Aptitude Solved Problems

1. Gauri went to the stationers and bought things worth Rs. 25, out of which 30 paise went
on sales tax on taxable purchases. If the tax rate was 6%, then what was the cost of the tax
free items?
Answer : Rs. 19.70
Explanation :
Let the amount taxable purchases be Rs. x.
Then, 6% of x = 30 / 100
x = ( 30 / 100 ) * ( 100 / 6 )
=5
Cost of tax free items = Rs. [ 25 - ( 5 + 0.30 ) ]
= Rs. 19.70

2. 100 oranges are bought at the rate of Rs. 350 and sold at the rate of Rs. 48 per dozen.
Find the percentage of profit or loss?
Answer : ( 14 * ( 2 / 7 ))% gain
Explanation :
Cost price of 1 orange = Rs. ( 350 / 100 )
= Rs. 3.50
Selling price of 1 orange = Rs. ( 48 / 12 )
= Rs. 4
Gain = Rs. ( 4 - 3.50 )
= Rs. 0.50
Gain% = (( 0.50 * 100 ) / 3.50 )
= 50 / 3. 50
= 5000 / 350
= 100 / 7
= ( 14 * ( 2 / 7 ))% gain

3. Two tailers X and Y are paid a total of Rs. 550 per week by their employer. If X is paid
120 percent of the sum paid to Y, how much is Y paid per week?
Answer : Rs. 250
Explanation :
Let the sum paid to Y per week be Rs. z.
Then, z + 120% of z = 550
⇒ z + ( 120z / 100 ) = 550
⇒ ( 100z + 120z ) / 100 = 550
⇒ 220z / 100 = 550
⇒ 11z / 5 = 550
z = ( 550 * 5 ) / 11
z = 50 * 5
= Rs. 250

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4. On selling 17 balls at Rs. 720, there is a loss equal to the cost price of 5 balls. Find the
cost price of a ball ?
Answer : Rs. 60
Explanation :
Cost price of 17 balls - Selling price of 17 balls = Cost price of 5 balls
Cost price of 17 balls - Cost price of 5 balls = Selling price of 17 balls
Cost price of 12 balls = Selling price of 17 balls = Rs. 720
C.P. of 1 ball = Rs. ( 720 / 12 )
= Rs. 60

5. Some articles were bought at 6 articles for Rs. 5 and sold at 5 articles for Rs. 6. Find
gain percent ?
Answer : 44 %
Explanation :
Suppose, number of articles bought = L.C.M. of 6 and 5 = 30.
Cost price of 30 articles = Rs. (( 5 / 6 ) * 30 )
= Rs. ( 5 * 5 )
= Rs. 25
Selling price of 30 articles = Rs. (( 6 / 5 ) * 30 )
= Rs. ( 6 * 6 )
= Rs. 36
Gain = Selling Price - Cost price
= 36 - 25
= Rs. 11
Gain % = ( Gain * 100 ) / Cost price
= ( 11 * 100 ) / 25
= 11 * 4
= 44 %

6. Two cards are drawn together from a pack of 52 cards. Find the probability that one is a
spade and one is a heart ?
Answer : 13 / 102
Explanation :
Let S be the sample space.
Then, n(S) = 52C2
= ( 52 * 51 ) / ( 2 * 1 )
= 1326
Let E = event of getting 1 spade and 1 heart.
n(E) = number of ways of choosing 1 spade out of 13 and 1 heart out of 13
= 13C1 * 13C1
= 13 * 13
= 169
P(E) = n(E) / n(S)
= 169 / 1326
= 13 / 102

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7. A card is drawn from a pack of 52 cards. Find The probability of getting a queen of club
or a king of heart ?
Answer : 1 / 26
Explanation :
Here, n(S) = 52
Let E = event of getting a queen of club or a king of heart.
Then, n(E) = 2
P(E) = n(E) / n(S)
= 2 / 52
= 1 / 26

8. Find a positive number which when increased by 17 is equal to 60 times the reciprocal
of the number ?
Answer : 3
Explanation :
Let the number be x.
Then, x + 17 = ( 60 / x )
⇒ x2 + 17x - 60 = 0
⇒ ( x + 20 ) * ( x - 3 ) = 0
x = 3 ( ∴ 20 is negative value )

