Test Codes 2015

UGA (Multiple choice) and UGB (Short Answer Type)

Questions will include the following and related topics.

Algebra and number theory

Sets, operations on sets. Prime numbers, factorization of integers and divis-
ibility. Rational and irrational numbers. Permutations and combinations,
Binomial Theorem. Logarithms. Polynomials: relations between roots and
coefficients, Remainder Theorem, Theory of quadratic equations and ex-
pressions. Arithmetic and geometric progressions. Inequalities involving
arithmetic, geometric & harmonic means. Complex numbers.

Geometry
Class X level plane geometry. Geometry of 2 dimensions with Cartesian
and polar coordinates, concept of a locus, equation of a line, angle between
two lines, distance from a point to a line, area of a triangle, equations of
circle, parabola, ellipse and hyperbola and equations of their tangents and
normals, mensuration.

Trigonometry
Measures of angles, trigonometric and inverse trigonometric functions, trigono-
metric identities including addition formulae, solutions of trigonometric equa-
tions, properties of triangles, heights and distances.

Calculus
Sequences - bounded sequences, monotone sequences, limit of a sequence.
Functions - one-one functions, onto functions. Limit, continuity and differ-
entiability of functions of a single real variable. Derivatives and methods
of differentiation, slope of a curve, tangents and normals, maxima and min-
ima, use of calculus in sketching graphs of functions. Methods of integration,
definite and indefinite integrals, evaluation of areas using integrals.

1
 UGA - Sample Questions.

Instructions. UGA is a multiple choice examination. In each of the follow-

ing questions, exactly one of the choices is correct. Please tick the correct
answer. You get four marks for each correct answer, one mark for each
unanswered question, and zero marks for each incorrect answer. You have
two hours to answer these questions.

1. Define an = (12 + 22 + . . . + n2 )n and bn = nn (n!)2 . Recall n! is the

product of the first n natural numbers. Then,
(a) an < bn for all n > 1
(b) an > bn for all n > 1
(c) an = bn for infinitely many n
(d) none of the above.

2. The last digit of (2004)5 is:

(a) 4 (b) 8 (c) 6 (d) 2

3. If n is a positive integer such that 8n + 1 is a perfect square, then

(a) n must be odd (b) n cannot be a perfect square
(c) 2n cannot be a perfect square (d) none of the above.

4. The coefficient of a3 b4 c5 in the expansion of (bc + ca + ab)6 is:

12! 6! 6!


(a) 3!4!5! (b) 3! (c) 33 (d) 3 · 3!3!

5. If log10 x = 10log100 4 , then x equals

(a) 410 (b) 100 (c) log10 4 (d) none of the above.

6. Let C denote the set of all complex numbers. Define

A = {(z, w) |z, w ∈ C and |z| = |w|}

B = {(z, w) |z, w ∈ C, and z 2 = w2 }.

Then,
(a) A = B (b) A ⊂ B and A 6= B (c) B ⊂ A and B 6= A (d) none of
the above.

7. The set of all real numbers x such that x3 (x + 1)(x − 2) ≥ 0 is:

(a) the interval 2 ≤ x < ∞ (b) the interval 0 ≤ x < ∞
(c) the interval −1 ≤ x < ∞ (d) none of the above.

2
 z
8. Let z be a non-zero complex number such that 1+z is purely imaginary.
Then
(a) z is neither real nor purely imaginary (b) z is real
(c) z is purely imaginary (d) none of the above.

9. In the interval (0, 2π), the function sin( x13 )

(a) never changes sign
(b) changes sign only once
(c) changes sign more than once, but finitely many times
(d) changes sign infinitely many times.
(ex −1) tan2 x
10. lim x3
x→0
(a) does not exist (b) exists and equals 0
2
(c) exists and equals 3 (d) exists and equals 1.

11. Let f1 (x) = ex , f2 (x) = ef1 (x) and generally fn+1 (x) = efn (x) for all
d
n ≥ 1. For any fixed n, the value of dx fn (x) is:
(a) fn (x) (b) fn (x)fn−1 (x)
(c) fn (x)fn−1 (x) . . . f1 (x) (d) fn+1 (x)fn (x) . . . f1 (x)ex .

