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Question 511

RRB NTPC 2026• Mathematics• Mathematics

The diagonals of a rhombus are 19 cm and 29 cm. Find its area.

  1. AOption (a)

    275.5 cm2

  2. BOption (b)

    265.5 cm2

  3. COption (c)

    255.5 cm2

  4. DOption (d)

    285.5 cm2

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

275.5 cm2

Why this answer is correct

Shortcut Trick

For a Rhombus, the area is always half the product of its diagonals.

Area = 1/2 × (d1 × d2)

Area = 1/2 × 19 × 29 = 551 ÷ 2 = 275.5

∴ The correct answer is 275.5 cm2.

Alternate Method

Given:

Length of first diagonal (d1) = 19 cm

Length of second diagonal (d2) = 29 cm

Formula Used:

Area of Rhombus = (d1 × d2) ÷ 2

Calculations:

⇒ Area = (19 × 29) ÷ 2

⇒ Area = 551 ÷ 2

⇒ Area = 275.5 cm2

∴ The correct answer is 275.5 cm2.

Additional Information

Perpendicular Bisectors

The diagonals of a rhombus always bisect each other at a 90° angle (perpendicularly).

Relation between Side and Diagonals

The side length s is related to the diagonals by: 4s2 = d12 + d22 or s = 1/2 × √(d12 + d22).

Perimeter of Rhombus

Since all four sides of a rhombus are equal, the Perimeter = 4 × side.

Area with Base and Height

The area can also be calculated as Base × Height, similar to a parallelogram.

Question 512

RRB NTPC 2026• Mathematics• Mathematics

How many sides does a regular polygon have if each interior angle measures 150°?

  1. AOption (a)

    12 sides

  2. BOption (b)

    15 sides

  3. COption (c)

    8 sides

  4. DOption (d)

    10 sides

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

12 sides

Why this answer is correct

Shortcut Trick

For any regular polygon, the sum of an interior angle and its corresponding exterior angle is always 180°.

Exterior Angle = 180° − 150° = 30°

The sum of all exterior angles of any polygon is always 360°.

Number of sides (n) = 360° ÷ Exterior Angle

n = 360° ÷ 30° = 12

∴ The correct answer is 12 sides.

Alternate Method

Given: Each interior angle of a regular polygon = 150°

Formula Used: Interior angle of a regular polygon with n sides = [(n − 2) × 180°] ÷ n

Calculations:

⇒ 150 = [(n − 2) × 180] ÷ n

⇒ 150n = (n − 2) × 180

⇒ 150n = 180n − 360

⇒ 180n − 150n = 360

⇒ 30n = 360

⇒ n = 360 ÷ 30

⇒ n = 12

∴ The correct answer is 12 sides.

Additional Information

Sum of Interior Angles

For any polygon with n sides, the sum of all interior angles is given by (n − 2) × 180°.

Exterior Angle Property

The sum of all exterior angles of any convex polygon is always 360°, regardless of the number of sides.

Regular Polygons

In a regular polygon, all sides are equal and all interior angles are equal. A polygon with 12 sides is specifically called a dodecagon.

Question 513

RRB NTPC 2026• Mathematics• Mathematics

A shopkeeper buys two types of rice costing ₹32 per kg and ₹40 per kg. He buys a total of 45 kg of rice for ₹1600. The ratio of the quantity (in kg) of rice costing ₹32 per kg to that costing ₹40 per kg is

  1. AOption (a)

    2:3

  2. BOption (b)

    4:5

  3. COption (c)

    3:2

  4. DOption (d)

    5:4

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (d)D.

5:4

Why this answer is correct

Shortcut Trick

Mean Price of the mixture = 1600 ÷ 45 = ₹320/9 per kg.

Apply Alligation between ₹32 and ₹40 with mean price ₹320/9.

Ratio = (40 − 320/9) : (320/9 − 32) = 40/9 : 32/9 = 40 : 32.

Simplifying the ratio: 40 : 32 → 5 : 4.

∴ The correct answer is 5:4.

Alternate Method

Given: Cost of Type 1 rice = ₹32/kg, Cost of Type 2 rice = ₹40/kg, Total Quantity = 45 kg, Total Cost = ₹1600.

