Algebra - 7

Contents
• Maxima and Minima
• Miscellaneous
QA - 23
CEX-Q-0224/18

Number of questions : 30

Maxima and Minima 5. The number 15 is to be divided into two parts

such that the square of one multiplied with
1. x2 + ax + 1 = 0 has both roots real and the cube of the other is maximum. The parts
negative. The minimum possible value of a is are
(1) (10, 5) (2) (9, 6)
(1) 0 (2) 1
(3) (8, 7) (4) None of these
(3) 2 (4) 3
6. If a + b + c = 10, where a, b, and c are non-
2. The mean of 15 terms of a series consisting
negative real numbers. Find the maximum
of positive integers is 13. What is the value of abc.
maximum possible value of the largest of the
numbers? 7. If a + b + c = 10, find the maximum value of
(1) 180 (2) 90 (a – 1) (b – 2)(c – 5).Given that a ≥ 1, b ≥ 2
(3) 100 (4) 80 and c ≥ 5.

3. The sum of 10 distinct natural numbers is S. 8. If a + b + c = 6, find the maximum value of

M is the maximum of those numbers, and is a3b2c, where all a, b and c are positive real
an integer. What would be the minimum value numbers.
of S/M ?
(1) 4 (2) 3 9. If x + y + z + w = 29, where x, y, z and w are
(3) 2 (4) 1 real numbers greater than 2, then find the
maximum possible value of (x – 1) (y + 3)
(z – 1) (w – 2).
4. If x, y and z are real numbers such that x + y
(1) 625 (2) 256
+ z = 5, and xy + yz + xz = 3. What is the
(3) 1296 (4) 2401
largest value which x can have?
(CAT 2002) 10. If x, y and z are distinct positive integers, and
(1) 3 13 (2) 19 x + y + z = 11, then the maximum value of
(xyz + xy + yz + zx) is
13 (1) 84 (2) 78
(3) (4) None of these
3 (3) 72 (4) 58

QA - 23 Page 1
11. If a2bc3d2 = 256 and the value of 2a + b + 3c 16. Let f(x) = max (2x + 1, 3 – 4x), where x is any
real number. Then the minimum possible value
+ 2d is minimum possible, where a, b, c and
of (x) is (CAT 2006)
d are positive real numbers, then find the value 1 1
of (a + 2b + 3c + 4d). (1) (2)
3 2
(1) 16 (2) 18 2 4
(3) 24 (4) 20 (3) (4)
3 3
5
12. p, q, r, s are any four positive real numbers, (5)
3
the minimum possible value of
17. Find the maximum possible value of the
p q r s function f(x) = min(x 2 – 4, 4 – x 2 ),
+ + + is
q r s p where – 3 ≤ x ≤ 3.
(1) 4 (2) – 4
(1) 1 (2) 2 (3) 0 (4) 2

(3) 2 2 (4) 4 18. If the positive real numbers a, b and c are in

Arithmetic Progression, such that abc = 4,
13. If a, b, c and d are four positive real numbers then minimum possible value of b is
such that abcd = 1, what is the minimum 3 2

value of; (1 + a) (1 + b) (1 + c) (1 + d)? (1) 22 (2) 2 3

1
(1) 4 (2) 1
(3) 2 3 (4) None of these
(3) 16 (4) 18
(CAT 2001) Miscellaneous

14. Let x, y be two positive numbers such that 19. Let T be the set of integers {3, 11, 19, 27, ...
x + y = 1. Then, the minimum value of 451, 459, 467} and S be a subset of T such
that the sum of no two elements of S is 470.
2 2 The maximum possible number of elements
 1  1
 x + x  +  y + y  is
in S is
    (1) 32 (2) 28
(3) 29 (4) 30
(1) 12 (2) 20 (CAT 2003(L))
(3) 12.5 (4) 13.3
(CAT 2001) 20. If pqr = 1, the value of the expression

1 1 1
15. Find the minimum value of the following + + is equal
–1 –1
1+ p + q 1+ q + r 1 + r + p –1
function
to
f(x) = (x – 5)2 + (x – 7)2 – (x – 4)2 – (x – 8)2 +
(x – 3)2 + (x – 9)2 1
(1) p + q + r (2)
(1) 11 (2) 10 p+q+r
(3) 13 (4) 12
–1 –1 –1
(3) 1 (4) p + q + r

