InterviewSolution
Saved Bookmarks
InterviewSolution
This section includes InterviewSolutions, each offering curated multiple-choice questions to sharpen your knowledge and support exam preparation. Choose a topic below to get started.
| 1. |
A shepherd had 17 sheep. All but nine died. How many was he left with ? |
| Answer» 'All but nine died' means 'All except nine died' i.e. 9 sheep remained alive. | |
| 2. |
In a family, the father took 1/4 of the cake and he had 3 times as much as each of the other members had. The total number of family members is |
| Answer» | |
| 3. |
In three coloured boxes - Red, Green and Blue, 108 balls are placed. There are twice as many balls in the green and red boxes combined as there are in the blue box and twice as many in the blue box as there are in the red box. How many balls are there in the green box ? |
| Answer» Let R, G and B represent the number of balls in red, green and blue boxes respectively. Then, . R + G + B = 108 ...(i), G + R = 2B ...(ii) B = 2R ...(iii) From (ii) and (iii), we have G + R = 2x 2R = 4R or G = 3R. Putting G = 3R and B = 2R in (i), we get: R + 3R + 2R = 108 6R = 108 R = 18. Therefore Number of balls in green box = G = 3R = (3 x 18) = 54. | |
| 4. |
In a cricket match, five batsmen A, B, C, D and E scored an average of 36 runs. D Scored 5 more than E; E scored 8 fewer than A; B scored as many as D and E combined; and B and C scored 107 between them. How many runs did E score ? |
| Answer» Total runs scored = (36 x 5) = 180. Let the runs scored by E be x. Then, runs scored by D = x + 5; runs scored by A = x + 8; runs scored by B = x + x + 5 = 2x + 5; runs scored by C = (107 - B) = 107 - (2x + 5) = 102 - 2x. So, total runs = (x + 8) + (2x + 5) + (102 - 2x) + (x + 5) + x = 3x + 120. Therefore 3x + 120 =180 3X = 60 x = 20. | |
| 5. |
The total number of digits used in numbering the pages of a book having 366 pages is |
| Answer» Total number of digits = (No. of digits in 1- digit page nos. + No. of digits in 2-digit page nos. + No. of digits in 3- digit page nos.) = (1 x 9 + 2 x 90 + 3 x 267) = (9 + 180 + 801) = 990. | |
| 6. |
In a family, each daughter has the same number of brothers as she has sisters and each son has twice as many sisters as he has brothers. How many sons are there in the family ? |
| Answer» Let d and s represent the number of daughters and sons respectively. Then, we have : d - 1 = s and 2 (s - 1) = d. Solving these two equations, we get: d = 4, s = 3. | |
| 7. |
At a dinner party every two guests used a bowl of rice between them, every three guests used a bowl of dal between them and every four used a bowl of meat between them. There were altogether 65 dishes. How many guests were present at the party ? |
| Answer» | |
| 8. |
Ayush was born two years after his father's marriage. His mother is five years younger than his father but 20 years older than Ayush who is 10 years old. At what age did the father get married ? |
| Answer» Ayush's present age = 10 years. His mother's present age = (10 + 20) years = 30 years. Ayush's father's present age = (30 + 5) years = 35 years. Ayush's father's age at the time of Ayush's birth = (35 - 10) years = 25 years. Therefore Ayush's father's age at the time of marriage = (25 - 2) years = 23 years. | |
| 9. |
A pineapple costs Rs. 7 each. A watermelon costs Rs. 5 each. X spends Rs. 38 on these fruits. The number of pineapples purchased is |
| Answer» | |
| 10. |
A woman says, "If you reverse my own age, the figures represent my husband's age. He is, of course, senior to me and the difference between our ages is one-eleventh of their sum." The woman's age is |
