Pattern Recognition - 3

Recently I have come across few people who try to cram the pattern that they learn. Grave mistake one can do! CAT-IIM paper setters are too smart and they change the pattern a bit and your approach to that question will change. Obviously, the concept remains same. So instead of cramming one should focus on sharpening the ability to curl out the pattern. Because there are infinite patterns possible and you never know as things are under the sun. CAT tests your ability to understand and observe and not to memorize. Its a matter of  aptitude. 





Anyways, lets us see today's question:

The number of positive integers valued pairs (x , y) satisfying 4x - 17y = 1 and x <=1000 is

• 59
• 57
• 55
• 58

Patter Recognition Question - 2

This question is a simplified version of actual CAT question. Obviously concept remains same. Try out. Check the video for solution.

If A1 = 1 and A(N+1) – 3AN + 2 = 4N for every positive integer N, then A10 = 

•

• 39    -  20
• 310  + 20 
• 39    + 20
• 310  - 20
• 310  /  20 

 

      

Pattern Recognition Question - 1

Pattern recognition as the name implies is the ability to catch the hidden pattern. CAT and other MBA entrances emphasize on this topic due to certain reasons:

• No advanced mathematical skill needed.
• Logic is king.
• You are expected to be a manager in future. Being a manager, it is expected that you can recognize the pattern. Say company makes high profits in September and sales slow down in October, then it is expected from you that you could curl out this pattern. And for this reason pattern recognition has always been there and it can be a decisive area.

We shall see the question on pattern recognition for some days. I do remember that question on number system - base concept are yet to be posted. That I will do it in few days.  

Question:

What would be the sum, in thousands, of all the possible four digits numbers that you could make with the digits 2,3,4,5 and 6.

OPTIONS ARE NOT NEEDED! For solution see this video:

  

Number System : Base concept

CAT (common admission test) always checks your thinking out of the box ability. Today what we shall discuss proves this unparalleled ability of CAT. GRE and GMAT have also used this concept. But most of the books have ignored this topic. But I really can't figure ou why? This concept is being repeatedly put to test several times. And topic is too easy even.



As we all know that we follow decimal number system. But have you ever wondered that can there be other number system too. Say octagonal number system. Have you ever wondered why anything raised to zero is one? If you know this well and good. But if you don't know this....we shall discuss this today.

Tomorrow I am going to post a slideshow with few questions on the concept that we discussed today. 

That is it for today! Thank you!

Do you know this?

CAT IS A MCQ BASED EXAMINATION! Ya ya...you all must be knowing this but many a times we forget this at a time of writing a paper. Options are your best friends. Many of the CAT and other MBA entrance exams questions are designed in such a way that you just can't solve them without use of options. If you try to get you answer by solving questions, I am sorry to say but there is complete likelihood that you will not get correct answer or may be you won't reach any answer! Let us say you are having 2 equations and three unknowns. Maths says you need 3 equations to solve equations having three unknowns. Logic never puts any limitation.

Particularly in case of DI and LR and sometimes in QUANT even, options are to be used inevitably. And sometimes, question become easier if we use options. Let us see one examples to see what wonders options can do: 

Question:

Three friends, returning from a movie, stopped to eat at a restaurant Sita took 1/3 of mint but returned 4 because of a momentary pang of guilt. Fatima then took 1/4 of what was left but returned three for similar reason. Eswari then took half of the remainder but threw 2 back to the bowl. Only 17 mints are left now. Determine original number of mints.

options : A)27 B)30 C)48 D)36

Solution: You can always use equations. But process will be time consuming. Let me tell you a logic behind this that CAT wants to check. No one will ever take mind in fractions. they will always take in whole numbers.

If option 1 were true then sita will take 1/3 *27 = 9. Left in bowl = 18. Then she returned 4. So 18 + 4=22 mints were left in bowl. But if 22 are left for fatima and she takes 1/4  *22 then fatima will take 5.5 which is a fraction. Options 1 is eliminated here.

If option 2 were true then sita will take 1/3*30 = 10. Left in bowl = 20. Then she returned 4. So 20+4= 24 mints were left in bowl. Now fatima will take 1/4*24 =6. So mints left in bowl  = 18. Then fatima returned 3. So 18+3=21 mints were left in the bowl. Eswari took 1/2 of 21. That is 10.5. Fraction! eliminated!

If option 3 were true then sita will take 1/3*48 = 16. Left in bowl = 32.then she returned 4. So 32+4=36. Now fatima will take 1/4 * 36 =9. So mints left in bowl  = 27.Then fatima returned 3. So 3+27 = 30 were left in bowl.  Eswari took 1/2 of 30. That is 15. Then Eswari returned 2. That makes 15 + 2 =17. That exactly matches the given data in the question. So our answer is option3. 


We need not to look any further option. This process may look long because I have explained it to you. But try to apply this yourself. You will realize that it takes hardly one minute.

Thank you!

CAT: FasTrack

Are you appearing for CAT 2011? You have less than two months time!! No matter how well you are prepared CAT has a power to make you feel low confident. CAT has always been know for its element of surprise! And this seems to be a valid reason to be worried!?

Well, My answer is a big NO! Because I personally believe in a theory. This theory may not help you get into IIM but it will surely help you to manage your stress (Little bit of stress in good by the way!!) See if you have prepared well....if you have been working hard enough...then there is no need to worry...You have given your best and still you have a one month time to improve. And if you did not work hard then please just stop worrying. If you did not bother to care before then why such trepidation now!! There is no point. Better work hard next time! For those who think they have worked hard but still can't score well. Don't worry! If you have worked hard in right direction (hard and smart work...both are necessary) you will come out with flying colors. You have time! This was my personal advice! 

I said all this because many of my friends who are appearing for CAT this year feel stressed. Some curse their teachers...few say that material was not good...some say CAT is not their piece of cake....etc.... excuses don't let us get anything.

Anyways still we should try to absorb most out of this remaining time. I am just trying to give you an outline to work with.

- Sleep : at least 7 hours (must).If you don't sleep enough you may go blank at CAT paper! Nothing can be worse than this!

-Mocks : Appear for maximum number of mocks. But don't over stress. If your friend appears 7 papers a week...that really does not mean that you have to appear 14 a week. Its ok even if you appear 3. Quality outweighs quantity! Also try to form your strategy!

-Revision: You better start revising your concept! That is must!

-Vocabulary : Just go through word power made easy! (you must know it by heart by now)....And standard word lists.

-Believe in yourself : I don't have anything to tell you about this!

ONCE YOU APPEAR FOR CAT, PLEASE SHARE YOUR VALUABLE EXPERIENCE OF TAKING CAT WITH US, NO MATTER IF YOU CRACK IT OR NOT!

CAT concept: Squares

CAT (common admission test) and other MBA entrance exam use simple sounding topics like square and cubes. But still most of us find it difficult to solve questions about them. Let us see few underlying concepts.



It is advised that once you learn this fundamental, you apply this to original CAT question. Also try to appy them in your day to day practice.

check out this video: