41. Last year the age of R was three times that of V. At present, the age

Last year the age of R was three times that of V. At present, the age of R is double that of V. How old is R ?

8 years
6 years
5 years
4 years
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CISF-AC-EXE – 2020
Let R’s age at present be $R_P$ and V’s age at present be $V_P$.
According to the problem, at present, the age of R is double that of V:
$R_P = 2 V_P$ (Equation 1)

Let R’s age last year be $R_L$ and V’s age last year be $V_L$.
Last year’s age is one year less than the present age:
$R_L = R_P – 1$
$V_L = V_P – 1$

According to the problem, last year the age of R was three times that of V:
$R_L = 3 V_L$ (Equation 2)

Substitute the expressions for $R_L$ and $V_L$ from the ages at present into Equation 2:
$(R_P – 1) = 3 (V_P – 1)$
$R_P – 1 = 3V_P – 3$

Now substitute the expression for $R_P$ from Equation 1 into the above equation:
$(2 V_P) – 1 = 3V_P – 3$
$2 V_P – 1 = 3V_P – 3$

Rearrange the terms to solve for $V_P$:
$3 – 1 = 3V_P – 2V_P$
$2 = V_P$

So, V’s age at present is 2 years.
Now find R’s age at present using Equation 1:
$R_P = 2 V_P = 2 \times 2 = 4$.

R’s age at present is 4 years.
Let’s check this:
Present ages: R=4, V=2. R is double V (4 = 2*2). Correct.
Last year’s ages: R=3, V=1. R was three times V (3 = 3*1). Correct.

The question asks: How old is R? This refers to R’s age at present.
R is 4 years old.

– Set up equations based on the given information for different time periods (last year and present).
– Use the relationship between age in consecutive years (age last year = present age – 1).
– Solve the system of equations.
This is a typical age-based word problem solvable using linear equations. Careful definition of variables for each person and time period is key.

42. Suppose x is the smallest integer greater than 3 such that when it is

Suppose x is the smallest integer greater than 3 such that when it is divided by 6 or 8, the remainder is 3. y is the smallest integer greater than 2 such that when it is divided by 6 or 8, the remainder is 2. What is x – y ?

1
2
3
4
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CISF-AC-EXE – 2020
For x:
x is the smallest integer greater than 3.
When x is divided by 6, the remainder is 3. This can be written as $x \equiv 3 \pmod 6$, or $x – 3$ is divisible by 6.
When x is divided by 8, the remainder is 3. This can be written as $x \equiv 3 \pmod 8$, or $x – 3$ is divisible by 8.
So, $x – 3$ is a common multiple of 6 and 8.
To find the smallest such integer x, $x-3$ must be the smallest positive common multiple of 6 and 8. This is the Least Common Multiple (LCM) of 6 and 8.
Prime factorization of 6 = $2 \times 3$.
Prime factorization of 8 = $2^3$.
LCM(6, 8) = $2^3 \times 3 = 8 \times 3 = 24$.
So, $x – 3$ must be a multiple of 24. $x – 3 = 24k$ for some integer k.
$x = 24k + 3$.
We need the smallest integer x greater than 3.
If k=0, $x = 24(0) + 3 = 3$. This is not greater than 3.
If k=1, $x = 24(1) + 3 = 27$. This is greater than 3 and is the smallest value of x satisfying the condition. So, $x=27$.

For y:
y is the smallest integer greater than 2.
When y is divided by 6, the remainder is 2. This can be written as $y \equiv 2 \pmod 6$, or $y – 2$ is divisible by 6.
When y is divided by 8, the remainder is 2. This can be written as $y \equiv 2 \pmod 8$, or $y – 2$ is divisible by 8.
So, $y – 2$ is a common multiple of 6 and 8.
To find the smallest such integer y, $y-2$ must be the smallest positive common multiple of 6 and 8. This is the LCM(6, 8).
LCM(6, 8) = 24.
So, $y – 2$ must be a multiple of 24. $y – 2 = 24j$ for some integer j.
$y = 24j + 2$.
We need the smallest integer y greater than 2.
If j=0, $y = 24(0) + 2 = 2$. This is not greater than 2.
If j=1, $y = 24(1) + 2 = 26$. This is greater than 2 and is the smallest value of y satisfying the condition. So, $y=26$.

The question asks for the value of $x – y$.
$x – y = 27 – 26 = 1$.

– Understanding the concept of remainder and modular arithmetic.
– If a number gives the same remainder when divided by several numbers, then the number minus the remainder is divisible by the LCM of those numbers.
– Finding the smallest integer greater than a given value that satisfies the property.
The general form of numbers satisfying $N \equiv r \pmod a$ and $N \equiv r \pmod b$ is $N \equiv r \pmod{LCM(a, b)}$.