| Answer» Let x and y be the ten's and unit's digits respectively of the numeral denoting the woman's age. Then, woman's age = (10X + y) years; husband's age = (10y + x) years. Therefore (10y + x)- (10X + y) = (1/11) (10y + x + 10x + y) (9y-9x) = (1/11)(11y + 11x) = (x + y) 10x = 8y x = (4/5)y Clearly, y should be a single-digit multiple of 5, which is 5. So, x = 4, y = 5. Hence, woman's age = 10x + y = 45 years. | |
| 11. |
On Children's Day, sweets were to be equally distributed among 175 children in a school. Actually on the Children's Day, 35 children were absent and therefore each child got 4 sweets extra. Total how many sweets were available for distribution ? |
| Answer» | |
| 12. |
Between two book-ends in your study are displayed your five favourite puzzle books. If you decide to arrange the five books in every possible combination and moved just one book every minute, how long would it take you ? |
| Answer» Clearly, number of ways of arranging 5 books = 5 ! = 5 x 4 x 3 x 2 x 1 = 120. So, total time taken = 120 minutes = 2 hours. | |
| 13. |
A father tells his son, "I was of your present age when you were born". If the father is 36 now, how old was the boy five years back ? |
| Answer» Let the father's age be x and the son's age be y. Then, x - y = y or x = 2y, Now, x = 36. So, 2y = 36 or y = 18. Therefore Son's present age = 18 years. So, son's age 5 years ago = 13 years. | |
| 14. |
A fires 5 shots to B's 3 but A kills only once in 3 shots while B kills once in 2 shots. When B has missed 27 times, A has killed |
| Answer» | |
| 15. |
In a class, 3/5 of the students are girls and rest are boys. If 2/9 of the girls and 1/4 of the boys are absent, what part of the total number of students is present ? |
| Answer» | |
| 16. |
In a family, a couple has a son and a daughter. The age of the father is three times that of his daughter and the age of the son is half of that of his mother. The wife is 9 years younger to her husband and the brother is seven years older than his sister. What is the age of the mother ? |
| Answer» Let the daughter's age be x years. Then, father's age = (3x) years. Mother's age = (3x - 9) years; Son's age = (x + 7) years. So, x + 7 = (3x-9)/2 2x + 14 = 3x - 9 x = 23. Therefore Mother's age = (3X - 9) = (69 - 9) years = 60 years. | |
| 17. |
If a 1 mm thick paper is folded so that the area is halved at every fold, then what would be the thickness of the pile after 50 folds ? |
| Answer» | |
| 18. |
First bunch of bananas has (1/4) again as many bananas as a second bunch. If the second bunch has 3 bananas less than the first bunch, then the number of bananas in the first bunch is |
| Answer» | |
| 19. |
Mr. X, a mathematician, defines a number as 'connected with 6 if it is divisible by 6 or if the sum of its digits is 6, or if 6 is one of the digits of the number. Other numbers are all 'not connected with 6'. As per this definition, the number of integers from 1 to 60 (both inclusive) which are not connected with 6 is |
| Answer» Numbers from 1 to 60, which are divisible by 6 are : 6,12,18, 24, 30, 36,42, 48, 54, 60. There are 10 such numbers. Numbers from 1 to 60, the sum of whose digits is 6 are : 6, 15, 24, 33, 42, 51, 60. There are 7 such numbers of which 4 are common to the above ones. So, there are 3such uncommon numbers. Numbers from 1 to 60, which have 6 as one of the digits are 6, 16, 26, 36, 46, 56, 60. Clearly, there are 4 such uncommon numbers. So, numbers 'not connected with 6' = 60 - (10 + 3 + 4) = 43. | |
| 20. |
Find the number which when added to itself 13 times, gives 112. |
| Answer» Let the number be x. Then, x + 13x = 112 14x = 112 x = 8. | |
| 21. |
Aruna cut a cake into two halves and cuts one half into smaller pieces of equal size. Each of the small pieces is twenty grams in weight. If she has seven pieces of the cake in all with her, how heavy was the original cake ? |
| Answer» The seven pieces consist of 6 smaller equal pieces and one half cake piece. Weight of each small piece = 20 g. So, total weight of the cake = [2 x (20 x6)]g= 240 g. | |
| 22. |
A total of 324 coins of 20 paise and 25 paise make a sum of Rs. 71. The number of 25-paise coins is |
| Answer» Let the number of 20-paise coins be x. Then, number of 25-paise coins = (324 - x). Therefore 0.20 x x + 0.25 (324 - x) = 71 20x + 25 (324 - x) = 7100 5x= 1000 x = 200. Hence, number of 25-paise coins = (324 - x) - 124. | |
| 23. |
The taxi charges in a city comprise of a fixed charge, together with the charge of the distance covered. For a journey of 16 km, the charges paid are Rs. 156 and for a journey of 24 km, the charges paid are Rs. 204. What will a person have to pay for travelling a distance of 30 km? |
| Answer» Let the fixed charge be Rs. x and variable charge be Rs.y per km. Then, x + 16y = 156 ...(i) and x + 24y = 204 ...(ii) Solving (i) and (ii), we get: x = 60, y = 6. Therefore Cost of travelling 30 km = 60 + 30 y = Rs. (60 + 30 x 6) = Rs. 240. | |
| 24. |
If every 2 out of 3 readymade shirts need alterations in the sleeves, and every 4 out of 5 need it in the body, how many alterations will be required for 60 shirts ? |
| Answer» | |
| 25. |
At the end of a business conference the ten people present all shake hands with each other once. How many handshakes will there be altogether ? |
| Answer» Clearly, total number of handshakes = (9+ 8 + 7 + 6 + 5 + 4 + 3 + 2+1) = 45. | |
| 26. |
After distributing the sweets equally among 25 children, 8 sweets remain. Had the number of children been 28, 22 sweets would have been left after equal distribution. What was the total number of sweets ? |
| Answer» Let the total number of sweets be (25x + 8). Then, (25x + 8) - 22 is divisible by 28 (25x - 14) is divisible by 28 28x - (3x + 14) is divisible by 28 (3x + 14) is divisible by 28 x = 14. Therefore Total number of sweets = (25 x 14 + 8) = 358. | |
| 27. |
A player holds 13 cards of four suits, of which seven are black and six are red. There are twice as many diamonds as spades and twice as many hearts as diamonds. How many clubs does he hold ? |
| Answer» Clearly, the black cards are either clubs or spades while the red cards are either diamonds or hearts. Let the number of spades be x. Then, number of clubs = (7 - x). Number of diamonds = 2 x number of spades = 2x; Number of hearts = 2 x number of diamonds = 4x. Total number of cards = x + 2x + 4x + 7 - x = 6x + 7. Therefore 6x + 7 = 13 6x = 6 x - 1. Hence, number of clubs = (7 - x) = 6. | |
| 28. |
In a caravan, in addition to 50 hens, there are 45 goats and 8 camels with some keepers. If the total number of feet be 224 more than the number of heads in the caravan, the number of keepers is |
| Answer» Let number of keepers be x. Then, Total number of feet = 2 x 50 + 4 x 45 + 4 x 8 + 2x = 2x + 312. Total number of heads = 50 + 45 + 8 + x= 103 + x. Therefore (2x + 312) = (103 + x) + 224 or x = 15. | |
| 29. |
A monkey climbs 30 feet at the beginning of each hour and rests for a while when he slips back 20 feet before he again starts climbing in the beginning of the next hour. If he begins his ascent at 8.00 a.m., at what time will he first touch a flag at 120 feet from the ground? |
| Answer» Net ascent of the monkey in 1 hour = (30 - 20) feet = 10 feet. So, the monkey ascends 90 feet in 9 hours i.e. till 5 p.m. Clearly, in the next 1 hour i.e. till 6 p.m. the monkey ascends remaining 30 feet to touch the flag. | |
| 30. |
A number consists of two digits whose sum is 11. If 27 is added to the number, then the digits change their places. What is the number ? |
| Answer» Let the ten's digit be x. Then, unit's digit = (11 - x). So, number = 10x + (11 - x) = 9x + 11. Therefore (9x + 11) + 27 = 10 (11 - x) + x 9x + 38 = 110 - 9x 18x = 72 x = 4. Thus, ten's digit = 4 and unit's digit = 7. Hence, required number = 47. | |