9. A man can row at 15 kmph in still water. If the velocity of current is 1 kmph and it takes
him 1 hour to row to a place and come back, how far is the place?
Answer : 2.4 km
Explanation :
Speed downstream = ( Still water + Speed of the stream ) kmph
= ( 5 + 1 ) kmph
= 6 kmph
Speed upstream = ( Still water - Speed of the stream ) kmph
= ( 5 - 1 ) kmph
= 4 kmph
Let the required distance be x km.
Then, ( x / 6 ) + ( x / 4 ) = 1
( 2x + 3x ) / 12 = 1
5x = 12
x = 12 / 5
x = 2.4 km

10. The Speed of a boat in still water is 15 km/hr and the rate of current is 3 km/hr. Find the
distance travelled downstream in 12 minutes ?
Answer : 3.6 km
Explanation :
Speed downstream = ( Still water + Speed of the stream ) kmph
= ( 15 + 3 ) kmph
= 18 kmph
Distance travelled = ( 18 * ( 12 / 60 )) km

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= ( 18 / 5 ) km
= 3.6 km

11. The population of a town increased from 1,75,000 to 2,62,500 in a decade. Find the
average percent increase of population per year ?
Answer : 5%
Explanation :
Increase in 10 years = ( 262500 - 175000 )
= 87500
Increase% = (( 87500 / 175000 ) * 100 ) % = 50 %
Required average = ( 50 / 10 )%
= 5%

12. Rajeev buys good worth Rs. 6650. He gets a rebate of 6% on it. After getting the rebate,
he pays sales tax 10%. Find the amount he will have to pay for the goods?
Answer : Rs. 6876.10
Explanation :
Rebate = 6% of Rs. 6650
= Rs. (( 6 / 100 ) * 6650
= Rs. 399
Sales tax = 10% of Rs. ( 6650 - 399 )
= Rs. (( 10 / 100 ) * 6251
= Rs. 625.10
Final amount = Rs. ( 6251 + 625.10 )
= Rs. 6876.10

13. A batsman scored 110 runs which included 3 boundaries and 8 sixes. What percent of
his total score did he make by running between the wickets?
Answer : (45 * ( 5 / 11 )) %
Explanation :
Number of runs made by running = 110 - (( 3 * 4 ) + ( 8 * 6 ))
= 110 - ( 12 + 48 )
= 110 - 60
= 50
Required percentage = (( 50 / 110 ) * 100 ) %
= (( 50 / 11 ) * 10 ) %
= ( 500 / 11 ) %
= (45 * ( 5 / 11 )) %

14. One card is drawn at random from a pack of 52 cards. What is the probability that the
card drawn is a face card (Jack, Queen and King only)?
Answer : 3 / 13
Explanation :
Clearly, there are 52 cards, out of which there are 12 face cards.
P ( getting a face card ) = 12 / 52
= 3 / 13

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15. If the true discount on s sum due 2 years hence at 14% per annum be Rs. 168, find the
sum due ?
Answer : Rs. 768
Explanation :
Present worth = ( 100 * True Discount ) / ( Rate * Time )
= ( 100 * 168 ) / ( 14 * 2 )
= 25 * 24
= 600
Sum = Present Worth + True Discount
= Rs. ( 600 + 168 )
= Rs. 768

16. The sum of the ages of 5 children born at the intervals of 3 years each is 50 years. What
is the age of the youngest child?
Answer : 4 years
Explanation :
Let the ages of the children be x, ( x + 3 ), ( x + 6 ), ( x + 9 ) and ( x + 12 ) years.
Then, x + ( x + 3 ) + ( x + 6 ) + ( x + 9 ) + ( x + 12 ) = 50
5x + 30 = 50
5x = 50 - 30
5x = 20
x = 20 / 5
x=4
Age of the youngest child = 4 years

17. The total of the ages of Jayant, Virender and Gaurav is 93 years. Ten years ago, the
ratio of their ages was 2:3:4. What is the present age of Gaurav?
Answer : 38 years
Explanation :
Let the age of Jayant, Virender and Gaurav 10 years ago be 2x, 3x and 4x years
respectively.
Then, ( 2x + 10 ) + ( 3x + 10 ) + ( 4x + 10 ) = 93
9x + 30 = 93
9x = 93 - 30
9x = 63
x = 63 / 9
x=7
Gaurav′s present age = 4x + 10
= ( 4 * 7 ) + 10
= 28 + 10
= 38 years

18. Two trains running in opposite directions cross a man standing on the platform in 27
seconds and 17 seconds respectively and they cross each other in 23 seconds. Find the ratio
of their speeds ?
Answer : 3 : 2

