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Question 1Mathematics (Engineering stream)
If A is a square matrix of order 3 with det(A) = 5, then det(2A) equals
- 10
- 5
- 80
- 40 Correct answer.
Explanation
For any n × n matrix A and scalar k, the determinant satisfies det(kA) = k^n det(A). Here n = 3 and k = 2, so det(2A) = 2^3 × 5 = 8 × 5 = 40. The scalar multiplies every one of the three rows, which is why the factor is cubed rather than doubled.
Question 2Mathematics (Engineering stream)
The value of i^2023, where i = √(-1), is
- -i Correct answer.
- i
- -1
- 1
Explanation
Powers of i repeat with period 4: i^1 = i, i^2 = -1, i^3 = -i, i^4 = 1. Since 2023 = 4 × 505 + 3, we get i^2023 = (i^4)^505 × i^3 = 1 × (-i) = -i.
Question 3Mathematics (Engineering stream)
The value of lim(x→0) sin(5x)/(3x) is
- 3/5
- 1
- 0
- 5/3 Correct answer.
Explanation
Write sin(5x)/(3x) as (5/3) · sin(5x)/(5x). As x → 0, the angle 5x → 0 and sin(5x)/(5x) → 1, so the limit equals 5/3. Both numerator and denominator tend to 0, so the standard limit sin θ/θ → 1 resolves the indeterminacy.
Question 4Mathematics (Engineering stream)
The sum Σ(k = 1 to 10) k(k + 1) equals
- 440 Correct answer.
- 330
- 385
- 495
Explanation
Split the sum: Σk^2 + Σk = 10·11·21/6 + 10·11/2 = 385 + 55 = 440. Equivalently, use the closed form n(n + 1)(n + 2)/3 with n = 10, giving 10·11·12/3 = 440.
Question 5Mathematics (Engineering stream)
If y = x^x for x > 0, then dy/dx equals
- x^x ln x
- x^(x-1)
- x^x(1 + ln x) Correct answer.
- x^x(1 - ln x)
Explanation
Taking logarithms gives ln y = x ln x, then differentiating implicitly yields (1/y)(dy/dx) = ln x + 1. Multiplying by y = x^x gives dy/dx = x^x(1 + ln x). The power rule does not apply because the exponent is itself a function of x.
Question 6Mathematics (Engineering stream)
The value of ∫ from 0 to π/2 of sin²x dx is
- 1
- π/2
- π/4 Correct answer.
- π
Explanation
Use the identity sin²x = (1 - cos 2x)/2, so the integral becomes [x/2 - sin 2x/4] evaluated from 0 to π/2. At the upper limit this is π/4 - 0, and at the lower limit it is 0, so the value is π/4.
Question 7Mathematics (Engineering stream)
If |a| = 3, |b| = 4 and a·b = 6, then |a × b| equals
- 2√3
- 6
- 12
- 6√3 Correct answer.
Explanation
Use the identity |a × b|² = |a|²|b|² - (a·b)², which gives 9 × 16 - 36 = 144 - 36 = 108. Hence |a × b| = √108 = 6√3. The dot product fixes the cosine of the angle, and the cross product magnitude follows from the sine.
Question 8Mathematics (Engineering stream)
Two fair dice are thrown simultaneously. The probability that the sum of the numbers shown is 9 is
- 1/12
- 1/6
- 1/9 Correct answer.
- 5/36
Explanation
The favourable outcomes are (3,6), (4,5), (5,4) and (6,3), giving 4 favourable cases out of 36 equally likely outcomes. Therefore the probability is 4/36 = 1/9.
Question 9Mathematics (Engineering stream)
The eccentricity of the hyperbola 9x² - 16y² = 144 is
- √7/4
- 5/4 Correct answer.
- 5/3
- 4/5
Explanation
Dividing by 144 gives x²/16 - y²/9 = 1, so a² = 16 and b² = 9. For a hyperbola, e = √(1 + b²/a²) = √(1 + 9/16) = √(25/16) = 5/4.
Question 10Mathematics (Engineering stream)
The solution of the differential equation dy/dx + y tan x = sec x with y(0) = 0 is
- y = sec x
- y = tan x
- y = sin x Correct answer.
