D PHYSICS

CSIR-NET, GATE, SET, JEST, IIT-JAM, BARC, TIFR

Contact: 8830156303 | 8329503213

PHYSICAL SCIENCE

MATHEMATICAL PHYSICS
Previous Year Questions [Topic-Wise)
With Answer Key

CSIR-NET/JRF,GATE,JEST,TIFR

DPHYSICS KRISHNA CHOWK, NEW SANGAVI, PUNE-27 CONTACT: 8830156303

NO TOPIC PAGE NO:
1. Complex Analysis 3
2. Fourier Transform 35
3. Group Theory 45
4. Dirac Delta Function 50
5. Differential Equations 54
6. Fourier Series 86
7. Laplace Transform 92
8. Matrix 96
9. Numerical Analysis 121
10. Probability 127
11. Vector Algebra 146
12. Error Analysis 168
13. Miscellaneous 178

2
 Mathematical Physics: Complex Analysis

❖ CSIR-NET PYQ
1. The value of the integral ∫𝐶 𝑑𝑧𝑧 2 𝑒 𝑧 , where 𝐶 is an open contour in the complex z-plane as
shown in the figure below, is: [CSIR JUNE 2011]

5 5 5 5
(a) + 𝑒 (b) 𝑒 − (c) − 𝑒 (d) − −𝑒
𝑒 𝑒 𝑒 𝑒

2. Which of the following is an analytic function of the complex variable 𝑧 = 𝑥 + 𝑖𝑦 in the

domain |𝑧| < 2 ? [CSIR JUNE 2011]

(a) (3 + 𝑥 − 𝑖𝑦)7 (b) (1 + 𝑥 + 𝑖𝑦)4 (7 − 𝑥 − 𝑖𝑦)3

(c) (1 − 2𝑥 − 𝑖𝑦)4 (3 − 𝑥 − 𝑖𝑦)3 (d) (𝑥 + 𝑖𝑦 − 1)1/2

3. The principal value of the real integral

+3 𝑑𝑥
𝐼 = ∫−3 is:
𝑥2 + 3𝑥 + 2
[CSIR DEC 2011]

3𝜋 2
(a) (b)ln ( ) (c) ∞ (d) 0
2 5

4. The first few terms in the Taylor series expansion of the function 𝑓(𝑥) = sin 𝑥
𝜋
around 𝑥 = are [CSIR DEC 2011]
4

3
 1 𝜋 1 𝜋 2 1 𝜋 3
(a) [1 + (𝑥 − ) + (𝑥 − ) + (𝑥 − ) … ]
√2 4 2! 4 3! 4

1 𝜋 1 𝜋 2 1 𝜋 3
(b) [1 + (𝑥 − ) − (𝑥 − ) − (𝑥 − ) … ]
√2 4 2! 4 3! 4

𝜋 1 𝜋 3
(c) [(𝑥 − ) − (𝑥 − ) … ]
4 3! 4

1 𝑥2 𝑋3
(d) [1 − 𝑥 + − …]
√2 2! 3!

5. The first few terms in the Laurent series for

1
(𝑧 − 1)(𝑧 − 2)
in the region 1 ≤ |𝑧| ≤ 2, and around 𝑧 = 1 is [CSIR JUNE 2012]

1 2 3
𝑧 𝑧2 𝑧3
(a) [1 + 𝑧 + 𝑧 + 𝑧 + ⋯ . . . ] [1 + + + + ⋯ . ]
2 2 4 8

1
(b) + 𝑧 − (1 − 𝑧)2 + (1 − 𝑧)3 + ⋯ …
1−𝑧

1 1 1 2 4
(c) 2
[1 + + 2 + ⋯ . . . ] [1 + + 2 + ⋯ . . ]
𝑧 𝑧 𝑧 𝑧 𝑧

(d) 2(𝑧 − 1) + 5(𝑧 − 1)2 + 7(𝑧 − 1)3 + ⋯ …

6. Let
1
𝑢(𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝑥 + (𝑥 2 − 𝑦 2 )
2
be the real part of an analytic function f(z) of the complex variable 𝑧 = 𝑥 + 𝑖𝑦. The
imaginary part of f(z) is [CSIR JUNE 2012]

4
 (a) 𝑦 + 𝑥𝑦 (b) 𝑥𝑦 (c) 𝑦 (d) 𝑦 2 − 𝑥 2

7. The value of the integral [CSIR JUNE 2012]

∞ 1 𝜋𝑡
∫−∞ cos ( ) 𝑑𝑡
𝑡 2 − 𝑅2 2𝑅
is

(a) −2𝜋/𝑅 (b) −𝜋/𝑅 (c) 𝜋/𝑅 (d) 2𝜋/𝑅

8. The Taylor expansion of the function 𝑙n(cosh x), where ' x ' is real, about the point x = 0
starts with the following terms: [CSIR DEC 2012]

1 1 4 1 1 4
(a) − x 2 + x + ⋯…… (b) x 2 − x + ⋯……
2 12 2 12

1 1 1 1
(c) − x 2 + x 4 + ⋯ … (d) x 2 + x 4 + ⋯ … …
2 6 2 6

9. The value of the integral

z 3 dz
∫c 2
z − 5z + 6
, where C is a closed contour defined by the equation 2|z| − 5 = 0, traversed in the anti-
clockwise direction, is: [CSIR DEC 2012]

(a) −16𝜋i (b) 16𝜋i (c) 8𝜋i (d) 2𝜋i

10. With 𝑧 = 𝑥 + iy, which of the following functions 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) is NOT a (complex) analytic
function of z ? [CSIR JUNE 2013]

(a) 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) = (𝑥 + 𝑖𝑦 − 8)3 (b) 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) = (𝑥 + 𝑖𝑦)7 (1 − 𝑥 − 𝑖𝑦)3

5
 (c)(4 + 𝑥 2 − 𝑦 2 + 2𝑖𝑥𝑦)7 (d) 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) = (1 − 𝑥 + 𝑖𝑦)4 (2 + 𝑥 + 𝑖𝑦)6

11. Which of the following functions cannot be the real part of a complex analytic function of
𝑧 = 𝑥 + 𝑖𝑦 ? [CSIR DEC 2013]

(a) 𝑥 2 𝑦 (b) 𝑥 2 − 𝑦 2 (c) 𝑥 3 − 3𝑥𝑦 2 (d) 3𝑥 2 𝑦 − 𝑦 − 𝑦 3

12. Given that the integral

∞ 𝑑𝑥 𝜋
∫0 =
𝑦 2 + 𝑥 2 2𝑦
,the value of
∞ 𝑑𝑥
∫0
(𝑦 2 + 𝑥 2 )2
is [CSIR DEC 2013]

𝜋 𝜋 𝜋 𝜋
(a) (b) (c) (d)
𝑦3 4𝑦 3 8𝑦 3 2𝑦 3

1
13. If C is the contour defined by |𝑧| = , the value of the integral [CSIR JUNE 2014]
2

𝑑𝑧
∮ 𝐶
is
sin2 𝑧

(a) ∞ (b) 2𝜋𝑖 (c) 0 (d) 𝜋𝑖

14. The function Φ(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧, 𝑡) = cos (𝑧 − 𝑣𝑡) + Re (sin (𝑥 + 𝑖𝑦)) satisfies the equation
[CSIR JUNE 2014]
1 ∂2 Φ ∂2 ∂2 ∂2 1 ∂2 ∂2 ∂2 ∂2
(a) = ( + + )Φ (b) ( + ) Φ = ( + )Φ
𝑣 2 ∂𝑡 2 ∂𝑥 2 ∂𝑦 2 ∂𝑧 2 𝑣 2 ∂𝑡 2 ∂𝑧 2 ∂𝑥 2 ∂𝑦 2

1 ∂2 ∂2 ∂2 ∂2 ∂2 1 ∂2 ∂2 ∂2
(c) ( 2 2 − 2 ) Φ = ( 2 − 2 ) Φ (d) ( 2 − 2 2 ) Φ = ( 2 − 2 ) Φ
𝑣 ∂𝑡 ∂𝑧 ∂𝑥 ∂𝑦 ∂𝑧 𝑣 ∂𝑡 ∂𝑥 ∂𝑦

6
15. The principal value of the integral
∞ sin (2𝑥)
∫−∞ 𝑑𝑥
𝑥3
is [CSIR DEC 2014]

(a) −2𝜋 (b) −𝜋 (c) 𝜋 (d) 2𝜋

16. The Laurent series expansion of the function 𝑓(𝑧) = 𝑒 𝑧 + 𝑒 1/𝑧 about 𝑧 = 0 is given by
[CSIR DEC 2014]

𝑧𝑛 1 1
(a)∑∞
𝑛=−∞ for all |𝑧| < ∞ (b)∑∞ 𝑛
𝑛=0 (𝑧 + ) only if 0 < |𝑥| < 1
𝑛! 𝑧 𝑛 𝑛!

1 1 𝑧𝑛
(c)∑∞ 𝑛
𝑛=0 (𝑧 + ) for all 0 < |𝑧| < ∞ (d)∑∞
𝑛=−∞ , only if |𝑧| < 1
𝑧 𝑛 𝑛! 𝑛!

17. Consider the function

1
𝑓(𝑧) = ln (1 − 𝑧)
𝑧
of a complex variable 𝑧 = 𝑟𝑒 𝑖𝜃 (𝑟 ≥ 0, −∞ < 𝜃 < ∞). The singularities of 𝑓(𝑧) are as
follows: [CSIR DEC 2014]

(a) branch points at 𝑧 = 1 and 𝑧 = ∞; and a pole at 𝑧 = 0 only for 0 ≤ 𝜃 < 2𝜋

(b) branch points at 𝑧 = 1 and 𝑧 = ∞; and a pole at 𝑧 = 0 for all 𝜃 other than 0 ≤ 𝜃 < 2𝜋

(c) branch points at 𝑧 = 1 and 𝑧 = ∞; and a pole at 𝑧 = 0 for all 𝜃

(d) branch points at 𝑧 = 0, 𝑧 = 1 and 𝑧 = ∞

18. The value of the integral

∞ 𝑑𝑥
∫−∞
1 + 𝑥4
7
 is [CSIR JUNE 2015]

𝜋 𝜋
(a) (b) (c)√2𝜋 (d) 2𝜋
√2 2

19. The function

𝑧
sin 𝜋𝑧 2
of a complex variable 𝑧 has [CSIR DEC 2015]

(a) a simple pole at 0 and poles of order 2 at ±√𝑛 for 𝑛 = 1,2,3 …

(b) a simple pole at 0 and poles of order 2 at ±√𝑛 and ±𝑖 √𝑛 for 𝑛 = 1,2,3 …

(c) poles of order 2 at ±√𝑛, 𝑛 = 0,1,2,3 …

(d) poles of order 2 at ±𝑛, 𝑛 = 0,1,2,3 …

20. The radius of convergence of the Taylor series expansion of the function
1
cosh (𝑥)
around 𝑥 = 0, is [CSIR JUNE 2016]

𝜋
(a) ∞ (b) 𝜋 (c) (d) 1
2

21. The value of the contour integral

1 𝑒 4𝑧 − 1
∮ 𝐶 cosh (𝑧) − 2sinh (𝑧)
𝑑𝑧
2𝜋𝑖
around the unit circle 𝐶 traversed in the anti-clockwise direction, is [CSIR JUNE 2016]

8 1
(a) 0 (b) 2 (c) − (d) − tanh ( )
√3 2

8
22. Let 𝑢(𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝑒 𝑎𝑥 cos (𝑏𝑦) be the real part of a function 𝑓(𝑧) = 𝑢(𝑥, 𝑦) + 𝑖𝑣(𝑥, 𝑦) of the
complex variable 𝑧 = 𝑥 + 𝑖𝑦, where 𝑎, 𝑏 are real constants and 𝑎 ≠ 0. The function 𝑓(𝑧) is
complex analytic everywhere in the complex plane if and only if [CSIR JUNE 2017]

(a) 𝑏 = 0 (b) 𝑏 = ±𝑎 (c) 𝑏 = ±2𝜋𝑎 (d) 𝑏 = 𝑎 ± 2𝜋

23. The integral

𝑧𝑒 𝑖𝜋𝑧/2
∮ Γ 𝑧2 − 1
𝑑𝑧

along the closed contour Γ shown in the figure is [CSIR JUNE 2017]

(a) 0 (b) 2𝜋 (c) −2𝜋 (d) 4𝜋𝑖

1
24. Consider the real function 𝑓(𝑥) = (𝑥2 . The Taylor expansion of 𝑓(𝑥) about 𝑥 = 0
+4)

converges [CSIR DEC 2017]

(a) for all values of 𝑥 (b) for all values of 𝑥 except 𝑥 = ±2

(c) in the region −2 < 𝑥 < 2 (d) for 𝑥 > 2 and 𝑥 < −2

25. What is the value of 𝛼 for which

𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) = 2𝑥 + 3(𝑥 2 − 𝑦 2 ) + 2𝑖(3𝑥𝑦 + 𝛼𝑦)
is an analytic function of complex variable 𝑧 = 𝑥 + 𝑖𝑦 ? [CSIR JUNE 2018]

(a) 1 (b) 0 (c) 3 (d) 2

9
26. The value of the integral
𝑑𝑧 tanh 2𝑧
∮ 𝐶 𝑧 sin 𝜋𝑧

𝜋
, where 𝐶 is a circle of radius , traversed counter-clockwise, with centre at 𝑧 = 0, is
2

[CSIR DEC 2018]

(a) 4 (b) 4𝑖 (c) 2𝑖 (d) 0

27. The integral 𝐼 = ∫𝐶 𝑒 𝑧 𝑑𝑧 is evaluated from the point (−1,0) to (1,0) along the contour 𝐶,
which is an arc of the parabola 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 − 1, as shown in the figure. [CSIR DEC 2018]

The value of 𝐼 is

(a) 0 (b) 2sinh 1 (c) 𝑒 2𝑖 sinh 1 (d) 𝑒 + 𝑒 −1

28. The contour 𝐶 of the following integral

√(𝑧 − 1)(𝑧 − 3)
∮ 𝐶 𝑑𝑧
(𝑧 2 − 25)3
, in the complex 𝑧-plane is shown in the figure below. [CSIR DEC 2018]

This integral is equivalent to an integral along the contours

10
29. The value of the definite integral
𝜋 𝑑𝜃
∫0
5 + 4cos 𝜃
is [CSIR JUNE 2019]

4𝜋 2𝜋 𝜋
(a) (b) (c) 𝜋 (d)
3 3 3

𝜋 1
30. Let 𝐶 be the circle of radius , centered at 𝑧 =
4 4

in the complex 𝑧 plane that is traversed counterclockwise. The value of the contour
integral
𝑧2
∮ 𝐶 sin2 4𝑧
𝑑𝑧

is [CSIR DEC 2019]

(a) 0 (b) 𝑖𝜋 2 /4 (c) 𝑖𝜋 2 /16 (d) 𝑖𝜋/4

31. A function of a complex variable 𝑧 is defined by the integral

𝑤2 − 2
𝑓(𝑧) = ∫− 𝑑𝑤
𝑤−𝑧
, where Γ is a circular contour of radius 3 , centred at origin, running counter-clockwise in
the 𝑤-plane. The value of the function at 𝑧 = (2 − 𝑖) is [CSIR NOV 2020]

11
 2 𝑖
(a) 0 (b)1 − 4𝑖 (c)8𝜋 + 2𝜋𝑖 (d) − −
𝜋 2𝜋

1
32. At z = 0, the function of a complex variable z has [CSIR JUNE 2022]
z−sin z

(a) No singularity (b) A simple pole

(c) A pole of order 2 (d) A pole of order 3

i⋯ 1
33. If z = ii (note that the exponent continues indefinitely), then a possible value of ln z is
z

[CSIR JUNE 2022]

(a) 2iln i (b) ln i (c) iln i (d) 2ln i

34. The value of the integral

∞ cos αx
∫−∞ dx
x2 + 1
, for α > 0, is [CSIR JUNE 2022]

(a)πeα (b)πe−α (c)πeα/2 (d)πe−α/2

35. The locus of the curve

𝜋(𝑧 − 1) − 1
Im ( )=1
𝑧−1
in the complex 𝑧-plane is a circle centered at (𝑥0 𝑦0 ) and 𝑅-respectively are
[CSIR JUNE 2023]

1 1 1 1
(a) (1, ) and (b) (1, − ) and
2 2 2 2

(c) (1,1) and 1 (d) (1, −1) and 1

36. If 𝑧 is a complex number, which among the following sets is neither open nor closed?

12
 [CSIR DEC 2023]

(a){𝑧|0 ≤ |𝑧 − 1 ∣≤ 2} (b){𝑧||𝑧 ∣≤ 1}

𝜋
(c){𝑧 ∣ 𝑧 ∈ (ℂ − {3}) and |𝑧| ≤ 100} (d) {𝑧 ∣ 𝑧 = 𝑟𝑒 𝑖𝜃 , 0 ≤ 𝜃 ≤ }
4

37. The branch line for the function

𝑧 2 − 5𝑧 + 6
𝑓(𝑧) = √
𝑧 2 + 2𝑧 + 1

is [CSIR DEC 2023]

38. The function

1
𝑓(𝑧) =
(𝑧 + 1)(𝑧 + 3)
is defined on the complex plane. The coefficient of the (𝑧 − 𝑧0 )2 term of the Laurent series
of 𝑓(𝑧) about 𝑧0 = 1 is [CSIR DEC 2023]

7 7 9 9
(a) (b) (c) (d)
64 128 64 128

13
39. The value of the integral (where 𝑘 is a constant),

1 5
∮ 𝐶 sin (𝑘𝑧)𝑑𝑧
2𝜋𝑖 (𝑧 − 2)2

over the closed contour 𝐶 as shown below, is [CSIR DEC 2024]

(a)5𝑘cos (2𝑘) (b)5𝑘sin (2𝑘) (c)5cos (2𝑘) (d)−5𝑘 2 sin (2𝑘)

1
40. The complex integral ∫𝑐 𝑧 4 exp ( ) 𝑑𝑧, where 𝐶 is the unit circle centered around the
2𝑧

origin traversed counter-clock-wise, equals [CSIR DEC 2024]

𝜋𝑖 𝜋𝑖 𝜋𝑖
(a) (b) (c)0 (d)
120 960 1920

41. Gamma function with argument 𝑧 is defined as

∞
Γ[𝑧] = ∫ 𝑑𝑡𝑡 𝑧−1 𝑒 −𝑡
0

where 𝑧 is a complex variable and Re𝑧 ≥ 0. Γ[𝑧] has [CSIR DEC 2024]

(a)a branch point at 𝑧 = 0 (b)a simple pole at 𝑧 = 0

(c)a removable singularity at 𝑧 = 0 (d)an essential singularity at 𝑧 = 0

14
 1
42. For the function 𝑓(𝑧) = exp [𝑧 − 1 + ]
𝑧−1

[CSIR JUNE 2025]

(a)𝑧 = 1 is a pole of order one. (b)𝑧 = 1 is an essential singularity.

(c)𝑧 = 1 is a pole of order two. (d)𝑧 = 1 is a removable singular point.

∞ cos 𝛼𝑥
43. The value of the integral ∫0 𝑑𝑥, where 𝛼 is a positive real number, is
1+𝑥 2

[CSIR JUNE 2025]

𝜋 𝜋
(a) 𝑒 −𝛼 (a)𝜋𝑒 −𝛼 (c) 𝑒 −(𝛼/2) (d)𝜋𝑒 −(𝛼/2)
2 2

❖ GATE PYQ
sin 𝑧
1. The value of the residue of is [GATE 2001]
𝑧6

1 1 2𝜋𝑖 2𝜋𝑖
(a) − (b) (c) (d) −
5! 5! 5! 5!

2. The value of the integral ∫𝐶 𝑧10 𝑑𝑧, where 𝐶 is the unit circle with the origin as the centre is
[GATE 2001]

(a) 0 (b) z11 /11 (c) 2𝜋𝑖𝑧11 /11 (d) 1/11

3. If a function 𝑓(𝑧) = 𝑢(𝑥, 𝑦) + 𝑖𝑣(𝑥, 𝑦) of the complex variable 𝑧 = 𝑥 + 𝑖𝑦, where 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑢 and
𝑣 are real, is analytic in a domain D of 𝑧, then which of the following is true?
[GATE 2002]
∂𝑢 ∂𝑣 ∂𝑢 ∂𝑣 ∂𝑢 ∂𝑣
(a) = (b) = and =−
∂𝑥 ∂𝑥 ∂𝑥 ∂𝑦 ∂𝑦 ∂𝑥

15
 ∂𝑢 ∂𝑣 ∂𝑢 ∂𝑣 ∂2 𝑢 ∂2 𝑣
(c) = and = (d) =
∂𝑥 ∂𝑥 ∂𝑦 ∂𝑦 ∂𝑥 ∂𝑦 ∂𝑥 ∂𝑦

4. The value of the integral ∫𝐶 𝑑𝑧/𝑧 2 , where 𝑧 is a complex variable and C is the unit circle
with the origin as its centre, is [GATE 2003]

(a) 0 (b) 2𝜋𝑖 (c) 4𝜋𝑖 (d) −4𝜋𝑖

5. Using the residue theorem, compute the integral

∞ 𝑑𝑥
𝐼 = ∫0
(1 + 𝑥)4
[GATE 2002]

6. The inverse of the complex number

3 + 4𝑖
3 − 4𝑖
is [GATE 2004]

2 24 7 24 7 24 7 25
(a) +𝑖 (b) − +𝑖 (c) −𝑖 (d) − −𝑖
25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25

7. The value of
𝑑𝑧
∫𝐶
(𝑧 2 + 𝑎 2 )
, where 𝐶 is a unit circle (anti-clockwise) centered at the origin in the complex 𝑧 plane is
[GATE 2004]

1 𝜋 1
(a) 𝜋 for𝑎 = 2 (b) zero for 𝑎 = (c) 4𝜋 for 𝑎 = 2(d) for 𝑎 =
2 2 2

8. If 𝑥𝑝(𝑥) and 𝑥 2 𝑞(𝑥) have the Taylor series expansions

𝑥𝑝(𝑥) = 4 + 𝑥 + 𝑥 2 + ⋯ … .
𝑥 2 𝑞(𝑥) = 2 + 3𝑥 + 5𝑥 2 + ⋯ … .

16
 then the roots of the indicial equation are [GATE 2004]

(a) −1,0 (b) −1, −2 (c) −1,1 (d) −1,2

9. The value of the integral

𝑑𝑧
∫𝐶
𝑧+3
, where 𝐶 is a circle (anticlockwise) with |𝑧| = 4, is [GATE 2005]

(a) 0 (b) 𝜋𝑖 (c) 2𝜋𝑖 (d) 4𝜋𝑖

10. All solutions of the equation 𝑒 𝑧 = −3 are [GATE 2005]

(a) 𝑧 = in 𝜋ln 3, 𝑛 = ±1, ±2, … (b) 𝑧 = ln 3 + 𝑖(2𝑛 + 1)𝜋, 𝑛 = 0, ±1, ±2, …

(c) 𝑧 = ln 3 + 𝑖2𝑛𝜋, 𝑛 = 0, ±1 ± 2, … (d) 𝑧 = 𝑖3𝑛𝜋, 𝑛 = ±1 ± 2, ….

sin 𝑧
11. Consider the following function: 𝑓(𝑧) = . Which of the following statemens is are
𝑧

TRUE? [GATE 2005]

(a) z = 0 is pole of order 1 (b) z = 0 is a removable singular point

(c) z = 0 is a pole order 3 (d) 𝑧 = 0 is an essential singular point

12. The value of

𝑒 2𝑧
∮ 𝐶 𝑑𝑧
(𝑧 + 1)4
, where 𝐶 is a circle defined by |𝑧| = 3, is [GATE 2006]

8𝜋𝑖 −2 8𝜋𝑖 −1 8𝜋𝑖 8𝜋𝑖 2

(a) 𝑒 (b) 𝑒 (c) 𝑒 (d) 𝑒
3 3 3 3

17
13. The contour integral
𝑑𝑧
∮
𝑧 4 + 𝑎4
is to be evaluated on a circle of radius 2𝑎 centered at the origin. It will have contributions
only from the points [GATE 2007]

1+𝑖 1+𝑖
(a) 𝑎and − 𝑎 (b) ia and − ia
√2 √2

1−𝑖 1−𝑖 1+𝑖 1+𝑖 1−𝑖 1−𝑖

(c)𝑖𝑎, −𝑖𝑎, 𝑎and − 𝑎 (d) 𝑎, − 𝑎, 𝑎and − 𝑎
√2 √2 √2 √2 √2 √2

14. If 𝐼 = ∮ 𝐶 𝑑𝑧ln (𝑧), where 𝐶 is the unit circle taken anticlockwise and ln (𝑧) is the principal
branch of the Logarithm function, which one of the following is correct?
[GATE 2008]
(a) I = 0 by residue theorem (b) I is not defined since ln (𝑧) has a branch cut

(c) 𝐼 ≠ 0 (d) ∮ 𝐶 𝑑𝑧Ln (𝑧 2 ) = 2𝐼

15. The value of

𝑖
∫ 𝜋(𝑧 + 1)𝑑𝑧
−𝑖

is [GATE 2008]

(a) 0 (b) 2𝜋𝑖 (c) −2𝜋𝑖 (d) (−1 + 2𝑖)𝜋

16. The value of the integral

𝑒𝑥
∫𝐶 2
𝑧 − 3𝑧 + 2
, where the contour 𝐶 is the circle |𝑧| = 3/2 is [GATE 2009]

(a) 2𝜋𝑖𝑒 (b) 𝜋𝑖𝑒 (c) −2𝜋𝑖𝑒 (d) −𝜋𝑖𝑒

18
17. The value of the integral
𝑒 𝑧 sin (𝑧)
∮ 𝐶 𝑑𝑧
𝑧2
, where the contour 𝐶 is the unit circle |𝑧 − 2| = 1 is [GATE 2010]

(a) 2𝜋𝑖 (b) 4𝜋𝑖 (c) 𝜋𝑖 (d) 0

18. For the complex function,

𝑒 √𝑧 − 𝑒 −√𝑧
𝑓(𝑧) =
sin (√𝑧)
which of the following statements is correct? [GATE 2010]

(a) 𝑧 = 0 is a branch point (b) 𝑧 = 0 is a pole of order one

(c) 𝑧 = 0 is a removable singularity (d) 𝑧 = 0 is an essential singularity

Common Data for Questions 19 and 20:

Consider a function
𝑧sin 𝑧
𝑓(𝑧) =
(𝑧 − 𝜋)2
of a complex variable 𝑧.

19. Which of the following statements is true for the function 𝑓(𝑧) ? [GATE 2011]

(a) 𝑓(𝑧) is analytic everywhere in the complex plane

(b) 𝑓(𝑧) has a zero at 𝑧 = 𝜋

(c) 𝑓(𝑧) has a pole of order 2 at 𝑧 = 𝜋

(d) 𝑓(𝑧) has a simple pole at 𝑧 = 𝜋

19
20. Consider a counter clockwise circular contour |𝑧| = 1 about the origin. The integral
∮ 𝑓(𝑧)𝑑𝑧 over this contour is [GATE 2011]

(a) −𝑖𝜋 (b) 0 (c) 𝑖𝜋 (d) 2𝑖𝜋

21. The value of the integral ∮ 𝑒 1/𝑧 𝑑𝑧, using the contour 𝐶 of circle with unit radius |𝑧| = 1 is
[GATE 2012]

(a) 0 (b) 1 − 2𝜋𝑖 (c) 1 + 2𝜋𝑖 (d) 2𝜋𝑖

22. For the function

16𝑧
𝑓(𝑧) =
(𝑧 + 3)(𝑧 − 1)2
, the residue at the pole 𝑧 = 1 is _________(your answer should be an integer)
[GATE 2013]

23. The value of the integral

𝑧2
∮ 𝐶 𝑧 𝑑𝑧
𝑒 +1
Where C is the circle |z| = 4 is [GATE 2014]

(a) 2𝜋𝑖 (b) 2𝜋 2 𝑖 (c) 4𝜋 3 𝑖 (d) 4𝜋 2 𝑖

24. Consider 𝑤 = 𝑓(𝑧) = 𝑢(𝑥, 𝑦) + 𝑖𝑣(𝑥, 𝑦) to be an analytic function in a domain D. Which one
of the following options is not correct? [GATE 2015]

(a) 𝑢(𝑥, 𝑦) satisfies Laplace equation in D

(b) 𝑣(𝑥, 𝑦) satisfies Laplace equation in D

20
 𝑧2
(c) ∫𝑧 𝑓(𝑧)𝑑𝑧 is dependent on the choice of the contour between 𝑧1 and 𝑧2 in D
1

(d) 𝑓(𝑧) can be Taylor expanded in D

25. Which of the following is an analytic function of 𝑧 everywhere in the complex plane?
[GATE 2016]

(a) 𝑧 2 (b) (𝑧 ∗ )2 (c) |𝑧|2 (d) √𝑧

26. Consider a complex function

1
𝑓(𝑧) =
1
𝑧 (𝑧 + ) cos (𝑧𝜋)
2
. Which one of the following statements is correct? [GATE 2015]

(a) 𝑓(𝑧) has simple poles at 𝑧 = 0 and 𝑧 = −1/2

(b) 𝑓(𝑧) has a second order pole at 𝑧 = −1/2

(c) 𝑓(𝑧) has infinite number of sccond order poles

(d) 𝑓(𝑧) has all simple poles

27. The contour integral

𝑑𝑧
∮
1 + 𝑧2
evaluated along a contour going from −∞ to +∞ along the real axis and closed in the lower
half-plane by a half circle is equal to_________ . (up to two decimal places).
[GATE 2017]

21
28. The imaginary part of an analytic complex function is 𝑣(𝑥, 𝑦) = 2𝑥𝑦 + 3𝑦. The real part of
the function is zero at the origin. The value of the real part of the function at 1 + 𝑖 is (up to
two decimal places) [GATE 2017]

29. The absolute value of the integral

5𝑧 3 + 3𝑧 2
∫ 𝑑𝑧
𝑧2 − 4
over the circle |𝑧 − 1.5| = 1 in complex plane, is (up to two decimal places).
[GATE 2018]

30. The pole of the function 𝑓(𝑧) = cot 𝑧 at 𝑧 = 0 is [GATE 2019]

(a) a removable singularity (b) an essential singularity

(c) a simple pole (d) a second order pole

31. The value of the integral

∞ cos (𝑘𝑥)
∫−∞ 𝑑𝑥
𝑥 2 + 𝑎2
, where 𝑘 > 0 and 𝑎 > 0, is [GATE 2019]

𝜋 2𝜋 −𝑘𝑎 𝜋 −𝑘𝑎 3𝜋 −𝑘𝑎

(a) 𝑒 −𝑘𝑎 (b) 𝑒 (c) 𝑒 (d) 𝑒
𝑎 𝑎 2𝑎 2𝑎

32. For a complex variable 𝑧 and the contour 𝑐: |𝑧| = 1 taken in the counter clockwise
direction,
1 2 3
∮ 𝐶
(𝑧 − + ) 𝑑𝑧 =
2𝜋𝑖 𝑧 𝑧2
[GATE 2020]

33. A contour integral is defined as

22
 𝑑𝑧
𝐼𝑛 = ∮ 𝐶 (𝑧 − 𝑛)2 + 𝜋 2

where 𝑛 is a positive integer and 𝐶 is the closed contour, as shown in the figure, consisting
of the line from -100 to 100 and the semicircle traversed in the counterclockwise sense.

The value of ∑5𝑛=1 𝐼𝑛 (in integer) is [GATE 2021]

34. Complex function 𝑓(𝑧) = 𝑧 + |𝑧 − 𝑎|2 ( 𝑎 is a real number) is [GATE 2022]

(a)continuous at (𝑎, 𝑎) (b)complex-differentiable at (𝑎, 𝑎)

(c)complex-differentiable at (𝑎, 0) (d)analytic at (𝑎, 0)

35. Consider two real functions 𝑈(𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝑥𝑦(𝑥 2 − 𝑦 2 ), 𝑉(𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝑎𝑥 4 + 𝑏𝑦 4 + 𝑐𝑥 2 𝑦 2 + 𝑘

where 𝑘 is a real constant and 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐 are real coefficients. If 𝑈(𝑥, 𝑦) + 𝑖𝑉(𝑥, 𝑦) is analytic,
then what is the value of 𝑎 × 𝑏 × 𝑐 ? [GATE 2023]

1 3 5 3
(a) (b) (c) (d)
8 28 36 32

36. Consider the complex function

𝑧 2 sin 𝑧
𝑓(𝑧) =
(𝑧 − 𝜋)4
At 𝑧 = 𝜋, which of the following options is (are) CORRECT? [GATE 2023]

(a) The order of the pole is 4 (b) The order of the pole is 3

𝜋 2𝜋
(c) The residue at the pole is (d) The residue at the pole is
6 3

23
 2
)
37. The complex function 𝑒 −(𝑧−1 has [GATE 2024]

(a) a simple pole at 𝑧 = 1 (b) an essential singularity at 𝑧 = 1

(c) a residue equal to -2 at 𝑧 = 1 (d) a branch point at 𝑧 = 1

38. The equation 𝑧 2 + 𝑧‾2 = 4 in the complex plane (where 𝑧‾ is the complex conjugate of 𝑧 )
represents

(a) Ellipse (b) Hyperbola

(c) Circle of radius 2 (d) Circle of radius 4

39. The function 𝑒 cos 𝑥 is Taylor expanded about 𝑥 = 0. The coefficient of 𝑥 2 is

1 𝑒 𝑒
(a) − (b) − (c) (d) Zero
2 2 2

40. One of the roots of the equation, 𝑧 6 − 3𝑧 4 − 16 = 0 is given by 𝑧1 = 2. The value of the
product of the other five roots is

41. The value of

3+𝑖 2
|∫0 (𝑧‾)2 𝑑𝑧|

along the line 3𝑦 = 𝑥, where 𝑧 = 𝑥 + 𝑖𝑦 is

(Round off to 1 decimal places)

42. The coefficient of 𝑥 3 in the Taylor expansion of sin (sin 𝑥) around 𝑥 = 0 is .

(Specify your answer upto two digits after the decimal point)

24
 1
43. Consider the function 𝑓(𝑧) = of a complex variable 𝑧. The residues of the function
𝑧 2 (𝑧−2)3

at 𝑧 = 0 and 𝑧 = 2, respectively, are [GATE 2025]

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
(a)− and (b) and − (c)− and (d)− and
8 8 8 16 16 16 8 16

44. Consider the integral

1 𝑧4 − 1
𝐼= ∮ 𝑑𝑧
2𝜋𝑖 𝑎 𝑏
(𝑧 − ) (𝑧 − )
𝑏 𝑎
where 𝑧 is a complex variable and 𝑎, 𝑏 are positive real numbers. The integral is taken over
a unit circle with center at the origin. Which of the following option(s) is/are correct?
[GATE 2025]
5 10
(a)𝐼 = when 𝑎 = 1, 𝑏 = 2 (b)𝐼 = when 𝑎 = 1, 𝑏 = 3
8 3

5 5
(c)𝐼 = when 𝑎 = 2, 𝑏 = 1 (d)𝐼 = when 𝑎 = 3, 𝑏 = 2
8 8

❖ JEST PYQ
1. The value of the integral
∞ ln 𝑥
∫0 𝑑𝑥
(𝑥 2 + 1) 2
is [JEST 2012]

(a) 0 (b) −𝜋/4 (c) −𝜋/2 (d) 𝜋/2

2. Compute
Re (𝑧 2 ) + ln (𝑧 2 )
lim𝑧→0 =
𝑧2
[JEST 2013]
(a) The limit does not exist (b) 1

25
 (c) −I (d) −I

3. The value of
𝑧10 + 1
limi t lim𝑧→𝑖
𝑧6 + 1
is equal to [JEST 2014]

10 5
(a) 1 (b) 0 (c) − (d)
3 3

4. The value of integral

si n 𝑧
𝐼=∮ 𝐶 2𝑧 − 𝜋
𝑑𝑧

with 𝑐 a is circle |𝑧| = 2, is [JEST 2014]

(a) 0 (b) 2𝜋𝑖 (c) 𝜋𝑖 (d) −𝜋𝑖

5. Given an analytic function 𝑓(𝑧) = 𝜙(𝑥, 𝑦) + 𝑖𝜓(𝑥, 𝑦), where 𝜙(𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 − 𝑦 2 + 2𝑦. if
C is a constant, which of the following relations is true? [JEST 2015]

(a) 𝜓(𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝑥 2 𝑦 + 4𝑦 + 𝐶 (b) 𝜓(𝑥, 𝑦) = 2𝑥𝑦 − 2𝑥 + 𝐶

(c) 𝜓(𝑥, 𝑦) = 2𝑥𝑦 + 4𝑦 − 2𝑥 + 𝐶 (d) 𝜓(𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝑥 2 𝑦 − 2𝑥 + 𝐶

6. The value of the integral

∞ ln 𝑥
∫0 𝑑𝑥
(𝑥 2 + 1 )
[JEST 2016]
𝜋2 𝜋2
(a) (b) (c) 𝜋 2 (d) 0
4 2

7. Which one is the image of the complex domain {𝑧 ∣ 𝑥𝑦 ≥ 1, 𝑥 + 𝑦 > 0}, under the mapping
𝑓(𝑧) = 𝑧 2 , if 𝑧 = 𝑥 + 𝑖𝑦 ? [JEST 2017]

26
 (a) {𝑧 ∣ 𝑥𝑦 ≥ 1, 𝑥 + 𝑦 > 0} (b) {𝑧 ∣ 𝑥 ≥ 2, 𝑥 + 𝑦 > 0}

(c) {𝑧 ∣ 𝑦 ≥ 2∀𝑥} (d) {𝑧 ∣ 𝑦 ≥ 1∀𝑥}

8. The integral
∞ √𝑥 − 1
𝐼 = ∫1 𝑑𝑥
(1 + 𝑥)2
is [JEST 2017]
𝜋 𝜋 √𝜋 𝜋
(a) (b) (c) (d) √
√2 2√2 2 2

9. The integral
∞ cos 𝑥
∫−∞ 𝑑𝑥
𝑥2 + 1
is [JEST 2018]

(a) 𝜋/e (b) 𝜋e−2 (c) 𝜋 (d) zero

10. Consider the function 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) = |𝑥| − 𝑖|𝑦|. In which domain of the complex plane is this
function analytic? [JEST 2019]

(a) First and second quadrants (b) Second and third quadrants

(c) Second and fourth quadrants (d) Nowhere

11. What is the value of the following contour integral 𝐼 taken counterclockwise around the
circle |𝑍| = 2 ?
𝑑𝑧
𝐼=∮ 𝐶 𝑧 3 (𝑧 + 4)

[JEST 2020]

27
 𝜋𝑖 𝜋𝑖 𝜋𝑖 𝜋𝑖
(a) (b) (c) (d)
2 32 16 4

12. What value the following infinite series will converge to? [JEST 2021]
∞
𝑛2
∑ 𝑛
2
𝑛=1

𝜋2 1
(a) (b) (c) 3 (d) 6
6 2

13. Consider a complex function

1
𝑓(𝑧) = .
6𝑧 3 + 3𝑧 2 + 2𝑧 + 1
What is the sum of the residues at its poles? [JEST 2022]

𝑖√3 4 2
(a) (b) (c) (d) 0
7 7 7

14. Consider a complex number 𝑧 = 𝑥 + 𝑖𝑦. Where do all the zeros of cos (𝑧) lie? [JEST 2022]

(a) On the 𝑥 = 0 line. (b) On the 𝑦 = 0 line.

(c) On the 𝑥 = 𝑦 line. (d) On the 𝑥 = −𝑦 line.

