Number System & Arithmetic Complete Notes, Examples & 25 MCQs for Competitive Exams
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Number System And Arithmetic | Complete Notes, Examples & 25 MCQs for Competitive Exams

✅ NUMBER SYSTEM & ARITHMETIC – BRIEF DESCRIPTION

1. Types of Numbers

  • Natural Numbers are the basic counting numbers used for counting objects and ordering things.
  • They start from 1 and go on infinitely (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, … ∞).
  • Natural numbers do not include zero, fractions, decimals, or negative numbers.

EXAMPLES

  • 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, …
  • Counting Example: If you count books: 1 book, 2 books, 3 books… — these are natural numbers.
  •  
  • Whole Numbers are the numbers that start from 0 and include all natural (counting) numbers.
  • They do not include fractions, decimals, or negative numbers.
  • Whole numbers extend infinitely in the positive direction.

EXAMPLES

  • 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, …
  • Example in daily life: Number of pages read today can be 0, 1, 2, 3…, which are whole numbers.
  • Integers are numbers that include all positive numbers, all negative numbers, and zero.
  • They do not include fractions or decimals.
  • Integers extend infinitely in both the positive and negative directions.

EXAMPLES

  • …, –5, –4, –3, –2, –1, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, …
  • Real-life example: Temperature can be –3°C, 0°C, 5°C, etc.—all of which are integers.
  • Rational Numbers are numbers that can be written in the form p/q, where p and q are integers and q ≠ 0.
  • They include fractions, integers, terminating decimals, and repeating decimals.

EXAMPLES

  • 3/4, –5/2, 0.75, 2, –1.333… (–4/3)
  • Real-life example: If you divide a pizza into 4 equal parts, each person gets 1/4, which is a rational number.
  • Irrational Numbers are numbers that cannot be written in the form p/q, where p and q are integers.
    Their decimal expansion is non-terminating and non-repeating.
  • These numbers cannot be expressed as simple fractions.

EXAMPLES

  • √2, √3, π, e, 0.1010010001…
  • Real-life example: The value of π (3.141592…) used to measure circles is an irrational number because its decimal never ends or repeats.
  • Real Numbers include all rational and irrational numbers.
  • They cover every number that can be represented on the number line, including
    fractions, integers, decimals, terminating decimals, repeating decimals, and non-terminating non-repeating decimals.

EXAMPLES

  • Rational: 5, –3, 1/2, 0.75
  • Irrational: √2, π, √5
  • Real-life example: The length of a table can be 1.5 m, 2 m, or even √2 m — all of these are real numbers.
  • Prime Numbers are numbers greater than 1 that have exactly two factors: 1 and the number itself.
  • This means a prime number cannot be divided evenly by any other number.

EXAMPLES

  • 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, …
  • Real-life example: If a number like 13 can only be divided by 1 and 13, it is a prime number.
  • Composite Numbers are numbers greater than 1 that have more than two factors.
  • This means they can be divided evenly by 1, the number itself, and at least one more number.

EXAMPLES

  • 4 → factors: 1, 2, 4
  • 6 → factors: 1, 2, 3, 6
  • 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, …
  • Real-life example: The number 12 is composite because it can be divided by 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 12.
  • Co-prime Numbers (also called relatively prime numbers) are two numbers that have no common factor other than 1.
  • Their HCF (Highest Common Factor) is 1, even if the numbers themselves are not prime.

EXAMPLES

  • 8 and 15 → factors of 8: 1,2,4,8; factors of 15: 1,3,5,15 → common factor = 1
  • 9 and 20 → common factor = 1
  • Real-life example: If two people pick numbers 7 and 10 for a game, those numbers are co-prime because they share only 1 as a common factor.
  • Even Numbers are numbers that are exactly divisible by 2.
  • They always end in 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8.

EXAMPLES

  • 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12…
  • Real-life example: A packet containing 8 chocolates can be divided equally between 2 friends — so 8 is even.
  • Odd Numbers are numbers that are not divisible by 2.
  • They always end in 1, 3, 5, 7, or 9.

EXAMPLES

  • 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11…
  • Real-life example: If you have 7 apples, you cannot divide them equally between 2 people — so 7 is odd.

2. Place Value & Face Value

  • Face Value of a digit is the actual value of the digit itself, no matter where it appears in the number.

EXAMPLES : In 582

  • Face value of 8 = 8
  • Face value of 5 = 5
  • Place Value of a digit depends on its position in the number (ones, tens, hundreds, thousands, etc.).

