Aptitude Solved Problems

Surds and Indices

Surds and Indices - Important Formulas

Laws of Indices:

am x an = am + n

am / an = am - n

(am)n = amn

(ab)n = anbn

(a/b)n = an/bn

a0 = 1

Surds:

Let a be rational number and n be a positive integer such that a(1/n) = na

is irrational. Then na is called a surd of order n.

Laws of Surds :
n
a = a1/n
n
ab = na * nb
n
a/b = na / nb

(na)n = a
m n mn
a = a

(na)m = n
am

Solved Problems

1. If p - q = 6 and p2 + q2 = 116, what is the value of pq?

Answer : 40
Explanation :
Use this formula ( a - b )2 = a2 - 2ab + b2
( p - q )2 = p2 - 2pq + q2
( p - q )2 = ( p2 + q2) - 2pq
62 = 116 - 2pq
36 = 116 - 2pq

1
2pq = 116 - 36
2pq = 80
pq = 80 / 2
pq = 40

2. (17)3.5 x (17)? = 178

Answer : 4.5
Explanation :
Let (17)3.5 x (17)x = 178.
Then, (17)3.5 + x = 178.
3.5 + x = 8
x = (8 - 3.5)
x = 4.5

3. Given that 100.48 = x, 100.70 = y and xz = y2, then the value of z is close to:
Answer : 2.9
Explanation :
xz = y2 10(0.48z) = 10(2 x 0.70) = 101.40
0.48z = 1.40
z = 140/48 = 35/12 = 2.9 (approx.)

4. If m and n are whole numbers such that mn = 169, then the value of (m 1)n + 1 is:
Answer : 1728.
Explanation :
Clearly, m = 13 and n = 2.
Therefore, (m 1) n + 1 = (13 1)3 = 12 = 1728.

5. If (3 + x) = 2, then x is equal to :
Answer : 1
Explanation :
On squaring both sides, we get:
3 + x = 4 or x = 1.
Cubing both sides, we get x = (1 x 1 x 1) = 1

6. Solve for m if 49(7m) = 3433m + 6

Answer : -2
Explanation :
49(7m) = 3433m + 6
727m (73)3m + 6
72 + m = 79m + 18
Equating powers of 7 on both sides,
m + 2 = 9m + 18
-16 = 8m
m = -2.

7. If a and b are positive numbers, 2a = b3 and ba = 8, find the value of a and b.

Answer : 3 and 2
Explanation :
2a = b3 .(1)
ba = 8 ..(2)

2
cubing both sides of equation (2), (ba)3 = 83
b3a = (b3)a = 512.
from (1), (2a)a = (23)3.
comparing both sides, a = 3
substituting a in (1), b = 2

8. Evaluate: (-2/7)-4 (-5/7)2

Answer : 1225/16
Explanation :
(-2/7)-4 (-5/7)2
= (7/-2)4 (-5/7)2
= (-7/2)4 (-5/7)2 [Since, (7/-2) = (-7/2)]
= (-7)4/24 (-5)2/72
= {74 (-5)2}/{24 72 } [Since, (-7)4 = 74]
= {72 (-5)2 }/24
= [49 (-5) (-5)]/16
= 1225/16

9. Simplify: (i) (81)3/4 (ii) (1/64)-5/6 (iii) (256)-1/4

Answer : 27, 32, 1/4
Explanation :
(i) (81)3/4 = (34)3/4 = 33= 27.
(ii) (1/64)-5/6 = 645/6 = (26)5/6= 25 = 32
(iii) (256)-1/4 =( 1/256)1/4 = [( 1/4)4]1/4 = 1/4

10. If x = 3+22, then the value of ( x- (1/x)) is:........

Answer : 2
Explanation :

11. The value of (8)1/3 is:

Answer : 2
Explanation :
(8)1/3 = (81/2)1/3= 81/6 = (23)1/6= 21/2= 2.

3
12. The value of 51/4 * (125)0.25 is:
Answer : 5
Explanation :
50.25 * (53)0.25 = 51 = 5.

