NUMBER SYSTEM

This is a very important topic in Arithmetic as it deals with all the basic properties of numbers. Questions
from this topic can be of very high difficulty level, and unless you are thorough with fundamental concepts
and properties of numbers, it will be difficult to answer them.
Let us first discuss the basic properties of numbers.
A. Natural Numbers: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,......., the set of natural numbers is denoted by N.
B. Whole Numbers: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,......., the set of whole numbers is denoted by W.
Note: Natural numbers including Zero form the set of whole numbers.
C. Integers:
All positive and negative numbers including zero are together called integers;
the set of integers is denoted by I.
I = {.......,-3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3,.........}
Note: Decimals are not a part of integers and only complete numbers are included.
D. Rational Numbers: Any number in the form p/q, where p and q are both integers and q is not equal to Zero
is called a Rational number. the set of rational numbers is represented by Q.

Ex: 1/3, 5/8. 23/6, etc.
Note: All integers are rational numbers. Zero also can be considered to be a rational number because zero
can be written as (0/2 or 0/100).
Note: Decimals are of four types as follows:
i. Recurring-terminating decimals: Ex: 0.333, 0.125, etc
ii.Recurring-non-terminating decimals. Ex: 0.3333333......, 1.37373737........
iii.Non-recurring terminating decimals. Ex: 2.367, 0.45879, etc.
iv.Non-recurring non-terminating decimals. Ex: 0.23987643..........
Note: All decimals except non-recurring non-terminating decimals can be converted into the form p/q and
hence are rational numbers.
Conversion of Decimals into fractions:
i. Terminating decimals:
Example:
0.333. This can be written as 333/1000
1.9054. This can be written as 19054/10000
; , , 0
p
Q p q I q
q

= e =
`
)
ii. Non-terminating decimals:
As already mentioned earlier, only recurring-non-terminating decimals can be converted into rational
numbers, non-recurring non-terminating decimals cannot be converted into rational numbers.
Example:
Convert 0.3333........... into a rational number.
Sol:
Let 0.3333.......... be equal to X.
So, X = 0.3333..............- Equation I
Multiply both sides with 10 because only one digit 3 is repeated.
We get 10X = 3.3333..............- Equation II
Subtract the Equation (I) from Equation (II).
10 x = 3.333............
x = 0.333............
9 x = 3
x = 3/9 = 1/3
Thus we have converted decimal 0.333.......... =
Note: If two digits are repeated in the decimal, we need to multiply with 100 and if three digits are repeated, we
need to multiply with 1000.
E. Irrational numbers: Numbers which are not rational are said to be irrational numbers.
Example: , etc.
Note: All non-recurring non-terminating decimals are irrational numbers.
Note: We know that = 1.414; and 1.414 is a rational number, since it can be written as 1414/1000.
So, we might get a doubt as to whether is also a rational number.
The actual value of is not 1.414, it is only an approximate value. We can say that is only an
approximate value because, if we square 1.414, we dont get back 2. And, if we observe the actual decimal
value of , we find that it is a non-recurring non-terminating decimal, and hence, is not a rational
number, but is an irrational number.
Similarly, is also an irrational number.

0.3
2, 3
2
2
2
2
3
Note: We know that = 3.14; which can be written as 314/100, which is a rational number. So, we might get a
doubt whether is a rational number. But we need to understand that 3.14 is only the approximate value
of , and is not the exact value.
Even if we take = 22/7, let us divide 22 with 7 and see what decimal we get.
7) 22 ( 3.142857142857-------
21
10
7
30
28
20
14
60
56
40
35
50
49
1

