18 Distribution PYQ (Solutions)
Master Distribution for CAT 2026 with practice questions and detailed explanations
Distribution Problems
Distribution problems involve allocating items or quantities to recipients under constraints (e.g., assigning objects to boxes, or people to tasks). These are very common in Logical Reasoning (LR).
-
CAT 2019 Slot 1:
- “100 Boxes with Different Types of Items” (moderate-difficult) – placing items into boxes.
- “Sixteen Shelves and 12 Items” (moderate) – another distribution/arrangement puzzle.
-
CAT 2019 Slot 2:
- “Doctors and Rooms” – assigning doctors to consulting rooms (distribution/assignment set).
Typical Scenarios Include:
- Assigning people to time slots (scheduling)
- Items to containers
- Students to projects
Key Insights:
- Most CAT papers have at least one distribution set.
- InsideIIM data shows that in 2017, about 25% of sets were distribution/assignment puzzles.
- Typically, each year has 1–2 sets (4–8 questions) of this nature.
- Distribution problems are a staple of CAT LRDI and should be well-prepared.
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Weightage Over Past Years
| Year | Q.NONumber of questions | Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 3 | Hard |
| 2023 | 2 | Hard |
| 2022 | 2 | Hard |
| 2021 | 2 | Medium |
| 2020 | 1 | Hard |
| 2019 | 2 | Hard |
| 2018 | 3 | Hard |
| 2017 | 3 | Hard |
CAT 2024 Distribution questions
Question 1
Slot-1
Six web surfers , and Y each had 30 stars which they distributed among four bloggers , and D . The number of stars received by and from the six web surfers is shown in the figure below.
No.of Stars received by Bloggers A and B

The following additional facts are known regarding the number of stars received by the bloggers from the surfers.
- The numbers of stars received by the bloggers from the surfers were all multiples of 5 (including 0 ).
- The total numbers of stars received by the bloggers were the same.
- Each blogger received a different number of stars from .
- Two surfers gave all their stars to a single blogger.
- received more stars than from .
Six web surfers , and Y each had 30 stars which they distributed among four bloggers , and D . The number of stars received by and from the six web surfers is shown in the figure below.
No.of Stars received by Bloggers A and B

The following additional facts are known regarding the number of stars received by the bloggers from the surfers.
- The numbers of stars received by the bloggers from the surfers were all multiples of 5 (including 0 ).
- The total numbers of stars received by the bloggers were the same.
- Each blogger received a different number of stars from .
- Two surfers gave all their stars to a single blogger.
- received more stars than from .
What was the total number of stars received by ?
What was the total number of stars received by ?
What was the number of stars received by from ?
What was the number of stars received by from ?
5
10
Cant be determined
0
How many surfers distributed their stars among exactly 2 bloggers?
How many surfers distributed their stars among exactly 2 bloggers?
Which of the following can be determined with certainty? I. The number of stars received by C from M II. The number of stars received by D from O
Which of the following can be determined with certainty? I. The number of stars received by C from M II. The number of stars received by D from O
Neither I or II
Only I
Only II
Both I and II
Question 2
Slot-2
An online e-commerce firm receives daily integer product ratings from 1 through 5 given by buyers. The daily average is the average of the ratings given on that day. The cumulative average is the average of all ratings given on or before that day. The rating system began on Day 1, and the cumulative averages were 3 and 3.1 at the end of Day 1 and Day 2, respectively. The distribution of ratings on Day 2 is given in the figure below.
Distribution of Rating on Day 2

The following information is known about ratings on Day 3.
- 100 buyers gave product ratings on Day 3.
- The modes of the product ratings were 4 and 5.
- The numbers of buyers giving each product rating are non-zero multiples of 10.
- The same number of buyers gave product ratings of 1 and 2 , and that number is half the number of buyers who gave a rating of 3 .