- y = cos x
Explanation
The integrating factor is e^(∫tan x dx) = sec x, so the equation becomes d/dx(y sec x) = sec²x. Integrating gives y sec x = tan x + C, and y(0) = 0 forces C = 0, so y = tan x · cos x = sin x.
Question 11Mathematics (Engineering stream)
If A is a square matrix of order 3 that is skew-symmetric, then det(A) equals
- 0 Correct answer.
- Cannot be determined from the given data
- −1
- 1
Explanation
For a skew-symmetric matrix A we have Aᵀ = −A. Taking determinants, det(Aᵀ) = det(−A), so det(A) = (−1)³det(A) = −det(A), which forces det(A) = 0. The odd order 3 is what makes the sign factor −1 rather than +1.
Question 12Mathematics (Engineering stream)
The principal argument of the complex number z = −1 + i√3 lies in which of the following values?
- 5π/6
- 2π/3 Correct answer.
- π/3
- −π/3
Explanation
The point (−1, √3) lies in the second quadrant, so its argument is π minus the reference angle. Since tan α = √3/1 gives α = π/3, the principal argument is π − π/3 = 2π/3.
Question 13Mathematics (Engineering stream)
The number of distinct arrangements of all the letters of the word EAMCET is
- 720
- 360 Correct answer.
- 120
- 180
Explanation
The word has 6 letters in which the letter E occurs twice and all other letters are distinct. The number of distinct permutations is therefore 6!/2! = 720/2 = 360.
Question 14Mathematics (Engineering stream)
Let f(x) = (x² − 4)/(x − 2) for x ≠ 2 and f(2) = k. The function f is continuous at x = 2 when k equals
- 0
- 2
- Does not exist
- 4 Correct answer.
Explanation
Continuity at x = 2 requires f(2) to equal the limit of f(x) as x → 2. Since x² − 4 = (x − 2)(x + 2), the quotient simplifies to x + 2 for x ≠ 2, whose limit at x = 2 is 4, so k must be 4.
Question 15Mathematics (Engineering stream)
If y = sin⁻¹(2x/(1 + x²)) with |x| < 1, then dy/dx equals
- 2/(1 + x²) Correct answer.
- 2x/(1 + x²)
- 1/(1 + x²)
- 2/(1 − x²)
Explanation
Put x = tan θ, so that 2x/(1 + x²) = sin 2θ and θ = tan⁻¹x. Then y = 2θ = 2tan⁻¹x, and differentiating gives dy/dx = 2/(1 + x²).
Question 16Mathematics (Engineering stream)
The value of the definite integral ∫ from 0 to 1 of x·e^(x²) dx is
- (e + 1)/2
- e/2
- (e − 1)/2 Correct answer.
- e − 1
Explanation
Substituting u = x² gives du = 2x dx, so the integral becomes (1/2)∫ from 0 to 1 of e^u du. This equals (1/2)(e − 1), since e⁰ = 1.
Question 17Mathematics (Engineering stream)
If a and b are two vectors with a·b = 0, |a| = 1 and |b| = 1, then |a + b| equals
- 1
- √2 Correct answer.
- 2
- 0
Explanation
Expanding the squared magnitude gives |a + b|² = |a|² + |b|² + 2(a·b) = 1 + 1 + 0 = 2. Hence |a + b| = √2, which reflects the fact that a and b are perpendicular unit vectors.
Question 18Mathematics (Engineering stream)
A bag contains 3 red and 5 black balls. Two balls are drawn at random one after the other without replacement. The probability that both balls drawn are red is
- 3/8
- 5/28
- 15/64
- 3/28 Correct answer.
Explanation
The probability that the first ball is red is 3/8, and given that, the probability that the second is also red is 2/7. Multiplying these dependent probabilities gives (3/8)(2/7) = 6/56 = 3/28.
Question 19Mathematics (Engineering stream)
The term independent of x in the expansion of (x + 2/x²)^9 is
- 336
- 1344
- 84
- 672 Correct answer.
Explanation
The general term is C(9, r)·x^(9 − r)·(2/x²)^r = C(9, r)·2^r·x^(9 − 3r). For the term independent of x we need 9 − 3r = 0, so r = 3, giving C(9, 3)·2³ = 84·8 = 672.
