set scheme for structure in
Christian could not have stolen CR, but since the majority of the
anything.’ arguments are only a few sentences long,

142 Critical Reasoning

the conclusion usually comes in the first paraphrase should be as close to the
or the last sentence. However, some of text and as simple as possible so that
the arguments encountered will not have you would understand it easily and
a conclusion at all or will have just an at the same time could fully trust it.
implied one. Do not make it too general nor too
detail oriented. When you do a
Strategy to Crack Critical paraphrase, do it in three steps:
Reasoning Questions Evidence1, Evidence2, and
This strategy is not the easiest way to Conclusion; put “therefore” word
do CR (the easiest would be read-and- before you start your conclusion,
answer), but it lets you get the most this will help you to set it off.
questions right spending less time per 4. Read the question again (now with
ww
correct answer.
1. Read the questions first; this is
needed so that you would know
more understanding of what is being
asked; reading the question 2 times,
it will also help you to make sure your
wwhat to look for and what to do: find
.Ea
an assumption, strengthen/weaken,
infer something or else; do not worry 5.
answer exactly what is stated and
that you understand the question.)
Answer before reading the answer
syE
about the details in the question,
read for keywords, such as
strengthen, deny, or explain. [Use
choices. There are two reasons for
this :
symbols for convenience, e.g. + for

strengthen or – for weaken]. ngi (i) if you can think of the correct
answer or at least the general
direction that the answer choice
2. Read the passage very attentively
because in contrast to Reading nee needs to be, you will identify it
among the wrong choices much
Comprehension, there is very little
text here and mostly everything is rin faster, thus spend less time
reading the answers, which
important; try to read only once.
Reread if required. g.n usually take 30 seconds to
cover.
As you read, look for the problem in
the passage (evaluate how
convincing it is)
et
(ii) Often students are seduced by
the author’s wording. One reads
a few words that were used in
3. Paraphrase (reword) the passage. It the passage and the brain
is a very important step because identifies this choice with the
when you do a paraphrase, you passage, thus making it seem
check whether you understood the more right that it needs to be.
passage and at the same time you The more problems you practice
extract the skeleton of the argument, with, the more chance is you will
making it easier to identify the guess the right answer even
conclusion and the assumption. Very before reading it.
often, the paraphrase of the passage 6. Go through the answers, first time
will be pretty close to the conclusion. scan them for YOUR answer choice
It is not surprising, since the (usually you will guess correctly in
conclusion is the main point and 60-70% of cases), if you did not find
evidence just supports it.) Your it, reread them more attentively.

Critical Reasoning 143

7. Draw a grid to eliminate the wrong • Which of the following inferences
answers easier. Use “ü” for a sure is best supported by the
answer, “û” for a definitely wrong statement made above?
answer choice, and “?” for an
answer th at may be right or q Shortcut Approach
questionable. This will help to How to tackle “Identify the inference /
concentrate only on a few answer Must be true questions”:
choices and will prevent you from
• Read the stimulus and look for the
reading same answers several times
argument.
if you get confused or keep having
troubles locating the right answer. • Note that Must Be True questions
may not contain an argument. They
ww
TYPES OF CRITICAL
REASONING QUESTIONS
may just be a series of facts.
Nevertheless, try to find the
argument.
to:w
Critical reasoning questions will ask you
.Ea
1. Identify the inference / Must be true
• Avoid choices which contain
absolute statements - never, always,
none, only etc. Although these words
question
2. Identify the assumption. syE might appear in some correct choice,
you should be very sure about them.
3. Strengthen an argument.
4. Weaken an argument. ngi • Some of the options can be eliminated
as they go beyond the scope of the
5. Select the best conclusion/Main Point
6. Identify the paradox
7. Evaluation/ Reasoning
neepassage. Note that an inference can
be based on only some of th e
8. Identify a parallel argument/Structure.

