151. Suppose A, B and C are three taps fixed to the bottom of a tank with d

Suppose A, B and C are three taps fixed to the bottom of a tank with draining capacity 1 : 2 : 3. When all three of them are on, it takes 1 hour to drain out the full tank. If A and C are on but B is off, then how much time, in minutes, will it take to empty out a full tank of water ?

[amp_mcq option1=”75″ option2=”90″ option3=”105″ option4=”120″ correct=”option2″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2023
The correct option is B) 90.
Let the volume of the tank be V.
Let the draining capacities (rates) of taps A, B, and C be R_A, R_B, and R_C respectively.
The ratio of capacities is 1:2:3, so we can write R_A = k, R_B = 2k, and R_C = 3k for some constant k.

When all three taps are on, the total draining rate is R_A + R_B + R_C = k + 2k + 3k = 6k.
It takes 1 hour (60 minutes) to drain the full tank.
So, V = (Total Rate) * Time = (6k) * 60 = 360k.

When taps A and C are on, and B is off, the total draining rate is R_A + R_C = k + 3k = 4k.
Let T be the time in minutes it takes to empty the full tank with A and C on.
The volume drained is V.
V = (Rate A+C) * T = (4k) * T.

We know V = 360k.
So, 360k = 4k * T.
Divide both sides by 4k (assuming k > 0):
T = 360k / 4k = 360 / 4 = 90 minutes.

This problem assumes the rates are constant and additive. The unit of rate (k) cancels out in the calculation of time. The key is setting up the relationship between volume, rate, and time (Volume = Rate × Time) and using the given information about the ratio of rates and the time taken when all taps are open.

152. Car A takes 1 hour more than car B, which travels at a speed of 60 km

Car A takes 1 hour more than car B, which travels at a speed of 60 km per hour, to cover some fixed distance. If car A had doubled its speed, it could cover the distance in 1 hour less time than car B travelling at 60 km per hour. What is the original speed of car A in km per hour ?

[amp_mcq option1=”30″ option2=”40″ option3=”45″ option4=”50″ correct=”option3″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2023
The correct option is C) 45.
Let the distance be D km, the original speed of car A be S_A km/hr, and the speed of car B be S_B = 60 km/hr.
Time taken by car B = T_B = D/60 hours.
Time taken by car A originally = T_A = D/S_A hours.
According to the first condition: T_A = T_B + 1 => D/S_A = D/60 + 1 (Equation 1)

If car A doubles its speed (2*S_A), the new time taken is T_A’ = D/(2*S_A).
According to the second condition: T_A’ = T_B – 1 => D/(2*S_A) = D/60 – 1 (Equation 2)

Multiply Equation 2 by 2:
2 * [D/(2*S_A)] = 2 * [D/60 – 1]
D/S_A = D/30 – 2

Now we have two expressions for D/S_A:
From Eq 1: D/S_A = D/60 + 1
From the modified Eq 2: D/S_A = D/30 – 2

Equating the two expressions:
D/60 + 1 = D/30 – 2
Rearrange the terms to solve for D:
1 + 2 = D/30 – D/60
3 = (2D – D) / 60
3 = D/60
D = 180 km.

Now substitute the value of D back into Equation 1 to find S_A:
180/S_A = 180/60 + 1
180/S_A = 3 + 1
180/S_A = 4
S_A = 180 / 4
S_A = 45 km/hr.

To verify the answer, check the conditions with D=180 and S_A=45:
Car B time: 180/60 = 3 hours.
Original Car A time: 180/45 = 4 hours. 4 hours is 1 hour more than 3 hours. Condition 1 holds.
Car A doubled speed: 2 * 45 = 90 km/hr.
Car A new time: 180/90 = 2 hours. 2 hours is 1 hour less than 3 hours. Condition 2 holds.
The original speed of car A is 45 km/hr.

153. A person has a total of 100 coins consisting of ₹ 2 and ₹ 5 coins. If

A person has a total of 100 coins consisting of ₹ 2 and ₹ 5 coins. If the total value of the coins is ₹ 320, then the number of ₹ 2 coins is

[amp_mcq option1=”40″ option2=”50″ option3=”60″ option4=”70″ correct=”option3″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2022
Let x be the number of ₹ 2 coins and y be the number of ₹ 5 coins.
We are given two pieces of information:
1. The total number of coins is 100: x + y = 100
2. The total value of the coins is ₹ 320: 2x + 5y = 320
We have a system of two linear equations with two variables. We want to find the value of x.
From the first equation, we can express y as y = 100 – x.
Substitute this into the second equation:
2x + 5(100 – x) = 320
2x + 500 – 5x = 320
500 – 3x = 320
500 – 320 = 3x
180 = 3x
x = 180 / 3 = 60.
So, there are 60 coins of ₹ 2.
If x = 60, then y = 100 – 60 = 40.
Check the total value: 2(60) + 5(40) = 120 + 200 = 320. This is correct.
– Set up a system of linear equations based on the problem statement.
– One equation represents the total count of items.
– Another equation represents the total value based on the count and individual item values.
– Solve the system of equations using substitution or elimination to find the required variable.
This is a standard word problem that translates into a system of linear equations, often encountered in basic algebra and quantitative aptitude tests. The variables represent the counts of different denominations, and the equations represent the total count and the total value.