Question 20Mathematics (Engineering stream)
The order and degree of the differential equation (d²y/dx²)³ + (dy/dx)⁵ = 0 are respectively
- 2 and 5
- 3 and 5
- 3 and 2
- 2 and 3 Correct answer.
Explanation
The order is the order of the highest derivative present, which is the second derivative, so the order is 2. The degree is the exponent of that highest derivative when the equation is written as a polynomial in derivatives, which here is 3.
Question 21Mathematics (Engineering stream)
If α and β are the roots of the quadratic equation x² − 5x + 6 = 0, then α² + β² equals
- 11
- 13 Correct answer.
- 25
- 19
Explanation
For a quadratic with roots α and β, α + β = 5 and αβ = 6. Using α² + β² = (α + β)² − 2αβ gives 25 − 12 = 13.
Question 22Mathematics (Engineering stream)
The slope of any line perpendicular to the line 3x + 4y = 7 is
- −3/4
- 4/3 Correct answer.
- −4/3
- 3/4
Explanation
Rewriting 3x + 4y = 7 gives slope −3/4. A perpendicular line has slope equal to the negative reciprocal, so its slope is 4/3.
Question 23Mathematics (Engineering stream)
A set A contains 5 distinct elements. The number of subsets of A other than A itself is
- 30
- 32
- 16
- 31 Correct answer.
Explanation
A set with 5 elements has 2⁵ = 32 subsets in total. Excluding the set A itself leaves 32 − 1 = 31 subsets.
Question 24Mathematics (Engineering stream)
The coefficient of x⁴ in the expansion of (2 − x)⁶ is
- −240
- 60 Correct answer.
- −60
- 240
Explanation
The term containing x⁴ is obtained by choosing x from 4 factors and 2 from the remaining 2 factors. Its coefficient is C(6,4)·2²·(−1)⁴ = 15·4 = 60.
Question 25Mathematics (Engineering stream)
The length of the latus rectum of the ellipse x²/25 + y²/9 = 1 is
- 18/5 Correct answer.
- 6
- 10/3
- 9/5
Explanation
For the ellipse x²/a² + y²/b² = 1, the latus rectum length is 2b²/a. Here a² = 25 and b² = 9, so the length is 2·9/5 = 18/5.
Question 26Mathematics (Engineering stream)
From a standard pack of 52 playing cards, a card is drawn at random. Given that the card drawn is a face card, the probability that it is a king is
- 4/13
- 1/4
- 1/3 Correct answer.
- 1/13
Explanation
There are 12 face cards in a standard pack, and 4 of them are kings. Therefore the conditional probability is 4/12 = 1/3.
Question 27Mathematics (Engineering stream)
If y = e^(sin x), then dy/dx equals
- e^(sin x)
- −cos x e^(sin x)
- sin x e^(cos x)
- cos x e^(sin x) Correct answer.
Explanation
Differentiate e^(sin x) using the chain rule. The derivative is e^(sin x) multiplied by the derivative of sin x, which is cos x.
Question 28Mathematics (Engineering stream)
The indefinite integral ∫ x cos x dx equals
- −x sin x + cos x + C
- x sin x + cos x + C Correct answer.
- x sin x − cos x + C
- x cos x + sin x + C
Explanation
Use integration by parts with u = x and dv = cos x dx. Then du = dx and v = sin x, so the integral is x sin x − ∫ sin x dx = x sin x + cos x + C.
Question 29Mathematics (Engineering stream)
The number of distinct real roots of the equation x³ − 3x + 1 = 0 is
- 1
- 3 Correct answer.
- 2
- 0
Explanation
Let f(x) = x³ − 3x + 1. Its derivative is 3(x² − 1), so the critical points are x = −1 and x = 1. Since f(−1) = 3 and f(1) = −1, and the cubic has opposite end behaviour at ±∞, its graph crosses the x-axis once in each of three intervals, giving three distinct real roots.
Question 30Mathematics (Engineering stream)
The sum of the infinite series 1/(1·3) + 1/(3·5) + 1/(5·7) + ⋯ is
- 2/3
- 1/2 Correct answer.