EXAMPLES: In 582

  • Place value of 8 = 80 (because it is in the tens place)
  • Place value of 5 = 500 (because it is in the hundreds place)

3. Divisibility Rules

  • A number is divisible by 2 if its last digit (units digit) is 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8.
  • Such numbers are always even numbers.

EXAMPLES:

  • 128 → last digit 8 →  Divisible by 2
  • 450 → last digit 0 →  Divisible by 2
  • 732 → last digit 2 →  Divisible by 2
  • 915 → last digit 5 →  Not divisible by 2
  • 487 → last digit 7 →  Not divisible by 2
  • A number is divisible by 3 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 3.

EXAMPLES:

  • 123 → 1 + 2 + 3 = 6 (6 is divisible by 3) →  Divisible
  • 345 → 3 + 4 + 5 = 12 (12 is divisible by 3) →  Divisible
  • 510 → 5 + 1 + 0 = 6 (6 is divisible by 3) →  Divisible
  • 224 → 2 + 2 + 4 = 8 (8 is not divisible by 3) →  Not divisible
  • 731 → 7 + 3 + 1 = 11 (11 is not divisible by 3) →  Not divisible
  • A number is divisible by 4 if the last two digits of the number form a number that is divisible by 4.

EXAMPLES:

  • 316 → last two digits 16 → 16 ÷ 4 = 4 →  Divisible
  • 524 → last two digits 24 → 24 ÷ 4 = 6 →  Divisible
  • 780 → last two digits 80 → 80 ÷ 4 = 20 →  Divisible
  • 142 → last two digits 42 → 42 is not divisible by 4 →  Not divisible
  • 935 → last two digits 35 → 35 is not divisible by 4 →  Not divisible
  • A number is divisible by 5 if its last digit is either 0 or 5.

EXAMPLES:

  • 125 → last digit 5 →  Divisible
  • 340 → last digit 0 →  Divisible
  • 975 → last digit 5 →  Divisible
  • 482 → last digit 2 →  Not divisible
  • 719 → last digit 9 →  Not divisible
  • A number is divisible by 6 if it is divisible by both 2 and 3.
  • So, the number must be even (last digit 0, 2, 4, 6, 8) and the sum of its digits must be divisible by 3.

EXAMPLES:

  • 132 is Even → yes → 1 + 3 + 2 = 6 (divisible by 3) →  Divisible
  • 246 is Even → yes → 2 + 4 + 6 = 12 (divisible by 3) → Divisible
  • 480 is Even → yes → 4 + 8 + 0 = 12 →  Divisible
  • 234 is Even → yes → 2 + 3 + 4 = 9 →  Divisible
  • 318 is Even → yes → 3 + 1 + 8 = 12 →  Divisible
  • A number is divisible by 8 if the last three digits of the number form a number that is divisible by 8.

EXAMPLES:

  • 1,248 → last three digits 248 → 248 ÷ 8 = 31 → Divisible
  • 7,216 → last three digits 216 → 216 ÷ 8 = 27 → Divisible
  • 4,480 → last three digits 480 → 480 ÷ 8 = 60 → Divisible
  • 5,732 → last three digits 732 → 732 ÷ 8 = 91.5 → Not divisible
  • 9,157 → last three digits 157 → 157 ÷ 8 = 19.625 → Not divisible
  • A number is divisible by 9 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 9.

EXAMPLES:

  • 729 → 7 + 2 + 9 = 18 → 18 is divisible by 9 → Divisible
  • 5,103 → 5 + 1 + 0 + 3 = 9 → 9 is divisible by 9 → Divisible
  • 4,986 → 4 + 9 + 8 + 6 = 27 → 27 is divisible by 9 → Divisible
  • 823 → 8 + 2 + 3 = 13 → 13 is not divisible by 9 → Not divisible
  • 1,457 → 1 + 4 + 5 + 7 = 17 → 17 is not divisible by 9 → Not divisible
  • A number is divisible by 11 if the difference between the sum of digits in odd positions and the sum of digits in even positions is 0 or divisible by 11
  • (Count positions from left to right or right to left—result remains same.)

