Chapter 1

REAL NUMBERS

LEVEL I

Exercise 1.1 Which of the following represents a set of both Natural numbers and Whole numbers
?
(a) {1, 2, 3, 4, . . .. (b) {0, 1, 2, 3, 4, . . .} (c) {. . . . − 3, −2, −1, 0, 1, 2, 3, . . .} (d) None of these ■

Solution 1.1 (b)

p
Exercise 1.2 A number in the form of is said to be a rational number, if
q
(a) p&q are integers (b) q is not equal to zero (c) both (a)&(b) (d) None of these ■

Solution 1.2 (c)

192
Exercise 1.3 The standard form of is ■
−168

Solution 1.3
192 −192 −192 ÷ 24 −8
= = =
−168 168 168 ÷ 24 7

Exercise 1.4 Try to find integers q and r for the following pairs of positive integers a and b and
write in the form of a = bq + r
i. 20,4 ii. 2,4 iii. 225,135 iv. 2465,42 v. 17,6 ■

Solution 1.4
i. 20 = 4 × 5 + 0
ii. 2 = 4 × 0 + 2
iii. 225 = 135 × 1 + 90
iv. 2465 = 42 × 58 + 29
v. 17 = 6 × 2 + 5

MATHEMATICS | CLASS 10 9| REAL NUMBERS

 Exercise 1.5 Find the HCF of 250 and 30. ■

Solution 1.5 By using Euclid’s division lemma, we get,

250 = 30 × 8 + 10

Now consider, the divisor and remainder. Again by using Euclid’s division lemma, we get

30 = 10 × 3 + 0

Here, we notice that the remainder is zero and we cannot proceed further. The divisor at this stage is
10 . The HCF of 250 and 30 is 10. It can be verified by listing out all the factors of 250 and 30 .

Exercise 1.6 Use Euclid’s algorithm to find the HCF of

i. 36,24
ii. 4052,12576
iii. 82,24 ■

Solution 1.6
i. 12
ii. 4
iii. 2

Exercise 1.7 Express each number as a product of its prime factors:

(i) 5005 (ii) 7429 ■

Solution 1.7
i. 5005 = 5 × 7 × 11 × 13
ii. 7429 = 17 × 19 × 23

Exercise 1.8 Find the LCM and HCF of 96 and 404 by the prime factorisation method ■

Solution 1.8
LCM = 9696
HCF = 4

Exercise 1.9 Find the LCM and HCF of 336 and 54 by the prime factorisation method ■

Solution 1.9
LCM = 3024
HCF=6

10 | REAL NUMBERS MATHEMATICS | CLASS 10

 Exercise 1.10 Without actually performing the long division, state whether the following rational
numbers will have a terminating decimal expansion or a non terminating repeating decimal expan-
sion:

11 3 17 13
i. ii. iii. iv. ■
4 2125 22 52 32 22 54

Solution 1.10
i. Terminating
ii. non-terminating repeating
iii. non-terminating repeating
iv. Terminating

Exercise 1.11 For any two positive integers a and b, HCF(a, b)× LCM(a, b) = ■

Solution 1.11 a × b

Exercise 1.12 If p is a prime and p divides a2 , then p divides a, where a is a .........integer ■

Solution 1.12 Positive

LEVEL II

Exercise 1.13 Find HCF of the numbers given below : k, 2k, 3k, 4k and 5k, where k is a positive
integer.
[Board Term-I, 2015]
■

k 



k.2 

Solution 1.13 HCF of k.3 is k.
2

k.2 




k.5 

Exercise 1.14 Which of the following is not irrational? √

√ √ √ √ √ √ √ 2 7
(a) (2 − 3)2 (b) ( 2 + 3)2 (c) ( 2 − 3)( 2 + 3) (d) ■
7

Solution 1.14 (c)

√ √ √ √
( 2 − 3)( 2 + 3) = 2 − 3 = −1

MATHEMATICS | CLASS 10 11 | REAL NUMBERS

 Exercise 1.15 n2 − 1 is divisible by 8 , if n is :

(a) an integer (b) a natural number (c) an odd integer (d) an even integer ■

Solution 1.15 (c)

Explanation: Any odd integer can be written as 2m + 1. Put n = 2m + 1 in n2 − 1 n2 − 1 = (n + 1)(n −
1) = (2m + 2)(2m) = 4m(m + 1) The product of two consecutive numbers is divisible by 2 . Thus,
m(m + 1) is divisible by 2 . Let m(m + 1) = 2k

n2 − 1 = (n + 1)(n − 1) = (2m + 2)(2m)

= 4m(m + 1) = 4 × 2k = 8k

Thus, if n is an odd integer then n2 − 1 is divisible by 8 .