154. A test consists of 25 MCQs. Each correct answer gives +4 marks and inc

A test consists of 25 MCQs. Each correct answer gives +4 marks and incorrect answer gives -1 mark. If a candidate scores 74 marks, then how many questions were left unattempted?

[amp_mcq option1=”4″ option2=”3″ option3=”5″ option4=”9″ correct=”option1″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2022
Let c be the number of correct answers, i be the number of incorrect answers, and u be the number of unattempted questions.
Total questions: c + i + u = 25
Total score: 4c – i = 74 (unattempted questions contribute 0 marks).
We need to find the value of u. We can test the given options for u.
If u = 4, then c + i = 25 – 4 = 21.
We have the system of equations:
1) c + i = 21
2) 4c – i = 74
Add the two equations: (c + i) + (4c – i) = 21 + 74 => 5c = 95 => c = 19.
Substitute c = 19 into equation 1: 19 + i = 21 => i = 21 – 19 = 2.
Check the score: 4c – i = 4(19) – 2 = 76 – 2 = 74. This matches the given score.
Therefore, the number of unattempted questions is 4.
– Set up equations based on the given information: total number of questions and the scoring system.
– Use variables to represent the number of correct, incorrect, and unattempted questions.
– The total number of questions is the sum of correct, incorrect, and unattempted questions.
– The total score is calculated based on the marks per correct and incorrect answer.
Trying other options for ‘u’ would not yield integer values for ‘c’ and ‘i’ (as shown in the thought process), confirming that u=4 is the unique solution. This type of problem involves solving a system of linear equations, possibly with the added constraint that the variables must be non-negative integers.

155. A coin is tossed 3 times. The probability of getting exactly 2 heads

A coin is tossed 3 times. The probability of getting exactly 2 heads is

[amp_mcq option1=”$\frac{1}{3}$” option2=”$\frac{3}{8}$” option3=”$\frac{1}{2}$” option4=”$\frac{5}{8}$” correct=”option2″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2022
When a fair coin is tossed, there are two possible outcomes: Heads (H) or Tails (T). When tossed 3 times, the total number of possible outcomes is 2³ = 8. The sample space is {HHH, HHT, HTH, THH, HTT, THT, TTH, TTT}. We are interested in the outcomes with exactly 2 heads. These are {HHT, HTH, THH}. There are 3 favorable outcomes. The probability of getting exactly 2 heads is the number of favorable outcomes divided by the total number of outcomes: 3/8.
– List all possible outcomes (sample space) for the given number of trials.
– Identify the outcomes that satisfy the condition (favorable outcomes).
– Probability = (Number of favorable outcomes) / (Total number of outcomes).
– For independent events like coin tosses, the total number of outcomes for ‘n’ trials is 2^n.
This type of problem can also be solved using the binomial probability formula: P(X=k) = C(n, k) * p^k * (1-p)^(n-k), where n is the number of trials (3), k is the number of successes (2 heads), p is the probability of success on a single trial (0.5 for heads), and C(n, k) is the binomial coefficient “n choose k”.
C(3, 2) = 3! / (2! * 1!) = 3.
P(exactly 2 heads) = C(3, 2) * (0.5)² * (0.5)¹ = 3 * 0.25 * 0.5 = 3 * 0.125 = 0.375 = 3/8.

156. Two friends 10 km apart start running towards each other at speeds of

Two friends 10 km apart start running towards each other at speeds of 10 km/hr and 14 km/hr respectively. After how much time will they meet each other?

