Practice Verbal Reasoning questions on Arithmetic Reasoning, covering number-based logic, ages, averages, ratios, percentages, simple calculations, and arithmetic word problems that require logical interpretation. Takes about 20–25 minutes and is useful for placement, TCS NQT, SSC, banking and MBA entrance exams.
Question 1
A group of friends planned to spend Rs. 240 on food for a trip. Five of them did not turn up. As a result, the remaining friends had to pay Rs. 4 each extra. How many friends went on the trip?
Explanation
Let n friends go on the trip, so n + 5 had planned to go.
240/n - 240/(n + 5) = 4
240 × 5 = 4n(n + 5), so n2 + 5n - 300 = 0, which gives (n - 15)(n + 20) = 0 and n = 15.
Check: the planned share is 240/20 = Rs. 12 and the actual share is 240/15 = Rs. 16, a difference of Rs. 4.
240/n - 240/(n + 5) = 4
240 × 5 = 4n(n + 5), so n2 + 5n - 300 = 0, which gives (n - 15)(n + 20) = 0 and n = 15.
Check: the planned share is 240/20 = Rs. 12 and the actual share is 240/15 = Rs. 16, a difference of Rs. 4.
Question 2
In a college, 1/4 of the girls and 1/3 of the boys joined the debate club. If there are 60 girls and 90 boys, what fraction of all the students joined the club?
Explanation
Girls who joined = 1/4 × 60 = 15.
Boys who joined = 1/3 × 90 = 30.
Total students = 60 + 90 = 150, and 15 + 30 = 45 of them joined.
Required fraction = 45/150 = 3/10.
Boys who joined = 1/3 × 90 = 30.
Total students = 60 + 90 = 150, and 15 + 30 = 45 of them joined.
Required fraction = 45/150 = 3/10.
Question 3
Two notebooks and three pens cost Rs. 61, but three notebooks and two pens cost Rs. 64. What are the prices of a notebook and a pen?
Explanation
Let a notebook cost Rs. x and a pen cost Rs. y.
2x + 3y = 61 ...(i)
3x + 2y = 64 ...(ii)
Multiplying (i) by 3 and (ii) by 2 and subtracting: 9y - 4y = 183 - 128, so 5y = 55 and y = 11.
Putting y = 11 in (i): 2x = 61 - 33 = 28, so x = 14.
A notebook costs Rs. 14 and a pen costs Rs. 11.
2x + 3y = 61 ...(i)
3x + 2y = 64 ...(ii)
Multiplying (i) by 3 and (ii) by 2 and subtracting: 9y - 4y = 183 - 128, so 5y = 55 and y = 11.
Putting y = 11 in (i): 2x = 61 - 33 = 28, so x = 14.
A notebook costs Rs. 14 and a pen costs Rs. 11.
Question 4
The total of the ages of Ravi, Sunil and Tarun is 90 years. What will be the total of their ages four years from now?
Explanation
Each of the 3 people will be 4 years older, so the total increases by 4 × 3 = 12 years.
Required sum = 90 + 12 = 102 years.
Required sum = 90 + 12 = 102 years.
Question 5
P, Q, R, S and T play a game of marbles. P says to Q, "If you give me four marbles, you will have as many as T has, and if I give you four marbles, you will have as many as S has." P and Q together have 12 marbles more than S and T together. If R has 3 fewer marbles than Q and the total number of marbles is 119, how many marbles does Q have?
Explanation
The clues give:
Q - 4 = T ...(i)
Q + 4 = S ...(ii)
P + Q = S + T + 12 ...(iii)
R = Q - 3 ...(iv)
From (i) and (ii), S + T = 2Q. From (iii), P = Q + 12.
Total: (Q + 12) + Q + (Q - 3) + 2Q = 119, so 5Q + 9 = 119, 5Q = 110 and Q = 22.
Q - 4 = T ...(i)
Q + 4 = S ...(ii)
P + Q = S + T + 12 ...(iii)
R = Q - 3 ...(iv)
From (i) and (ii), S + T = 2Q. From (iii), P = Q + 12.
Total: (Q + 12) + Q + (Q - 3) + 2Q = 119, so 5Q + 9 = 119, 5Q = 110 and Q = 22.