Exercise 1.16 Show that every positive even integer is of the form 2q and every positive odd
integer is of the form 2q + 1. ■

Solution 1.16 For any integer a and b = 2, a = 2q + r, where q ≥ 0. But 0 ≤ r < 2

⇒ r = 0 or 1

When r = 0, a = 2q ⇒ a is a positive even integer When r = 1, a = 2q + 1 ⇒ a is a positive odd

integer.

Exercise 1.17 The largest number that will divide 398,436 and 542 leaving remainders 7,11 and
15 respectively is
(a) 17 (b) 11 (c) 34 (d) 45 ■

Solution 1.17
Algorithm, 398 − 7 = 391;
436-11=425 ;
542-15=527;
HCF of 391,425 , 527 = 17

Exercise 1.18 A trader has 612 Dettol soaps and 342 Pears soaps. He packs them in boxes and
each box contains exactly one type of soap. If every box contains the same number of soaps, then
find the number of soaps in each box such that the number of boxes is the least. ■

Solution 1.18 The required number is HCF of 612 and 342. This number gives the maximum number
of soaps in each box and the number of boxes with them be the least. By using Euclid’s division
12 | REAL NUMBERS MATHEMATICS | CLASS 10
algorithm, we have
612 = 342 × 1 + 270
342 = 270 × 1 + 72
270 = 72 × 3 + 54
72 = 54 × 1 + 18
54 = 18 × 3 + 0
Here we notice that the remainder is zero, and the divisor at this stage is 18 . ∴ HCF of 612 and 342
is 18 . So, the trader can pack 18 soaps per box.

Exercise 1.19 There are 312,260 and 156 students in class X, XI and XII respectively. Buses are
to be hired to take these students to a picnic. Find the maximum number of students who can sit in
a bus if each bus takes equal number of students
(a) 52 (b) 56 (c) 48 (d) 63 ■

Solution 1.19 HCF of 312, 260, 156 = 52

Exercise 1.20 If p is a prime number, then LCM of p, p2 and p3 is

(a)p2 (b)p3 (c)p4 (d)p5 ■

Solution 1.20
p2 = p × p
p = p×1
p3 = p × p × p
LCM = p × p × p = p3 .

Exercise 1.21 If LCM and HCF of two rational numbers are same, then number will be
(a)equal (b)not equal (c)can’t say (d)None of these ■

Solution 1.21 (a)

Exercise 1.22 If two positive integers m and n are expressible in the form m = p3 and n = p3 q2
where p, q are prime numbers, then HCF (m, n) =
(a) pq (b) p3 (c) p3 q3 (d) p2 q3 ■

Solution 1.22 (b) We know that HCF = Product of the smallest power of each common prime factor
in the numbers. So, HCF(a, b) = p3

Exercise 1.23 Write 1800 as product of prime factors. ■

Solution 1.23 1800 = 23 × 32 × 52

MATHEMATICS | CLASS 10 13 | REAL NUMBERS

 Exercise 1.24 Find the least number that is divisible by all the numbers from 1 to 10 (both
inclusive) : ■

Solution 1.24 Required number = LCM(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10)

= 1 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 3 × 3 × 5 × 7 = 2, 520

Exercise 1.25 Check whether there is any value of x for which 6x ends with 5 . ■

Solution 1.25 If 6x ends with 5 , then 6x would contain the prime number 5 . But, 6x = (2 × 3)x =
2x × 3x ⇒ The prime numbers in the factorization of 6x are 2 and 3 By uniqueness of fundamental
theorem, there are no prime numbers other than 2 and 3 in 6x . ∴ 6x never ends with 5 .

Exercise 1.26 If HCF of 144 and 180 is expressed in the form 13m − 16. Find the value of m. ■

Solution 1.26
180 = 144 × 1 + 36
144 = 36 × 4 + 0
HCF(180, 144) = 36
36 = 13m − 16
Solving, we get m = 4.

Exercise 1.27 Show that 5 × 3 × 2 + 3 is a composite number. ■

Solution 1.27
5 × 3 × 2 + 3 = 3(5 × 2 + 1) = 3(11) = 3 × 11

∴ The given number is a composite number.

Exercise 1.28 The product of a non-zero rational and an irrational number is :

(a) always irrational. (b) always rational. (c) rational or irrational. (d) one. ■

Solution 1.28 Correct option : (a)

Explanation : The product of a non-zero rational with and an irrational number is always irrational.