rin
information provided and not the
complete passage.
1. Identify the Inference / Must
be True Question g.n
EXAMPLE 1. Stimulus Argument
These type of questions are
extremely common. An Inference
means the same thing as “must be
et
Increases in funding for police patrols
often lower the rate of crimes of
opportunity such as petty theft and
true”. Conclusions differ from van dalism by providing visual
inferences in that conclusions are deterrence in high-crime neighborhoods.
the result of premises and inferences Levels of funding for police patrols in
are something that must be true. The some communities are increased when
following are the typical Inference federal matching grants are made
(Must be true) based Questions: available.
• If the statements above are true, Question : Which of the following can
which of the following must also be correctly inferred from the statements
be true? above?
• Which of the following is
Options :
[implied, must be true, implicit,
most reasonably drawn] in the (a) Areas with little vandalism can never
passage above? benefit from visual deterrence.


(b) Communities that do not increase 2. Identify the Assumption
their police patrols are at higher risk An assumption is an unstated
for crimes of opportunity late at premise that supports the author’s
night. conclusion. It’s the connection
(c) Federal matching grants for police between the stated premises and the
patrols lower the rate of crimes of conclusion., which together forms
opportunity in some communities. the passage. An assumption is
something that the author ’s
(d) Only federal matching grants are
conclusion depends upon.
necessary to reduce crime in most Assumption questions are extremely
neighborhoods. common and have types that look
(e) None of these like this:
ww
Sol.
(c) is a summary of the information
• Which of the following most
accurately states a hidden
w provided; it is the logical end of a
.Ea
chain of reasoning started in the
stimulus argument. The sequence of
assumption that the author must
make in order to advance the
argument above?
events goes like this :
syE
Increased funding ® Increased
• Which of the following is an
assumption that, if true, would
support the conclusion in the
visual deterrence ® Lower crime
The last statement could be mapped ngi passage above?
as follows:
Federal grants ® Increased patrol nee
q Shortcut Approach
How to approach “Identify the
funds
(c) makes the chain complete by rin
assumption Questions”
• Look for gaps between the premises
correctly stating that federal grants
can lead to lower crime in some
g.n
and the conclusion. Ask yourself
why the conclusion is true. Before
communities. Now the logical chain
becomes:
et
you progress to the answer choices,
try to get feel of what assumption is
necessary to fill that gap between the
Federal grants ® Increased
funding ® Increased visual premises.
deterrence ® Lower crime • Beware of extreme language in the
answer choices of assumption
The other answer choices may not
questions. Assumptions usually are
be correctly inferred because they
not extreme. “Extreme” answer
go beyond th e scope of the choices usually contain phrases
argument. They may be objectively, such as always, never, or totally.
factually correct, or they may be
statements that you would tend to EXAMPLE 2. Stimulus Argument
agree with. However, you are limited Traditionally, decision making by
to the argument presented when doctors that is carefully, deductively
choosing a correct answer. reasoned has been considered preferable


to intuitive decision making. However, a on irrelevant factors such as
recent study found that senior surgeons appropriateness, ease of application,
used intuition significantly more than did ability, etc.
most residents or mid-level doctors. This 3. Strengthen an Argument
confirms the alternative view that
Assumptions connect premises to
intuition is actually more effective than
conclusions. An argument is
careful, methodical reasoning.
strengthened by strengthening the
Question : The conclusion above is based
assumptions. Here are some
on which of the following assumptions? examples of Strengthen question
Options : types :
(a) Senior surgeons are more effective • The conclusion would be more
ww at decision making than are mid-level