| 31. |
An enterprising businessman earns an income of Re. 1 on the first day of his business. On every subsequent day, he earns an income which is just double of that made on the previous day. One the 10th day of business, his income is |
| Answer» Income on the first day = Re. 1. Income on the 2nd day = Rs. (1x2) = Rs. 21. Income on the 3rd day = Rs. (21 x 2) = Rs. 22 and so on. Thus, Income on the rath day = Rs. 2n-1. Therefore Income on the 10th day = Rs. 29. | |
| 32. |
A group of 1200 persons consisting of captains and soldiers is travelling in a train. For every 15 soldiers there is one captain. The number of captains in the group is |
| Answer» Clearly, out of every 16 persons, there is one captain. So, number of captains (1200/16) = 75. | |
| 33. |
A placed three sheets with two carbons to get two extra copies of the original. Then he decided to get more carbon copies and folded the paper in such a way that the upper half of the sheets were on top of the lower half. Then he typed. How many carbon copies did he get? |
| Answer» Since the number of carbons is 2, only two copies can be obtained. | |
| 34. |
A printer numbers the pages of a book starting with 1 and uses 3189 digits in all. How many pages does the book have ? |
| Answer» No. of digits in 1-digit page nos. = 1x9 = 9. No. of digits in 2-digit page nos. = 2 x 90 = 180. No. of digits in 3-digit page nos. = 3 x 900 = 2700. No. of digits in 4-digit page nos. = 3189 - (9 + 180 + 2700) = 3189 - 2889 = 300. Therefore No. of pages with 4-digit page nos. = (300/4) = 75. Hence, total number of pages = (999 + 75) = 1074. | |
| 35. |
A student got twice as many sums wrong as he got right. If he attempted 48 sums in all, how many did he solve correctly ? |
| Answer» Suppose the boy got x sums right and 2x sums wrong. Then, x + 2x = 48 3x = 48 x = 16. | |
| 36. |
David gets on the elevator at the 11th floor of a building and rides up at the rate of 57 floors per minute. At the same time, Albert gets on an elevator at the 51st floor of the same building and rides down at the rate of 63 floors per minute. If they continue travelling at these rates, then at which floor will their paths cross ? |
| Answer» | |
| 37. |
I have a few sweets to be distributed. If I keep 2, 3 or 4 in a pack, I am left with one sweet. If I keep 5 in a pack, I am left with none. What is the minimum number of sweets I have to pack and distribute ? |
| Answer» Clearly, the required number would be such that it leaves a remainder of 1 when divided by 2, 3 or 4 and no remainder when divided by 5. Such a number is 25. | |
| 38. |
If a clock takes seven seconds to strike seven, how long will it take to strike ten ? |
| Answer» | |
| 39. |
In a group of cows and hens, the number of legs are 14 more than twice the number of heads. The number of cows is |
| Answer» Let the number of cows be x and the number of hens be y. Then, 4x + 2y = 2 (x + y) + 14 4x + 2y = 2x + 2y + 14 2x = 14 x = 7. | |
| 40. |
Three friends had dinner at a restaurant. When the bill was received, Amita paid 2/3 as much as Veena paid and Veena paid 1/2 as much as Tanya paid. What faction of the bill did Veena pay ? |
| Answer» | |
| 41. |
When Rahul was born, his father was 32 years older than his brother and his mother was 25 years older than his sister. If Rahul's brother is 6 years older than him and his mother is 3 years younger than his father, how old was Rahul's sister when he was born ? |
| Answer» When Rahul was born, his brother's age = 6 years; his father's age = (6 + 32) years = 38 years, his mother's age = (38 - 3) years = 35 years; his sister's age = (35 - 25) years = 10 years. | |
| 42. |