We observe that the digits 142857 are repeated again and again as we go on dividing 22 with 7. So, the
decimal we get is a recurring-non-terminating decimal, and is hence a rational number.
But again, 22/7 is only an approximate value of and is not the exact value; if we calculate the actual
value of , we find that it is actually a non-recurring non-terminating decimal, and hence is not a rational
number. Thus, is also an irrational number.
F. Real Numbers: All the numbers we have discussed till now, together are called as Real numbers; the set of real
numbers is denoted by R.
G. Imaginary numbers: Any number, which is in the form of i
2
= -1 means i = is called an imaginary number
Note: The square root of any negative number is an imaginary number. Imaginary numbers may also be classified
as Complex numbers.
H. Even Numbers: Any number, which is exactly divisible by 2 is said to be an even number.
Any number, it consists in its units place any one of the digit from 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8 is called an even number
Example:
2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 24, 268, etc
Note: Zero is also divisible by 2, so we might get a doubt whether it is also even number. Please remember that we
use the two terms even and odd with respect to natural numbers only.
Note: The smallest even number is 2.
I. Odd Numbers: Any number, which is not exactly divisible by 2 is an odd number.
Any number, it consists in its units place any one of the digit from 1, 3, 5, 7, or 9 is called an odd number
Example:
t
t
t
t
3.142857 t =
t
t
t
1
5, 13, 17, 29, 81, etc.
Note: The smallest odd number is 1.
J. Prime Numbers: A number, which does not have any other factor except 1 and itself is said to be a prime
number.
Example: 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11,13, 17, 19, 23, 29, 31, 37, 41, 43, 47, 53, 59, 61, 67, 71, 73, 79, 83, 89, 97...etc
Note: 2 is the smallest prime number.
Note: 2 is the only even number which is also a prime number. No other even number is a prime number
Note :upto 100, 25 prime numbers are there.
K. Composite Numbers: A number, which has at least one factor other than 1 and itself is said to be a composite
number.
Example:
4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 15, 33, 140, etc.
Note: 1 is neither a prime number nor a composite number.
L. Relatively Prime Numbers: Two numbers, which do not have any other common factor except 1 are said to be
relatively prime.
Example:
8 and 9; 16 and 25
Let us take 8 and 9.
Factors for 8 are: 1, 2, 4, and 8
Factors for 9 are: 1, 3, and 9
So, the common factor for 8 and 9 is 1 only, there is no other common factor for them.
So, 8 and 9 are said to be relatively prime numbers.
Similarly we can conclude for 16 and 25 also.
Note: 5, 6 and 7 are three relatively prime numbers.
Note: Relatively prime numbers does not mean that the numbers are prime numbers, the numbers can be
composite numbers also, as we have seen in the case of 8 and 9 and also 16 and 25.
But if we compare both of them their common factor should be 1 only; then they can be called as
relatively prime numbers.
Face Value and Place Value of a digit:
Let us consider the number 54321. This is a 5-digit number.
We read it as fifty four thousand three hundred and twenty one.
This is because the digit 5 is in ten-thousands place, 4 is in thousands place, 3 is in hundreds place, 2 is in
tens place and 1 is in ones place.
Face Value is also called as Absolute Value of a digit, The unchanged value of a digit is known as its absolute
value.
If the value of the digit is not absolute, it is called Local value of the digit.
Ex: In the number 37489, the absolute value of 4 is 4; the absolute value of 8 is 8.
The local value of 4 is 400; the local value of 8 is 80.
Note: In any number, the value of units digit is equal to its absolute value.
Example:
Find the difference between the Place value and face value of the digit 5 in the number 45678.
Sol: Place value of 5 in 45678 is 5000; the face value is 5.
Therefore, the required value = 5000 - 5 = 4995.
Note:0' is called insignificant digit, where as the other digits from 1 to 9 are called significant digits.
The value of the digit itself is called its Face value and the value obtained by multiplying the face value of a
digit with the value of the place in which it is present is called its Place value.
So, in the number 54321, the face value of 4 is 4 and that of 5 is 5.
The place value of 5 is: 5(10000) = 50000
The place value of 4 is: 4(1000) = 4000
The place value of 3 is: 3(100) = 300
The place value of 2 is: 2(10) = 20
The place value of 1 is: 1(1) = 1
By adding place values of all the digits, we get the total value of the number as 54321.
Note:
i. Single-digit numbers are: 1 to 9: 9 numbers
ii. 2-digit numbers are: 10 to 99: 90 numbers
iii. 3-digit numbers are: 100 to 999: 900 numbers
iv. 4-digit numbers are: 1000 to 9999: 9000 numbers
v. 5-digit numbers are: 10000 to 99999: 90000 numbers
Based on the above concept, questions can be asked in different ways. Let us see some examples:
Example: How many times is the digit 8 used in writing all numbers from 600 to 900?
Sol: All these numbers from 600 to 900 are 3-digit numbers. So, each number will have three places: Units
place, Tens place and Hundreds place.
First let us consider numbers from 600 to 699.
All these numbers are starting with the digit 6 and so, the digit 8 is not used at all in the hundreds place.
When we consider numbers: 680, 681, 682, 683, 684, 685, 686, 687, 688, and 689, in all these numbers, the
digit 8 is used in the tens place TEN times.
When we consider the numbers: 608, 618, 628, 638, 648, 658, 668, 678, 688 and 698, in all these numbers,
the digit 8 is used in the units place TEN times.
Thus, when we write all numbers from 600 to 699, the digit 8 is totally used 20 times (0 times in the
hundreds place, 10 times in the tens place and 10 times in the units place)
Similarly, we can calculate the number of times 8 is used in writing numbers from 700 to 799 and then 800
to 899.
This data can be represented as follows:
600 - 699 700 - 799 800 - 899
H T U H T U H T U
0 10 10 0 10 10 100 10 10
20 times 20 times 120 times
Thus, the total number of times the digit 8 is used in writing numbers from 600 to 900 is:
(20 + 20 + 120) = 160
times
Example: How many times should the keyboard of a computer be pressed to type all numbers from 1 to 500?
Sol: We need to type all numbers from 1 to 500.
If we want to type the number 8 we need to press the key having the digit 8on it, which means, we have
to press the keyboard once. Similarly, if we want to type the number 53, we need to first press the key
with the digit 5 on it and then we have to press the key with the digit 3 on it, which means, we need to
press the keyboard twice.
Thus, for every single digit number, we need to press the keyboard once, for every 2-digit number; we need
to press twice, for every 3-digit number, thrice, and so on. This data can be represented as follows:
Single digit numbers: 1 to 9: 9 numbers: 9(1) = 9 times
2-digit numbers: 10 to 99: 90 numbers: 90(2) = 180 times
3-digit numbers: 100 to 500: 401 numbers: 401(3) = 1203 times
TOTAL: 1392 times
Thus, we have to press the keyboard of a computer 1392 times to type all numbers from 1 to 500.
Note: If we want to calculate the number of numbers from 10 to 99, it is equal to (99 10) + 1
= 89 + 1 = 90 numbers.
We should add 1 because the starting number 10 is also included.
Similarly, the number of numbers from 100 to 900 = (900-100) + 1 = 800 + 1 = 801 numbers.
Some formulae based on natural numbers:
Sum of the first n natural numbers = 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + ..... + n =
( ) 1
2
n n
n
+
=
Average of the first n natural numbers =
( ) 1
2
n
n
n
+