Exercise 1.29 Find the HCF and LCM of 48 and 56 by prime factorization method. ■

Solution 1.29
48 = 24 × 31
56 = 23 × 71

HCF = 23 (The product of common prime factors with lesser index) LCM = 24 × 31 × 71 (The
product of common prime factors with greater index).
14 | REAL NUMBERS MATHEMATICS | CLASS 10
 Exercise 1.30 Write the denominator of the rational number 257 m n
500 in the form 2 × 5 , where m
and n are non-negative integers. Hence write its decimal expansion without actual division. ■

Solution 1.30
Denominator = 500
= 22 × 53
257 257 × 2 514
Decimal expansion = = 2 3
= 3
500 2 × 2 × 5 10
= 0.514

Exercise 1.31 Find the HCF and LCM of 36,48 and 60 by prime factorization method. ■

Solution 1.31
36 = 22 × 32
48 = 24 × 31
60 = 22 × 31 × 51

HCF = 22 × 31 = 12
LCM = 24 × 32 × 51 = 720.

Exercise 1.32 Two bells toll at intervals of 24 minutes and 36 minutes respectively. If they toll
together at 9 am, after how many minutes do they toll together again, at the earliest? ■

Solution 1.32 The required time is LCM of 24 and 36 .

24 = 23 × 31
36 = 22 × 32

∴ LCM of 24 and 36 is 23 × 32 = 72. So, they will toll together after 72 minutes at the earliest.

Exercise 1.33 There are 44 boys and 32 girls in a class. These students are arranged in rows for a
prayer in such a way that each row consists of only either boys or girls, and every row contains an
equal number of students. From the following 4 options, choose the minimum number of rows in
which all the students can be arranged.

(a) 4 (b) 12 (c) 15 (d) 19 ■

Solution 1.33 For number of rows to be the least, the number of students in each row must be the
highest. The number of students in each row is a common factor of 44 and 32. The highest value is
44 32
the HCF of 44 and 32, which is 4 . ∴ Minimum number of rows = + = 19.
4 4

MATHEMATICS | CLASS 10 15 | REAL NUMBERS

 Exercise 1.34 Two positive numbers have their HCF as 12 and their product as 6336. Choose the
correct option for the number of pairs possible for the given numbers.

(a) 2 (b) 3 (c) 4 (d) 5 ■

Solution 1.34 Let the numbers be 12x and 12y, where x and y are co-primes. Product of the numbers
= 144xy
144xy = 6336
xy = 44
44 can be written as the product of two factors in three ways, i.e., 1 × 44, 2 × 22, 4 × 11. As x and y
are relatively prime, (x, y) can be (1, 44) or (4, 11) but not (2, 22). Hence, two possible pairs exist.

Exercise 1.35 The LCM of two numbers is 1200 . Which of the following cannot be their HCF?
(a) 600 (b) 500 (c) 400 (d) 200 ■

Solution 1.35 (b) We know that LCM of two or more numbers is always divisible by their HCF. 1200
is divisible by 600,200 and 400 but not by 500 .
√
Exercise 1.36 Prove that 5 is irrational.
■
√ √
Solution 1.36 Let us assume that 5 is not irrational. ∴ 5 is rational.
√ p
⇒ 5=
q

Let p, q be co-primes. Taking squares on both the sides,

p2
⇒5=
q2
⇒ p2 = 5q2

⇒ 5 divides p2 ⇒ 5 divides p ∴ For some integer r,

p = 5r

Therefore,
25r2 = 5q2
⇒ q2 = 5r2
⇒ 5 divides q2
⇒ 5 divides q
16 | REAL NUMBERS MATHEMATICS | CLASS 10
∴ p and q have at least 5 as a common factor. But it contradicts the fact that p and q are co-primes.
√
∴ 5 is irrational.
√
Exercise 1.37 Show that 3 + 2 is irrational. ■
√ √
Solution 1.37 Let us assume that 3 + 2 is rational. ∴ 3 + 2 = qp , where p and q are integers.

√ p √ p − 3q
⇒ 2 = −3 ⇒ 2 =
q q
√
Since p and q are integers, p−3q
q is rational. But 2 is irrational. It contradicts our assumption that
√ √
3 + 2 is rational. ∴ Our assumption is wrong. Hence, 3 + 2 is irrational.
√ √ √ √ √ √
Exercise 1.38 If a = 11 + 3, b = 12 + 2 and c = 6 + 4, then which of the following
holds true?