A certain number of horses and an equal number of men are going somewhere. Half of the owners are on their horses' back while the remaining ones are walking along leading their horses. If the number of legs walking on the ground is 70, how many horses are there ? |
| Answer» Let number of horses = number of men = x. Then, number of legs = 4x + 2 x (x/2) = 5x. So, 5X = 70 or x = 14. | |
| 43. |
Ravi's brother is 3 years senior to him. His father was 28 years of age when his sister was born while his mother was 26 years of age when he was born. If his sister was 4 years of age when his brother was born, what were the ages of Ravi's father and mother respectively when his brother was born ? |
| Answer» When Ravi's brother was born, let Ravi's father's age = x years and mother's age = y years. Then, sister's age = (x - 28) years. So, x - 28 = 4 or x = 32. Ravi's age = (y - 26) years. Age of Ravi's brother = (y - 26 + 3) years = (y - 23) years. Now, when Ravi's brother was born, his age = 0 i.e. y - 23 = 0 or y = 23. | |
| 44. |
Today is Varun's birthday. One year, from today he will be twice as old as he was 12 years ago. How old is Varun today ? |
| Answer» Let Varan's age today = x years. Then, Varan's age after 1 year = (x + 1) years. Therefore x + 1 = 2 (x - 12) x + 1 = 2x - 24 x = 25. | |
| 45. |
A bird shooter was askgd how many birds he had in the bag. He replied that there were all sparrows but six, all pigeons but six, and all ducks but six. How many birds he had in the bag in all? |
| Answer» There were all sparrows but six' means that six birds were not sparrows but only pigeons and ducks. Similarly, number of sparrows + number of ducks = 6 and number of sparrows + number of pigeons = 6. This is possible when there are 3 sparrows, 3 pigeons and 3 ducks i.e. 9 birds in all. | |
| 46. |
Mr. Johnson was to earn £ 300 and a free holiday for seven weeks' work. He worked for only 4 weeks and earned £ 30 and a free holiday. What was the value of the holiday? |
| Answer» | |
| 47. |
What is the smallest number of ducks that could swim in this formation - two ducks in front of a duck, two ducks behind a duck and a duck between two ducks ? |
| Answer» Clearly, the smallest such number is 3. Three ducks can be arranged as shown above to satisfy all the three given conditions. | |
| 48. |
A bus starts from city X. The number of women in the bus is half of the number of men. In city Y, 10 men leave the bus and five women enter. Now, number of men and women is equal. In the beginning, how many passengers entered the bus ? |
| Answer» Originally, let number of women = x. Then, number of men = 2x. So, in city Y, we have : (2x - 10) = (x + 5) or x - 15. Therefore Total number of passengers in the beginning = (x + 2x) = 3x = 45. | |
| 49. |
A, B, C, D and E play a game of cards. A says to B, "If you give me 3 cards, you will have as many as I have at this moment while if D takes 5 cards from you, he will have as many as E has." A and C together have twice as many cards as E has. B and D together also have the same number of cards as A and C taken together. If together they have 150 cards, how many cards has C got ? |
| Answer» Clearly, we have : A = B - 3 ...(i) D + 5 = E ...(ii) A+C = 2E ...(iii) B + D = A+C = 2E ...(iv) A+B + C + D + E=150 ...(v) From (iii), (iv) and (v), we get: 5E = 150 or E = 30. Putting E = 30 in (ii), we get: D = 25. Putting E = 30 and D = 25 in (iv), we get: B = 35. Putting B = 35 in (i), we get: A = 32. Putting A = 32 and E = 30 in (iii), we get: C = 28. | |
| 50. |
A farmer built a fence around his square plot. He used 27 fence poles on each side of the square. How many poles did he need altogether ? |
| Answer» Since each pole at the corner of the plot is common to its two sides, so we have : Total number of poles needed = 27 x 4 - 4 = 108 - 4 = 104. | |