=
Sum of the squares of first n natural numbers = 1
2
+ 2
2
+ 3
2
+ 4
2
+ .... + n
2
( )( )
2
1 2 1
6
n n n
n
+ +
=


Average of the squares of first n natural numbers =
2
n
n

=
( )( ) 1 2 1
6
n n + +

Sum of the cubes of first n natural numbers =
( )
2
3
n n =
1
3
+ 2
3
+ 3
3
+ 4
3
+ ...+ n
3
=
( ) ( )
2 2
2
1 1
2 4
n n n n + ( +
=
(


Average of the cubes of first n natural numbers =
( )
2
3
1
4
n n n
n
+
=
Sum of the first consecutive n even natural numbers = n(n + 1)
Average of the first consecutive n even natural numbers = (n + 1)
Sum of the first consecutive n odd natural numbers = n
2

Average of the first consecutive n odd natural number = n
Example:
In a pond, the number of leaves of a lotus plant keep increasing by one every day. i.e., 1 leaf on the first
day, 2 leaves on the second day, 3 leaves on the fourth day, and so on. Find the total number of leaves by
the end of 250 days.
Sol: The total number of leaves = 1 + 2 + 3 + ......... + 250
= n(n+1)/2 = 250(251)/2 = 125(251) = 31375.
Example:
Find the sum of all the odd numbers starting from 1 and ending up to the greatest 4-digit number.
Sol: Greatest 4-digit number is 9999. We need to find the sum of all odd numbers from 1 to 9999, which are
totally 9999 in number.
As we know, 9999 is an odd number and hence there are 1/2 (9999+1) = 5000 odd numbers.
The sum of these 5000 odd numbers = (5000)
2
= 25000000.
Note: Let us consider the first n natural numbers. If n is even, then there will be (n/2) odd numbers and n/2 even
numbers.
If n is odd, then there will be (n + 1)/2 odd numbers and (n 1)/2 even numbers.
Example:
Find the sum of the first 60 multiples of 48.
Sol: The required sum = 48(1) + 48(2) + 48(3) + 48(4) +.......+ 48(60)
= 48(1 + 2 + 3 + ....... + 60)
= 48(60 x 61/2)= 48 x 30 x 61 = 87840
Note: Sum of the first P multiples of Q = Q(sum of the first P natural numbers)
= Q[P(P + 1)/2] = QP(P + 1)/2
Note: The sum of two consecutive numbers is always an odd number and the difference of two consecutive
numbers is always 1. Hence, the difference between the squares of two consecutive numbers is always an
odd number.
Thus, if P and Q are two consecutive numbers, then (P
2
Q
2
) = (P + Q)(P Q)
= (P + Q)(1) = (P + Q).
Note: The difference of the squares of two consecutive numbers is always equal to the sum of the two consecutive
numbers.
Note: In general, the number of n digit numbers is 9(10)
(n-1)
.
Relation between Dividend, Divisor, Quotient and Remainder:
Let us divide the number 35 with 4:
4) 35 (8
32
3
From the above division, we can write: 35 = (4)(8) + 3
Here, 35 is called the Dividend, 4 is called the Divisor, 8 is the Quotient and 3 is the Remainder.
Hence, Dividend = (Divisor)(Quotient) + Remainder
Note: Dividend = Divisor (Quotient) + Remainder
Divisor = (Dividend - Remainder) / Quotient
Quotient = (Dividend - Remainder) / Divisor.
Note: When the second divisor is a factor of the first divisor, the second remainder is obtained by dividing the first
remainder by the second divisor.
Note: The remainder obtained by dividing a given number by the method of successive division is called Complete
Remainder.
Example:
Find the number nearest to 16438, which is exactly divisible by 4 as well as 7.
Sol: Any number, which is exactly divisible by both 4 and 7, is also divisible by 28.
Divide 16438 by 28.
28) 16438 (587
140
243
224
198
196
2
The remainder is 2, which is less than half the divisor.
The number nearest to 16438 which is exactly divisible by both 4 and 7 is
(16438 - 2) = 16436.
Note: To find the nearest number to P, which is exactly divisible by Q, find the remainder obtained by dividing P
with Q; let the remainder be R.
Now, if R is less than half the divisor Q, then the nearest number is P - R and if R is more than half the
divisor Q, then the nearest number is P + (Q-R). Observe that if R is equal to half the divisor Q, then the
question cannot be asked.
Note: If two numbers, when divided by a third number give the same remainders, then the difference between the
two numbers is also divisible by the third number.
Successive Division:
Consider the following sequence of divisions:
5) 144 (28 3) 28 (9 7) 9 (1
140 27 7
4 1 2
First, we divided 144 with 5, getting quotient as 28 and remainder 4.
Next we divided 28 (the quotient in the first case) with 3 and got the remainder 1.
Then we divided 9 (the quotient) in the second case with 7 and got the remainder 2.
This method of division, where the quotient in each case is taken as the dividend in the next case is called
successive division or continuous division.
Based on this concept, the question can be asked as follows:
Example:
When a number is successively / continuously divided by 5, 3 and 7, it gives remainders 4, 1 and 2
respectively. Find the remainder when the same number is divided by 105.
Sol: The divisors are given as 5, 3 and 7; the remainders are given as 4, 1 and 2 respectively.