12. Let f (x) = a0 +a1 |x|+a2 |x|2 +a3 |x|3 , where a0 , a1 , a2 , a3 are constants.
Then
(a) f (x) is differentiable at x = 0 whatever be a0 , a1 , a2 , a3
(b) f (x) is not differentiable at x = 0 whatever be a0 , a1 , a2 , a3
(c) f (x) is differentiable at x = 0 only if a1 = 0
(d) f (x) is differentiable at x = 0 only if a1 = 0, a3 = 0.
2
13. If f (x) = cos(x) − 1 + x2 , then
(a) f (x) is an increasing function on the real line
(b) f (x) is a decreasing function on the real line
(c) f (x) is increasing on the interval −∞ < x ≤ 0 and decreasing on
the interval 0 ≤ x < ∞
(d) f (x) is decreasing on the interval −∞ < x ≤ 0 and increasing on
the interval 0 ≤ x < ∞.

14. The area of the region bounded by the straight lines x = 12 and x = 2,
and the curves √ given5 by the equations y = loge x√and y = 2x is
(a) log 2 (4 + 2) − 2 loge 2 + 2 (b) log1 2 (4 − 2) − 52 loge 2
1 3
e √ e
(c) log1 2 (4 − 2) − 52 loge 2 + 23 (d) none of the above.
e

3
15. The number of roots of the equation x2 + sin2 x = 1 in the closed
interval [0, π2 ] is
(a) 0 (b) 1 (c) 2 (d) 3

16. The number of maps f from the set {1, 2, 3} into the set {1, 2, 3, 4, 5}
such that f (i) ≤ f (j) whenever i < j is
(a) 60 (b) 50 (c) 35 (d) 30

17. Let a be a real number. The number of distinct solutions (x, y) of the
system of equations (x − a)2 + y 2 = 1 and x2 = y 2 , can only be
(a) 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 (b) 0, 1 or 3 (c) 0, 1, 2 or 4 (d) 0, 2, 3, or 4

18. The set of values of m for which mx2 − 6mx + 5m + 1 > 0 for all real
x is
(a) m < 14 (b) m ≥ 0 (c) 0 ≤ m ≤ 41 (d) 0 ≤ m < 14 .

19. A lantern is placed on the ground 100 feet away from a wall. A man
six feet tall is walking at a speed of 10 feet/second from the lantern to
the nearest point on the wall. When he is midway between the lantern
and the wall, the rate of change in the length of his shadow is
(a) 3.6 ft./sec. (b) 2.4 ft./sec. (c) 3 ft./sec. (d) 12 ft./sec.

20. Let n ≥ 3 be an integer. Assume that inside a big circle, exactly n

small circles of radius r can be drawn so that each small circle touches
the big circle and also touches both its adjacent small circles. Then,
the radius of the big circle is:
(a) r cosec πn (b) r(1 + cosec 2πn )
π
(c) r(1 + cosec 2n ) (d) r(1 + cosec πn ).

21. The digit in the units’ place of the number 1! + 2! + 3! + . . . + 99! is

(a) 3 (b) 0 (c) 1 (d) 7.
13 +23 +...+n3
22. The value of lim n4
is:
n→∞
3 1
(a) 4 (b) 4 (c) 1 (d) 4.

23. The function x(α − x) is strictly increasing on the interval 0 < x < 1
if and only if
(a) α ≥ 2 (b) α < 2 (c) α < −1 (d) α > 2.
n
24. For any integer n ≥ 1, define an = 1000
n! . Then the sequence {an }
(a) does not have a maximum
(b) attains maximum at exactly one value of n

4
 (c) attains maximum at exactly two values of n
(d) attains maximum for infinitely many values of n.

25. The equation x3 y + xy 3 + xy = 0 represents

(a) a circle (b) a circle and a pair of straight lines
(c) a rectangular hyperbola (d) a pair of straight lines.

26. Let P be a variable point on a circle C and Q be a fixed point outside

C. If R is the mid-point of the line segment P Q, then the locus of R
is
(a) a circle (b) an ellipse
(c) a line segment (d) segment of a parabola.