EXAMPLES:

  • 121 = Odd positions: 1 + 1 = 2, Even positions: 2, Difference = 2 − 2 = 0 → Divisible
  • 473= Odd: 4 + 3 = 7, Even: 7, Difference = 7 − 7 = 0 → Divisible
  • 1,452 = Odd: 1 + 5 = 6, Even: 4 + 2 = 6, Difference = 6 − 6 = 0 → Divisible
  • 2,618= Odd: 2 + 1 = 3, Even: 6 + 8 = 14, Difference = 3 − 14 = –11 → Divisible (–11 is divisible by 11)
  • 3,725= Odd: 3 + 2 = 5, Even: 7 + 5 = 12, Difference = 5 − 12 = –7 → Not divisible

4. HCF (GCD) & LCM

  • HCF (Highest Common Factor) or GCD (Greatest Common Divisor) is the largest number that divides two or more numbers exactly (without leaving any remainder).
  • It represents the greatest common factor shared by the given numbers.

EXAMPLES:

1. HCF of 8 and 12

  • Factors of 8 → 1, 2, 4, 8
  • Factors of 12 → 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12
  • Common factors: 1, 2, 4
  • HCF = 4

2. HCF of 15 and 25

  • Factors of 15 → 1, 3, 5, 15
  • Factors of 25 → 1, 5, 25
  • Common factors: 1, 5
  • HCF = 5

3. HCF of 18 and 24

  • Factors of 18 → 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 18
  • Factors of 24 → 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24
  • Common factors: 1, 2, 3, 6
  • HCF = 6

4. HCF of 9 and 21

  • Factors of 9 → 1, 3, 9
  • Factors of 21 → 1, 3, 7, 21
  • Common factors: 1, 3
  • HCF = 3

5. HCF of 14 and 35

  • Factors of 14 → 1, 2, 7, 14
  • Factors of 35 → 1, 5, 7, 35
  • Common factors: 1, 7
  • HCF = 7
  • LCM is the smallest number that is a multiple of two or more given numbers.
  • In simple words, it is the lowest number that all the given numbers can divide exactly.

EXAMPLES:

1. LCM of 4 and 6

  • Least Multiples of 4 → 4, 8, 12, 16…
  • LeastMultiples of 6 → 6, 12, 18, 24…
  • Common: 12, 24…
  • LCM = 12

2. LCM of 5 and 7

  • Least Multiples of 5 → 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35…
  • Least Multiples of 7 → 7, 14, 21, 28, 35…
  • Common Multiples: 35…
  • LCM = 35

3. LCM of 8 and 12

  • Least Multiples of 8 → 8, 16, 24, 32, 40…
  • Least Multiples of 12 → 12, 24, 36, 48…
  • Common Multiples: 24, 48…
  • LCM = 24

4. LCM of 9 and 15

  • Least Multiples of 9 → 9, 18, 27, 36, 45, 54…
  • Least Multiples of 15 → 15, 30, 45, 60…
  • Common Multiples: 45…
  • LCM = 45

5. LCM of 6 and 14

  • Least Multiples of 6 → 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 42, 48…
  • Least Multiples of 14 → 14, 28, 42, 56…
  • Common Multiples: 42…
  • LCM = 42

5. Fractions

A fraction represents a part of a whole.
It is written in the form a/b, where:

  • a = numerator (how many parts you have)
  • b = denominator (total number of equal parts)
    and b ≠ 0.

Fractions are used when something is divided into equal parts.

EXAMPLES:

  • 1/2: Represents one part out of two equal parts (half).
  • 3/4: Means three parts out of four equal parts.
  • 5/8: Means five parts out of eight equal parts.
  • 7/10: Represents seven parts out of ten equal parts.
  • 9/3: Nine parts out of three → equals 3 (because 9 ÷ 3 = 3).

6. Decimals

  • A decimal is a number that represents a fraction or part of a whole using a decimal point ( . ).
  • The digits to the right of the decimal point show tenths, hundredths, thousandths, etc.
  • Decimals are another way of writing fractions.

EXAMPLES:

  • 0.5: Represents 5 tenths → same as 1/2.
  • 2.75: Represents 2 wholes and 75 hundredths → same as 2 + 75/100.
  • 0.25: Represents 25 hundredths → same as 1/4.
  • 3.14: Represents 3 wholes and 14 hundredths.
  • 6.009: Represents 6 wholes and 9 thousandths.

7. Surds & Indices

  • A surd is an irrational number that cannot be expressed as a simple fraction and is usually written with a root sign (√).
  • Surds have non-terminating, non-repeating decimal values and cannot be simplified into rational numbers.