Step 1: Calculate Mean Price (M) of the mixture.

⇒ M = Total Cost ÷ Total Quantity

⇒ M = 1600 ÷ 45 = 320/9

Step 2: Let Quantity 1 be Q1 and Quantity 2 be Q2.

⇒ Q1 : Q2 = (Price2 − M) : (M − Price1)

⇒ Q1 : Q2 = (40 − 320/9) : (320/9 − 32)

⇒ Q1 : Q2 = (360 − 320)/9 : (320 − 288)/9

⇒ Q1 : Q2 = 40/9 : 32/9

⇒ Q1 : Q2 = 40 : 32 = 5 : 4

∴ The correct answer is 5:4.

Additional Information

Alligation Rule

It states that (Quantity of Cheaper / Quantity of Dearer) = (Rate of Dearer − Mean Rate) / (Mean Rate − Rate of Cheaper).

Mean Price

The Mean Price is the cost price of a unit quantity of the mixture obtained by mixing two or more ingredients.

Mixture Calculations

If two ingredients of concentrations C1 and C2 are mixed in ratio n1:n2, the resulting concentration Cavg = (n1C1 + n2C2) ÷ (n1 + n2).

Question 514

RRB NTPC 2026• Mathematics• Mathematics

A swimming pool is fitted with three pipes. The first two pipes working simultaneously, fill the pool in the same time as the third pipe alone. The second pipe alone fills the pool 5 hours faster than the first pipe and 4 hours slower than the third pipe. In what time will the second and third pipes together fill the pool?

  1. AOption (a)

    3 34\frac{3}{4} hours

  2. BOption (b)

    6 hours

  3. COption (c)

    4 hours

  4. DOption (d)

    712\frac{1}{2}hours

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

3 34\frac{3}{4} hours

Why this answer is correct

Shortcut Trick

Let Time3 = x, then Time1 = x + 9 and Time2 = x + 4.

Apply the rule: If 1/A + 1/B = 1/C, then C = √(a × b) where A = C+a and B = C+b.

Time3 = √(9 × 4) = 6 hr; therefore Time2 = 6 + 4 = 10 hr.

Together (2 & 3) = (10 × 6) ÷ (10 + 6) = 60/16 = 3 3/4 hr.

∴ The correct answer is 3 3/4 hr.

Alternate Method

Given:

Let the time taken by Pipe 3 alone be t3 hr.

⇒ Pipe 2 time (t2) = t3 + 4 hr

⇒ Pipe 1 time (t1) = t2 + 5 = (t3 + 4) + 5 = t3 + 9 hr

Formula Used:

Efficiency(1) + Efficiency(2) = Efficiency(3) ⇒ 1/t1 + 1/t2 = 1/t3

Calculations:

⇒ 1/(t3 + 9) + 1/(t3 + 4) = 1/t3

⇒ (t3 + 4 + t3 + 9) / ((t3 + 9)(t3 + 4)) = 1/t3

⇒ (2t3 + 13) / (t32 + 13t3 + 36) = 1/t3

⇒ 2t32 + 13t3 = t32 + 13t3 + 36

⇒ t32 = 36 ⇒ t3 = 6 hr

⇒ t2 = 6 + 4 = 10 hr

PersonTime (hr)Total WorkEfficiency
Pipe 21030 units3
Pipe 365

⇒ Total Efficiency (2 & 3) = 3 + 5 = 8 units/hr

⇒ Time taken together = Total Work ÷ Total Efficiency = 30 ÷ 8

⇒ Time = 15/4 = 3 3/4 hr

∴ The correct answer is 3 3/4 hr.

Additional Information

Root Rule for Combined Work

If A takes 'a' days more and B takes 'b' days more than (A+B) together, then the time taken by (A+B) is √(a × b).

Pipes and Cisterns Basics

If a pipe fills a tank in 'h' hours, the part filled in 1 hour is 1/h. For inlet pipes, efficiency is positive; for outlet pipes, it is negative.

Efficiency and Capacity

Capacity of the tank = Total Time × Combined Efficiency of the filling pipes.