27. Let d1 , d2 , . . . , dk be all the factors of a positive integer n including 1

and n. If d1 + d2 + . . . + dk = 72, then d11 + d12 + · · · + d1k is:
k2 72 72
(a) 72 (b) k (c) n (d) none of the above.

28. A subset W of the set of real numbers is called a ring if it contains 1

and if for all a, b ∈ W , the numbers
n a − b and ab are also oin W . Let
S = 2n | m, n integers and T = pq | p, q integers, q odd . Then:
m

(a) neither S nor T is a ring (b) S is a ring T is not a ring.

(b) T is a ring S is not a ring. (d) both S and T are rings.

5
 UGB - Sample Questions.

Instructions. All questions carry equal marks. You have two hours to
solve 6 problems. Credit will be given to a partially correct answer. Do not
feel discouraged if you cannot solve all the questions.

1. Find the sum of all distinct four digit numbers that can be formed
using the digits 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, each digit appearing at most once.

2. Consider the squares of an 8 × 8 chessboard filled with the numbers 1

to 64 as in the figure below. If we choose 8 squares with the property
that there is exactly one from each row and exactly one from each
column, and add up the numbers in the chosen squares, show that the
sum obtained is always 260.
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 27 28 29 30 31 32
33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40
41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48
49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56
57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64

3. An isosceles triangle with base 6 cms. and base angles 30o each is
inscribed in a circle. A second circle, which is situated outside the
triangle, touches the first circle and also touches the base of the triangle
at its midpoint. Find its radius.

4. Let an = 1 . . . 1 with 3n digits. Prove that an is divisible by 3an−1 .

5. If a circle intersects the hyperbola y = 1/x at four distinct points

(xi , yi ), i = 1, 2, 3, 4, then prove that x1 x2 = y3 y4 .

6. Show that the function f (x) defined below attains a unique minimum
for x > 0. What is the minimum value of the function? What is the
value of x at which the minimum is attained?
1 1
f (x) = x2 + x + + for x 6= 0.
x x2
Sketch on plain paper the graph of this function.

6
 7. Let S = {1, 2, . . . , n}. Find the number of unordered pairs {A, B} of
subsets of S such that A and B are disjoint, where A or B or both
may be empty.

8. Find the maximum value of x2 + y 2 in the bounded region, including

the boundary, enclosed by y = x2 , y = − x2 and x = y 2 + 1.

9. How many real roots does x4 + 12x − 5 have?

10. Find the maximum among 1, 21/2 , 31/3 , 41/4 , . . ..

11. For real numbers x, y and z, show that

|x| + |y| + |z| ≤ |x + y − z| + |y + z − x| + |z + x − y|.

7
 Hints and Answers.

There are also other ways to solve the problems apart from the ones sketched
in the hints. Indeed, a student should feel encouraged if she finds a different
way to solve some of these problems. All the Best!

Hints for UGA Sample Questions.

Q.1 (b). Take the nth root of an and bn and use A.M.≥ G.M.
Q.2 (a). As 2004 = 2000 +4, the last digits of (2004)5 and 45 are equal.
Q.3 (c) If 8n + 1 = m2 , then 2n is a product of two consecutive integers.
Q.4 (d) Use binomial expansion of (bc + a (b + c))6 .
Q.5 (b) Let y = log10 x. Then log10 y = log100 4. Hence y = 2.
Q.6 (c) z 2 = w2 ⇒ z = ±w ⇒ B ⊆ A. But |i| = 1 and i2 6= 1.
Q.7 (d) Check for ‘test points’ −1, and 1.
Q.8 (a) Check (b) and (c) are false, and then that (a) is true.
−1
Q.9 (d) sin x13 changes sign at the points (nπ) 3 for all n ≥ 1.