(a) c > a > b (b) a > b > c (c) a > c > b (d) b > a > c ■

Solution 1.38 √ √
a= 11 + 3
√ √ √
a2 = ( 11 + 3)2 = 14 + 2 33
√ √
b = 12 + 2
√ √ √
b2 = ( 12 + 2)2 = 14 + 2 24
√ √
As 33 > 24, a2 > b2 , hence a > b
√ √
c = 6+ 4
√ √ √
c2 = ( 6 + 4)2 = 10 + 2 24

As 14 > 10, b2 > c2 , hence b > c. Hence, a > b > c.

Exercise 1.39 If n = 23 × 34 × 54 × 7, then the number of consecutive zeros is n, where n is a

natural number, is
(a) 2 (b) 3 (c) 4 (d) 7 ■

Solution 1.39 (b) If any number ends with the digit 0 , it should be divisible by 10 , i.e. it will be
divisible by 2 and 5 . Prime factorization of n is given as 23 × 34 × 54 × 7. It can be observed that
there is (2 × 5) × (2 × 5) × (2 × 5)

⇒ 10 × 10 × 10 = 1000

Thus, there are 3 zeros in n.

MATHEMATICS | CLASS 10 17 | REAL NUMBERS

 Exercise 1.40 Choose the correct value of √ 1√ + √10+1 √11 + √11+1 √12 + · · · up to 91 terms
9+ 10
from the following options:

(i) 7 (b) 8 (c) 6 (d) 9 ■

Solution 1.40 √ √
1 9 − 10
√ √ = √ √ √ √
9 + 10 ( 9 − 10)( 9 − 10)
√ √ √ √
(multiplying both its numerator and denominator by 9 − 10 ) Hence, √ 1√ = √ 9− √10
9+ 10 ( 9)2 −( 10)2

√ √
9 − 10
=
−1
By multiplying numerator and denominator of each term by the conjugate of their denominators, the
given expression becomes
√ √ √ √ √ √ √ √
9 − 10 10 − 11 11 − 12 99 − 100
+ + +···+
−1 −1 −1 −1
√ √ √ √ √ √ √ √
9 − 10 + 10 − 11 + 11 − 12 + · · · + 99 − 100
−1
√ √
9 − 100
= = 7.
−1

Exercise 1.41 Which of the following rational numbers are terminating decimals?

17 25 68 125
(a) (b) (c) (d) ■
23 × 52 32 × 23 22 × 52 × 72 33 × 72

Solution 1.41 Clearly 2317

×52
is the only terminating decimal and the remaining are non-terminating
decimals.

Exercise 1.42 If the LCM of a and 18 is 36 and the HCF of a and 18 is 2 , then a =
(a) 2 (b) 3 (c) 4 (d) 1 ■

Solution 1.42 (c) We know that for any two positive integers a and b, HCF(a, b) × LCM(a, b) = a × b.
Here LCM = 36, HCF = 2 and b = 18 Then, 2 × 36 = a × 18

a = (2 × 36)/18
a=4

18 | REAL NUMBERS MATHEMATICS | CLASS 10

 Exercise 1.43 HCF of two number is 18 and their product is 12960 , the LCM is equal to ■

Solution 1.43 HCF = 18 Product of two numbers = 12960

Since, LCM = Product ofHCF
two numbers

12960
= = 720
18

Exercise 1.44 Which number is divisible by 11 ?

(a) 1516 (b) 1452 (c) 1011 (d) 1121 ■

Solution 1.44 (b)

LEVEL III

Exercise 1.45 Which are the last two digits of the number 72020 ?
(a) 01 (b) 11 (C) 71 (d) 61
[NTSE 2020]
■

Solution 1.45 Answer: (a)

505
72020 = 74 ⇒ (2401)505

⇒ Last two digits of the number (2401)505 is 01 .

Exercise 1.46 Find the remainder of

1718
1516 ÷7 :

(a) 1 (b) 2 (C) 3 (d) 4

[NTSE 2020]
■

Solution 1.46 Answer: (a)

1718
1516 ÷7
1718
(14 + 1)16
⇒
7
1718
116
⇒
7
⇒ Remainder = 1

MATHEMATICS | CLASS 10 19 | REAL NUMBERS

 Exercise 1.47 2122 + 462 + 842 + 464 is divisible by the number :
(a) 3 (b) 11 (c) 7 (d) 17
[NTSE 2019]
■

Solution 1.47 (d)

2122 + 2124 + 2126 + 2128 = 2122 (1 + 4 + 16 + 64) = 2122 × 85

Exercise 1.48 How many 5 digit prime numbers are there in the numbers formed using the digits
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 without repetition?
(a) 0 (b) 23 (c) 120 (d) 1
[NTSE 2019]
■

Solution 1.48 (a)

