Test

Mathematics
Solutions
Section I: Multiple Choice Questions -

1. A polygon with all sides equal and all angles equal is called:
A. Rectangle B. Square C. Rhombus D. Regular polygon
Answer: D. Regular polygon
Solution: A regular polygon is defined as a polygon with all sides equal and all angles equal.
While a square has these properties, it is a specific case of a regular polygon (regular
quadrilateral). The most general answer is regular polygon.
2. Which of the following is an irrational number?
A. 2/3 B. 0.25 C. √5 D. -7
Answer: C. √5
Solution: An irrational number cannot be expressed as a ratio of two integers and has a non-
terminating, non-repeating decimal expansion. √5 ≈ 2.236... is irrational. The other options are
rational: 2/3, 0.25 = 1/4, and -7 = -7/1.
3. Which fraction has a terminating decimal?
A. 1/3 B. 2/5 C. 7/9 D. 5/6
Answer: B. 2/5
Solution: A fraction has a terminating decimal if its denominator (in lowest terms) has only
factors of 2 and/or 5. For 2/5, the denominator is 5, which qualifies. 2/5 = 0.4.
The others: 1/3 = 0.333..., 7/9 = 0.777..., 5/6 = 0.8333... are non-terminating.
4. The factor of x² − 9 is:
A. (x−9) B. (x+3) C. (x−3) D. (x−3)(x+3)
Answer: D. (x−3)(x+3)
Solution: x² − 9 is a difference of squares: a² − b² = (a−b)(a+b).
Here, x² − 3² = (x−3)(x+3). We can verify: (x−3)(x+3) = x² + 3x − 3x − 9 = x² − 9.
5. Which of the following is true?
A. sin 60° = cos 30° B. sin 45° = cos 60° C. tan 30° = 1 D. cos 90° = 1
Answer: A. sin 60° = cos 30°
Solution: For complementary angles, sin θ = cos(90° − θ). Since 60° and 30° are
complementary (60° + 30° = 90°), sin 60° = cos 30° = √3/2. The others are false: sin 45° = √2/2
≠ cos 60° = 1/2; tan 30° = 1/√3 ≠ 1; cos 90° = 0 ≠ 1.
6. The mean of 2, 4, 6 is:
A. 3 B. 4 C. 5 D. 6
Answer: B. 4
Solution: Mean = (sum of values)/(number of values) = (2 + 4 + 6)/3 = 12/3 = 4.
7. The sum of exterior angles of any convex polygon taken one at each vertex is:
A. 180° B. 360° C. 540° D. Depends on number of sides
Answer: B. 360°
Solution: The sum of exterior angles of any convex polygon is always 360°, regardless of the
number of sides. This is a fundamental property of polygons.
8. Which of the following is a rational number?
A. √3 B. π C. 0.125 D. √7
Answer: C. 0.125
Solution: 0.125 = 125/1000 = 1/8, which is a ratio of integers, making it rational. √3, π, and √7
are all irrational numbers.
9. The decimal expansion of 1/8 is:
A. 0.8 B. 0.125 C. 0.0125 D. 1.25
Answer: B. 0.125
Solution: To find 1/8, we divide: 1 ÷ 8 = 0.125. Alternatively, 1/8 = 1/(2³) = 125/1000 = 0.125.
10. Each interior angle of a regular polygon is 150°. The number of sides of the polygon is:
A. 10 B. 12 C. 15 D. 18
Answer: B. 12
Solution: Each exterior angle = 180° − 150° = 30°. Sum of exterior angles = 360°. Number of
sides = 360°/30° = 12 sides.
11. The median of 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 is:
A. 5 B. 7 C. 9 D. 11
Answer: B. 7
Solution: The median is the middle value when data is arranged in order. The data is already in
ascending order: 3, 5, 7, 9, 11. The middle value (3rd out of 5) is 7.
12. In a right-angled triangle, the square of hypotenuse equals:
A. Sum of other sides B. Difference of squares
C. Sum of squares of other sides D. Product of other sides
Answer: C. Sum of squares of other sides
Solution: This is the Pythagorean theorem: c² = a² + b², where c is the hypotenuse and a, b are
the other two sides.
13. Which is the factor of 6x² + 11x − 10?
A. (3x−2) B. (2x+5) C. (3x+5) D. (2x−5)
Answer: B. (2x+5)
Solution: Factorizing 6x² + 11x − 10: Find two numbers that multiply to (6)(−10) = −60 and
add to 11. These are 15 and −4.
So: 6x² + 15x − 4x − 10 = 3x(2x + 5) − 2(2x + 5) = (3x − 2)(2x + 5).
Therefore, (2x+5) is a factor.
14. If sin θ = 3/5 and θ is acute, then cos θ equals:
A. 4/5 B. 3/4 C. 5/4 D. √(16/25)
Answer: A. 4/5
Solution: Using sin²θ + cos²θ = 1: (3/5)² + cos²θ = 1, so 9/25 + cos²θ = 1. cos²θ = 16/25. Since
θ is acute, cos θ = 4/5 (positive). Note: √(16/25) = 4/5, so option D is also correct but A is
simpler.
15. If the legs of a right triangle are 3 cm and 4 cm, the hypotenuse is:
A. 5 cm B. 6 cm C. 7 cm D. 4 cm
Answer: A. 5 cm
Solution: Using Pythagoras theorem: c² = 3² + 4² = 9 + 16 = 25. Therefore, c = √25 = 5 cm.
16. Assertion: sin 30° = cos 60°
Reason : Complementary angles have equal sine and cosine values.
Answer: Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation.
Solution: sin 30° = 1/2 and cos 60° = 1/2, so the assertion is true. Since 30° + 60° = 90°, they
are complementary angles. For complementary angles θ and (90° − θ), sin θ = cos(90° − θ),
which explains the assertion.