x 2 x
(d) Observe that (e −1) = (e x−1) · sinx2 x · cos12 x .
tan x 2
Q.10 x3
Q.11 (c) Use induction and chain rule of differentiation.
Q.12 (c) Amongst 1, |x|, |x|2 , |x|3 , only |x| is not differentiable at 0.
Q.13 (d) Look at the derivative of f .
R2 R2
Q.14 (c) Compute the integral 2x dx − log xdx.
1/2 1/2
Q.15 (b) Draw graphs of y = cos x and y = ±x and find the number of
points of intersections.
Q.16 (c) Compute the number of maps such that f (3) = 5, f (3) = 4 etc..
Alternatively, define g : {1, 2, 3} → {1, 2, . . . , 7} by g (i) = f (i) + (i − 1).
Then, g is a strictly increasing function and its image is a subset of size 3
of {1, 2, . . . 7}.
Q.17 (d) Draw graphs of (x + y)(x − y) = 0 and (x − a)2 + y 2 = 1.
Q.18 (d) Calculate the discriminant (b2 − 4ac) of the given quadratic.
Q.19 (b) Show that the height function is 60 t .
Q.20 (d) Let s be distance between the centre of the big circle and the
centre of (any) one of the small circles. Then there exists a right angle
triangle with hypoteneuse s, side r and angle πn .
Q.21 (a) The unit digit of all numbers n! with n ≥ 5 is 0.
n
i3 .
P
Q.22 (b) Use the formula for
i=1

8
 Q.23 (a) Differentiate.
Q.24 (c) Find out the first values of n for which an+1
an becomes < 1.
Q.25 (d) The equation is xy(x 2 2
+ y + 1) = 0.
Q.26 (a) Compute for C = x2 + y 2 = 1 and Q = (a, 0) for some a > 1.


Q.27 (c) Multiply the given sum by n.

Q.28 (d) Verify using the given definition of a ring.

Hints for UGB Sample Questions.

Q.1 The answer is 399960. For each x ∈ {1, 2, 3, 4, 5}, there are 4! such
numbers whose last digit is x. Thus the digits in the unit place of all the
120 numbers add up to 4! (1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5). Similarly the numbers at ten’s
place add up to 360 and so on. Thus the sum is 360 (1 + 10 + 100 + 1000).
Q.2 Let the chosen entries be in the positions (i, ai ), 1 ≤ i ≤ 8. Thus
a1 , . . . , a8 is a permutation of {1, . . . , 8}. The entry in the square cor-
responding to (i, j)th place is i + 8 (j − 1). Hence the required sum is
P8
(i + 8 (aj − 1)).
i=1 √
Q.3 Radius is 3 2 3 . Use trigonometry.

n
Q.4 Observe that an = an−1 1 + t + t2 where t = 103
Q.5 Substitute y = x1 in the equation of a circle and clear denominator to
get a degree 4 equation in x. The product of its roots is the constant term,
which is 1.
Q.6 The function f (x) − 4 is a sum of squares and hence non-negative. So
the minimum is 4 which is attained at x = 1.
n
Q.7 The number is 3 2+1 . An ordered pair (A, B) of disjoint subsets of S is
determined by 3 choices for every element of S (either it is in A, or in B or
in neither of them). Hence such pairs are 3n in number. An unordered pair
will be counted twice in this way, except for the case A and B both empty.
n
Hence the number is 1 + 3 2−1 .
Q.8 Answer is 5. The maximum is attained at points (2, 1) and (2, −1).
Q.9 Answer is 2. Let f be the given polynomial. Then f (0) is negative and
f is positive as x tends to ±∞. Hence
√ it has at least 2 real roots. Since
the derivative of f is zero only at 3 −3, it cannot have more than two real
roots. √ 1
Q.10 Maximum
√ is 3 3. Either check the maximum of the function x x , or
√
compare 3 3 with n n.
Q.11 Rewrite the given inequality in terms of the new variables α = x+y−z,
β = y + z − x, γ = x + z − y, and use the triangle inequality.

9
 CHENNAI MATHEMATICAL INSTITUTE
Undergraduate Entrance Examination, 7th May 2023
Time: 3.5 hours

Unless specified otherwise, in this exam all numbers are real, the domain of each function
is the set of real numbers (or an implied subset) and the codomain is also the set of real
numbers. You may use the following information wherever you find it relevant.

• 2023 = 172 ⇥ 7.

• One can use long division to find the gcd of two positive integers a, b (defined to be a
common divisor d of a and b such that d is divisible by any other such common divisor).