13. The value of (32/243)-4/5 is:

Answer : 81/16
Explanation :
(32/243)-4/5 = (243/32)4/5 = [(3/2)5]4/5 = 81/16

14. If 55 * 53 5-3/2 = 5a+2 , the value of a is:

Answer : 4
Explanation :
53/2 * 53 5-3/2 = 5a+2
53/2 + 3 + 3/2 = 5a+2
3/2 + 3 + 3/2 = a+2
a + 2 = 6;
a=4

15. If (X/0.0081) = 0.009 , the value of x is:

Answer : 0.000729
Explanation :
(X/0.0081) = 0.009
Or, x/0.09 = (9/1000)
Or, x = 0.09 3/10
Or, x = 0.027
Or, x = (0.027)2 = 0.000729

16. The value of (9+ (604+ (424+ (273+ 256) ) ) ) = ?

Answer : 6
Explanation :
(11+ (604+ (424+ (273+ 256) ) ) )
= (11+ (604+ (424+ (273+ 16)) ) )
= (11+ (604+ (424+ 289) ) )
= (11+ (604+ (424+ 17)) )
= (11+ (604+ 441) )
= (11+ (604+ 21))
= (11+ 625)
= (11+ 25)
= (11+ 25)
= 36
=6

17. Simplification: 252.7 54.2 55.4 = ?

Answer : 54.2
Explanation :
252.7 54.2 55.4
= 55.4 54.2 55.4
= 55.4 54.2 55.4
= 55.4 5-1.2

4
= 5(5.4 -1.2)
= 54.2

18. (625)0.16 (625)0.09 = ?

Answer : 5
Explanation :
(625)0.16 (625)0.09
= (625)0.16 + 0.09
= (625)0.25
= (625)1/4
= 54
=5

19. Evaluate 360.14 x 12960.18

Answer : 6
Explanation :
Given that 360.14 x 12960.18
360.14 x (362)0.18
360.14 x 360.36
36(0.14 + 0.36) (Since ab x ac = a(b+c))
360.5
36(1/2)
sqrt(36)
6.
Hence the answer is 6.

20. Evaluate 640.2 x 160.4 x 4(-0.9)

Answer : 2
Explanation :
Given that 640.2 x 160.4 x 4(-0.9)
(43)0.2 x (42)0.4 x 4(-0.9)
4(3 x 0.2) x 4(2 x 0.4) x 4(-0.9)
40.6 x 40.8 x 4(-0.9)
4(0.6 + 0.8 - 0.9)
4(1.4 - 0.9)
40.5
sqrt4
2
Hence the answer is 2.

21. Evaluate 49(1/2) + 343(-1/3)

Answer : 50/7
Explanation :
Given that, 49(1/2) + 343(-1/3)
(72)(1/2) + (73)(-1/3)
7(2 x 1/2) + 7(-3 x 1/3)
7 + 7(-1)
7 + 1/7 (by using the rule a(-b) = 1/(ab))
(49 + 1) / 7
50/7

5
Hence the answer is 50/7.

22. Evaluate 81(-1/2) - [-27(-4/3)]

Answer : 8/81
Explanation :
Given that 81(-1/2) - [-27(-4/3)]
(92)(-1/2) - [(-33)(-4/3)]
9(-2 x 1/2) - (-3)(-3 x 4/3)
9(-1) - (-3)(-4)
1/9 - 1/[(-3)4]
1/9 - 1/81
8/81
Hence the answer is 8/81.

23. The value of [(11)148 / (11)145] is:

Answer : 1331
Explanation :
Using the formula, [(a)m /(a)n] = a(m-n)
Given expression is [(11)148 / (11)145]
Here, a = 11, m = 148 and n = 145,
= [11(148-145)]
= [(11)3]
= 1331

24. The value of (2.7 x 104) / (9 x 10-3) is:

Answer : 3 x 106
Explanation :
Given expression is (2.7 x 104) / (9 x 10-3)
= (27 x 103) / (9 x 10-3)
= (3 x 103) / (10-3)
= [3 x 10(3-(-3))]
= [3 x 10(3+3)]
= 3 x 106

25. Find the value of (10000)6 / 1021.

Answer : 1000
Explanation :
Given expression is (10000)6 / 1021 = [(104)]6 / 1021
By using the formula, (am)n = a(mn),
we have = (10)24 / 1021.
= 10(24-21)
= 103
= 1000

26. Find the value of [(3125)0.11] x [(3125)0.09].

Answer : 5
Explanation :
Given expression is [(3125)0.11] x [(3125)0.09]
By using the formula, (am)x(an) = a(m+n)
Here, a = 3125, m = 0.11 and n = 0.09,