[amp_mcq option1=”20 minutes” option2=”25 minutes” option3=”28 minutes” option4=”30 minutes” correct=”option2″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2022
When two objects move towards each other, their relative speed is the sum of their individual speeds. The distance between the two friends is 10 km. Their speeds are 10 km/hr and 14 km/hr.
Relative speed = 10 km/hr + 14 km/hr = 24 km/hr.
The time taken to meet is the distance divided by the relative speed.
Time = Distance / Relative Speed = 10 km / 24 km/hr = 10/24 hours.
To convert hours to minutes, multiply by 60:
Time in minutes = (10/24) * 60 = (5/12) * 60 = 5 * 5 = 25 minutes.
– When objects move towards each other, use relative speed, which is the sum of their speeds.
– Use the formula Time = Distance / Speed.
– Ensure consistent units (convert hours to minutes if necessary).
This is a classic relative motion problem. The concept of relative speed simplifies calculating the time until they meet or the distance covered by one relative to the other. If they were moving away from each other, the relative speed would be the difference between their speeds.

157. There is a group of 5 people among which there is one couple. In how m

There is a group of 5 people among which there is one couple. In how many ways can these 5 people be seated in a row having 5 chairs if the couple is to be seated next to each other?

[amp_mcq option1=”24″ option2=”48″ option3=”60″ option4=”120″ correct=”option2″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2022
To solve this problem, we treat the couple as a single unit. This means we are arranging 4 entities: the couple (as one unit) and the remaining 3 individuals. These 4 entities can be arranged in 4! ways. Since the two members of the couple can swap positions within their unit, there are 2! ways for them to be seated relative to each other. The total number of ways is the product of the ways to arrange the units and the ways to arrange within the unit: 4! × 2! = 24 × 2 = 48.
– Treat the constrained group (the couple) as a single unit.
– Calculate the number of permutations of the resulting units (the couple unit + the other individuals).
– Calculate the number of permutations within the constrained group (the couple).
– The total number of arrangements is the product of these two numbers.
If there were no constraints, 5 people could be seated in 5! = 120 ways. The constraint that the couple sits together reduces the number of possibilities significantly. This method of treating a group that must stay together as a single unit is a standard technique in permutation problems.

158. If the average of the first four of five numbers in decreasing order i

If the average of the first four of five numbers in decreasing order is 25 and the average of the last four numbers is 20, then what is the difference between the first and the last number?

[amp_mcq option1=”5″ option2=”10″ option3=”15″ option4=”20″ correct=”option4″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2022
Let the five numbers in decreasing order be $n_1, n_2, n_3, n_4, n_5$, such that $n_1 > n_2 > n_3 > n_4 > n_5$.

The average of the first four numbers is 25.
$(n_1 + n_2 + n_3 + n_4) / 4 = 25$
The sum of the first four numbers is $n_1 + n_2 + n_3 + n_4 = 25 \times 4 = 100$. (Equation 1)

The average of the last four numbers is 20.
$(n_2 + n_3 + n_4 + n_5) / 4 = 20$
The sum of the last four numbers is $n_2 + n_3 + n_4 + n_5 = 20 \times 4 = 80$. (Equation 2)

We need to find the difference between the first and the last number, which is $n_1 – n_5$.

Subtract Equation 2 from Equation 1:
$(n_1 + n_2 + n_3 + n_4) – (n_2 + n_3 + n_4 + n_5) = 100 – 80$

Expanding the left side:
$n_1 + n_2 + n_3 + n_4 – n_2 – n_3 – n_4 – n_5 = 100 – 80$

The terms $n_2, n_3, n_4$ cancel out:
$n_1 – n_5 = 20$

The difference between the first and the last number is 20.

– Understanding the definition of average (Sum / Number of elements).
– Setting up equations based on the given information about sums of subsets of numbers.
– Using subtraction of equations to isolate the desired difference.
This type of problem is common in testing basic algebraic manipulation of sums and averages. Note that we don’t need to find the individual values of the numbers to find the difference between the first and last. The fact that the numbers are in decreasing order is given, but it doesn’t directly affect the calculation of the difference $n_1 – n_5$, although it implies $n_1 – n_5 > 0$.

159. Suppose $A$ and $B$ can complete a work together in 10 days. If $B$ al

Suppose $A$ and $B$ can complete a work together in 10 days. If $B$ alone can complete the work in 15 days, then in how many days can $A$ alone finish the work?

[amp_mcq option1=”20 days” option2=”24 days” option3=”25 days” option4=”30 days” correct=”option4″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2022
Let $W$ be the total amount of work to be done.
Let $R_A$ be the work rate of A (amount of work A can do in one day).
Let $R_B$ be the work rate of B (amount of work B can do in one day).

Work done = Rate × Time.
Rate = Work / Time.