17. Assertion: Trigonometrical ratios can be used to find unknown sides of a right-angled
 triangle.
Reason : These ratios relate the angles of a triangle to its sides.
Answer: Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation.
Solution: Trigonometric ratios (sin, cos, tan) define relationships between angles and side
ratios in right triangles. If we know one angle and one side, we can find unknown sides using
these ratios, making both statements true and the reason explanatory.
18. Assertion : 7/30 has a recurring decimal expansion.
Reason : The denominator has a prime factor other than 2 or 5.
Answer: Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation.
Solution: 30 = 2 × 3 × 5. Since the denominator has factor 3 (other than 2 or 5), 7/30 = 0.2333...
has a recurring decimal.
19. Assertion : A triangle with sides 8 cm, 15 cm and 17 cm is right-angled.
Reason : The square of the largest side equals the sum of squares of the other two sides.
Answer: Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation.
Solution: Check: 17² = 289 and 8² + 15² = 64 + 225 = 289.
Since they are equal, the triangle is right-angled by the converse of Pythagoras theorem, which
is stated in the reason.
20. Assertion : x³ − 27 is factorisable.
Reason : It is a difference of cubes.
Answer: Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation.
Solution: x³ − 27 = x³ − 3³, which is a difference of cubes. Using a³ − b³ = (a − b)(a² + ab + b²):
x³ − 27 = (x − 3)(x² + 3x + 9). The reason correctly identifies the form and explains
factorizability.
Question 2
(a): If x = (√3 + 1)/(√3 − 1), rationalize the denominator and then find the value of x² − 5x + 4.
Solution:
First, rationalize x = (√3 + 1)/(√3 − 1):
Multiply numerator and denominator by (√3 + 1):
x = (√3 + 1)(√3 + 1) / [(√3 − 1)(√3 + 1)]
x = (√3 + 1)² / (3 − 1)
x = (3 + 2√3 + 1) / 2
x = (4 + 2√3) / 2 = 2 + √3
Now find x² − 5x + 4:
x² = (2 + √3)² = 4 + 4√3 + 3 = 7 + 4√3
5x = 5(2 + √3) = 10 + 5√3
x² − 5x + 4 = (7 + 4√3) − (10 + 5√3) + 4
= 7 + 4√3 − 10 − 5√3 + 4
= 1 − √3
Answer: x² − 5x + 4 = 1 − √3
Question 2(b): If a + b = 8 and a − b = 2, find the value of a² + b².
Solution:
Method 1: Using algebraic identities
We know: (a + b)² = a² + 2ab + b² and (a − b)² = a² − 2ab + b²
Adding these: (a + b)² + (a − b)² = 2a² + 2b² = 2(a² + b²)
Therefore: a² + b² = [(a + b)² + (a − b)²] / 2
a² + b² = [8² + 2²] / 2 = [64 + 4] / 2 = 68 / 2 = 34
Method 2: Finding a and b first
a + b = 8 ... (1)
a − b = 2 ... (2)
Adding: 2a = 10, so a = 5
Substituting: 5 + b = 8, so b = 3
Therefore: a² + b² = 5² + 3² = 25 + 9 = 34
Answer: a² + b² = 34
Question 2(c): If a + b = 5 and ab = 6, find the value of a² + b².
Solution:
We know: (a + b)² = a² + 2ab + b²
Rearranging: a² + b² = (a + b)² − 2ab
Given: a + b = 5 and ab = 6
a² + b² = 5² − 2(6) = 25 − 12 = 13
Answer: a² + b² = 13