Sum of digits is always divisible by 3

Exercise 1.49 Which is the least perfect square exactly divisible by 8, 9, 12, 15 ?
(a) 3600 (b) 1600 (c) 14400 (d) 7200
[NTSE 2019]
■

Solution 1.49 (a)

LCM(8, 9, 12, 15) = 23 × 32 × 5 Least no. = 24 × 32 × 52 = 3600

Exercise 1.50 On dividing a natural number x by 11 , the remainder is 3 , and on dividing x by 17

, the remainder 9 , if the number x lies between 300 and 400 , then the remainder on dividing x by
21 is
(a) 9 but not 11 (b) 11 but not 9 (c) both 9 and 11 (d) neither 9 or nor 11
[NTSE 2020, Stage 2]
■

Solution 1.50 (a)

N = 11p + 3
N = 17q + 9
N + 8 = 11(p + 1) = 17(q + 1)
L.C.M. of (11, 17) = 187
187 − 8 = 179

x lies b/w 300 and 400 Required number = 179 + 187 = 366 When 366 is divided by 21 then the
20 | REAL NUMBERS MATHEMATICS | CLASS 10
remainder is 9.

Exercise 1.51 The remainder when 915 + 6 is divided by 8 is :

(a) 7 (b) 3 (c) 5 (d) 4 ■

Solution 1.51

915 + 6 (8 + 1)15 + 6
=
8 8

Remainder = (9 − 8)15 + 6

Exercise 1.52 If a 4 digit number formed by 7, 3, 2, x is exactly divisible by 9 , then what is the
value of x ?
(a) 0 (b) 2 (c) 4 (d) 6 ■

Solution 1.52 (d)

The sum of digits should be a multiple of 9
Sum of digits = 7+3+2+x = 12+x
Therefore x will be 6
Exercise 1.53 What is the average of first 65 natural numbers ?
(a) 33 (b) 32 (c) 66 (d) 64 ■

Solution 1.53 (a)

65 × 965 + 1)
Sum of first 65 natural numbers =
2

65 × (65 + 1)
Average of first 65 natural numbers = = 33
2 × 65

Exercise 1.54 Which of following is the smallest fraction ?

12 13 17 7
(a) (b) (c) (d) ■
14 19 21 8

Solution 1.54 (b)

12 12 × 19 × 21 × 8 38304
⇒ =
14 14 × 19 × 21 × 8 44688

13 13 × 14 × 21 × 8 30576
⇒ =
19 19 × 14 × 21 × 8 44688

17 17 × 14 × 19 × 8 36176
⇒ =
21 21 × 14 × 19 × 8 44688
MATHEMATICS | CLASS 10 21 | REAL NUMBERS
7 7 × 14 × 19 × 21 39102
⇒ =
8 8 × 14 × 19 × 21 44688
so the smallest is option (b)
or
Here you can use LCM method also
or
12 6
= ⇒ Difference between numerator and denominater: 7 − 6 = 1
14 7
7
⇒ Difference between numerator and denominater: 8 − 7 = 1
8
6
so the fraction which has the smallest numerator is the smallest fraction. ie,
7
Now,
6 6 × 3 18
= =
7 7 × 3 21

17 17
=
21 21
17
From these two, is the smallest
21
13 13 13
⇒ is smaller than
19 17 19
13 17
, ⇒ Difference between numerator and denominater is 4
17 21
13
∴ is the smallest
17
13 13
is smaller than
19 17
13
is the smallest fraction
19

Exercise 1.55 If a679b is a five digit number and is divisible by 72 , then the values of a and b are
(a) 3,2 (b) 6,2 (c) 2,6 (d) 2,3 ■

Solution 1.55 (a)

since the number is divisible by 72, the number should be even and the sum of the digits of the
number should be a multiple of 9.

1 1
Exercise 1.56 The rational number between and is
3 2

22 | REAL NUMBERS MATHEMATICS | CLASS 10

 3 2 4 1
(a) (b) (c) (d) ■
5 5 5 5
Solution 1.56
1 1 × 10 10
⇒ =
3 3 × 10 30

1 1 × 15 15
⇒ =
2 2 × 15 30
3 3 × 6 18
(a) ⇒ =
5 5 × 6 30

2 2 × 6 12
(b) ⇒ =
5 5 × 6 30

4 4 × 6 24
(c) ⇒ =
5 5 × 6 30

1 1×6 6
(d) ⇒ =
5 5 × 6 30

10 15 12
The fraction which is in between & is
30 30 30
∴ (b) is the correct answer

MATHEMATICS | CLASS 10 23 | REAL NUMBERS