6
then we have,
= [3125(0.11+0.09)]
= 3125(0.20)
= 3125(20/100)
= 3125(1/5)
= (55)(1/5) (since 55 = 3125)
= (5)(5 x 1/5)
=5

27. What is the quotient when (x-1 - 1) is divided by (x 1)?

Answer : - 1/x
Explanation :
x-1 - 1 / x-1 - (1/x)-1 / x-1
= (1-x)/x =(1-x)/x * 1/(x-1) = -1/x.
Hence, the required quotient is 1/x

28. If 2x-1 + 2x+1 = 1280, then find the value of x

Answer : 9
Explanation :
2x-1 + 2x+1 = 1280 2x-1(1+2x) = 1280
2x-1 = 1280/5 = 256 = 28 x-1 = 8 x = 9.
Hence, x = 9.

29. If [1/5]3y = 0.008, then find the value of (0.25)y

Answer : 0.25
Explanation :
[1/5]3y = 0.008 = 8/1000 = 1/125 = [1/5]3 3y = 3 y = 1.
(0.25)y = (0.25)1 = 0.25.

30. [(74)/(493/2)](1/6) x [(73 /(3434/3)](1/2) = ? / [(74 / 49)1/6]

Answer : 1
Explanation :
Given expression is, [(74)/(493/2)](1/6) x [(73 /(3434/3)](1/2) = ? / [(74 / 49)1/6]
= [(74)/(493/2)](1/6) x [(73 /(3434/3)](1/2) x [(74 / 49)1/6] = ?
= [(74)/(72)(3/2)](1/6) x [(73/(73)(4/3)](1/2) x [(74/72)1/6]
= (74)/(73)](1/6) x [(73)/(74)](1/2) x [(74/72)1/6]
= (74-3)(1/6) x [(73-4)](1/2) x [(74-2)1/6
= (71)(1/6) x [(7-1)](1/2) x [(72)1/6
= (7)(1/6) x (7)(-1/2) x (7)1/3
= (7)(1/6 -1/2 + 1/3)
= (7)(2-6+4/12)
= (70 )(1/12) = 1
Hence the answer is 1.

31. If 260.05=p,and 260.34=q and pm=q4 then what is the value of m?

Answer : 27.20
Explanation :
Substituting in pm=q4, we get 260.05m=260.344.
Bases are same so powers should be same.
Hence, 0.05m=0.344, which gives m = 27.20.

7
32. Find the L.C.M of 22 * 33 * 5 * 72, 23 * 32 * 52 * 74, 2 * 3 * 53 * 7 * 11
Answer : 2561
Explanation :
L.C.M = Product of highest powers of 2, 3, 5, 7 and 11.
= 23 * 33 * 53 * 74 * 11
=(2*2*2)*(3*3*3)*(5*5*5)*(7*7*7*7)
= ( 8 ) * ( 27 ) * ( 125 ) * ( 2401 )
= 2561

33. Simplify : ( 1000 )9 / 1024 = ?

Answer : 1000
Explanation :
( 1000 )9 / 1024 = ( 103 )9 / 1024
= ( 10 )27 / 1024 ( am / an = am - n )
= 10( 27 - 24 )
= 103
= 1000

34. If 9x 9x 1 = 648, then find the value of xx

Answer : 27
Explanation :
xm xn = xm + n
9x 9x 1 = 648
9x 1 (9 1) = 648
9x 1 = (648/8) = 81
9x 1 = 92
x1=2
x=2+1=3
xx = 33 = 27

35. By what number should (-3/2)-3 be divided so that the quotient is (9/4)-2?
Answer : -3/2
Explanation :
Let the required number be x. Then,
(-3/2)-3/x = (9/4)-2
(-2/3)3 = (4/9)2 x
(-2)3/33 = 42/92 x
-8/27 = 16/81 x
x = {-8/27 81/16}
x = -3/2

36. If a = (2/5)2 (9/5)0 find the value of a-3.

Answer : (5/2)6
Explanation :
a-3 = [(2/5)2 (9/5)0]-3
= [(2/5)2 1]-3
= [(2/5)2]-3
= (2/5)-6
= (5/2)6

8
37. Find the value of n, when 3-7 32n + 3 = 311 35
Answer : 5
Explanation :
32n + 3 = 311 35/3-7
32n + 3 = 311 - 5/3-7
32n + 3 = 36/3-7
32n + 3 = 36 - (-7)
32n + 3 = 36 + 7
32n + 3 = 313
Since the bases are same and equating the powers, we get 2n + 3 = 13
2n = 13 3
2n = 10
n = 10/2
Therefore, n = 5