15. Calculate the contour integral

cos2 (𝑧) − 𝑧 2
𝐼=∮ 𝐶 𝑑𝑧
(𝑧 − 𝑎)3
where the clockwise contour 𝐶 is encircling the point 𝑧 = 𝑎 in the complex plane.
[JEST 2023]
(a) −(sin 2𝑎 + 1)2𝜋𝑖 (c) −(cos 2𝑎 + 1)2𝜋𝑖

(b) (cos 2𝑎 + 1)2𝜋𝑖 (d) (sin 2𝑎 + 1)2𝜋𝑖

28
16. Compute the contour integral:
𝑧𝑑𝑧
𝐼=∮
sinh (2𝜋𝑧)
3
where the contour is a circle of radius centred around the origin and the direction is
4

counterclockwise. [JEST 2023]

(a) 0 (b) -1 (c) 𝜋 (d) 1

17. What is the value of [JEST 2024]

∞ 𝑑𝑥
∫0 ?
1 + 𝑥3

2𝜋 𝜋 2𝜋 𝜋
(a) (b) (c) (d)
√3 3√3 3√3 3

18. What is the value of

∞ 𝑑𝑥
∫0 ?
1 + 𝑥3
[JEST 2024]

2𝜋 𝜋 2𝜋 𝜋
(a) (b) (c) (d)
√3 3√3 3√3 3

19. What is the value of the integral

3 𝑑𝑧
𝐼= ∮ 𝒞
2𝜋 1 + 𝑧2

where the contour 𝒞 is a circle of radius 2 centered at the origin? [JEST 2025]

29
 ❖ TIFR PYQ
1. Consider the integral
+𝑝2
𝑑𝑥
∫
−𝑝2 √𝑥 2 − 𝑝2
where 𝑝 is a constant. This integral has a real, nonsingular value if [TIFR 2012]

(a) 𝑝 < −1 (b) 𝑝 > 1 (c) 𝑝 = 1 (d) 𝑝 → 0

(e) 𝑝 → ∞

2. If 𝑧 = 𝑥 + 𝑖𝑦 then the function

𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) = (1 + 𝑥 + 𝑦)(1 + 𝑥 − 𝑦) + 𝑎(𝑥 2 − 𝑦 2 ) − 1 + 2𝑖𝑦(1 − 𝑥 − 𝑎𝑥)
where 𝑎 is a real parameter, is analytic in the complex 𝑧 plane if 𝑎 = [TIFR 2013]

(a) -1 (b) +1 (c) 0 (d) 𝑖

3. The integral
∞
𝑑𝑥
∫
0 4 + 𝑥4
evaluates to [TIFR 2014]
π 𝜋 𝜋
(a)π (b) (c) (d)
2 4 8

4. The integral

2𝜋
𝑑𝜃
∫
0 1 − 2𝑎cos 𝜃 + 𝑎2

where 0 < 𝑎 < 1, evaluates to [TIFR 2015]

2𝜋 2𝜋 4𝜋
(a)2𝜋 (b) (c) (d)
1 + 𝑎2 1 − 𝑎2 1 − 𝑎2

30
5. The value of the integral
sin 𝑧
∮ 𝐶 𝑧6
𝑑𝑧

where 𝐶 is the circle of centre 𝑧 = 0 and radius = 1 [TIFR 2016]

(a) 𝑖𝜋 (b) 𝑖𝜋/120 (c) 𝑖𝜋/60 (d) − 𝑖𝜋/6

6. The value of the integral

∞
𝑑𝑥
∫ Is
0 𝑥4 + 4
[TIFR 2017]
𝜋 𝜋 𝜋
(a) 𝜋 (b) (c) (d)
2 4 8

7. The value of the integral

1 ∞ cos 𝑥
∫
𝜋 −∞ 𝑥 2 + 𝑎2
Is [TIFR 2018]

(a) 1/2𝑎 (b) 1/2𝜋𝑎 (c) 𝜋𝑎exp (−𝑎) (d)exp (−𝑎)/𝑎

8. Consider the complex function

𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝑢(𝑥, 𝑦) + 𝑖𝑣(𝑥, 𝑦)where
𝑢(𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝑥 2 (2 + 𝑥) − 𝑦 2 (2 + 3𝑥)
𝑣(𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝑦(𝜆𝑥 + 3𝑥 2 − 𝑦 2 )
and 𝜆 is real. If it is known that 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) is analytic in the complex plane of 𝑧 = 𝑥 + 𝑖𝑦, then it
can be written [TIFR 2019]

(a) 𝑓 = 𝑧 2 (2 + 𝑧) (b) 𝑓 = 2𝑧𝑧‾ + 𝑧 2 − 𝑧‾2

(c) 𝑓 = 𝑧‾(2 + 𝑧‾2 ) (d) 𝑓 = 𝑧 2 + 𝑧 3

31
9. The limit
𝑥+1
lim 𝑥log
𝑥→∞ 𝑥−1
evaluates to [TIFR 2020]

(a) 2 (b) 0 (c) ∞ (d) 1

10. The value of the integral is

∞
𝑑𝑥
∫
0 𝑥4 + 4
[TIFR 2020]
𝜋 3𝜋 𝜋
(a) (b) (c)2𝜋 (d)
8 8 4

11. A differentiable function 𝑓(𝑥) obeys

𝑥
𝑓(𝑦)
𝑥∫ 𝑑𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥)
0 𝑦2
If 𝑓(1) = 1. it follows that 𝑓(2) = [TIFR 2021]

(a) 3/4 (b) 4 (c) 1 (d) 6

12. How many distinct values can the following function take at a given value of 𝑧 ?

𝑧2 − 1
𝑓(𝑧) = √ (𝑧 − 𝑖)1/3
√𝑧

[TIFR 2021]
(a) 3 (b) 12 (c) 4 (d) 24

13. A complex analytic function 𝜔 = 𝑓(𝑧) transforms an equilateral triangle in the complex 𝑧-
plane to another equilateral triangle in the complex 𝜔-plane as shown in the figure.

32
 Which of the options below CANNOT be 𝑓(𝑧) ? [TIFR 2023]

(a)𝑓(𝑧) = 2𝑒 2𝜋𝑖/3 𝑧 + 2 + 𝑖√3 (b) 𝑓(𝑧) = 𝑒 5𝜋𝑖/6 𝑧 + 2𝑖√3

(c)𝑓(𝑧) = 2𝑖𝑒 5𝜋𝑖/6 𝑧 + 𝑖√3 (d) 𝑓(𝑧) = 2𝑧 + 1

14. Calculate the integral

∞
𝑑𝑥
∫
0 √𝑥 ( 𝑥 2 + 1 )
[TIFR 2023]
𝜋 𝜋
(a) (a) 𝜋√2 (c) 2𝜋 (d)
√2 2

15. Let
+∞
2
𝐹(𝜆) = ∫ 𝑑𝑥𝑒 𝜆𝑥−𝑥
−∞

If the Taylor series expansion of 𝐹(𝜆) around 𝜆 = 0 is 𝐹(𝜆) = 𝐹0 + 𝐹1 𝜆 + 𝐹2 𝜆2 + ⋯

then the value of 𝐹2 is
(You might find the following integral useful:
+∞ 2 𝜋
∫−∞ 𝑑𝑥𝑒 −𝛼𝑥 = √
𝛼
for 𝛼 > 0 ) [TIFR 2024]

(a) √𝜋 (b) √𝜋/8 (c) √𝜋/2 (d) √𝜋/4

33
 16. The integral

+∞
𝑒 −𝑖𝑘𝑥
∫ 𝑑𝑘 2
−∞ 𝑘 +1

is given by: [TIFR 2025]

(a) 𝜋𝑒 −𝑥 (b) 𝜋𝑒 𝑥 (c) −𝜋𝑒 −𝑥 (d) −𝜋𝑒 𝑥

Answer Key
CSIR-NET PYQ
1. c 2. b 3. d 4. b 5. b 6. a 7. b 8. b 9. a 10. d
11. a 12. b 13. c 14. a 15. a 16. c 17. b 18. a 19. b 20. c
21. c 22. b 23. c 24. c 25. a 26. b 27. b 28. c 29. d 30. c
31. c 32. d 33. b 34. b 35. a 36. c 37. 3 38. b 39. a 40. d
41. b 42. b 43. a
GATE PYQ
1. c 2. a 3. b 4. a 5. 6. d 7. b 8. b 9. c 10. b
11. b 12. a 13. b 14. a 15. b 16. c 17. d 18. c 19. d 20. b
21. d 22. 3 23. c 24. c 25. a 26. b 27. 3.14 28. 3 29. 30. c
31. a 32. 2 33. 5 34. ac 35. d 36. b 37. bc
JEST PYQ
1. b 2. a 3. d 4. c 5. c 6. d 7. c 8. c 9. b 10. c
11. b 12. d 13. d 14. b 15. c 16. a 17. b 18. c 19. 0
TIFR PYQ
1. b 2. a 3. d 4. c 5. c 6. d 7. d 8. a 9. a 10. a
11. b 12. b 13. b 14. a 15. d 16. a

GATE Q.29.81.64

34
 Mathematical Physics: Fourier Transform

❖ CSIR-NET PYQ’s
1. Consider a sinusoidal waveform of amplitude 1 V and frequency 𝑓0 . Starting from an
arbitrary intial time, the waveform is sampled at intervals of 1/(2𝑓0 ). If the corresponding
Fourier spectrum peaks at a frequency 𝑓‾ and an amplitude 𝐴‾, then
[CSIR JUNE 2012]
(a) 𝑓‾ = 2𝑓0 and 𝐴‾ = 1𝑉 (b) 𝑓‾ = 𝑓0 and 0 ≤ 𝐴‾ ≤ 1𝑉

𝑓0 1
(c) 𝑓‾ = 0 and𝐴‾ = 1𝑉 (d)𝑓‾ = and 𝐴 = 𝑉
2 √2

2. Fourier transform of the derivative of the Dirac 𝛿-function, namely 𝛿 ′ (𝑥), is proportional to
[CSIR DEC 2013]
(a) 0 (b) 1 (c) sink (d) ik

3. The graph of a real periodic function 𝑓(𝑥) for the range [−∞, ∞] is shown below
[CSIR JUNE 2014]

Which of the following graphs represents the real part of its Fourier transform?

35
4. The Fourier transform of 𝑓(𝑥) is
+∞
𝑓˜(𝑘) = ∫−∞ 𝑑𝑥𝑒 𝑖𝑘𝑥 𝑓(𝑥)
. If 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝛼𝛿(𝑥) + 𝛽𝛿 ′ (𝑥) + 𝛾𝛿 ′′ (𝑥), where 𝛿(𝑥) is the Dirac delta-function
(and prime denotes derivative), what is 𝑓˜(𝑘) ? [CSIR DEC 2015]

(a) 𝛼 + 𝑖𝛽𝑘 + 𝑖𝛾𝑘 2 (b) 𝛼 + 𝛽𝑘 − 𝛾𝑘 2 (c) 𝛼 − 𝑖𝛽𝑘 − 𝛾𝑘 2 (d) 𝑖𝛼 + 𝛽𝑘 − 𝑖𝛾𝑘 2

5. A function 𝑓(𝑥) satisfies the differential equation

𝑑2 𝑓
− 𝜔2 𝑓 = −𝛿(𝑥 − 𝑎)
𝑑𝑥 2
, where 𝜔 is positive. The Fourier transform
+∞
𝑓˜(𝑘) = ∫−∞ 𝑑𝑥𝑒 𝑖𝑘𝑥 𝑓(𝑥)
of 𝑓, and the solution of the equation are, respectively, [CSIR DEC 2015]

𝑒 𝑖𝑘𝑥 1 𝑒 𝑖𝑘𝑎 1 −𝜔|𝑥−𝑎|

(a) 2 2
and (𝑒 −eq|x−𝑎| + 𝑒 𝜔|𝑥−𝑎| ) (b) 2 2
and 𝑒
𝑘 +𝜔 2𝜔 𝑘 +𝜔 2𝜔

𝑒 𝑖𝑘𝑎 1 𝑒 𝑖𝑘𝑎 1
(c) 2 and (𝑒 −𝑗𝜔|𝑥−𝑎| + 𝑒 𝑖𝜔|𝑥−𝑎| ) (d) 2 , and (𝑒 −𝑖𝜔|𝜋−𝑎| − 𝑒 𝑖𝜔|𝑥−𝑎| )
𝑘 − 𝜔2 2𝜔 𝑘 − 𝜔2 2𝑖𝜔

6. What is the Fourier transform ∫ 𝑑𝑥𝑒 𝑖𝑘𝑥 𝑓(𝑥) of

𝑑𝑛
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝛿(𝑥) + ∑∞
𝑛=1 𝛿(𝑥)
𝑑𝑥 𝑛
, where 𝛿(𝑥) is the Dirac delta-function? [CSIR JUNE 2016]

1 1 1 1
(a) (b) (c) (d)
1 − 𝑖𝑘 1 + 𝑖𝑘 𝑘+𝑖 𝑘−𝑖

∞
7. The Fourier transform ∫−∞ 𝑑𝑥𝑓(𝑥)𝑒 𝑖𝑘𝑥 of the function
1
𝑓(𝑥) =
𝑥2 +2

36
 is [CSIR DEC 2016]

𝜋 𝜋
(a) √2𝜋𝑒 −√2|𝑘| (b)√2𝜋𝑒 −√2𝑘 (c) 𝑒 −√2𝑘 (d) 𝑒 −√2|𝑘|
√2 √2

∞
8. The Fourier transform ∫−∞ 𝑑𝑥𝑓(𝑥)𝑒 𝑖𝑘𝑥 of the function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑒 −|𝑥| is [CSIR JUNE 2018]

2 1 2 2
(a) − (b) − (c) (d) .
1 + 𝑘2 2(1 + 𝑘 2 ) 1 + 𝑘2 (2 + 𝑘 2 )

9. Consider an array of atoms in one dimension with an ensemble averaged periodic density
distribution as shown in the figure.
If k is the wave number and 𝑆(𝑘, Δ) denotes the Fourier transform of the density density
correlation function, the ratio 𝑆(𝑘, Δ)/𝑆(𝑘, 0) is [CSIR JUNE 2019]

𝑘Δ 𝑘Δ 2 𝑘Δ 4 𝑘Δ
(a)cos ( ) (b) cos2 ( ) (c) sin ( ) (d) sin2 ( )
2 2 𝑘Δ 2 𝑘 2 Δ2 2

10. An integral transform 𝑓˜(𝑥) of a function 𝑓(𝑥) can be regarded as a result of applying an
operator 𝐹 to the function such that
∞
(𝐹𝑓)(𝑥) ≡ 𝑓˜(𝑥) = ∫ 𝑑𝑦𝑒 −𝑖𝑥𝑦 𝑓(𝑦)
−∞

If 𝐼 is the identity operator, then the operator 𝐹 4 is given by [CSIR JUNE 2024]

(a)(2𝜋)4 𝐼 (b)(2𝜋)𝐼 (c)𝐼 (d)(2𝜋)2 𝐼

37
 ❖ GATE PYQ’s
1. If
1 ∞
𝐹[𝑓(𝑥)] = ∫−∞ 𝑓(𝑥)𝑒 −𝑘𝑘𝑥 𝑑𝑥
√2𝜋
then 𝐹ˆ 2 [𝑓(𝑥)] is equal to [GATE 2001]
(a) 𝑓(𝑥) (b) −𝑓(𝑥)

(c) 𝑓(−𝑥) (d) [𝑓(𝑥) + 𝑓(−𝑥)]/2

2. Fourier transform of which of the following functions does not exist? [GATE 2002]

2 2 2
(a) 𝑒 −|𝑥| (b) 𝑥𝑒 −𝑥 (c) 𝑒 𝑥 (d) 𝑒 −𝑥

3. The Fourier transform of the function 𝑓(𝑥) is

𝐹(𝑘) = ∫ 𝑒 𝑖𝑘𝑥 𝑓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥
The Fourier transform of 𝑑𝑓(𝑥)/𝑑𝑥 is [GATE 2003]

(a) 𝑑𝐹(𝑘)/𝑑𝑘 (b) ∫ 𝐹(𝑘)/𝑑𝑘 (c) −𝑖𝑘𝐹(𝑘) (d) 𝑖𝑘𝐹(𝑘)

4. The Fourier transform 𝐹(𝑘) of a function 𝑓(𝑥) is defined as

∞
𝐹(𝑘) = ∫−∞ 𝑑𝑥𝑓(𝑥)exp (𝑖𝑘𝑥)
. The 𝐹(𝑘) for
𝑓(𝑥) = exp (−𝑥 2 )
is [ Given
∞
: ∫−∞ exp (−𝑥 2 )𝑑𝑥 = √𝑥] [GATE 2004]

−𝑘 2
(a) 𝜋exp (−𝑘) (b)√𝜋exp ( )
4

√𝜋 −𝑘 2
(c) exp ( ) (d) √2𝜋exp (−𝑘 2 )
2 2

38
5. If 𝑥𝑝(𝑥) and 𝑥 2 𝑞(𝑥) have the Taylor series expansions
𝑥𝑝(𝑥) = 4 + 𝑥 + 𝑥 2 + ⋯ … .
𝑥 2 𝑞(𝑥) = 2 + 3𝑥 + 5𝑥 2 + ⋯ … .
then the roots of the indicial equation are [GATE 2004]

(a) −1,0 (b) −1, −2 (c) −1,1 (d) −1,2

6. The 𝑘 th Fourier component of 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝛿(𝑥) is [GATE 2006]

(a) 1 (b) 0 (c) (2𝜋)−1/2 (d) (2𝜋)−3/2

7. If the Fourier transform

𝐹[𝛿(𝑥 − 𝑎)] = exp (−𝑖2𝜋𝑣𝑎)
, then 𝐹 −1 (cos 2𝜋𝑎𝑣) will correspond to [GATE 2008]

(a) 𝛿(𝑥 − 𝑎) − 𝛿(𝑥 + 𝑎) (b) a constant

1 1
(c) [𝛿(𝑥 − 𝑎) + 𝑖𝛿(𝑥 + 𝑎)] (d) [𝛿(𝑥 − 𝑎) + 𝛿(𝑥 + 𝑎)]
2 2

8. The Heaviside function is defined as

+1 for 𝑡>0
𝐻(𝑡) = {
−1 for 𝑡<0
and its Fourier transform is given by −2𝑖/𝜔. The Fourier transform of
1
[𝐻(𝑡 + 1/2) − 𝐻(𝑡 − 1/2)]
2
is [GATE 2015]

𝜔 𝜔
sin ( ) cos ( ) 𝜔
(a) 2 (b) 2 (c)sin ( ) (d) 0
𝜔/2 𝜔/2 2

39
9. Let
1
0, 𝑥<−
2𝑛
1 1
𝑓𝑛 (𝑥) = 𝑛, − <𝑥<
2𝑛 2𝑛
1
{0, 2𝑛
<𝑥

The value of
∞
lim𝑛→∞ ∫−∞ 𝑓𝑛 (𝑥)sin 𝑥𝑑𝑥
is [GATE 2020]

10. A function 𝑓(𝑡) is defined only for 𝑡 ≥ 0. The Laplace transform of 𝑓(𝑡) is
∞
𝐿(𝑓; 𝑠) = ∫ 𝑒 −𝑠𝑡 𝑓(𝑡)𝑑𝑡
0

whereas the Fourier transform of 𝑓(𝑡) is

∞
𝑓˜(𝜔) = ∫ 𝑓(𝑡)𝑒 −𝑖𝜔𝑡 𝑑𝑡
0

The correct statement(s) is(are) [GATE 2021]

(a) The variable 𝑠 is always real.

(b)The variable 𝑠 can be complex.

(c) 𝐿(𝑓; 𝑠) and 𝑓˜(𝜔) can never be made connected.

(d) 𝐿(𝑓; 𝑠) and 𝑓˜(𝜔) can be made connected

11. If 𝑔(𝑘) is the Fourier transform of 𝑓(𝑥) then which of the following are true?
[GATE 2022]
(a) 𝑔(−𝑘) = +𝑔 ∗ (𝑘) implies 𝑓(𝑥) is real

(b) 𝑔(−𝑘) = −𝑔 ∗ (𝑘) implies 𝑓(𝑥) is purely imaginary

40
 (c) 𝑔(−𝑘) = +𝑔 ∗ (𝑘) implies 𝑓(𝑥) is purely imaginary

(d) 𝑔(−𝑘) = −𝑔 ∗ (𝑘) implies 𝑓(𝑥) is real

12. The wavefunction of a particle in one dimension is given by

𝑀, −𝑎 < 𝑥 < 𝑎
𝜓(𝑥) = {
0, otherwise
Here 𝑀 and 𝑎 are positive constants. If 𝜑(𝑝) is the corresponding momentum space
wavefunction, which one of the following plots best represents |𝜑(𝑝)|2 ?
[GATE 2023]

13. The Fourier transform and its inverse transform are respectively defined as
1 +∞
𝑓˜(𝜔) = ∫−∞ 𝑓(𝑥)𝑒 𝑖𝜔𝑥 𝑑𝑥
√2𝜋
and
1 +∞
𝑓(𝑥) = ∫−∞ 𝑓˜(𝜔)𝑒 −𝑖𝜔𝑥 𝑑𝜔.
√2𝜋

41
 Consider two functions 𝑓 and 𝑔. Another function 𝑓 ∗ 𝑔 is defined as
+∞
∗
1
(𝑓 𝑔)(𝑥) = ∫ 𝑓(𝑦)𝑔(𝑥 − 𝑦)𝑑𝑦
√2𝜋 −∞

Which of the following relation is/are true?

Note: Tilde (∼) denote the Fourier transform. [GATE 2024]

(a) 𝑓 ∗ 𝑔 = 𝑔 ∗ 𝑓 (b) ̅̅̅̅̅̅̅

𝑓 ∗ 𝑔 = 𝑔̃
∗𝑓 (c) ̅̅̅̅̅̅ ̃
𝑓 ⋅ 𝑔 = 𝑓𝑔 (d) ̅̅̅̅̅̅̅
𝑓 ∗ 𝑔 = 𝑓˜𝑔˜

❖ JEST PYQ’s
1. the output intensity 𝐼 of radiation from a single mode of resonant cavity obeys
𝑑 𝜔0
𝐼= 𝐼
𝑑𝑡 𝑄
where 𝑄 is the quality factor of the cavity and 𝜔0 is the resonant frequency. The form of
the frequency spectrum of the output is: [JEST 2016]

(a) Delta function (b) Gaussian (c) Lorentzian (d) Exponential

2. The Fourier transform of the function

1
𝑥 4 + 3𝑥 2 + 2
up to proportionality constant is [JEST 2017]

(a) √2exp (−𝑘 2 ) − exp (−2𝑘 2 ) (b) √2exp (−|𝑘|) − exp (−2|𝑘|)

(c) √2exp (−√|𝑘|) − exp (−√2|𝑘|) (d) √2exp (−√2𝑘 2 ) − exp (−2𝑘 2 )

3. If 𝑓(𝑡) is a real and even function of 𝑡, which one of the following statements is true about
its Fourier transform 𝐹(𝜔) (here * indicates complex conjugation)? [JEST 2020]

(a) 𝐹 ∗ (𝜔) = −𝐹(𝜔) (b) 𝐹 ∗ (𝜔) = 𝐹(𝜔)

42
 (c) 𝐹(−𝜔) = 𝐹(𝜔) (d) 𝐹(−𝜔) = 𝐹 ∗ (𝜔)

4. Consider the Fourier transform of a function 𝑓(𝑥) defined as

∞
1
𝑔(𝑝) = ∫ 𝑓(𝑥)exp (𝑖𝑝𝑥)𝑑𝑥, where 𝑓(𝑥) = .
−∞ √|𝑥|
Which of the following is the correct form of 𝑔(𝑝) for some constant 𝛽 ? [JEST 2024]

𝛽 𝛽 𝛽 𝛽
(a)𝑔(𝑝) = (b) 𝑔(𝑝) = (c)𝑔(𝑝) = (d) 𝑔(𝑝) =
𝑝2 𝑝 √|𝑝| |𝑝|

❖ TIFR PYQ’s
1. The integral evaluates to [TIFR 2016]
∞
𝑑𝑥 𝑥 𝑥
∫ [exp (− ) − exp (− )]
0 𝑥 √3 √2

(a) zero (b) 2.03 × 10−2 (c) 2.03 × 10−1 (d) 2.03

2. Evaluate the integral

+∞
∫ 𝑑𝑥exp (−𝑥 2 )cos (√2𝑥)
−∞

[TIFR 2018]

3. The value of the integral

+𝜋/2
∫ 𝑑𝑥cosh 𝑘𝑥 2 sin2 𝑥
−𝜋/2

in the large- 𝑘 limit, will be [TIFR 2022]

1 𝑘𝜋2/4 𝜋2 1 𝜋2 1 𝑘𝜋2/4
(a) 𝑒 (b) 𝑐𝑜𝑠 ℎ ( ) (c) 2 2 𝑐𝑜𝑠 ℎ ( ) (d) 𝑒
2𝑘𝜋 4 𝑘 𝜋 4 𝑘𝜋

43
 Answer Key
CSIR-NET PYQ
1. d 2. d 3. b 4. c 5. b 6. b 7. d 8. c 9. d 10. d
GATE PYQ
1. a 2. c 3. c 4. b 5. b 6. c 7. d 8. a 9. 0 10. b
11. ab 12. c 13. abd
JEST PYQ
1. c 2. b 3. b 4. c
TIFR PYQ
1. a 2. 1.074 3. d

44
 Mathematical Physics: Group Theory

❖ CSIR-NET PYQ’s
1. Which of the following matrices is an element of the group 𝑆𝑈(2) ? [CSIR JUNE 2011]

1 + i −1
1 1 √3 √3
(a) ( ) (b)
0 1 1 1−i
(√3 √3 )

1 √3
2+𝑖 𝑖
(c) ( ) (d) 2 2
3 1+𝑖 √3 1
(2 2)

2. The character table of C3 , the group of symmetries of an equilateral triangle is given below

𝜒 (0) 𝜒 (1) 𝜒 (2)

1Γ1 1 1 b

3Γ2 1 a c

2Γ3 1 1 d

In the above 𝐶1 , 𝐶2 , 𝐶3 denotes the three classes of C3𝑣 , containing 1,3 and 2 elements
respectively, and 𝜒 (0) , 𝜒 (1) and 𝜒 (2) are the characters of the three irreducible
representations Γ (0) , Γ (1) and Γ (2) of C3v . [CSIR JUNE 2011]
(A) The entries a, b, c and 𝑑 in this table are, respectively

(a) 2,1, −1,0 (b) −1,2,0, −1 (c) −1,1,0, −1 (d) −1,1,1, −1

3. The reducible representation Γ of C3v with character 𝜒 = (4,0,1) decomposes into its
irreducible representations Γ (0) , Γ (1) , Γ (2) as [CSIR JUNE 2011]

(a) 2Γ (0) + 2Γ (1) (b) Γ (0) + 3Γ (1) (c) Γ (0) + Γ (1) + Γ (2) (d) 2Γ (2)

45
4. Let A and B be two vectors in three-dimensional Euclidean space. Under rotation, the
tensor product 𝑇𝑖𝑔 = 𝐴𝑖 𝐵𝑗 [CSIR DEC 2013]

(a) reduces to a direct sum of three 3-dimensional representations

(b) is an irreducible 9-dimensional representation

(c) reduces to a direct sum of a 1-dimensional, a 3-dimensional and a 5-dimensional

irreducible representations

(d) reduces to a direct sum of a 1-dimensional and an 8-dimensional irreducible

representation

5. Let 𝛼 and 𝛽 be complex numbers. Which of the following sets of matrices forms a group
under matrix multiplication? [CSIR DEC 2014]

𝛼 𝛽 1 𝛼
(a) ( ) (b) ( ), where 𝛼𝛽 ≠ 1
0 0 𝛽 1

𝛼 𝛼∗ 𝛼 𝛽
(c) ( ), where 𝛼𝛽 ∗ is real (d) ( ∗ ), where |𝛼|2 + |𝛽|2 = 1
𝛽 𝛽∗ −𝛽 𝛼∗

6. The rank-2 tensor 𝑥𝑖 𝑥𝑗 , where 𝑥𝑖 are the Cartesian coordinates of the position vector in
three dimensions, has 6 independent elements. Under rotation, these 6 elements
decompose into irreducible sets (that is the elements of each set transform only into linear
combinations of elements in that set) containing [CSIR JUNE 2015]

(a) 4 and 2 elements (b) 5 and 1 elements

(c) 3, 2 and 1 elements (d) 4, 1 and 1 elements

46
7. A part of the group multiplication table for a six element group 𝐺 = {𝑒, 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐, 𝑑, 𝑓} is
shown below. (In the following 𝑒 is the identity element of 𝐺 ). [CSIR JUNE 2016]

s. 𝑒 𝑎 𝑏 𝑐 𝑑 𝑓⃗

𝑒 𝑒 𝑎 𝑏 𝑐 𝑑 𝑓

𝑎 𝑎 𝑏 𝑒 𝑑

𝑏 𝑏 𝑒 𝑥 𝑓 𝑦 𝑧

𝑐 c

𝑑 𝑑

𝑓 𝑓

The entries 𝑥, 𝑦 and 𝑧 should be

(a) 𝑥 = 𝑎, 𝑦 = 𝑑 and 𝑧 = 𝑐 (b) 𝑥 = 𝑐, 𝑦 = 𝑎 and 𝑧 = 𝑑

(c) 𝑥 = 𝑐, 𝑦 = 𝑑 and 𝑧 = 𝑎 (d) 𝑥 = 𝑎, 𝑦 = 𝑐 and 𝑧 = 𝑑

8. The 2 × 2 identity matrix 𝐼 and the Pauli matrices 𝜎 𝑥 , 𝜎 𝑦 , 𝜎 𝑧 do not form a group under
matrix multiplication. The minimum number of 2 × 2 matrices, which includes these four
matrices, and form a group (under matrix multiplication) is [CSIR DEC 2016]

(a) 20 (b) 8 (c) 12 (d) 16 .

9. Which of the following sets of 3 × 3 matrices (in which 𝑎 and 𝑏 are real numbers) form a
group under matrix multiplication? [CSIR JUNE 2017]

1 0 𝑎 1 𝑎 0
(a) {(0 1 0) : 𝑎, 𝑏 ∈ ℝ} (b) {(0 1 𝑏) : 𝑎, 𝑏 ∈ ℝ}
𝑏 0 1 0 0 1

47
 1 0 𝑎 1 𝑎 0
(c) {(0 1 𝑏 ) : 𝑎, 𝑏 ∈ ℝ} (d) {(𝑏 1 0) : 𝑎, 𝑏 ∈ ℝ}
0 0 1 0 0 1

10. Consider an element 𝑈(𝜑) of the group SU(2), where 𝜑 is any one of the parameters of the
group. Under an infinitesimal change 𝜑 → 𝜑 + 𝛿𝜑, it changes as 𝑈(𝜑) → 𝑈(𝜑) + 𝛿𝑈(𝜑) =
(1 + 𝑋(𝛿𝜑))𝑈(𝜑). To order 𝛿𝜑, the matrix 𝑋(𝛿𝜑) should always be [CSIR DEC 2017]

(a) positive definite (b) real symmetric (c) Hermitian (d) anti-hermitian

11. The regular representation of two nonidentity elements of the group of order 3 are given
by [CSIR DEC 2023]

0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 0
(a)(1 0 0) , ( 0 1 0) (b)(0 0 1) , ( 1 0 0)
0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1

0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 1
(c)(1 0 0) , ( 0 0 1) (d) (0 1 0) , ( 1 0 0)
0 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0

12. The following four matrices form a representation of a group

1 0 −1 0 0 1 0 −1
𝐼=( ), 𝐴 = ( ), 𝐵 = ( ), 𝐶 = ( )
0 1 0 −1 1 0 −1 0
Which of the following represents the multiplication table for the same group?

48
 ❖ JEST PYQ’S
1. If an abelian group is constructed with two distinct elements 𝑎 and 𝑏 such that 𝑎2 = 𝑏2 =
𝐼, where 𝐼 is the group identity. What is the order of the smallest abelian group containing
a, b and I ? [JEST 2018]

2. 𝐺 = {𝑒, 𝑎, 𝑎2 , 𝑏, 𝑏𝑎, 𝑏𝑎2 } is a group of order 6. 𝑒 is the identity element and 𝑎 is of order 3.
What could be the order of the element 𝑏 ? [JEST 2022]

(a) 2 (b) 3 (c) 1 (d) Can't be determined

3. Let (𝐺,∘) be a discrete group of order 4 where the group operation ' 𝑜 ' among the various
elements of 𝐺 = {𝑒, 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐} is given by the following multiplication table:

𝑒 𝑎 𝑏 𝑐

𝑒 𝑒 𝑎 𝑏 𝑐

𝑎 𝑎 𝑒 𝑐 𝑏

𝑏 𝑏 𝑐 𝑒 𝑎

𝑐 𝑐 𝑏 𝑎 𝑒

Which of the following is correct? [JEST 2024]

(a) (𝐺,∘) is cyclic and abelian. (b) (𝐺,∘) is non-cyclic and abelian.

(c) (𝐺,∘) is cyclic and non-abelian. (d) (𝐺,∘) is non-cyclic and non-abelian.

Answer Key
CSIR-NET PYQ
1. b 2. b 3. c 4. c 5. d 6. b 7. d 8. d 9. c 10. d
11. c 12. 4
JEST PYQ
1. 0004 2. a 3. b

49
 Mathematical Physics: Dirac Delta Function

❖ CSIR-NET PYQ’s
1. The value of the integral
+𝜋/2 +1
∫−𝜋/2 𝑑𝑥∫−1 𝑑𝑦𝛿(sin 2𝑥)𝛿(𝑥 − 𝑦)

is [CSIR JUNE 2018]

(a) 0 (b) ½ (c) 1/√2 (d) 1

𝑑
2. The operator 𝑥 𝛿(𝑥), where 𝛿(𝑥) is the Dirac delta function, acts on the space of real-
𝑑𝑥

valued square -integrable functions on the real line. This operator is equivalent to
[CSIR JUNE 2019]

(a) −𝛿(𝑥) (b) 𝛿(𝑥) (c) 𝑥 (d) 0

3. The value of the integral

∞ |𝑥|
−
∫−∞ 𝑑𝑥2 𝜋 𝛿(sin 𝑥)
where 𝛿(𝑥) is the Dirac delta function, is [CSIR JUNE2023]

(a) 3 (b) 0 (c) 5 (d) 1

4. The value of the integral

𝑒 5
∫ 𝑑𝑦 ∫ 𝑑𝑥𝛿 (𝑥 2 − 𝑦 2 )ln (𝑥𝑦)
1 0

Is

1 1 1 𝑒
(a) (b) (c) (d)
2 3 𝑒 5

50
 ❖ JEST PYQ’s
∞
1. The Dirac delta function 𝛿(𝑥) satisfies the relation ∫−∞ 𝑓(𝑥)𝛿(𝑥)𝑑𝑥 = 𝑓(0) for a well
behaved function 𝑓(𝑥). If 𝑥 has the dimension of momentum then [JEST 2014]

(a) 𝛿(𝑥) has the dimension of momentum

2
(b) 𝛿(𝑥) has the dimension of (momentum)

(c) 𝛿(𝑥) is dimensionless

−1
(d) 𝛿(𝑥) has the dimension of (momentum)

2. Consider the differential equation 𝐺 ′ (𝑥) + 𝑘𝐺(𝑥) + 𝛿(𝑥); where k is a constant. Which
following statements are true? [JEST 2015]

(a) Both 𝐺(𝑥) and 𝐺 ′ (𝑥) are continuous at 𝑥 = 0.

(b) 𝐺(𝑥) is continuous at 𝑥 = 0 but 𝐺 ′ (𝑥) is not

(c) 𝐺(𝑥) is discontinuous at 𝑥 = 0.

(d) The continuity properties of 𝐺(𝑥) and 𝐺 ′ (𝑥) at x = 0 depends on the value of 𝑘.