doctors.
properly drawn if it were made
clear that...
w
(b) Senior surgeons have the ability to
.Ea
use either intuitive reasoning or
deductive, methodical reasoning in
• Which of the following, if true,
would most strengthen the
conclusion drawn in the passage
making decisions.
syE
(c) The decisions that are made by mid-
above?
q Shortcut Approach
level and entry-level doctors can be
made as easily by using methodical ngi How to approach “Strengthen an
argument”
reasoning as by using intuitive
reasoning. nee
• Once you have identified the argument
of the passage, i.e. the evidence(s) +
(d) Senior surgeons use intuitive
reasoning in making the majority of rin
conclusion, try putting in each option
their decisions.
(e) None of these g.n
with the argument. Check if the
assumption(s) you have drawn is (are)
Sol.
(a) The correct answer is (a), which
provides a missing link in the EXAMPLE
et
strengthened if you accept the content
of the option as true.
3. Stimulus Argument
author’s reasoning by making a Three years after the Bhakra Nangal Dam
connection from the evidence: that was built, none of the six fish species
intuition is used more by senior native to the area was still reproducing
surgeons than other, less- adequately in the river below the dam.
exper ienced doctors, an d the Because the dam reduced the average
conclusion: that, therefore, intuition temperature range of the water from
is more effective. None of the other approximately 40° to approximately 10°,
choices helps bridge this gap in the biologists have hypothesized that sharp
chain of reasoning. Although some increases in water temperature must be
of the other statements may be true, involved in signaling the affected
they are not responsive to the species to begin their reproduction
question. In fact, they mostly focus activities.


Question : 4. Weaken an Argument
Which of the following statements, if Assumptions connect premises to
true, would most strengthen th e conclusions. An argument is
scientists’ hypothesis? weakened by weakening the
Options : assumptions. Here are some
(a) The native fish species were still able examples of Weaken question types:
to reproduce in nearby streams • Which of the following, if true,
where the annual temperature range would weaken the conclusion
remains approximately 40°. drawn in the passage above?
(b) Before the dam was built, the river • The argument as it is presented
annually overflowed its banks, in the passage above would be
ww creating temporary backwaters that

were used as breeding areas for the
local fish population.
most strengthened if which of the
following were true?
w
(c) The lowest temperature ever
.Ea
recorded in the river prior to dam
construction was 30°; whereas the
q Shortcut Approach
How to approach “Weaken an
argument”
syE
lowest recorded river temperature
after construction was completed
• Once you have identified the
argument of the passage, i.e. the
has been 40°.
(d) Non-native fish species, introduced ngi evidence(s) + conclusion, try putting
in each option with the argument.
after the dam was completed, have
begun competing with the native neeCheck if the assumption(s) you have
drawn is (are) weakened if you accept
species for food.
(e) None of these rin
the content of the option as true.
Sol.
(a) most strengthens the conclusion g.n
A drug that is very effective in treating
that the scientists reached. It does
so by showing that there is a control
group. In other words, a similar
et
some forms of cancer can, at present, be
obtained only from the bark of the
Raynhu, a tree that is quite rare in the
population, not subjected to the wild. It takes the bark of approximately
same change as the population near 5,000 trees to make one pound of the
the dam, did not experience the same drug. It follows, then, that continued
type of result. Here the basic production of the drug must inevitably
assumption about the conclusion lead to the raynhu’s extinction.
that scientists reached is that Question :
‘because of the reduction of average Which of the following, if true, most
temperature range of the water, the seriously weakens the above conclusion?
reproduction of the native fish Options :
species has reduced drastically’. (a) The drug made from Raynhu bark is
Option (a) clearly strengthens the dispensed to doctors from a central
assumption. authority.


(b) The drug made from the Raynhu similar way to the reading
bark is expensive to produce. comprehension main point
(c) The Raynhu generally grows in questions. They come in several
largely inaccessible places. different formats:
(d) The Raynhu can be propagated from • The main point of the passage is
cuttings and cultivated by farmers. that...
(e) None of these • Which of the following statements
Sol. about... is best supported by the
(d) provides an alternate source of the statements above?
Raynhu bark. Even though the tree • Which of the following best
is rare in the wild, the argument is states the author’s conclusion in
ww silent on the availability of