An online e-commerce firm receives daily integer product ratings from 1 through 5 given by buyers. The daily average is the average of the ratings given on that day. The cumulative average is the average of all ratings given on or before that day. The rating system began on Day 1, and the cumulative averages were 3 and 3.1 at the end of Day 1 and Day 2, respectively. The distribution of ratings on Day 2 is given in the figure below.
Distribution of Rating on Day 2

The following information is known about ratings on Day 3.
- 100 buyers gave product ratings on Day 3.
- The modes of the product ratings were 4 and 5.
- The numbers of buyers giving each product rating are non-zero multiples of 10.
- The same number of buyers gave product ratings of 1 and 2 , and that number is half the number of buyers who gave a rating of 3 .
How many buyers gave ratings on Day 1?
How many buyers gave ratings on Day 1?
What is the daily average rating of Day 3?
What is the daily average rating of Day 3?
3.6
3.0
3.2
3.5
What is the median of all ratings given on Day 3?
What is the median of all ratings given on Day 3?
Which of the following is true about the cumulative average ratings of Day 2 and Day 3?
Which of the following is true about the cumulative average ratings of Day 2 and Day 3?
The cumulative average of Day 3 increased by less than from Day 2.
The cumulative average of Day 3 decreased from Day 2.
The cumulative average of Day 3 increased by a percentage between and from Day 2 .
The cumulative average of Day 3 increased by more than 8% from Day 2.
Question 3
Slot-2
Eight gymnastics players numbered 1 through 8 underwent a training camp where they were coached by three coaches - Xena, Yuki, and Zara. Each coach trained at least two players. Yuki trained only even numbered players, while Zara trained only odd numbered players. After the camp, the coaches evaluated the players and gave integer ratings to the respective players trained by them on a scale of 1 to 7 , with 1 being the lowest rating and 7 the highest.
The following additional information is known.
- Xena trained more players than Yuki.
- Player-1 and Player-4 were trained by the same coach, while the coaches who trained Player-2, Player-3 and Player-5 were all different.
- Player-5 and Player-7 were trained by the same coach and got the same rating. All other players got a unique rating.
- The average of the ratings of all the players was 4.
- Player- 2 got the highest rating.
- The average of the ratings of the players trained by Yuki was twice that of the players trained by Xena and two more than that of the players trained by Zara.
- Player-4's rating was double of Player-8's and less than Player-5's.
Eight gymnastics players numbered 1 through 8 underwent a training camp where they were coached by three coaches - Xena, Yuki, and Zara. Each coach trained at least two players. Yuki trained only even numbered players, while Zara trained only odd numbered players. After the camp, the coaches evaluated the players and gave integer ratings to the respective players trained by them on a scale of 1 to 7 , with 1 being the lowest rating and 7 the highest.
The following additional information is known.
- Xena trained more players than Yuki.
- Player-1 and Player-4 were trained by the same coach, while the coaches who trained Player-2, Player-3 and Player-5 were all different.
- Player-5 and Player-7 were trained by the same coach and got the same rating. All other players got a unique rating.
- The average of the ratings of all the players was 4.
- Player- 2 got the highest rating.
- The average of the ratings of the players trained by Yuki was twice that of the players trained by Xena and two more than that of the players trained by Zara.
- Player-4's rating was double of Player-8's and less than Player-5's.
What best can be concluded about the number of players coached by Zara?
What best can be concluded about the number of players coached by Zara?
Either 2 or 3 or 4
Exactly 2
Either 2 or 3
Either 3
What was the rating of Player-7?
What was the rating of Player-7?
What was the rating of Player-6?
What was the rating of Player-6?
For how many players the ratings can be determined with certainty?
For how many players the ratings can be determined with certainty?
Who all were the players trained by Xena?
Who all were the players trained by Xena?