+∞
3. ∫−∞ (𝑥 2 + 1)𝛿 (𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 + 2)𝑑𝑥 = ? [JEST 2017]

(a) 1 (b) 2 (c) 5 (d) 7

∞
4. 𝜋∫−∞ exp (−|𝑥|)𝛿(sin (𝜋𝑥))𝑑𝑥, where 𝛿(… ) is Dirac delta distribution, is [JEST 2018]

𝑒+1 𝑒−1 𝑒
(a) 1 (b) (c) (d)
𝑒−1 𝑒+1 𝑒+1
51
5. What is the value of the integral
+∞
∫−∞ 𝑑𝑥𝛿 (𝑥 2 − 𝜋 2 )cos 𝑥? [JEST 2019]

1 1
(a) 𝜋 (b) − (c) − (d) 0
2𝜋 𝜋

6. What is the value of the following integral?

100√2 𝜋/2
𝐼= ∫ 𝑥𝛿(2sin 𝑥 − √2)𝑑𝑥
𝜋 0

[JEST 2020]

❖ TIFR PYQ’s
1. The function 𝑓(𝑥) represents the nearest integer less than 𝑥, e.g.
𝑓(3.14) = 3.
The derivative of this function (for arbitrary 𝑥 ) will be given in terms of the integers 𝑛 as
𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = [TIFR 2012]

(a) 0 (b) ∑𝑛 𝛿(𝑥 − 𝑛) (c) ∑𝑛 |𝑥 − 𝑛| (d) ∑𝑛 𝑓(𝑥 − 𝑛)

2. The integral
∞
∫ 𝑑𝑥𝛿 (𝑥 2 − 𝜋 2 )cos 𝑥
−∞

evaluates to [TIFR 2013]

(a) -1 (b) 0 (c) 1/𝜋 (d) −1/𝜋

3. In spherical polar coordinates 𝑟⃗ = (𝑟, 𝜃, 𝜑) the delta function 𝛿 (𝑟⃗1 − 𝑟⃗2 ) can be written as
[TIFR 2014]
(a)𝛿 (𝑟1 − 𝑟2 )𝛿 (𝜃1 − 𝜃2 )𝛿 (𝜑1 − 𝜑2 )

52
 1
(b) 𝛿 (𝑟1 − 𝑟2 )𝛿 (cos 𝜃1 − cos 𝜃2 )𝛿 (𝜑1 − 𝜑2 )
𝑟12

1
(c) 𝛿 (𝑟1 − 𝑟2 )𝛿 (cos 𝜃1 − cos 𝜃2 )𝛿 (𝜑1 − 𝜑2 )
|𝑟⃗1 − 𝑟⃗2 |2

1
(d) 𝛿 (𝑟1 − 𝑟2 )𝛿 (𝜃1 − 𝜃2 )𝛿 (𝜑1 − 𝜑2 )
𝑟12 cos 𝜃1

4. The integral
∞
𝐼 = ∫ 𝑑𝑥𝑒 −𝑥 𝛿(sin 𝑥)
0

where 𝛿 (𝑥) denotes the Dirac delta function, I [TIFR 2019]

ex p 𝜋 ex p 𝜋 1
(a) 1 (b) (c) (d)
ex p 𝜋 − 1 ex p 𝜋 + 1 exp 𝜋 − 1

Answer Key
CSIR-NET PYQ
1. b 2. a 3. a 4. a
JEST PYQ
1. d 2. a 3. d 4. a 5. c 6. 0025
TIFR PYQ
1. b 2. d 3. b 4. c

53
 Mathematical Physics: Differential Equations

❖ CSIR-NET PYQ’s
1. Let 𝑝𝑛 (𝑥) (where 𝑛 = 0,1,2 … . ... ) be a polynomial of degree n with real coefficients,
4
defined in the interval 2 ≤ 𝑛 ≤ 4. If ∫2 𝑝𝑛 (𝑥)𝑝𝑚 (𝑥)𝑑𝑥 = 𝛿𝑛𝑚 , then [CSIR JUNE 2011]

1 3 1
(a)𝑝0 (𝑥) = and 𝑝1 (𝑥) = √ (−3 − 𝑥) (b)𝑝0 (𝑥) = and 𝑝1 (𝑥) = √3(3 + 𝑥)
√2 2 √2

1 3 1 3
(c)𝑝0 (𝑥) = and 𝑝1 (𝑥) = √ (3 − 𝑥) (d)𝑝0 (𝑥) = and 𝑝1 (𝑥) = √ (3 − 𝑥)
2 2 √2 2

2. The generating function

𝐹(𝑥, 𝑡) ≡ ∑∞
𝑛=0 𝑃𝑛 (𝑥)𝑡
𝑛

for the Legendre polynomials 𝑃𝑛 (𝑥) is 𝐹(𝑥, 𝑡) = (1 − 2𝑥𝑡 + 𝑡 2 )−1/2 The value of 𝑃3 (−1) is:
[CSIR DEC 2011]

(a) 5/2 (b) 3/2 (c) +1 (d) -1

3. Let 𝑥1 (𝑡) and 𝑥2 (𝑡) be two linearly independent solutions of the differential equation
𝑑2 𝑥 𝑑𝑥
+ 2 + 𝑓(𝑡)𝑥 = 0
𝑑𝑡 2 𝑑𝑡
, and let
𝑑𝑥2 (𝑡) 𝑑𝑥1 (𝑡)
𝑤(𝑡) = 𝑥1 (𝑡) − 𝑥2 (𝑡)
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡
If 𝑤(0) = 1, then 𝑤(1) is given by [CSIR DEC 2011]

(a) 1 (b) 𝑒 2 (c) 1/𝑒 (d) 1/𝑒 2

4. Let 𝑦(𝑥) be a continuous real function in the range 0 and 2𝜋, satisfying the inhomogeneous
differential equaltion:

54
 𝑑2 𝑦 𝑑𝑦 𝜋
sin 𝑥 2 + cos 𝑥 = 𝛿 (𝑥 − )
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 2
The value of 𝑑𝑦/𝑑𝑥 at the point 𝑥 = 𝜋/2 [CSIR JUNE 2012]

(a) is continuous (c) has a discontinuity of 1/3

(b) has a discontinuity of 3 (d) has a discontinuity of 1

5. The graph of the function 𝑓(𝑥) as shown below is best described by [CSIR DEC 2012]

(a) The Bessel function J0 (x) (b) cos 𝑥

1
(b) e−x cos x (d) cos 𝑥
𝑥

6. A function 𝑓(𝑥) obeys the differential equation

𝑑2 𝑓
− (3 − 2𝑖)𝑓 = 0
𝑑𝑥 2
and satisfies the conditions 𝑓(0) = 1 and 𝑓(𝑥) → 0 as 𝑥 → ∞. The value of 𝑓(𝜋) is:
[CSIR DEC 2012]

(a) e2𝜋 (b) e−2𝜋 (c) −e−2𝜋 (d) −e2𝜋i

55
7. Given that
𝑡𝑛 2
∑∞
𝑛=0 𝐻𝑛 (𝑥) = 𝑒 −𝑡 +2𝑡𝑥
𝑛!
the value of 𝐻4 (0) is [CSIR JUNE 2013]

(a) 12 (b) 6 (c) 24 (d) ÷ 6

8. The solution of the partial differential equation

∂2 ∂2
𝑢(𝑥, 𝑡) − 2 𝑢(𝑥, 𝑡) = 0
∂𝑡 2 ∂𝑥
satisfying the boundary conditions 𝑢(0, 𝑡) = 0 = 𝑢(𝐿, 𝑡) and initial conditions
𝑢(𝑥, 0) = sin (𝜋𝑥/L) and
∂
u(x, t)t=0 = sin (2𝜋x/L)
∂t
is [CSIR JUNE 2013]
L
(a)sin (𝜋x/L)cos (𝜋t/L) + sin (2𝜋x/L)cos (2𝜋t/L)
2𝜋

(b)2sin (𝜋x/L)cos (𝜋t/L) − sin (𝜋x/L)cos (2𝜋t/L)

𝐿
(c)sin (𝜋𝑥/𝐿)cos (2𝜋𝑡/𝐿) + sin (2𝜋𝑥/𝐿)sin (𝜋𝑡/𝐿)
𝜋

L
(d)sin (𝜋x/L)cos (𝜋t/L) + sin (2𝜋x/L)sin (2𝜋t/L)
2𝜋

dx
9. The solution of the differential equation = x 2 with the initial condition x(0) = 1 will
dt

blow up as 𝑡 tends to [CSIR JUNE 2013]

(a) 1 (b) 2 (c) 1/2 (d) ∞

10. Given,
∑∞ 𝑛 2 −1/2
𝑛=0 𝑃𝑛 (𝑥)𝑡 = (1 − 2𝑥𝑡 + 𝑡 )

56
 for |𝑡| < 1, the value of 𝑃5 (−1) is [CSIR JUNE 2014]
(a) 0.26 (b) 1 (c) 0.5 (d) -1

11. Consider the differential equation

𝑑2 𝑥 𝑑𝑥
2
+2 +𝑥 =0
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡
with the initial conditions 𝑥(0) = 0 and 𝑥˙(0) = 1. The solution 𝑥(𝑡) attains its maximum
value when ' 𝑡 ' is [CSIR JUNE 2014]

(a) 1/2 (b) 1 (c) 2 (d) ∞

12. The function

(−1)𝑛 𝑥 2𝑛+1
𝑓(𝑥) = ∑∞
𝑛=0 ( )
𝑛! (𝑛 + 1)! 2
satisfies the differential equation [CSIR DEC 2014]

𝑑2 𝑓
2
𝑑𝑓 𝑑2 𝑓 𝑑𝑓
(a)𝑥 2
+ 𝑥 + (𝑥 2 + 1)𝑓 = 0 (b)𝑥2
2
+ 2𝑥 + (𝑥 2 − 1) 𝑓 = 0
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥

2
𝑑2 𝑓 𝑑𝑓 𝑑2 𝑓 𝑑𝑓
(c)𝑥 + 𝑥 + (𝑥 2 − 1)𝑓 = 0 (d)𝑥 2
− 𝑥 + (𝑥 2 − 1)𝑓 = 0
𝑑𝑥 2 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 2 𝑑𝑥

13. Consider the differential equation

𝑑2 𝑥 𝑑𝑥
2
−3 + 2𝑥 = 0
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡
If 𝑥 = 0 at 𝑡 = 0 and 𝑥 = 1 at 𝑡 = 1, the value of 𝑥 at 𝑡 = 2 is [CSIR JUNE 2015]
S
(a) 𝑒 2 + 1 (b) 𝑒 2 + 𝑒 (c) 𝑒 + 2 (d) 2𝑒

14. Let 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑡) be a solution of the wave equation

∂2 𝑓 2
∂2 𝑓
= 𝑣
∂𝑡 2 ∂𝑥 2

57
 2
in 1-dimension. If at 𝑡 = 0, 𝑓(𝑥, 0) = 𝑒 −𝑥 and
∂𝑓
(𝑥, 0) = 0
∂𝑡
for all 𝑥, then 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑡) for all future times 𝑡 > 0 is described by [CSIR JUNE 2015]

2 −𝑣 2 𝑡 2 ) 2
(a) 𝑒 −(𝑥 (b) 𝑒 −(𝑥−𝑣)

1 2 3 2 1 2 2
(c) 𝑒 −(𝑥−𝑣) + 𝑒 −(𝑥+𝑤) (d) [𝑒 −(𝑥−𝑤) + 𝑒 −(𝑥+𝑣) ]
4 4 2

15. The solution of the differential equation

𝑑𝑥
= 2√1 − 𝑥 2
𝑑𝑡
, with initial condition 𝑥 = 0 at 𝑡 = 0 is [CSIR DEC 2015]

𝜋 𝜋
sin 2𝑡, 0≤𝑡< sin 2𝑡, 0≤𝑡<
(a)𝑥 = { 4 (b)𝑥 = { 2
𝜋 𝜋
sinh 2𝑡, 𝑡≥ 1, 𝑡≥
4 2

𝜋
sin 2𝑡, 0≤𝑡<
(c)𝑥 = { 4 (d)𝑥 = 1 − cos 2𝑡, 𝑡 ≥ 0
𝜋
1, 𝑡≥
4

16. The Hermite polynomial 𝐻𝑛 (𝑥) satisfies the differential equation

𝑑 2 𝐻𝑛 𝑑𝐻𝑛
− 2𝑥 + 2𝑛𝐻𝑛 (𝑥) = 0
𝑑𝑥 2 𝑑𝑥
. The corresponding generating function
1
𝐺(𝑡, 𝑥) = ∑∞
𝑛=0 𝐻𝑛 (𝑥)𝑡 𝑛
𝑛!
satisfies the equation [CSIR DEC 2015]

∂2 𝐺 ∂𝐺 ∂𝐺 ∂2 𝐺 ∂𝐺 ∂𝐺
(a) 2 − 2𝑥 + 2𝑡 =0 (b) 2 − 2𝑥 − 2𝑡 2 =0
∂𝑥 ∂𝑥 ∂𝑡 ∂𝑥 ∂𝑥 ∂𝑡

58
 ∂2 𝐺 ∂𝐺 ∂𝐺 ∂2 𝐺 ∂𝐺 ∂2 𝐺
(c) 2 − 2𝑥 +2 =0 (d) 2 − 2𝑥 +2 =0
∂𝑥 ∂𝑥 ∂𝑡 ∂𝑥 ∂𝑥 ∂𝑥 ∂𝑡

17. The integral equation 𝜙(𝑥, 𝑡) = 𝜆∫ 𝑑𝑥 ′ 𝑑𝑡 ′

′ ′
𝑑𝜔𝑑𝑘 𝑒 −𝑖𝑘(𝑥−𝑥 )+𝑖𝜔(𝑡−𝑡 ) 3 ′ ′
∫ 𝜙 (𝑥 , 𝑡 )
(2𝜋)2 𝜔 2 − 𝑘 2 − 𝑚2 + 𝑖𝜀
is equivalent to the differential equation [CSIR JUNE 2016]

∂2 ∂2 1
(a) ( 2 + 2 − 𝑚2 + 𝑖𝜀) 𝜙(𝑥, 𝑡) = − 𝜆𝜙 3 (𝑥, 𝑡)
∂𝑡 ∂𝑥 6

∂2 ∂2
(b) ( 2 − 2 + 𝑚2 − 𝑖𝜀) 𝜙(𝑥, 𝑡) = 𝜆𝜙 2 (𝑥, 𝑡)
∂𝑡 ∂𝑥

∂2 ∂2
(c) ( 2
− 2
+ 𝑚2 − 𝑖𝜀) 𝜙(𝑥, 𝑡) = −3𝜆𝜙 2 (𝑥, 𝑡)
∂𝑡 ∂𝑥

∂2 ∂2
(d) ( 2 − 2 + 𝑚2 − 𝑖𝛿) 𝜙(𝑥, 𝑡) = −𝜆𝜙 3 (𝑥, 𝑡)
∂𝑡 ∂𝑥

18. A ball of mass 𝑚 is dropped from a tall building with zero initial velocity. In addition to
gravity, the ball experiences a damping force of the form −𝛾𝑣, where 𝑣 is its instantaneous
velocity and 𝛾 is a constant. Given the values 𝑚 = 10 kg, 𝛾 = 10 kg/s, and 𝑔 ≈ 10 m/s2 , the
distance travelled (in meters) in time 𝑡 in seconds, is [CSIR DEC 2016]

(a) 10(𝑡 + 1 − 𝑒 −𝑡 ) (b) 10(𝑡 − 1 + 𝑒 −𝑡 ) (c) 5𝑡 2 − (1 − 𝑒 𝑡 ) (d) 5𝑡 2

19. The function 𝑦(𝑥) satisfies the differential equation

𝑑𝑦 cos 𝜋𝑥
𝑥 + 2𝑦 =
𝑑𝑥 𝑥
. If 𝑦(1) = 1, the value of 𝑦(2) is [CSIR JUNE 2017]

59
 (a) 𝜋 (b) 1 (c) ½ (d) 1/4

20. The Green's function satisfying

𝑑2
𝑔(𝑥, 𝑥0 ) = 𝛿 (𝑥 − 𝑥0 )
𝑑𝑥 2
with the boundary conditions 𝑔(−𝐿, 𝑥0 ) = 0 = 𝑔(𝐿, 𝑥0 ), is [CSIR JUNE 2017]

1 1
(𝑥0 − 𝐿)(𝑥 + 𝐿), −𝐿 ≤ 𝑥 < 𝑥0 (𝑥0 + 𝐿)(𝑥 + 𝐿), −𝐿 ≤ 𝑥 < 𝑥0
(a) { 2𝐿 (b) { 2𝐿
1 1
(𝑥 + 𝐿)(𝑥 − 𝐿), 𝑥0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 𝐿 (𝑥 − 𝐿)(𝑥 − 𝐿), 𝑥0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 𝐿
2𝐿 0 2𝐿 0

1
(𝐿 − 𝑥0 )(𝑥 + 𝐿), −𝐿 ≤ 𝑥 < 𝑥0 1
(c) { 2𝐿 (d) (𝑥 − 𝐿)(𝑥 + 𝐿), −𝐿 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 𝐿
1 2𝐿
(𝑥 + 𝐿)(𝐿 − 𝑥), 𝑥0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 𝐿
2𝐿 0

21. The number of linearly independent power series solutions, around 𝑥 = 0, of the second
order linear differential equation
𝑑 2 𝑦 𝑑𝑦
𝑥 + + 𝑥𝑦 = 0
𝑑𝑥 2 𝑑𝑥
is [CSIR DEC 2017]
(a) 0 (this equation does not have a power series solution)

(b) 1

(c) 2

(d) 3

22. The generating function 𝐺(𝑡, 𝑥) for the Legendre polynomials 𝑃𝑛 (𝑡) is
∞
1
𝐺(𝑡, 𝑥) = = ∑ 𝑥 𝑛 𝑃𝑛 (𝑡), for |𝑥| < 1.
√1 − 2𝑥𝑡 + 𝑥2 𝑛=0

60
 If the function 𝑓(𝑥) is defined by the integral equation
𝑥
∫ 𝑓 (𝑥 ′ )𝑑𝑥 ′ = 𝑥𝐺(1, 𝑥),
0

it can be expressed as [CSIR DEC 2017]

1
(a)∑∞
𝑛,𝑚=0 𝑥
𝑛+𝑚
𝑃𝑛 (1)𝑃𝑚 ( ) (b) ∑∞
𝑛,𝑚=0 𝑥
𝑛+𝑛
𝑃𝑛 (1)𝑃𝑚+1 (1)
2

(c) ∑∞
𝑛,𝑚=0 𝑥
𝑛−𝑚
𝑃𝑛 (1) 𝑃𝑚 (1) (d) ∑∞
𝑛,𝑚=0 𝑥
𝑛−𝑚
𝑃𝑛 (0)𝑃𝑚 (1)

23. Consider the following ordinary differential equation:

𝑑 2 𝑥 1 𝑑𝑥 2 𝑑𝑥
+ ( ) − =0
𝑑𝑡 2 𝑥 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡
with the boundary conditions 𝑥(𝑡 = 0) = 0 and 𝑥(𝑡 = 1) = 1. The value of 𝑥(𝑡) at 𝑡 & is
[CSIR JUNE 2018]

(a) √𝑒 − 1 (b) √𝑒 2 + 1 (c) √𝑒 + 1 (d) √𝑒 2 − 1

2
24. In the function 𝑃𝑛 (𝑥)𝑒 −𝑥 of a real variable 𝑥, 𝑃𝑛 (𝑥) is a polynomial of degree 𝑛. The
maximum number of extrema that this function can have is [CSIR JUNE 2018]

(a) 𝑛 + 2 (b) 𝑛 − 1 (c) 𝑛 + 1 (d) 𝑛

25. The Green's function 𝐺 (𝑥, 𝑥 2 ) for the equation

𝑑 2 𝑦(𝑥)
+ 𝑦(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑑𝑥 2
𝜋
with the boundary values 𝑦(0) = 𝑦 ( ) = 0, is [CSIR JUNE 2018]
2

𝜋 𝜋
𝑥 (𝑥 ′ − ) , 0 < 𝑥 < 𝑥 ′ <
(a)𝐺 (𝑥, 𝑥 ′ ) = { 2 2
𝜋 𝜋
(𝑥 − ) , 0 < 𝑥′ < 𝑥 <
2 2

61
 𝜋
−cos 𝑥 ′ sin 𝑥, 0 < 𝑥 < 𝑥 ′ <
(b)𝐺 (𝑥, 𝑥 ′ ) = { 2
′ ′
𝜋
−sin 𝑥 cos 𝑥, 0 < 𝑥 < 𝑥 <
2

𝜋
cos 𝑥 ′ sin 𝑥, 0 < 𝑥 < 𝑥′ <
(c)𝐺 (𝑥, 𝑥 ′ ) = { 2
𝜋
sin 𝑥 ′ cos 𝑥, 0 < 𝑥′ < 𝑥 <
2

𝜋 𝜋
𝑥 ( − 𝑥′) , 0 < 𝑥 < 𝑥′ <
(d)𝐺 (𝑥, 𝑥 ′ ) = { 2𝜋 2
𝜋
𝑥 ′ ( − 𝑥) , 0 < 𝑥 ′ < 𝑥 <
2 2

26. The polynomial 𝑓(𝑥) = 1 + 5𝑥 + 3𝑥 2 is written as a linear combination of the Legendre

polynomials
1
(𝑃0 (𝑥) = 1, 𝑃1 (𝑥) = 𝑥, 𝑃2 (𝑥) = (3𝑥 2 − 1))
2
as ∑𝑛 𝑐𝑛 𝑃𝑛 (𝑥). The value of 𝑐0 is [CSIR DEC 2018]

(a) 1/4 (b) ½ (c) 2 . (d) 4

27. In terms of arbitrary constant 𝐴 and 𝐵, the general solution to the differential equation

2
𝑑2 𝑦 𝑑𝑦
𝑥 2
+ 5𝑥 + 3𝑦 = 0, is
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
[CSIR DEC 2018]
𝐴 𝐵 𝐴 𝐵
(a)𝑦 = + 𝐵𝑥 3 (b)𝑦 = 𝐴𝑥 + (c)𝑦 = 𝐴𝑥 + 𝐵𝑥 3 (d)𝑦 = +
𝑥 𝑥3 𝑥 𝑥3

28. The Green's function 𝐺 (𝑥, 𝑥 ′ ) for the equation

𝑑 2 𝑦(𝑥)
= 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑑𝑥 2
with the boundary values 𝑦(0) = 0 and 𝑦(1) = 0, is [CSIR DEC 2018]

62
 1
𝑥 (1 − 𝑥 ′ ), 0 < 𝑥 < 𝑥 ′ < 1
′
(a)𝐺 (𝑥, 𝑥 ) = { 2
1 ′
𝑥 (1 − 𝑥), 0 < 𝑥 ′ < 𝑥 < 1
2

𝑥 (𝑥 ′ − 1) , 0 < 𝑥 < 𝑥′ < 1

(b)𝐺 (𝑥, 𝑥 ′ ) = {
𝑥 ′ (1 − 𝑥), 0 < 𝑥′ < 𝑥 < 1

1
− 𝑥(1 − 𝑥), 0 < 𝑥 < 𝑥 ′ < 1
(c)𝐺 (𝑥, 𝑥 ′ ) = { 2
1 ′
𝑥 (1 − 𝑥), 0 < 𝑥′ < 𝑥 < 1
2

𝑥 (𝑥 ′ − 1 ), 0 < 𝑥 < 𝑥 ′ < 1

(d) 𝐺 (𝑥, 𝑥 ′ ) = {
𝑥 ′ (𝑥 − 1), 0 < 𝑥 ′ < 𝑥 < 1

29. A particle of mass 𝑚, moving along the 𝑥-direction, experiences a damping force −𝛾𝑣 2 ,
where 𝛾 is a constant and 𝑣 is its instantaneous speed. If the speed at 𝑡 = 0 is 𝑣0 , the speed
at time 𝑡 is [CSIR DEC 2018}

𝛾𝑣0 𝑡 𝑣0
(a)𝑣0 𝑒 − 𝑚 (b) 𝛾𝑣0 𝑡
1 + ln (1 + )
𝑚

𝑚𝑣0 2𝑣0
(c) (d) 𝛾𝑣0 𝑙
𝑚 + 𝛾𝑣0 𝑡
1+𝑒 𝑚

30. The solution of the differential equation

𝑑𝑦
𝑥 + (1 + 𝑥)𝑦 = 𝑒 −𝑥
𝑑𝑥
with the boundary condition 𝑦(𝑥 = 1) = 0, is [CSIR JUNE 2019]

(𝑥 − 1) −𝑥 (𝑥 − 1) −𝑥 (1 − 𝑥) −𝑥
(a) 𝑒 (b) 𝑒 (c) 𝑒 (d) (𝑥 − 1)2 𝑒 −𝑥
𝑥 𝑥2 𝑥2

63
31. The Green's function for the differential equation
𝑑2 𝑥
+ 𝑥 = 𝑓(𝑡)
𝑑𝑡 2
𝑑𝑥
satisfying the initial conditions 𝑥(0) = (0) = 0 is
𝑑𝑡

0 for 0<𝑡<𝜏
𝐺(𝑡, 𝜏) = {
sin (𝑡 − 𝜏) for 𝑡>𝜏
The solution of the differential equation when the source 𝑓(𝑡) = 𝜃(𝑡) (the Heaviside step
function) is [CSIR JUNE 2020]

(a) sin 𝑡 (b) 1 − sin 𝑡 (c) 1 − cos 𝑡 (d) cos2 𝑡 − 1

32. The solution of the differential equation

𝑑𝑦 2 𝑑 2 𝑦
( ) − 2 = 𝑒𝑦
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
with the boundary conditions 𝑦(0) = 0 and 𝑦 ′ (0) = −1, is [CSIR NOV 2020]

𝑥2
(a) − l n ( + 𝑥 + 1) (b) − 𝑥 ln(𝑒 + 𝑥)
2

2
(c) − 𝑥𝑒 −𝑥 (d) − 𝑥 (𝑥 + 1)𝑒 −𝑥

33. The equation of motion of a one-dimensional forced harmonic oscillator in the presence of
𝑑2 𝑥 𝑑𝑥
a dissipative force is described by + 10 + 16𝑥 = 6𝑡𝑒 −8𝑡 + 4𝑡 2 𝑒 −2𝑡 . The general form
𝑑𝑡 2 𝑑𝑡

of the particular solution, in terms of constants 𝐴, 𝐵 etc, is [CSIR JUNE 2021]

(a) 𝑡(𝐴𝑡 2 + 𝐵𝑡 + 𝐶 )𝑒 −2𝑡 + (𝐷𝑡 + 𝐸)𝑒 −8𝑡 (b) (𝐴𝑡 2 + 𝐵𝑡 + 𝐶 )𝑒 −2𝑡 + (𝐷𝑡 + 𝐸)𝑒 −8𝑡

(c) 𝑡(𝐴𝑡 2 + 𝐵𝑡 + 𝐶 )𝑒 −2𝑡 + 𝑡(𝐷𝑡 + 𝐸)𝑒 −8𝑡 (d) (𝐴𝑡 2 + 𝐵𝑡 + 𝐶 )𝑒 −2𝑡 + 𝑡(𝐷𝑡 + 𝐸)𝑒 −8𝑡

64
34. The Legendre polynomials 𝑃𝑛 (𝑥), 𝑛 = 0,1,2, …, satisfying the orthogonality condition
1 2
∫−1 𝑃𝑛 (𝑥)𝑃𝑚 (𝑥)𝑑𝑥 = 𝛿
2𝑛 + 1 𝑛𝑚
on the interval [−1, +1] may be defined by the Rodrigues formula
1 𝑑𝑛
𝑃𝑛 (𝑥) = 𝑛 𝑛
(𝑥 2 − 1)𝑛
2 𝑛! 𝑑𝑥
1
The value of the definite integral ∫−1 (4 + 2𝑥 − 3𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 3 )𝑃3 (𝑥)𝑑𝑥 is [CSIR JUNE 2021]

3 11 23 16
(a) (b) (c) (d)
5 15 32 35

35. The equation of motion of a one-dimensional forced harmonic oscillator in the presence of
a dissipative force is described by
𝑑2 𝑥 𝑑𝑥
2
+ 10 + 16𝑥 = 6𝑡𝑒 −8𝑡 + 4𝑡 2 𝑒 −2𝑡
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡
The general form of the particular solution, in terms of constants 𝐴, 𝐵 etc, is
[CSIR FEB 2022]

(a) 𝑡(𝐴𝑡 2 + 𝐵𝑡 + 𝐶 )𝑒 −2𝑡 + (𝐷𝑡 + 𝐸)𝑒 −8𝑡 (b) (𝐴𝑡 2 + 𝐵𝑡 + 𝐶 )𝑒 −2𝑡 + (𝐷𝑡 + 𝐸)𝑒 −8𝑡

(c) 𝑡(𝐴𝑡 2 + 𝐵𝑡 + 𝐶 )𝑒 −2𝑡 + 𝑡(𝐷𝑡 + 𝐸)𝑒 −8𝑡 (d) (𝐴𝑡 2 + 𝐵𝑡 + 𝐶 )𝑒 −2𝑡 + 𝑡(𝐷𝑡 + 𝐸)𝑒 −8𝑡

36. If we use the Fourier transform 𝜙(𝑥, 𝑦) = ∫ 𝑒 𝑖𝑘𝑥 𝜙𝑘 (𝑦)𝑑𝑘 to solve the partial differential
equation
∂2 𝜙(𝑥, 𝑦) 1 ∂2 𝜙(𝑥, 𝑦) 𝑚2
− − 2 + 2 𝜙(𝑥, 𝑦) = 0
∂𝑦 2 𝑦 ∂𝑥 2 𝑦
in the half-plane {(𝑥, 𝑦): −∞ < 𝑥 < ∞, 0 < 𝑦 < ∞} the
Fourier modes 𝜙𝑘 (𝑦) depend on 𝑦 as 𝑦 𝛼 and 𝑦 𝛽 . The values of 𝛼 and 𝛽 are
[CSIR FEB 2022]
1 1
(a) + √1 + 4(𝑘 2 + 𝑚2 )and − √1 + 4(𝑘 2 + 𝑚2 )
2 2

(b) 1 + √1 + 4(𝑘 2 + 𝑚2 ) and 1 − √1 + 4(𝑘 2 + 𝑚2 )

65
 1 1 1 1
(c) + √1 + 4(𝑘 2 + 𝑚2 )and − √1 + 4(𝑘 2 + 𝑚2 )
2 2 2 2

1 1
(d)1 + √1 + 4(𝑘 2 + 𝑚2 )and 1 − √1 + 4(𝑘 2 + 𝑚2 )
2 2

37. The Legendre polynomials 𝑃𝑛 (𝑥), 𝑛 = 0,1,2, …, satisfying the orthogonality condition
1 2
∫−1 𝑃𝑛 (𝑥)𝑃𝑚 (𝑥)𝑑𝑥 = 𝛿
2𝑛 + 1 𝑛𝑚
on the interval [−1, +1] may be defined by the Rodrigues formula
1 𝑑𝑛
𝑃𝑛 (𝑥) = (𝑥 2 − 1)𝑛
2𝑛 𝑛! 𝑑𝑥 𝑛
. The value of the definite integral
1
∫−1 (4 + 2𝑥 − 3𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 3 )𝑃3 (𝑥)𝑑𝑥
is [CSIR FEB 2022]

3 11 23 16
(a) (b) (c) (d)
5 15 32 35

38. If the Bessel function of integer order n is defined as

(−1)𝑘 𝑥 2𝑘+𝑛
𝐽𝑛 (𝑥) = ∑∞
𝑘=0 ( )
𝑘! (𝑛 + 𝑘)! 2
then
𝑑 −𝑛
[𝑥 𝐽𝑛 (𝑥)]
𝑑𝑥
is [CSIR JUNE 2023]

(a) −𝑥 𝑛+1 𝐽𝑛+1 (𝑥) (b) −𝑥 𝑛+1 𝐽𝑛−1 (𝑥)

(c) −𝑥 𝑛 𝐽𝑛−1 (𝑥) (d) −𝑥 𝑛 𝐽𝑛+1 (𝑥)

66
39. The solution 𝑦(𝑥) of the differential equation
𝑦 𝑥
𝑦 ′′ + =
4 2
where 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 𝜋, together with the boundary conditions 𝑦(0) = 𝑦(𝜋) = 0 is
[CSIR DEC 2023]

2 𝜋 sin 𝑛𝑥 2 𝜋 sin 𝑛𝑥
(a) ∑∞
𝑛=1 (−1)
𝑛
(b) ∑∞
𝑛=1 (−1)
𝑛
𝜋 𝑛 1 − 𝑛2 𝜋 2𝑛 1 𝑛2
4 4

2 𝜋 sin 𝑛𝑥 2 𝜋 sin 𝑛𝑥
(c) ∑∞
𝑛=1 (−1)
𝑛+1
(d) ∑∞
𝑛=1 (−1)
𝑛+1
𝜋 𝑛 1 − 𝑛2 𝜋 2𝑛 1 − 𝑛2
4 4

40. The general solution for the second order differential equation
𝑑2 𝑦
− 𝑦 = 𝑥sin 𝑥
𝑑𝑥 2

will be [CSIR JUNE 2024]

1 1
(a) 𝐶1 𝑒 𝑥 + 𝐶2 𝑒 −𝑥 − (𝑥sin 𝑥 + cos 𝑥) (b) 𝐶1 𝑒 𝑥 + 𝐶2 𝑒 −𝑥 − (sin 𝑥 − 𝑥cos 𝑥)
2 2

1 1
(c) 𝐶1 𝑒 𝑥 + 𝐶2 𝑒 −𝑥 + 𝑥(sin 𝑥 − cos 𝑥) (d) 𝐶1 𝑒 𝑥 + 𝐶2 𝑒 −𝑥 + 𝑥(sin 𝑥 + cos 𝑥)
2 2

(where 𝐶1 and 𝐶2 are arbitrary constants)

41. The solutions of the differential equation

𝑑𝑦 𝑥
=−
𝑑𝑥 𝑦+1

are a family of [CSIR JUNE 2025]

(a)ellipses with different eccentricities (b)circles with different centres

67
 (c)circles with different radii (d)ellipses with different foci

42. Let 𝑃𝑛 (𝑥) be a polynomial of degree 𝑛 with real coefficients, where 𝑛 = 0,1,2,3, ⋯. If
4
∫2 𝑃𝑛 (𝑥)𝑃𝑚 (𝑥)𝑑𝑥 = 𝛿𝑚𝑛 , then [CSIR JUNE 2025]

3 3
(a)𝑃1 (𝑥) = ±√ (3 − 𝑥) (b)𝑃1 (𝑥) = ±√ (2 − 𝑥)
2 2

3
(c)𝑃1 (𝑥) = ±√ (1 − 𝑥) (d) 𝑃1 (𝑥) = ±√3(3 + 𝑥)
2

43. Which one of the following curves best represents the solution of the differential equation
𝑑𝑥
+ 𝑥 = 1, with the initial condition 𝑥(0) = 0 ? [CSIR JUNE 2025]
𝑑𝑡

68
 ❖ GATE PYQ’s
1. The solution of the system of differential equations
𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑧
= 𝑦 − 𝑧 and = −4𝑦 + 𝑧
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
is given by (for A and B are arbitrary constants) [GATE 2001]

(a) 𝑦(𝑥) = 𝐴𝑒 3𝑥 + 𝐵𝑒 −𝑥 ; 𝑧(𝑥) = −2𝐴𝑒 3𝑥 + 2𝐵𝑒 −𝑥

(b) 𝑦(𝑥) = 𝐴𝑒 3𝑥 + 𝐵𝑒 −𝑥 ; 𝑧(𝑥) = 2𝐴𝑒 3𝑥 + 2𝐵𝑒 −𝑥

(c) 𝑦(𝑥) = 𝐴𝑒 3𝑥 + 𝐵𝑒 −𝑥 ; 𝑧(𝑥) = 2𝐴𝑒 3𝑥 − 2𝐵𝑒 −𝑥

(d) 𝑦(𝑥) = 𝐴𝑒 3𝑥 + 𝐵𝑒 −𝑥 ; 𝑧(𝑥) = −2𝐴𝑒 3𝑥 − 2𝐵𝑒 −𝑥

2. If 𝑢(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧, 𝑡) = 𝑓(𝑥 + 𝑖𝛽𝑦 − 𝑣𝑡) + 𝑔(𝑥 − 𝑖𝛽𝑦 − 𝑣𝑡), where 𝑓 and 𝑔 are arbitrary and twice
differentiable functions, is a solution of the wave function
∂2 𝑢 ∂2 𝑢 1 ∂2 𝑢
+ =
∂𝑥 2 ∂𝑦 2 𝑐 2 ∂𝑡 2
then 𝛽 is [GATE 2001]

1/2
𝑣 1/2 𝑣 𝑣2 𝑣2
(a) (1 − ) (b) (1 − ) (c) (1 − 2 ) (d) (1 − )
𝑐 𝑐 𝑐 𝑐2

3. Find the general solution of

𝑑2 𝑦 𝑑𝑦
4𝑥 2
+2 +𝑦 =0
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
, using the Frobenius power series method. [GATE 2001]

4. The solution of the differential equation

𝑑 2 𝑦(𝑥) 𝑑𝑦(𝑥)
(1 + 𝑥) 2
+𝑥 − 𝑦(𝑥) = 0 is
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
[GATE 2002]

69
 (a) 𝐴𝑥 2 + 𝐵 (b) 𝐴𝑥 + 𝐵𝑒 −𝑥 (c) 𝐴𝑥 + 𝐵𝑒 𝑥 (d) 𝐴𝑥 + 𝐵𝑥 2
where A and B are constants

5. Given the differential equation

𝑑 2 𝑦(𝑥) 𝑑𝑦(𝑥)
+ 2 + 5𝑦(𝑥) = 0
𝑑𝑥 2 𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑦
find its solution that satisfies the initial conditions 𝑦 = 0 and 𝑥 = 0 and = 1 at 𝑥 = 0
𝑑𝑥

[GATE 2002]

6. Consider the differential equation 𝑑 2 𝑥/𝑑𝑡 2 + 2𝑑𝑥/𝑑𝑡 + 𝑥 = 0. At time 𝑡 = 0, it is given that

𝑥 = 1 and 𝑑𝑥/𝑑𝑡 = 0. At 𝑡 = 1, the value of 𝑥 is given by [GATE 2003]

(a) 1/𝑒 (b) 2/𝑒 (c) 1 (d) 3/𝑒

7. If 𝑝(𝑥) = 0 with the Wronskian at 𝑥 = 0 as 𝑊(𝑥 = 0) = 1 and one of the solutions is 𝑥,

then the other linearly independent solution which vanishes at 𝑥 = 1/2 is
[GATE 2004]

(a) 1 (b) 1 − 4𝑥 2 (c) 𝑥 (d) −1 + 2𝑥

Statement for Linked Answer Q. 8 and Q.9:

For the differential equation
𝑑2 𝑦 𝑑𝑦
− 2 +𝑦 =0
𝑑𝑥 2 𝑑𝑥
[GATE 2005]
8. One of the solutions is:

2 2
(a) 𝑒 𝑥 (b) ln 𝑥 (c) e−x (d) 𝑒 𝑥

9. The second linearly independent solution is:

70
 (a) 𝑒 −𝑥 (b) xe𝑥 (c) x 2 ex (d) 𝑥 2 𝑒 −𝑥

10. The points, where the series solution of the Legendre differential equation

2)
𝑑2 𝑦 𝑑𝑦 3 3
(1 − 𝑥 2
− 2𝑥 + ( + 1) 𝑦 = 0
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 2 2
will diverge, are located at [GATE 2007]

3 5
(a) 0 and 1 (b) 0 and -1 (c) -1 and 1 (d) and
2 2

11. Solution of the differential equation

𝑑𝑦
𝑥 + 𝑦 = 𝑥4
𝑑𝑥
, with the boundary condition that 𝑦 = 1, at 𝑥 = 1, is [GATE 2007]

4
𝑥 4 4𝑥 4𝑥 4 1 𝑥4 4
(a)𝑦 = 5𝑥 − 4 (b) 𝑦 = + (c)𝑦 = + (d) 𝑦 = +
5 5 5 5𝑥 5 5𝑥

12. Consider the Bessel equation

𝑑 2 𝑦 1 𝑑𝑦
+ + 𝑦 = 0, (𝑣 = 0),
𝑑𝑧 2 𝑧 𝑑𝑧
Which one of the following statements is correct? [GATE 2008]

(a) equation has regular singular points at 𝑧 = 0 and 𝑧 = ∞

(b) equation has 2 linearly independent solutions that are entire

(c) equation has an entire solution and a second linearly independent solution singular at
𝑧=0

(d) limit 𝑧 → ∞, taken along 𝑥 axis, exists for both the linearly independent solutions

71
13. Which one of the following curves gives the solution of the differential equation
𝑑𝑥
𝑘1 + 𝑘2 𝑥 = 𝑘3
𝑑𝑡
, where 𝑘1 , 𝑘2 and 𝑘1 , 𝑘2 and 𝑘3 are positive constants with initial conditions 𝑥 = 0 at 𝑡 = 0
[GATE 2009]

𝑑2 𝑦
14. The solution of the differential equation for 𝑦(𝑡): − 𝑦 = 2cosh (𝑡), subject to the initial
𝑑𝑡 2
𝑑𝑦
conditions 𝑦(0) = 0 and | = 0 is [GATE 2010]
𝑑𝑟 𝑙=0

1
(a) cosh (𝑡) + 𝑡sinh (𝑡) (b) −sinh (𝑡) + 𝑡cosh (𝑡)
2

(c) 𝑡cosh (𝑡) (d) 𝑡sinh (𝑡)

15. Given the recurrence relation for the Legendre polynomials (2𝑛 + 1)𝑥𝑃𝑛 (𝑥) = (𝑛 +
1)𝑃𝑛+1 (𝑥) + 𝑛𝑃𝑛−1 (𝑥) which of the following integrals has a non-zero value
[GATE 2010]

−1 +1
(a) ∫−1 𝑥 2 𝑝𝑛 (𝑥)𝑃𝑛+1 (𝑥)𝑑𝑥 (b) ∫−1 𝑥𝑝𝑛 (𝑥)𝑃𝑛+2 (𝑥)𝑑𝑥

+1 +1
(c) ∫−1 𝑥[𝑝𝑛 (𝑥)]2 𝑑𝑥 (d) ∫−1 𝑥 2 𝑃𝑛 (𝑥)𝑃𝑛+2 (𝑥)𝑑𝑥

72
16. The solutions to the differential equation
𝑑𝑦 𝑥
=−
𝑑𝑥 𝑦+1
are a family of [GATE 2011]

(a) circles with different radii

(b) circles with different Centre

(c) straight lines with different slopes

(d) straight lines with different intercepts on the 𝑦-axis

17. The solution of the differential equation

𝑑2 𝑦
−𝑦 =0
𝑑𝑡 2
Subject to the boundary conditions 𝑦(0) = 1 and 𝑦(∞) = 0 [GATE 2014]

(a) cos 𝑡 + sin 𝑡 (b) cosh 𝑡 + sinh 𝑡 (c) cos 𝑡 − sin 𝑡 (d) cosh 𝑡 − sinh 𝑡

18. A function 𝑦(𝑧) satisfies the ordinary differential equation

1 ′ 𝑚2
′′
𝑦 + 𝑦 − 2 𝑦=0
2 𝑧
, where 𝑚 = 0,1,2,3 … … consider the four statements P, Q, R, S as given below,
P: Zm and Z −m are linearly independent solutions for all values of m
Q: 7m and 7−m are linearly independent solutions for all values of 𝑚 > 0
R: ln 𝑧 and 1 are linearly independent solutions for 𝑚 = 0
S: z m and ln z are linearly independent solutions for all values of 𝑚
The correct option for the combination of valid statement is [GATE 2015]

(a) P, R and S only (b) P and R only (c) 𝑄 and 𝑅 only (d) R and S only
73
 𝑑𝑦
19. Consider the linear differential equation = 𝑥𝑦. If 𝑦 = 2 at 𝑥 = 0, then the value of 𝑦 at
𝑑𝑥

𝑥 = 2 is given by [GATE 2016]

(a) 𝑒 −2 (b) 2𝑒 −2 (c) 𝑒 2 (d) 2𝑒 2

20. Consider the differential equation 𝑑𝑦/𝑑𝑥 + 𝑦tan (𝑥) = cos (𝑥). If 𝑦(0) = 0, 𝑦(𝜋/3) is_______
. (up to two decimal places). [GATE 2017]

21. Given
𝑑 2 𝑓(𝑥) 𝑑𝑓(𝑥)
2
−2 + 𝑓(𝑥) = 0,
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
and boundary conditions 𝑓(0) = 1 and 𝑓(1) = 0, the value of 𝑓(0.5) is (up to two decimal
places) [GATE 2018]

22. For the differential equation

𝑑2 𝑦 𝑦
− 𝑛 ( 𝑛 + 1 ) =0
𝑑𝑥 2 𝑥2
where 𝑛 is a constant, the product of its two independent solutions is [GATE 2019]

1 1
(a) (b) 𝑥 (c)𝑥 𝑛 (d)
𝑥 𝑥 𝑛+1

23. Which one of the following is a solution of

𝑑 2 𝑢(𝑥)
2
= 𝑘 2 𝑢(𝑥)
𝑑𝑥
for 𝑘 real? [GATE 2020]

(a) 𝑒 −𝑘𝑥 (b) sin 𝑘𝑥 (c) cos 𝑘𝑥 (d) sinh 𝑥

24. If 𝑦𝑛 (𝑥) is a solution of the differential equation

𝑦 ′′ − 2𝑥𝑦 ′ + 2𝑛𝑦 = 0

74
 where 𝑛 is an integer and the prime (' ) denotes differentiation with respect to 𝑥, then
2 /2
acceptable plot(s) of 𝜓𝑛 (𝑥) = 𝑒 −𝑥 𝑦𝑛 (𝑥), is(are) [GATE 2021]

25. Consider the ordinary differential equation

𝑦 ′′ − 2𝑥𝑦 ′ + 4𝑦 = 0
and its solution 𝑦(𝑥) = 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐𝑥 2 . Then [GATE 2022]

(a) 𝑎 = 0, 𝑐 = −2𝑏 ≠ 0 (b) 𝑐 = −2𝑎 ≠ 0, 𝑏 = 0

(c) 𝑏 = −2𝑎 ≠ 0, 𝑐 = 0 (d) 𝑐 = 2𝑎 ≠ 0, 𝑏 = 0

26. The ordinary differential equation

(1 − 𝑥 2 )𝑦 ′′ − 𝑥𝑦 ′ + 9𝑦 = 0
has a regular singularity at [GATE 2022]

(a) -1 (b) 0 (c) +1 (d) no finite value of 𝑥

27. The equation of motion for the forced simple harmonic oscillator is

75
 𝑥¨(𝑡) + 𝜔2 𝑥(𝑡) = 𝐹cos (𝜔𝑡)
where 𝑥(𝑡 = 0) = 0 and 𝑥˙(𝑡 = 0) = 0. Which one of the following options is correct?
[GATE 2024]

(a) 𝑥(𝑡) ∝ 𝑡sin (𝜔𝑡) (b) 𝑥(𝑡) ∝ 𝑡cos (𝜔𝑡) (c) 𝑥(𝑡) = ∞ (d) 𝑥(𝑡) ∝ 𝑒 𝜔𝑡

❖ JEST PYQ’s
1. Consider the differential equation

𝑑𝐺(𝑥)
+ 𝑘𝐺(𝑥) = 𝛿(𝑥)
𝑑𝑥

where k is a constant. Which of the following statement is true? [JEST 2013, 2015]

(a) Both G(𝑥) and G′ (𝑥) are continuous at 𝑥 = 0

(b) G(𝑥) is continuous at 𝑥 = 0 but G′ (𝑥) is not.

(c) G(𝑥) is discontinuous at 𝑥 = 0

(d) The continuity properties of G(𝑥) and G′ (𝑥) at 𝑥 = 0 depend on the value of 𝑘.

2. What are the solutions to 𝑓 ′′ (𝑥) − 2𝑓 ′ (𝑥) + 𝑓(𝑥) = 0 ? [JEST 2014]

(a) 𝑐1 𝑒 𝑥 /𝑥 (b) 𝑐1 𝑥 + 𝑐2 /𝑥 (c) 𝑐1 𝑥𝑒 𝑥 + 𝑐2 (d) 𝑐1 𝑒 𝑥 + 𝑐2 𝑥𝑒 𝑥

3. Consider the differential equation 𝐺 ′ (𝑥) + 𝑘𝐺(𝑥) + 𝛿(𝑥); where k is a constant. Which
following statements are true? [JEST 2015]

(a)Both 𝐺(𝑥) and 𝐺 ′ (𝑥) are continuous at 𝑥 = 0.

(b) 𝐺(𝑥) is continuous at 𝑥 = 0 but 𝐺 ′ (𝑥) is not

76
 (c) 𝐺(𝑥) is discontinuous at 𝑥 = 0.

(d) The continuity properties of 𝐺(𝑥) and 𝐺 ′ (𝑥) at x = 0 depends on the value of 𝑘.

4. What is the maximum number of extrema of the function

𝑥2 𝑥2
( + )
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑃𝑘 (𝑥)𝑒 4 2
where 𝑥 ∈ (−∞, ∞) and 𝑃𝑘 (𝑥) is an arbitrary polynomial of degree 𝑘 ? [JEST 2015]

(a) 𝑘 + 2 (b) 𝑘 + 6 (c) 𝑘 + 3 (d) 𝑘

5. The Bernoulli polynomials 𝐵𝑛 (𝑠) are defined by,

𝑥𝑒 𝑥𝑠 𝑥𝑛
= ∑𝐵𝑛 (𝑠)
𝑒𝑥 − 1 𝑛!
. which one of the following relations is true? [JEST 2015]

𝑥𝑒 𝑥(1−𝑠) 𝑥𝑛 𝑥𝑒 𝑥(1−𝑠) 𝑛
𝑥𝑛
(a) = ∑𝐵𝑛 (𝑠) (b) = ∑𝐵𝑛 (𝑠)(−1)
𝑒𝑥 − 1 (𝑛 + 1)! 𝑒𝑥 − 1 (𝑛 + 1)!

𝑥𝑒 𝑥(1−𝑠) 𝑛
𝑥𝑛 𝑥𝑒 𝑥(1−𝑠) 𝑛
𝑥𝑛
(c) 𝑥 = ∑𝐵𝑛 (−𝑠)(−1) (d) 𝑥 = ∑𝐵𝑛 (𝑠)(−1)
𝑒 −1 𝑛! 𝑒 −1 𝑛!

⃗⃗𝜙 ⋅ ∇
6. Given the condition ∇2 𝜙 = 0, the solution of the equation ∇2 𝜓 = 𝑘∇ ⃗⃗𝜙 is given by
[JEST 2016]

𝑘𝜙 2 𝑘𝜙ln 𝜙 −𝑘𝜙ln 𝜙
(a)𝜓 = (b) 𝜓 = 𝑘𝜙 2 (c)𝜓 = (d) 𝜓 =
2 2 2

1
7. For which of the following condition does the integral ∫0 𝑃𝑚 (𝑥)𝑃𝑛 (𝑥)𝑑𝑥 vanish for 𝑚 ≠ 𝑛,
where 𝑃𝑚 (𝑥) and 𝑃𝑛 (𝑥) are the Legendre polynomials of order m and n respectively?
[JEST 2018]

77
 (a) All 𝑚, 𝑚 ≠ 𝑛 (b) 𝑚 − 𝑛 is an odd integer

(c) 𝑚 − 𝑛 is a non zero even integer (d) 𝑛 = 𝑚 ± 1

8. If 𝑦(𝑥) satisfies
𝑑𝑦
= 𝑦[1 + (log 𝑦)2 ]
𝑑𝑥
And 𝑦(0) = 1 for 𝑥 ≥ 0, then 𝑦(𝜋/2) is [JEST 2018]

(a) 0 (b) 1 (c) 𝜋/2 (d) infinity

4 +2𝑥 2 )
9. Consider a function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑃𝑘 (𝑥)𝑒 −(𝑥 in the domain 𝑥 ∈ (−∞, ∞), where 𝑃𝑘 is any
polynomial of degree 𝑘. What is the maximum possible number of extrema of the function?
[JEST 2019]
(a) 𝑘 + 3 (b) 𝑘 − 3 (c) 𝑘 + 2 (d) 𝑘 + 1

10. The solution of the differential equation 𝑦 ′′ − 2𝑦 ′ − 3𝑦 = 𝑒 𝑢 is given as 𝐶1 𝑒 −𝑡 + 𝐶2 𝑒 2𝑡 +

𝐶3 𝑒 3𝑡 . The values of the coefficients 𝐶1 , 𝐶2 and 𝐶3 are: [JEST 2020]

−1
(a) 𝐶1 , 𝐶2 and 𝐶3 are arbitrary (b) 𝐶1 , 𝐶3 are arbitrary and𝐶2 =
3

−1 −1
(c) 𝐶2 , 𝐶3 are arbitrary and𝐶1 = (d) 𝐶1 , 𝐶2 are arbitrary and𝐶3 =
3 3

11. A particle moving in two dimensions satisfies the equations of motion

𝑥˙(𝑡) = 𝑥(𝑡) + 𝑦(𝑡)
𝑦˙(𝑡) = 𝑥(𝑡) − 𝑦(𝑡)
𝑥(∞)
with 𝑥˙(0) = 0. What is the ratio of ? [JEST 2020]
𝑦(∞)

1 1
(a)1 − (b) 1 + (c) √2 − 1 (d) √2 + 1
√2 √2

78
12. Some bacteria are added to a bucket at time 10am. The number of bacteria doubles every
minute and reaches a number 16 × 1015 at 10: 18am. How many seconds after 10 am were
there 25 × 1013 bacteria? [JEST 2020]

13. Consider the differential operators given below:

𝑑 𝑑
𝐽+ = 𝑥 2 + 𝜇𝑥, 𝐽0 = 𝑥 +𝜌
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
that act on the set of monomials {𝑥 𝑚 }. Here, 𝜇 and 𝜌 are constants. Which one the following
is equal to (𝐽0 𝐽+ − 𝐽+ 𝐽0 )𝑥 𝑚 ? [JEST 2022]

(a) − (𝑚 + 1)𝐽+ 𝑥 (𝑚−1) (b) 𝑚𝐽+ 𝑥 (𝑚−1) (c) 𝐽+ 𝑥 𝑚 (d) −𝐽+ 𝑥 𝑚

14. If three real variables 𝑥, 𝑦 and 𝑧 evolve with time 𝑡 following

𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑧
= 𝑥(𝑦 − 𝑧), = 𝑦(𝑧 − 𝑥), = 𝑧(𝑥 − 𝑦),
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡
then which of the following quantities remains invariant in time? [JEST 2022]

1 1 1 1 1 1
(a) + + (b) 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 (c) 𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦𝑧 + 𝑧𝑥 (d) + +
𝑥 𝑦 𝑧 𝑥𝑦 𝑦𝑧 𝑧𝑥

15. Solve the differential equation,

𝑑𝑦
= 𝑥𝑦 + 𝑥𝑦 2
𝑑𝑥
If
𝑒
𝑦(𝑥 = √2) =
2−𝑒
where 𝑒 is the base of natural logarithms, compute 𝑦(𝑥 = 0). [JEST 2023]
(a) -1 (b) 1 (c) 𝑒 (d) 0

16. If a power series

79
 ∞

𝑦 = ∑ 𝑎𝑗 𝑥 𝑗
𝑗=0

analysis is carried out of the following differential equation

𝑑 2 𝑦 1 𝑑𝑦 4
+ − 𝑦 = 0,
𝑑𝑥 2 𝑥 2 𝑑𝑥 𝑥 2
which of the following recurrence relations results? [JEST 2023]

4 − 𝑗(𝑗 + 1) 4 − 𝑗(𝑗 + 1)
(a)𝑎𝑗+1 = 𝑎𝑗 , 𝑗 = 0,1,2, ⋯ (c)𝑎𝑗+2 = 𝑎𝑗 , 𝑗 = 0,1,2, ⋯
𝑗+1 𝑗+1

4 − 𝑗(𝑗 − 1) 4 − 𝑗(𝑗 − 1)
(b)𝑎𝑗+2 = 𝑎𝑗 , 𝑗 = 0,1,2, ⋯ (d)𝑎𝑗+1 = 𝑎𝑗 , 𝑗 = 0,1,2, ⋯
𝑗+1 𝑗+1

17. A polynomial 𝐶𝑛 (𝑥) of degree 𝑛 defined on the domain 𝑥 ∈ [−1,1] satisfies the differential
equation

2)
𝑑 2 𝐶𝑛 𝑑𝐶𝑛
(1 − 𝑥 − 𝑥 + 𝑛2 𝐶𝑛 = 0.
𝑑𝑥 2 𝑑𝑥
The polynomials satisfy the orthogonality relation
1
∫ 𝜎(𝑥)𝐶𝑛 (𝑥)𝐶𝑚 (𝑥)𝑑𝑥 = 0
−1

for 𝑛 ≠ 𝑚. What is 𝜎(𝑥) ? [JEST 2024]

(a) (1 − 𝑥 2 )−1/2 (b) (1 − 𝑥 2 ) (c) 1 (d) exp (−𝑥 2 )

❖ TIFR PYQ’s
1. The differential equation
𝑑2 𝑦 𝑑𝑦
2
−2 +𝑦 =0
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
has the complete solution, in terms of arbitrary constants 𝐴 and 𝐵, [TIFR 2013]

(a) 𝐴exp 𝑥 + 𝐵𝑥exp 𝑥 (c) 𝐴exp 𝑥 + 𝐵𝑥exp (−𝑥)

80
 (b) 𝐴exp 𝑥 + 𝐵exp (−𝑥) (d) 𝑥{𝐴exp 𝑥 + 𝐵exp (−𝑥)

2. The solution of the integral equation

𝑥
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 − ∫0 𝑑𝑡𝑓(𝑡)
has the graphical form [TIFR 2014]

3. Consider the differential equation

𝑑2 𝑦 𝑑𝑦
= −4 (𝑦 + )
𝑑𝑥 2 𝑑𝑥
with the boundary condition that 𝑦(𝑥) = 0 at 𝑥 = 1/5. When plotted as a function of 𝑥, for
𝑥 ≥ 0, we can say with certainty that the value of 𝑦 [TIFR 2015]

(a) oscillates from positive to negative with amplitude decreasing to zero

(b) has an extremum in the range 0 < 𝑥 < 1

(c) first increases, then decreases to zero

81
 (d) first decreases, then increases to zero

4. The Bernoulli polynomials 𝐵𝑛 (𝑠) are defined by,

𝑥𝑒 𝑥𝑠 𝑥𝑛
= ∑𝐵𝑛 (𝑠)
𝑒𝑥 − 1 𝑛!
. which one of the following relations is true? [TIFR 2015]

𝑥𝑒 𝑥(1−𝑠) 𝑥𝑛 𝑥𝑒 𝑥(1−𝑠) 𝑛
𝑥𝑛
(a) 𝑥 = ∑𝐵𝑛 (𝑠) (b) 𝑥 = ∑𝐵𝑛 (𝑠)(−1)
𝑒 −1 (𝑛 + 1)! 𝑒 −1 (𝑛 + 1)!

𝑥𝑒 𝑥(1−𝑠) 𝑛
𝑥𝑛 𝑥𝑒 𝑥(1−𝑠) 𝑛
𝑥𝑛
(c) = ∑𝐵𝑛 (−𝑠)(−1) (d) = ∑𝐵𝑛 (𝑠)(−1)
𝑒𝑥 − 1 𝑛! 𝑒𝑥 − 1 𝑛!

5. The generating function for a set of polynomials in 𝑥 is given by

𝑓(𝑥, 𝑡) = (1 − 2𝑥𝑡 + 𝑡 2 )−1
The third polynomial (order 𝑥 2 ) in this set is [TIFR 2015]

(a) 2𝑥 2 + 1 (b) 2𝑥 2 − 𝑥 (c) 4𝑥 2 + 1 (d) 4𝑥 2 − 1

6. The function 𝑦(𝑥) satisfies the differential equation

𝑑𝑦
𝑥 = 𝑦(ln 𝑦 − ln 𝑥 + 1)
𝑑𝑥
with the initial condition 𝑦(1) = 3. What will be the value of 𝑦(3) ? [TIFR 2015]

7. Write down 𝑥(𝑡), where 𝑥(𝑡) is the solution of the following differential equation
𝑑 𝑑
( + 2) ( + 1) 𝑥 = 1,
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡
with the boundary conditions [TIFR 2017]
𝑑𝑥 1
| = 0, 𝑥(𝑡)|𝑡=0 = −
𝑑𝑡 𝑡=0 2

8. Consider the two equations

82
 𝑥2 𝑦2
+ =1
3 2
𝑥3 − 𝑦 = 1
How many simultaneous real solutions does this pair of equations have?

9. If 𝑦(𝑥) satisfies the differential equation

𝑦 ′′ − 4𝑦 ′ + 4𝑦 = 0
1
with boundary conditions 𝑦(0) = 1 and 𝑦 ′ (0) = 0, then 𝑦 (− ) = [TIFR 2018]
2

2 1 1 1 𝑒
(a) (b) (𝑒 + ) (c) (d) −
𝑒 2 𝑒 𝑒 2

𝑑𝑦
10. The differential equation 𝑥 − 𝑥𝑦 = exp (𝑥), where 𝑦 = 𝑒 2 at 𝑥 = 1, has the solution 𝑦 =
𝑑𝑥

[TIFR 2019]

(a) exp (𝑥 2 + 𝑥) (b) (1 − 𝑥)exp (𝑥) + exp (1 + 𝑥)

(c) exp (1 + 𝑥)(1 + ln 𝑥) (d) exp (𝑥)ln 𝑥 + exp (1 + 𝑥)

11. A set of polynomials of order 𝑛 are given by the formula

𝑛
𝑥 2 𝑑𝑛 𝑥2
𝑃𝑛 (𝑥) = (−1) exp ( ) 𝑛 exp (− )
2 𝑑𝑥 2
The polynomial 𝑃7 (𝑥) of order 𝑛 = 7 is [TIFR 2019]

(a) 𝑥 7 − 21𝑥 5 + 105𝑥 4 + 35𝑥 3 − 105𝑥 (c) 𝑥 7 − 21𝑥 5 + 105𝑥 3 − 105𝑥 + 21

(b) 𝑥 6 − 21𝑥 5 + 105𝑥 4 − 105𝑥 3 + 21𝑥 2 + 𝑥 (d) 𝑥 7 − 21𝑥 5 + 105𝑥 3 − 105𝑥

12. Consider the improper differential

đ𝑠 = (1 + 𝑦 2 )𝑑𝑥 + 𝑥𝑦𝑑𝑦
An integrating factor for this is [TIFR 2020]

83
 (a) −𝑥 (b) 1 + 𝑥 2 (c) 𝑥𝑦 (d) −1 + 𝑦 2

13. The solution of the differential equation

𝑑𝑦 𝑦 𝑦2
=1+ − 2
𝑑𝑥 𝑥 𝑥
for 𝑥 > 0 with the boundary condition 𝑦 = 0 at 𝑥 = 1. is given by 𝑦(𝑥) = [TIFR 2020]

𝑥 (𝑥 2 − 1) 𝑥(𝑥 − 1) 𝑥−1 𝑥2 − 1
(a) (b) (c) (d)
𝑥2 + 1 𝑥+1 𝑥+1 𝑥2 + 1

14. If 𝑦(𝑥) satisfies the following differential equation

𝑑𝑦
𝑥 = cot 𝑦 − cosec 𝑦cos 𝑥
𝑑𝑥
and we have lim 𝑦(𝑥) = 0 then 𝑦(𝜋/2) = [TIFR 2021]
𝑥→0

(a) −cos −1 (2/𝜋 − 2) (b) sin−1 (2/𝜋) (c) 𝜋/2 (d) 0

15. Consider the following differential equations:

𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦
= 𝑎𝑦(𝑡), =𝑎
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡
where 𝑎 is a positive constant. The solutions to these equations define a family of curves in
the 𝑥, 𝑦 plane. What are these curves? [TIFR 2024]
(a) Ellipses (b) Circles (c) Hyperbolas (d) Parabolas

84
 Answer Key
CSIR-NET PYQ
1. d 2. d 3. d 4. d 5. a 6. c 7. a 8. d 9. a 10. d
11. b 12. c 13. b 14. d 15. c 16. a 17. d 18. b 19. d 20. a
21. c 22. b 23. c 24. c 25. b 26. c 27. d 28. d 29. c 30. a
31. c 32. a 33. c 34. d 35. c 36. c 37. d 38. a 39. d 40. a
41. c 42. a 43. a
GATE PYQ
1. a 2. c 3. 4. b 5. 6. b 7. d 8. a,b 9. b 10. d
11. d 12. c 13. a 14. d 15. d 16. a 17. d 18. c 19. d 20. 05233
21. 0.81 22. b 23. a 24. bc 25. b 26. a,c 27. a
JEST PYQ
1. a 2. d 3. a 4. c 5. d 6. a 7. c 8. d 9. a 10. b
11. d 12. 0720 13. c 14. d 15. b 16. d 17. a
TIFR PYQ
1. a 2. b 3. b 4. d 5. d 6. 081 7. 8. 002 9. a 10. a
11. d 12. a 13. a 14. a 15. d
[Link]:- exp(-2t) -2exp(-t) +1/2 (TIFR)

85
 Mathematical Physics: Fourier Series

❖ CSIR-NET PYQ’s
1. Consider the periodic function 𝑓(𝑡) with time period 𝑇 as shown in the figure below:

The spikes, located at

1
𝑡= (2𝑛 − 1)
2
where 𝑛 = 0, ±1, ±2, …, are Dirac-delta functions of strength ±1. The amplitudes 𝑎𝑛 in the
Fourier expansion
∞

𝑓(𝑡) = ∑ 𝑎𝑛 𝑒 2𝜋𝑖𝑛𝑡/𝑇
𝑛=−∞

are given by [CSIR JUNE 2015]

1 𝑛𝜋 𝑛𝜋
(a) (−1)𝑛 (b) sin (c) 𝑖sin (d) 𝑛𝜋
𝑛𝜋 2 2

2. The function 𝑓(𝑡) is a periodic function of period 2𝜋. In the range (−𝜋, 𝜋), it equals 𝑒 −𝑡 , If
𝑓(𝑡) = ∑∞
−∞ 𝑐𝑛 𝑒
𝑖𝑛𝑡

denotes its Fourier series expansion, the sum ∑∞ 2

−∞ |𝑐𝑛 | is [CSIR DEC 2019]

1 1 1
(a) 1 (b) (c) cosh (2𝜋) (d) sinh (2𝜋)
2𝜋 2𝜋 2𝜋

3. An infinite waveform 𝑉(𝑡) varies as shown in the figure below

86
 The lowest harmonic that vanishes in the Fourier series of 𝑉(𝑡) is [CSIR DEC 2023]

(a)2 (b)3 (c)6 (d)None

❖ GATE PYQ’s
1. A periodic function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 for −𝜋 < 𝑥 < +𝜋 has the Fourier series representation
2
𝑓(𝑥) = ∑∞
𝑛=1 (− ) (−1)𝑛 sin 𝑛𝑥
𝑛
Using this, one finds the sum ∑∞
𝑛=1 𝑛
−2
to be [GATE 2004]

𝜋2 𝜋2
(a) 2ln 2 (b) (c) (d) 𝜋ln 2
3 6

2. The 𝑘 th Fourier component of 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝛿(𝑥) is

(a) 1 (b) 0 (c) (2𝜋)−1/2 (d) (2𝜋)−3/2

3. 𝑓 (𝑥) is a symmetric periodic function of 𝑥 i.e. 𝑓 (𝑥) = 𝑓 (−𝑥). Then in general, the Fourier
series of the function 𝑓 (𝑥) will be of the form [GATE 2013]

∞ ∞
(a)𝑓 (𝑥) = ∑ (𝑎𝑛 (𝑛𝑘𝑥) + 𝑏𝑛 si n(𝑛𝑘𝑥)) (b)𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎0 + ∑ (𝑎𝑛 co s(𝑛𝑘𝑥))
𝑛=1 𝑛=1

∞ ∞
(c)𝑓(𝑥) = ∑ (𝑏𝑛 si n(𝑛𝑘𝑥)) (d)𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎0 + ∑ (𝑏𝑛 si n(𝑛𝑘𝑥))
𝑛=1 𝑛=1

4. A periodic function 𝑓(𝑥) of period 2𝜋 is defined in the interval (−𝜋 < 𝑥 < 𝜋) as:
−1, −𝜋 < 𝑥 < 0
𝑓(𝑥) = {
1, 0<𝑥<𝜋
The appropriate Fourier series expansion for 𝑓(𝑥) is [GATE 2016]

(a) 𝑓(𝑥) = (4/𝜋)[sin 𝑥 + (sin 3𝑥)/3 + (sin 5𝑥)/5 + ⋯ … ]

87
 (b) 𝑓(𝑥) = (4/𝜋)[sin 𝑥 − (sin 3𝑥)/3 + (sin 5𝑥)/5 − ⋯ … ]

(c) 𝑓(𝑥) = (4/𝜋)[cos 𝑥 + (sin 3𝑥)/3 + (cos 5𝑥)/5 + ⋯ … ]

(d) 𝑓(𝑥) = (4/𝜋)[cos 𝑥 − (cos 3𝑥)/3 + (cos 5𝑥)/5 − ⋯..

5. Let 𝜃 be a variable in the range −𝜋 ≤ 𝜃 < 𝜋. Now consider a function

𝜓(𝜃) = 1 for − 𝜋/2 ≤ 𝜃 < 𝜋/2
=0 otherwise.
If its Fourier-series is written as 𝜓(𝜃) = ∑∞
𝑚=−∞ 𝐶𝑚 𝑒
−𝑖𝑚𝜃
, then the value of |𝐶3 |2 (rounded
off to three decimal places) is [GATE 2019]

6. If 𝑥 = ∑∞
𝑘=1 𝑎𝑘 sin 𝑘𝑥, for −𝜋 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 𝜋, the value of 𝑎2 is [GATE 2020]

❖ JEST PYQ’s
1. The function 𝑓(𝑥) = cosh 𝑥 which exists in the range −𝜋 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 𝜋 is periodically repeated
between 𝑥 = (2𝑚 − 1)𝜋 and (2𝑚 + 1)𝜋, where 𝑚 = −∞ to +∞. Using Fourier series,
indicate the correct relation at 𝑥 = 0. [JEST 2017]

(−1)𝑛 1 𝜋 (−1)𝑛 𝜋
(a)∑∞
𝑛=−∞ 2
= ( − 1) (b) ∑∞
𝑛=−∞ 2
=2
1−𝑛 2 cosh 𝜋 1−𝑛 cosh 𝜋

(−1)𝑛 𝜋 (−1)𝑛 1 𝜋
(c)∑∞
𝑛=−∞ = 2 (d)∑∞
𝑛=1 = ( − 1)
1 + 𝑛2 sinh 𝜋 1 + 𝑛2 2 sinh 𝜋

❖ TIFR PYQ’s
1. A function 𝑓(𝑥) is defined in the range −1 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 1 by

𝑓(𝑥) = 1 − 𝑥 for 𝑥 ≥ 0
1 + 𝑥 for 𝑥 < 0
The first few terms in the Fourier series approximating this function are
1 4 4 1 4 4
(a) + 2 cos 𝜋𝑥 + 2 cos 3𝜋𝑥 + ⋯ (b) + 2 sin 𝜋𝑥 + 2 sin 3𝜋𝑥 + ⋯
2 𝜋 9𝜋 2 𝜋 9𝜋
88
 4 4 1 4 4
(c) cos 𝜋𝑥 + cos 3𝜋𝑥 + ⋯ (d) − 2 cos 𝜋𝑥 + 2 cos 3𝜋𝑥 − ⋯
𝜋2 9𝜋 2 2 𝜋 9𝜋

2. A student is asked to find a series approximation for the function 𝑓(𝑥) in the domain −1 ≤
𝑥 ≤ +1, as indicated by the thick line in the figure below. [TIFR 2013]

The student represents the function by a sum of three terms

𝜋𝑥 𝜋𝑥
𝑓(𝑥) ≈ 𝑎0 + 𝑎1 cos + 𝑎2 sin
2 2
Which of the following would be the best choices for the coefficients 𝑎0 , 𝑎1 and 𝑎2 ?
1 2 2
(a)𝑎0 = 1, 𝑎1 = − , 𝑎2 = 0 (b)𝑎0 = , 𝑎1 = − , 𝑎2 = 0
3 3 3

2 2 1
(c)𝑎0 = , 𝑎1 = 0, 𝑎2 = − (d)𝑎0 = − , 𝑎1 = 0, 𝑎2 = −1
3 3 3

3. Consider the waveform 𝑥(𝑡) shown in the diagram below.

The Fourier series for 𝑥(𝑡) which gives the closest approximation to this waveform is
[TIFR 2017]

2 𝜋𝑡 1 4𝜋𝑡 1 3𝜋𝑡
(a)𝑥(𝑡) = [cos − cos + cos +⋯]
𝜋 𝑇 2 𝑇 3 𝑇

89
 2 𝜋𝑡 1 2𝜋𝑡 1 3𝜋𝑡
(b)𝑥(𝑡) = [−sin + sin − sin +⋯]
𝜋 𝑇 2 𝑇 3 𝑇

2 𝜋𝑡 1 2𝜋𝑡 1 3𝜋𝑡
(c)𝑥(𝑡) = [sin − sin + sin + ⋯]
𝜋 𝑇 2 𝑇 3 𝑇

2 2𝜋𝑡 1 4𝜋𝑡 1 6𝜋𝑡

(d)𝑥(𝑡) = [−cos + cos − cos + ⋯]
𝜋 𝑇 2 𝑇 3 𝑇

4. The Fourier series which reproduces, in the interval 0 ≤ 𝑥 < 1, the function
+∞

𝑓(𝑥) = ∑ 𝛿(𝑥 − 𝑛)
𝑛=−∞

where 𝑛 is an integer, is [TIFR 2018]

(a) cos 𝜋𝑥 + cos 2𝜋𝑥 + cos 3𝜋𝑥 + ⋯ (to ∞ )

(b) 1 + 2cos 2𝜋𝑥 + 2cos 4𝜋𝑥 + 2cos 6𝜋𝑥 + ⋯ + (to ∞)

(c) 1 + cos 𝜋𝑥 + cos 2𝜋𝑥 + cos 3𝜋𝑥 + ⋯ (to ∞ )

1 1
(d) (cos 𝜋𝑥 + sin 𝜋𝑥) + (cos 2𝜋𝑥 + sin 2𝜋𝑥) + (cos 3𝜋𝑥 + sin 3𝜋𝑥) + ⋯ ( to ∞)
2 3

5. Consider a fan with blades rotating with frequency 𝑓, as shown in the Figure. It is used to
periodically block a light beam of intensity 𝐼0 . The beam has a very small cross-sectional
area and hits the blade near its outer edge, as shown. The transmitted beam is detected by
a photo-detection unit which gives out a voltage signal 𝑉 proportional to the transmitted
intensity 𝐼. If this voltage signal pattern is displayed on an oscilloscope, what would best
describe the signal pattern? [TIFR 2025]

90
 1 4
(a) 𝑉0 [ + ∑ sin (2𝑛𝜋𝑓𝑡)] , 𝑛 = 2,6,10,14 …
2 𝜋𝑛
𝑛

(b) 𝑉0 ∑𝑛 [cos2 (2𝑛𝜋𝑓𝑡) − sin2 (2𝑛𝜋𝑓𝑡)], 𝑛 = 2,6,10,14 …

1 1
(c) 𝑉0 [ + sin (4𝜋𝑓𝑡)]
2 2

(d) 𝑉0 [cos2 (4𝜋𝑓𝑡)]

Answer Key
CSIR-NET PYQ
1. c 2. d 3. c
GATE PYQ
1. c 2. c 3. b 4. a 5. 0.011 6. -1
JEST PYQ
1. d
TIFR PYQ
1. a 2. b 3. b 4. b 5. a

91
 Mathematical Physics: Laplace Transform

❖ CSIR-NET PYQ’s
1. The graph of the function
1 for 2𝑛 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 2𝑛 + 1
𝑓(𝑥) = {
0 for 2𝑛 + 1 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 2𝑛 + 2

(Where 𝑛 = 0,1,2, … ... ) is shown below.

Its Laplace transform 𝑓˜(𝑠) is [CSIR DEC 2011]

1 + 𝑒 −𝑠 1 − 𝑒 −𝑠 1 1
(a ) (b) (c ) (d )
𝑠 𝑠 𝑠(1 + 𝑒 −s ) 𝑠(1 − 𝑒 −𝑠 )

1
2. The inverse Laplace transform of is [CSIR JUNE 2013]
s2 ( s+1)

1 1 1
(a) t 2 e−t (b) t 2 + 1 − e−𝑡 (c) t − 1 + e−t (d) t 2 (1 − e−t )
2 2 2

3. The Laplace transform of 6𝑡 3 + 3sin 4𝑡 is [CSIR JUNE 2015]

36 12 36 12 18 12 36 12
(a) + (b) + (c) + (d) +
𝑠 4 𝑠 2 + 16 𝑠 4 𝑠 2 − 16 𝑠 4 𝑠 2 − 16 𝑠 3 𝑠 2 + 16

𝑡
, 0<𝑡<𝑇
4. The Laplace transform of 𝑓(𝑡) = {𝑇 , is [CSIR JUNE 2016]
1, 𝑡>𝑇

(1 − 𝑒 −𝑠𝑇 ) (1 − 𝑒 −𝑠𝑇 ) (1 + 𝑒 −𝑠𝑇 ) (1 − 𝑒 𝑠𝑇 )

(a) − (b) (c) (d)
𝑠2𝑇 𝑠2𝑇 𝑠2𝑇 𝑠2𝑇

92
 𝑑𝑦
5. Consider the differential equation + 𝑎𝑦 = 𝑒 −𝑏𝑡 with the initial condition 𝑦(0) = 0. Then
𝑑𝑥

the Laplace transform 𝑌(𝑠) of the solution 𝑦(𝑡 ) is [CSIR DEC 2017]

1 1 1 𝑒 −𝑎 − 𝑒 −𝑏
(a) (b) (c) (d)
(𝑠 + 𝑎)(𝑠 + 𝑏) 𝑏 (𝑠 + 𝑎 ) 𝑎 (𝑠 + 𝑏 ) 𝑏−𝑎

1 for 2n ≤ x ≤ 2n + 1
6. The Laplace transform L[f](y) of the function f(x) = { ，n=
0 for 2n + 1 ≤ x ≤ 2n + 2
0,1,2, ⋯ is [CSIR JUNE 2022]

e−y (e−y + 1) ey − e−y ey + e−y e y (e y − 1)

(a) (b) (c) (d)
y(e−2y + 1) y y y(e2y − 1)

❖ GATE PYQ’s
1. The Laplace transform 𝑓(𝑡) = sin 𝜋𝑡 is
𝜋
𝐹(𝑠) = ,𝑠 > 0
(𝑠 2 + 𝜋 2 )
.Therefore, the Laplace transform of 𝑡sin 𝜋𝑡 is [GATE 2004]

𝜋 2𝜋 2𝜋𝑠 2𝜋
(a) (b) (c) (d)
𝑠 2 (𝑠 2 + 𝜋 2 ) 𝑠 2 (𝑠 2 + 𝜋 2 )2 (𝑠 2 + 𝜋 2 )2 (𝑠 2 + 𝜋 2 )2

2. If 𝑓‾(𝑠) is the Laplace transform of 𝑓(𝑡) the Laplace transform of 𝑓(𝑎𝑡), where 𝑎 is a
constant, is [GATE 2005]

1 1
(a) 𝑓‾(𝑠) (b) 𝑓‾(𝑠/𝑎) (c) 𝑓‾(𝑠) (d) 𝑓‾(𝑠/𝑎)
𝑎 𝑎

3. Inverse Laplace transform of

𝑠+1
𝑠2 − 4
is [GATE 2007]

93
 1 1
(a)cos 2𝑥 + sin 2𝑥 (b)cos 𝑥 + sin 𝑥
2 2

1 1
(c)cosh 𝑥 + sinh 𝑥 (d)cosh 2𝑥 + sinh 2𝑥
2 2

0 for 𝑥 < 3
4. If 𝑓(𝑥) = { , then the Laplace transform of 𝑓(𝑥) is [GATE 2010]
𝑥−3 for 𝑥 ≥ 3

(a) 𝑠 −2 𝑒 3𝑠 (b) 𝑠 2 𝑒 −3𝑠 (c) 𝑠 −2 (d) 𝑠 −2 𝑒 −3𝑠

5. Which of the followings pairs of the given function 𝑓(t) and its Laplace transforms 𝑓( s) is
not correct? [GATE 2013]

(a) 𝑓(𝑡) = 𝛿(𝑡), 𝑓(𝑠) = 1 (Singularity at +0)

1
(b)𝑓(𝑡) = 1, 𝑓(𝑠) = , (𝑠 > 0)
𝑠

𝑠
(c)𝑓(𝑡) = sin 𝑘𝑡, 𝑓(𝑠) = , (𝑠 > 0)
𝑠2 + 𝑘2

1
(d)𝑓(𝑡) = 𝑡𝑒 𝑘𝑡 , 𝑓(𝑠) = , (𝑠 > 𝑘, 𝑠 > 0)
(𝑠 − 𝑘)2

6. A function 𝑓(𝑡) is defined only for 𝑡 ≥ 0. The Laplace transform of 𝑓(𝑡) is

∞
𝐿(𝑓; 𝑠) = ∫ 𝑒 −𝑠𝑡 𝑓(𝑡)𝑑𝑡
0

whereas the Fourier transform of 𝑓(𝑡) is

∞
𝑓˜(𝜔) = ∫ 𝑓(𝑡)𝑒 −𝑖𝜔𝑡 𝑑𝑡
0

The correct statement(s) is(are) [GATE 2021]

(a) The variable 𝑠 is always real.

94
 (b)The variable 𝑠 can be complex.

(c) 𝐿(𝑓; 𝑠) and 𝑓˜(𝜔) can never be made connected.

(d) 𝐿(𝑓; 𝑠) and 𝑓˜(𝜔) can be made connected

❖ JEST PYQ’s
1. The Laplace transformation of e2t sin 4t is [JEST 2014]

4 4 4𝑠 4𝑠
(a) (b) (c) (d)
𝑠 2 + 4𝑠 + 25 𝑠 2 − 4𝑠 + 20 𝑠 2 + 4𝑠 + 20 2𝑠 2 + 4𝑠 + 20

2. The Laplace transform of (sin (𝑎𝑡) − 𝑎𝑡cos (𝑎𝑡))/(2𝑎3 ) is [JEST 2018]

2𝑎𝑠 𝑠 2 − 𝑎2 1 1
(a) 2 (b) 2 (c) (d)
(𝑠 + 𝑎 2 )2 (𝑠 + 𝑎 2 )2 (𝑠 + 𝑎)2 (𝑠 2 + 𝑎 2 )2

Answer Key
CSIR-NET PYQ
1. c 2. c 3. a 4. b 5. a 6. d
GATE PYQ
1. c 2. b 3. d 4. d 5. c 6. b,d
JEST PYQ
1. b 2. d

95
 Mathematical Physics: Matrix

❖ CSIR-NET PYQ’s
Common data Q.1 Q.2
1 1 1
Consider the matrix 𝑀 = (1 1 1)
1 1 1

1. The eigenvalues of 𝑀 are [CSIR JUNE 2011]

(a) 0,1,2 (b) 0,0,3 (c) 1,1,1 (d) −1,1,3

2. The exponential of 𝑀 simplifies to ( 𝐼 is the 3 × 3 identity matrix)

[CSIR JUNE 2011]

𝑒3 − 1 𝑀2
(a)𝑒 𝑀 = 𝐼 + ( )𝑀 (b) 𝑒 𝑀 = 𝐼 + 𝑀 +
3 2!

(c) 𝑒 𝑀 = 𝐼 + 33 𝑀 (d) 𝑒 𝑀 = (𝑒 − 1)𝑀

3. A 3 × 3 matrix 𝑀 has Tr [𝑀] = 6, Tr [𝑀 2 ] = 26 and Tr [𝑀3 ] = 90. Which of the

following can be a possible set of eigenvalues of 𝑀 ? [CSIR DEC 2011]

(a) {1,1,4} (c) {−1,3,4} (b) {−1,0,7} (d) {2,2,2}

1 2 3
(
4. The eigenvalues of the matrix, 𝐴 = 2 4 6) are [CSIR JUNE 2012]
3 6 9

(a) (1,4,9) (b) (0,7,7) (c) (0,1,13) (d) (0,0,14)

0 −𝑛3 𝑛2
5. The eigenvalues of the antisymmetric matrix; 𝐴 = ( 𝑛3 0 −𝑛1 ) where 𝑛1 , 𝑛2 and
−𝑛2 𝑛1 0
𝑛3 are the components of a unit vector, are [CSIR JUNE 2012]

96
 (a) 0, i, −I (b) 0,1, −1 (c) 0,1 + i, −1 − I (d) 0,0,0

6. A 2 × 2 matrix 𝐴 has eigenvalues 𝑒 𝑖𝑛/5 and 𝑒 𝑖𝜋/6 . The smallest value of ' 𝑛 ' such that
𝐴𝑛 = 1 is: [CSIR DEC 2012]

(a) 20 (b) 30 (c) 60 (d) 120

7. Given a 2 × 2 unitary matrix 𝑈 satisfying 𝑈 ′ 𝑈 = 𝑈 ′ = 𝐼 with det 𝑈 = 𝑒 𝑖𝑞 , one can

construct a unitary matrix V(V ′ V = VV ′ = 1) with det V = 1 from it by
[CSIR DEC 2012]
(a) Multiplying 𝑈 by e−i//2

(b) Multiplying any single element of 𝑈 by e−i𝜑

(c) Multiplying any row or column of U by e−i𝜑/2

(d) Multiplying 𝑈 by e−i𝜑 .

