■ Class 10 Mathematics – HOTS (Higher Order
Thinking Skills) Questions
For thorough practice and 4–5 mark preparation based on CBSE pattern.
1. Real Numbers
• Prove that a number of the form 5■ − 4■ is divisible by 21 for all positive integers n.
• Show that √2 + √5 is an irrational number.
• If HCF(96, 404) = 96m + 404n, find m and n using Euclid’s Algorithm.
• Find whether 77/210 has a terminating or non-terminating decimal expansion.
2. Linear Equations in Two Variables
• Find k if the system 2x + 3y = 7 and (k−1)x + (k+2)y = 3k has (a) no solution (b) infinite
solutions.
• The sum of a two-digit number and the number obtained by reversing its digits is 110. Their
difference is 36. Find the number.
• Solve a word problem involving cost or speed–distance using two linear equations.
3. Triangles
• Prove that the ratio of the areas of two similar triangles is equal to the square of the ratio of their
corresponding sides.
• In ■ABC, DE || BC. If AD = 3 cm, DB = 2 cm, AE = 4.5 cm, find AC.
• Prove Pythagoras’ theorem using the concept of similarity.
4. Introduction to Trigonometry
• If sinA = 3/5, find cosA and tanA and verify 1 + tan²A = sec²A.
• Prove: (1 − sinA)/cosA = cosA/(1 + sinA).
• Prove: (1 + tanA)(1 + cotA) = 2 + tanA + cotA.
5. Applications of Trigonometry
• A pole is 6 m high. Its shadow is √3 times its height. Find the angle of elevation of the sun.
• Two towers 150 m apart. From top of smaller tower, angle of elevation of the taller top = 30°,
angle of depression of its base = 60°. Find heights of towers.
• Solve height–distance problems involving more than one angle of elevation.
6. Areas Related to Circles
• A chord of a circle of radius 14 cm subtends 60° at the centre. Find the area of the minor
segment.
• The wheel of a car makes 400 revolutions per minute. Find the distance covered in 10 minutes.
• Find the difference in area between two sectors of the same circle given their angles.
7. Surface Areas and Volumes
• A cone is melted and recast into a cylinder. Find the height of the cylinder.
• Two cones have equal radii but heights in ratio 9:16. Find ratio of their curved surface areas.
• A hemisphere is surmounted on a cylinder of equal radius. Find total surface area and volume.
• Find volume of a frustum formed by cutting a cone parallel to its base.
8. Statistics
• The mean of 100 observations is 40. One value 60 was wrongly taken as 30. Find correct
mean.
• Find missing frequency f if median is given.
• Interpret data: Which class interval has greatest variability or compare two data sets using
mean/median/mode.