cultivated trees. The author of the
the passage above?
• Which of the following
w argument must be assuming that
.Ea
there are no Raynhu trees other than
those in the wild, in order to make
conclusions can be most properly
drawn from the data above?
The conclusion of arguments in
syE
the leap from the stated evidence to
the conclusion that the Raynhu is
headed for extinction. The option (d)
Main Point questions is usually
not directly stated. To find the
conclusion, identify the premises
weakens the assupmtion - ‘there are
limited raynhu trees’ - by saying that ngi and then identify the conclusion
drawn from the premises. Main
there are other ways as well for the
propogation of Raynhu. The other nee Point questions differ from the
other Critical Reasoning
answer choices all contain
information that is irrelevant. Note rin questions in that the argument in
that the correct choice does not

make the conclusion of the argument
g.n
the stimulus is usually valid. (In
most other Critical Reasoning
impossible. In fact, it is possible that

there may be domesticated Raynhu
trees and the species could still
et
questions the reasoning is
flawed.) Conclusion questions
require you to choose the answer
that is a summary of the argument.
become extinct. Answer choice (d)
is correct because it makes the q Shortcut Approach
conclusion about extinction less How to approach “Main Point
likely to be true. Questions”:
5. Conclusion / Main Point • Main Point answers must be within
Question the scope of the passage.
In Main Point / Conlcusion • Your opinions or information outside
questions, you have to identify the of the passage are always outside of
conclusion of an argument. You are the scope.
trying to find the author’s point and • Some of the options given can be out
should approach this question in a of the scope of the passage.


• Knock out answers with extreme (a) would require that people never
wording. Main Point answers have control over the behaviour
typically do not use only, always, of other people. Yet the argument
never, best or any strong words that does not provide this premise.
(b) would require that people
leave little room.
should not be held accountable
EXAMPLE 5. Stimulus Argument for th e behaviour of other
People should be held accountable for people. Yet the argument does
their own behaviour, and if holding not provide this premise.
people accountable for their own (d) is not inferable. The argument
allows for the possibility that a
behaviour entails capital punishment,
person might not have control
ww
then so be it. However, no person should
be held accountable for behaviour over
over another person’s behaviour
which is subject to capital
w
which he or she had no control.
.Ea
Question : Which of the following is the
most logical conclusion of the argument
(e)
punishment.
None of these
6. Identify the Paradox
above?
Options : syE
(a) People should not be held account-
These questions present you with a
paradox, a seeming contradiction or
able for the behaviour of other
people.
ngi discrepancy in the argument, and
ask you to resolve it or explain how
(b) People have control over their own
behaviour.
nee that contradiction could exist. In
other words, there are two facts that
(c) People cannot control the behaviour
rin
are both true, and yet they appear to
be in direct conflict with one another.
of other people.
(d) People have control over behaviour g.n
Here are some examples of the ways
in which these questions are worded:
that is subject to capital punishment.
(e) None of these
Sol.
et
• Which of the following, if true,
would help to resolve the
apparent paradox presented
(b) The correct response is (b). The above?
argument includes the following two • Which of the following, if true,
premises: contributes most to an
Premise 1: People are accountable explanation of the apparent
for their own behaviour. discrepancy described above?
Premise 2: People are not
accountable for behaviour they q Shortcut Approach
cannot control. How to approach “Identify the paradox
Here’s the logical conclusion based questions”
on these two premises: • Read the argument and find the
Conclusion: People can control their apparent paradox, discrepancy, or
own behaviour. contradiction.