Player-1, Player-4, Player-6, Player-8
Player-1, Player-3, Player-4, Player-8
Player-1, Player-3, Player-4, Player-6
Player-1, Player-3, Player-4
CAT 2023 Distribution questions
Question 1
Slot-1
Faculty members in a management school can belong to one of four departments - Finance and Accounting (F&A), Marketing and Strategy (M&S), Operations and Quants (O&Q) and Behaviour and Human Resources (B&H). The numbers of faculty members in F&A, M&S, O&Q and B&H departments are 9, 7, 5 and 3 respectively.
Prof. Pakrasi, Prof. Qureshi, Prof. Ramaswamy and Prof. Samuel are four members of the school's faculty who were candidates for the post of the Dean of the school. Only one of the candidates was from O&Q.
Every faculty member, including the four candidates, voted for the post. In each department, all the faculty members who were not candidates voted for the same candidate. The rules for the election are listed below.
- There cannot be more than two candidates from a single department.
- A candidate cannot vote for himself/herself.
- Faculty members cannot vote for a candidate from their own department.
After the election, it was observed that Prof. Pakrasi received 3 votes, Prof. Qureshi received 14 votes, Prof. Ramaswamy received 6 votes and Prof. Samuel received 1 vote. Prof. Pakrasi voted for Prof. Ramaswamy, Prof. Qureshi for Prof. Samuel, Prof. Ramaswamy for Prof. Qureshi and Prof. Samuel for Prof. Pakrasi.
Faculty members in a management school can belong to one of four departments - Finance and Accounting (F&A), Marketing and Strategy (M&S), Operations and Quants (O&Q) and Behaviour and Human Resources (B&H). The numbers of faculty members in F&A, M&S, O&Q and B&H departments are 9, 7, 5 and 3 respectively.
Prof. Pakrasi, Prof. Qureshi, Prof. Ramaswamy and Prof. Samuel are four members of the school's faculty who were candidates for the post of the Dean of the school. Only one of the candidates was from O&Q.
Every faculty member, including the four candidates, voted for the post. In each department, all the faculty members who were not candidates voted for the same candidate. The rules for the election are listed below.
- There cannot be more than two candidates from a single department.
- A candidate cannot vote for himself/herself.
- Faculty members cannot vote for a candidate from their own department.
After the election, it was observed that Prof. Pakrasi received 3 votes, Prof. Qureshi received 14 votes, Prof. Ramaswamy received 6 votes and Prof. Samuel received 1 vote. Prof. Pakrasi voted for Prof. Ramaswamy, Prof. Qureshi for Prof. Samuel, Prof. Ramaswamy for Prof. Qureshi and Prof. Samuel for Prof. Pakrasi.
Which two candidates can belong to the same department?
Which two candidates can belong to the same department?
Prof. Pakrasi and Prof. Qureshi
Prof. Pakrasi and Prof. Samuel
Prof. Qureshi and Prof. Ramaswamy
Prof. Ramaswamy and Prof. Samuel
Which of the following can be the number of votes that Prof. Qureshi received from a single department?
Which of the following can be the number of votes that Prof. Qureshi received from a single department?
7
6
8
9
If Prof. Samuel belongs to B&H, which of the following statements is/are true?
Statement A: Prof. Pakrasi belongs to M&S.
Statement B: Prof. Ramaswamy belongs to O&Q
If Prof. Samuel belongs to B&H, which of the following statements is/are true?
Statement A: Prof. Pakrasi belongs to M&S.
Statement B: Prof. Ramaswamy belongs to O&Q
Neither statement A nor statement B
Only statement B
Only statement A
Both statements A and B
What best can be concluded about the candidate from O&Q?
What best can be concluded about the candidate from O&Q?
It was Prof. Samuel.
It was either Prof. Ramaswamy or Prof. Samuel.
It was Prof. Ramaswamy.
It was either Prof. Pakrasi or Prof. Qureshi.
Which of the following statements is/are true?
Statement A: Non-candidates from M&S voted for Prof. Qureshi.
Statement B: Non-candidates from F&A voted for Prof. Qureshi.
Which of the following statements is/are true?