• The same procedure stays valid for finding gcd of polynomials in one variable with
rational/real/complex coefficients.

• Any nonzero polynomial of degree n has n complex roots counting multiplicity.

Part A instructions

• Part A has 10 questions, each worth 4 points, for a total of 40. Points for
part A will be given based only on the answers you enter into the computer.

• 7 out of the 10 questions are objective, each with a group of four statements.
(These statements are numbered 1 to 28 for technical reasons.) For each statement,
independently choose one of the three options True / False / No Attempt. In particular
there is no guarantee that at least one of the four statements in a given question is
true. If you do not choose an option for a statement, it will be treated as No Attempt.

• Grading scheme for the 7 objective questions is as follows.

All 4 answers correct 4 points Note that getting even one of the four
3 correct and 1 No Attempt 2 points answers wrong will result in zero points
for that question. So if you are not sure,
2 correct and 2 No Attempt 1 point you are advised to choose No Attempt
instead of guessing.
Anything else 0 points

• The remaining three questions have two parts each. For each part, enter only the final
answer into the computer in the precise format specified in the question. There is no
negative marking for these three questions.

• Part A will be used for screening. Part B is assured to be graded if you meet
any one of the following two conditions. (i) You score at least 24 in part A. (ii) You
are among the top 400 students in part A. Thus part B will be graded for at least 400
students, more if enough students score at least 24 in part A.

Instrutions for part B !

 Part B instructions

• Part B has 6 problems worth a total of 80 points. See each question for the
break-up. You are advised to spend at least 2 hours on part B.

• Clearly explain your entire reasoning. No credit will be given without correct
reasoning. Partial solutions may get partial credit. You may solve a later part of a
problem by assuming a previous part, even if you could not do the earlier part.

• Solve each part B problem on the designated pages in the answer booklet. Use
the blank pages at the end for rough work OR if you need extra space for any problem.
Clearly label any such solution overflowing to last pages. For problems with multiple
parts, clearly label your solution to each part separately.
 Part A Questions for CMI BSc entrance exam on May 7, 2023

A1. Define the right derivative of a function f at x = a to be the following limit if it exists.
f (a + h) f (a)
lim+ , where h ! 0+ means h approaches 0 only through positive values.
h!0 h
Statements
(1) If f is di↵erentiable at x = a then f has a right derivative at x = a.
(2) f (x) = |x| has a right derivative at x = 0.
(3) If f has a right derivative at x = a then f is continuous at x = a.
(4) If f is continuous at x = a then f has a right derivative at x = a.

A2. Suppose a rectangle EBF D is given and a rhombus ABCD is inscribed in it so that
the point A is on side ED of the rectangle. The diagonals of ABCD intersect at point G.
See the indicative figure below.

Statements
(5) Triangles CGD and DF B must be similar.
AC EB
(6) It must be true that BD = ED .
(7) Triangle CGD cannot be similar to triangle AEB.
(8) For any given rectangle EBF D, a rhombus ABCD as described above can be con-
structed.

A3. This question is about complex numbers.

Statements
(9) The complex number (e3 )i lies in the third quadrant.
(10) If |z1 | |z2 | = |z1 + z2 | for some complex numbers z1 and z2 , then z2 must be 0.
(11) For distinct complex numbers z1 and z2 , the equation |(z z1 )2 | = |(z z2 )2 | has at
most 4 solutions.
(12) For each nonzero complex number z, there are more than 100 numbers w such that
w2023 = z.

1
A4. Statements
1
(13) lim e x = +1.
x!0

(14) The following inequality is true.

ln x ln x
lim 100
< lim 1 .
x!1 x x!1 x 100

(15) For any positive integer n,

Z n
n
x2023 cos(nx)dx < .
n 2023

(16) There is no polynomial p(x) for which there is a single line that is tangent to the graph
of p(x) at exactly 100 points.