EXAMPLES:

  • √2 → cannot be expressed as a fraction
  • √3 → irrational
  • √5 → value is infinite non-repeating
  • 2√7 → also a surd
  • √8 = 2√2 → simplified surd, still irrational
  • Indices (Exponents) represent how many times a number (base) is multiplied by itself.
  • Written as aⁿ, where a = base and n = index/exponent.

EXAMPLES:

  • 2³ = 2 × 2 × 2 = 8
  • 5² = 5 × 5 = 25
  • 10⁴ = 10 × 10 × 10 × 10 = 10,000
  • 3⁰ = 1 (any number raised to 0 equals 1)
  • 4⁻¹ = 1/4 (negative index means reciprocal)

8. Ratio & Proportion

  • A ratio compares two quantities of the same type and is written as a : b.
  • It shows how many times one quantity contains the other.

EXAMPLES:

  • 8 : 12 → divide by 4 → 2 : 3
  • 15 : 45 → divide by 15 → 1 : 3
  • 20 : 30 → divide by 10 → 2 : 3
  • 14 : 21 → divide by 7 → 2 : 3
  • 18 : 24 → divide by 6 → 3 : 4
  • Proportion states that two ratios are equal.
  • If a : b = c : d, then the four numbers are in proportion.

EXAMPLES:

  • 3 : 5 = 6 : 10, 3/5 = 6/10 → In proportion
  • 4 : 6 = 10 : 15, 4/6 = 10/15 → In proportion
  • 7 : 14 = 9 : 18, 7/14 = 9/18 → In proportion
  • 8 : 12 = 20 : 30, 8/12 = 20/30 → In proportion
  • 5 : 8 = 15 : 24, 5/8 = 15/24 → In proportion

9. Percentages

  • A percentage is a way of expressing a number as a fraction of 100.
  • It tells “how many parts out of 100” something represents.
  • Written using the symbol %.

EXAMPLES:

  • Find 20% of 150: 20% = 20/100, So, 20% of 150 = (20/100) × 150 = 0.2 × 150 = 30
  • What is 15% of 200?: 15% = 15/100, So, 15% of 200 = (15/100) × 200 = 0.15 × 200 = 30
  • 80 is what percent of 200?: Formula: Percentage = (Value / Total) × 100 = (80 / 200) × 100 = 0.4 × 100 = 40%
  • Increase 500 by 10%: 10% of 500 = (10/100) × 500 = 50, New value = 500 + 50 = 550
  • Decrease 400 by 25%: 25% of 400 = (25/100) × 400 = 100, New value = 400 – 100 = 300

10. Averages

  • Average is the value obtained by dividing the total sum of all items by the number of items.
    Formula: Average = Number of values/Sum of values
  • It represents the central value of a group of numbers.

EXAMPLES:

  • Find the average of 10, 20, 30: Sum = 10 + 20 + 30 = 60, Number of items = 3, Average = 60 ÷ 3 = 20
  • Find the average of 5, 15, 25, 35: Sum = 5 + 15 + 25 + 35 = 80, Number of items = 4, Average = 80 ÷ 4 = 20
  • Find the average of 12, 18, 24, 30, 36: Sum = 12 + 18 + 24 + 30 + 36 = 120, Number of items = 5, Average = 120 ÷ 5 = 24
  • The average of 40, 60, 80 is?: Sum = 40 + 60 + 80 = 180, Number of items = 3, Average = 180 ÷ 3 = 60
  • Find the average of 7, 14, 21, 28, 35: Sum = 7 + 14 + 21 + 28 + 35 = 105, Number of items = 5, Average = 105 ÷ 5 = 21

11. Profit, Loss, Discount

  • Profit occurs when Selling Price (SP) > Cost Price (CP).
  • Profit % = Profit / CP × 100

EXAMPLES:

  • CP = ₹500, SP = ₹650: Profit = 650 – 500 = ₹150, Profit% = (150/500)×100 = 30%
  • CP = ₹800, SP = ₹1,000: Profit = 1000 – 800 = ₹200, Profit% = (200/800)×100 = 25%
  • CP = ₹1200, SP = ₹1500: Profit = 1500 – 1200 = ₹300, Profit% = (300/1200)×100 = 25%
  • CP = ₹400, SP = ₹460: Profit = 460 – 400 = ₹60, Profit% = (60/400)×100 = 15%
  • CP = ₹250, SP = ₹300: Profit = 300 – 250 = ₹50, Profit% = (50/250)×100 = 20%
  • Loss occurs when Selling Price (SP) < Cost Price (CP).
  • Loss % = Loss / CP×100

EXAMPLES:

  • CP = ₹700, SP = ₹600: Loss = 700 – 600 = ₹100, Loss% = (100/700)×100 = 14.28%
  • CP = ₹900, SP = ₹750: Loss = 900 – 750 = ₹150, Loss% = (150/900)×100 = 16.67%
  • CP = ₹450, SP = ₹400: Loss = 450 – 400 = ₹50, Loss% = (50/450)×100 ≈ 11.11%
  • CP = ₹1100, SP = ₹1000: Loss = 1100 – 1000 = ₹100, Loss% = (100/1100)×100 ≈ 9.09%
  • CP = ₹300, SP = ₹270: Loss = 300 – 270 = ₹30, Loss% = (30/300)×100 = 10%
  • A discount is the reduction in Marked Price (MP).
  • Discount % = Discount / MP × 100

EXAMPLES:

  • MP = ₹500, Discount = 10%: Discount = 10% of 500 = 50, SP = 500 – 50 = ₹450
  • MP = ₹800, Discount = 20%: Discount = 20% of 800 = 160, SP = 800 – 160 = ₹640
  • MP = ₹1000, Discount = 15%: Discount = 15% of 1000 = 150, SP = 1000 – 150 = ₹850
  • MP = ₹600, Discount = 12%: Discount = 12% of 600 = 72, SP = 600 – 72 = ₹528
  • MP = ₹2000, Discount = 25%: Discount = 25% of 2000 = 500, SP = 2000 – 500 = ₹1500

12. Simple & Compound Interest

  • Simple Interest (SI) is interest calculated only on the principal amount for the entire time period.
  • Formula: SI = P × R × T / 100
  • Where: P = Principal, R = Rate (%), T = Time (years)
  • Amount:

EXAMPLES:

  • P = ₹1000, R = 10%, T = 2 years: 𝑆 𝐼 = 1000 × 10 × 2 / 100 = 200, Simple Interest = ₹200
  • P = ₹2500, R = 8%, T = 3 years: 𝑆 𝐼 = 2500 × 8 × 3/  100 = 600, Simple Interest = ₹600
  • P = ₹1500, R = 12%, T = 1 year: 𝑆 𝐼 = 1500 × 12 × 1 / 100 = 180, Simple Interest = ₹180
  • P = ₹1800, R = 5%, T = 4 years: 𝑆 𝐼 = 1800 × 5 × 4 / 100 = 360, Simple Interest = ₹360
  • P = ₹3000, R = 7%, T = 2 years: 𝑆 𝐼 = 3000 × 7 × 2 / 100 = 420, Simple Interest = ₹420
  • Compound Interest (CI) is interest calculated on principal + previously earned interest.
  • Compound Interest: CI = APCI = AP

EXAMPLES:

13. Time & Work

  • Time & Work deals with how much work can be completed in a given time and how long it takes to finish a task.

KEY CONCEPT:

  • Work Rate = 1 / Time taken (If a person finishes work in X days, then 1 day’s work = 1/X)
  • Total Work = Rate × Time
  • If two persons work together, their work rates add up (A’s 1-day work + B’s 1-day work)

EXAMPLES 1: A alone can do a piece of work in 10 days. Find A’s 1-day work.

  • 1-day work = 1/10, So A completes 1/10th of the work per day.

EXAMPLES 2: A can do a work in 12 days, B can do it in 8 days. How long will they take together?

  • A’s 1-day work = 1/12
    B’s 1-day work = 1/8

    Together:

    1/12+1/8=2/24+3/24=5/24

    So 1 day’s combined work = 5/24
    Therefore,

    Time=24/5=4.8 days

    They finish in 4.8 days

EXAMPLES 3: A can finish a work in 15 days. How much work is done in 5 days?

  • A’s 1-day work = 1/15

    Work in 5 days:

    5×1/15=5/15=1/3

    One-third work completed

EXAMPLES 4: A can do a work in 20 days and B can do it in 30 days. Find time taken together.

  • A’s 1-day work = 1/20
    B’s 1-day work = 1/30

    Together:

    1/20+1/30=3/60+2/60=5/60=1/12

    Time = reciprocal = 12 days

    ✔ They finish in 12 days

EXAMPLES 5: A and B together can do a work in 10 days. A alone can do it in 15 days. Find B’s time.

  • A’s 1-day work = 1/15
    (A + B)’s 1-day work = 1/10

    B’s 1-day work =

    1/10−1/15=3/30−2/30=1/30

    So B alone takes 30 days.