Question 515

RRB NTPC 2026• Mathematics• Mathematics

A car travels from City A to City B at a speed of 60 km/h. After reaching City B, the driver increases the speed by 20 km/h for the return journey. Due to road repairs on the way back, the car is forced to slow down for 30 minutes, during which it travels at only 30 km/h instead of the increased speed. If the total time for the round trip is 7 hours, find the distance between City A and City B.

  1. AOption (a)

    229 25\frac{2}{5} km

  2. BOption (b)

    229 27\frac{2}{7} km

  3. COption (c)

    227 25\frac{2}{5} km

  4. DOption (d)

    219 27\frac{2}{7} km

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (b)B.

229 27\frac{2}{7} km

Why this answer is correct

Shortcut Trick

Let the Distance between City A and City B be D.

Forward time = D ÷ 60; Return speed = 60 + 20 = 80 km/h.

Return journey includes 15 km (30 km/h × 0.5 hr) at 30 km/h and (D − 15) km at 80 km/h.

Total time equation: (D/60) + 0.5 + (D − 15)/80 = 7 ⇒ (D/60) + (D − 15)/80 = 6.5.

Multiplying by LCM 240: 4D + 3D − 45 = 1560 ⇒ 7D = 1605 ⇒ D = 229 2/7 km.

∴ The correct answer is 229 2/7 km.

Alternate Method

Given:

Speed (A to B) = 60 km/h

Speed (B to A, normal) = 60 + 20 = 80 km/h

Repair Speed = 30 km/h | Repair Duration = 30 min = 0.5 hr

Total Round Trip Time = 7 hr

Calculations:

⇒ Let Distance between A and B be D km.

⇒ Distance covered during repair = Speed × Time = 30 × 0.5 = 15 km.

⇒ Remaining distance for return journey = D − 15 km.

⇒ Time for forward journey = D/60 hr.

⇒ Time for return journey = 0.5 + (D − 15)/80 hr.

⇒ Total Time = D/60 + 0.5 + (D − 15)/80 = 7

⇒ D/60 + (D − 15)/80 = 6.5

⇒ (4D + 3(D − 15)) ÷ 240 = 6.5

⇒ 4D + 3D − 45 = 6.5 × 240

⇒ 7D − 45 = 1560

⇒ 7D = 1605

⇒ D = 1605 ÷ 7 = 229 2/7 km.

∴ The correct answer is 229 2/7 km.

Additional Information

Average Speed

It is defined as the total distance traveled divided by the total time taken. Average Speed = Total Distance ÷ Total Time.

Speed-Time-Distance Relationship

Distance = Speed × Time. If distance is constant, speed is inversely proportional to time (S ∝ 1/T).

Unit Conversion

To convert km/h to m/s, multiply by 5/18. To convert m/s to km/h, multiply by 18/5.

Question 516

RRB NTPC 2026• Mathematics• Mathematics

A shopkeeper offers the following schemes on toys of the same marked price.

(A) Successive discounts of 50% and 16% on any number of toys bought.

(B) Successive discounts of 49%, 8% and 13% on any number of toys bought.

(C) 35% discount on the first 6 toys and 45% discount on each toy thereon.

(D) On buying eight items, the customer is billed for only four items.

A customer wants to buy 8 toys. Which of the above schemes is the least beneficial to her?

  1. AOption (a)

    D

  2. BOption (b)

    B

  3. COption (c)

    C

  4. DOption (d)

    A

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (c)C.

C

Why this answer is correct

Shortcut Trick

Scheme A: Successive 50% and 16% ⇒ 50 + 16 − (50 × 16 ÷ 100) = 58%.

Scheme B: Successive 49%, 8%, and 13% ≈ 59.18% (Multiple successive drops).

Scheme C: 8 toys ⇒ (6 × 35% + 2 × 45%) ÷ 8 = (210% + 90%) ÷ 8 = 37.5%.

Scheme D: Buy 8, pay for 4 ⇒ 4 free ÷ 8 total × 100 = 50%.

The least beneficial scheme is the one with the minimum total discount (37.5%).

∴ The correct answer is Scheme C.

Alternate Method

Assume the Marked Price (MP) of each toy is ₹100. For 8 toys, total MP = 8 × 100 = ₹800.

Formula Used: Selling Price (SP) = MP × [ (100 − d1)/100 ] × [ (100 − d2)/100 ] ...