• State the apparent paradox, furniture. The other answer choices
discrepancy, or contradiction in your all contain irrelevant information.
own words. This further illustrates the fact that,
• Use process of elimination. The best on all question types, if you
answer will explain how both sides eliminate the irrelevant choices, the
of the paradox, discrepancy, or remaining choice will most likely be
contradiction can be true. Eliminate correct.
answers that are out of scope. 7. Evaluation/ Reasoning
Based Questions
Town Y is populated almost exclusively Reasoning questions ask you to
ww
by retired people and has almost no
families with small children. Yet Town Y
describe how the argument was
made, not necessarily what it says.
w
is home to a thriving business specializing
.Ea
in the rental of furniture for infants and
small children.
These questions are closely related
to assumption, weakening, and
strengthening questions. The
syE
Question : Which of the following, if true,
best reconciles the seeming discrepancy
correct answer identifies a question
that must be answered or information
described above?
Options : ngi that must be gathered to determine
how strong the stimulus argument
(a) The business specializing in the
rental of children’s furniture buys its
neeis. The information will be related to
an assumption that the author is
furniture from distributors outside of
rin
making. Another type of question
that you will encounter asks you to
Town Y.
(b) The few children who do reside in g.n
identify a flaw in the stimulus
Town Y all know each other and often
stay over night at each other’s
houses.
et
argument. The question tells you
that there is a problem with the logic
of the argument. You just have to
(c) Many residents of Town Y who move choose the answer that describes the
frequently prefer to rent their flaw. Here are some examples of the
furniture rather than buy it outright. ways in which these questions are
(d) Many residents of Town Y must worded:
provide for the needs of visiting • How does the author make his
grandchildren several weeks a year. point?
(e) None of these • A major flaw in the argument
Sol. above is that it...
(d) The correct answer (d), explains why • A’s response has which of the
a town of mostly retired residents following relationships to B’s
might need to rent children’s argument?


q Shortcut Approach judge’s cases involving divorcing
fathers.
How to approach Reasoning Questions (e) None of these
• Read the argument and find the Sol.
conclusion. (d) The correct answer (d), points out a
• State the reasoning in your own flaw in the argument. Specifically, it
words. points out that the author of the
• Check whether the reasoning given argument was comparing the
in the various options fall in line with recently elected judge to other
the reasoning described above. judges, n ot to th e evidence
presented in the recently elected
ww
Some observers have taken the position
that the recently elected judge is biased
judge’s cases. In other words, the
author of the argument made an
unwarranted assumption that the
w
against men in divorce cases that involve
.Ea
child custody. But the statistics reveal
that in 40% of such cases, the recently
recently elected judge did not rule
against many men in custody battles
where the evidence clearly favored
syE
elected judge awards custody to the
fathers. Most other judges award
the men. As with strengthening and
weakening questions, the correct
custody to fathers in only 20%–30%of
their cases. This record demonstrates that ngi answer in flaw questions often
involves unwarranted assumptions.
the recently elected judge has not
discriminated against men in cases of nee
Although dentures produced through a
child custody.
Question : The argument above is flawed rin
new computer-aided design process will
cost more than twice as much as ordinary
in that it ignores the possibility that
g.n
dentures, they should still be cost
effective. Not only will fitting time and
Options :
(a) A large number of the recently
elected judge’s cases involve child
et
X-ray expense be reduced, but the new
dentures should fit better, diminishing
the need for frequent refitting visits to
custody disputes.
(b) The r ecently elected judge is the dentist’s office.
prejudiced against men in divorce Question : Which of the following must
be studied in order to evaluate the
cases that do not involve child
argument presented above?
custody issues.
Options :
(c) The majority of the child custody
(a) The amount of time a patient spends
cases that have reached the recently
in the fitting process versus the
elected judge’s court have been amount of money spent on X-rays
appealed from a lower court. (b) The amount by which the cost of
(d) The evidence shows that men producing dentures has declined
should have won custody in more with the introduction of the new
than 40% of the recently elected technique for producing them