A and B together complete the work in 10 days.
Their combined rate is $R_A + R_B$.
$(R_A + R_B) \times 10 = W$
$R_A + R_B = \frac{W}{10}$

B alone completes the work in 15 days.
B’s rate is $R_B$.
$R_B \times 15 = W$
$R_B = \frac{W}{15}$

We want to find the time it takes for A alone to finish the work. Let this time be $T_A$.
$R_A \times T_A = W$
$T_A = \frac{W}{R_A}$

Substitute the value of $R_B$ into the combined rate equation:
$R_A + \frac{W}{15} = \frac{W}{10}$

Solve for $R_A$:
$R_A = \frac{W}{10} – \frac{W}{15}$

Find a common denominator for the fractions (LCM of 10 and 15 is 30):
$R_A = \frac{3W}{30} – \frac{2W}{30}$
$R_A = \frac{3W – 2W}{30} = \frac{W}{30}$

Now, calculate the time taken for A alone:
$T_A = \frac{W}{R_A} = \frac{W}{\frac{W}{30}}$
$T_A = W \times \frac{30}{W} = 30$

A alone can finish the work in 30 days.

– Understanding work rate as the reciprocal of the time taken to complete the work (assuming total work is 1 unit).
– Combined work rate is the sum of individual work rates.
– Solving for the unknown individual work rate and then calculating the time.
If we assume the total work is 1 unit:
Combined rate = 1/10 per day.
B’s rate = 1/15 per day.
A’s rate = Combined rate – B’s rate = 1/10 – 1/15 = (3 – 2)/30 = 1/30 per day.
Time taken by A alone = 1 / A’s rate = 1 / (1/30) = 30 days.
This approach simplifies calculations by normalizing the total work to 1.

160. A car travels $\frac{3}{4}$th of the distance at a speed of $60 \text{

A car travels $\frac{3}{4}$th of the distance at a speed of $60 \text{ km/hr}$ and the remaining $\frac{1}{4}$th of the distance at a speed of $v \text{ km/hr}$. If the average speed for the full journey is $50 \text{ km/hr}$, then the value of $v$ is

[amp_mcq option1=”40″ option2=”30″ option3=”100/3″ option4=”35″ correct=”option3″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2022
Let the total distance be $D$.
The journey is in two parts.
Part 1: Distance $D_1 = \frac{3}{4}D$, Speed $S_1 = 60 \text{ km/hr}$.
Time taken for Part 1: $T_1 = \frac{D_1}{S_1} = \frac{\frac{3}{4}D}{60} = \frac{3D}{240} = \frac{D}{80}$ hours.

Part 2: Distance $D_2 = D – D_1 = D – \frac{3}{4}D = \frac{1}{4}D$. Speed $S_2 = v \text{ km/hr}$.
Time taken for Part 2: $T_2 = \frac{D_2}{S_2} = \frac{\frac{1}{4}D}{v} = \frac{D}{4v}$ hours.

Total distance for the journey is $D$.
Total time for the journey is $T_{total} = T_1 + T_2 = \frac{D}{80} + \frac{D}{4v}$.

The average speed for the full journey is given as $50 \text{ km/hr}$.
Average Speed = $\frac{\text{Total Distance}}{\text{Total Time}}$
$50 = \frac{D}{\frac{D}{80} + \frac{D}{4v}}$

We can factor out $D$ from the denominator:
$50 = \frac{D}{D\left(\frac{1}{80} + \frac{1}{4v}\right)}$
$50 = \frac{1}{\frac{1}{80} + \frac{1}{4v}}$

Taking the reciprocal of both sides:
$\frac{1}{50} = \frac{1}{80} + \frac{1}{4v}$

Now, solve for $v$:
$\frac{1}{4v} = \frac{1}{50} – \frac{1}{80}$

Find a common denominator for the right side, which is 400:
$\frac{1}{4v} = \frac{8}{400} – \frac{5}{400}$
$\frac{1}{4v} = \frac{8 – 5}{400}$
$\frac{1}{4v} = \frac{3}{400}$

Cross-multiply:
$4v \times 3 = 1 \times 400$
$12v = 400$

Divide by 12:
$v = \frac{400}{12}$

Simplify the fraction by dividing numerator and denominator by their greatest common divisor, which is 4:
$v = \frac{400 \div 4}{12 \div 4} = \frac{100}{3}$

The value of $v$ is $\frac{100}{3} \text{ km/hr}$.

– Definition of average speed (Total Distance / Total Time).
– Calculating time taken for each segment of the journey.
– Setting up and solving an equation based on the given average speed.
This problem illustrates the concept that average speed is not simply the average of the speeds when the time spent at each speed or the distance covered at each speed is different. The weighted average must be calculated based on time.
The reciprocal formula for average speed when different distances are covered at different speeds is not directly applicable here in its simplest form, but the fundamental definition always works.
Note that $100/3$ km/hr is approximately $33.33$ km/hr.