Using the concept of successive division, let us assume that Q
1
, Q
2
and Q
3
are quotients in each case
respectively.
The values of Q
1
, Q
2
and Q
3
are not given in the question, but as it is successive division, we can conclude
that the Quotient in each case becomes the dividend in the next case.
Thus, we can say that Q
1
= 28, Q
2
= 9. But, we do not know the value of Q
3
from the question; so, we cannot
calculate the original number.
But, observe that the three divisors 5,3 and 7 are Relatively Prime and the final divisor 105 is their LCM.
(Least Common Multiple).
In this case, to find the required remainder, we can directly use the formula: (d
1
d
2
r
3
+ d
1
r
2
+ r
1
),
where d
1
, d
2
and d
3
are the three divisors and r
1
, r
2
and r
3
are the three remainders respectively.
From the given data, d
1
= 5, d
2
= 3, d
3
= 7 and r
1
= 4, r
2
= 1 and r
3
= 2.
Thus, the required answer = (d
1
d
2
r
3
+ d
1
r
2
+ r
1
)
= (5)(3)(2) + (5)(1) + 4
= 30 + 5 + 4 = 39
Note: If there are only two divisors d
1
, d
2
and two remainders r
1
and r
2
, then we need to use the formula: (d
1
r
2
+ r
1
).
Factor and Multiple of a Number:
If we consider the numbers 2 and 8,
2 exactly divides 8, or we can say that 8 is exactly divisible by 2.
Then, 2 is called the factor of 8 and 8 is called the multiple of 2.
The multiples of 2 are: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, etc
The factors of 8 are: 1, 2, 4, 8.
So, out of two numbers P and Q, if P is exactly divisible by Q,
then P is said to be a Multiple of Q and Q is said to be the Factor of P.
Factors of 30 are: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 10, 15, and 30.
Multiples of 30 are: 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, 210, etc.
Perfect Square:
The square of a natural number is called to be a perfect square.
For example, let us consider the number 144, which can be written as (12)?. Thus, 144 is said to be a perfect
square. Similarly, 1296 is also a perfect square as it can be written as (36)?.
Note: Numbers like 72, 140, 250 are not perfect squares, as they cannot be written as squares of any other
numbers.
Let us now find the factors of 144. They are: 1, 2, 3, 4, ..etc.
144 can be written as: (9)(16) = (3)
2
(2)
4
(3 square and 2 to the power of 4)
Observe that both the base numbers (2 and 3) are prime numbers and the powers (2 and 4) are even
numbers. As both the powers are even numbers, 144 is a perfect square.
Note: If a number can be written in the form [(P)
m
][(Q)
n
], where P and Q are prime numbers, then if m and n
are both even numbers, then the number is a perfect square.
900 can be written as [(2)
2
][(3)
2
][(5)
2
]. As all the powers are even numbers, 900 is a perfect square.
Note: A number, which is a perfect square, cannot end with 2, 3, 7 or 8.
Example:
Find the least number with which 180 should be multiplied to get a perfect square.
Sol: Let us write the given number 180 in the form [(P)
m
][(Q)
n
], where P and Q are prime numbers.
180 = [(2)
2
][(3)
2
][(5)
1
]
The powers of 2 and 3 are both even but the power of 5 is 1, which is not an even number, not odd.
But, for a perfect square, all the powers should be even.
Hence, the power of 5 also should be made even.
So, if we multiply with another 5, the power of 5 will become (5)
2
; 2 is even.
Hence, 180 should be multiplied with 5 to get a perfect square.
Observe that (180)(5) = 900, a perfect square.
Case 1: When P is a number ending in 0, 1, 5 or 6, the number in the units place of (P)
Q
will also be 0, 1, 5 and 6
respectively, for all possible values of Q.
Example:
The digit in the units place of (3050)
28
is 0
The digit in the units place of (6941)
35
is 1
The digit in the units place of (9025)
76
is 5
The digit in the units place of (5676)
432
is 6
Case 2: When P is a number ending either in 4 or 9:
We know that (4)
1
= 4, (4)
2
= 16, (4)
3
= 64, (4)
4
= 256, and so on, which implies that when the power is an odd
number, the units place digit is 4 and when the power is even number, the units place digit is 6.
Example:
(564)
238
contains 6 in the units place because the power 238 is even and (724)
431
contains 4 in the units place
because the power 431 is odd.
Similarly, (9)
n
contains 9 in the units place when n is odd and 1 in the units place when n is even.
So, the digit in the units place of (389)
23
is 9 and the digit in the units place of (649)
34
is 1.
Case 3: When P is a number ending in 2, 3, 7 or 8:
Divide the power Q by 4 and replace the power Q by the remainder 1, 2, 3 or 0.
Example:
(2343)
74
: 2343 ends in 3. So, divide 74 by 4, we get the remainder 2. Now, replacing the power 74 by 2, we
get (2343)
2
, which ends in 9.
Note: The same method can be applied for any number ending in 2, 3, 7 or 8.
Rules of Divisibility: These rules help us to know whether a given number is divisible by a certain divisor, without
performing the actual division.
