Algebra Questions with Solution for Competitive Exams SSC CGL 11

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Algebra Questions with Solution for Competitive Exams SSC CGL Algebra 11

Learn how to solve 10 algebra questions in 12 minutes from Algebra questions with solution for competitive exams SSC CGL Algebra 11.

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45th SSC CGL question set and 11th on Algebra.

11th Solution set on Algebra questions for competitive exams SSC CGL - answering time was 12 mins

Problem 1.

If $\displaystyle\frac{5x}{2x^2+5x+1}=\frac{1}{3}$, then the value of $\left(x+\displaystyle\frac{1}{2x}\right)$ is,

Solution 1: Quick solution by mathematical reasoning and matching target expression with the given expression

The target expression is a modified sum of inverses with unequal coefficients. Simplify the given expression and you are certain to get some form of sum of inverses.

Divide numerator and denominator of the given expression both by x and cross-multiply to get,

$2x+\displaystyle\frac{1}{x}+5=15$,

Or, $2x+\displaystyle\frac{1}{x}=10$.

So you got your sum of inverses. At this second stage, you just have to fine tune the coefficients of the two terms to match the target and it is easy.

Multiply through by $\displaystyle\frac{1}{2}$ to get,

$x+\displaystyle\frac{1}{2x}=5$.

Answer: option a: 5.

Solution is in just two steps, and all in mind.

Answer: Option a: 5.

Key concepts used: Mathematical reasoning that given expression can be changed to a sum of inverses -- Given expression simplification to obtain the sum of inverses -- equalization of coefficients of sum of inverses.

Problem 2.

If $x^2+1=2x$, then the value of $\displaystyle\frac{x^4+\displaystyle\frac{1}{x^2}}{x^2-3x+1}$ is,

$1$
$-2$
$0$
$2$

Solution 2 - Problem analysis

Again we take the End state analysis approach but this time in conjunction with input transformation first to compare transformed input expression, $x^2-2x+1=0$ and then find that we can very well use it to simplify the denominator of target expression greatly,

$E=\displaystyle\frac{x^4+\displaystyle\frac{1}{x^2}}{x^2-2x+1-x}$,

$=\displaystyle\frac{x^4+\displaystyle\frac{1}{x^2}}{-x}$,

$=-\left(x^3+\displaystyle\frac{1}{x^3}\right)$.

This is a very encouraging result as we can now apply the principle of interaction of inverses to evaluate the sum of inverse of cubes easily.

Solution 2 - Problem solving execution

To evaluate the sum of inverses of cubes in the target expression we now feel the need to use the given expression in a second way using multiple input use technique,

$x^2+1=2x$,

Or, $x+\displaystyle\frac{1}{x}=2$, a pure sum of inverses.

Squaring the equation and simplifying we get,

$x^2+\displaystyle\frac{1}{x^2}=4-2=2$,

Or, $x^2-1+\displaystyle\frac{1}{x^2}=1$,

Immediately we recognize this expression as the second factor in the two factor expanded expression for sum of cubes,

$x^3+\displaystyle\frac{1}{x^3}=\left(x+\displaystyle\frac{1}{x}\right)\left(x^2-1+\displaystyle\frac{1}{x^2}\right)$

$=2$.

So the target expression value,

$-\left(x^3+\displaystyle\frac{1}{x^3}\right)=-2$

Again using the rich algebraic techniques and the rich general problem solving technique we have reached the solution in a few steps wholly menatally without writing down anything using pen and paper. We could use the rich concept of mental maths on this problem also.

Answer: Option b : $-2$.

Key concepts used: End state analysis approach -- input transformation technique -- denominator simplification, we always look for ways to simplify the denominator for immediate positive results -- simplification technique, we have further simplified the already simplified target expression immediately without any further delaye and obtained the sum of cubes expression -- multiple input use technique in transforming the input expression into the second form of a pure sum of inverses -- taking recourse to the well known steps embodied in the principle of interaction of inverses, reaching the solution wholly mentally -- mental maths.

Problem 3.

If $x^3+\displaystyle\frac{3}{x}=4(a^3+b^3)$ and $3x+\displaystyle\frac{1}{x^3}=4(a^3-b^3)$ then $a^2-b^2$ is equal to,

Solution 3 - Problem analysis and solving

As we examined the two given expressions, we could recognize the well known expanded four term expression of a cube of sum split into two parts in the two LHS expressions. Sometimes we meet with this ingenious form of problem formation. This is split expression problem structure.