(c) The degree to which the use of the you have to find the argument that
new dentures is likely to reduce the is analogous to the given argument
need for refitting visits when in that it includes the same
compared to the use of ordinary relationship between the evidence
dentures presented and the conclusion. Here
(d) The amount by which the new are some examples of the ways in
dentures will drop in cost as the which these questions are worded:
production procedures become • Which of the following is most
standardized and applicable on a like the argument above in its
larger scale logical structure?
(e) None of these • Which of the following is a
ww
Sol.
(c) The correct answer (c), highlights an
parallel argument to the above
given argument?
w assumption in the stimulus
.Ea
argument. It shows that the author
must be assuming that the reduction
It is true that it is against international
law to provide aid to certain countries
syE
in refitting with the new dentures
compared to ordinary dentures is
significant in order to conclude that
that are building nuclear programs. But,
if Russian companies do not provide aid,
that difference will help offset an
ngi
initial outlay that is twice as much.
companies in other countries will.
Question : Which of the following is most
In other words, if you answer the
question posed by answer choice (c)
nee
like the argument above in its logical
structure?
with “not much,” the argument is
rin
Options :
(a) It is true that it is against United
weakened. If you answer it with “a
tremendous amount,” the argument g.n
States policy to negotiate with
kidnappers. But if the United States
is strengthened. The other answer
choices are all irrelevant because no
matter what the answers are, there is
et
wants to prevent loss of life, it must
negotiate in some cases.
(b) It is true that it is illegal to sell
no impact on the relationship
between the evidence presented in diamonds that originate in certain
the stimulus argument and its countries. But there is a long
conclusion. tradition in Russia of stockpiling
diamonds.
8. Identify a Parallel Argument (c) It is true that it is illegal for an
/ Structure. attorney to participate in a
The last type of Critical Reasoning transaction in which there is an
question is the parallel structure apparent conflict of interest. But, if
question. In this type of question, the facts are examined carefully, it
you must choose the answer that will clearly be seen that there is no
has the same structure as th e actual conflict of interest in the
stimulus argument. In other words, defendant’s case.


(d) It is true that it is against the law to terms of the argument: It is true that
steal cars. But someone else X is illegal. But, if Y doesn’t do it,
certainly would have stolen that car others will. Here X is stealing cars
if the defendant had not done so and Y is the defendant.
first.
(e) None of these q Shortcut Approach
Sol. How to crack Parallel Argument
(d) The correct answer (d), has the same Question?
structure as the stimulus argument. • Read the argument and find the
If you just replace “aid to developing conclusion.
nuclear powers” with “car theft,” and • Try to establish a reasoning structure
ww “Russian companies” with the

“defendant,” it is essentially the
between the premise and the
condusion.
w same argument. Sometimes the
.Ea
parallel structure is easier to see if
you use symbols to represent the
• Read out the options and look out
for one having the similar reasoning
structure.
ebooks Reference
syE Page No.
ngi
Chapter Test
Past Solved Papers nee – C-59- 60
rin
g.n
et

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1. Analogy & Classification 1-7

8. Logical Sequence of Words

10. Venn Diagram

12. Coded Inequalities

13. Problem Solving 48-57

14. Input and Output 58-68

15. Syllogism 69-78

16. Cube & Dice 79-84

17. Analytical Decision Making 85-90

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18. Series 91-95

19. Mirror & Water Images 96-99

20. Paper Cutting and Folding 100-101

21. Completion of Figure 102

22. Hidden / Embedded Figures 103

25. Evaluating Inferences 111-114

27. Statement & Assumptions

29. Courses of Action

30. Critical Reasoning`

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Shortcuts in Quantitative Aptitude with EBooks is

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General Competition Books At A Glance

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General Competition Guides At A Glance

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Disha’s General Knowledge At A Glance

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(ii) A : B : : C : D nee who uses that tool.

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2 Analogy & Classification

ww feminine of it or It is a ‘male and

In such type of analogy, 2nd word

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Analogy & Classification 3

word (or vice-versa) in such type

19. State & Capital Based rin

the capital of that state (1st word)

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4 Analogy & Classification

w the exact positions of every letters of alphabet in forward order as well as in

EJOTY Remember this word

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Analogy & Classification 5

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6 Analogy & Classification

(4) General knowledge based

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Analogy & Classification 7

Chapter Test ngi – C-1- 2

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wNumber .EaAlphabet Alpha-numeric

Mixed Continuous Pattern Correspondence

rin sequence on the

NUMBER SERIES · g.n

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