Calculation of Total Selling Price (SP) for 8 toys:

⇒ Scheme A: SP = 8 × [ 100 × 0.50 × 0.84 ] = 8 × 42 = ₹336.

⇒ Scheme B: SP = 8 × [ 100 × 0.51 × 0.92 × 0.87 ] ≈ 8 × 40.82 = ₹326.56.

⇒ Scheme C: SP = (6 × 65) + (2 × 55) = 390 + 110 = ₹500.

⇒ Scheme D: SP = Customer billed for 4 toys = 4 × 100 = ₹400.

Comparing the total Selling Prices: ₹326.56 (B) < ₹336 (A) < ₹400 (D) < ₹500 (C).

Since the customer pays the maximum amount in Scheme C, it is the least beneficial.

∴ The correct answer is Scheme C.

Additional Information

Successive Discount Formula

For two successive discounts x% and y%, the single equivalent discount is [x + y − (xy ÷ 100)]%.

Buy X Get Y Free

The effective discount percentage is calculated as: [Free items (Y) ÷ Total items (X + Y)] × 100.

Least vs Most Beneficial

From a customer's perspective, the least beneficial scheme is the one that offers the lowest discount or the highest final price.

Question 517

RRB NTPC 2026• Mathematics• Mathematics

Evaluate 243 + (-5)3 + (-19)3

  1. AOption (a)

    6763

  2. BOption (b)

    6840

  3. COption (c)

    6572

  4. DOption (d)

    6783

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (b)B.

6840

Why this answer is correct

Shortcut Trick

Use the Algebraic Identity: If a + b + c = 0, then a3 + b3 + c3 = 3abc.

Here, a = 24, b = −5, and c = −19.

Checking the sum: 24 + (−5) + (−19) = 24 − 24 = 0.

Result = 3 × 24 × (−5) × (−19) = 72 × 95 = 6840.

∴ The correct answer is 6840.

Alternate Method

Given: The expression is 243 + (−5)3 + (−19)3.

Formula Used: a3 + b3 + c3 − 3abc = (a + b + c)(a2 + b2 + c2 − ab − bc − ca).

⇒ Let a = 24, b = −5, and c = −19.

⇒ Calculate the sum (a + b + c): 24 + (−5) + (−19) = 24 − 5 − 19 = 0.

⇒ Since (a + b + c) = 0, the expression (a + b + c)(a2 + b2 + c2 − ab − bc − ca) becomes 0.

⇒ a3 + b3 + c3 − 3abc = 0

⇒ a3 + b3 + c3 = 3abc

⇒ Substituting the values: 3 × 24 × (−5) × (−19)

⇒ 72 × 95

⇒ 72 × (100 − 5) = 7200 − 360 = 6840.

∴ The correct answer is 6840.

Additional Information

General Cubic Identity

The expression a3 + b3 + c3 − 3abc is always equal to (a + b + c) × 0.5 × [(a−b)2 + (b−c)2 + (c−a)2].

Conditional Identity

If a3 + b3 + c3 = 3abc, it implies that either a + b + c = 0 or a = b = c.

Square of Trinomial

The square of a sum of three terms is given by (a + b + c)2 = a2 + b2 + c2 + 2(ab + bc + ca).

Question 518

RRB NTPC 2026• Mathematics• Mathematics

If a:b = 12:13 and b:c = 4:5, what is a:c?

  1. AOption (a)

    4:13

  2. BOption (b)

    12:5

  3. COption (c)

    48:65

  4. DOption (d)

    4:5

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (c)C.

48:65

Why this answer is correct

Shortcut Trick

To find the ratio between the first term (a) and the last term (c), directly multiply the given ratios.

a/c = (a/b) × (b/c)

a/c = (12/13) × (4/5) = 48/65

∴ The correct answer is 48:65.

Alternate Method

Given: The ratio a:b is 12:13 and b:c is 4:5.

To find a:c, we can express the ratios as fractions:

⇒ a/b = 12/13

⇒ b/c = 4/5

⇒ Multiply the two equations: (a/b) × (b/c) = (12/13) × (4/5)

⇒ The common term 'b' cancels out: a/c = (12 × 4) / (13 × 5)

⇒ a/c = 48/65

This result matches Option 3 provided in the question.