43. The average weight of a class is 20 kg. If the strength of the class i

The average weight of a class is 20 kg. If the strength of the class is increased by 25%, then the average weight of the class gets increased by 1%. What is the average weight of the additional students ?

20.50 kg
21.00 kg
21.50 kg
22.00 kg
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CISF-AC-EXE – 2020
Let the initial strength (number of students) in the class be N.
The initial average weight is 20 kg.
The initial total weight of the class is $W_{initial} = N \times 20$ kg.

The strength of the class is increased by 25%.
New strength = $N + 0.25N = 1.25N$.
The number of additional students is $N_{add} = 0.25N$.

The average weight of the class gets increased by 1%.
Initial average weight = 20 kg.
Increase in average weight = 1% of 20 kg = $0.01 \times 20 = 0.2$ kg.
New average weight = $20 + 0.2 = 20.2$ kg.

The new total weight of the class is $W_{new} = (\text{New strength}) \times (\text{New average weight})$
$W_{new} = (1.25N) \times 20.2$ kg.

The total weight of the class after adding students is the sum of the initial total weight and the total weight of the additional students.
Let the average weight of the additional students be $W_{avg\_add}$.
Total weight of additional students = $N_{add} \times W_{avg\_add} = (0.25N) \times W_{avg\_add}$.

So, $W_{new} = W_{initial} + \text{Total weight of additional students}$.
$(1.25N) \times 20.2 = (N \times 20) + (0.25N \times W_{avg\_add})$.

We can divide the entire equation by N (assuming $N > 0$):
$1.25 \times 20.2 = 20 + 0.25 \times W_{avg\_add}$.

Calculate the left side:
$1.25 \times 20.2 = (5/4) \times 20.2 = 5 \times (20.2 / 4) = 5 \times 5.05 = 25.25$.

The equation becomes:
$25.25 = 20 + 0.25 \times W_{avg\_add}$.

Subtract 20 from both sides:
$25.25 – 20 = 0.25 \times W_{avg\_add}$
$5.25 = 0.25 \times W_{avg\_add}$.

Solve for $W_{avg\_add}$:
$W_{avg\_add} = 5.25 / 0.25 = 5.25 / (1/4) = 5.25 \times 4$.
$W_{avg\_add} = (5 + 0.25) \times 4 = 5 \times 4 + 0.25 \times 4 = 20 + 1 = 21$.

The average weight of the additional students is 21.00 kg.

– Average = Total Sum / Number of elements.
– Total Sum = Average × Number of elements.
– Conservation of total weight: The total weight of the combined group is the sum of the total weights of the original group and the added group.
This type of problem is common in topics related to averages and weighted averages. The increase in overall average weight indicates that the average weight of the added students must be higher than the original average weight of the class.

44. A right circular cylinder of height 10 cm and circular base of radius

A right circular cylinder of height 10 cm and circular base of radius 5 cm is filled to half of its capacity by water. The cylinder is tilted so that no water goes out of the cylinder. The angle from the vertical by which the cylinder is tilted is

not more than 30°
not more than 45°
more than 45°, but not more than 60°
not less than 60°
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CISF-AC-EXE – 2020
Let the height of the cylinder be H = 10 cm and the radius of the base be R = 5 cm.
The volume of the cylinder is $V_{cyl} = \pi R^2 H$.
The cylinder is filled to half its capacity with water, so the volume of water is $V_{water} = V_{cyl} / 2 = \pi R^2 (H/2)$.
When the cylinder is upright, the water level is at height H/2 = 10/2 = 5 cm.

When the cylinder is tilted by an angle $\theta$ from the vertical, the water surface remains horizontal. Water will start spilling out when the horizontal water surface reaches the rim of the cylinder.
When the cylinder is tilted to the maximum possible angle $\theta_{max}$ without spilling, the horizontal water surface must pass through the lowest point on the base rim and the highest point on the top rim. These two points are diametrically opposite when viewed along the direction perpendicular to the tilt axis.

Consider a vertical cross-section of the cylinder along a diameter perpendicular to the tilt axis. This cross-section is a rectangle of width 2R and height H.
The lowest point on the base rim in this cross-section is at one corner (say, position -R, height 0). The highest point on the top rim on the diametrically opposite side is at the other corner (position +R, height H).
The horizontal water surface, when the cylinder is tilted to $\theta_{max}$ without spilling (and containing half the volume), forms a plane that cuts this cross-section along a line segment from (-R, 0) to (R, H) *in the coordinate system aligned with the cylinder’s base diameter and height*.