8. Consider an 𝑛 × 𝑛(𝑛 > 1) matrix A , in which Aij is the product of the indices 𝑖 and 𝑗
(namely Aij = 𝑖𝑗 ). The matrix A [CSIR DEC 2013]

(a) has one degenerate eigenvalue with degeneracy ( 𝑛 − 1)

(b) has two degenerate eigenvalues with degeneracies 2 and (𝑛 − 2)

(c) has one degenerate eigenvalue with degeneracy 𝑛

(d) does not have any degenerate eigenvalue

9. Consider the matrix

97
 0 2𝑖 3𝑖
𝑀 = (−2𝑖 0 6𝑖)
−3𝑖 −6𝑖 0
The eigenvalues of M are [CSIR JUNE 2014]

(a) −5, −2,7 (b) −7,0,7 (c) −4i, 2i, 2i (d) 2,3,6

10. The matrices

0 −1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
𝐴 = [1 0 0 ] , 𝐵 = [0 0 0] and 𝐶 = [0 0 1]
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
satisfy the commutation relations [CSIR JUNE 2014]

(a) [𝐴, 𝐵] = 𝐵 + 𝐶, [𝐵, 𝐶] = 0, [𝐶, 𝐴] = 𝐵 + 𝐶

(b) [𝐴, 𝐵] = 𝐶, [𝐵, 𝐶] = 𝐴, [𝐶, 𝐴] = 𝐵

(c) [𝐴, 𝐵] = 𝐵, [𝐵, 𝐶] = 0, [𝐶, 𝐴] = 𝐴

(d) [𝐴, 𝐵] = 𝐶, [𝐵, 𝐶] = 0, [𝐶, 𝐴] = 𝐵

𝑎
11. The column vector (𝑏 ) is a simultaneous
𝑎
0 0 1 0 1 1
eigenvector of 𝐴 = (0 1 0) and 𝐵 = (1 0 1) if [CSIR DEC 2014]
1 0 0 1 1 0

(a) 𝑏 = 0 or 𝑎 = 0 (b) 𝑏 = 𝑎 or 𝑏 = −2𝑎

(c) 𝑏 = 2𝑎 or 𝑏 = −𝑎 (d) 𝑏 = 𝑎/2 or 𝑏 = −𝑎/2

12. The Gauss hypergeometric function 𝐹(𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐; 𝑧), defined by the Taylor series expansion
around 𝑧 = 0 as
∞
𝑎(𝑎 + 1) … (𝑎 + 𝑛 − 1)𝑏(𝑏 + 1) … (𝑏 + 𝑛 − 1) 𝑛
𝐹(𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐; 𝑧) = ∑ 𝑧
𝑐(𝑐 + 1) … (𝑐 + 𝑛 − 1)𝑛!
𝑛=0
98
 satisfies the equation relation [CSIR JUNE 2016

𝑑 𝑐
(a) 𝐹(𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐; 𝑧) = 𝐹(𝑎 − 1, 𝑏 − 1, 𝑐 − 1; 𝑧)
𝑑𝑧 𝑎𝑏

𝑑 𝑐
(b) 𝐹(𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐; 𝑧) = 𝐹(𝑎 + 1, 𝑏 + 1, 𝑐 + 1; 𝑧)
𝑑𝑧 𝑎𝑏

𝑑 𝑎𝑏
(c) 𝐹(𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐; 𝑧) = 𝐹(𝑎 − 1, 𝑏 − 1, 𝑐 = 1; 𝑧)
𝑑𝑧 𝑐

𝑑 𝑎𝑏
(d) 𝐹(𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐; 𝑧) = 𝐹(𝑎 + 1, 𝑏 + 1, 𝑐 + 1; 𝑧)
𝑑𝑧 𝑐

1 3 2
13. The matrix 𝑀 = (3 −1 0) satisfies the equation [CSIR DEC 2016]
0 0 1

(a) 𝑀3 − 𝑀2 − 10𝑀 + 12𝐼 = 0 (b) 𝑀3 + 𝑀2 − 12𝑀 + 10𝐼 = 0

(c) 𝑀3 − 𝑀2 − 10𝑀 + 10𝐼 = 0 (d) 𝑀3 + 𝑀2 − 10𝑀 + 10𝐼 = 0

14. The 2 × 2 identity matrix 𝐼 and the Pauli matrices 𝜎 𝑥 , 𝜎 𝑦 , 𝜎 𝑧 do not form a group under
matrix multiplication. The minimum number of 2 × 2 matrices, which includes these
four matrices, and form a group (under matrix multiplication) is [CSIR DEC 2016]

(a) 20 (b) 8 (c) 12 (d) 16

15. Which of the following cannot be eigen values of a real 3 × 3 matrix

[CSIR JUNE 2017]

(a) 2𝑖, 0, −2𝑖 (b) 1,1,1 (c) 𝑒 𝑖𝜃 , 𝑒 −𝑖𝜃 , 1 (d) 𝑖, 1,0

16. Let 𝜎𝑥 , 𝜎𝑦 , 𝜎𝑧 be the Pauli matrices and

99
 𝑖𝜃𝜎𝑧 𝑖𝜃𝜎𝑧
𝑥 ′ 𝜎𝑥 + 𝑦 ′ 𝜎𝑦 + 𝑧 ′ 𝜎𝑧 = exp ( ) × [𝑥𝜎𝑥 + 𝑦𝜎𝑦 + 𝑧𝜎𝑧 ]exp (− )
2 2
Then the coordinates are related as follows [CSIR JUNE 2017]

𝑥′ cos 𝜃 −sin 𝜃 0 𝑥 𝑥′ cos 𝜃 sin 𝜃 0 𝑥

′ ′
(a) (𝑦 ) = ( sin 𝜃 cos 𝜃 0 ) (𝑦 ) (b) (𝑦 ) = (−sin 𝜃 cos 𝜃 0 ) (𝑦 )
𝑧′ 0 0 1 𝑧 𝑧′ 0 0 1 𝑧

𝜃 𝜃 𝜃 𝜃
𝑥′ cos sin 0 𝑥 𝑥 ′ cos −sin 0 𝑥
2 2 2 2
(c) (𝑦 ′ ) = 𝜃 𝜃 (𝑦 ) (d) (𝑦 ′ ) = 𝜃 1 (𝑦 )
𝑧 ′ −sin cos 0 𝑧 𝑧′ sin cos 0 𝑧
2 2 2 2
( 0 0 1) ( 0 0 1)

17. Consider the matrix equation

1 1 1 𝑥 0
(1 2 3 ) (𝑦 ) = ( 0 )
2 𝑏 2𝑐 𝑧 0
The condition for existence of a non-trivial solution, and the corresponding normalized
solution (up to a sign) is [CSIR DEC 2017]

1 1
(a) 𝑏 = 2𝑐 and(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) = (1, −2,1) (b) 𝑐 = 2𝑏 and(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) = (1,1, −2)
√6 √6

1 1
(c) 𝑐 = 𝑏 + 1 and(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) = (2, −1, −1) (d) 𝑏 = 𝑐 + 1 and(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) = (1, −2,1)
√6 √6

18. Consider an element 𝑈(𝜑) of the group SU(2), where 𝜑 is any one of the parameters of
the group. Under an infinitesimal change 𝜑 → 𝜑 + 𝛿𝜑, it changes as
𝑈(𝜑) → 𝑈(𝜑) + 𝛿𝑈(𝜑) = (1 + 𝑋(𝛿𝜑))𝑈(𝜑)
To order 𝛿𝜑, the matrix 𝑋(𝛿𝜑) should always be [CSIR DEC 2017]

(a) positive definite (b) real symmetric

(c) Hermitian (d) anti-Hermitian

100
19. Which of the following statements is true for a 3 × 3 real orthogonal matrix with
determinant +1? [CSIR JUNE 2018]

(a) the modulus of each of its eigenvalues need not be 1, but their product must be 1.

(b) at least one of its eigenvalues is +1 .

(c) all of its eigenvalues must be real.

(d) none of its eigenvalues need be real.

𝑎 0 0
𝐴 𝑎
20. One of the eigenvalues of the matrix 𝑒 is 𝑒 , where 𝐴 = (0 0 𝑎). The product of the
0 𝑎 0
other two eigenvalues of 𝑒 𝐴 is [CSIR DEC 2018]

(a) 𝑒 2𝑎 (b) 𝑒 −𝑎 (c) 𝑒 −2𝑎 (d) 1

21. A 4 × 4 complex matrix 𝐴 satisfies the relation 𝐴† 𝐴 = 4𝐼, where 𝐼 is the 4 × 4 identify
matrix. The number of independent real parameters of 𝐴 is [CSIR DEC 2018]

(a) 32 (b) 10 (c) 12 (d) 16

22. The elements of a 3 × 3 matrix 𝐴 are the products of its row and column indices 𝐴𝑖𝑗 = 𝑖𝑗
(where 𝑖, 𝑗 = 1,2,3 ). The eigenvalues of 𝐴 are [CSIR JUNE 2019]

14 14 14
(a) (7,7,0) (b) (7,4,3) (c)(14,0,0) (d) ( , , )
3 3 3

1 2 1
23. The operator 𝐴 has a matrix representation ( ) in the basis spanned by ( ) and
2 1 0
0 1 1 1 1
( ). In another basis spanned by ( ) and ( ), the matrix representation of 𝐴 is
1 √2 1 √2 −1

[CSIR JUNE 2019]

101
 2 0 3 0 3 1 3 0
(a) ( ) (b) ( ) (c) ( ) (d) ( )
0 2 0 1 0 1 1 1

24. If the rank of an 𝑛 × 𝑛 matrix 𝐴 is 𝑚, where 𝑚 and 𝑛 are positive integers with 1 ≤ 𝑚 ≤
𝑛, then the rank of the matrix 𝐴2 is [CSIR DEC 2019]

(a) 𝑚 (b) 𝑚 − 1 (c) 2𝑚 (d) 𝑚 − 2

𝑎2 𝑎𝑏 𝑎𝑐
25. The eigenvalues of the 3 × 3 matrix 𝑀 = (𝑎𝑏 𝑏2 𝑏𝑐 ) are [CSIR NOV 2020]
𝑎𝑐 𝑏𝑐 𝑐2

(a) 𝑎2 + 𝑏2 + 𝑐 2 , 0,0 (b) 𝑏2 + 𝑐 2 , 𝑎2 , 0

(c) 𝑎2 + 𝑏2 , 𝑐 2 , 0 (d) 𝑎2 + 𝑐 2 , 𝑏2 , 0

26. A generic 3 × 3 real matrix 𝐴 has eigenvalues 0,1 and 6 and 𝐼 is the 3 × 3 identity
matrix. The quantity/quantities that cannot be determined from this information is/are
the [CSIR JUNE 2021]

(a) eigenvalues (𝐼 + 𝐴)−1 (b) eigenvalues of (𝐼 + 𝐴𝑇 𝐴)

(c) determinant of 𝐴𝑇 𝐴 (d) rank of 𝐴

27. Two n × n invertible real matrices A and B satisfy the relation

(AB)T = −(A−1 B)−1 If B is orthogonal then A must be [CSIR JUNE 2022]

(a)Lower triangle (b) Orthogonal (c) Symmetric (d) Anti-Symmetric

28. The matrix corresponding to the differential operator

d
(1 + )
dx
in the space of polynomials of degree at most two, in the basis spanned by f1 = 1, f2 = x
and f3 = x 2 , is [CSIR JUNE 2023]

102
 1 1 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0
(a)(0 1 2) (b)(1 1 0) (c)(0 1 1) (d)(1 1 0)
0 0 1 0 2 1 0 0 2 0 1 2

3 −1 2
29. The matrix 𝑀 = (−1 2 0) satisfies the equation
2 0 1
𝑀3 + 𝛼𝑀2 + 𝛽𝑀 + 3 = 0 if (𝛼, 𝛽) are [CSIR JUNE 2023]

(a) (−2,2) (b) (−3,3) (c) (−6,6) (d) (−4,4)

30. The matrix 𝑅n̂ (𝜃) represents a rotation by an angle 𝜃 about the axis n̂. The value of 𝜃
and n̂ corresponding to the matrix
−1 0 0
1 2√2
0 −
3 3
2√2 1
(0 3 3 )
respectively, are [CSIR JUNE 2023]

2 1 1
2
(a)𝜋/2and (0, −√ , ) (b)𝜋/2 and (0, ,√ )
3 √3 √3 3

2 1 12
(c)𝜋and (0, −√ , ) (d)𝜋 and (0, ,√ )
3 √3 √3 3

31. Let 𝑀 be a 3 × 3 real matrix such that

cos 𝜃 sin 𝜃 0
𝑒 𝑀𝜃 = [−sin 𝜃 cos 𝜃 0]
0 0 1

where 𝜃 is a real parameter. Then 𝑀 is given by [CSIR DEC 2023]

−1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 0
(a) [ 0 1 0] (b) [−1 0 0] (c) [0 −1 0] (d) [0 −1 0]
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

103
32. The matrix 𝐴 is given by
1 2 −3
𝐴 = [0 3 2]
0 0 −2
The eigenvalues of 3𝐴3 + 5𝐴2 − 6𝐴 + 2𝐼, where 𝐼 is the identity matrix, are
[CSIR JUNE 2024]

(a)4,9,27 (b)1,9,44 (c)1,110,8 (d)4,110,10

33. If 𝐼 is an 𝑛 × 𝑛 identity matrix and adj(2𝐼) = 2𝑘 𝐼, then 𝑘 is equal to

[CSIR DEC 2024]

(a)1 (b)𝑛 (c)𝑛 − 1 (d)2

2 −1 0
34. For the matrix 𝐴 = [−1 3 1], which of the following is true?
0 1 0

[CSIR JUNE 2025]

(a)𝐴3 = 5𝐴2 − 4𝐴 − 2 (b)𝐴3 = 4𝐴2 − 6𝐴 + 3

(c)𝐴3 = 5𝐴2 − 5𝐴 − 1 (d)𝐴3 = 8𝐴2 + 3𝐴 − 4

❖ GATE PYQ’s
1. Find the matrix of the linear transformation T on V3 (R) (i.e., three dimensional real
𝑎 𝑎+𝑏
vector space) defined as 𝑇 ( ) = 𝑏 + 𝑐 ), with respect to the basis 𝐵 = {𝑒ˆ1 , 𝑒ˆ2 , 𝑒ˆ3 },
𝑏 (
𝑐 𝑐+𝑎
1 0 0
where 𝑒ˆ1 = (0) , 𝑒ˆ2 = (1) and 𝑒ˆ3 = (0). Also calculate the matrix representation of
0 0 1
T −1 . [GATE 2001]

2. For any operator A, 𝑖 ( A+ − A) is [GATE 2001]

104
 (a) Hermitian (b) anti-Hermitian (c) unitary (d) orthogonal

3. If two matrices A and B can be diagonalized simultaneously, which of the following is

true? [GATE 2002]

(a) A2 B = B2 A (b) A2 B2 = B2 A (c) AB = BA (d) AB2 AB = BABA2

1 −1
4. Which one of the following matrices is the inverse of the matrix ( )?
0 1
[GATE 2002]

1 1 1 0 1 1 −1 1
(a) ( ) (b) ( ) (c) ( ) (d) ( )
−1 1 1 1 0 1 0 −1

0 1
5. Find the matrix that diagonalizes the matrix ( ) [GATE 2002]
1 0

6. A 3 × 3 matrix has eigenvalues 0,2 + 𝑖 and 2 − 𝑖. Which one of the following statements
is correct? [GATE 2003]

(a) The matrix is Hermitian (b) The matrix is unitary

(c) The inverse of the matrix exists (d) The determinant of the matrix is zero

7. A real traceless 4 × 4 unitary matrix has two eigenvalues -1 and +1. The other
eigenvalues are [GATE 2004]

(a) zero and +2 (b) zero and +1 (c) zero and +2 (d) -1 and +1

1 𝑖
8. The eigenvalues of the matrix ( ) are [GATE 2004]
−𝑖 1

(a) +1 and +1 (b) zero and +1 (c) zero and +2 (d) -1 and +1

105
9. The determinant of a 3 × 3 real symmetric matrix is 36. If two of its eigen values are 2
and 3 then the third eigenvalue is [GATE 2005]

(a) 4 (b) 6 (c) 8 (d) 9

10. Eigen values of the matrix

0 1 0 0
1 0 0 0
( ) are [GATE 2005]
0 0 0 −2𝑖
0 0 2𝑖 0

(a) −2, −1,1,2 (b) −1,1,0,2 (c) 1,0,2,3 (d) −1,1,0,3

11. The trace of a 3 × 3 matrix is 2. Two of its eigenvalues are 1 and 2. The third eigenvalue
is [GATE 2006]

(a) -1 (b) 0 (c) 1 (d) 2

Common Data for Q. 12 and Q. 13:

2 3 0
One of the eigenvalues of the matrix (3 2 0) is 5.
0 0 1

12. The other two eigenvalues are [GATE 2006]

(a) 0 and 0 (b) 1 and 1 (c) 1 and -1 (d) -1 and -1

13. The normalized eigenvector corresponding to the eigenvalue 5 is [GATE 2006]

1 0 1 −1 1 1 1 1
(a) (−1) (b) ( 1) (c) ( 0) (d) ( 1)
√2 1 √2 0 √2 −1 √2 0

5 4
14. The eigenvalues and eigenvectors of the matrix [ ] are [GATE 2007]
1 2

106
 4 1 4 1
(a) 6,1 and [ ] , [ ] (b) 2,5 and [ ] , [ ]
1 −1 1 −1

1 1 1 1
(c) 6,1 and [ ] , [ ] (d) 2,5 and [ ] , [ ]
4 −1 4 −1

15. The eigenvalues of a matrix are 𝑖, −2𝑖 and 3𝑖. The matrix is [GATE 2007]

(a) unitary (b) anti-unitary (c) Hermitian (d) anti-Hermitian

16. For arbitrary matrices E, F, G and H, if EF − FE = 0 then Trace (EFGH) is equal to

[GATE 2008]
(a) Trace (HGFE) (b) Trace (E) Trace (F) Trace (G) Trace (H)

(c) Trace (GFEH) (d) Trace (EGHF)

𝑖𝛼
17. An unitary matrix (𝑎𝑒𝑖𝛽 𝑏 ) is given, where 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐, 𝑑, 𝛼 and 𝛽 are real. The inverse of
𝑐𝑒 𝑑
the matrix is [GATE 2008]

𝑖𝑎 −𝑖𝛼
(a) (𝑎𝑒 −𝑐𝑒 𝑗𝑝 ) (b) (𝑎𝑒
𝑖𝛼
𝑐𝑒 𝑖𝛽 ) (c) (𝑎𝑒−𝑖𝛽 𝑏) (d) (𝑎𝑒
−𝑖𝛼
𝑐𝑒 −𝑖𝛽 )
𝑏 𝑑 𝑏 𝑑 𝑐𝑒 𝑑 𝑏 𝑑

cos 𝜃 −sin 𝜃
18. The eigen values of the matrix ( ) are [GATE 2008]
sin 𝜃 cos 𝜃

1 1
(a) (√3 ± 𝑖)when 𝜃 = 45∘ (b) (√3 ± 𝑖)when 𝜃 = 30∘
2 2

1
(c) ± 1 since the matrix is unitary (d) (1 ± 𝑖)when 𝜃 = 30∘
2

0 𝑖
19. The eigen values of the matrix 𝐴 = ( ) are [GATE 2009]
𝑖 0

(a) real and distinct (b) complex and distinct

107
 (c) complex and coinciding (d) real and coinciding

2 3 0
20. The eigen values of the matrix (3 2 0) are [GATE 2010]
0 0 1

(a) 5,2, −2 (b) −5, −1, −1 (c) 5,1, −1 (d) −5,1,1

21. Two matrices A and B are said to be similar if 𝐵 = 𝑃−1 𝐴𝑃 for some invertible matrix P.
Which of the following statements is not true? [GATE 2011]

(a) Det A = Det B (b) Trace of A = Trace of B

(c) A and B have the same eigen vectors (d) A and B have the same eigen values

22. A 3 × 3 matrix has elements such that its trace is 11 and its determinant is 36. The
eigen-values of the matrix are all known to be positive integers. The largest eigen-value
of the matrix is [GATE 2011]

(a) 18 (b) 12 (c) 9 (d) 6

0 1 0
23. The eigen values of the matrix (1 0 1) are [GATE 2012]
0 1 0

1 1
(a) 0,1,1 (b)0, −√2, √2 (c) , ,0 (d)
√2 √2

24. The degenerate eigen value of the matrix

4 −1 −1
M = [−1 4 −1] is (your answer should be an integer)______________.
−1 −1 4
[GATE 2013]

108
 1 1 1+𝑖
25. The matrix 𝐴 = [ ] is [GATE 2014]
√3 1−𝑖 −1

(a) orthogonal (b) symmetric (c) anti-symmetric (d) unitary

26. The eigenvalues of a Hermitian matrix are all [GATE 2018]

(a) real (b) imaginary (c) of modulus one (d) real and positive

27. During a rotation, vectors along the axis of rotation remain unchanged. For the rotation
0 1 0
matrix ( 0 0 −1), the unit vector along the axis of rotation is [GATE 2019]
−1 0 0

1 1 1 1
(a) (2𝚤ˆ − 𝚥ˆ + 2𝑘ˆ ) (b) (𝚤ˆ + 𝚥ˆ − 𝑘ˆ ) (c) (𝚤ˆ − 𝚥ˆ − 𝑘ˆ ) (d) (2𝚤ˆ + 2𝚥ˆ − 𝑘ˆ )
3 √3 √3 3

28. A real, invertible 3 × 3 matrix 𝑀 has eigenvalues 𝜆𝑖 , (𝑖 = 1,2,3) and the corresponding
eigenvectors are |𝑒𝑖 ⟩, (𝑖 = 1,2,3) respectively. Which one of the following is correct?
[GATE 2020]
1
(a)𝑀|𝑒𝑖 ⟩ = |𝑒 ⟩, for 𝑖 = 1,2,3
𝜆𝑖 𝑖

1
(b)𝑀−1 |𝑒𝑖 ⟩ = |𝑒 ⟩, for 𝑖 = 1,2,3
𝜆𝑖 𝑖

(c) 𝑀−1 |𝑒𝑖 ⟩ = 𝜆𝑖 |𝑒𝑖 ⟩, for 𝑖 = 1,2,3

(d) The eigenvalues of 𝑀 and 𝑀−1 are not related

0 0 1
29. The product of eigenvalues of (0 1 0) is [GATE 2020]
1 0 0

(a) -1 (b) 1 (c) 0 (d) 2

109
30. Which one of the following matrices does NOT represent a proper rotation in a plane?
[GATE 2020]
−sin 𝜃 cos 𝜃 cos 𝜃 sin 𝜃
(a) ( ) (b) ( )
−cos 𝜃 −sin 𝜃 −sin 𝜃 cos 𝜃

sin 𝜃 cos 𝜃 −sin 𝜃 cos 𝜃

(c) ( ) (d) ( )
−cos 𝜃 sin 𝜃 −cos 𝜃 sin 𝜃

31. 𝑃 and 𝑄 are two Hermitian matrices and there exists a matrix 𝑅, which diagonalizes
both of them, such that 𝑅𝑃𝑅−1 = 𝑆1 and 𝑅𝑄𝑅−1 = 𝑆2 , where 𝑆1 and 𝑆2 are diagonal
matrices. The correct statement(s) is (are) [GATE 2021]

(a) All the elements of both matrices 𝑆1 and 𝑆2 are real

(b) The matrix 𝑃𝑄 can have complex eigenvalues.

(c) The matrix 𝑄𝑃 can have complex eigenvalues.

(d) The matrices 𝑃 and 𝑄 commute

32. What is the maximum number of free independent real parameters specifying an 𝑛
dimensional orthogonal matrix? [GATE 2022]

𝑛(𝑛 − 1) 𝑛(𝑛 + 1)
(a) 𝑛(𝑛 − 2) (b)(𝑛 − 1)2 (c) (d)
2 2

33. A 4 × 4 matrix 𝑀 has the property 𝑀† = −𝑀 and 𝑀4 = 1, where 1 is the 4 × 4 identity

matrix. Which one of the following is the CORRECT set of eigenvalues of the matrix M?
[GATE 2023]

(a) (1,1, −1, −1) (b) (𝑖, 𝑖, −𝑖, −𝑖) (c) (𝑖, 𝑖, 𝑖, −𝑖) (d) (1,1, −𝑖, −𝑖)

110
 1 2 1 0
34. Consider two matrices: 𝑃 = [ ] and 𝑄 = [ ]
0 1 0 1
Which of the following statement is/are true? [GATE 2024]

(a) P and Q have same set of eigenvalues

(b) P and Q commute with each other

(c) P and Q have different sets of linearly independent eigenvectors

(d) P is diagonalizable

❖ JEST PYQ’s
1. For an N × N matrix consisting of all ones, [JEST 2012]

(a) All eigenvalues = 1 (b) all eigenvalues = 0

(c) The eigenvalues are 1,2, … . . , N (d) one eigenvalue = N, the others = 0

2. The coordinate transformation 𝑥 ′ = 0.8𝑥 + 0.6𝑦, 𝑦 ′ = 0.6𝑥 − 0.8𝑦 represents

[JEST 2013]
(a) A translation. (b) a proper rotation.

(c) A reflection. (d) None of the above.

1 2 𝜋𝑀
3. Given a matrix 𝑀 = ( ), which of the following represents? cos ( )
2 1 6

[JEST 2016]
1 1 2 √3 1 −1 √3 1 1 1 1 √3)
(a) ( ) (b) ( ) (c) ( ) (d) (
2 2 1 4 −1 1 4 1 1 2 √3 1

1 0 10 3𝑖
4. Let ∧ = ( ) and M = ( ) similarity transformation of M to ∧ can be
0 11 −3𝑖 2
performed by [JEST 2017]

111
 1 1 3𝑖 1 1 −3𝑖
(a) ( ) (b) ( )
√10 3𝑖 1 √9 3𝑖 11

1 1 3𝑖 1 1 3𝑖
(c) ( ) (d) ( )
√10 −3𝑖 11 √9 −3𝑖 1

5. Two of the eigenvalues of the matrix

𝑎 3 0
𝐴 = (3 2 0)
0 0 1
Are 1 and -1. What is the third eigenvalue? [JEST 2018]

(a) 2 (b) 5 (c) -2 (d) -5

6. Consider two 𝑛 × 𝑛 matrices, 𝐴 and 𝐵 such that 𝐴 + 𝐵 is invertible. Define two matrices,
𝐶 = 𝐴(𝐴 + 𝐵)−1 𝐵 and 𝐷 = 𝐵(𝐴 + 𝐵)−1 𝐴. Which of the following relations always hold
true? [JEST 2019]

(a) 𝐶 = 𝐷 (b) 𝐶 −1 = 𝐷 (c) 𝐵𝐶𝐴 = 𝐴𝐷𝐵 (d) 𝐶 ≠ 𝐷

7. Let 𝐴 be a hermitian matrix, and 𝐶 and 𝐷 be the unitary matrices. Which one of the
following matrices is unitary? [JEST 2019]

(a) 𝐶 −1 𝐴𝐶 (b) 𝐶 −1 𝐷𝐶 (c) 𝐶 −1 𝐴𝐷 (d) 𝐴−1 𝐶𝐷

1 13
8. Consider a 2 × 2 matrix 𝐴 = ( ) what is 𝐴27 ? [JEST 2019]
0 1

(a) (
1 13
) (b) (1 1327 ) (c) (
1 27
) (d) (
1 351
)
0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1

9. An 𝑛 × 𝑛 Hermitian matrix 𝐴 is not a multiple of the identity matrix. Which one of the
following statements is always true? [JEST 2020]

(a) 𝑛Tr (𝐴2 ) = (Tr 𝐴)2 (b) 𝑛Tr (𝐴2 ) < (Tr 𝐴)2
112
 (c) 𝑛Tr (𝐴2 ) > (Tr 𝐴)2 (d) Tr (𝐴2 ) = 𝑛(Tr 𝐴)2

1 0 0 1
0 −2 0 0
10. Consider the matrix 𝐴 = ( )
0 0 −3 0
1 0 0 4
What is the determinant of the matrix exp (𝐴) ? [JEST 2021]

(a) 1 (b) exp (24) (c) 24 (d) 0

11. How many independent real parameters are required to describe an arbitrary 𝑁 × 𝑁
Hermitian matrix? [JEST 2023]

(a) 𝑁 2 − 𝑁 (b) 𝑁 2 (c) 2𝑁 (d) 𝑁 2 − 1

1 1 1 2 3
12 2 3 2 1
12. Choose the largest eigenvalue of the matrix 𝑀 = 0 0 0 2 2 . [JEST 2023]
0 0 3 0 3
(0 0 0 0 1)

(a) 3 (b) 5 (c) 8 (d) 10

13. 𝐴 and 𝐵 are 2 × 2 Hermitian matrices. |𝑎1 ⟩ and |𝑎2 ⟩ are two linearly independent
eigenvectors of 𝐴. Consider the following statements:

[Link] |𝑎1 ⟩ and |𝑎2 ⟩ are eigenvectors of 𝐵, then [𝐴, 𝐵] = 0.

[Link] [𝐴, 𝐵] = 0, then |𝑎1 ⟩ and |𝑎2 ⟩ are eigenvectors of 𝐵.

Mark the correct option. [JEST 2024]

(a) Both statements 1 and 2 are true.

(b) Statement 2 is true but statement 1 is false.

113
 (c) Statement 1 is true but statement 2 is false.

(d) Both statements 1 and 2 are false.

2 3 3 1 0 0
14. The singular matrix 𝐴 = (3 6 3) commutes with the matrix 𝐵 = (0 0 1).
3 3 6 0 1 0
The eigenvalues of 𝐴 are [JEST 2024]

(a) (0,0,12) (b) (0,3,13) (c) (0,3,11) (d) (0,2,5)

2/3 −1/3 2/3

15. Consider the rotation matrix 𝑅 = ( 2/3 2/3 −1/3).
−1/3 2/3 2/3
Let 𝜙 be the angle of rotation. What is the value of sec 2 𝜙 ? [JEST 2024]

16. The number of independent real numbers that parameterize any ( 3 × 3 ) Hermitian
matrix is [JEST 2025]

(a) 6 (b) 9 (c) 3 (d) 8

0 1 1+√5 1−√5
17. Consider a 2 × 2 matrix 𝐴 = [ ] which has eigenvalues 𝜆1 = and 𝜆2 = . For
1 1 2 2

any natural number 𝑛 which of the following is correct ? [JEST 2025]

1 𝜆1𝑛−1 − 𝜆𝑛−1
𝑛 2 𝜆1𝑛 + 𝜆𝑛2 𝑛
1 𝜆1𝑛−1 − 𝜆𝑛−1
2 𝜆1𝑛 − 𝜆𝑛2
(a) 𝐴 = [ 𝑛 𝑛 ] (b) 𝐴 = [ 𝑛 ]
√5 𝜆1 + 𝜆2 𝜆1𝑛+1 − 𝜆𝑛+1
2 √5 𝜆1 − 𝜆2
𝑛
𝜆1𝑛+1 − 𝜆𝑛+1
2

1 𝜆1𝑛−1 + 𝜆𝑛−1
𝑛 2 𝜆1𝑛 + 𝜆𝑛2 𝑛
1 𝜆1𝑛−1 + 𝜆𝑛−1
2 𝜆1𝑛 − 𝜆𝑛2
(c) 𝐴 = [ 𝑛 𝑛 ] (d) 𝐴 = [ 𝑛 ]
√5 𝜆1 + 𝜆2 𝜆1𝑛+1 + 𝜆𝑛+1
2 √5 𝜆1 − 𝜆2
𝑛
𝜆1𝑛+1 + 𝜆𝑛+1
2

18. A 3 × 3 matrix 𝑀 satisfies 𝑀2 − 3𝑀 + 2𝐼 = 0. Find the determinant of the matrix 𝑀 if

its trace is 6 . [JEST 2025]

114
 ❖ TIFR PYQ’s
1 1 0
1. The matrix (1 1 1) can be related by a similarity transformation to the matrix
0 1 1
[TIFR 2010]
1 1 1 2 1 0
(a) (1 −1 1) (b) (1 −1 −1)
1 1 0 0 −1 2

1 −1 0 1 −1 0
(c) (−1 1 1) (d) (−1 1 1)
0 1 −1 0 1 1

2. Consider the matrix

1 0 0
𝕄 = (0 0 −1)
0 −1 0
A 3-dimensional basis formed by eigenvectors of 𝕄 is [TIFR 2011]

2 1 0 1 0 0
(a) ( 1) , (−1) and ( 1) (b) ( 1) , (1) and ( 1)
−1 1 −1 −1 1 −1

0 0 0 2 0 −1
(c) (0) , (1) and ( 1) (d) ( 1) , (1) and ( 1)
0 1 −1 −1 1 1

3. The trace of the real 4 × 4 matrix 𝕌 = exp (𝔸), where

0 0 0 𝜋/4
0 0 −𝜋/4 0
𝔸=( )
0 𝜋/4 0 0
−𝜋/4 0 0 0
is equal to [TIFR 2011]

(a) 2√2 (b) 𝜋/4

(c) exp (𝑖𝜑) for 𝜑 = 0, 𝜋 (d) zero

115
 (e) 𝜋/2 (f) 2

4. Two different 2 × 2 matrices 𝐴 and 𝐵 are found to have the same eigenvalues. It is then
correct to state that 𝐴 = 𝑆𝐵𝑆 −1 where 𝑆 can be a [TIFR 2012]

(a) traceless 2 × 2 matrix (b) Hermitian 2 × 2 matrix

(c) unitary 2 × 2 matrix (d) arbitrary 2 × 2 matrix

5. The product 𝑀𝑁 of two Hermitian matrices 𝑀 and 𝑁 is anti-Hermitian. It follows that

[TIFR 2014]
(a) {𝑀, 𝑁} = 0 (b) [𝑀, 𝑁] = 0 (c) 𝑀† = 𝑁 (d) 𝑀† = 𝑁 −1

6. If the eigenvalues of a symmetric 3 × 3 matrix 𝐀 are 0,1,3 and the corresponding

eigenvectors can be written as
1 1 1
(1) , ( 0 ) , (−2)
1 −1 1
respectively, then the matrix 𝐀4 is [TIFR 2016]

41 −81 40 −82 −81 79

(
(a) −81 0 −81) (
(b) −81 81 −81)
40 −81 41 79 −81 83

14 −27 13 14 −13 27
(c) (−27 54 −27) (d) (−13 54 −13)
13 −27 14 27 −13 14

7. Denote the commutator of two matrices 𝐴 and 𝐵 by [𝐴, 𝐵] = 𝐴𝐵 − 𝐵𝐴 and the anti-
commutator by {𝐴, 𝐵} = 𝐴𝐵 + 𝐵𝐴.
If {𝐴, 𝐵} = 0, we can write [𝐴, 𝐵𝐶] = [TIFR 2017]

(a) −𝐵[𝐴, 𝐶] (b) 𝐵{𝐴, 𝐶} (c) −𝐵{𝐴, 𝐶} (d) [𝐴, 𝐶]𝐵

8. The matrix
116
 100√2 𝑥 0
( −𝑥 0 −𝑥 )
0 𝑥 100√2
where 𝑥 > 0, is known to have two equal eigenvalues. Find the value of 𝑥.
[TIFR 2017]

9. A unitary matrix 𝑈 is expanded in terms of a Hermitian matrix 𝐻, such that

𝑈 = 𝑒 𝑖𝜋𝐻/2
1/2 0 √3/2
If we know that 𝐻 = ( 0 1 0 )
√3/2 0 −1/2
then 𝑈 must be [TIFR 2017]

𝑖 1/2 √3/2 𝑖/2 0 𝑖√3/2

(a) ( 1/2 𝑖 1/2 ) (b) ( 0 𝑖 0 )
√3/2 1/2 𝑖 𝑖√3/2 0 −𝑖/2

1 0 √3 2𝑖 1 √3/2
(c) ( 0 2 0) (d) ( 1 2𝑖 0 )
√3 0 −1 √3/2 0 2𝑖

10. If a 2 × 2 matrix 𝕄 is given by

1 (1 − 𝑖)/√2
𝕄=( )
(1 + 𝑖)/√2 0

then de t e x p 𝕄 = [TIFR 2018]

(a) 𝑒 (b) 𝑒 2 (c) 2𝑖sin √2 (d) exp (−2√2)

11. The eigenvalues of a 3 × 3 matrix 𝕄 are

𝜆1 = 2 𝜆2 = −1 𝜆3 = 1
and the eigenvectors are
1 1 1
𝑒1 = (1) 𝑒2 = ( 1) 𝑒3 = (−1)
1 −2 0

117
 The matrix 𝕄 is [TIFR 2019]

1 0 1 1 0 0
(a) (0 1 1) (c) (1 0 −1)
1 1 0 0 −1 1

0 1 1 1 1 0
(b) (1 0 0) (d) (1 0 1)
1 0 2 0 1 1

12. The eigenvector 𝑒1 corresponding to the smallest eigenvalue of the matrix

2𝑎2 𝑎 0
( 𝑎 1 𝑎 )
0 𝑎 2𝑎2
3
where 𝑎 = √ , is given (in terms of its transpose) by [TIFR 2020]
2

1 1 1 1 3 3
(a)𝑒1𝑇 = ( −√3 ) (b)𝑒1𝑇 = (√ 1 √ )
2 √2 √2 2 2 2

1 1
(c)𝑒1𝑇 = (1 0 −1) (d)𝑒1𝑇 = (1 0 1)
√2 √2

13. A unitary matrix U is expressed in terms of a Hermitian matrix H, such that U = 𝑒 𝑖𝜋H/2
If the matrix 𝐻 is given by

1/3 0 √2/3
H = √3 ( 0 1/√3 0 )
√2/3 0 −1/3
then 𝐔 will have the form [TIFR 2021]

3√3𝑖 √3 3/2 √3 0 √6
(a) ( √3 𝑖 0 ) (b) ( 0 3√3 0 )
√2/√3 0 3√3𝑖 √6 0 −√3

𝑖√3 1/√3 √2/√3 𝑖/√3 0 𝑖√2/√3

(c) ( 1/√3 𝑖 1/√3 ) (d) ( 0 𝑖 0 )
√2/√3 1/√3 𝑖√3 𝑖√2/√3 0 −𝑖/√3
118
14. Consider a symmetric matrix
1/3 0 2/3
𝑀=( 0 1 0 )
2/3 0 1/3
An orthogonal matrix 𝑂 which can diagonalize this matrix by an orthogonal
transformation 𝑂 𝑇 𝑀𝑂 is given by 𝑂 = [TIFR 2023]

√1/3 0 √2/3 √2/3 0 √1/3

(a) ( 0 1 0 ) (b) ( 0 1 0 )
√2/3 0 −√1/3 √1/3 0 −√2/3

1/√2 0 1/√2 1/√2 0 𝑖/√2

(c) ( 0 1 0 ) (d) ( 0 1 0 )
1/√2 0 −1/√2 1/√2 0 −𝑖/√2

15. Consider the following matrix

1 5 −7 1
1 0 2 2
𝕄=( )
9 −1 3 1
9 6 −7 −4
What is det 𝑒 𝕄 ? [TIFR 2024]

(a) 𝑒 1210 (b) 𝑒 (c) 1 (d) 𝑒 −1210

16. The 𝑛 × 𝑛(𝑛 > 4) matrix 𝑀, with all entries equal to 1 has: [TIFR 2025]

(a) Precisely 𝑛 − 1 degenerate eigenvalues and one other non-degenerate eigenvalue

(b) Precisely 𝑛 − 2 degenerate eigenvalues and two other non-degenerate eigenvalues

(c) Precisely 2 degenerate eigenvalues and 𝑛 − 2 other non-degenerate eigenvalues