- 1/3
- 1
Explanation
The nth term is 1/((2n − 1)(2n + 1)) = 1/2[1/(2n − 1) − 1/(2n + 1)]. The partial sums telescope to 1/2[1 − 1/(2N + 1)], whose limit as N → ∞ is 1/2.
Question 31Mathematics (Engineering stream)
If A is a 3 × 3 matrix with det(A) = 2, then det(2A) equals
- 32
- 4
- 16 Correct answer.
- 8
Explanation
For an n × n matrix A and a scalar k, the rule is det(kA) = k^n det(A). Here n = 3 and k = 2, so det(2A) = 2^3 · 2 = 16.
Question 32Mathematics (Engineering stream)
The modulus of the complex number (1 + i)/(1 − i) is
- 0
- √2
- 2
- 1 Correct answer.
Explanation
Simplify by multiplying numerator and denominator by 1 + i: (1 + i)/(1 − i) = ((1 + i)^2)/(1 + 1) = i. The modulus of i is 1.
Question 33Mathematics (Engineering stream)
In how many ways can 5 distinct books be arranged around a circular table?
- 60
- 120
- 20
- 24 Correct answer.
Explanation
The number of circular arrangements of n distinct objects is (n − 1)!. With n = 5, this gives (5 − 1)! = 4! = 24.
Question 34Mathematics (Engineering stream)
The value of lim(x→0) (1 − cos 2x)/x² is
- 0
- 1/2
- 2 Correct answer.
- 1
Explanation
Use 1 − cos 2x = 2 sin² x. Then the quotient becomes 2(sin x/x)², and since sin x/x → 1, the limit is 2.
Question 35Mathematics (Engineering stream)
If y = tan⁻¹((1 − x)/(1 + x)) for x > −1, then dy/dx at x = 0 is
- 0
- −1 Correct answer.
- −1/2
- 1
Explanation
For x > −1, tan⁻¹((1 − x)/(1 + x)) = π/4 − tan⁻¹ x. Differentiating gives dy/dx = −1/(1 + x²), so at x = 0 the value is −1.
Question 36Mathematics (Engineering stream)
The indefinite integral ∫ ln x dx, for x > 0, is
- x/ln x + C
- x ln x + x + C
- (ln x)²/2 + C
- x ln x − x + C Correct answer.
Explanation
Integrate by parts with u = ln x and dv = dx. This gives ∫ ln x dx = x ln x − ∫1 dx = x ln x − x + C.
Question 37Mathematics (Engineering stream)
Urn A contains 2 white and 3 black balls; urn B contains 3 white and 2 black balls. An urn is chosen at random and one ball is drawn; it is white. The probability that it came from urn A is
- 1/2
- 1/5
- 3/5
- 2/5 Correct answer.
Explanation
By Bayes' theorem, P(A | white) = [(1/2)(2/5)] / [(1/2)(2/5) + (1/2)(3/5)] = (1/5)/(1/2) = 2/5.
Question 38Mathematics (Engineering stream)
The differential equation of all circles touching the x-axis at the origin is
- (y² − x²) dy/dx = 2xy
- (x² − y²) dy/dx = 2xy Correct answer.
- (x² + y²) dy/dx = 2xy
- (x² − y²) dy/dx = x² + y²
Explanation
Such a circle has equation x² + y² − 2ry = 0, where r is its radius. Differentiating gives x + y y′ = r y′, and eliminating r using r = (x² + y²)/(2y) yields (x² − y²)y′ = 2xy.
Question 39Mathematics (Engineering stream)
The equation of the hyperbola whose foci are (±5, 0) and whose transverse axis has length 6 is
- x²/9 − y²/25 = 1
- x²/25 − y²/9 = 1
- x²/16 − y²/9 = 1
- x²/9 − y²/16 = 1 Correct answer.
Explanation
The transverse axis length is 2a = 6, so a = 3. The foci give c = 5, hence b² = c² − a² = 25 − 9 = 16. Therefore the hyperbola is x²/9 − y²/16 = 1.
Question 40Mathematics (Engineering stream)
If a = 2i + 3j + k and b = i − j + 4k, then a · b equals
- 5
- 3 Correct answer.
- −3
- 9
Explanation
The dot product of a = a1i + a2j + a3k and b = b1i + b2j + b3k is a1b1 + a2b2 + a3b3. Here it is (2)(1) + (3)(−1) + (1)(4) = 2 − 3 + 4 = 3.