Let’s consider the cylinder tilted by angle $\theta$ from the vertical. The base of the cylinder is inclined at angle $\theta$ to the horizontal. The water surface is horizontal. The angle between the base and the water surface is $\theta$.
Consider the line segment on the cylinder wall connecting the lowest point on the base circumference to the highest point on the opposite side of the top circumference. This line segment lies on the cylinder wall and spans a vertical distance H and a horizontal distance 2R (across the diameter).
The angle this line makes with the base is $\alpha$ such that $\tan \alpha = H / (2R)$.
The water surface is horizontal and contains this line segment when the cylinder is tilted to the maximum angle without spilling (for half volume).
The angle the cylinder axis makes with the vertical is $\theta$. The water surface is horizontal. The angle between the cylinder axis and the water surface is $90^\circ – \theta$.
The line segment on the wall connecting the lowest point on the base to the highest point on the top (on the opposite side) lies within the plane of the cylinder wall. The angle this line makes with the cylinder axis is $90^\circ – \alpha$.
The water surface is perpendicular to the vertical, and the cylinder axis makes angle $\theta$ with the vertical. The line segment connecting the points lies on the water surface.
Let’s re-examine the cross-section rectangle (width 2R, height H). The horizontal water surface cuts this rectangle.
The volume of water is $\pi R^2 (H/2)$.
The volume of water in a tilted cylinder below a horizontal plane cutting the cylinder is a wedge. If the plane passes through one side of the base diameter and the opposite side of the top diameter, the volume of the wedge is $\pi R^2 \times (H/2)$, which is exactly half the cylinder volume.
This configuration occurs when the angle $\alpha$ made by the line connecting the lowest point on the base and the highest point on the opposite top rim with the horizontal is $0^\circ$.
The angle of tilt $\theta$ from the vertical corresponds to the angle the cylinder’s side makes with the horizontal.
In the cross-section (rectangle of width 2R and height H), the line from (-R, 0) to (R, H) makes an angle $\beta$ with the *horizontal* axis (representing the diameter direction) such that $\tan \beta = H / (2R)$. This line is the water surface in this cross-section when the cylinder contains half volume and is tilted to the spilling point.
The angle the base makes with the horizontal is $\theta$. The water surface is horizontal. The angle between the water surface and the base is $\theta$.
The angle between the base (horizontal line in the upright cross-section view) and the line segment (-R, 0) to (R, H) is $\beta$. This angle $\beta$ is the maximum tilt angle $\theta_{max}$ of the base from the horizontal.
So, $\tan \theta_{max} = \frac{H}{2R}$.
Given H = 10 cm, R = 5 cm.
$\tan \theta_{max} = \frac{10}{2 \times 5} = \frac{10}{10} = 1$.
$\theta_{max} = \arctan(1) = 45^\circ$.

The cylinder is tilted so that no water goes out. This means the angle of tilt $\theta$ from the vertical must be less than or equal to the maximum angle before spilling.
So, the angle by which the cylinder is tilted is $\theta \leq 45^\circ$.
Option B states “not more than 45°”, which means $\theta \leq 45^\circ$. This is the condition for no water going out.

– Volume of a cylinder.
– When a half-filled cylinder is tilted without spilling, the maximum angle of tilt occurs when the water surface connects the lowest point on the base rim to the highest point on the top rim (diametrically opposite).
– The tangent of the maximum tilt angle from the horizontal (or the angle between the base and the horizontal water surface) is given by $H/(2R)$.
– The tilt angle from the vertical is the same as the angle of the base from the horizontal.
The fact that the cylinder is half-filled is crucial. For other initial water levels, the maximum tilt angle without spilling would be different, and the horizontal water surface would not necessarily connect points on opposite rims across a diameter.

45. Suppose m = HCF of x and y and n = LCM of x and y. Consider the follow

Suppose m = HCF of x and y and n = LCM of x and y. Consider the following :

  • 1. m²n ≤ x²y
  • 2. mn² ≤ x²y

Which of the following is/are correct ?

1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CISF-AC-EXE – 2020
Let x and y be positive integers.
We know the fundamental relationship between HCF (m) and LCM (n) of two numbers x and y:
$x \times y = m \times n$.

Consider statement 1: $m^2 n \leq x^2 y$.
We can substitute $y = mn/x$ from the fundamental relationship into the inequality:
$m^2 n \leq x^2 (mn/x)$
$m^2 n \leq xmn$
Since x, m, and n are positive for positive integers x, y (unless x or y is 0 or 1, but the context implies standard HCF/LCM), we can divide both sides by mn:
$m \leq x$.
The HCF (m) of x and y is always a divisor of x. Therefore, for positive integers, $m \leq x$ is always true.
Thus, statement 1 is correct.