38. Find the value of n, when (5/3)2n + 1 (5/3)5 = (5/3)n + 2

Answer : -4
Explanation :
(5/3)2n + 1 + 5 = (5/3)n + 2
= (5/3)2n + 6 = (5/3)n + 2
Since the bases are same and equating the powers,
we get 2n + 6 = n + 2
2n n = 2 6
=> n = -4

39. (17)3.5 x (17)? = 178

Answer : 4.5
Explanation :
Let (17)3.5 x (17)x = 178
Then, (17)3.5 + x = (17)8
3.5 + x = 8
x = (8 - 3.5) = 4.5

40. If 4x + 4x + 1 = 80, then the value of xx is

Answer : 4
Explanation :
4x(1 + 4) = 80
4x = 16
x=2
xx = 22 = 4

41. If 2x = 3y = 6-z, 1/x + 1/y + 1/z is

Answer : 0
Explanation :
Let 2x = 3y = 6-z = k
Then 2x = k, 3y = k, 6-z = k
2 = k1/x, 3 = k1/y, 6 = k-1/z
6 = k-1/z ---> (2x3) = k-1/z ---(1)
In (1), plug 2 = k1/x, 3 = k1/y
k1/x.k1/y = k-1/z

9
k1/x + 1/y = k-1/z
1/x + 1/y = -1/z
1/x + 1/y + 1/z = 0

42. If 3(x - y) = 27 and 3(x + y) = 243, then x is equal to:

Answer : 4
Explanation :
3x - y = 27 = 33
x-y=3 ...(i)
3x + y = 243 = 35
x+y=5 ...(ii)
On solving (i) and (ii), we get x = 4.

43. The value of (8-25 - 8-26] is:

Answer : 7 * 8 -26
Explanation :
8-25 - 8 -26
= ( 1 / 825 - 1 / 826 )
= ( 8-1) / 826
= 7 * 8 -26

44. If 2n + 4 - 2n + 2 = 3, then n is equal to:

Answer : -2
Explanation :
2n + 4 - 2n + 2 = 3
2n + 2 (22 - 1) = 3
2n + 2 = 1 = 20
n+2=0
n = -2

45. Simplify the surds: 3432

Answer : 6 32
Explanation :
3 (27 16) =
3 (33 24) = 3 (33 23 2) =
3 (3 2)3 2) = 3(3 2)3 2) =
(3(3 2)3 ) ( 32 ) = ((3 2)3 )1/3 32 =
(3 2) 32 = 6 32

46. Find the sum of 24 and 54

Answer : 56
Explanation :
Convert the given two surds into like surds as below:
24 = (4 6) = 26,
and 54 = (9 6)
= 36
Therefore, 24 + 54 = 26 + 36 = 56

47. Find 12 48
Answer : 24

10
Explanation :
12 = (4 3) = 2 3, and
48 = 16 3 = 43, so,
12 48 = 2 3 43 = 8 (3)2 = 8 3 =24
Or more easily,
12 48 = 12 (12 4) = 12 12 4 = 12 2 = 24

48. Which is greater: 34 or 47?

Answer : 47 > 34
Explanation :
First of all, 34 = 41/3 , and 47 = 71/4
Now, convert both surds into same order as below:
Raise each surd to power 12, which is L.C.M. of 3 and 4, the order of the two surds.
41/3 = (41/3)12 = 44 = 256, and
71/4 = (71/4)12 = 73 = 343
Since 343 > 256, so 47 > 34

49. Arrange the following surds in ascending order: 39, 411 and 617
Answer : 91/3 > 111/4 > 171/6
Explanation :
Given, 39, 411 and 617
The surds are of order 3, 4 and 6 respectively.
Find L.C.M. of 3, 4 and 6, which is 12.
Now, raise each surd to power 12.
(91/3)12 = 912/3 = 94 = 6561,
(111/4 )12 = 1112/4 = 113 = 1331
(171/6)12 = 1712/6 = 172 = 289
Clearly we see that 91/3 > 111/4 > 171/6

50. Expand (22 - 6)(22 + 6), expressing the result in the simplest form of surd:
Answer : 2
Explanation :
(22 - 6)(22 + 6)
= (22)2 - (6)2, [Since, (x + y)(x - y) = x2 - y2]
=8-6
=2

11