Page 2 QA - 23
 Challenging
1
21. If x − 1 − x = (x is a real number), then
5
25. The minimum value of V for which Vy2 – 6Vy
find the value of x + 1− x . + 5V + 1 > 0 for all real y is
1
2 3 (1) (2) 0
(1) (2) 4
5 5
1
(3) –4 (4) −
4
6 7
(3) (4)
5 5
26. From four positive real numbers a, b, c and d,
4 combinations of three numbers are chosen
22. How many pairs of positive integers m and n such that their sums are S1, S2, S3 and S4. If
1 4 1 a × b × c × d = 5, then find the minimum
satisfy + = , where n is an odd
m n 12 value of the product of S1 × S2 × S3 × S4.
integer less than 60? (CAT 2007) (1) 40 (2) 135
(1) 6 (2) 4 (3) 405 (4) 1080
(3) 7 (4) 5
(5) 3 27. In the equation x2 + y2 – 14x – 6y – 7 = 0, x
and y are integers. What is the largest
23. The total number of integer pairs (x, y) possible value of 3x + 4y?
satisfying the equation x + y = xy is (1) 61 (2) 68
(CAT 2004) (3) 70 (4) 73
(1) 0 (2) 1
(3) 2 (4) None of these
28. Davji Shop sells samosas in boxes of different
sizes. The samosas are priced at Rs. 2 per
3 3  samosa up to 200 samosas. For every
24. Let f(x) = max  x − 3 , x + 3  , where x is
2 5  additional 20 samosas, the price of the whole
lot goes down by 10 paise per samosa. What
any real number and max (A, B) is equal to
should be the maximum size of the box that
larger number between A & B. Find the value
would maximise the revenue?
of f(–7) × f(7).
(1) 240 (2) 300
486 216 (3) 400 (4) 250
(1) (2)
5 25

−108 405
(3) (4)
2 4

QA - 23 Page 3
Directions for questions 29 and 30: Answer the 29. The maximum guaranteed return to Shabnam
questions on the basis of the information given below. is
(CAT 2007) (1) 0.25% (2) 0.10%
Shabnam is considering three alternatives to invest (3) 0.20% (4) 0.15%
her surplus cash for a week. She wishes to guarantee (5) 0.30%
maximum returns on her investment. She has three
options, each of which can be utilized fully or partially 30. What strategy will maximize the guaranteed
in conjunction with others. return to Shabnam?
Option A : Invest in a public sector bank. It (1) 100% in option A
promises a return of +0.10%. (2) 36% in option B and 64% in option C
Option B : Invest in mutual funds of ABC Ltd. A (3) 64% in option B and 36% in option C
rise in the stock market will result in a (4) 1/3 in each of the three options
return of + 5% while a fall will entail a (5) 30% in option A, 32% in option B and
return of –3%. 38% in option C
Option C: Invest in mutual funds of CBA Ltd. A
rise in the stock market will result in a
return of –2.5%, while a fall will entail a
return of +2%.

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Page 4 QA - 23
 QA - 23 : Algebra - 7 CEX-Q-0224/18
Answers and Explanations

1 3 2 2 3 4 4 3 5 2 6 – 7 – 8 – 9 4 10 2
11 4 12 4 13 3 14 3 15 4 16 5 17 3 18 2 19 4 20 3

21 4 22 5 23 3 24 4 25 2 26 3 27 4 28 2 29 3 30 2

1. 3 Here, from options. ⇒ y 2 + (x − 5) y + x 2 − 5x + 3 = 0

if a = 0
As it is given that y is a real number, the discriminant
⇒ x2 + 1 = 0 (not possible)
for above equation must be greater than or equal to
if a = 1 ⇒ x2 + x + 1 = 0
zero.
−1 ± 3 i Hence, (x − 5)2 − 4(x 2 − 5x + 3) ≥ 0
⇒ x= , which is imaginary (not possible)
2
if a = 2 ⇒ 3x 2 − 10x − 13 ≤ 0 ⇒ 3x2 − 13x + 3x − 13 ≤ 0
⇒ x2 + 2x + 1 = 0 ⇒ (x + 1)2 = 0  13 
⇒ x ∈  −1, 
So, roots are – 1 and – 1.  3
This is a possible minimum value.
13
Largest value that x can have is .
Alternative method: 3
For real roots,
Alternative method:
a2 – 4 ≥ 0
x+y+z=5
⇒ (a – 2) (a + 2) ≥ 0
On squaring both sides, we get
a ∈ ( −∞,–2] ∪ [2, ∞ )
Since, x2 + ax + 1 = x2 – (α + β) x + αβ = 0 x= 19 − (y 2 + z2 )
and α and β are negative Here, we have to maximise x and y ≠ z ≠ 0 because
So, a must be positive ⇒ amin. = 2.
xy + yz + xz = 3.
2. 2 As we have to maximise one integer. So, x must be less than 19 , only option (3) represents
So, we will assume the numbers are 1, 2, 3, 4....,14, a a number less than 19 .
(where a is maximum)
⇒ 1 + 2 + 3 + ....+ 14 + a = 15 × 13 5. 2 Let, it is divided into two parts x and y.
⇒ 7 × 15 + a = 15 × 13 So, x + y = 15
⇒ a = 15(13 – 7) = 15 × 6 = 90.
x x y y y 1
+ + + +
2 2 3 3 3 ≥  x y  5
2 3
3. 4 To get the minimum value, we will take first 9 natural ⇒
5  22 × 3 3 
numbers and 10th number (M) will be maximum such  
S to maximise R. H. S.
that could be maximized.
M
x y
S = 1 + 2 + 3 + ... + 9 + M =
S = 49 + M 2 3
Here, if we take M = 100 ⇒ x:y=2:3
S 149 Hence, x = 6 and y = 9.
⇒ = = 1.49
M 100
if we further increase the value of M, 6. a + b + c = 10
S We know that
→1 AM(a, b, c) ≥ GM(a, b, c)
M
S a+b+c
So, minimum value of ≈ 1. ⇒ ≥ (abc)1/3
M 3