For 2: Any number which has either 0 or an even number (2, 4, 6 or 8) in its units place is divisible by 2. Or, we can
say that if the digit in the units place of a number is divisible by 2, then the number is also divisible by 2.
Ex: 32, 74, 98, 240, 546, etc.
For 3: If the sum of all the digits in a number is divisible by 3, then the number is divisible by 3.
Ex: 4569: 4 + 5 + 6 + 9 = 24, which is divisible by 3 and hence 4569 is also divisible by 3.
For 4: If the last two digits of a number is divisible by 4, then the number is divisible by 4.
Ex: 632: the last two digits are 32, which is a number divisible by 4.
For 5: If the units place digit is either 0 or 5, then the number is divisible by 5.
Ex: 655, 84530.
For 6: If a number is divisible by both 2 and 3, then it is also divisible by 6. Or, we can say that any even number,
which is divisible by 3, is also divisible by 6.
Ex: 636
Note: observe that 2 and 3 are both relatively prime numbers; only such set of numbers can be used while
checking the divisibility of a number.
For 7: Actual division is applicable.
For 8: If the last three digits of a number form a number divisible by 8, then the number is divisible by 8.
Ex: 23456 is divisible by 8 because the last three digits are: 456, which is divisible by 8.
For 9: If the sum of all the digits in a number is divisible by 9, then the number is also divisible by 9.
Ex: 67347.
For 10: If a number ends in 0, then it is divisible by 10.
Ex: 3450
For 11: If the sum of the digits in the odd places of a number is equal to the sum of the digits in the even places, or
if the two sums differ by a number divisible by 11, then the given number is divisible by 11.
Ex:1) 14641: Sum of digits in odd places = 1 + 6 + 1 = 8, sum of digits in even places = 4 + 4 = 8. Both the
sums are equal; so the number is divisible by 11.
Ex:2) 759: Sum of odd places = 7 + 9 = 16, sum of even places = 5. The difference of the sums
= 16 5 = 11, which is divisible by 11. Hence, 759 is divisible by 11.
For 12: Any number, which is divisible by both 3 and 4, is also divisible by 12.
Ex: 744 is divisible by both 3 and 4 and hence is divisible by 12 also.
Observe that 3 and 4 are also relatively prime. Also note that though 2 and 6 are also factors for 12, they
cannot be used to check the divisibility by 12 as they are not relatively prime.
For 14: Any number, which is divisible by both 2 and 7, is also divisible by 14.
For 15: Any number, which is divisible by both 3 and 5, is also divisible by 15.
For 16: If the last 4 digits of a number form a number divisible by 16, then the number is also divisible by 16.
Ex: 238000:8000 is divisible by 16, and hence we can conclude that 238000 is also divisible by 16.
For 18: Any number, which is divisible by both 2 and 9, is also divisible by 18.
Ex: 720.
Observe here that though 3 and 6 are also factors for 18, they cannot be used to check the divisibility for 18,
as they are not relatively prime.
For 20: Any number, which is divisible by both 4 and 5, is also divisible by 20.
For 21: Any number, which is divisible by both 3 and 7, is also divisible by 21.
For 22: Any number, which is divisible by both 2 and 11, is also divisible by 22.
For 24: Any number, which is divisible by both 3 and 8, is also divisible by 24.
Note that (2, 12) and (4,6) cannot be used to check the divisibility by 24, as they are not relatively prime
pairs.
For 25: If the last two digits of a number form a number divisible by 25, then the number is also divisible by 25. Or,
if a number ends with either 00 or 25 or 50 or 75, then it is divisible by 25.
For 26: Any number which is exactly divisible by both 2 and 13 is also divisible by 26.
For 28: Any number which is divisible by 4 and 7 is also divisible by 28.
For 30: Any number which is divisible by both 2 and 15 is also divisible by 30. Note that we can also use (3, 10) and
(5, 6) to check the divisibility by 30, as they are also relatively prime pairs.
Example:
Find the least value of P so that the number 60748P is exactly divisible by 2.
Sol: We know that any number that is divisible by 2 should end with a digit divisible by 2. Hence, the least
possible value for P is 0.
Example:
Find the least value of Q so that the number 45376Q is exactly divisible by 3.
Sol: For a number to be divisible by 3, we know that the sum of all the digits in it should be divisible by 3.
4 + 5 + 3 + 7 + 6 + Q = 25 + Q.
For this to be divisible by 3, the least value possible for Q is 2.
Fractions:
A fraction is part of a quantity. The upper part of a fraction is called the Numerator and the lower part is
called the Denominator.
Example:
In two-sevenths (2/7), 2 is the numerator and 7 is the denominator.
A fraction in which the numerator is less than the denominator is called a Proper fraction or Vulgar fraction
or Common Fraction.
Example:
2/7, 5/6, 3/11, etc.
A fraction in which the numerator is more than the denominator is called an Improper Fraction.