(d) No degenerate eigenvalues

119
 Answer Key
CSIR-NET PYQ
1. b 2. a 3. c 4. d 5. a 6. c 7. a 8. a 9. b 10. d
11. b 12. d 13. c 14. d 15. d 16. b 17. d 18. d 19. b 20. d
21. d 22. c 23. b 24. a,b 25. a 26. b 27. d 28. a 29. c 30. d
31. b 32. d 33. c 34. a
GATE PYQ
1. 2. a 3. c 4. c 5. 6. d 7. d 8. c 9. b 10. a
11. a 12. c 13. d 14. a 15. d 16. a 17. d 18. b 19. b 20. c
21. c 22. d 23. b 24. 5 25. d 26. a 27. b 28. b 29. a 30. d
31. a,d 32. c 33. b 34. abc
JEST PYQ
1. d 2. c 3. b 4. a 5. b 6. a 7. b 8. d 9. c 10. a
11. b 12. b 13. c 14. c 15. 4 16. b 17. b 18. 6
TIFR PYQ
1. 2. 3. 4. c 5. a 6. c 7. c 8. 050 9. b 10. a
11. a 12. a 13. d 14. c 15. c 16. a

120
 Mathematical Physics: Numerical Analysis

❖ CSIR-NET PYQ’s
1
1. The integral ∫0 √𝑥𝑑𝑥 is to be evaluated up to 3 decimal places using Simpson's 3-point
rule. If the interval [0,1] is divided into 4 equal parts, the correct result is
[CSIR JUNE 2014]

(a) 0.683 (b) 0.667 (c) 0.657 (d) 0.638

8 1 1
2. The value of the integral ∫0 𝑑𝑥, evaluated using Simpson's rule with ℎ = 2, is
𝑥 2 +5 3

[CSIR DEC 2015]

(a) 0.565 (b) 0.620 (c) 0.698 (d) 0.736

3. Consider the differential equation

𝑑𝑦
= 𝑥2 − 𝑦
𝑑𝑥
with the initial condition 𝑦 = 2 at 𝑥 = 0. Let 𝑦(1) and 𝑦(1) 2) be the solutions at 𝑥 = 1
obtained using Euler's forward algorithm with step size 1 and 1/2 respectively.
[CSIR JUNE 2015]
The value of (𝑦(1) − 𝑦(1/2) )/𝑦(1/2) is

1 1
(a) − (b) -1 (c) (d) 1
2 2

4. In finding the roots of the polynomial 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 3 − 4𝑥 − 5 using the iterative Newton-
Raphson method, the initial guess is taken to be 𝑥 = 2. In the next iteration its value is
nearest to [CSIR JUNE 2016]

(a) 1.671 (b) 1.656 (c) 1.559 (d) 1.551

5. A stable asymptotic solution of the equation

3
𝑥𝑛+1 = 1 +
1 + 𝑥𝑛
121
 is 𝑥 = 2. If we take 𝑥𝑛 = 2 + 𝜀𝑛 and 𝑥𝑛+1 = 2 + 𝜀𝑛+1 , where 𝜀𝑛 and 𝜀𝑛+1 are both small,
the ratio 𝜀𝑛+1 /𝜀𝑛 is approximately [CSIR DEC 2016]

1 1 1 2
(a) − (b) − (c) − (d) −
2 4 3 3

6. Given the values sin 45∘ = 0.7071, sin 50∘ − 0.7660, sin 55∘ = 0.8192 and sin 60∘ =
0.8660, the approximate value of sin 52∘ , computed by Newton's forward difference
method, is [CSIR DEC 2016]

(a) 0.804 (b) 0.776 (c) 0.788 (d) 0.798

7. The interval [0,1] is divided into 2𝑛 parts of equal length to calculate the integral
1 1
∫0 𝑒 2𝑖𝑥𝜋 𝑑𝑥 using Simpson's -rule. What is the minimum value of 𝑛 for the result to be
3

exact? [CSIR JUNE 2017]

(a) ∞ (b) 2 (c) 3 (d) 4

8. The differential equation

𝑑𝑦(𝑥)
= 𝛼𝑥 2
𝑑𝑥
, with the initial condition 𝑦(0) = 0, is solved using Euler's method. If 𝑦𝐸 (𝑥) is the exact
solution and 𝑦𝑁 (𝑥) the numerical solution obtained using 𝑛 steps of equal length, then
the relative error
(𝑦𝑁 (𝑥) − 𝑦𝐸 (𝑥))
| |
𝑦𝐸 (𝑥)
is proportional to [CSIR DEC 2017]

1 1 1 1
(a) (b) (c) (d)
𝑛2 𝑛3 𝑛4 𝑛

9. The interval [0,1] is divided into 𝑛 parts of equal length to calculate the integral
1
∫0 𝑒 𝑖2𝜋𝑥 𝑑𝑥 using the trapezoidal rule. The minimum value of 𝑛 for which the result is
exact, is [CSIR DEC 2017]
122
 (a) 2 (b) 3 (c) 4 (d) ∞

1 1
10. The fractional error in estimating the integral ∫0 𝑥𝑑𝑥 using Simpson's -rule, using a
3

step size 0.1, is nearest to [CSIR JUNE 2018]

(a) 10−4 (b) 0 (c) 10−2 (d) 3 × 10−4

1
11. The value of the integral ∫0 𝑥 2 𝑑𝑥, evaluated using the trapezoidal rule with a step size
of 0.2, is [CSIR DEC 2018]

(a) 0.30 (b) 0.39 (c) 0.34 (d) 0.27

12. If the Newton-Raphson method is used to find the positive root of the equation 𝑥 =
2sin 𝑥, the iteration equation is [CSIR JUNE 2019]

2𝑥𝑛 − 2(sin 𝑥𝑛 + 𝑥𝑛 cos 𝑥𝑛 ) 2(sin 𝑥𝑛 − 𝑥𝑛 cos 𝑥𝑛 )

(a)𝑥𝑛+1 = (b)𝑥𝑛+1 =
1 − 2cos 𝑥𝑛 1 − 2cos 𝑥𝑛

𝑥𝑛2 − 1 + 2(cos 𝑥𝑛 − 𝑥𝑛 sin 𝑥𝑛 ) 𝑥𝑛2 − 1 − 2(cos 𝑥𝑛 + sin 𝑥𝑛 )

(c)𝑥𝑛+1 = (d)𝑥𝑛+1 =
𝑥𝑛 − 2sin 𝑥𝑛 𝑥𝑛 − 2sin 𝑥𝑛

13. The positive zero of the polynomial 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 − 4 is determined using Newton-
Raphson method, using an initial guess 𝑥 = 1. Let the estimate, after two iterations, be
𝑥 (2) −2
𝑥 (2) . The percentage error | | × 100% is [CSIR DEC 2019]
2

(a) 7.5% (b) 5.0% (c) 1.0% (d) 2.5%

14. Using the following values of 𝑥 and 𝑓(𝑥)

𝑥 0 0.5 1.0 1.5

𝑓(𝑥) 1 𝑎 0 −5/4
1.5
the integral 𝐼 = ∫0 𝑓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥, evaluated by the Trapezoidal rule, is 5/16. The value of 𝑎 is
123
 [CSIR NOV 2020]

(a) 3/4 (b) 3/2 (c) 7/4 (d) 19/24

15. The Newton-Raphson method is to be used to determine the reciprocal of the number
𝑥 = 4. If we start with the initial guess 0.20 then after the first iteration the reciprocal is
[CSIR NOV 2021]

(a) 0.23 (b) 0.24 (c) 0.25 (d) 0.26

16. The Newton-Raphson method is to be used to determine the reciprocal of the number
𝑥 = 4. If we start with the initial guess 0.20 then after the first iteration the reciprocal is
[CSIR FEB 2022]

(a) 0.23 (b) 0.24 (c) 0.25 (d) 0.26

17. The bisection method is used to find a zero 𝑥0 of the polynomial 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 3 − 𝑥 2 − 1.
Since 𝑓(1) = −1, while 𝑓(2) = 3 the values 𝑎 = 1 and 𝑏 = 2 are chosen as the
boundaries of the interval in which the 𝑥0 lies. If the bisection method is iterated three
times, the resulting value of 𝑥0 is [CSIR JUNE2023]

15 13 11 9
(a) (b) (c) (d)
8 8 8 8

18. Given the data points

𝑥 1 3 5

𝑦 4 28 92

using Lagrange's method of interpolation, the value of 𝑦 at 𝑥 = 4 is closest to

[CSIR DEC 2023]

(a)54 (b)55 (c)53 (d)56

124
19. A set of 100 data points yields an average 𝑥‾ = 9 and a standard deviation 𝜎𝑥 = 4. The
error in the estimated mean is closest to [CSIR JUNE 2024]

(a)3.0 (b)0.4 (c)4.0 (d)0.3

1 2𝑥
20. The integral 𝐼 = ∫0 𝑑𝑥 is estimated using Simpson's 1/3rd rule with a grid value of
1+𝑥 2

ℎ = 0.5. The difference ( 𝐼estimated − 𝐼exact ) is closest to [CSIR JUNE 2024]

(a)0.007 (b)0.001 (c)0.0007 (d)-0.005

21. The following table shows the relationship between an independent quantity 𝑥 and an
experimentally measured quantity 𝑦.

𝑥 0 1 2 3 4 5
𝑦 0.1 2.1 8.1 17.9 32.2 49.7
The relationship between 𝑥 and 𝑦 is best represented by [CSIR DEC 2024]

(a)𝑦 ∝ 𝑥 3 (b)𝑦 ∝ 𝑒 𝑥 (c)𝑦 ∝ 𝑥 2 (d)𝑦 ∝ √𝑥

❖ JEST PYQ’s
2.2
1. The value ∫0.2 𝑥𝑒 𝑥 𝑑𝑥 by using the one-segment trapezoidal rule is close to
[JEST 2014]

(a) 11.672 (b) 11.807 (c) 20.099 (d) 24.119

❖ TIFR PYQ’s
1. Given the following 𝑥𝑦 data

𝑥 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0

𝑦 0.002 0.601 0.948 1.21 1.42

which of the following would be the best curve, with constant positive parameters 𝑎
and 𝑏, to fit this data? [TIFR 2018]

125
 (a) 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 − 𝑏 (b) 𝑦 = 𝑎 + exp 𝑏𝑥

(c) 𝑦 = 𝑎log10 𝑏𝑥 (d) 𝑦 = 𝑎 − exp (−𝑏𝑥)

2. The integral
3/4
1
𝐼=∫ 𝑑𝑥exp {−exp ( )}
1/2 𝑥
evaluates to 𝐼 = [TIFR 2021]

(a) exp √2 (b) 0.00215 (c) 1.762633 (d) −exp (−1

3. Given the following 𝑥 − 𝑦 data table

𝑥 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0

𝑦 0.602 0.984 1.315 1.615 1.894 2.157

which would be the best-fit curve, where 𝑎 and 𝑏 are constant positive parameters?
[TIFR 2021]
(a) 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 − 𝑏 (b) 𝑦 = 𝑏𝑥 1/(1+𝑎)

(c) 𝑦 = 𝑎 + 𝑒 𝑏𝑥 (d) 𝑦 = 𝑎log10 𝑏𝑥

Answer Key
CSIR-NET PYQ
1. c 2. a 3. b 4. b 5. c 6. c 7. b 8. d 9. a 10. b
11. c 12. b 13. d 14. a 15. b 16. b 17. c 18. b 19. b 20. a
21. c
JEST PYQ
1. c
TIFR PYQ
1. c 2. b 3. b

126
 Mathematical Physics: Probability
❖
❖ CSIR-NET PYQ’s
1. An unbiased dice is thrown three times successively. The probability that the numbers

of dots on the uppermost surface add up to 16 is [CSIR DEC 2011]

1 1 1 1
(a) (b) (c) (d)
16 36 108 216

2. The radioactive decay of a certain material satisfies Poisson statistics with a mean rate

of 𝜆 per second, what should be the minimum duration of counting (in seconds) so that
the relative error is less than 1% ? [CSIR JUNE 2012]

(a) 100/𝜆 (b) 104 /𝜆2 (c) 104 /𝜆 (d) 1/𝜆

3. A ball is picked at random from one of two boxes that contain 2 black and 3 white and 3

black and 4 white balls respectively. What is the probability that it is white?
[CSIR JUNE 2012]

(a) 34/70 (b) 41/70 (c) 36/70 (d) 29/70

4. A bag contains many balls, each with a number painted on it. There are exactly n balls

which have the number n (namely one ball with 1, two balls with 2, and so on until N
balls with N on them). An experiment consists of choosing a ball at random, noting the
number on it and returning it to the bag. If the experiment is repeated a large number of
times, the average value of the number will tend to [CSIR JUNE 2012]

2𝑁 + 1 𝑁 𝑁+1 𝑁(𝑁 + 1)
(a) (b) (c) (d)
3 2 2 2

5. In a series of five cricket matches, one of the captains calls "Heads" every time when the

toss

127
 is taken. The probability that he will win 3 times and lose 2 times is
[CSIR DEC 2012]

(a) 1/8 (b) 5/8 (c) 3/16 (d) 5/16

6. Consider three particles 𝐴, 𝐵 and 𝐶, each with an attribute 𝑆 that can take two value ±1.

Let 𝑆𝐴 = 1, SB = 1 and SC = −1 at a given instant. In the next instant, each S value can
change to −S with probability 1/3. The probability that 𝑆𝐴 + 𝑆𝐵 + 𝑆𝐶 remains
unchanged is [CSIR JUNE 2013]

(a) 2/3 (b) 1/3 (c) 2/9 (d) 4/9

7. Let u be a random variable uniformly distributed in the interval [0,1] and V = −cln u,

where c is a real constant. If V is to be exponentially distributed in the interval [0, ∞)

with unit standard deviation, then the value of 𝑐 should be [CSIR JUNE 2013]

(a) ln 2 (b) ½ (c) 1 (d) -1

8. A loaded dice has the probabilities

1 2 3 4 5
, , , ,
21 21 21 21 21
6
and of turning up 1,2,3,4,5 and 6 , respectively. If it is thrown twice, what is the
21

probability that the sum of the numbers that turn up is even? [CSIR DEC 2013]

144 225 221 220

(a) (b) (c) (d)
441 441 441 441

9. A child makes a random walk on a square lattice of lattice constant a taking a step in the

north, east, south, or west directions with probabilities 0.255,0.255,0.245, and 0.245,
respectively. After a large number of steps, N, the expected position of the child with
respect to the starting point is at a distance [CSIR DEC 2013]

(a) √2 × 10−2 Na in the north-cast direction

128
 (b) √2𝑁 × 10−2 𝑎 in the north-east direction

(c) 2√2 × 10−2 Na in the south-east direction

(d) 0

10. In one dimension, a random walker takes a step with equal probability to the left or

right. What is the probability that the walker returns to the starting point after 4 steps?
[CSIR JUNE 2014]

(a) 3/8 (b) 5/16 (c) 1/4 (d) 1/16

11. Let
1
𝑦= (𝑥 + 𝑥2 ) − 𝜇
2 1
, where 𝑥1 and 𝑥2 are independent and identically distributed Gaussian random
⟨𝑦 4 ⟩
variables of mean 𝜇 and standard deviation 𝜎. Then is [CSIR JUNE 2014]
𝜎4

3 1 1
(a) 1 (b) (c) (d)
4 2 4

12. Two independent random variables 𝑚 and 𝑛, which can take the integer values

0,1,2, … , ∞, follow the Poisson distribution, with distinct mean values 𝜇 and 𝜈
respectively. Then [CSIR DEC 2014]

(a) the probability distribution of the random variable 𝑙 = 𝑚 + 𝑛 is a binomial

distribution

(b) the probability distribution of the random variable 𝑟 = 𝑚 − 𝑛 is also a Poisson

distribution

(c) the variance of the random variable 𝑙 = 𝑚 + 𝑛 is equal to 𝜇 + 𝑣

129
 (d) the mean value of the random variable 𝑟 = 𝑚 − 𝑛 is equal to 0.

13. A random walker takes a step of unit length in the positive direction with probability

2/3 and a step of unit length in the negative direction with probability 1/3. The mean
displacement of the walker after 𝑛 steps is [CSIR DEC 2014]

(a) 𝑛/3 (b) 𝑛/8 (c) 2𝑛/3 (d) 0

14. Three real variables 𝑎, 𝑏 and 𝑐 are each randomly chosen from a uniform probability

distribution in the interval [0,1]. The probability that 𝑎 + 𝑏 > 2𝑐 is

[CSIR JUNE 2015]

3 2 1 1
(a) (b) (c) (d)
4 3 2 4

15. Consider a random walker on a square lattice. At each step the walker moves to a

nearest neighbor site with equal probability for each of the four sites. The walker starts
at the origin and takes 3 steps. The probability that during this walk no site is visited
more than once is [CSIR DEC 2015]

(a) 12/27 (b) 27/64 (c) 3/8 (d) 9/16

16. Let 𝑋 and 𝑌 be two independent random variables, each of which follow a normal

distribution with the same standard deviation 𝜎, but with means +𝜇 and −𝜇,
respectively. Then the sum 𝑋 + 𝑌 follows a [CSIR JUNE 2016]

(a) distribution with two peaks at ±𝜇 and mean 0 and standard deviation 𝜎√2

(b) normal distribution with mean 0 and standard deviation 2𝜎

(c) distribution with two peaks at ±𝜇 and mean 0 and standard deviation 2𝜎

130
 (d) normal distribution with mean 0 and standard deviation 𝜎√2

17. A box of volume 𝑉 containing 𝑁 molecules of an ideal gas, is divided by a wall with a

hole into two compartments. If the volume of the smaller compartment is 𝑉/3, the
variance of the number of particles in it, is [CSIR DEC 2016]

𝑁 2𝑁 √𝑁
(a) (b) (c) √𝑁 (d)
3 9 3

18. Consider two radioactive atoms, each of which has a decay rate of 1 per year. The

probability that at least one of them decays in the first two years is
[CSIR DEC 2016]
1 3
(a) (b) (c) 1 − 𝑒 −4 (d) (1 − 𝑒 −2 )2
4 4

19. Consider a random walk on an infinite two-dimensional triangular lattice, a part of

which is shown in the figure below.

If the probabilities of moving to any of the nearest neighbor sites are equal, what is the
probability that the walker returns to the starting position at the end of exactly three
steps? [CSIR DEC 2016]

1 1 1 1
(a) (b) (c) (d)
36 216 18 12

20. The random variable 𝑥(−∞ < 𝑥 < ∞) is distributed according to the normal

distribution
1 𝑥2
−
𝑃(𝑥) = 𝑒 2𝜎2
√2𝜋𝜎 2
The

131
 probability density of the random variable 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 2 is [CSIR JUNE 2017]

1 −
𝑦 1 −
𝑦
(a) 𝑒 2𝜎2 , 0 ≤𝑦<∞ (b) 𝑒 2𝜎2 , 0 ≤𝑦<∞
√2𝜋𝜎 2 𝑦 2√2𝜋𝜎 2 𝑦

1 −
𝑦 1 𝑦
− 2
(c) 𝑒 2𝜎2 , 0 ≤𝑦<∞ (d) 𝑒 𝜎 ,0 ≤𝑦<∞
√2𝜎 2 √2𝜋𝜎 2 𝑦

21. A random variable 𝑛 obeys Poisson statistics. The probability of finding 𝑛 0 is 10−6 . The

expectation value of 𝑛 is nearest to [CSIR JUNE 2017]

(a) 14 (b) 106 (c) 𝑒 (d) 102

22. A particle hops on a one-dimensional lattice with lattice spacing 𝑎. The probability of

the particle to hop to the neighbouring site to its right is 𝑝, while the corresponding
probability to hop to the left is 𝑞 = 1 − 𝑝. The root-mean-squared deviation Δ𝑥 =

√⟨𝑥 2 ⟩ − ⟨𝑥⟩2 in displacement after 𝑁 steps, is [CSIR DEC 2018]

(a) 𝑎√𝑁𝑝𝑞 (b) 𝑎𝑁√𝑝𝑞 (c) 2𝑎√𝑁𝑝𝑞 (d) 𝑎√𝑁

23. The standard deviation of the following set of data :

{10.0,10.0,9.9,9.9,9.8,9.9,9.9,9.9,9.8,9.9} [CSIR DEC 2018]

(a) 0.10 (b) 0.07 (c) 0.01 (d) 0.04

24. In the following circuit, each device 𝐷 may be an insulator with probability 𝑝, or a

conductor with probability (1 − 𝑝). [CSIR JUNE 2019]

132
 The probability that a non-zero current flows through the circuit is
[CSIR JUNE 2019]

(a) 2 − 𝑝 − 𝑝3 (b) (1 − 𝑝)4 (c) (1 − 𝑝)2 𝑝2 (d) (1 − 𝑝)(1 − 𝑝3 )

25. At each time step, a random walker in one-dimension either remains at the same point
1
with probability , or moves by a distance Δ to the right or left with probabilities 3/8
4

each. After 𝑁 time steps, its root mean squared displacement is [CSIR JUNE 2019]

9𝑁 3𝑁 3𝑁
(a)Δ√𝑁 (b)Δ√ (c)Δ√ (d) Δ√
16 4 8

26. A box contains 5 white and 4 black balls. Two balls are picked together at random from

the box. What is the probability that these two balls are of different colours?
[CSIR DEC 2019]

(a) 1/2 (b) 5/18 (c) 1/3 (d) 5/9

27. A particle hops randomly from a site to its nearest neighbor in each step on a square

lattice of unit lattice constant. The probability of hopping to the positive 𝑥-direction is
0.3 , to the negative 𝑥 direction is 0.2 , to the positive 𝑦-direction is 0.2 and to the
negative 𝑦-direction is 0.3 . If a particle starts from the origin, its mean position after 𝑁
steps is [CSIR DEC 2019]

1 1
(a) 𝑁(−𝚤ˆ + 𝚥ˆ) (b) 𝑁(𝚤ˆ − 𝚥ˆ)
10 10

(c) 𝑁(0.3𝚤ˆ − 0.2𝚥ˆ) (d) 𝑁(0.2𝚤ˆ − 0.3𝚤ˆ)

28. A basket consists of an infinite number of red and black balls in the proportion

𝑝: (1 − 𝑝). Three balls are drawn at random without replacement. The probability of
their being two red and one black is a maximum for [CSIR JUNE 2020]

133
 3 3 1 2
(a) 𝑝 = (b) 𝑝 = (c)𝑝 = (d) 𝑝 =
4 5 2 3

29. A discrete random variable 𝑋 takes a value from the set {−1,0,1,2} with the
3 2 2 3
corresponding probabilities 𝑝(𝑋) = , , and , respectively. The probability
10 10 10 10

distribution 𝑞(𝑌) = (𝑞(0), 𝑞(1), 𝑞(4)) of the random variable 𝑌 = 𝑋 2 is

[CSIR JUNE 2021]

1 3 1 1 1 3 2 2 1 3 3 2
(a) ( , , ) (b) ( , , ) (c) ( , , ) (d) ( , , )
5 5 5 5 2 10 5 5 5 10 10 5

30. The position of a particle in one dimension changes in discrete steps. With each step it

moves to the right, however, the length of the step is drawn from a uniform distribution
from the interval
1 1
[𝜆 − 𝑤, 𝜆 + 𝑤]
2 2
, where 𝜆 and 𝑤 are positive constants. If 𝑋 denotes the distance from the starting point
after 𝑁 steps, the standard deviation √⟨𝑋 2 ⟩ − ⟨𝑋⟩2 for large values of 𝑁 is
[CSIR FEB 2021]

𝜆 𝜆 𝑁 𝑤 𝑤 𝑁
(a) × √𝑁 (b) ×√ (c) × √𝑁 (d) ×√
2 2 3 2 2 3

31. A walker takes steps, each of length L, randomly in the directions along east, west, north

and south. After four steps its distance from the starting point is d. The probability that
d ≤ 3L is [CSIR JUNE 2022]

(a)63/64, (b)57/64 (c)59/64 (d)55/64

32. A bucket contains 6 red and 4 blue balls. A ball is taken out of the bucket at random and

two balls of the same colour are put back. This step is repeated once more. The
probability that the numbers of red and blue balls are equal at the end, is
[CSIR JUNE 2022]
134
 (a)4/11 (b)2/11 (c)1/4 (d)3/4

33. A jar J1 contains equal number of balls of red, blue and green colours, while another jar

J2 contains balls of only red and blue colours, which are also equal in number. The
probability of choosing J1 is twice as large as choosing J2. If a ball picked at random
from one of the jars turns out to be red, the probability that it came from J1 is
[CSIR JUNE 2023]

2 3 2 4
(a) (b) (c) (d)
3 5 5 7

34. Two random walkers 𝐴 and 𝐵 walk on a one-dimensional lattice. The length of each

step taken by A is one, while the same for B is two, however, both move towards right
or left with equal probability. If they start at the same point, the probability that they
meet after 4 steps, is [CSIR JUNE 2023]

9 5 11 3
(a) (b) (c) (d)
64 32 64 16

35. A random variable Y obeys a normal distribution

1 2 /2𝜎 2
𝑃(𝑦) = 𝑒 −(𝑌−𝜇)
𝜎√2𝜋
The mean value of 𝑒 𝑌 is [CSIR JUNE 2023]

𝜎2 𝜎2
𝜇+ 𝜇−𝜎2 𝜇+𝜎2 𝜇−
(a)𝑒 2 (b) 𝑒 (c)𝑒 (d) 𝑒 2

36. Probability density function of a variable 𝑥 is given by

1
𝑃(𝑥) = [𝛿(𝑥 − 𝑎) + 𝛿(𝑥 + 𝑎)]
2
The variance of 𝑥 is [CSIR JUNE 2024]

𝑎2
(a)𝑎2 (b)0 (c)2𝑎2 (d)
2

135
37. A class has 60% boys and 40% girls. In an examination 8% of the boys and 12% of the

girls got an ' 𝐴 ' grade. If a randomly selected student had an ' 𝐴 ' grade, what is the
probability that the student is male? [CSIR DEC 2024]

(a)0.7 (b)0.6 (c)0.4 (d)0.5

38. A random walker takes a step of unit length towards right or left at any discrete time

step.
Starting from 𝑥 = 0 at time 𝑡 = 0, it goes right to reach 𝑥 = 1 at 𝑡 = 1. Hereafter if it
repeats the direction taken in the previous step with probability 𝑝, the probability that
it is again at 𝑥 = 1 at 𝑡 = 3 is [CSIR JUNE 2024]

(a)1 − 𝑝 (b)(1 − 𝑝)2 (c)2𝑝(1 − 𝑝) (d)4𝑝2 (1 − 𝑝)

39. A bucket contains 6 red and 4 blue balls. A ball is taken out of the bucket at random and

two balls of the same colour are put back. This step is repeated once more. The
probability that the numbers of red and blue balls are equal at the end, is

(a)4/11 (b)2/11 (c)1/4 (d)3/4

40. From a straight-line segment of unit length, three points are chosen at random, one

after another. The probability that they are in increasing order is

[CSIR JUNE 2025]

1 1 1 1
(a) (b) (c) (d)
3 8 9 6

41. Two discrete time random walkers start from the point 𝑥 = 0 at time 𝑡 = 0 taking

discrete steps of unit length along the 𝑥 axis. The first walker is unbiased and the
second walker is biased to move towards the right with probability 𝑝. The probability
that they are at a distance of 2 units from each other at both time steps 𝑡 = 1 and 𝑡 = 2
is
[CSIR JUNE 2025]

136
 1 1 𝑝 3𝑝 𝑝
(a) (b) − (c)1 − (d)
4 2 2 4 2

❖ JEST PYQ’s
1. An unbiased die is cast twice. The probability that the positive difference (bigger-
smaller) between the two numbers is 2 is [JEST 2012]

(a) 1/9 (b) 2/9 (c) 1/6 (d) 1/3

2. A box contains 100 coins out of which 99 are fair coins and 1 is a double-headed coin.
Suppose you choose a coin at random and toss it 3 times. It turns out that the results of
all 3 tosses are heads. What is the probability that the coin you have drawn is the
double-headed one? [JEST 2013]

(a) 0.99 (b) 0.925 (c) 0.075 (d) 0.01

3. There are on average 20 buses per hour at a point, but at random times. The probability
that there are no buses in five minutes is closest to [JEST 2013]

(a) 0.07 (b) 0.60 (c) 0.36 (d) 0.19

4. If the distribution function of x is 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥𝑒 −𝑥/𝜆 over the interval 0 < 𝑥 < ∞, the mean
of 𝑥 is

(a) 𝜆 (b) 2𝜆 (c) 𝜆/2 (d) 0

5. Two drunks start out together at the origin, each having equal probability of making a
step simultaneously to the left or right along the x axis. The probability that they meet
after n steps is [JEST 2013]

1 2𝑛! 1 2𝑛! 1 1
(a) (b) (c) 2𝑛! (d) 𝑛!
4𝑛 𝑛! 2𝑛 𝑛! 2𝑛 4𝑛

137
6. If two ideal dice are rolled once, what is the probability of getting at least one ' 6 "?
[JEST 2015]

11 1 10 5
(a) (b) (c) (d)
36 36 36 36

7. You receive on average 5 emails per day during a 365 days year. The number of days on
average on which you do not receive any emails in that year are: [JEST 2016]

(a) more than 5 (b) more than 2 (c) 1 (d) none of these

8. A gas contains particle of type 𝐴 with fraction 0.8, and particles of type 𝐵 with fraction
0.2. the probability that among 3 randomly chosen particles at least one is of type 𝐴 is:
[JEST 2016]
(a) 0.8 (b) 0.25 (c) 0.33 (d) 0.992

1
9. The mean value of random variable 𝑥 with probability density 𝑝(𝑥) = ⋅
𝜎√2𝜋

(𝑥 2 +𝜇𝑥)
exp [ (2𝜎2 )
] is: [JEST 2016]

𝜇 −𝜇
(a) 0 (b) (c) (d) 𝜎
2 2

10. Suppose that we toss two fair coins hundred times each. The probability that the same
number of heads occur for both coins at the end of the experiment is [JEST 2017]

1 100 100 100 1 100 100 100 2

(a) ( ) ∑𝑛=0 ( ) (b)2 ( ) ∑𝑛=0 ( )
4 𝑛 4 𝑛

1 1 100 100 100 2 1 100 100 100 2

(c) ( ) ∑𝑛=0 ( ) (d) ( ) ∑𝑛=0 ( )
2 4 𝑛 4 𝑛

11. An electronic circuit with 10000 components performs its intended function
successfully with a probability 0.99 if there are no faulty components in the circuit. The
probability that there are faulty components is 0.05. if there are faulty components, the
138
 circuit perform successfully with a probability 0. . the probability that the circuit
performs successfully is x/10000. What is 𝑥 ? [JEST 2018]

12. A person plans to go from town 𝐴 to town 𝐵 by taking either the route (𝑅1 + 𝑅2) with
1 1
probability or the route (𝑅1 + 𝑅3) with probability that 𝑅2 is blocked, and a
2 3
1
probability that 𝑅3 is blocked. What is the probability that he/she would reach town 𝐵
3

? [JEST 2019]

8 1 4 2
(a) (b) (c) (d)
9 3 9 3

13. The persons named 𝐴, 𝐵, 𝐶, 𝐷, 𝐸, 𝐹, 𝐺, 𝐻, 𝐼, 𝐽 have come for an interview. They are being
called one by one to the interview panel at random. What is the probability that 𝐶 gives
interview before 𝐴 and 𝐴 gives before 𝐹 ? [JEST 2020]

1 1 1 1
(a) (b) (c) (d)
6 10 8 4

14. If 𝑥 and 𝑦 have the joint probability distribution

3
𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) = + 𝑥𝑦
4
for 0 < 𝑥, 𝑦 < 1, and 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) = 0 otherwise. What is the probability that 𝑦 assumes a
1 1
value greater than , given that 𝑥 is equal to [JEST 2020]
2 2

6 7 8 9
(a) (b) (c) (d)
16 16 16 16

15. A particle is moving on a one-dimensional discrete lattice with lattice spacing unity. It
can move from a site to its nearest neighbour site every 1/5 seconds with 𝑝 being the
probability to move right and 𝑞 = (1 − 𝑝) being the probability to move left. Consider

139
 3
that the particle starts at origin, 𝑥 = 0 at time 𝑡 = 0. Taking 𝑝 = , calculate the variance
4

⟨(𝑥 − ⟨𝑥⟩)2 ⟩ at time 𝑡 = 5 × 104 seconds, where ⟨𝑥⟩ is the average position.
[JEST 2020]

16. The six faces of a cube are painted violet, blue, red, green, yellow and orange. If the cube
is rolled 4 times, what is the probability that the green face appears exactly 3 times?
[JEST 2021]

3 5 5 15
(a) (b) (c) (d)
24 124 324 222

17. The probability that you get a sum 𝑚 from a throw of two identical fair dice is 𝑃𝑚 . If the
dice have 6 (six) faces labeled by 1,2, … 6, which of the following statements is correct?
[JEST 2022]

(a) 𝑃9 = 𝑃3 (b) 𝑃9 = 𝑃4 (c) 𝑃9 = 𝑃5 (d) 𝑃9 = 𝑃6

18. If 𝜃 and 𝜙 are respectively the polar and azimuthal angles on the unit sphere, what is
⟨cos2 (𝜃)⟩ and ⟨sin2 (𝜃)⟩, where ⟨𝒪⟩ denotes the average of 𝒪 ?

(a) ⟨cos2 (𝜃)⟩ = 3/4 and ⟨sin2 (𝜃)⟩ = 1/4

(b) ⟨cos2 (𝜃)⟩ = 1/2 and ⟨sin2 (𝜃)⟩ = 1/2

(c) ⟨cos2 (𝜃)⟩ = 1/3 and ⟨sin2 (𝜃)⟩ = 2/3

(d) ⟨cos2 (𝜃)⟩ = 2/3 and ⟨sin2 (𝜃)⟩ = 1/3

19. Two fair six-faced dice are thrown simultaneously. The probability that one of the dice
yields an outcome that is a multiple of 2 and the other yields a multiple of 3 is:
[JEST 2023]

1 1 13 11
(a) (b) (c) (d)
6 3 36 36
140
20. A classical particle undergoing simple harmonic motion is confined to the region
(−𝑎, 𝑎) on the 𝑋-axis. If a snapshot of the particle is taken at a random instant of time,
𝑎
what is the probability that it would be found in the region ( , 𝑎) ? [JEST 2024]
2

2 1 1 1
(a) (b) (c) (d)
5 6 4 3

2/3 −1/3 2/3

21. Consider the rotation matrix 𝑅 = ( 2/3 2/3 −1/3).
−1/3 2/3 2/3
Let 𝜙 be the angle of rotation. What is the value of sec 2 𝜙 ? [JEST 2024]

❖ TIFR PYQ’s
1. A 100 page book is known to have 200 printing errors distributed randomly through
the pages. The probability that one of the pages will be found to be completely free of
errors is closest to [TIFR 2011]

(a) 67% (b) 50% (c) 25% (d) 13%

2. The probability function for a variable 𝑥 which assumes only positive values is
𝑥
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥exp (− )
𝜆
where 𝜆 > 0. The ratio ⟨𝑥⟩/𝑥ˆ, where 𝑥ˆ is the most probable value and ⟨𝑥⟩ is the mean
value of the variable 𝑥, is

1+𝜆 1
(a) 2 (b) (c) (d) 1
1−𝜆 𝜆

3. A random number generator outputs +1 or -1 with equal probability every time it is

run. After it is run 6 times, what is the probability that the sum of the answers
generated is zero? Assume that the individual runs are independent of each other.
[TIFR 2015]

141
 (a) 1/2 (b) 5/6 (c) 5/16 (d) 15/32

4. In a triangular lattice a particle moves from a lattice point to any of its 6 neighboring
points with equal probability, as shown in the figure on the right.
The probability that the particle is back at its starting point after 3 moves is
[TIFR 2016]

(a) 5/18 (b) 1/6 (c) 1/18 (d) 1/36

5. A British coin has a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on the 'heads' side and 'ONE POUND'
written on the 'tails' side, while an Indian coin has a portrait of Mahatma Gandhi on the
'heads' side and '10 RUPEES' written on the 'tails' side (see below). [TIFR 2019]

These two coins are tossed simultaneously twice in succession.

The result of the first toss was 'heads' for both the coins. The probability that the result
of the second toss had a '10 RUPEES' side is

(a) 1/2 (b) 4/7 (c) 3/5 (d) 2/3

6. In a country, the fraction of population infected with Covid-19 is 0.2. It is also known
that out of the people who are infected with Covid-19, only a fraction 0.3 show
symptoms of the disease, while the rest do not show any symptoms.
If you randomly select a citizen of this country, the probability that this person will NOT
show symptoms of Covid-19 is [TIFR 2021]

142
 (a) 0.94 (b) 0.56 (c) 0.86 (d) 0.80

7. Two students A and B, measure the time period of a simple pendulum in the laboratory
using the same stopwatch but following two different methods.

• Student A measures the time taken for one oscillation and repeats it for 𝑁A number of
times and finds the average.

• Student B, on the other hand, measures the time taken for 𝑁B number of oscillations
and then computes the period.

Given that 𝑁A , 𝑁B ≫ 1, to ensure that both students measure the time period with the
same uncertainty, the relation between 𝑁A and 𝑁B must be [TIFR 2022]

(a) 𝑁A = 𝑁B2 (b) 𝑁A = √𝑁B (c) 𝑁A = 𝑁B (d) ln 2𝑁A = 𝑁B

8. In a standardized entrance exam, the passing rates for the past 10 years are tabulated
below.

If 1000 candidates appear for the exam every year, the probability that more than 250
students will pass the exam this year is about [TIFR 2022]

(a) 6% (b) 20% (c) 25% (d) 0.1%

9. A random positive variable 𝑥 follows an exponential distribution

𝑝(𝑥) ∝ 𝑒 −𝜆𝑥

with 𝜆 > 0. The probability of observing an event 𝑥 > 3⟨𝑥⟩, where ⟨𝑥⟩ represents the
average value of 𝑥, is [TIFR 2023]

(a) 1/𝑒 3 (b) 1/𝑒 4 (c) 1/𝑒 (d) 1/𝑒 2

143
10. A student measures the radioactive decay of a material with a half-life of 13,000 years
with a Geiger counter. In the laboratory notebook, the student records the following
number of decays every 10 seconds:

158, 146, 145, 163, 154, 163, 160, 160, 152, 157, 154, 156, 149, 168, 152

The teacher suspects that the experiment was not done properly and the student
created the numbers manually.

Why would the teacher have such a suspicion? [TIFR 2023]

(a) The variance is much less than the mean, unlike what is expected for a Poisson
distribution.

(b) The standard deviation is much less than the variance, as expected for a Poisson
distribution.

(c) The median is less than the mean, unlike what is expected for a Poisson distribution.

(d) The median is greater than the mean, as expected for a Poisson distribution.

11. Consider two random variables 𝑥 and 𝑦 described by the joint distribution

1 2𝑎𝑥𝑦−𝑥 2 −𝑦 2
𝑃(𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝑒 2(1−𝑎2)
2𝜋√1 − 𝑎2

with 0 < 𝑎 < 1. If the above distribution is written in terms of orthogonal coordinates
𝑧 = 𝑥 − 𝑦 and 𝑢 = 𝑥 + 𝑦, the probability distribution in 𝑧 is given by: [TIFR 2025]

(a) A Gaussian with mean 0 and standard deviation √2(1 − 𝑎)

(b) A Gaussian with mean √𝑎 and standard deviation √2(1 − 𝑎)

(c) A Gaussian with mean 0 and standard deviation √2(1 − 𝑎2 )

(d) Not a Gaussian distribution

144
 12. Consider a particle 𝑃 moving on a one-dimensional discrete lattice with lattice constant
𝑎. 𝑃 can hop from one site to a neighbouring site. The probabilities of moving to the
right and left are 𝑝 and 𝑞 = 1 − 𝑝, respectively. Starting from the origin 𝑥 = 0 at time
𝑡 = 0, what is the mean square displacement ⟨(𝑥 − ⟨𝑥⟩)2 ⟩ after 𝑁 steps, where ⟨𝑥⟩ is the
average position at time 𝑡 ?