Question 3(a): In a right triangle, the two shorter sides are in the ratio 3:4. If the hypotenuse
is 25 cm, find the length of the two shorter sides.
Solution:
Let the two shorter sides be 3x and 4x (where x is a constant).
By Pythagoras theorem: (3x)² + (4x)² = 25²
9x² + 16x² = 625
25x² = 625
x² = 25
x = 5 (taking positive value)
Therefore:
First side = 3x = 3(5) = 15 cm
Second side = 4x = 4(5) = 20 cm
Verification: 15² + 20² = 225 + 400 = 625 = 25²
Answer: The two shorter sides are 15 cm and 20 cm.
Question 3(b): Factorise completely: 8x³ − 27y³ + 12x²y − 18xy²
Solution:
First, rearrange the terms:
= 8x³ + 12x²y − 18xy² − 27y³
= (8x³ − 27y³) + (12x²y − 18xy²)
For 8x³ − 27y³, this is a difference of cubes:
8x³ − 27y³ = (2x)³ − (3y)³ = (2x − 3y)(4x² + 6xy + 9y²)
For 12x²y − 18xy²:
= 6xy(2x − 3y)
Combining:
= (2x − 3y)(4x² + 6xy + 9y²) + 6xy(2x − 3y)
= (2x − 3y)(4x² + 6xy + 9y² + 6xy)
= (2x − 3y)(4x² + 12xy + 9y²)
Notice that 4x² + 12xy + 9y² = (2x)² + 2(2x)(3y) + (3y)² = (2x + 3y)²
Answer: (2x − 3y)(2x + 3y)²

Question 3(c): A ladder of length 10 m is placed against a vertical wall. The foot of the ladder
is 6 m away from the wall. Find the height at which the ladder reaches the wall.
Solution:
Let h be the height at which the ladder reaches the wall.
The ladder, wall, and ground form a right triangle where:
- Hypotenuse (ladder) = 10 m
- Base (distance from wall) = 6 m
- Height (what we need to find) = h m
By Pythagoras theorem:
h² + 6² = 10²
h² + 36 = 100
h² = 64
h=8m
Answer: The ladder reaches a height of 8 m on the wall.
Question 4(a): The mean of 8 numbers is 18. One of the numbers is removed and the mean of
the remaining 7 numbers becomes 16. If the removed number is also the median of the original
8 numbers arranged in ascending order, find the removed number and explain why it can be
the median.
Solution:
Step 1: Find the removed number
Sum of 8 numbers = 8 × 18 = 144
Sum of 7 numbers = 7 × 16 = 112
Removed number = 144 − 112 = 32
Step 2: How 32 can be the median?
For 8 numbers arranged in ascending order, the median is the average of the 4th and 5th
numbers.
Median = (4th number + 5th number) / 2
If the removed number 32 is the median, then:
32 = (4th number + 5th number) / 2
4th number + 5th number = 64
This is possible if, for example, the 4th number is 32 and the 5th number is also 32, or any
other pair that sums to 64 (like 30 and 34, 31 and 33, etc.).