Example:
7/2, 6/5, 11/3, etc.
An improper fraction can be converted into a Mixed Fraction.
Example:
7/2 can be written as . This is called a Mixed Fraction.
A fraction whose denominator is a multiple of 10 is called a Decimal Fraction.
Example:
3/10, 43/100, etc.
A fraction is always expressed in its lowest terms.
This is done by canceling all common factors for the numerator and the denominator.
Example:
44/60 can be written as 11/15.
Comparison of Fractions:
Fractions can be compared in any of the following three methods:
a. Decimal Method:
Example:
let us take the fractions 2/3, 4/5, 5/6
By dividing, we find that 2/3 = 0.666....., 4/5 = 0.8, 5/6 = 0.83
Thus, we can say 2/3 < 4/5 < 5/6.
b. LCM method:
Example:
Let us take the same fractions: 2/3, 4/5, 5/6
LCM for the denominators is 30.
Thus, taking the LCM and converting numerator into number of times the denominator divides the LCM, we
get: 20, 24, 25.
Thus, we can again conclude that 2/3 < 4/5 < 5/6.
c. Cross Multiplication Method:
Example:
Let us again take the same fractions: 2/3, 4/5, 5/6
First if we cross multiply 2/3 and 4/5 ,
we get (2)(5) = 10 and (4)(3) = 12.
As 10<12, we can conclude that 2/3 < 4/5.
Similarly, we can compare 4/5 and 5/6 and also 5/6 and 2/3,
which will help us to finally conclude that 2/3 < 4/5 < 5/6.
WORKED OUT EXAMPLES
1. Ajay saves Rs.1 on the first day of the year, Rs.2 on the second day of the year. Rs.3 on the
third day of the year and so on. How muh money will be saved by Ajay at the end of the year
(leap year)?
Sol: There are 366 days in a leap year. This problem is to add first 366 natural numbers.
The total amount which is going to be saved by Ajay at the end of the year
= Rs(1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + - - - - + 366)
we know that sum of the first n natural number is
( ) 1
2
n n +