(a) 4𝑁𝑎2 𝑝𝑞 (b) 4𝑁𝑎2 (𝑝 − 𝑞) (c) 2𝑁𝑎2 𝑝𝑞 (d) 2𝑁𝑎2 (𝑝 − 𝑞)

Answer Key
CSIR-NET PYQ
1. b 2. c 3. b 4. a 5. d 6. d 7. c 8. b 9. a 10. a
11. b 12. c 13. a 14. c 15. d 16. d 17. b 18. c 19. c 20. a
21. a 22. c 23. b 24. d 25. c 26. d 27. b 28. d 29. b 30. d
31. d 32. b 33. d 34. c 35. a 36. a 37. d 38. a 39. b 40. d
41. a
JEST PYQ
1. a 2. c 3. d 4. b 5. a 6. a 7. b 8. d 9. c 10. d
11. 9555 12. c 13. a 14. d 15. 46875 16. c 17. c 18. a 19. d 20. d
21. 4
TIFR PYQ
1. d 2. a 3. c 4. c 5. b 6. a 7. d 8. a 9. a 10. a
11. a 12. a

145
 Mathematical Physics: Vector Algebra

❖
❖ CSIR-NET PYQ’s
1. Let 𝑎⃗ and 𝑏⃗⃗ be two distinct three-dimensional vectors. Then the component of 𝑏⃗⃗ that is
perpendicular to 𝑎⃗ is given by [CSIR JUNE 2011]

𝑎⃗ × (𝑏⃗⃗ × 𝑎⃗) 𝑏⃗⃗ × (𝑎⃗ × 𝑏⃗⃗) (𝑎⃗ ⋅ 𝑏⃗⃗)𝑏⃗⃗ (𝑏⃗⃗ ⋅ 𝑎⃗)𝑎⃗

(a) (b) (c) (d)
𝑎2 𝑏2 𝑏2 𝑎2

2. The equation of the plane that is tangent to the surface xyz = 8 at the point (1,2,4) is
[CSIR DEC 2011]
(a) 𝑥 + 2𝑦 + 4𝑧 = 12 (c) 𝑥 + 4𝑦 + 2𝑧 = 12

(b) 4𝑥 + 2𝑦 + 𝑧 = 12 (d) 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧 = 7

3. A vector perpendicular to any vector that lies on the plane defined by 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧 = 5, is

[CSIR JUNE 2012]

(a) 𝚤ˆ + 𝚥ˆ (b) 𝚥ˆ + 𝑘ˆ (c) 𝚤ˆ + 𝚥ˆ + 𝑘ˆ (d) 2𝚤ˆ + 3𝚥ˆ + 5𝑘ˆ

4. The unit normal vector at the point

𝑎 𝑏 𝑐
( , , )
√3 √3 √3
on the surface of the ellipsoid
𝑥2 𝑦2 𝑧2
+ + =1
𝑎2 𝑏2 𝑐 2
is [CSIR DEC 2012]

𝑏𝑐𝚤ˆ + 𝑐𝑎𝚥ˆ + 𝑎𝑏𝑘ˆ 𝑎𝚤ˆ + 𝑏𝚥ˆ + 𝑐𝑘ˆ

(a) (b)
√𝑎2 + 𝑏2 + 𝑐 2 √𝑎2 + 𝑏2 + 𝑐 2

𝑏𝚤ˆ + 𝑐𝚥ˆ + 𝑎𝑘ˆ 𝚤ˆ + 𝚥ˆ + 𝑘ˆ

(c) (d)
√𝑎2 + 𝑏2 + 𝑐 2 √3

146
5. A unit vector n̂ on the 𝑥𝑦-plane is an angle of 720∘ with respect to i. The angle between
the vectors u ⃗⃗ = 𝑎𝑛ˆ + 𝑏î will be 60∘ if
⃗⃗ = 𝑎𝚤ˆ + 𝑏𝑛ˆ and v [CSIR JUNE 2013]

(a) 𝑏 = √3a/2 (b) 𝑏 = 2𝑎/√3 (c) 𝑏 = 𝑎/2 (d) 𝑏 = 𝑎

6. If 𝐀 = 𝚤ˆ𝑦𝑧 + 𝚥ˆ𝑥𝑧 + 𝑘ˆ 𝑥𝑦, then the integral ∮ 𝐶 𝐴𝑑𝑙 (where 𝐶 is along the perimeter of a
rectangular area bounded by 𝑥 = 0, 𝑥 = 𝑎 and 𝑦 = 0, 𝑦 = 𝑏 )
is [CSIR DEC 2013]

1
(a) (𝑎3 + 𝑏3 ) (b) 𝜋(𝑎𝑏2 + 𝑎2 𝑏) (c) 𝜋(𝑎3 + 𝑏3 )(d) 0
2

7. If 𝐴⃗ = 𝑦𝑧𝚤ˆ + 𝑧𝑥𝚥ˆ + 𝑥𝑦𝑘ˆ and C is the circle of unit radius in the plane defined by z = 1,
with the centre on the z-axis, then the value of the integral ∮ 𝐶 𝐴⃗ ⋅ ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑑ℓ is
[CSIR JUNE 2014]

𝜋 𝜋
(a) (b) 𝜋 (c) (d) 0
2 4

8. Let 𝑟‾ denote the position vector of any point in three-dimensional space, and 𝑟 = |𝑟⃗|.
Then [CSIR DEC 2014]

⃗⃗ ⋅ 𝑟‾ = 0 and ∇‾ × 𝑟⃗ = 𝑟⃗/𝑟
(a) ∇ ⃗⃗ ⋅ 𝑟⃗ = 0 and ∇2 𝑟 = 0
(b) ∇

(c) ∇‾ ⋅ 𝑟‾ = 3 and ∇2 𝑟‾ = 𝑟⃗/𝑟 2 ⃗⃗ ⋅ 𝑟⃗ = 3 and ∇

(d) ∇ ⃗⃗ × 𝑟⃗ = 0

𝑎 𝑏
9. The two vectors ( ) and ( ) are orthogonal if [CSIR JUNE 2017]
0 𝑐

(a) 𝑎 = ±1, 𝑏 = ±1/√2, 𝑐 = ±1/√2 (b) 𝑎 = ±1, 𝑏 = ±1, 𝑐 = 0

(c) 𝑎 = ±1, 𝑏 = 0, 𝑐 = ±1 (d) 𝑎 = ±1, 𝑏 = ±1/2, 𝑐 = 1/2

147
10. Let 𝐴 be a non-singular 3 × 3 matrix, the columns of which are denoted by the vectors
𝑎⃗, 𝑏⃗⃗ and 𝑐⃗, respectively. Similarly, 𝑢
⃗⃗, 𝑣⃗ and 𝑤
⃗⃗⃗ denote the vectors that form the
corresponding columns of (𝐴𝑇 )−1 . Which of the following is true?
[CSIR DEC 2017]

(a) 𝑢 ⃗⃗ ⋅ 𝑏⃗⃗ = 0, 𝑢
⃗⃗ ⋅ 𝑎⃗ = 0, 𝑢 ⃗⃗ ⋅ 𝑐⃗ = 1 (b) 𝑢 ⃗⃗ ⋅ 𝑏⃗⃗ = 1, 𝑢
⃗⃗ ⋅ 𝑎⃗ = 0, 𝑢 ⃗⃗ ⋅ 𝑐⃗ = 0

(c) 𝑢 ⃗⃗ ⋅ 𝑏⃗⃗ = 0, 𝑢
⃗⃗ ⋅ 𝑎⃗ = 1, 𝑢 ⃗⃗ ⋅ 𝑐⃗ = 0 (d) 𝑢 ⃗⃗ ⋅ 𝑏⃗⃗ = 0, 𝑢
⃗⃗ ⋅ 𝑎⃗ = 0, 𝑢 ⃗⃗ ⋅ 𝑐⃗ = 0

11. Consider the three vectors 𝑣⃗1 = 2𝚤ˆ + 3𝑘ˆ , 𝑣⃗2 = 𝚤ˆ + 2𝚥ˆ + 2𝑘ˆ and 𝑣⃗3 = 5𝚤ˆ + 𝚥ˆ + 𝛼𝑘ˆ , where
𝚤ˆ, 𝚥ˆ and 𝑘ˆ are the standard unit vectors in a three-dimensional Euclidean space. These
vectors will be linearly dependent if the value of 𝛼 is [CSIR JUNE 2018]

(a) 31/4 (b) 23/4 (c) 27/4 (d) 0

12. Consider the set of polynomials {𝑥(𝑡) = 𝑎0 + 𝑎1 𝑡 + ⋯ + 𝑎𝑛−1 𝑡 𝑛−1 } in 𝑡 of degrees less
than 𝑛, such that 𝑥(0) = 0 and 𝑥(1) = 1. This set [CSIR DEC 2019]

(a) constitutes a vector space of dimension 𝑛

(b) constitutes a vector space of dimension 𝑛 − 1

(c) constitutes a vector space of dimension 𝑛 − 2

(d) does not constitute a vector space

13. Two time dependent non-zero vectors 𝑢

⃗⃗(𝑡) and 𝑣⃗(𝑡), which are not initially parallel to
each other, satisfy
𝑑𝑣⃗ 𝑑𝑢
⃗⃗
𝑢
⃗⃗ × − 𝑣⃗ × =0
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡

148
 at all time 𝑡. If the area of the parallelogram formed by 𝑢
⃗⃗(𝑡) and 𝑣⃗(𝑡) be 𝐴(𝑡) and the
unit normal vector to it be 𝑛ˆ(𝑡), then [CSIR JUNE 2020]

(a) 𝐴(𝑡) increases linearly with 𝑡, but 𝑛ˆ(𝑡) is a constant

(b) 𝐴(𝑡) increases linearly with 𝑡, and 𝑛ˆ(𝑡) rotates about 𝑢

⃗⃗(𝑡) × 𝑣⃗(𝑡)

(c) 𝐴(𝑡) is a constant, but 𝑛ˆ(𝑡) rotates about 𝑢

⃗⃗(𝑡) × 𝑣⃗(𝑡)

(d) 𝐴(𝑡) and 𝑛ˆ(𝑡) are constants

14. The volume integral

𝐼 = ∭ 𝐴 ⋅ (∇ × 𝐴)𝑑 3 𝑥
𝑉

̂𝑑𝑠,
is over a region 𝑉 bounded by a surface ∑ (an infinitesimal area element being 𝐧
where 𝐧ˆ is the outward unit normal). If it changes to 𝐼 + Δ𝐼, when the vector 𝐀 is
changed to 𝐀 + ∇Λ, then Δ𝐼 can be expressed as [CSIR FEB 2021]

(a) ∭𝑉 ∇ ⋅ (∇Λ × 𝐴)𝑑 3 𝑥 (b) −∭𝑉 ∇2 Λ𝑑 3 𝑥

(c) −∯ Σ (∇Λ × 𝐀) ⋅ 𝐧ˆ𝑑𝑠 (d) ∯ 𝑧 ∇Λ. 𝐧ˆ𝑑𝑠

15. The volume of the region common to the interiors of two infinitely long cylinders
defined by 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 25 and 𝑥 2 + 4𝑧 2 = 25 is best approximated by
[CSIR FEB 2022]

(a) 225 (b) 333 (c) 423 (d) 625

16. The integral is given by

∞ ∞
∫−∞ 𝑑𝑥∫−∞ 𝑑𝑦exp [−(𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 2𝑎𝑥𝑦)]
where 𝑎 is a real parameter. The full range of values of 𝑎 for which the integral is finite,
is [CSIR JUNE 2024]

149
 (a) − ∞ < 𝑎 < ∞ (b) − 2 < 𝑎 < 2 (c) − 1 < 𝑎 < 1 (d)−1 ≤ 𝑎 ≤ 1

⃗⃗ is defined as
17. Vorticity of a vector field 𝐵
⃗⃗ = 𝛻⃗⃗ × 𝐵
𝑉 ⃗⃗
⃗⃗ = 𝑘𝑥𝑦𝑧𝑟ˆ, where 𝑘 is a constant, which one of the following is correct?
Given 𝐵
[CSIR JUNE 2024]

(a)Vorticity is a null vector for all finite 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧

(b)Vorticity is parallel to the vector field everywhere

(c)The angle between vorticity and vector field depends on 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧

(d)Vorticity is perpendicular to the vector field everywhere

❖ GATE PYQ’s
1. If 𝑆 is the closed surface enclosing a volume V and 𝑛ˆ is the unit normal vector to the
surface and 𝑟⃗ is the position vector, then the value of the following integral ∬𝑆 𝑟⃗ ⋅ 𝑛ˆ𝑑𝑆 is
[GATE 2001]

(a) V (b) 2 V (c) 0 (d) 3 V

2. Consider the set of vectors

1 1
(1,1,0), (0,1,1)
√2 √2
1
and (1,0,1) [GATE 2001]
√2

(a) The three vectors are orthonormal

(b) The three vectors are linearly independent

(c) The three vectors cannot form a basis in a three-dimensional real vector space

150
 1 1 1
(d) (1,1,0) can be written as a linear combination of (0,1,1) and (1,0,1)
√2 √2 √2

3. If 𝐴⃗ = 𝑥𝑒ˆ𝑥 + 𝑦𝑒ˆ𝑦 + 𝑧𝑒ˆ𝑧 , then ∇2 𝐴⃗ equals [GATE 2001]

(a) 1 (b) 3 (c) 0 (d) -3

4. Given 𝐴⃗ = 𝑦 2 𝑒ˆ𝑥 + 2𝑦𝑥𝑒ˆ𝑦 + (𝑥𝑦𝑒 𝑧 − sin 𝑥)𝑒ˆ𝑧 , calculate the value of ∬𝑆 (∇ × 𝐴⃗) ⋅ 𝑛ˆ𝑑𝑠
over the part of the sphere 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 = 1 above the 𝑥𝑜𝑦 plane. [GATE 2001]

5. A vector 𝐴⃗ = (5𝑥 + 2𝑦)𝚤ˆ + (3𝑦 − 𝑧)𝚥ˆ + (2𝑥 − 𝑎𝑧)𝑘ˆ is solenoidal if the constant 𝑎 has a
value [GATE 2002]

(a) 4 (b) -4 (c) 8 (d) -8

6. Which of the following vectors is orthogonal to the vector (𝑎𝚤ˆ + 𝑏𝚥ˆ), where 𝑎 and 𝑏(𝑎 ≠
𝑏) are constants, and 𝚤ˆ and 𝚥ˆ are unit orthogonal vectors? [GATE 2002]

(a) −𝑏𝚤ˆ + 𝑎𝚥ˆ (b) −𝑎𝚤ˆ + 𝑏𝚥ˆ (c) −𝑎𝚤ˆ − 𝑏𝚥ˆ (d) −𝑏𝚤ˆ − 𝑎𝚥ˆ

7. The unit vector normal to the surface 3𝑥 2 + 4𝑦 = 𝑧 at the point (1,1,7) is

[GATE 2002]

(a) (−6𝚤ˆ + 4𝚥ˆ + 𝑘ˆ )/√53 (b) (4𝚤ˆ + 6𝚥ˆ − 𝑘ˆ )/√53

(c) (6𝚤ˆ + 4𝚥ˆ − 𝑘ˆ )/√53 (d) (4𝚤ˆ + 6𝚥ˆ + 𝑘ˆ )/√53

8. The two vectors 𝑃 = 𝑖, 𝑞 = (𝑖 + 𝑗)/√2 are [GATE 2003]

(a) related by a rotation

151
 (b) related by a reflection through the 𝑥𝑦-plane

(c) related by an inversion

(d) not linearly independent

9. The curl of the vector 𝐴 = 𝑧𝑖 + 𝑥𝑗 + 𝑦𝑘 is given by [GATE 2003]

(a) 𝑖 + 𝑗 + 𝑘 (b) 𝑖 − 𝑗 + 𝑘 (c) 𝑖 + 𝑗 − 𝑘 (d) −𝑖 − 𝑗 − 𝑘

10. The surface integral of this vector over the surface of a cube of size 𝑎 and centered at
the origin [GATE 2003]

(a) 0 (b) 2𝜋 (c) 2𝜋𝑎3 (d) 4𝜋

11. Which one of the following is NOT correct? [GATE 2003]

(a) Value of the line integral of this vector around any closed curve is zero

(b) This vector can be written as the gradient of some scalar function

(c) The line integral of this vector from point 𝑃 to point 𝑄 is independent of the path
taken

(d) This vector can represent the magnetic field of some current distribution

Data for Q. No. 12 to 13

Consider the vector 𝑉 = 𝑟/𝑟 3

12. The surface integral of this vector over the surface of a cube of size 𝑎 and centered at
the origin [GATE 2003]

152
 (a) 0 (b) 2𝜋 (c) 2𝜋𝑎3 (d) 4𝜋

13. Which one of the following is NOT correct? [GATE 2003]

(a) Value of the line integral of this vector around any closed curve is zero

(b) This vector can be written as the gradient of some scalar function

(c) The line integral of this vector from point 𝑃 to point 𝑄 is independent of the path
taken

(d) This vector can represent the magnetic field of some current distribution

⃗⃗𝜙| at 𝑥 = 𝑦 = 1 is
14. For the function 𝜙 = 𝑥 2 𝑦 + 𝑥𝑦, the value of |∇ [GATE 2004]

(a) 5 (b) √5 (c) 13 (d) √13

15. The unit normal to the curve 𝑥 3 𝑦 2 + 𝑥𝑦 = 17 at the point (2,0) is [GATE 2005]

(𝚤ˆ + 𝚥ˆ)
(a) (b) − 𝚤ˆ (c) − 𝚥ˆ (d) 𝚥ˆ
√2

16. If a vector field 𝐹⃗ = 𝑥𝚤ˆ + 2𝑦𝚥ˆ + 3𝑧𝑘ˆ , then ⃗∇⃗ × (∇

⃗⃗ × 𝐹⃗ ) is [GATE 2005]

(a) 0 (b) 𝚤ˆ (c) 2𝚥ˆ (d) 3𝑘ˆ

17. Given the four vectors

1 3 2 3
𝑢1 = (2) , 𝑢2 = (−5) , 𝑢3 = ( 4) , 𝑢4 = ( 6 )
1 1 −8 −12
the linearly dependent pair is [GATE 2005]

(a) 𝑢1 𝑢2 (b) 𝑢1 𝑢3 (c) 𝑢1 𝑢4 (d) 𝑢3 𝑢4

153
18. The value of ∮ 𝑐 𝐴⃗ ⋅ 𝑑𝑙⃗ along a square loop of side L in a uniform field 𝐴⃗ is
[GATE 2006]

(a) 0 (b) 2LA (c) 4LA (d) L2 A

19. A linear transformation T, defined as

𝑥1
𝑥 + 𝑥2
T (𝑥2 ) = ( 1 )
𝑥2 − 𝑥3
𝑥3
transform a vector 𝑥⃗ for a 3-dimensional real space to a 2-dimensional real space. The
transformation matrix T is [GATE 2006]

1 1 0 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0
(a) ( ) (b) ( ) (c) ( ) (d) ( )
0 1 −1 0 1 0 −1 1 1 0 0 1

20. The value of

𝑟⃗ ⋅ 𝑑𝑆⃗
∮ 𝑆 3
𝑟
where 𝑟⃗ is the position vector and 𝑆 is a closed surface enclosing the origin, is
[GATE 2006]

(a) 0 (b) 𝜋 (c) 4𝜋 (d) 8𝜋

21. If 𝑟⃗ = 𝑥𝚤ˆ + 𝑦𝚥ˆ, then [GATE 2007]

⃗⃗ ⋅ 𝑟⃗ = 0 and ∇
(a) ∇ ⃗⃗|𝑟⃗| = 𝑟⃗ ⃗⃗ ⋅ 𝑟⃗ = 2 and ∇
(b) ∇ ⃗⃗|𝑟⃗| = 𝑟ˆ

𝑟ˆ 𝑟ˆ
(c) ⃗∇⃗ ⋅ 𝑟⃗ = 2 and∇
⃗⃗|𝑟⃗| = (d) ⃗∇⃗ ⋅ 𝑟⃗ = 3 and∇
⃗⃗|𝑟⃗| =
𝑟 𝑟

22. A vector field is defined everywhere as

𝑦2
𝐹⃗ = 𝚤ˆ + 𝑧𝑘ˆ
𝐿

154
 The net flux of 𝐹⃗ associated with a cube of side 𝐿, with one vertex at the origin and sides
along the positive X, Y, and Z axes, is

(a) 2𝐿3 (b) 4𝐿3 (c) 8𝐿3 (d) 10𝐿3

23. Consider a vector 𝑝⃗ = 2𝚤ˆ + 3𝚥ˆ + 2𝑘ˆ in the coordinate system (𝚤ˆ, 𝚥ˆ, 𝑘ˆ ). The axes are
rotated anti-clockwise about the Y axis by an angle of 60∘ . The vector 𝑝⃗ in the rotated
coordinate system (𝚤ˆ′ , 𝚥ˆ′ , 𝑘ˆ ′ ) is [GATE 2007]

(a) (1 − √3)𝚤ˆ′ + 3𝚥ˆ′ + (1 + √3)𝑘ˆ ′ (b) (1 + √3)𝚤ˆ′ + 3𝚥ˆ′ + (1 − √3)𝑘ˆ ′

(c) (1 − √3)𝚤ˆ′ + (3 + √3)𝚥ˆ′ + 2𝑘ˆ ′ (d) (1 − √3)𝚤ˆ′ + (3 − √3)𝚥ˆ′ + 2𝑘ˆ ′

24. The curl of a vector field 𝐹⃗ is 2𝑥ˆ. Identify the appropriate vector field 𝐹⃗ from the choices
given below. [GATE 2008]

(a) 𝐹⃗ = 2𝑧𝑥ˆ + 3𝑧𝑦ˆ + 5𝑦𝑧ˆ (b) 𝐹⃗ = 3𝑧𝑦ˆ + 5𝑦𝑧ˆ

(c) 𝐹⃗ = 3𝑥𝑦ˆ + 5𝑦𝑧ˆ (d) 𝐹⃗ = 2𝑥ˆ + 5𝑦𝑧ˆ

25. Using the scalar product obtained in the above question, identify the subspace of 𝑉 that
is orthogonal to (1 + 𝑥) : [GATE 2008]

(a) {𝑓(𝑥): 𝑏(1 − 𝑥) + 𝑐𝑥 2 ; 𝑏, 𝑐 ∈ 𝑅} (b) {𝑓(𝑥): 𝑏(1 − 2𝑥) + 𝑐𝑥 2 ; 𝑏, 𝑐 ∈ 𝑅}

(c) {𝑓(𝑥): 𝑏 + 𝑐𝑥 2 ; 𝑏, 𝑐 ∈ 𝑅} (d) {𝑓(𝑥): 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐𝑥 2 ; 𝑏, 𝑐 ∈ 𝑅}

26. The value of the contour integral, |∫𝑐 𝑟⃗ × 𝑑𝜃⃗|, for a circle 𝐶 of radius 𝑟 with centre at the
origin is [GATE 2009]

(a) 2𝜋 (b) 𝑟 2 /2 (c) 𝜋r 2 (d) 𝑟

155
27. Consider the set of vectors in three dimensional real vector space ℝ3 , 𝑆 =
{(1,1), , (1, −1,1), (1,1, −1)}. Which one of the following statements is true?
𝑆 is not a linearly independent set [GATE 2009]

(a) 𝑆 is a basis for ℝ3

(b) The vectors in S are orthogonal

(c) An orthogonal set of vectors cannot be generated from 𝑆

(d) Consider the set of vectors in 3 - dimensional real vector space ℝ3

28. An electrostatic field 𝐸⃗⃗ exists in a given region 𝑅. Choose the wrong statement
[GATE 2009]
(a) Circulation of 𝐸⃗⃗ is zero

(b) 𝐸⃗⃗ can always be expressed as the gradient of a scalar field

(c) The potential difference between any two arbitrary points in the region 𝑅 is zero

(d) The word done in a closed path lying entirely in 𝑅 is zero

29. Consider an anti-symmetric tensor 𝑃0 with the indices 𝑖 and 𝑗 running from 1 to 5. The
number of independent components of the tensor is [GATE 2010]

(a) 3 (b) 10 (c) 9 (d) 6

30. If a force 𝐹⃗ is derivable from a potential function 𝑉 (𝑟), where 𝑟 is the distance from the
origin of the coordinate system, it follows that [GATE 2011]

⃗⃗ × 𝐹⃗ = 0
(a) ∇ ⃗⃗ ⋅ 𝐹⃗ = 0
(b) ∇ ⃗⃗𝑉 = 0
(c) ∇ (d) ∇2 𝑉 = 0

156
31. The unit vector normal to the surface 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 − 𝑧 = 1 at the point 𝑃(1,1,1) is
[GATE 2011]

𝚤ˆ + 𝚥ˆ − 𝑘ˆ 2𝚤ˆ + 𝚥ˆ − 𝑘ˆ 𝚤ˆ + 2𝚥ˆ − 𝑘ˆ 2𝚤ˆ + 2𝚥ˆ − 𝑘ˆ

(a) (b) (c) (d)
√3 √6 √6 3

32. Consider a cylinder of height ℎ and radius 𝑎, closed at both ends, centered at the origin.
Let 𝑟⃗ = 𝚤ˆ𝑥 + 𝚥ˆ𝑦 + 𝑘ˆ 𝑧 be the position vector and 𝑛ˆ a unit vector normal to the surface.
The surface integral ∫𝑆 𝑟⃗ ⋅ 𝑛ˆ𝑑𝑠 over the closed surface of the cylinder is
[GATE 2011]

(a) 2𝜋𝑎2 (𝑎 + ℎ) (b) 3𝜋𝑎2 ℎ (c) 2𝜋𝑎2 ℎ (d) 0

33. Identify the correct statement for the following vectors 𝑎⃗ = 3𝚤ˆ + 2𝚥ˆ and 𝑏⃗⃗ = 𝚤ˆ + 2𝚥ˆ
[GATE 2012]
(a) The vectors 𝑎⃗ and 𝑏⃗⃗ are linearly independent

(b) The vectors 𝑎⃗ and 𝑏⃗⃗ are linearly dependent

(c) The vectors 𝑎⃗ and 𝑏⃗⃗ are orthogonal

(d) The vectors 𝑎⃗ and 𝑏⃗⃗ are normalized

34. The number of independent components of the symmetric tensor 𝐴𝑖𝑗 with indices 𝑖, 𝑗 =
1,2,3 is [GATE 2012]

157
 (a) 1 (b) 3 (c) 6 (d) 9

35. Given 𝐹⃗ = 𝑟⃗ × 𝐵 ⃗⃗ = 𝐵0 (𝚤ˆ + 𝚥ˆ + 𝑘ˆ ) is a constant vector and 𝑟⃗ is the position

⃗⃗, where 𝐵

vector. The value of ∮ 𝐶 𝐹⃗ ⋅ 𝑑𝑟⃗, where 𝐶 is a circle of unit radius centered at origin is
[GATE 2012]

(a) 0 (b) 2𝜋𝐵0 (c) −2𝜋𝐵0 (d) 1

36. If 𝐴⃗ and 𝐵
⃗⃗ are constants vectors then ∇(𝐴⃗ ⋅ 𝐵
⃗⃗ × 𝑟⃗) is [GATE 2013]

(a) 𝐴⃗ ⋅ 𝐵
⃗⃗ (b) 𝐴⃗ × 𝐵
⃗⃗ (c) 𝑟⃗ (d) zero

37. The unit vector perpendicular to the surface 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 = 3 at the point (1,1,1) is
[GATE 2014]

𝑥ˆ + 𝑦ˆ − 𝑧ˆ 𝑥ˆ − 𝑦ˆ − 𝑧ˆ 𝑥ˆ − 𝑦ˆ + 𝑧ˆ 𝑥ˆ + 𝑦ˆ + 𝑧ˆ
(a) (b) (c) (d)
√3 √3 √3 √3

38. The length element 𝑑𝑠 of an arc is given by, (𝑑𝑠)2 = 2(𝑑𝑥 1 )2 + (𝑑𝑥 2 )2 + √3𝑑𝑥 1 𝑑𝑥 2 . The
metric tensor 𝑔𝑖𝑗 is [GATE 2014]

3
2 √
2
(a) ( 2 √3) (b)
√3 1 3
√ 1
( 2 )

158
 3
2 1 1 √
2
(c) ( 3 3) (d)
√ √
2 2 3
√ 2
( 2 )

39. Four forces are given below in Cartesian and spherical polar coordinates.
(i) 𝐹⃗1 = 𝐾exp (−𝑟 2 /𝑅2 )𝑟ˆ
(ii) 𝐹⃗2 = 𝐾 (𝑥 3 𝑦ˆ − 𝑦 3 𝑧ˆ)
(iii) 𝐹⃗3 = 𝐾 (𝑥 3 𝑥ˆ + 𝑦 3 𝑦ˆ)
(iv) 𝐹⃗4 = 𝐾(𝜙ˆ/𝑟)
Where K is a constant. Identify the correct option [GATE 2015]

(a) (iii) and (iv) are conservative but (i) and (ii) are not

(b) (i) and (ii) are conservative but (iii) and (iv) are not

(c) (ii) and (iii) are conservative but (i) and (iv) are not

(d) (i) and (iii) are conservative but (ii) and (iv) are not

𝑅
40. Given that the magnetic flux through the closed loop PQRSP is 𝜙. If ∫𝑃 𝐴⃗ ⋅ 𝑑𝑙⃗ = 𝜙along
𝑅
PQR the value of ∫𝑃 𝐴⃗ ⋅ 𝑑𝑙⃗ along PSR is

(a) 𝜙 − 𝜙1 (b) 𝜙 − 𝜙 (c) −𝜙1 (d) 𝜙

41. The direction of ⃗∇⃗𝑓 for a scalar field

1 2 1
𝑓(𝑥𝑖 , 𝑦∗ 𝑧) = 𝑥 − 𝑥𝑦 + 𝑧 2
2 2
159
 at the point 𝑃(1,1,2) is [GATE 2016]

(−𝚥ˆ − 2𝑘ˆ ) (−𝚥ˆ + 2𝑘ˆ ) (𝚥ˆ − 2𝑘ˆ ) (𝚥ˆ + 2𝑘ˆ )

(a) (b) (c) (d)
√5 √5 √5 √5

42. In spherical polar coordinates (𝑟, 𝜃, 𝜙), the unit vector 𝜃ˆ at (10, 𝜋/4, 𝜋/2) is’
[GATE 2018]

1 1 1
(a)𝑘ˆ (b) (𝚥ˆ + 𝑘ˆ ) (c) (−𝚥ˆ + 𝑘ˆ ) (d) (𝚥ˆ − 𝑘ˆ )
√2 √2 √2

43. The scale factors corresponding to the covariant metric tensor 𝑔𝑖𝑗 in spherical polar
coordinates are [GATE 2018]

(a) 1, 𝑟 2 , 𝑟 2 sin2 𝜃 (b) 1, 𝑟 2 , sin2 𝜃 (c) 1,1,1 (d) 1, 𝑟, 𝑟sin 𝜃

44. Given 𝑉 ⃗⃗2 = −2𝚤ˆ + 3𝚥ˆ + 2𝑘ˆ , which one of the following 𝑉
⃗⃗1 = 𝚤ˆ − 𝚥ˆ and 𝑉 ⃗⃗3 makes
⃗⃗1 , 𝑉
(𝑉 ⃗⃗2 , 𝑉
⃗⃗3 ) a complete set for a three dimensional real linear vector space?

[GATE 2018]
⃗⃗3 = 𝚤ˆ + 𝚥ˆ + 4𝑘ˆ
(a) 𝑉 ⃗⃗3 = 2𝚤ˆ − 𝚥ˆ + 2𝑘ˆ
(b) 𝑉

⃗⃗3 = 𝚤ˆ + 2𝚥ˆ + 6𝑘ˆ

(c) 𝑉 ⃗⃗3 = 2𝚤ˆ + 𝚥ˆ + 4𝑘ˆ
(d) 𝑉

45. During a rotation, vectors along the axis of rotation remain unchanged. For the rotation
0 1 0
matrix ( 0 0 −1), the unit vector along the axis of rotation is [GATE 2019]
−1 0 0

1 1
(a) (2𝚤ˆ − 𝚥ˆ + 2𝑘ˆ ) (b) (𝚤ˆ + 𝚥ˆ − 𝑘ˆ )
3 √3
1 1
(c) (𝚤ˆ − 𝚥ˆ − 𝑘ˆ ) (d) (2𝚤ˆ + 2𝚥ˆ − 𝑘ˆ )
√3 3

160
 1 1 1
46. Let |𝑒1 ⟩ = (0) , |𝑒2 ⟩ = (1) , |𝑒3 ⟩ = (1). Let 𝑆 = {|𝑒1 ⟩, |𝑒2 ⟩, |𝑒3 ⟩}. Let ℝ3 denote the
0 0 1
three-dimensional real vector space. Which one of the following is correct?
[GATE 2020]

(a) 𝑆 is an orthonormal set (b) 𝑆 is a linearly dependent set

1 0 0
(c) 𝑆 is a basis for ℝ 3
(d) ∑3𝑖=1 |𝑒𝑖 ⟩⟨𝑒𝑖 | = (0 1 0)
0 0 1

47. Let 𝑢𝜇 denote the 4 -velocity of a relativistic particle whose square 𝑢𝜇 𝑢𝜇 = 1. If 𝜀𝜇𝑣𝜌𝜎 is
the Levi-Civita tensor then the value of 𝜀𝜇𝑣𝜌𝜎 𝑢𝜇 𝑢𝑣 𝑢𝜌 𝑢𝜎 is [GATE 2020]

48. Which of the following options represent(s) linearly independent pair(s) of functions of
a real variable 𝑥 ? [GATE 2023]

(a) 𝑒 𝑖𝑥 and 𝑒 −𝑖𝑥 (b) 𝑥 and 𝑒 𝑥 (c) 2𝑥 and 2−3+𝑥 (d) 𝑒 𝑖𝑥 and si n 𝑥

1
49. Consider a volume integral 𝐼 = ∫𝑉 ∇2 ( ) 𝑑𝑉over a volume 𝑉, where 𝑟 = √𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 .
𝑟

Which of the following statement is/are correct? [GATE 2024]

(a) 𝐼 = −4𝜋, if 𝑟 = 0 is inside the volume 𝑉 (b) Integrand vanishes for 𝑟 ≠ 0

(c) 𝐼 = 0, if 𝑟 = 0 is not inside the volume 𝑉 (d) Integrand diverges as 𝑟 → ∞

50. Consider the set {1, 𝑥, 𝑥 2 }. An orthonormal basis in 𝑥 ∈ [−1,1] is formed from these
three terms, where the normalization of a function 𝑓(𝑥) is defined via
1
∫−1 𝑥 2 [𝑓(𝑥)]2 𝑑𝑥 = 1. If the orthonormal basis set is

3 5 1 21
(√ , √ 𝑥, √ (5𝑥 2 − 3))
2 2 2 𝑁

then the value of 𝑁 (in integer) is

161
 ❖ JEST PYQ’s
1. The vector field 𝑥𝑧𝚤ˆ + 𝑦𝑗 in cylindrical polar coordinates is [JEST 2013]

(a) 𝜌(𝑧cos 2 𝜙 + sin2 𝜙)𝑒ˆ𝜌 + 𝜌sin 𝜙cos 𝜙(1 − 𝑧)𝑒ˆ𝜙

(b) 𝜌(𝑧cos2 𝜙 + sin2 𝜙)𝑒ˆ𝜌 + 𝜌sin 𝜙cos 𝜙(1 + 𝑧)𝑒ˆ𝜙

(c) 𝜌(𝑧sin2 𝜙 + cos2 𝜙)𝑒ˆ𝜌 + 𝜌sin 𝜙cos 𝜙(1 + 𝑧)𝑒ˆ𝜙

(d) 𝜌(𝑧cos2 𝜙 + sin2 𝜙)𝑒ˆ𝜌 + 𝜌sin 𝜙cos 𝜙(1 − 𝑧)𝑒ˆ𝜙

2. What is the equation of the plane which is tangent to the surface 𝑥𝑦𝑧 = 4 at the point
(1,2,2) ? [JEST 2017]

(a) 𝑥 + 2𝑦 + 4𝑧 = 12 (b) 4𝑥 + 2𝑦 + 𝑧 = 12

(c) 𝑥 + 4𝑦 + 𝑧 = 0 (d) 2𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧 = 6

3. The temperature in a rectangular plate bounded by the lines 𝑥 = 0, 𝑦 = 0, 𝑥 = 3 and

𝑦 = 5 is 𝑇 = 𝑥𝑦 2 − 𝑥 2 𝑦 + 100. What is the maximum temperature difference between
two points on the plate? [JEST 2017]

4. Let 𝑟⃗ be the position vector of a point on a closed contour 𝐶. What is the value of the line
integral ∮ 𝑟⃗ ⋅ 𝑑𝑟⃗ ? [JEST 2019]

1
(a) 0 (b) (c) 1 (d) 𝜋
2

5. Which one of the following vectors lie along the line of intersection of the two planes
𝑥 + 3𝑦 − 𝑧 = 5 and 2𝑥 − 2𝑦 + 4𝑧 = 3 ? [JEST 2019]

(a) 10𝚤ˆ − 2𝚥ˆ + 5𝑘ˆ (b) 10𝚤ˆ − 6𝚥ˆ − 8𝑘ˆ 0

162
 (c) 10𝚤ˆ + 2𝚥ˆ + 5𝑘ˆ (d) 10𝚤ˆ − 2𝚥ˆ − 5𝑘ˆ

6. What is the angle (in degrees) between the surfaces 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 = 2 and 𝑦 2 − 𝑥 2 = 0 at the
point (1, −1,1) [JEST 2019]

7. Suppose 𝜓𝐴⃗ is a conservative vector, 𝐴⃗ is a non-conservative vector and 𝜓 is non-zero

scalar everywhere. Which one of the following is true? [JEST 2019]

(a) (∇ × 𝐴⃗) ⋅ 𝐴⃗ = 0 (b) 𝐴⃗ × ∇𝜓 = ⃗0⃗

(c) 𝐴⃗ ⋅ ∇𝜓 = 0 (d) (∇ × 𝐴⃗) × 𝐴⃗ = ⃗0⃗

8. A paper has been cut into the shape given in figure ( 𝐴𝐵𝐶𝐷 is a square and the two
hexagonal flaps are regular) and placed on the table. The square base lies flat on the
table. The hexagonal flaps are then folded upwards along the edges AB and AD such that
edges AE and AF of the two hexagons coincide. What is the minimum angle (in degrees)
made by the edge 𝐴𝐸 (or AF) with the surface of the table? [JEST 2021]

(a) 120 (b) 85 (c) 60 (d) 45

9. Consider a real tensor 𝑇𝑖𝑗𝑘 with 𝑖, 𝑗, 𝑘 = 1, … . ,5. It has the following properties:

𝑇𝑖𝑗𝑘 = 𝑇𝑗𝑖𝑘 = 𝑇𝑖𝑘𝑗 , ∑ 𝑇𝑖𝑖𝑘 = 0

𝑖

What is the number of independent real components of this tensor? [JEST 2021]

10. The position and velocity vectors of a particle changes from 𝑅⃗⃗1 to 𝑅⃗⃗2 and 𝑣⃗1 to 𝑣⃗2
respectively as time flows from 𝑡1 to 𝑡2 . If 𝑟⃗(𝑡), 𝑣⃗(𝑡), and 𝑎⃗(𝑡) are the instantaneous
position, velocity and acceleration vectors of the particle, compute the integral:

163
 𝑡
𝐼⃗ = ∫𝑡 2 𝑟⃗ × 𝑎⃗𝑑𝑡. [JEST 2023]
1

(a) 𝐼⃗ = 𝑅⃗⃗2 × 𝑣⃗2 − 𝑅⃗⃗1 × 𝑣⃗1 (b) 𝐼⃗ = 𝑅⃗⃗1 × 𝑣⃗1 − 𝑅⃗⃗2 × 𝑣⃗2

(c) 𝐼⃗ = 0 (d) |𝐼⃗| = |𝑅⃗⃗1 × 𝑣⃗1 | + |𝑅⃗⃗2 × 𝑣⃗2 |

11. Given the vector 𝑣⃗ = 𝑦𝚤ˆ + 3𝑥𝚥ˆ, what is the value of the line integral
∮ 𝑣⃗ ⋅ 𝑑𝑟⃗ along the unit circle (centered at the origin) in an anti-clockwise direction?
[JEST 2023]

2𝜋
(a) (b) 𝜋 (c) 0 (d) 2𝜋
3

❖ TIFR PYQ’s
1. A two-dimensional vector 𝐴⃗(𝑡) is given by
𝐴⃗(𝑡) = 𝚤ˆsin 2𝑡 + 𝚥ˆcos 3𝑡.
Which of the following graphs best describes the locus of the tip of the vector, as 𝑡 is
varied from 0 to 2𝜋 ? [TIFR 2013]

2. Consider the surface corresponding to the equation

4𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 = 0
A possible unit tangent to this surface at the point (1,2, −8) is [TIFR 2013]

164
 1 2 4 8 1
(a ) 𝚤ˆ − 𝚥ˆ (b) 𝚤ˆ − 𝚥ˆ + 𝑘ˆ
√5 √5 9 9 9

1 4 1 3 4
(c) 𝚥ˆ − 𝑘ˆ (d) − 𝚤ˆ + 𝚥ˆ − 𝑘ˆ
5 5 √5 √5 √5

3. Which of the following vectors is parallel to the surface 𝑥 2 𝑦 + 2𝑥𝑧 = 4 at the point
(2, −2,3) ? [TIFR 2015]
(a) +6𝚤ˆ − 2𝚥ˆ − 5𝑘ˆ (b) + 6𝚤ˆ + 2𝚥ˆ + 5𝑘ˆ

(c) −6𝚤ˆ − 2𝚥ˆ + 5𝑘ˆ (d) + 6𝚤ˆ − 2𝚥ˆ + 5𝑘ˆ

4. A fourth rank Cartesian tensor 𝑇𝑖𝑗𝑘ℓ satisfies the following identities [TIFR 2018]
(i) 𝑇𝑖𝑗𝑘ℓ = 𝑇𝑗𝑖𝑘ℓ
(ii) 𝑇𝑖𝑗𝑘ℓ = 𝑇𝑖𝑗ℓ𝑘
(iii) 𝑇𝑖𝑗𝑘ℓ = 𝑇𝑘ℓ𝑖𝑗
Assuming a space of three dimensions (i.e. 𝑖, 𝑗, 𝑘 = 1,2,3 ), what is the number of
independent components of 𝑇𝑖𝑗𝑘ℓ ?