Statement A: Non-candidates from M&S voted for Prof. Qureshi.
Statement B: Non-candidates from F&A voted for Prof. Qureshi.
Both statements A and B
Only statement B
Only statement A
Neither statement nor statement
Question 2
Slot-2
Odsville has five firms – Alfloo, Bzygoo, Czechy, Drjbna and Elavalaki. Each of these firms was founded in some year and also closed down a few years later.
Each firm raised Rs. 1 crore in its first and last year of existence. The amount each firm raised every year increased until it reached a maximum, and then decreased until the firm closed down. No firm raised the same amount of money in two consecutive years. Each annual increase and decrease was either by Rs. 1 crore or by Rs. 2 crores.
The table below provides partial information about the five firms.

Odsville has five firms – Alfloo, Bzygoo, Czechy, Drjbna and Elavalaki. Each of these firms was founded in some year and also closed down a few years later.
Each firm raised Rs. 1 crore in its first and last year of existence. The amount each firm raised every year increased until it reached a maximum, and then decreased until the firm closed down. No firm raised the same amount of money in two consecutive years. Each annual increase and decrease was either by Rs. 1 crore or by Rs. 2 crores.
The table below provides partial information about the five firms.

For which firm(s) can the amounts raised by them be concluded with certainty in each year?
For which firm(s) can the amounts raised by them be concluded with certainty in each year?
Only Czechy and Drjbna
Only Bzygoo and Czechy and Drjbna
Only Czechy
Only Drjbna
What best can be concluded about the total amount of money raised in 2015?
What best can be concluded about the total amount of money raised in 2015?
It is either Rs. 7 crores or Rs. 8 crores.
It is either Rs. 7 crores or Rs. 8 crores or Rs. 9 crores.
It is exactly Rs. 8 crores.
It is either Rs. 8 crores or Rs. 9 crores
What is the largest possible total amount of money (in Rs. crores) that could have been raised in 2013?
What is the largest possible total amount of money (in Rs. crores) that could have been raised in 2013?
If Elavalaki raised Rs. 3 crores in 2013, then what is the smallest possible total amount of money (in Rs. crores) that could have been raised by all the companies in 2012?
If Elavalaki raised Rs. 3 crores in 2013, then what is the smallest possible total amount of money (in Rs. crores) that could have been raised by all the companies in 2012?
12
11
10
9
If the total amount of money raised in 2014 is Rs. 12 crores, then which of the following is not possible?
If the total amount of money raised in 2014 is Rs. 12 crores, then which of the following is not possible?
Bzygoo raised the same amount of money as Elavalaki in 2013.
Alfloo raised the same amount of money as Drjbna in 2013
Alfloo raised the same amount of money as Bzygoo in 2014.
Bzygoo raised more money than Elavalaki in 2014.
CAT 2022 Distribution questions
Question 1
Slot-1
The management of a university hockey team was evaluating performance of four women players - Amla, Bimla, Harita and Sarita for their possible selection in the university team for next year. For this purpose, the management was looking at the number of goals scored by them in the past 8 matches, numbered 1 through 8. The four players together had scored a total of 12 goals in these matches. In the 8 matches, each of them had scored at least one goal. No two players had scored the same total number of goals.
The following facts are known about the goals scored by these four players only. All the questions refer only to the goals scored by these four players.
- Only one goal was scored in every even numbered match.
- Harita scored more goals than Bimla.
- The highest goal scorer scored goals in exactly 3 matches including Match 4 and Match 8.
- Bimla scored a goal in Match 1 and one each in three other consecutive matches.
- An equal number of goals were scored in Match 3 and Match 7, which was different from the number of goals scored in either Match 1 or Match 5.
- The match in which the highest number of goals was scored was unique and it was not Match 5.
