Inequalities is one of the few topics in the quantitative part, which can throw up tricky questions. The questions are often asked in conjunction with other sections like ratio and proportion, progressions etc. The questions from this topic appearing in the CAT exam can be time-consuming if a candidate does not have a good understanding of the concepts. It requires a good understanding of algebraic expressions and equations. Solving previous years' question papers is a great way to get familiar with the exam pattern and also check out the free CAT mocks and understand the types of questions that are likely to appear on the exam.
We have compiled all the questions from this topic that appeared in the past CAT question papers, shown below. You can download all these questions in a PDF format along with the video solutions explained by the CAT experts. Click the link below to download the CAT linear equation questions PDF with detailed video solutions.
Year | Weightage |
2023 | 4 |
2022 | 2 |
2021 | 5 |
2020 | 4 |
2019 | 1 |
2018 | 1 |
To help aspirants, we have made available the CAT Inequalities formulas PDF, which provides a comprehensive list of formulas and tips for solving CAT Inequalities questions. As mentioned before, solving inequalities questions may consume time. Being well-versed in the formulas helps you solve these quickly in the actual CAT examination. Click on the link below to download the CAT Inequalities formulas PDF.
1. Inequalities Formulae :
If a$$x^{2}$$+bx+c < 0 then (x-m)(x-n) < 0, and if n > m, then m < x < n
If a$$x^{2}$$+bx+c > 0 then (x-m)(x-n) > 0 and if m < n, then x < m and x > n
If a$$x^{2}$$+bx+c > 0 but m = n, then the value of x exists for all values, except x is equal to m, i.e., x < m and x > m but x ≠ m
If a, x, b are positive, ax > b => x > $$\dfrac{b}{a}$$ and ax < b => x < $$\dfrac{b}{a}$$
2. Properties of inequalities
For any three real numbers X, Y and Z; if X > Y then X+Z > Y+Z
If X > Y and
Z is positive, then XZ > YZ
Z is negative, then XZ < YZ
If X and Y are of the same sign, $$\dfrac{1}{X}$$ < $$\dfrac{1}{Y}$$
If X and Y are of different signs, $$\dfrac{1}{X}$$ > $$\dfrac{1}{Y}$$
Any non-zero real numbers x,y such that $$y\neq3$$ and $$\frac{x}{y}<\frac{x+3}{y-3}$$, Will satisfy the condition.
correct answer:-2
Let n and m be two positive integers such that there are exactly 41 integers greater than $$8^m$$ and less than $$8^n$$, which can be expressed as powers of 2. Then, the smallest possible value of n + m is
correct answer:-4
If $$x$$ and $$y$$ are real numbers such that $$x^{2} + (x - 2y - 1)^{2} = -4y(x + y)$$, then the value $$x - 2y$$ is
correct answer:-2
Let n be any natural number such that $$5^{n-1} < 3^{n + 1}$$. Then, the least integer value of m that satisfies $$3^{n+1} < 2^{n+m}$$ for each such n, is
correct answer:-5
The number of integer solutions of equation $$2|x|(x^{2}+1) = 5x^{2}$$ is
correct answer:-3
The population of a town in 2020 was 100000. The population decreased by y% from the year 2020 to 2021, and increased by x% from the year 2021 to 2022, where x and y are two natural numbers. If population in 2022 was greater than the population in 2020 and the difference between x and y is 10, then the lowest possible population of the town in 2021 was
correct answer:-3
In an examination, the average marks of 4 girls and 6 boys is 24. Each of the girls has the same marks while each of the boys has the same marks. If the marks of any girl is at most double the marks of any boy, but not less than the marks of any boy, then the number of possible distinct integer values of the total marks of 2 girls and 6 boys is
correct answer:-1
If a certain amount of money is divided equally among n persons, each one receives Rs 352. However, if two persons receive Rs 506 each and the remaining amount is divided equally among the other persons, each of them receive less than or equal to Rs 330. Then, the maximum possible value of n is
correct answer:-16
If $$p^{2}+q^{2}-29=2pq-20=52-2pq$$, then the difference between the maximum and minimum possible value of $$(p^{3}-q^{3})$$
correct answer:-3
The number of integer solutions of the equation $$\left(x^{2} - 10\right)^{\left(x^{2}- 3x- 10\right)} = 1$$ is
correct answer:-4
The number of distinct integer values of n satisfying $$\frac{4-\log_{2}n}{3-\log_{4}n} < 0$$, is
correct answer:-47
The number of distinct pairs of integers (m,n), satisfying $$\mid1+mn\mid<\mid m+n\mid<5$$ is:
correct answer:-12
The number of integers n that satisfy the inequalities $$\mid n - 60 \mid < \mid n - 100 \mid < \mid n - 20 \mid$$ is
correct answer:-2
For a real number x the condition $$\mid3x-20\mid+\mid3x-40\mid=20$$ necessarily holds if
correct answer:-3
$$f(x) = \frac{x^2 + 2x - 15}{x^2 - 7x - 18}$$ is negative if and only if
correct answer:-1
If n is a positive integer such that $$(\sqrt[7]{10})(\sqrt[7]{10})^{2}...(\sqrt[7]{10})^{n}>999$$, then the smallest value of n is
correct answer:-6
Among 100 students, $$x_1$$ have birthdays in January, $$X_2$$ have birthdays in February, and so on. If $$x_0=max(x_1,x_2,....,x_{12})$$, then the smallest possible value of $$x_0$$ is
correct answer:-2
The number of pairs of integers $$(x,y)$$ satisfying $$x\geq y\geq-20$$ and $$2x+5y=99$$
correct answer:-17
For real x, the maximum possible value of $$\frac{x}{\sqrt{1+x^{4}}}$$ is
correct answer:-4
if x and y are positive real numbers satisfying $$x+y=102$$, then the minimum possible valus of $$2601(1+\frac{1}{x})(1+\frac{1}{y})$$ is
correct answer:-2704