∴ The correct answer is 48:65.

Additional Information

Compound Ratio

When two or more ratios are multiplied together, the result is called a compound ratio. For ratios a:b and c:d, the compound ratio is (a × c) : (b × d).

Continued Proportion

To find the combined ratio a:b:c, make the common term 'b' equal by multiplying the ratios by suitable constants. Here, a:b:c = (12×4) : (13×4) : (13×5) = 48:52:65.

Duplicate Ratio

The duplicate ratio of a:b is simply the ratio of their squares, i.e., a2 : b2.

Question 519

RRB NTPC 2026• Mathematics• Mathematics

The price of a jacket is first increased by 20% and then decreased by 25%. If the original price was ₹600, what is the final price of the jacket?

  1. AOption (a)

    ₹570

  2. BOption (b)

    ₹540

  3. COption (c)

    ₹600

  4. DOption (d)

    ₹480

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (b)B.

₹540

Why this answer is correct

Shortcut Trick

Net percentage change formula = x + y + (xy / 100)

Net % change = 20 − 25 − (20 × 25 / 100) = −5 − 5 = −10%

Final Price = 90% of 600 = 0.9 × 600 = 540

∴ The correct answer is ₹540.

Alternate Method

Given: Original price of the jacket = ₹600, First increase = 20%, Second decrease = 25%.

⇒ First price increase = 20% of 600 = (20/100) × 600 = ₹120

⇒ Price after increase = 600 + 120 = ₹720

⇒ Price decrease = 25% of 720 = (25/100) × 720 = ₹180

⇒ Final price of the jacket = 720 − 180 = ₹540

∴ The correct answer is ₹540.

Additional Information

Successive Percentage Change

When a value is changed by x% and then y%, the net change is given by (x + y + xy/100)%. Use positive values for increase and negative for decrease.

Fractional Multiplier Method

For a 20% increase, multiply by 1.2 or 6/5. For a 25% decrease, multiply by 0.75 or 3/4. Final Value = Initial Value × Multiplier1 × Multiplier2.

Base Change Property

A change of +20% followed by −20% does not return the value to its original state; the net change would be a 4% decrease (loss).

Question 520

RRB NTPC 2026• Mathematics• Mathematics

The arithmetic mean of 10 observations is 42. Three of the observations are 30, 38, and 50. The remaining six observations have an average of 45. Find the missing observation.

  1. AOption (a)

    31

  2. BOption (b)

    34

  3. COption (c)

    32

  4. DOption (d)

    33

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (c)C.

32

Why this answer is correct

Shortcut Trick

Net deviation from the overall mean (42) must be zero.

Sum of deviations = (30 − 42) + (38 − 42) + (50 − 42) + 6 × (45 − 42)

⇒ −12 − 4 + 8 + (6 × 3) = −16 + 8 + 18 = +10.

Since the existing 9 numbers are +10 above the mean, the 10th number must be 10 below the mean.

⇒ Missing observation = 42 − 10 = 32.

∴ The correct answer is 32.

Alternate Method

Given:

Total observations = 10 | Total Arithmetic Mean = 42

First 3 observations = 30, 38, 50 | Average of next 6 = 45

Calculations:

⇒ Total Sum = Mean × Number of observations

⇒ Total Sum = 42 × 10 = 420

⇒ Sum of 3 known observations = 30 + 38 + 50 = 118

⇒ Sum of next 6 observations = 45 × 6 = 270

⇒ Sum of 9 observations = 118 + 270 = 388

⇒ Missing observation = Total Sum − Sum of 9 observations

⇒ Missing observation = 420 − 388

⇒ Missing observation = 32.

∴ The correct answer is 32.

Additional Information

Arithmetic Mean Formula

Mean = (Sum of all observations) ÷ (Number of observations). To find a missing value, subtract the sum of known values from the total sum.

Sum of Deviations

The algebraic sum of the deviations of a set of values from their arithmetic mean is always zero. ∑(xi − mean) = 0.

Weighted Mean

When different groups have different averages, the combined mean is (n1 × x1 + n2 × x2 + ...) ÷ (n1 + n2 + ...).