The management of a university hockey team was evaluating performance of four women players - Amla, Bimla, Harita and Sarita for their possible selection in the university team for next year. For this purpose, the management was looking at the number of goals scored by them in the past 8 matches, numbered 1 through 8. The four players together had scored a total of 12 goals in these matches. In the 8 matches, each of them had scored at least one goal. No two players had scored the same total number of goals.
The following facts are known about the goals scored by these four players only. All the questions refer only to the goals scored by these four players.
- Only one goal was scored in every even numbered match.
- Harita scored more goals than Bimla.
- The highest goal scorer scored goals in exactly 3 matches including Match 4 and Match 8.
- Bimla scored a goal in Match 1 and one each in three other consecutive matches.
- An equal number of goals were scored in Match 3 and Match 7, which was different from the number of goals scored in either Match 1 or Match 5.
- The match in which the highest number of goals was scored was unique and it was not Match 5.
How many goals were scored in Match 7?
How many goals were scored in Match 7?
3
2
1
Cannot be determined
Which of the following is the correct sequence of goals scored in matches and 7 ?
Which of the following is the correct sequence of goals scored in matches and 7 ?
4, 1, 2, 1
Which of the following statement(s) is/are true?
Statement-1: Amla and Sarita never scored goals in the same match.
Statement-2: Harita and Sarita never scored goals in the same match.
Which of the following statement(s) is/are true?
Statement-1: Amla and Sarita never scored goals in the same match.
Statement-2: Harita and Sarita never scored goals in the same match.
Statement-1 only
Statement-2 only
Both the statements
None of the statements
Which of the following statement(s) is/are false?
Statement-1: In every match at least one player scored a goal.
Statement-2: No two players scored goals in the same number of matches.
Which of the following statement(s) is/are false?
Statement-1: In every match at least one player scored a goal.
Statement-2: No two players scored goals in the same number of matches.
None of the statements
Statement-1 only
Both the statements
Statement-2 only
If Harita scored goals in one more match as compared to Sarita, which of the following statement(s) is/are necessarily true?
Statement-1: Amla scored goals in consecutive matches.
Statement-2: Sarita scored goals in consecutive matches.
If Harita scored goals in one more match as compared to Sarita, which of the following statement(s) is/are necessarily true?
Statement-1: Amla scored goals in consecutive matches.
Statement-2: Sarita scored goals in consecutive matches.
Statement-2 only
None of the statements
Statement-1 only
Both the statements
Question 2
Slot-2
A few salesmen are employed to sell a product called TRICCEK among households in various housing complexes. On each day, a salesman is assigned to visit one housing complex. Once a salesman enters a housing complex, he can meet any number of households in the time available. However, if a household makes a complaint against the salesman, then he must leave the housing complex immediately and cannot meet any other household on that day. A household may buy any number of TRICCEK items or may not buy any item. The salesman needs to record the total number of TRICCEK items sold as well as the number of households met in each day. The success rate of a salesman for a day is defined as the ratio of the number of items sold to the number of households met on that day. Some details about the performances of three salesmen - Tohri, Hokli and Lahur, on two particular days are given below.
- Over the two days, all three of them met the same total number of households, and each of them sold a total of 100 items.
- On both days, Lahur met the same number of households and sold the same number of items.
- Hokli could not sell any item on the second day because the first household he met on that day complained against him.
- Tohri met 30 more households on the second day than on the first day.
- Tohri's success rate was twice that of Lahur's on the first day, and it was 75% of Lahur's on the second day.
A few salesmen are employed to sell a product called TRICCEK among households in various housing complexes. On each day, a salesman is assigned to visit one housing complex. Once a salesman enters a housing complex, he can meet any number of households in the time available. However, if a household makes a complaint against the salesman, then he must leave the housing complex immediately and cannot meet any other household on that day. A household may buy any number of TRICCEK items or may not buy any item. The salesman needs to record the total number of TRICCEK items sold as well as the number of households met in each day. The success rate of a salesman for a day is defined as the ratio of the number of items sold to the number of households met on that day. Some details about the performances of three salesmen - Tohri, Hokli and Lahur, on two particular days are given below.