It immediately urges us to add up the two equations giving,

$\left(x+\displaystyle\frac{1}{x}\right)^3=8a^3$,

Or, $\left(x+\displaystyle\frac{1}{x}\right)=2a$.

Squaring and rearranging the terms we get,

$\left(x^2+\displaystyle\frac{1}{x^2}\right)=4a^2-2$.

Now we will subtract the second given expression from the first getting,

$\left(x-\displaystyle\frac{1}{x}\right)^3=8b^3$,

Or, $\left(x-\displaystyle\frac{1}{x}\right)=2b$,

Or, $\left(x^2+\displaystyle\frac{1}{x^2}\right)=4b^2+2$.

Equating the two derived results,

$4a^2-2=4b^2+2$,

Or, $a^2-b^2=1$.

Answer: Option a: $1$.

In this case also the simple steps could be carried out wholly in mind.

Key concepts used: Principle of collection of friendly terms in adding and subtracting the LHSs of the two given expressions to get the cube of additive sum of inverses and subtractive sum of inverses in $x$ respectively -- principle of interaction of inverses to derive the sum of inverse of squares from two derived expressions -- equating the same expressions obtained from two sources we get the solution quickly -- mental maths.

Problem 4.

If $ab + bc+ca=0$, then the value of $\displaystyle\frac{1}{a^2-bc} +\displaystyle\frac{1}{b^2-ac}+\displaystyle\frac{1}{c^2-ab}$ is,

$0$
$1$
$-1$
$2$

Solution 4 - Problem analysis

Though the denominators of the three fraction terms of the target expression are symmetric around $a$, $b$ and $c$, at the first look, there seemed to be no easy way to resolve the problem of equalizing the denominators to the same form so that the sum of three fractions can be reduced to a simple number.

At the second look, we discovered the slightly deviant partially hidden key pattern using the given equation resource. We just need to replace $-bc$ in $a^2-bc$ by $ab+ac$ so that the denominator of the first term is simplified to, $a(a+b+c)$. Likewise the second and the third.

Let us show you how.

Solution 4 - Problem solving execution

Given,

$ab+bc+ca=0$,

Or, $-bc=ab+ca$,

Or, $-ac=ab+bc$, and

$-ab=bc+ca$.

Substituting these three products in the three denominator expressions we transform the target expression as,

$\displaystyle\frac{1}{a^2-bc} +\displaystyle\frac{1}{b^2-ac}+\displaystyle\frac{1}{c^2-ab}$

$=\displaystyle\frac{1}{a^2+ab+ca} +\displaystyle\frac{1}{b^2+ab+bc}+\displaystyle\frac{1}{c^2+bc+ca}$

$=\displaystyle\frac{1}{a+b+c}\left(\displaystyle\frac{1}{a}+\displaystyle\frac{1}{b}+\displaystyle\frac{1}{c}\right)$

$=\displaystyle\frac{1}{a+b+c}\left(\displaystyle\frac{ab+bc+ca}{abc}\right)$

$=0$.

This is the second use of the given input resource.

There has been no need to to derive the steps using pen and paper; once the key pattern was discovered in about 15 seconds rest of the steps took in total well below a minute, wholly by mental manipulation of expressions. Mental maths at work to solve the elegantly in a very short time.

Answer: Option a: $0$.

Key concepts used: Denominator simplification -- input transformation with a target to equalize the denominators to same value as far as possible -- denominator equalization -- base equalization -- fraction arithmetic on algebraic fractions -- multiple input use -- the key pattern discovery broke the back of the problem handing us the elegant solution -- mental maths.

Problem 5.

If $x$ is a rational number and $\displaystyle\frac{(x+1)^3-(x-1)^3}{(x+1)^2-(x-1)^2}=2$ then the sum of numerator and denominator of $x$ is,

Solution 5 - Problem analysis and execution

We need to cancel out the common factor between the numerator and denominator and then simplify. As the principal terms are $(x+1)$ and $(x-1)$ it is much better to temporarily use representative substituted single variables for these two expressions. Abstraction technique, principle of representative and substitution technique at work here. Goal is to transform a more complex expression to a simple form so that we can easily and quickly deal with it and simplify it further.