4. 3 xy + yz + zx = 3 10 1000
⇒ ≥ (abc)1/3 ⇒ ≥ abc
⇒ xy + (y + x)z = 3 3 27
⇒ xy + (y + x)(5 − x − y) = 3
1000
⇒ x 2 + y 2 + xy − 5x − 5y + 3 = 0 Hence, the maximum possible value of abc is .
27

QA - 23 Page 1
7. a + b + c = 10
(a – 1) + (b – 2) + (c – 5) = 2 p q r s
12. 4 , , and are all positive numbers and for
We know that q r s p
AM(a – 1, b – 2, c – 5) ≥ GM(a – 1, b – 2, c – 5) positive numbers.

(a − 1) + (b − 2) + (c − 5) ≥ A.M. ≥ G.M.
⇒ {(a − 1) × (b − 2) × (c − 5)}1/3
3 p q r s 1
+ + +  p q r s 4
2 So, q r s p
≥ ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ 
⇒ ≥ {(a − 1) × (b − 2) × (c − 5)}
1/3
3 4 q r s p
8
⇒ ≥ {(a − 1) × (b − 2) × (c − 5)} or,
p q r s
+ + + ≥4
27 q r s p
Hence, the maximum possible value of (a – 1)(b – 2)
8
(c – 5) is . 13. 3 Since a, b, c and d are positive real numbers.
27
1
8. Since, a + b + c = 6 So, a + b + c + d ≥ (abcd) 4
4
and AM ≥ GM
⇒ a+b+c+d≥4
a a a b b 1 Again,
+ + + + +c  3 2 5
3 3 3 2 2 ab c
So, ≥ 3 2  (a + 1) + (b + 1) + (c + 1) + (d + 1)
6 3 2  ≥
4
1
[(a + 1)(b + 1)(c + 1)(d + 1)]1/ 4
6  a 3b 2 c  5
⇒ ≥ 3 2 
6  3 2  a+b+c +d
⇒ + 1 ≥ [(a + 1)(b + 1)(c + 1)(d + 1)]1/ 4
4
⇒ 3 3 22 ≥ a 3b 2 c
Since, we have to minimise RHS, so LHS must be
So, maximum value of given expression is 108.
minimum for minimum value of LHS
a+b+c+d=4
9. 4 x + y + z + w = 29
(x – 1) + (y + 3) + (z – 1) + (w – 2) = 28 4
+ 1 = [(a + 1)(b + 1)(c + 1)(d + 1)]
1/ 4
Applying A.M. ≥ G.M., ⇒
4
(x − 1) + (y + 3) + (z − 1) + (w − 2)
16 = [(a + 1)(b + 1)(c + 1)(d + 1)]min.
4
1
≥ ((x − 1)(y + 3)(z − 1)(w − 2) ) 4 Alternative method:
Maximum value of (x – 1) (y + 3) (z – 1) (w – 2) For minimum value a = b = c = d = 1
So, (1 + a) (1 + b) (1 + c) (1 + d) = 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 = 16.
4
 28 
=   = 2401 . 14. 3 Since x + y = 1
 4 
So, for the minimum value of given expression x = y =
1/2
10. 2 The possible sets for distinct integers (x, y, z) are
We put this value on the given expression.
(1, 2, 8); (1, 3, 7); (1, 4, 6); (2, 3, 6); (2, 4, 5).
So, the maximum value of (xyz + xy + yz + zx) occurs 2 2
1  1  2 2
for x = 2, y = 4 and z = 5. So,  + 2  +  + 2  = (2.5) + (2.5) = 12.5
Hence, the maximum value of given expression 2  2 
= 2 × 4 × 5 + 2 × 4 + 4 × 5 + 5 × 2 = 78.
15. 4 f(x) is a quadratic function and the coefficient of x2 is
11. 4 2a + b + 3c + 2d = a + a + b + c + c + c + d + d 1 + 1 – 1 – 1 + 1 + 1 = 2 > 0.
Applying A.M. ≥ G. M., Therefore, the graph of f(x) is an upward-pointing
1 parabola, and the minimum value of the function is
a+a+b+c +c +c +d+d
8
≥ a2bc 3d2 8 ( ) attained at its vertex. The given function is also
symmetric about x = 6.
2a + b + 3c + 2d ≥ 16 So, the vertex must be at x = 6.
Therefore,
For 2a + b + 3c + 2d to be minimum possible f(6) = 1 + 1 – 4 – 4 + 9 + 9 = 2(1 + 9 – 4) = 12
a=b=c=d=2 Therefore the minimum value of the function is 12.
⇒ a + 2b + 3c + 4d = 20.