Since 32 > 18 (the original mean), it makes sense that removing this larger-than-average value
would decrease the mean from 18 to 16.
Answer: The removed number is 32. It can be the median because the median of 8 numbers is
the average of the 4th and 5th values, which could equal 32.
Question 4(b): ABCD is a parallelogram where diagonal AC and BD intersect at point O. If
∠AOB = 70° and ∠OAB = 40°, find ∠ABC and ∠OBA. Give reasons for each step.
Solution:
Find ∠OBA
In triangle AOB:
∠OAB + ∠AOB + ∠OBA = 180° (angle sum property of triangle)
40° + 70° + ∠OBA = 180°
∠OBA = 180° − 110° = 70°
In a parallelogram, diagonals bisect each other (property of parallelogram).
Therefore, O is the midpoint of both diagonals.
In triangle BOC:
∠BOC = 180° − ∠AOB = 180° − 70° = 110° (linear pair)
Since ABCD is a parallelogram, AB || DC.
∠OAB = ∠OCD = 40° (alternate interior angles)
In triangle BOC:
∠OBC + ∠BOC + ∠OCB = 180°
∠OBC + 110° + 40° = 180°
∠OBC = 30°
Therefore:
∠ABC = ∠ABO + ∠OBC = 70° + 30° = 100°
Answer: ∠OBA = 70° and ∠ABC = 100°
Question 4(c): In a trapezium ABCD, AB is parallel to DC. ∠A = 75° and ∠C = 80°.
Find ∠B and ∠D.
Solution:
Given: AB || DC (AB parallel to DC)
∠A = 75° and ∠C = 80°
Since AB || DC, AD and BC are transversals.
For transversal AD:
∠A and ∠D are co-interior angles (consecutive interior angles)
∠A + ∠D = 180° (co-interior angles sum to 180°)
75° + ∠D = 180°
∠D = 105°
For transversal BC:
∠B and ∠C are co-interior angles
∠B + ∠C = 180°
∠B + 80° = 180°
∠B = 100°
Answer: ∠B = 100° and ∠D = 105°
Question 5(a): In a right triangle ABC, right angled at B, if tan A = 5/12,
find the value of (sin A + cos A) / (sin A − cos A)
Solution:
Given: tan A = 5/12 = opposite/adjacent = BC/AB
Let BC = 5k and AB = 12k (where k is a positive constant)
Using Pythagoras theorem:
AC² = AB² + BC²
AC² = (12k)² + (5k)² = 144k² + 25k² = 169k²
AC = 13k
Now find the trigonometric ratios:
sin A = opposite/hypotenuse = BC/AC = 5k/13k = 5/13
cos A = adjacent/hypotenuse = AB/AC = 12k/13k = 12/13
Calculate the expression:
(sin A + cos A) / (sin A − cos A)
= (5/13 + 12/13) / (5/13 − 12/13)
= (17/13) / (−7/13)
= 17/13 × 13/(−7)
= −17/7
Answer: −17/7

Question 5(b): Solve for θ (where 0° ≤ θ ≤ 360°): 2sin²θ − sinθ − 1 = 0

Solution:
Let sin θ = x
The equation becomes: 2x² − x − 1 = 0
Factorizing:
2x² − 2x + x − 1 = 0
2x(x − 1) + 1(x − 1) = 0
(2x + 1)(x − 1) = 0
Therefore: x = −1/2 or x = 1
sin θ = 1 ; θ = 90°
Question 5(c) –
In triangle ABC, ∠B = 90°. D is a point on BC such that BD = BC/3.
Prove that tan∠BAD = (1/3) tan∠BAC
Solution:
Let AB = h (height) and BC = 3a (so BD = a)
In right triangle ABD:
tan∠BAD = BD/AB = a/h
In right triangle ABC:
tan∠BAC = BC/AB = 3a/h

(1/3) tan∠BAC = (1/3) × (3a/h) = a/h = tan∠BAD

Therefore, tan∠BAD = (1/3) tan∠BAC. Hence proved.
OR
In triangle ABC, ∠C = 90° and AB = 2BC. Prove that ∠A = 30°.
Solution:
Given: ∠C = 90° and AB = 2BC Let BC = a, then AB = 2a
In right triangle ABC:
sin A = opposite/hypotenuse = BC/AB = a/(2a) = 1/2
Since sin A = 1/2 and A is an acute angle (being an angle in a right triangle):
∠A = 30° (as sin 30° = 1/2)
Therefore, ∠A = 30°. Proved.