Thus, at the outset we use, $p=x+1$ and $q=x-1$, to simplify the given expression,

$\displaystyle\frac{(x+1)^3-(x-1)^3}{(x+1)^2-(x-1)^2}=2$,

Or, $\displaystyle\frac{p^3-q^3}{p^2-q^2}=2$,

Or, $\displaystyle\frac{p^2+pq+q^2}{p+q}=2$, eliminating factor $(p-q)$ between numerator and denominator,

Or, $\displaystyle\frac{(p+q)^2-pq}{p+q}=2$, expression transformation in terms of $(p+q)$ and $pq$ as both gives simple results, $(p+q)=2x$ and $pq=x^2-1$; this is efficient simplification,

Or, $\displaystyle\frac{4x^2-x^2+1}{2x}=2$,

Or, $3x^2-4x+1=0$

Or, $(3x-1)(x-1)=0$

So one root of $x$ is $\displaystyle\frac{1}{3}$ giving an answer of 4.

The other root of $x=1$ produces an answer value 2 which is not in among the given choices. Using the free resource of the choice values we have eliminated this second value of $x$ as a lead to a possible solution.

Thus 4 is the answer for the sum of numerator and denominator of $x$.

Answer: Option b: $4$.

Key concepts used: Basic algebraic concepts -- abstraction -- substitution -- principle of representative -- factorization of subtractive sum of cubes and subtractive sum of squares -- factorization of quadratic equation -- mathematical reasoning -- deductive reasoning -- free resource use.

Problem 6.

If $a+b+c=0$ then the value of $(a+b-c)^2+(b+c-a)^2+(c+a-b)^2$ will be equal to,

$4(a^2+b^2+c^2)$
$4(ab+bc+ca)$
$0$
$8abc$

Solution 6 - Problem analysis and solving

We replace,

$a+b=-c$,

$b+c=-a$, and

$c+a=-b$ to get the target expression as,

$E=(-2a)^2+(-2b)^2+(-2c)^2$

$=4(a^2+b^2+c^2)$.

Solution is in just in two steps wholly mentally. The key was using the given expression for simplifying substitutions. Mental maths at work here as the solution could be reached wholly mentlly. The key was identifying the simplifying substitutions.

Answer: Option a : $4(a^2+b^2+c^2)$.

Key concepts used: Key pattern identification -- substitution technique.

Problem 7.

If $x^2+y^2=5xy$, ,then the value of $\left(\displaystyle\frac{x^2}{y^2}+\displaystyle\frac{y^2}{x^2}\right)$ is equal to,

$32$
$16$
$-23$
$23$

Solution 7 - Problem analysis and solving

Examining the target expression we find it to be essentially in terms of a single compound variable, namely, $\displaystyle\frac{x}{y}$,

$E=\left(\displaystyle\frac{x^2}{y^2}+\displaystyle\frac{y^2}{x^2}\right)$

$=\left(p^2+\displaystyle\frac{1}{p^2}\right)$, where we have represented $\displaystyle\frac{x}{y}$ as compound variable $p$.

So the problem is transformed to evaluation of this sum of inverse of squares. From the objective we are fairly sure that we will be able to transform the imput expression into a sum of inverses, from which getting the value of sum of inverses of squares is just a simple step more.

Now examining the given input expression we get a clear idea of how we can transform the given expression into a sum of inverses.

$x^2+y^2=5xy$,

Or, $\displaystyle\frac{x^2+y^2}{xy}=5$,

Or, $p+\displaystyle\frac{1}{p}=5$.

We got our desirable sum of inverses from which we can easily evaluate the sum of inverse of squares.

First the sum of inverses is squared and then simplified to get the final result,

$p+\displaystyle\frac{1}{p}=5$,

Or, $p^2+2+\displaystyle\frac{1}{p^2}=25$,

Or, $p^2+\displaystyle\frac{1}{p^2}=25-2=23$, our desired solution.

Answer: Option d: $23$.

Key concepts used: Pattern identification -- Identifying the two square terms in the target expression as primarily the same term appearing in direct and inverse form -- to ease the manipulation and simplification of expressions we resorted to abstraction technique, substitution technique and principle of representative -- thus transformed the target expression became a sum of inverses of squares -- with this result we felt we should be able to transform the input expression into a sum of inverses in single power from which getting a sum of inverses in squares is just a simple step more -- deductive reasoning -- input transformation -- principle of interaction of inverses.

Problem 8.

If $x+\displaystyle\frac{2}{x}=1$, then tne value of $\displaystyle\frac{x^2+x+2}{x^2(x-1)}$ is,

$2$
$1$
$-1$
$-2$

Solution 8 - Problem analysis and solving execution

Comparing the given expression with the two expressions in the target fraction, we find similarity with the numerator expression. But to know the extent of similarity precisely, we proceeded to linearize (getting rid of the fraction form) the given expression in the form of a equation with 0 in the RHS,

$x+\displaystyle\frac{2}{x}=1$,

Or, $x^2-x+2=0$.