Page 2 QA - 23
16. 5 f(x) = max (2x + 1, 3 – 4x) 20. 3 Given pqr = 1
So, the two equations are y = 2x + 1 and y = 3 – 4x
1 1
Their point of intersection would be ⇒ pq = and = qr
2x + 1 = 3 – 4x r p
1
⇒ 6x = 2 ⇒ x = 1 1 1
3 + +
y 1 + p + q−1 1 + q + r −1 1 + r + p −1
y=2 x+ 1
q r 1
= + +
(0 ,3) 1 + q + pq 1 + qr + r 1 + r + qr

(1 /3,5/3 ) qr r 1 1 + r + qr
= + + = = 1.
1 + qr + r 1 + qr + r 1 + r + qr 1 + r + qr
y=3 –4 x
x Alternative method:
(-1 /2,0) (0 ,3/4) Putting x = y = z = 1, we get
1 1 1
+ +
1 + p + q−1 1 + q + r −1 1 + r + p −1
1
So when x ≤ , then f(x)max = 3 − 4x
3 1 1 1 1 1 1
= + + = + + = 1.
1 1+ 1+ 1 1+ 1+ 1 1+ 1+ 1 3 3 3
and when x ≥ , then f(x)max = 2x + 1
3
1
Hence, the minimum of this will be at x = 1
3 21. 4 x − 1− x =
5
5
i.e. y = .
3 x + 1 − x = a, say
On squaring and adding, we get
17. 3 f(x) = min(x 2 − 4,4 − x 2 )
1
Case 1: x2 – 4 > 4 – x2 ⇒ 2x2 > 8 2(x + 1 – x) = + a2
25
x < – 2 or x > 2
Case 2: x2 – 4 < 4 – x2 1 49
⇒ a2 = 2 − =
–2<x<2 25 25
Therefore,
7
4 − x 2
− 3 ≤ x ≤ −2 or 2 ≤ x ≤ 3  ⇒a= (as a > 0)
f(x) =  5
2

 x − 4
−2≤ x≤2 
⇒ maximum value of the function is 0.
1 4 1
22. 5 + = , n < 60
m n 12
18. 2 It is given that abc = 4.
We know, (a + b + c) will be minimum when a, b, c are
1 1 4 n – 48
constants and a = b = c. ⇒ = – =
As a, b, c are in arithmetic progression, m 12 n 12n
⇒ a + b + c = 3b
12n
This will be minimum when a = b = c, b3 = 4. ⇒m=
n – 48
⇒ b = 41/ 3 = 22 / 3 Positive integral values of m for odd integral values of
n are for n = 49, 51 and 57.
19. 4 T = {3, 11, 19, 27, ...., 451, 459, 467}
Therefore, there are 3 integral pairs of values of m
Here, we will be getting 470 if we add first term and
last term, or second term and second last term and so and n that satisfy the given equation.
on.
23. 3 Given equation is x + y = xy
(467 − 3)
Now, number of elements in the set = + 1 = 59. ⇒ xy – x – y + 1 = 1
8 ⇒ (x – 1)(y – 1) = 1
59 + 1
So, = 30 elements are such that they will not ∴ x – 1 = 1 and y − 1 = 1 or x − 1 = –1 & y – 1 = –1
2
give their sum 470. Clearly, (0, 0) and (2, 2) are the only pairs that will
satisfy the equation.