    B’s time = 30 days

14. Time, Speed, Distance

  • Time, Speed, and Distance are related by the basic formula: Speed = Distance / Time
  • From this, we get: Distance = Speed × Time, & Time = Distance / Speed
  • They measure how fast an object moves, how far it goes, and how long it takes.

EXAMPLES 1: Find the distance when speed = 40 km/h and time = 3 hours.

  • = 40 × 3 = 120 km, ✔ Distance = 120 km

EXAMPLES 2: A car travels 150 km in 3 hours. Find its speed.

  • Speed = Distance / Time, So, = 150 / 3 = 50 km/h, ✔ Speed = 50 km/h

EXAMPLES 3: A train moves at 60 km/h. How long will it take to cover 180 km?

  • Time = Speed / Distance, So, ​ = 180 / 60 = 3 hours, ✔ Time = 3 hours

EXAMPLES 4: A bike travels at 45 km/h for 2 hours 30 minutes. Find distance.

  • Convert 2 hours 30 minutes to hours: 2.5 hours, Distance = 45 × 2.5 = 112.5 km, ✔ Distance = 112.5 km

EXAMPLES 5: A person walks 12 km at a speed of 4 km/h. How much time will he take?

  • Time = 12 / 4 ​= 3 hours, ✔ Time = 3 hours

15. Problems on Ages

  • Problems on Ages deal with finding the present age, past age, or future age of one or more persons using given conditions.

Key Ideas

  • Use variables for present ages (let age = x).
  • Future age → x + n
  • Past age → x – n
  • Translate statements into equations and solve.

EXAMPLES 1: A is 5 years older than B. If B is 15 years old, find A’s age.

  • Given: B = 15 & A = B + 5, So, than 𝐴 = 15 + 5 = 20, ✔ A’s age = 20 years

EXAMPLES 2: The sum of ages of a father and son is 50. If the father is 30 years older than the son, find the son’s age.

  • Let son’s age = x
    Father’s age = x + 30
  • Equation: x+(x+30)=50,  2x+30=50, 2x=20,
  • Son = 10 years, Father = 40 years

EXAMPLES 3: A’s age after 5 years will be 30. Find A’s present age.

  • Future age = present age + 5, So than, Present age = 30 − 5 = 25,
  • A’s present age = 25 years

EXAMPLES 4: The ratio of ages of A and B is 3 : 5. If B is 25 years old, find A’s age.

  • Ratio: A : B = 3 : 5, Given B = 25, So, 1 part = 25 / 5 = 5, than, 𝐴 = 3 × 5 = 15
  • ✔ A’s age = 15 years

EXAMPLES 5: Ten years ago, A was twice as old as B. If B is 20 now, find A’s present age.

  • B 10 years ago = 20 − 10 = 10, & A 10 years ago = 2 × 10 = 20, So, Present age of A = 20 + 10 = 30
  • A’s present age = 30 years

16. Number Series

A number series is a sequence of numbers arranged in a specific pattern or rule, such as:Problems on Ages deal with finding the present age, past age, or future age of one or more persons using given conditions.

  • Addition / Subtraction
  • Multiplication / Division
  • Squares / Cubes
  • Mixed operations
  • Difference pattern

The goal is to identify the rule and find the next number in the sequence.

EXAMPLES 1: Series: 2, 4, 6, 8, ?

  • Pattern → Add 2 each time, So, 2 + 2 = 4, 4 + 2 = 6, 6 + 2 = 8, 8 + 2 = 10
  • Answer: 10

EXAMPLES 2: Series: 3, 9, 27, 81, ?

  • Pattern → Multiply by 3, So, 3 × 3 = 9, 9 × 3 = 27, 27 × 3 = 81, 81 × 3 = 243
  • Answer: 243

EXAMPLES 3: Series: 5, 8, 12, 17, ?

  • Pattern → Differences increase by +1, So, 8 − 5 = 3, 12 − 8 = 4, 17 − 12 = 5, Next difference = 6 17 + 6 = 23
  • Answer: 23

EXAMPLES 4: Series: 1, 4, 9, 16, ?

  • Pattern → Squares of natural numbers
    1² = 1
    2² = 4
    3² = 9
    4² = 16
    5² = 25

    Answer: 25

EXAMPLES 5: Series: 11, 13, 17, 19, 23, ?

  • Pattern → Prime numbers, So, After 11 → 13 → 17 → 19 → 23 → 29
  • Answer: 29

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