A5. Statements
p p
(17) 4 < 5 + 5 5.
1+log2 61
(18) log2 11 < 2
.
(19) (2023)2023 < (2023!)2 .
(20) 92100 + 93100 < 94100 .
P P
n
A6. For a sequence ai of real numbers, we say that ai converges if lim ai is finite.
n!1 i=1
In this question all ai > 0.
Statements
P
(21) If ai converges, then ai ! 0 as i ! 1.
P
(22) If ai < 1i for all i, then ai converges.
P P
(23) If ai converges, then ( 1)i ai also converges.
P P
(24) If ai does not converge, then i tan(ai ) cannot converge.

A7. Statements
(25) To divide an integer b by a nonzero integer d, define a quotient q and a remainder r to
be integers such that b = qd + r and |r| < |d|. Such integers q and r always exist and are
both unique for given b and d.
(26) To divide a polynomial b(x) by a nonzero polynomial d(x), define a quotient q(x) and
a remainder r(x) to be polynomials such that b = qd + r and degree(r) < degree(d). (Here
b(x) and d(x) have real coefficients and the 0 polynomial is taken to have negative degree
by convention.) Such polynomials q(x) and r(x) always exist and are both unique for given
b(x) and d(x).

2
(27) Suppose that in the preceding question b(x) and d(x) have rational coefficients. Then
q(x) and r(x), if they exist, must also have rational coefficients.
(28) The least positive number in the set

{(a ⇥ 20232020 ) + (b ⇥ 20202023 )}

as a and b range over all integers is 3.

A8. You play the following game with three fair dice. (When each one is rolled, any one of
the outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 is equally likely.) In the first round, you roll all three dice. You
remove every die that shows 6. If any dice remain, you roll all the remaining dice again in
the second round. Again you remove all dice showing 6 and continue.
Questions
(29) Let the probability that you are able to play the second round be ab , where a and b are
integers with gcd 1. Write the numbers a and b separated by a comma. E.g., for probability
10
36
you would type 5,18 with no quotations, space, full stop or any other punctuation.
(30) Let the probability that you are able to play the second round but not the third round
be dc where c and d are integers with gcd 1. Write only the integer c as your answer.
E.g., for probability 34
36
you would type 17 with no quotations, space, full stop or any other
punctuation.

A9. Two lines `1 and `2 in 3-dimensional space are given by

`1 = {(t 9, t + 7, 6) | t 2 R} and `2 = {(7, s + 3, 3s + 4) | s 2 R}.
Questions
(31) The plane passing through the origin and not intersecting either of `1 and `2 has equation
ax + by + cz = d. Write the value of |a + b + c + d| where a, b, c, d are integers with gcd = 1.
(32) Let r be the smallest possible RADIUS of a circle that has a point on `1 as well as a
point on `2 . It is given that r2 (i.e, the SQUARE of the smallest radius) is an integer. Write
the value of r2 .

A10. Consider the part of the graph of y 2 + x3 = 15xy that is strictly to the right of the
Y-axis, i.e., take only the points on the graph with x > 0.
Questions
(33) Write the least possible value of y among considered points. If there is no such real
number, write NONE (without any spaces or quotation marks or any other punctuation).
(34) Write the largest possible value of y among considered points. If there is no such real
number, write NONE (without any spaces or quotation marks or any other punctuation).

3
 Part B Problems for CMI BSc entrance exam on May 7, 2023

B1. [11 points] We want to find odd integers n > 1 for which n is a factor of 2023n 1.

(a) Find the two smallest such integers.

(b) Prove that there are infinitely many such integers.

B2. [12 points] Let Z+ denote the set of positive integers. We want to find all functions
g : Z+ ! Z+ such that the following equation holds for any m, n in Z+ .

g(n + m) = g(n) + nm(n + m) + g(m).

P
Prove that g(n) must be of the form di=0 ci ni and find the precise necessary and sufficient
condition(s) on d and on the coefficients c0 , . . . , cd for g to satisfy the required equation.

B3. [13 points] Suppose that for a given polynomial p(x) = x4 + ax3 + bx2 + cx + d, there
is exactly one real number r such that p(r) = 0.

(a) If a, b, c, d are rational, show that r must be rational.

(b) If a, b, c, d are integers, show that r must be an integer.

Possible hint: Also consider the roots of the derivative p0 (x).

B4. [14 points] There are n students in a class and no two of them have the same height.
The students stand in a line, one behind another, in no particular order of their heights.