here n = 366
=
367
366
2
= Rs.67161
2. Naveen saves Rs. 2 on 1st February in the year 1988. Rs 4 on 2nd February, Rs 6 on 3rd,
Rs.8 on 4th and so on. If Naveen continues to save this way, how much money will be saved by
him at the end of the month?
(Note: 1988 being a leap year, there are 29 days in February)
Sol: A leap year will have 29 days in February
It is reaquired to find that
= 2 + 4 + 6 + 8 + - - - - - - - - + 56 + 58
= 2(1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + - - - - - + 28 + 29)
=
29 30
2
2
| |

|
\ .
[ sum of first n natural numbers is
( ) 1
2
n n +

here n = 29]
= 870
Naveen saves Rs.870 at the end of the month.
Short cut:
Sum of first n even natural numbers = n (n + 1);
In the above problem n = 29
29 30 = Rs.870.
3. Saikumar saves one coin of Rs.5 on first day of the week, three coins of Rs.5 on the second
day of the week. Five coins of Rs.5 on third day and so on. How much money will he have at
the end of the week?
Sol: At theend of the week, the number of Rs.5 coins with Saikumar
= sum of first seven odd numbers = 7
2
( sum of first n odd natural numbers = n
2
)
= 49 coins
Sum of money with Saikumar = 49 (Rs.5)
= Rs.245.

4. Two numbers are such that their sum is 16 and their product is 55. Find the sum of their
reciprocals?
Sol: Let x and y be the two numbers;
from the given data 16 x y + = and 55 xy = ;
It is required to find the value of
1 1 x y
x y xy
+
+ =
=
16
55
ans.
5. There are two numbers such that the sum of twice the first and thrice the second is 18, while
the sum of thrice the first and twice the second is 17. The greater of the two numbers is?
Sol: Let the two numbers be x and y;
from the given data
2 3 18 x y + = (1) and 3 2 17 x y + = (2)
solving (1) & (2)
we get x = 3 and y = 4
Greater number is 4 ans.

6. Tyson is engaged for 30 days on the condition that he receives Rs.25 for each day he works
and is fined Rs.7.50 for each day he is absent. He gets Rs.425 in all. For howmany days was
he absent?
Sol: Let x be the number of days on which Tyson was absent Tyson works for (30 x) days;
from the given data
(30 x)25 (x) 7.5 = 425
750 25 x 7.5 x = 425
32.5 x = 325
x = 10
Tyson was absent for 10 days.