Now we use this equation to simplify the numerator of the target expression first,

$E=\displaystyle\frac{x^2+x+2}{x^2(x-1)}$

$=\displaystyle\frac{x^2-x+2+2x}{x^2(x-1)}$

$=\displaystyle\frac{2x}{x^2(x-1)}$

$=\displaystyle\frac{2}{x(x-1)}$

$=\displaystyle\frac{2}{x^2-x}$.

Again we feel the need to use the given expression but in a second form,

$x^2-x+2=0$,

Or, $x^2-x=-2$

Using this result on the transformed and reduced target expression finally we get,

$E=\displaystyle\frac{2}{x^2-x}=-1$.

Answer: Option c: $-1$.

Here also the solution could be reached quickly through mental processing only.

Key concepts used: Pattern identification -- input transformation -- numerator simplification -- multiple input use -- mental math.

Problem 9.

If $\displaystyle\frac{1}{\sqrt[3]{4} + \sqrt[3]{2} +1}=a\sqrt[3]{4}+b\sqrt[3]{2}+c$ and $a$, $b$ and $c$ are rational numbers, then $a+b+c$ is equal to,

Solution 9 - Problem analysis

The cube roots are only two and appear in the same form in the LHS and also in the RHS.

Secondly, the cube root is applied basically on 2; the cube root on 4 can be expressed in terms of cube root of 2.

Thirdly it is apparent from the RHS of the given equation that the coefficients $a$, $b$ and $c$ are to be compared with corresponding coefficients on the LHS.

With this knowledge now we will go ahead with the solution.

Solution 9 - Problem solving execution

We can assume $p=\sqrt[3]{2}$ to simplify the given equation to,

$\displaystyle\frac{1}{\sqrt[3]{4} + \sqrt[3]{2} +1}=a\sqrt[3]{4}+b\sqrt[3]{2}+c$,

Or, $\displaystyle\frac{1}{p^2 + p +1}=ap^2+bp+c$.

Now the challenge is transformed to simplifying the denominator in the LHS so that it is eliminated altogether and we can compare the coefficients of like terms in $p$, our new variable, on the RHS and LHS to get the values of $a$, $b$ and $c$.

On examining we find the denominator to be the second factor of the factors of sum of cubes,

$x^3-y^3=(x-y)(x^2+x+1)$.

We then multiply both the numerator and denominator with the other factor $(x-y)$ to simplify as desired,

$\displaystyle\frac{1}{p^2 + p +1}=ap^2+bp+c$,

Or, $\displaystyle\frac{p-1}{(p-1)(p^2 + p +1)}=ap^2+bp+c$

Or, $p-1=ap^2+bp+c$, as $p^3-1=\left(\sqrt[3]{2}\right)^3-1=2-1=1$.

Now we can compare the coefficients of like terms on both LHS and RHS.

Comparing coefficients of $p^2$, $a=0$,

Comparing coefficients of $p$, $b=1$.

Lastly comparing the constants, $c=-1$.

Finally, $a+b+c=0$.

Answer: Option c: 0.

Key concepts used: Key pattern of similarity of terms identified -- abstraction -- substitution -- Principle of representative -- factors of sum of cubes -- comparison of coefficients of like terms of an equation.

Problem 10.

If $x=7+4\sqrt{3}$ then the value of $\left(\sqrt{x}+\displaystyle\frac{1}{\sqrt{x}}\right)$ is,

$2\sqrt{3}$
$-2\sqrt{3}$
$4$
$-4$

Solution 10 - Problem analysis and solving

As the input expression involves $x$ and the target expression $\sqrt{x}$, the surd expression on the RHS of the given equation as value of $x$ must be transformed to a square of a surd sum. Unless this is achieved the problem can't be solved.

Solution 10 - Problem solving execution

$x=7+4\sqrt{3}$

$=2^2+2\times{2}\times{\sqrt{3}}+ (\sqrt{3})^2=(2+\sqrt{3})^2$,

Or, $\sqrt{x}=2+\sqrt{3}$,

Or, $\displaystyle\frac{1}{\sqrt{x}}=\frac{1}{2+\sqrt{3}}=2-\sqrt{3}$, by surd rationalization.

So the target experession,

$\left(\sqrt{x}+\displaystyle\frac{1}{\sqrt{x}}\right)=4$

Answer: Option a: $4$.

Key concepts used: Deductive reasoning -- key pattern recognition -- transformation to square of sum of surd term expression -- surd rationalization technique.

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SSC CGL level Solution Set 45, Algebra 11