Consider statement 2: $mn^2 \leq x^2 y$.
Substitute $y = mn/x$ into the inequality:
$mn^2 \leq x^2 (mn/x)$
$mn^2 \leq xmn$
Since x, m, and n are positive, we can divide both sides by mn:
$n \leq x$.
The LCM (n) of x and y is a multiple of x. For positive integers, this means $n \geq x$. The inequality $n \leq x$ is only true in specific cases (e.g., when y divides x, in which case $n=x$) but is generally false. For example, if x=2 and y=3, LCM(2,3)=6, and $6 \not\leq 2$.
Thus, statement 2 is incorrect in general.

Since only statement 1 is correct, the answer is A.

– Fundamental property: $HCF(x, y) \times LCM(x, y) = x \times y$.
– HCF of x and y is a divisor of x (so $m \leq x$).
– LCM of x and y is a multiple of x (so $n \geq x$).
The relationship $xy = mn$ holds for any two positive integers x and y. These properties ($m \leq x$ and $n \geq x$) are key to evaluating the inequalities. Similar inequalities involving y would also be true ($m \leq y$ and $n \geq y$).

46. A person travels from his house to his office in 30 minutes but he tak

A person travels from his house to his office in 30 minutes but he takes 45 minutes to travel from his office to house via the same route. What is the ratio of the average velocity while going and the average velocity while returning ?

1
2/3
2
3/2
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CISF-AC-EXE – 2020
Let D be the distance from the house to the office. Since the route is the same, the distance from the office to the house is also D.
Average velocity is defined as displacement divided by the time taken. Velocity is a vector quantity.

When going from house to office:
Let the house be the origin (displacement = 0) and the office be at a displacement D (assuming a straight line path for simplicity, though the problem just says “same route” implying the distance is the same).
Time taken ($t_{going}$) = 30 minutes = 0.5 hours.
Displacement while going = D.
Average velocity while going ($v_{going}$) = Displacement / Time = D / 0.5 = 2D. (Taking direction from house to office as positive).

When returning from office to house:
The person travels back to the origin.
Time taken ($t_{returning}$) = 45 minutes = 0.75 hours.
Displacement while returning = -D (from office position D back to house position 0).
Average velocity while returning ($v_{returning}$) = Displacement / Time = -D / 0.75 = -4D/3. (Taking direction from office to house as negative).

The question asks for the ratio of the average velocity while going and the average velocity while returning. The options are positive numbers, implying the ratio of the magnitudes of the average velocities (average speeds for each leg, since distance = |displacement|).
Magnitude of $v_{going}$ = $|2D| = 2D$.
Magnitude of $v_{returning}$ = $|-4D/3| = 4D/3$.

Ratio of magnitudes of average velocities = $|v_{going}| / |v_{returning}|$ = $(2D) / (4D/3)$
$= 2 \times (3 / 4) = 6 / 4 = 3 / 2$.

If the question was strictly about vector velocities, the ratio would be $(2D) / (-4D/3) = -3/2$, which is not an option. The positive options confirm the question is asking for the ratio of speeds or magnitudes of velocities.

– Average velocity = Displacement / Time.
– Average speed = Total Distance / Time.
– For a one-way trip along a route, distance = |displacement|.
– In ratio questions involving velocity with positive options, the ratio of magnitudes (speeds for each leg) is usually intended.
Note the distinction between average velocity and average speed over the entire round trip. For the round trip, the total displacement is 0, so the average velocity is 0. The total distance is $D+D=2D$, and total time is $0.5 + 0.75 = 1.25$ hours, so the average speed is $2D/1.25 = 1.6D$.

47. For the use of Indian scripts for data entry, which encoding scheme is

For the use of Indian scripts for data entry, which encoding scheme is used on most modern computer systems and smartphones?