7. A number is as much greater than 3421 as it is less than 5307. The number is?
Sol: Let the number be x.
from the given data
x 3421 = 5307 x
2x = 8728 x = 4364
8. Rs.24 is devided into two parts such that 7 times the first part added to 5 times the second part
makes 146. The first part is?
Sol: Let the first part be Rs.x; then the other part will be (24 x) Rs.
from the given data
7(x) + 5(24 x) = 146
7x + 120 5x = 146
2x = 26
x = 13
first part = Rs.13
9. Difference of the squares of two positive numbers is 44 and the difference of the numbers itself
is 4. Find the sum of the two numbers?
Sol: Let the two numbers be x and y
from the given data

2 2
44 x y = and 4 x y =
we know that
( ) ( )( )
2 2
x y x y x y = +

( ) x y + i.e sum of two numbers =
2 2
x y
x y

=
44
11
4
=
Sum of the two numbers = 11
10. Two numbers are such that sum of their square is 169 and their sum is 17. Find the product of
the two numbers?
Sol: Let the two numbers be x and y
from the given data

2 2
169 x y + = and 17 x y + =
we know that

( )
2
2 2
2 x y x y xy + = + +
( )
2
17 169 2xy = +
289 = 169 + 2xy
2xy = 289- 169
x y = 60 Product of two number = 60
11. Anudeep spends
1
5
of his salary to pocket expense,
4
5
of the remainder to meet other expenses.
If his monthly savings amount to Rs.12.50, find his monthly salary?
Sol: Let Anudeeps salary be Rs.x
Anudeep spends
1
5
x, so
4
5
x
is left with him.
Again
4
5
of
4
5
x
is spent, therefore the money left with him =
1
5
of
4
5
x

from the given data
=
4
25
x
= 12.50
x = Rs.78.125
Anudeeps monthly salary is Rs.78.125 p
12. Ashwini was asked to find the value of
7
12
of a sum of money. Instead of multiplying the sum by
7
12

, she devided it by
7
12
and thus her answer exceeded the correct answer by Rs.95. Find the
correct answer.
Sol: Let x be the sum
Ashwini was supposed to find
7
12
x
, but she did
7 12
12 7
x
x
| |
=
|
\ .

from the given data

12 7
95
7 12
x x
=
144 49
95
84
x
| |
=
|
\ .
95
95
84
x
| |
=
|
\ .
84 x =

sum = Rs.84
correct answer = Rs.
7
84
12
= Rs.49
13. Arundathi read
3
8
of a book on one day and
4
5
of the remainder another day. If there are now
30 pages unread, how many pages did the book contain and howmany pages did she read on
2nd day?
Sol: Let the book contain x pages
from the given data
3 4
1 30
8 5
x x
| | | |
=
| |
\ . \ .


5 1
30
8 5
x
= 240 x =
The book contains 240 pages
The number of pages read by Arundathi on 2nd day =
3 4
240 1
8 5
| |

|
\ .

= 240
30
5 4
8 5

= 120 pages
14. Bhavana was asked to multiply a certain number by 25. She multiplied it by 52 and got her
answer more by 324 than the correct answer. The number multiplied was?
Sol: Let the number be x
Bhavana was supposed to find 25x, but she did 52 52 x x =
from the given data
52 x 25 x = 324
27 x = 324
x = 12
The number is 12.
15. Two siblings Aruna, Avinash walk round a circular track 600 metres in circumference. Aruna
walks at the rate of 75 metres per minute, and Avinash at the rate of 40 metres per minute. If
they start at the same time from the same point and walk in the same direction, when will they
first be together again at the starting point?
Sol: Aruna makes one complete round of the circle in
600
8
75
= min
Avinash makes one complete round of the circle in
600
15
40
= min
That is after every 8 min Aruna is at the starting point and after every 15 minutes Avinash is at
the starting point.
Hence the required time is L.C.M of 8 and 15 minutes which is 120 min or 2 hr
After 2 hrs they both meet at the starting point for the first time.

16. Three friends Narendar, Aryan, Akshay running round a circular track and they complete a
revolution in 24 minutes, 30 minutes and 45 minutes respectively. If they start from the same
point and in the same direction, after what time they will again meet together?
Sol: Required time = L.C.M of 24, 30 and 45 minutes
= 360 minutes or 6 hours

Narendar, Aryan, Akshay will meet together after 6 hours.

17. The L.C.M of two numbers is 2079 and their H.C.F is 27. If one number is 189, find the other
number?
Sol: Product of two numbers = Product of their H.C.F and L.C.M
(The required number) (Given number) = 27 2079
The required number =
27 2079
189
7
= 297.