Surds And Indices - Aptitude MCQ Questions and Solutions with Explanations

Answer: Option D

Let (17)^3.5 × (17)^x = 17⁸
Then, (17)^{3.5 + x} = 17⁸
∴ 3.5 + x = 8
⇒ x = (8 - 3.5)
⇒ x = 4.5

Answer: Option C

$$\eqalign{ & {\text{Given}}\,{\left( {\frac{a}{b}} \right)^{x - 1}} = {\left( {\frac{b}{a}} \right)^{x - 3}} \cr & \Rightarrow {\left( {\frac{a}{b}} \right)^{x - 1}} = {\left( {\frac{a}{b}} \right)^{ - \left( {x - 3} \right)}} = {\left( {\frac{a}{b}} \right)^{\left( {3 - x} \right)}} \cr & \Rightarrow x - 1 = 3 - x \cr & \Rightarrow 2x = 4 \cr & \Rightarrow x = 2 \cr} $$

Answer: Option C

$$\eqalign{ & {x^z} = {y^2} \Leftrightarrow {10^{\left( {0.48z} \right)}} = {10^{2 \times 0.70}} = {10^{1.40}} \cr & \Rightarrow 0.48z = 1.40 \cr & \Rightarrow z = \frac{{140}}{{48}} = \frac{{35}}{{12}} = 2.9({\text{approx}}) \cr} $$

Answer: Option A

5^a = 3125     ⇔     5^a = 5⁵
⇒ a = 5.
∴ 5^{(a - 3)} = 5^{(5 - 3)} = 5² = 25

Answer: Option C

3^{x - y} = 27 = 3³     ⇔     x - y = 3 ....(i)
3^{x + y} = 243 = 3⁵     ⇔     x + y = 5 ....(ii)
On solving (i) and (ii), we get x = 4.