Number Theory, Number Systems : CAT Quant

Since CAT 2001, this is an oft-repeated topic in CAT

Number Theory / Number systems is a topic from which you can expect anywhere between 4 to 10 marks worth of questions in the quant section of CAT. This topic will definitely feature amongst the A category topics if one were to do an ABC analysis of topics that figure in CAT Math. Ascent's Arithmetic Refresher covers this topic in depth. The chapter starts from absolute basic and covers advanced topics in Number Theory. The following areas are covered in this topic in the refresher material. 1. Definition of different types of numbers from Natural Number to Real numbers, including irrational numbers, surds, binomial quadratic surds and their conjugates, complex numbers and their conjugates. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Prime numbers and method to determine if a given number is a prime number. Co-prime numbers, applications and examples. Tests of divisibility including shortcuts for divisibility of numbers such as '7' and '13'. Concepts and solved examples to elucidate the concept of LCM and HCF. Fractions - Proper fractions, improper fractions, LCM and HCF of fractions. Factors and method to find the number of factors for a given integer. Method to find the sum of all positive factors of a natural number. Properties of remainders and quotients of division of large numbers for e.g., 371 by 8. Remainder theorem and its application with examples - an oft repeated question in CAT since CAT 2001. Factorials explained with examples. Highest power of a number contained in a factorial.

7.
8. 9.

10. Properties of unit digits of numbers raised to large powers. For example unit digit of 14328971179.
11. Conversion of numbers from one base to another and back to decimal notation. 12. Successive division of numbers and remainders of such successive division The chapter contains

Over 15 illustrative examples to explain the concepts Around 35 solved examples (with shortcuts wherever applicable) to acquaint you with as many different questions as possible 30 exercise problems with answer key and explanatory answers to provide you with practice and An objective type speed test with around 60 questions. Explanatory answers and answer key are provided for the speed test

Sample Question in Number Theory

This question appeared as a 2-Marks question in CAT 2005 What is the righmost non-zero digit of the number 302720? (1) 1 (2) 3 (3) 7 (4) 9 Correct Answer: Choice (1).

Explanatory Answer As the given number is a multiple of 10, the last 2720 digits will be 0s. The right most non-zero digit of the number will be the unit digit of the number 32720. The unit digit of the powers of "3" follow a cyclicity of "4" i.e., The units digit of 31 is 3 The units digit of 32 is 9 The units digit of 33 is 7 The units digit of 34 is 1. Then the cyclicity sets in. The units digits of 35 is 3. The units digits of 36 is 9 and so on. In 32720 as 2720 is a multiple of "4", the number will have the same units digit as 34 which is "1". Hence, the rightmost non-zero digit of the number is "1".
A collection of questions that typically appear in the Common Admission Test (CAT) from the topic Number Theory. These questions will guide you through your CAT and other MBA entrance exam preparation. 1> If both 112 and 33 are factors of the number a * 43 * 62 * 1311, then what is the smallest possible value of a? 1. 2. 3. 4. 121 3267 363 33

Correct choice (3). Correct Answer - (363) Explanatory Answers

112 is a factor of the given number. The number does not have a power or multiple of 11 as its factor. Hence, "a" should include 112

33 is a factor of the given number. 62 is a part of the number. 62 has 32 in it. Therefore, if 33 has to be a factor of the given number a * 43 * 62 * 1311, then we will need at least another 3.

Therefore, if "a" should be at least 112 * 3 = 363 if the given number has to have 112 and 33 as its factors.

2>
(1) (2) (3) (4)

Find the greatest number of five digits, which is exactly divisible by 7, 10, 15, 21 and 28. 99840 99900 99960 99990

Correct Choice is (3) and the correct answer is 99960 Explanatory The Hence, number it should is be exactly to divisible check by the 15 (3, 5), for 21 3, (3, 4, 7), 5 28 Answers (4, and 7). 7.

enough

divisibility

99960 is the only number which satisfies the given condition.

3>Question Anita had to do a multiplication. Instead of taking 35 as one of the multipliers, she took 53. As a result, the product (1) (2) (3) (4) Correct choice is (4) and Correct Answer is 1590 Explanatory Let She Instead, the was she number expected found that to the Anita find wanted the value to multiply value of of 53X. be Answers 'X'. 35X. went up by 540. What is the new product? 1050 540 1440 1590

The difference between the value that she got (53X) and what she was expected to get (35X), according to the question, i.e., or X Therefore, new product = 53 * 30 = 1590 (53 53X 35) = * is 35X X = = 540. 540 540 30