5. Consider the surface defined by 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑦 2 + 𝑐𝑧 + 𝑑 = 0, where 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐 and 𝑑 are

constants. If 𝑛ˆ1 and 𝑛ˆ2 are unit normal vectors to the surface at the points (𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) =
(1,1,0) and (0,0,1) respectively, and 𝑚
̂ is a unit vector normal to both 𝑛ˆ1 and 𝑛ˆ2 , then
𝑚
̂= [TIFR 2019]
−𝑎𝚤ˆ + 𝑏𝒋ˆ 2𝑎𝚤ˆ + 2𝑏𝚥ˆ − 𝑐𝑘ˆ
(a) (b)
√𝑎2 + 𝑏2 √4𝑎2 + 4𝑏2 + 𝑐 2

𝑏𝚤ˆ − 𝑎𝚥ˆ 𝑎𝚤ˆ − 𝑏𝚥ˆ + 𝑐𝑘ˆ

(c) (d)
√𝑎2 + 𝑏2 √𝑎2 + 𝑏2 + 𝑐 2

6. Consider a set of three 3-dimensional vectors

1 0 1
𝐴 = ( 0) 𝐵 = ( 1) 𝐶 = ( 1)
0 0 2
These vectors undergo a linear transformation
165
 𝐴 → 𝐴′ = 𝕄𝐴 𝐵 → 𝐵′ = 𝕄𝐵 𝐶 → 𝐶 ′ = 𝕄𝐶
1 1 4
where 𝕄 is given by 𝕄 = (1 0 1)
2 1 1
The volume of a parallelopiped whose sides are given by the transformed vectors 𝐴′ , 𝐵′
and 𝐶 ′ is [TIFR 2022]

(a) 16 (b) 4 (c) 2 (d) 8

7. A surface is given by 4𝑥 2 𝑦 − 2𝑥𝑦 2 + 3𝑧 3 = 0

Which of the following is a vector normal to it at the point (2,3,1) ? [TIFR 2023]

(a) 30î + 8ĵ − 9k̂ (b) 15î − 4ĵ + 18k̂

(c) 30î − 8ĵ + 9k̂ (d) 30î − 8ĵ − 9k̂

8. Consider a regular tetrahedron ABCD, as shown in the figure below. Let the point O be

its centre.
The value of the angle AOB must be [TIFR 2023]

(a) cos −1 (−4/5) (b) cos −1 (−1/3)

(c) cos −1 (−√4/5) (d) 2𝜋/3

9. A surface is given by 2𝑥 3 𝑧 + 4𝑦 2 𝑧 + 3𝑧 2 = 81
Which of the following is a vector tangential to it at the point on the surface with
coordinates (𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) = (1,2,3) ? [TIFR 2024]

(a) −3𝚤ˆ + 2𝚥ˆ + 6𝑘ˆ (b) 18𝚤ˆ + 48𝚥ˆ + 36𝑘ˆ

166
 (c) 2𝚤ˆ − 3𝚥ˆ + 3𝑘ˆ (d) −3𝚤ˆ − 2𝚥ˆ + 6𝑘ˆ

10. Consider the triangle subtended on the surface of a sphere of radius 1 by joining the
points
1 √3 1 √3
( , , 0) , (− , , 0)
2 2 2 2
, and (0,0,1) with arcs of great circles. The area subtended by this triangle on the
surface of the sphere is given by:
(Hint: Drawing a figure might help.)

(a) 𝜋/3 (b) √3𝜋/2 (c) √3𝜋 (d) 2𝜋/3

Answer Key
CSIR-NET PYQ
1. a 2. b 3. c 4. a 5. c 6. d 7. d 8. d 9. c 10. c
11. a 12. d 13. d 14. c 15. b 16. c 17. d
GATE PYQ
1. d 2. b 3. c 4. 0 5. c 6. a 7. c 8. a 9. a 10. d
11. d 12. a 13. d 14. d 15. d 16. a 17. d 18. a 19. a 20. c
21. c 22. a 23. a 24. b 25. a 26. a 27. b 28. c 29. b 30. a
31. b 32. b 33. a 34. c 35. c 36. b 37. d 38. b 39. d 40. b
41. b 42. d 43. d 44. d 45. b 46. c 47. 0 48. abd 49. abc
JEST PYQ
1. a 2. d 3. 0038 4. a 5. b 6. 60 7. a 8. b 9. 10. a
11. d
TIFR PYQ
1. c 2. a 3. d 4. 5. b 6. d 7. c 8. b 9. c 10. a

167
 Mathematical Physics: Error Analysis

❖ CSIR-NET PYQ’s
❖
1. The radioactive decay of a certain material satisfies Poisson statistics with a mean rate
of 𝜆 per second, what should be the minimum duration of counting (in seconds) so that
the relative error is less than 1% ? [CSIR JUNE 2012]

(a) 100/𝜆 (b) 104 /𝜆2 (c) 104 /𝜆 (d) 1/𝜆

2. The approximation cos 𝜃 ≈ 1 is valid up to 3 decimal places as long as |𝜃| is less than:
(take 180∘ ) 𝜋 = 57.29∘ ). [CSIR JUNE 2013]

(a) 1.28∘ (b) 1.81∘ (c) 3.28∘ (d) 4.01∘

𝜋𝑃𝑎4
3. The viscosity 𝜂 of a liquid is given by Poiseuille's formula 𝜂 = . Assume that 𝑙 and 𝑉
8𝐼𝑉

can be measured very accurately, but the pressure 𝑃 has an rms error of 1% and the
radius 𝑎 has an independent rms error of 3%. The rms error of the viscosity is closest to
[CSIR JUNE 2015]

(a) 2% (b) 4% (c) 12% (d) 13%

4. Two data sets A and B consist of 60 and 10 readings of a voltage measured using
voltmeters of resolution of 1mV and 0.5mV respectively. The uncertainty in the mean
voltage obtained from the data sets 𝐴 and 𝐵 are 𝑈𝐴 and 𝑈𝐵 , respectively. If the
uncertainty of the mean of the combined data sets is 𝑈𝐴𝐵 , then which of the following
statements is correct? [CSIR DEC 2015]

(a) UAB < UA and UAB > UB (b) UAB < UA and UAB < UB

(c) UAB > UA and UAB < UB (d) UAB > UA and UAB > UB

5. The decay constants 𝑓𝑝 of the heavy pseudoscalar mesons, in the heavy quark limit,

168
 are related to their masses 𝑚𝑝 by the relation
𝑎
𝑓𝑃 =
√𝑚𝑝
where 𝑎 is an empirical parameter to be determined. The values
𝑚𝑝 = 6400 ± 160MeV and 𝑓𝑝 = 180 ± 15MeV correspond to uncorrelated
measurement of a meson. The error on the estimate of 𝑎 is [CSIR JUNE 2016]

(a) 175(MeV)3/2 (b) 900(MeV)3/2

(c) 1200(MeV)3/2 (d) 2400(MeV)3/2

6. The resistance of a sample is measured as a function of temperature, and the data are
shown below.

𝑇 ( ∘ C) 2 4 6 8

𝑅(Ω) 90 105 110 115

The slope of 𝑅 vs 𝑇 graphs, using a linear least-squares fit to the data, will be
[CSIR DEC 2016]

(a) 6Ω/ ∘ C (b) 4Ω ∘ C (c) 2Ω/ ∘ C (d) 8Ω/ ∘ C

7. The experimentally measured values of the variables 𝑥 and 𝑦 are 2.00 ± 0.05 and
3.00 ± 0.02, respectively. What is the error in the calculated value of 𝑧 = 3𝑦 − 2𝑥 from
the measurements? [CSIR JUNE 2017]

(a) 0.12 (b) 0.05 (c) 0.03 (d) 0.07

8. Both the data points and a linear fit to the current vs voltage of a resistor are shown in
the graph below.
If the error in the slope is 1.255 × 10−3 Ω−1 , then the value of resistance estimated from

169
 the graph is [CSIR JUNE 2017]

(a) (0.04 ± 0.8)Ω (b) (25.0 ± 0.8)Ω

(c) (25 ± 1.25)Ω (d) (25 ± 0.0125)Ω

9. Two physical quantities 𝑇 and 𝑀 are related by the equation

2𝜋 𝑀 + 𝑏
𝑇= √ ,
𝑎 2

where 𝑎 and 𝑏 are constant parameters. The variation of 𝑇 as a function of 𝑀 was

recorded in an experiment to determine the value of 𝑎 graphically. Let 𝑚 be the slope of
the straight line when 𝑇 2 is plotted vs. 𝑀, and 𝛿𝑚 be the uncertainty in determining it.
The uncertainty in determining 𝑎 is [CSIR DEC 2017]

𝑎 𝛿𝑚 𝛿𝑚 𝑏 𝛿𝑚 2𝜋 𝛿𝑚
(a) ( ) (b) 𝑎 ( ) (c) ( ) (d) ( )
2 𝑚 𝑚 2𝑎 𝑚 𝑎 𝑚

10. In an experiment to measure the acceleration due to gravity 𝑔 using a simple pendulum,
the length and time period of the pendulum are measured to three significant figures.
The mean value of 𝑔 and the uncertainty 𝛿𝑔 of the measurements are then estimated
using a calculator from a large number of measurements and found to be 9.82147 m/s
and 0.02357 m/s2 , respectively. Which of the following is the most accurate way of
presenting the experimentally determined value of 𝑔 ? [CSIR JUNE 2019]

(a) 9.82 ± 0.02 m/s2 (b) 9.8215 ± 0.02 m/s2

(c) 9.82147 ± 0.02357 m/s2 (d) 9.82 ± 0.02357 m/s2

170
11. A student measures the displacement 𝑥 from the equilibrium of a stretched spring and
reports it be 100𝜇m with a 1% error. The spring constant 𝑘 is known to be 10 N/m with
1
0.5% error. The percentage error in the estimate of the potential energy 𝑉 = 𝑘𝑥 2 is
2

[CSIR DEC 2019]

(a) 0.8% (b) 2.5% (c) 1.5% (d) 3.0%

12. In an experiment, the velocity of a non-relativistic neutron is determined by measuring

the time (∼ 50 ns) it takes to travel from the source to the detector kept at a distance 𝐿.
Assume that the error in the measurement of 𝐿 is negligibly small. If we want to
𝛿𝑇
estimate the kinetic energy 𝑇 of the neutron to within 5% accuracy i.e., | | ≤ 0.05, the
𝑇

maximum permissible error |𝛿𝑇| in measuring the time of flight is nearest to

[CSIR JUNE 2021]

(a) 1.75 ns (b) 0.75 ns (c) 2.25 ns (d) 1.25 ns

13. Four students (S1 , S2 , S3 and S4 ) make multiple measurements on the length of a table.
The binned data are plotted as histograms in the following figures

(a)S2 (b)S4 (c)S1 (d)S

171
14. A DC motor is used to lift a mass M to a height H from the ground. The electric energy
delivered to the motor is VIt, where 𝑉 is the applied voltage, 𝐼 is the current and 𝑡 the
time for which the motor runs. The efficiency e of the motor is the ratio between the
work done by the motor and the energy delivered to it. If 𝑀 = 2.0 ± 0.02 kg, ℎ = 1.00 ±
0.01 m, 𝑉 = 10.0 ± 0.1 V, 𝐼 = 2.00 ± 0.02 A and 𝑡 = 300 ± 15 s, then the fractional error
|𝛿𝑒/𝑒| in the efficiency of the motor is closest to [CSIR JUNE2023]

(a) 0.05 (b) 0.09 (c) 0.12 (d) 0.15

15. In the measurement of a radioactive sample, the measured counts with and without the
sample for equal time intervals are 𝐶 = 500 and 𝐵 = 100, respectively. The errors in
the measurements of 𝐶 and 𝐵 are |Δ𝐶| = 20 and |Δ𝐵| = 10, respectively. The net error
|Δ𝑌| in the measured counts from the sample 𝑌 = 𝐶 − 𝐵, is closest to
[CSIR DEC 2023]

(a)22 (b)10 (c)30 (d)43

16. A set of 100 data points yields an average 𝑥‾ = 9 and a standard deviation 𝜎𝑥 = 4. The
error in the estimated mean is closest to [CSIR DEC 2024]

(a)3.0 (b)0.4 (c)4.0 (d)0.3

❖ JEST PYQ’s
1. The length and radius of a perfect cylinder are each measured with an RMS error of 1%.
The RMS error on the inferred volume of the cylinder is roughly [JEST 2012]

(a) 1.7% (b) 3.3% (c) 0.5% (d) 1%

2. An astrophysical observation measured the mass of a star as (12.41 ± 1.12)𝑀◻ , where

𝑀◻ is the mass of the Sun. Another independent observation measured the mass of the
same star as (8.40 ± Δ)𝑀◻ . Assuming the errors to have Gaussian distributions, one

172
 concluded that the two measurements differed by 3 standard deviations. The value of Δ
was approximately [JEST 2021]

(a) 0.22 (b) 0.73 (c) 1.04 (d) 1.55

❖ TIFR PYQ’s
1. A detector is used to count the number of 𝛾 rays emitted by a radioactive source. If the
number of counts recorded in exactly 20 seconds is 10000, the error in the counting
rate per second is [TIFR 2010]

(a) ±5.0 (b) ±22.4 (c) ±44.7 (d) ±220.0

2. A liquid is flowing through a capillary tube of inner radius 𝑟 under the influence of an
external pressure 𝑃. The uncertainties in the measurements of 𝑃 and 𝑟 are found to be
2% and 1%, respectively. The uncertainty in the flow of liquid per second is
[TIFR 2017]

(a) 4.47% (b) 2.23% (c) 2.83% (d) 3.61%

3. In an experiment that measures the resistivity 𝜌 of a substance it was observed that 𝜌

varies with temperature 𝑇 and a parameter Δ, as
𝜌 = 𝜌0 𝑒 Δ/𝑇
where 𝜌0 is a constant. In one measurement, made at 𝑇 = 100 K and Δ = 50, the
percentage error in Δ is found to be 2% while the percentage error in 𝑇 was 3%. What
was the approximate percentage error for the resistivity 𝜌 ? [TIFR 2021]

(a) 18% (b) 3.6% (c) 9% (d) 1.8%

4. In an archery contest, the aim is to shoot arrows at the center of a board. Three archers,
Amar, Akbar and Anthony each shot 5 arrows at the board. The locations of their arrow
hits are shown in the figures with red stars. Which of the following statements are true?
[TIFR 2021]

173
 (a) Amar has more accuracy than Anthony

(b) Amar has more precision than Akbar

(c) Akbar has more accuracy than Anthony

(d) Akbar has more precision than Anthony

5. A very sensitive spring balance with spring constant 𝑘 = 2 × 108 Nm−1 is operating at a
temperature of 300 K. The thermal fluctuations can lead to an error in the
measurement of mass. If you are trying to measure a mass of 1mg, the relative error in
the measurement is closest to [TIFR 2021]

(a) 0.01% (b) 10.0% (c) 20.0% (d) 0.9%

6. Two students A and B, measure the time period of a simple pendulum in the laboratory
using the same stopwatch but following two different methods.
• Student A measures the time taken for one oscillation and repeats it for 𝑁A number of
times and finds the average.
• Student B, on the other hand, measures the time taken for 𝑁B number of oscillations
and then computes the period.
Given that 𝑁A , 𝑁B ≫ 1, to ensure that both students measure the time period with the
same uncertainty, the relation between 𝑁A and 𝑁B must be [TIFR 2022]

(a) 𝑁A = √𝑁B (b) 𝑁A = 𝑁B2 (c) 𝑁A = 𝑁B (d) ln 2𝑁A = 𝑁B

7. In a standardized entrance exam, the passing rates for the past 10 years are tabulated
below.

174
 If 1000 candidates appear for the exam every year, the probability that more than 250
students will pass the exam this year is about [TIFR 2022]

(a) 20% (b) 6% (c) 25% (d) 0.1%

8. A spectrographic method to search for exoplanets is by measuring its velocity along the
line of sight, using the Doppler shift in the spectrum. If a star of mass 𝑀 and a planet of
mass 𝑚 are moving around their common centre of mass, this component of velocity
will vary periodically with an amplitude.

2𝜋𝐺𝑁 1/3 𝑚
𝐴=( )
𝑇 𝑀2/3
For a particular planet-star system, if the time period is 𝑇 = (12 ± 0.3) years, and 𝐴 and
𝑀 are measured with an accuracy of 3% each, then the error in the measurement of the
mass 𝑚 is [TIFR 2022]

(a) 3.7% (b) 8.5% (c) 5.8% (d) 6.3%

9. A faint star is known to emit light of a given frequency at an average rate of 10 photons
per minute. An astronomer plans to measure this rate using a photon-counting
detector. If she wants to measure the rate to an accuracy of 5%, approximately how
long should be the exposure time? [TIFR 2023]

(a) 40 minutes (b) 1 hour (c) 20 minutes (d) 10 minutes

10. A particular counting system has an average background rate of 50 counts/min. A

decaying radioisotope source was introduced and the total 168 counts were measured
in one minute. After a delay of 24 hrs, the system measured total 91 counts in one
minute. If these measurements were used for determining the half-life (𝜏) of the source
and if the average background rate, and the time have no errors, the % error
(100 × 𝜎𝜏 /𝜏) in the calculated half-life value due to counting statistics would be:
[TIFR 2024]
175
 (a) 24.3% (b) 21.2% (c) 25.7% (d) 18.2%

11. Consider a universe that always expands with a scale factor 𝑎 that increases with time
as 𝑎(𝑡) = 𝐶𝑡 2/3 where 𝐶 is a constant. Its expansion rate at time 𝑡 is defined by the
Hubble parameter

1 𝑑𝑎(𝑡)
𝐻(𝑡) =
𝑎(𝑡) 𝑑𝑡

The current value of 𝐻(𝑡) in the universe is given by 𝐻0 = 975 km s −1 Mpc −1 where
1Mpc = 3.1 × 1022 m. What is the approximate age of this universe? [TIFR 2024]

(a) 109 years (b) 107 years (c) 1011 years (d) 1013 years

12. For a given measurement of particles in a counter, a 10-minute data collection resulted
in a statistical uncertainty of 2.5%. How much additional time must be allocated to
reduce the statistical uncertainty to 0.5% ? [TIFR 2025]

(a) 240 minutes (b) 40 minutes (c) 250 minutes (d) 50 minutes

13. Two students perform a counting experiment independently. Student A measures the
counts for 1-minute intervals each and repeats the measurement five times. The
obtained counts are given below.

Measurement turn Counts

1 25

2 35

3 30

4 23

5 27

This student then takes the mean of these counts and reports the count rate
(counts/min). The second student (B) makes one measurement for five minutes. She

176
 measures 145 counts and reports the count rate (counts /min ). If the clock used for all
these measurements is accurate up to 0.1 minutes, and there are no other sources of
uncertainties, we can conclude that:

(a) The count rate reported by student A will have a larger uncertainty than that
reported by student B.

(b) The count rate reported by student B will have a larger uncertainty than that
reported by student A.

(c) The reported uncertainty in both results would be identical

(d) Nothing may be concluded about the relative uncertainties between A and B

Answer Key
CSIR-NET PYQ
1. c 2. b 3. c 4. a 5. c 6. b 7. a 8. b 9. a 10. a
11. b 12. d 13. c 14. a 15. a 16. b
JEST PYQ
1. a 2. b
TIFR PYQ
1. 2. a 3. d 4. d 5. d 6. b 7. b 8. a 9. a 10. a
11. a 12. a 13. a

177
 Mathematical Physics : Miscellaneous
❖
❖ CSIR-NET PYQ’s
1. Which of the following limits exists? [CSIR JUNE 2012]

1 1
(a)lim𝑁→∞ (∑𝑁
𝑚=1 + ln 𝑁) (b)lim𝑁→∞ (∑𝑁
𝑚=1 − ln 𝑁)
𝑚 𝑚

1 1
(c)lim𝑁→∞ (∑𝑁
𝑚=1 − ln 𝑁) (d)lim𝑁→∞ ∑𝑁
𝑚=1
√𝑚 𝑚

2. The expression
∂2 ∂2 ∂2 ∂2 1
( 2 + 2 + 2 + 2) 2
∂𝑥1 ∂𝑥2 ∂𝑥3 ∂𝑥4 (𝑥1 + 𝑥22 + 𝑥32 + 𝑥42 )
is proportional to [CSIR DEC 2013]

(a) 𝛿 (𝑥1 + 𝑥2 + 𝑥3 + 𝑥4 ) (b) 𝛿 (𝑥1 )𝛿 (𝑥2 )𝛿 (𝑥3 )𝛿 (𝑥4 )

(c) (𝑥12 + 𝑥22 + 𝑥32 + 𝑥42 )−3/2 (d) (𝑥12 + 𝑥22 + 𝑥32 + 𝑥42 )−2

3. Three sets of data 𝐴, 𝐵 and 𝐶 from an experiment, represented by ×,◻ and 𝑂, are
plotted on a log-log scale. Each of these are fitted with straight lines as shown in the
figure.

The functional dependence 𝑦(𝑥) for the sets A, B and C are, respectively
[CSIR DEC 2013]

𝑥 1 1
(a) √𝑥, 𝑥 and 𝑥 2 (b) − , 𝑥and 2𝑥 (c) , 𝑥and 𝑥 2 (d) , 𝑥and 𝑥 2
2 𝑥2 √𝑥

178
4. The following data is obtained in an experiment that measures the viscosity 𝜂 as a
function of molecular weight M for a set of polymers. (Diagram missing)
The relation that best describes the dependence of 𝜂 on M is [CSIR JUNE 2014]

(a) 𝜂 ∼ 𝑀4/9 (b) 𝜂 ∼ 𝑀3/2 (c) 𝜂 ∼ 𝑀2 (d) 𝜂 ∼ 𝑀3

5. In the scattering of some elementary particles, the scattering cross-section 𝜎 is found to

depend on the total energy 𝐸 and the fundamental constants ℎ (Planck's constant) and
𝑐 (the speed of light in vacuum). Using dimensional analysis, the dependence of 𝜎 on
these quantities is given by [CSIR DEC 2015]

ℎ𝑐 ℎ𝑐 ℎ𝑐 2 ℎ𝑐
(a)√ (b) 3/2 (c) ( ) (d)
𝐸 𝐸 𝐸 𝐸

6. If
1
𝑦=
tan h(𝑥)
, then 𝑥 is CSIR DEC 2015]

𝑦+1 𝑦−1 𝑦−1 𝑦+1

(a)ln ( ) (b) ln ( ) (c)ln √ (d) ln √
𝑦−1 𝑦+1 𝑦+1 𝑦−1

7. For a dynamical system governed by the equation

𝑑𝑥
= 2√1 − 𝑥 2
𝑑𝑡
, with |𝑥| ≤ 1, [CSIR DEC 2015]

(a) 𝑥 = −1 and 𝑥 = 1 are both unstable fixed points

(b) 𝑥 = −1 and 𝑥 = 1 are both stable fixed points

179
 (c) 𝑥 = −1 is an unstable fixed point and 𝑥 = 1 is a stable fixed point

(d) 𝑥 = −1 is stable fixed point and 𝑥 = 1 is an unstable fixed point

8. Using dimensional analysis, Planck defined a characteristic temperature 𝑇𝑃 from

powers of the gravitional constant 𝐺, Planck's constant ℎ, Boltzmann constant 𝑘𝑘 and
the speed of light 𝑐 in vacuum. The expression for 𝑇𝑃 is proportional to
[CSIR JUNE 2016]

ℎ𝑐 5 ℎ𝑐 3 𝐺 ℎ𝑘𝛽2
(a)√ 2 (b) √ 2 (c)√ 4 2 (d) √
𝑘𝐵 𝐺 𝑘𝐵 𝐺 ℎ𝑐 𝑘𝑏 𝐺𝑐 3

9. The spring constant 𝑘, of a spring of a mass 𝑚𝑠 , is determined experimentally by

loading the spring with mass 𝑀 and recording the time period 𝑇, for a single oscillation.
If the experiment is carried out for different masses, then the graph that correctly
represents the result is [CSIR DEC 2017]

∞ 2m
10. The value of the integral ∫0 dxe−x , where m is a positive integer, is
[CSIR JUNE 2022]

m+1 m−1 2m + 1 2m − 1
(a)Γ ( ) (b)Γ ( ) (c) Γ ( ) (d) Γ ( )
2m 2m 2m 2m

180
11. The infinite series
∑∞ 2
n=0 (n + 3n + 2)x
n

1
evaluated at x = ′, is [CSIR JUNE 2022]
2

(a) 16 (b) 8 (c) 32 (d) 24

12. The Beta function is defined as

1
𝐵(𝑥, 𝑦) = ∫0 𝑡 𝑥−1 (1 − 𝑡)𝑦−1 𝑑𝑡
Then 𝐵(𝑥, 𝑦 + 1) + 𝐵(𝑥 + 1, 𝑦) can be expressed as [CSIR DEC 2023]

(a)𝐵(𝑥, 𝑦 − 1) (b)𝐵(𝑥 + 𝑦, 1) (c)𝐵(𝑥 + 𝑦, 𝑥 − 𝑦) (d)𝐵(𝑥, 𝑦)

❖ GATE PYQ’s
1. Consider the four statements given below about the function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 4 − 𝑥 2 in the
range −∞ < 𝑥 < +∞. Which one of the following statements is correct?
P the plot of 𝑓(𝑥) versus 𝑥 has two maxima and two minima
Q the plot of 𝑓(𝑥) versus 𝑥 cuts the 𝑥 axis at four points
R the plot of 𝑓(𝑥) versus 𝑥 has three extrema
S no part of the plot 𝑓(𝑥) versus 𝑥 lies in the fourth quadrant
Pick the right combination of correct choices from those given below [GATE 2003]

(a) P and R (b) R only (c) R and S (d) P and Q

2. The average of the function 𝑓(𝑥) = sin 𝑥 in the interval (0, 𝜋) is [GATE 2004]

1 2 1 4
(a) (b) (c) (d)
2 𝜋 𝜋 𝜋

3. If 𝑥𝑝(𝑥) and 𝑥 2 𝑞(𝑥) have the Taylor series expansions

𝑥𝑝(𝑥) = 4 + 𝑥 + 𝑥 2 + ⋯ … .
𝑥 2 𝑞(𝑥) = 2 + 3𝑥 + 5𝑥 2 + ⋯ … .
then the roots of the incidicial equation are [GATE 2004]

181
 (a) −1,0 (b) −1, −2 (c) −1,1 (d) −1,2

4. The average value of the function 𝑓(𝑥) = 4𝑥 3 inthe interval 1 to 3 is [GATE 2005]

(a) 15 (b) 20 (c) 40 (d) 80

5. For 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎0 + 𝑎1 𝑥 + 𝑎2 𝑥 2 ∈ 𝑉 and 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑏0 + 𝑏1 𝑥 + 𝑏2 𝑥 2 ∈ 𝑉, which one of the

following constitutes an acceptable scalar product? [GATE 2008]

(a) (𝑓, 𝑔) = 𝑎02 𝑏0 + 𝑎12 𝑏1 + 𝑎22 𝑏2 (b) (𝑓, 𝑔) = 𝑎02 𝑏02 + 𝑎12 𝑏12 + 𝑎22 𝑏22

𝑎1 𝑏1 𝑎2 𝑏2
(c) (𝑓, 𝑔) = 𝑎0 𝑏0 − 𝑎1 𝑏1 − 𝑎2 𝑏2 (d)(𝑓, 𝑔) = 𝑎0 𝑏0 + +
2 3

1
6. Γ (𝑛 + ) is equal to [Given Γ(𝑛 + 1) = 𝑛Γ(𝑛) and Γ(1/2) = √𝜋 ] [GATE 2013]
2

𝑛! 2𝑛! 2𝑛! 𝑛!
(a) √𝜋 (b) √𝜋 (c) √𝜋 (d) √𝜋
2𝑛 𝑛! 2𝑛 𝑛! 22𝑛 22𝑛

∞ 2
7. The integral ∫0 𝑥 2 𝑒 −𝑥 𝑑𝑥 is equal to________ . (up to two decimal places)
[GATE 2017]

❖ JEST PYQ’s
∞
1. If [𝑥] denotes the greatest integer not exceeding 𝑥, then ∫0 [𝑥]𝑒 −𝑥 𝑑𝑥 [JEST 2012]
1 𝑒−1 𝑒
(a) (b) 1 (c) (d)
𝑒−1 𝑒 𝑒2 − 1

2. As 𝑥 → 1, the infinite series

1 1 1
𝑥 − 𝑥 3 + 𝑥 5 − 𝑥 7 + ⋯ ..
3 5 7
[JEST 2012]
(a) diverges (b) converges to unity

182
 𝜋
(c) converges to (d) none of the above.
4

3. What is the value of the following series?

2 2
1 1 1 1
(−1 − + + ⋯ . . ) − (1 + + + ⋯ . . )
2! 4! 3! 5!
[JEST 2012]

(a) 0 (b) e (c) e2 (d) 1

4. What is the value of the following series?

2 2
1 1 1 1
(1 − + − ⋯ . . ) + (1 − + − ⋯ . . )
2! 4! 3! 5!
[JEST 2013]

(a) 0 (b) e (c) e2 (d) 1

5. The Bernoulli polynomials 𝐵𝑛 (𝑠) are defined by,

𝑥𝑒 𝑥𝑠 𝑥𝑛
= ∑𝐵𝑛 (𝑠)
𝑒𝑥 − 1 𝑛!
.which one of the following relations is true? [JEST 2015]

𝑥𝑒 𝑥(1−𝑠) 𝑥𝑛 𝑥𝑒 𝑥(1−𝑠) 𝑛
𝑥𝑛
(a) 𝑥 = ∑𝐵𝑛 (𝑠) (b) 𝑥 = ∑𝐵𝑛 (𝑠)(−1)
𝑒 −1 (𝑛 + 1)! 𝑒 −1 (𝑛 + 1)!

𝑥𝑒 𝑥(1−𝑠) 𝑛
𝑥𝑛 𝑥𝑒 𝑥(1−𝑠) 𝑛
𝑥𝑛
(c) 𝑥 = ∑𝐵𝑛 (−𝑠)(−1) (d) 𝑥 = ∑𝐵𝑛 (𝑠)(−1)
𝑒 −1 𝑛! 𝑒 −1 𝑛!

6. The sum
1
∑99
𝑚=1
√𝑚 + 1 + √𝑚
is equal to [JEST 2015]

183
 1
(a) 9 (b)√99 − 1 (c) (d) 11
(√99 − 1)

7. The sum of the infinite series

1 1 1
1− + − + ⋯…
3 5 7
is [JEST 2016]

𝜋 𝜋
(a) 2𝜋 (b) 𝜋 (c) (d)
2 4

8. The Euler polynomials are defined by

∞
2𝑒 𝑥𝑠 𝑥𝑛
= ∑ 𝐸𝑛 (𝑠)
𝑒𝑥 + 1 𝑛!
𝑛=0

What is the value of 𝐸5 (2) + 𝐸5 (3) ? [JEST 2019]

9. What value the following infinite series will converge to? [JEST 2021]
∞
𝑛2
∑ 𝑛
2
𝑛=1

𝜋2 1
(a) (b) (c) 3 (d) 6
6 2

10. Consider the infinite series

2 2
𝑥3 𝑥2 𝑥4
exp [(𝑥 + + ⋯ . . ) − ( + + ⋯ . . ) ]
3 2 4

Which one of the following represents this series? [JEST 2021]

(a) (1 + 𝑥)ln (1−𝑥) (b) exp [sin2 𝑥 − (cos 𝑥 − 1)2 ]

(c) exp (𝑥𝑒 𝑥 ) (d) (1 − 𝑥)−ln (1+𝑥)

184
11. The function 𝑓(𝑥) shown below has non-zero values only in the range 0 < 𝑥 < 𝑎.

Which of the following figure represents 𝑓(3𝑥) ? [JEST 2022]

❖ TIFR PYQ’s
1. Consider a standard chess board with 8 × 8 squares. A piece starts from the lower left
corner, which we shall call Square (1,1). A single move of this piece corresponds to
either one step right, i.e. to Square (1,2) or one step forwards, i.e. to Square (2,1). If it
continues to move according to these rules, the number of different paths by which the
piece can reach the Square (5,5) starting from the Square (1,1) is [TIFR 2010]

(a) 120 (b) 72 (c) 70 (d) 45

2. The infinite series

𝑥3 𝑥5 𝑥7
𝑥+ + + +⋯
3 5 7

185
 where −1 < 𝑥 < +1, can be summed to the value [TIFR 2011]

4
(a)tanh 𝑥 (b)ln (1 − tan−1 𝑥)
𝜋

1 1
(c) ln [(1 + 𝑥)/(1 − 𝑥)] (d) ln [(1 − 𝑥)/(1 + 𝑥)]
2 2

3. The value of the integral

∞
∫0 𝑑𝑥𝑥 9 exp(−𝑥 2 )is [TIFR 2013]

(a) 20160 (b) 12 (c) 18 (d) 24

4. The integral evaluates to

∞
𝑑𝑥 𝑥 𝑥
∫ [exp (− ) − exp (− )]
0 𝑥 √3 √2
[TIFR 2016]

(a) zero (b) 2.03 × 10−2 (c) 2.03 × 10−1 (d) 2.03

5. Given the infinite series

(𝑛 + 1)(𝑛 + 2) 𝑛
𝑦(𝑥) = 1 + 3𝑥 + 6𝑥 2 + 10𝑥 3 + ⋯ + 𝑥 +⋯
2
find the value of 𝑦(𝑥) for 𝑥 = 6/7. [TIFR 2016]

6. Evaluate the expression

𝐴 𝑥𝑛−1 𝑥𝑛−2
𝑛! ∫ 𝑑𝑥𝑛−1 ∫ 𝑑𝑥𝑛−2 ∫
0 0 0
𝑥3 𝑥2 𝑥1
𝑑𝑥𝑛−3 … ∫ 𝑑𝑥2 ∫ 𝑑𝑥1 ∫ 𝑑𝑥0
0 0 0

7.

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 Refer to the figure above. If the 𝑧-axis points out of the plane of the paper towards you,
the triangle marked ' 𝐴 ' can be transformed (and suitably re-positioned) to the triangle
marked 'B' by [TIFR 2018]

(a)rotation about 𝑥-direction by 𝜋/2, then rotation by −𝜋/2 in the 𝑦𝑧-plane

(b) rotation about 𝑧-direction by 𝜋/2, then reflection in the 𝑦𝑧-plane

(c) reflection in the 𝑦𝑧-plane, then rotation by 𝜋/2 about 𝑧-direction

(d) reflection in the 𝑥𝑧-plane, then rotation by −𝜋/2 about 𝑧-direction

8. Which of the following operations will transform a tetrahedron 𝐴𝐵𝐶𝐷 with vertices as
listed below

𝑥 𝑦 𝑧

A 0 0 0

B 1 0 0

C 0 1 0

D 0 0 2

into a tetrahedron ABCD with vertices as listed below

187
 𝑥 𝑦 𝑧
A 0 0 0
B 0 1 0
C 0 0 1
D 2 0 0

up to suitable translation? [TIFR 2019]

(a) A rotation about 𝑥 axis by 𝜋/2, then a rotation about 𝑧 axis by 𝜋/2

(b) A reflection in the xy plane, then a rotation about 𝑥 axis by 𝜋/2

(c) A reflection in the yz plane, then a reflection in the 𝑥𝑦 plane

(d) A rotation about 𝑦 axis by 𝜋/2, then a reflection in the 𝑥𝑧 plane

9. The sum of the infinite series is given by [TIFR 2020]

3 6 10 15
𝑆 =1+ + + + +⋯
5 25 125 625

125 25 25 16
(a)𝑆 = (b)𝑆 = (c)𝑆 = (d)𝑆 =
64 16 24 25

10. A 3-dimensional view of a polygon, whose faces are either squares or isosceles
triangles, is sketched below.

188
 Which of the following 2-dimensional figures represents it after flattening?
[TIFR 2021]
(a) (b) (c) (d)

11. Consider a square which can undergo rotations and reflections about its centre, where
making no transformation at all is counted as a rotation by 00 . The total number of such
distinct rotations and reflections which will keep the square unchanged is
[TIFR 2022]

(a) 8 (b) 4 (c) 16 (d) 32

12. Consider the two-dimensional polar integral

2
𝑃 = ∫ 𝑑𝑟𝑑𝜃𝑟19 𝑒 −𝑟 sin8 𝜃cos11 𝜃

If the integration is over only the first quadrant (0 ≤ 𝜃 ≤ 𝜋/2), the value of 𝑃 is
[TIFR 2022]

(a) 20160 (b) 88𝜋 (c) 180 (d) 16𝜋

13. Consider the inner product in the space of normal sable functions defined on the
1
interval [−1,1] ⟨𝑓 ∣ 𝑔⟩ = ∫−1 𝑑𝑥 (1 + 𝑥 2 )𝑓(𝑥)𝑔(𝑥)
The projection of the vector 1 along the vector 𝑥 2 is [TIFR 2022]

16 2 16 35 2 14 2 35 2
(a) 𝑥 (b) √ 𝑥 (c) 𝑥 (d) √ 𝑥
15 15 24 9 24

14. The value of the first derivative of the function

189
 at 𝑥 = 0 is 𝑓 ′ (0) =
2 2 |𝑥|
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑒 −√3𝑥
√3
[TIFR 2023]

(a) 0 (b) 2 (c) 2/√3 (d) undefined

15. Which of the following sheets of paper can be turned into a regular octahedron (a three-
dimensional regular polyhedron with eight triangular faces, as shown on the right) by
folding along the marked line? [TIFR 2024

16. The asymptotic expansion of the following function for 𝑥 → ∞

1
𝑥tanh−1
𝑥
is given by:

1 1 1 1 1 1
(a)1 + 2
+ 4+ 6+⋯ (b)1 − 2
+ 4− 6+⋯
3𝑥 5𝑥 7𝑥 3𝑥 5𝑥 7𝑥

190
 1 1 1 1 1 1
(c)𝑥 + + 3+ 5+⋯ (d)1 + + + +⋯
2𝑥 4𝑥 6𝑥 2𝑥 2 4𝑥 4 6𝑥 6

Answer Key
CSIR-NET PYQ
1. b 2. b 3. d 4. d 5. c 6. d 7. c 8. a 9. a 10. c
11. a 12. d
GATE PYQ
1. b 2. b 3. b 4. c 5. c 6. c 7. 0.44
JEST PYQ
1. a 2. b 3. d 4. d 5. d 6. a 7. d 8. 64 9. d 10. d
11. a
TIFR PYQ
1. 2. 3. b 4. c 5. 343 6. 𝐴𝑛 7. b 8. a 9. a 10. a
11. a 12. c 13. c 14. a 15. a 16. a

191