QA - 23 Page 3
24. 4 a+d+b
y ≥ (adb)1/ 3 … (iv)
3
Multiplying (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv), we get
(a + b + c)(b + c + d)(c + d + a)(a + d + b) ≥ 34 (abcd)
3 S1 × S2 × S3 × S4 ≥ 405 .
f (x ) = x+3 (0,3) 3
5 f (x ) = x–3
2 27. 4 Simplifying the expression, we get
(x – 7)2 + (y – 3)2 = 82 + 12 or 72 + 42
To get the maximum value of 3x + 4y we find that x will
(−5,0) (2,0) (20 /3.0 ) be equal to
x y 3x + 4y
15 4 61
The graph of f(x) is shown in bold in the above figure.
We can break-up the definition of f(x) in different 14 7 70
regions of the x-axis. 8 11 68
 3 11 10 73
− 2 x + 3 x≤0
We are neglecting negative solutions since we are looking
 for largest value. Hence, the maximum value is 73.
3 20
f (x ) =  x + 3 0<x≤
5 3
28. 2 Number of samosas = 200 + 20n,
 3 20
 2x−3 x≥ n is a natural number.
 3 Price per samosa = Rs. (2 – 0.1n)
3 15 27 Revenue = (200 + 20n)(2 – 0.1n) = 400 + 20n – 2n2
Now; f(7) = (7) – 3 = and f(–7) = For maxima, n = 5
2 2 2
405 ⇒ Maximum revenue will be at (200 + 20 × 5)
⇒ f (7 ) × f ( −7 ) = .
4 = 300 samosas

Alternative method: For questions 29 and 30:

 −21 −25  To maximise Shabnam’s return we need to evaluate all the
 27  27
f ( −7 ) = max  −3, + 3  = max  ,2  = . given options in the question number 7. Assume Shabnam had
 2 5   2  2 one rupee to invest. Let the return be denoted by ‘r’.
 21 21   15 36  15 Consider the option (30% in option A, 32% in option B
f (7 ) = max  −3, + 3  = max  ,  = . and 38% in option C): If the stock market rises, then
 2 5   2 5  2
r = 0.1 × 0.3 + 5 × 0.32 – 2.5 × 0.38 = 0.653
27 15 405
∴ f ( −7 ) × f (7 ) = × = . If the stock market falls, then
2 2 4 r = 0.1 × 0.3 – 3 × 0.32 + 2 × 0.38 = – 0.197
Consider option (100% in option A): This will give a return
25. 2 Vy2 – 6Vy + 5V + 1 > 0 of 0.1%.
⇒ V(y2 – 6y + 5) + 1 > 0 Consider option (36% in option B and 64% in option C):
⇒ V(y2 – 6y + 9 – 4) + 1 > 0 If the stock market rises, then
⇒ V(y – 3)2 – 4V > (–1) r = 5 × 0.36 – 2.5 × 0.64 = 0.2
If the stock market falls, then
⇒ V × Y > (–1), where Y = (y – 3)2 – 4 r = – 3 × 0.36 + 2 × 0.64 = 0.2
It should be noted that Consider option (64% in option B and 36% in option C):
−4 ≤ Y < ∞ for any real value of y. If the stock market rises, then
Objective is to find the minimum value of V. If we take r = 5 × 0.64 – 2.5 × 0.36 = 2.1
any negative value of V and multiply it with a very high If the stock market falls, then
positive value of Y, it would be lesser than –1(means r = – 3 × 0.64 + 2 × 0.36 = –1.2
even more negative). Thus, V must be non-negative. Consider option (1/3 in each of the 3 options): If the
for V = 0, V × Y = 0 for any Y. stock market rises, then
Thus, V = 0 is the minimum value. r = 0.1 × 0.33 + 5 × 0.33 – 2.5 × 0.33 = 0.858
If the stock market falls, then
26. 3 S1, S2, S3 and S4 are (a + b + c), (b + c + d), (a + d + c) r = 0.1 × 0.33 – 3 × 0.33 + 2 × 0.33 = –0.297
and (a + b + d). As all the sums are positive, using the We can see that only in option (36% in option B and 64% in
AM ≥ GM property, we get, option C), Shabnam gets an assured return of 0.2%
a+b+c irrespective of the behaviour of the stock market. So right
≥ (abc)1/ 3 … (i)
3 option for questions number 13 is (0.20%) and question number
b+c+d 14 is (36% in option B and 64% in option C).
≥ (bcd)1/ 3 … (ii)
3 29. 3
c +d+a
≥ (cda)1/ 3 … (iii) 30. 2
3

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