Question 41Mathematics (Engineering stream)
If A = [[1, 2], [3, 4]], then A² − 5A equals
- 2I Correct answer.
- 4I
- 0
- I
Explanation
Compute A² = [[7, 10], [15, 22]] and 5A = [[5, 10], [15, 20]]. Subtracting entrywise gives [[2, 0], [0, 2]], which is 2I.
Question 42Mathematics (Engineering stream)
If sin θ + cos θ = 1/2, then sin 2θ equals
- −3/4 Correct answer.
- −1/4
- 1/4
- 3/4
Explanation
Square both sides: sin²θ + 2sinθcosθ + cos²θ = 1/4. Since sin²θ + cos²θ = 1, this gives 1 + sin 2θ = 1/4, so sin 2θ = −3/4.
Question 43Mathematics (Engineering stream)
The term independent of x in the expansion of (x² + 1/x)⁹ is
- 126
- 84 Correct answer.
- −84
- −126
Explanation
The general term is C(9, r)(x²)^(9−r)(1/x)^r = C(9, r)x^(18−3r). For the x-power to vanish, 18 − 3r = 0, so r = 6. The coefficient is C(9, 6) = 84.
Question 44Mathematics (Engineering stream)
A bag contains 4 red and 6 blue balls. Two balls are drawn one after another without replacement. The probability that both are red is
- 1/5
- 1/3
- 4/15
- 2/15 Correct answer.
Explanation
The probability is (4/10)(3/9), because after one red is removed there are 3 red among 9 balls. Multiplying gives 12/90 = 2/15.
Question 45Mathematics (Engineering stream)
The distance between the parallel lines 3x + 4y = 7 and 3x + 4y = 12 is
- 1/5
- 1 Correct answer.
- 7/5
- 5
Explanation
For parallel lines ax + by = c1 and ax + by = c2, the distance is |c2 − c1| / √(a² + b²). Here it is |12 − 7| / √(9 + 16) = 5/5 = 1.
Question 46Mathematics (Engineering stream)
The direction cosines of the line joining A(1, 2, 3) and B(4, 6, 3) are
- (3/5, 4/5, 0) Correct answer.
- (3, 4, 0)
- (4/5, 3/5, 0)
- (3/5, 4/5, 1)
Explanation
The direction ratios are B − A = (3, 4, 0), whose length is √(9 + 16 + 0) = 5. Dividing each direction ratio by 5 gives direction cosines (3/5, 4/5, 0).
Question 47Mathematics (Engineering stream)
The integrating factor of the differential equation dy/dx + (1/x)y = x², for x > 0, is
- x²
- 1/x
- e^x
- x Correct answer.
Explanation
Write the equation as y′ + P(x)y = Q(x), so P(x) = 1/x. The integrating factor is e^(∫(1/x)dx) = e^(ln x) = x because x > 0.
Question 48Mathematics (Engineering stream)
The maximum value of f(x) = x³ − 3x² + 6x − 4 on the interval [0, 3] is
- 18
- 6
- 14 Correct answer.
- 10
Explanation
f′(x) = 3x² − 6x + 6 = 3[(x − 1)² + 1] > 0 for all x, so f is strictly increasing on [0, 3]. Hence the maximum occurs at x = 3, and f(3) = 27 − 27 + 18 − 4 = 14.
Question 49Mathematics (Engineering stream)
The locus of a complex number z satisfying |z − 1| + |z + 1| = 4 is an ellipse. Its eccentricity is
- 1/4
- 2/3
- 1/2 Correct answer.
- √3/2
Explanation
The foci are at 1 and −1, so the focal distance is c = 1. The constant sum is 2a = 4, hence a = 2 and the eccentricity is e = c/a = 1/2.
Question 50Mathematics (Engineering stream)
If α and β are the roots of x² − 5x + 6 = 0, then α² + β² equals
- 19
- 11
- 13 Correct answer.
- 25
Explanation
By Vieta’s formulas, α + β = 5 and αβ = 6. Therefore α² + β² = (α + β)² − 2αβ = 25 − 12 = 13. The roots are 2 and 3, and 2² + 3² = 13 confirms the result.