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Explanation :
Let the speeds of the two trains be x m/sec and y m/sec respectively.
Then, length of the first train = 27x metres
and length of the second train = 17y metres
( 27x + 17y ) / ( x + y ) = 23
( 27x + 17y ) = 23 * ( x + y )
27x + 17y = 23x + 23y
27x - 23x = 23y - 17y
4x = 6y
(x/y)=(3/2)
x:y=3:2

19. A train 240 m long passes a pole in 24 seconds. How long will it take to pass a platform
650 m long?
Answer : 89 sec
Explanation :
Speed = ( 240 / 24 ) m/sec
= 10 m/sec
Required time = (( 240 + 650 ) / 10 ) sec
= ( 890 / 10 ) sec
= 89 sec

20. Women can complete a work in 7 days and 10 children take 14 days to complete the
work. How many days will 5 women and 10 children take to complete the work?
Answer : 7 days
Explanation :
1 woman′s 1 day′s work = 1 / 70
1 child′s 1 day′s work = 1 / 140
( 5 women + 10 children )′s day′s work = ( 5 / 70 ) + ( 10 / 140 )
= ( 1 / 14 ) + ( 1 / 14 )
=1/7
5 women and 10 children will complete the work in 7 days

21. A Positive number when decreased by 4 is equal to 21 times the reciprocal of the
number. Find the number?
Answer : 7
Explanation :
Let the number be x.
Then x - 4 = ( 21 / x )
⇒ x2 - 4x - 21 = 0
(x-7)*(x+3)=0
x = 7 ( ∴ 3 is negative value )

22. A number is doubled and 9 is added. If the resultant is trebeld, it becomes 75. What is
the number?
Answer : 8

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Explanation :
Let the number be x.
3 * ( 2x + 9 ) = 75
6x + 27 = 75
6x = 75 - 27
6x = 48
x = 48 / 6
x=8

23. Find the average of all the numbers between 6 and 34 which are divisible by 5?
Answer : 20
Explanation :
Let the numbers = 10, 15, 20, 25, 30.
Average = ( 10 + 15 + 20 + 25 + 30 ) / 5
= 100 / 5
= 20

24. A metallic sheet is of rectangular shape with dimensions 48m * 36m. From each of its
corners, a square is cut off so as to make an open box. If the length of the square is 8 m,
find the volume of the box ( in m3 ) ?
Answer : 5120 m3
Explanation :
l = ( 48 - 16 ) m
= 32 m
b = ( 36 - 16 ) m
= 20 m
h = 8 m.
Volume of the box = ( 32 * 20 * 8 ) m3
= 5120 m3

25. A sum of Rs. 12,500 amounts to Rs. 15,500 in 4 years at the rate of simple interest.
What is the rate of interest?
Answer : 6%
Explanation :
Simple Interest = Rs. ( 15500 - 12500 )
= Rs. 3000
Rate = (( 100 * 3000 ) / ( 12500 * 4 )) %
= 6%

26. Find the fourth proportional to 5, 8, 15 ?

Answer : 24
Explanation :
Let the fourth proportional to 5, 8, 15 be x.
Then, 5 : 8 : 15 : x
⇒ 5x = ( 8 * 15 )
x = ( 8 * 15 ) / 5

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= 24

27. In a mixture 60 litres, the ratio of milk and water 2 : 1. If the this ratio is to be 1 : 2,
then find the quanity of water to be further added ?
Answer : 60 litres
Explanation :
Quantity of milk = ( 60 * ( 2 / 3 )) litres
= 40 litres
Quantity of water in it = ( 60 - 40 ) litres
= 20 litres
New ratio = 1 : 2
Let quantity of water to be added further be x litres.
Then, milk : water = 40 / ( 20 + x )
Now, ( 40 / ( 20 + x )) = ( 1 / 2 )
( 40 * 2 ) = ( 20 + x )
80 = 20 + x
x = 80 - 20
x = 60
Quantity of water to be added = 60 litres

28. Albert invested an amount of Rs. 8000 in a fixed deposit scheme for 2 years at
compound interest rate 5 percent per annum. How much amount will Albert get on maturity
of the fixed deposit?
Answer : Rs. 8820
Explanation :
Amount = P * ( 1 + ( R / 100 ))n
= Rs. ( 8000 * ( 1 + ( 5 / 100 ))2 )
= Rs. ( 8000 * ( 105 / 100 )2 )
= Rs. ( 8000 * ( 21 / 20 )2 )
= Rs. ( 8000 * 21 * 21 ) / ( 20 * 20 )
= Rs. ( 20 * 21 * 21 )
= Rs. 8820

29. Simplify : b - [b -(a+b) - {b - (b - a+b)} + 2a]

Answer : 0
Explanation :
b-[b-(a+b)-{b-(b-a+b)}+2a]
=b-[b-a-b-{b-(2b-a)}+2a]
=b-[-a-{b-2b+a}+2a]
=b-[-a-{-b+a}+2a]
=b-[-a+b-a+2a]
=b-[-2a+b+2a]
=b-b
=0

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30. The average age of a class is 15.8 years. The average age of boys in the class is 16.4
years while that of girls is 15.4 years. What is the ratio of boys to girls in the class?
Answer : 2:3
Explanation :
Let the ratio be k:1.
Then k * 16.4 + 1 * 15.4 + (k+1) * 15.8 (16.4 - 15.8)k = 15.8 - 15.4 k = 0.4/0.6 = 2/3
so required ratio = 2:3

31. A tap can fill the tank in 15 minutes and another can empty it in 8 minutes. If the tank is
already half full and both the taps are opened together, the tank will be:
Answer : 8 minutes
Explanation :
Rate of waste pipe being more the tank will be emptied when both taps are opened.
Net emptying workdone in 1min =(1/8 - 1/16)= 1/16
So full tank will be emptied in 16 min
Half tank will be emptied in 8 minutes.

32. Mr.Ramu’s mother’s father-in-law’s only son’s only daughter’s son is Chetan. How is
Ramu related to Chetan?
Answer : uncle
Explanation :
Mr. Ramu’s mother’s father-in-law’s only son is Ramu’s father. Ramu’s father’s only
daughter is Ramu’s sister. Ramu’s sister’s son is Chetan. Hence, Ramu is uncle of Chetan.

33. In these series, you will be looking at both the letter pattern. Fill the blank in the middle
of the series
SCD, TEF, UGH, ____, WKL
Answer : VIJ
Explanation :
There are two alphabetical series here.
The first series is with the first letters only: STUVW.
The second series involves the remaining letters: CD, EF, GH, IJ, KL.
Hence , VIJ is the missing term

34. Two trains of equal length are running on parallel lines in the same direction at 46
km/hr and 36 km/hr. The faster train passes the slower train in 36 seconds. The length of
each train is:
Answer : 50
Explanation :
Let the length of each train be x metres.
Then, distance covered = 2x metres.
Relative speed = (46 - 36) km/hr
= (10 x 5 /18) m/sec
= 25 / 9 m/sec
2x / 36 = 25/ 9
2x = 100

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x = 50.

35. A train speeds past a pole in 15 seconds and a platform 100 m long in 25 seconds. Its
length is:
Answer : 150 m
Explanation :
Let the length of the train be x metres and its speed by y m/sec.
Then, x / y = 15
=> y = x / 15 .
Therefore /9x + 100) / 25 = x / 15
=> 15 (x + 100) = 25x
=> 15x + 1500 = 25x
=> 1500 = 10x
=> x = 150 m

36. Two, trains, one from Howrah to Patna and the other from Patna to Howrah, start
simultaneously. After they meet, the trains reach their destinations after 9 hours and 16
hours respectively. The ratio of their speeds is:
Answer : 4 : 3
Explanation :
Let us name the trains as A and B. Then,
(A's speed) : (B's speed) = √b : √a = √16 : √9 = 4 : 3.

37. How much time will it take for an amount of Rs. 450 to yield Rs. 81 as interest at 4.5%
per annum of simple interest?
Answer : 4 years
Explanation :
Time = (100 x 81) / (450 x 4.5)years = 4 years.

38. The cost price of 20 articles is the same as the selling price of x articles. If the profit is
25%, then the value of x is:
Answer : 16
Explanation :
Let C.P. of each article be Re. 1 C.P. of x articles = Rs. x.
S.P. of x articles = Rs. 20.
Profit = Rs. (20 - x).
(((20 - x) / x) x 100 = 25)
2000 - 100x = 25x
125x = 2000
x = 16.

39. A vendor bought toffees at 6 for a rupee. How many for a rupee must he sell to gain
20%?
Answer : 5
Explanation :
C.P. of 6 toffees = Re. 1

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S.P. of 6 toffees = 120% of Re. 1 = Rs. 6 / 5
For Rs. 6 / 5 , toffees sold = 6.
For Re. 1, toffees sold = 6 x 5/ 6 = 5

40. A trader mixes 26 kg of rice at Rs. 20 per kg with 30 kg of rice of other variety at Rs.
36 per kg and sells the mixture at Rs. 30 per kg. His profit percent is:
Answer : 5%
Explanation :
C.P. of 56 kg rice = Rs. (26 x 20 + 30 x 36) = Rs. (520 + 1080) = Rs. 1600.
S.P. of 56 kg rice = Rs. (56 x 30) = Rs. 1680.
Gain = ( (80 / 16000 ) x 100 )% = 5%.