(a) How many di↵erent orders are there in which the shortest student is not in the first
position and the tallest student is not in the last position?

(b) The badness of an ordering is the largest number k with the following property. There
is at least one student X such that there are k students taller than X standing ahead
of X. Find a formula for gk (n) = number of orderings of n students with badness k.

Example: The ordering 64 61 67 63 62 66 65 (the numbers denote heights) has badness

3 as the student with height 62 has three taller students (with heights 64, 67 and 63)
standing ahead in the line and nobody has more than 3 taller students standing ahead.

Possible hints for (b): It may be useful to first count orderings of badness 1 and/or to find
fk (n) = the number of orderings of n students with badness less than or equal to k.

4
B5. [15 points] Throughout this question every mentioned function is required to be a
di↵erentiable function from R to R. The symbol denotes composition of functions.

(a) Suppose f f = f . Then for each x, one must have f 0 (x) = or f 0 (f (x)) = .
Complete the sentence and justify.

(b) For a non-constant f satisfying f f = f , it is known and you may assume that the
range of f must have one of the following forms: R, ( 1, b], [a, 1) or [a, b]. Show that
in fact the range must be all of R and deduce that there is a unique such function f .
(Possible hints: For each y in the range of f , what can you say about f (y)? If the
range has a maximum element b what can you say about the derivative of f ?)

(c) Suppose that g g g = g and that g g is a non-constant function. Show that g must
be onto, g must be strictly increasing or strictly decreasing and that there is a unique
such increasing g.

B6. [15 points] Starting with any given positive integer a > 1 the following game is played.
If a is a perfect square, take its square root.
p Otherwise take a + 3. Repeat the procedure
with the new positive integer (i.e., with a or a + 3 depending on the case). The resulting
set of numbers is called the trajectory of a. For example the set {3, 6, 9} is a trajectory: it
is the trajectory of each of its members.
Which numbers have a finite trajectory? Possible hint: Find the set

{n | n is the smallest number in some trajectory S}.

If you wish, you can get partial credit by solving the following simpler questions.
(a) Show that there is no trajectory of cardinality 1 or 2.
(b) Show that {3, 6, 9} is the only trajectory of cardinality 3.
(c) Show that for any integer k 3, there is a trajectory of cardinality k.
(d) Find an infinite trajectory.

5
 sr6o CI q6st6t q6erc
INSTITUTE OF MATHEMATICS AND APPLICATIONS
fScience & Technology Department, Govt. of Odisha)
Andharua, Bhubaneswar-7 5IO29. Website: https://www.iomaorissa.ac.in

Lener No: rMA/ a2 (Adm.) / bg7 lzoz4 Date: 11,.06"e04

NOTICE
This is for information of the candidate who have been allotted the test centre at Balasore "P.G.
Dept. of Mathematics, F.M. [AutoJ Col]ege, Azimabad, Balasore-756001" for appear the entrance test
for U.G. /P.G. admission 2024-25 that due to unavoidable circumstances the entrance test centre at
Balasore "P.G. Dept. of Mathematics, F.M. [Auto) College, Azimabad, Balasore-756001" has been
merged. with Bhubaneswar "lnstitute of Mathematics and Applications flMAJ, Andharua,
Bhubaneswar-751029"

The candidate concern is advised to proceed for appearing the entrance test at Bhubaneswar
centre at IMA, BBSR instead of Balasore centre.

Note: Same admit card will be considered at Bhubaneswar centre. Candidates are to adherer
the exam schedule as per the admit card already issued.

rt,rl*
RE-sr*EBtd?RAfr
copyto : -='-.
l*rtitute of Bathanretics and Appllsrflatx
1. All Centre Superintendents/Nodal Persons for kind information and necessr.y r.tf8fi.*rut, Bhlrh;^+*'ri*''7s1c!i
2. The System Analyst IMA for information and necessary action. I I
3. action.
Academic Section for information and necessary ln ,
A*L'
,,
REGISTRAR

--'46? |EGHiTRAtr,--\--
rngtitrita o? Hdhsrxrrics ana f[picrthr*
i1 I Charr"rt, Bhuh*^*rrrrr.751 0!.a