2012(Gate ) Questions and Answers

Question 1.

A political party orders an arch for the entrance to the ground in which the annual convention 

is
being held. The profile of the arch follows the equation y = 2x - 0.1`x^2` = − where y is the height

 of
the arch in meters. The maximum possible height of the arch is


  1.    8 meters
  2.    10 meters
  3.    12 meters
  4.    14 meters
Explanation:-
Answer: Option B. -> 10 meters

y = 2x -  0.1`x^2`

`(dy)/(dx)` = 2 - 0.2x 

`(d^2y)/(dx^2)` < 0 `:.`  maximises at 2 - 0.2x = 0

`Rightarrow` x = 10

`:.`  y = 20 - 10 = 10m




Question 2.

An automobile plant contracted to buy shock absorbers from two suppliers X and Y. X supplies 

60% and Y supplies 40% of the shock absorbers. All shock absorbers are subjected to a quality 

test.
The ones that pass the quality test are considered reliable Of X's shock absorbers, 96% are 

reliable.
Of Y's shock absorbers, 72% are reliable. 

The probability that a randomly chosen shock absorber, which is found to be reliable, is made by
Y is 


  1.    0.288
  2.    0.334
  3.    0.667
  4.    0.720
Explanation:-
Answer: Option B. -> 0.334

                         x                  y 

Supply            60%             40%  

Reliable           96%            72% 

Overall           0.576          0.288  

`:.`  P(x) = `(0.288)/(0.576 + 0.288)` = 0.334



Question 3.

Given the sequence of terms, AD CG FK JP, the next term is 


  1.    OV
  2.    OW
  3.    PV
  4.    PW
Explanation:-
Answer: Option A. -> OV



Question 4.

Which of the following assertions are CORRECT? 

P: Adding 7 to each entry in a list adds 7 to the mean of the list 

 Q: Adding 7 to each entry in a list adds 7 to the standard deviation of the list 

 R: Doubling each entry in a list doubles the mean of the list

S: Doubling each entry in a list leaves the standard deviation of the list unchanged


  1.    P, Q
  2.    Q, R
  3.    P, R
  4.    R, S
Explanation:-
Answer: Option C. -> P, R

P and R always hold true 

Else consider a sample set {1, 2, 3, 4} and check accordingly  




Question 5.

Wanted Temporary, Part-time persons for the post of Field Interviewer to conduct personal 

interviews to collect and collate economic data. Requirements: High School-pass, must be 

available for Day, Evening and Saturday work. Transportation paid, expenses reimbursed. 

Which one of the following is the best inference from the above advertisement? 


  1.    Gender- discriminatory
  2.    Xenophobic
  3.    Not designed to make the post attractive
  4.    Not gender- discriminatory
Explanation:-
Answer: Option C. -> Not designed to make the post attractive

Gender is not mentioned in the advertisement and (B) clearly eliminated 



Question 6.

Choose the most appropriate alternative from the options given below to complete the 

following sentence: 

Despite several __________ the mission succeeded in its attempt to resolve the conflict.  


  1.    attempts
  2.    setbacks
  3.    meetings
  4.    delegations
Explanation:-
Answer: Option B. -> setbacks



Question 7.

The cost function for a product in a firm is given by `5q^2` , where q is the amount of
production. 

The firm  can  sell  the  product  at a  market  price  of Rs.50 per  unit. The number  of
units to be 

produced by the firm such that the profit is maximized is 


  1.    5
  2.    10
  3.    15
  4.    25
Explanation:-
Answer: Option A. -> 5

P = 50q - `5q^2`

`(dp)/(dq)` = 50 - 10q;  `(d^2p)/(dq^2)` < 0

`:.`  p is maximum at 50 - 10q = 0 or, q = 5 

Else check with options



Question 8.

Choose the most appropriate alternative from the options given below to complete the 

following sentence: 

Suresh's dog is the one _________ was hurt in the stampede. 


  1.    that
  2.    which
  3.    who
  4.    whom
Explanation:-
Answer: Option A. -> that



Question 9.

Choose the grammatically INCORRECT sentence: 


  1.    They gave us the money back less the service charges of Three Hundred rupees.
  2.    This country's expenditure is not less than that of Bangladesh.
  3.    The committee initially asked for a funding of Fifty Lakh rupees, but later settled for a lesser sum.
  4.    This country's expenditure on educational reforms is very less
Explanation:-
Answer: Option D. -> This country's expenditure on educational reforms is very less



Question 10.

Which one of the following options is the closest in meaning to the word given below? 

Mitigate 


  1.    Diminish
  2.    Divulge
  3.    Dedicate
  4.    Denote
Explanation:-
Answer: Option A. -> Diminish