41. Three candidates contested an election and received 1136, 7636 and 11628 votes
respectively. What percentage of the total votes did the winning candidate get?
Answer : 57%
Explanation :
Total number of votes polled = (1136 + 7636 + 11628) = 20400.
Required percentage = (11628/ 20400) x 100 % = 57%.

42. Today is Monday. After 61 days, it will be:

Answer : Saturday
Explanation :
Each day of the week is repeated after 7 days.
So, after 63 days, it will be Monday.
After 61 days, it will be Saturday.

43. On 8th Dec, 2007 Saturday falls. What day of the week was it on 8th Dec, 2006?
Answer : Friday
Explanation :
The year 2006 is an ordinary year. So, it has 1 odd day.
So, the day on 8th Dec, 2007 will be 1 day beyond the day on 8th Dec, 2006.
But, 8th Dec, 2007 is Saturday.
8th Dec, 2006 is Friday.

44. The average weight of 8 person's increases by 2.5 kg when a new person comes in
place of one of them weighing 65 kg. What might be the weight of the new person?
Answer : 85 kg
Explanation :
Total weight increased = (8 x 2.5) kg = 20 kg.
Weight of new person = (65 + 20) kg = 85 kg.

45. The average weight of A, B and C is 45 kg. If the average weight of A and B be 40 kg
and that of B and C be 43 kg, then the weight of B is:
Answer : 31 kg
Explanation :
Let A, B, C represent their respective weights. Then, we have:

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A + B + C = (45 x 3) = 135 .... (i)
A + B = (40 x 2) = 80 .... (ii)
B + C = (43 x 2) = 86 ....(iii)
Adding (ii) and (iii), we get: A + 2B + C = 166 .... (iv)
Subtracting (i) from (iv), we get : B = 31.
B's weight = 31 kg.

46. A cistern of capacity 8000 litres measures externally 3.3 m by 2.6 m by 1.1 m and its
walls are 5 cm thick. The thickness of the bottom is:
Answer : 1 dm
Explanation :
Let the thickness of the bottom be x cm.
Then, [(330 - 10) x (260 - 10) x (110 - x)] = 8000 x 1000
320 x 250 x (110 - x) = 8000 x 1000
(110 - x) = ((8000 x 1000) / (320 x 250))= 100
x = 10 cm = 1 dm.

47. It is being given that (232 + 1) is completely divisible by a whole number. Which of
the following numbers is completely divisible by this number?
Answer : (296 + 1)
Explanation :
Let 232 = x.
Then, (232 + 1) = (x + 1).
Let (x + 1) be completely divisible by the natural number N.
Then,
(296 + 1) = [(232)3 + 1] = (x3 + 1) = (x + 1)(x2 - x + 1), which is completely divisible by N,
since (x + 1) is divisible by N.

48. Six bells commence tolling together and toll at intervals of 2, 4, 6, 8 10 and 12 seconds
respectively. In 30 minutes, how many times do they toll together ?
Answer : 16 times
Explanation :
L.C.M. of 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 is 120.
So, the bells will toll together after every 120 seconds(2 minutes).
In 30 minutes, they will toll together (( 30 / 2 ) + 1) = 16 times.

49. There are two examinations rooms A and B. If 10 students are sent from A to B, then
the number of students in each room is the same. If 20 candidates are sent from B to A,
then the number of students in A is double the number of students in B. The number of
students in room A is:
Answer : 100
Explanation :
Let the number of students in rooms A and B be x and y respectively.
Then, x - 10 = y + 10 x - y = 20 .... (i)
and x + 20 = 2(y - 20) x - 2y = -60 .... (ii)
Solving (i) and (ii) we get: x = 100 , y = 80.

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The required answer A = 100.

50. Sakshi can do a piece of work in 20 days. Tanya is 25% more efficient than Sakshi. The
number of days taken by Tanya to do the same piece of work is:
Answer : 16 days
Explanation :
Ratio of times taken by Sakshi and Tanya = 125 : 100 = 5 : 4.
Suppose Tanya takes x days to do the work.
5 : 4 :: 20 : x x = (4 x 20) / 5
x = 16 days.
Hence, Tanya takes 16 days to complete the work.

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