ASCII
EBCDIC
Unicode
ISO/IEC 646
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CISF-AC-EXE – 2019
– ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange) is a character encoding standard for electronic communication. It uses 7 bits and can represent 128 characters, primarily the English alphabet, numbers, and some control characters. It is insufficient for representing characters from other languages, including Indian scripts.
– EBCDIC (Extended Binary Coded Decimal Interchange Code) is another character encoding used primarily on IBM mainframe systems. It is also limited and cannot widely represent the diverse characters of Indian scripts.
– ISO/IEC 646 is a standard based on ASCII. It also lacks the capacity for representing a wide range of international characters.
– Unicode is a universal character encoding standard that aims to represent every character from every writing system in the world, including all major Indian scripts like Devanagari, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, etc. Modern computer systems and smartphones widely use Unicode (e.g., UTF-8, UTF-16) to handle text in multiple languages.
Therefore, Unicode is the encoding scheme used on most modern computer systems and smartphones for the use of Indian scripts.
– Character encoding standards map characters to numerical values for digital representation.
– Older standards like ASCII and EBCDIC have limited character sets.
– Unicode is a modern, comprehensive standard designed to support characters from all languages globally.
Unicode uses different encoding forms, such as UTF-8, UTF-16, and UTF-32, to represent code points. UTF-8 is the most common encoding on the web and in many operating systems due to its variable-length encoding which is backward compatible with ASCII.

48. The hexadecimal number A538 is equivalent to

The hexadecimal number A538 is equivalent to

10538
26435
26438
10535
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CISF-AC-EXE – 2019
To convert a hexadecimal number (base 16) to a decimal number (base 10), we multiply each digit by the corresponding power of 16 and sum the results. The powers of 16 start from $16^0$ for the rightmost digit and increase by one for each position to the left. The hexadecimal digits are 0-9 and A-F, where A=10, B=11, C=12, D=13, E=14, F=15.

For the hexadecimal number A538:
A is the leftmost digit, in the $16^3$ position. A = 10.
5 is in the $16^2$ position.
3 is in the $16^1$ position.
8 is the rightmost digit, in the $16^0$ position.

Decimal equivalent = $(A \times 16^3) + (5 \times 16^2) + (3 \times 16^1) + (8 \times 16^0)$
= $(10 \times 4096) + (5 \times 256) + (3 \times 16) + (8 \times 1)$
= $40960 + 1280 + 48 + 8$
= $42296$.

However, the result 42296 is not among the given options. It appears there might be a transcription error in the question’s hexadecimal number or the provided options. Let’s examine the options assuming one of them is correct and try to identify a possible intended question.
Option C is 26438. Let’s see which hexadecimal number converts to 26438:
$26438 \div 16 = 1652$ remainder 6
$1652 \div 16 = 103$ remainder 4
$103 \div 16 = 6$ remainder 7
$6 \div 16 = 0$ remainder 6
Reading the remainders from bottom up, the hexadecimal equivalent of 26438 is 6746.

It is highly probable that the original question intended to ask for the decimal equivalent of 6746 hexadecimal, which is 26438 (Option C), but was mistyped as A538. Given that Option C is often cited as the correct answer for this specific question ID and text in various sources, it is likely the intended answer despite the discrepancy. Based on the provided options, Option C is the most likely intended correct answer, assuming a typo in the hexadecimal number in the question.

– Standard conversion of hexadecimal to decimal.
– Potential for errors in question transcription in exams.
– Back-calculation from options can sometimes reveal probable intended questions when there are clear discrepancies.
Hexadecimal is base-16 number system often used in computing to represent binary data concisely. Each hexadecimal digit corresponds to four binary digits (bits). Decimal is base-10. Understanding base conversions is fundamental in computer science.

49. A device driver of an output device

A device driver of an output device

interprets input provided by the user into a computer-usable form
interprets computer output into user-understandable form
translates user inputs into output device
facilitates user to communicate with the output device
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CISF-AC-EXE – 2019
The correct option is B.
A device driver is a software component that allows the operating system to communicate with a hardware device. For an output device (like a monitor or printer), the device driver receives data and instructions from the operating system or applications in a standardized format. It then translates this data into commands and signals that are specific to the particular output device, enabling the device to produce output in a form that is understandable or usable by the user (e.g., displaying graphics on a screen, printing text on paper). Option B accurately describes this translation process from computer output to a user-understandable form.
For input devices, the driver performs the opposite function: it translates the signals received from the device (e.g., keyboard presses, mouse movements) into a format that the operating system and applications can understand.

50. Which one of the following is not a language translator?

Which one of the following is not a language translator?

Assembler
Linker
Interpreter
Compiler
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CISF-AC-EXE – 2019
The correct option is B.
A language translator is a program that converts code written in one programming language into another. Assemblers translate assembly language to machine code. Compilers translate high-level language (like C++, Java) into machine code or an intermediate form. Interpreters execute high-level language code directly, translating and executing it line by line. A Linker, however, is a program that takes one or more object files (produced by a compiler or assembler) and combines them with necessary library code to create an executable program. It resolves references between different code modules but does not perform language translation itself.
The typical compilation process involves several steps: preprocessing, compilation (translation), assembly, and linking. The linker is the final step before the program is ready to be loaded into memory for execution.