- Over the two days, all three of them met the same total number of households, and each of them sold a total of 100 items.
- On both days, Lahur met the same number of households and sold the same number of items.
- Hokli could not sell any item on the second day because the first household he met on that day complained against him.
- Tohri met 30 more households on the second day than on the first day.
- Tohri's success rate was twice that of Lahur's on the first day, and it was 75% of Lahur's on the second day.
What was the total number of households met by Tohri, Hokli and Lahur on the first day?
What was the total number of households met by Tohri, Hokli and Lahur on the first day?
How many TRICCEK items were sold by Tohri on the first day?
How many TRICCEK items were sold by Tohri on the first day?
How many households did Lahur meet on the second day?
How many households did Lahur meet on the second day?
between 21 and 29
20 or less
more than 35
between 30 and 35
How many households did Tohri meet on the first day?
How many households did Tohri meet on the first day?
between 21 and 40
between 11 and 20
more than 40
10 or less
Which of the following statements is FALSE?
Which of the following statements is FALSE?
Among the three, Tohri had the highest success rate on the second day.
Tohri had a higher success rate on the first day compared to the second day.
Among the three, Tohri had the highest success rate on the first day.
Among the three, Lahur had the lowest success rate on the first day.
CAT 2021 Distribution questions
Question 1
Slot-1
Amudha, Bharatan, Chandran, Dhinesh, Ezhil, Fani and Gowtham are seven people in a town. Any pair of them could either be strangers, acquaintances, or friends. All relationships are mutual. For example, if Amudha is a friend of Bharatan, then Bharatan is also a friend of Amudha. Similarly, if Amudha is a stranger to Bharatan, then Bharatan is also a stranger to Amudha.
Partial information about the number of friends, acquaintances, and strangers of each of these people among them is given in the table below.
Here’s your table in Markdown format:
| Name | No. of Friends | No. of Acquaintances | No. of Strangers |
|----------|----------------|---------------------|------------------|
| Amudha | | 1 | 4 |
| Bharatan | | | |
| Chandran | | 1 | |
| Dhinesh | | | 2 |
| Ezhil | | | 1 |
| Fani | 1 | | |
| Gowtham | | 3 | 2 |
The following additional facts are also known.
-
Amudha, Bharatan, and Chandran are mutual strangers.
-
Amudha, Dhinesh, and Fani are Ezil's friends.
-
Chandran and Gowtham are friends.
-
Every friend of Amudha is an acquaintance of Bharatan, and every acquaintance of Bharatan is a friend of Amudha.
-
Every friend of Bharatan is an acquaintance of Amudha, and every acquaintance of Amudha is a friend of Bharatan.
Amudha, Bharatan, Chandran, Dhinesh, Ezhil, Fani and Gowtham are seven people in a town. Any pair of them could either be strangers, acquaintances, or friends. All relationships are mutual. For example, if Amudha is a friend of Bharatan, then Bharatan is also a friend of Amudha. Similarly, if Amudha is a stranger to Bharatan, then Bharatan is also a stranger to Amudha.
Partial information about the number of friends, acquaintances, and strangers of each of these people among them is given in the table below.
Here’s your table in Markdown format:
| Name | No. of Friends | No. of Acquaintances | No. of Strangers |
|----------|----------------|---------------------|------------------|
| Amudha | | 1 | 4 |
| Bharatan | | | |
| Chandran | | 1 | |
| Dhinesh | | | 2 |
| Ezhil | | | 1 |
| Fani | 1 | | |
| Gowtham | | 3 | 2 |
The following additional facts are also known.
-
Amudha, Bharatan, and Chandran are mutual strangers.
-
Amudha, Dhinesh, and Fani are Ezil's friends.
-
Chandran and Gowtham are friends.
-
Every friend of Amudha is an acquaintance of Bharatan, and every acquaintance of Bharatan is a friend of Amudha.
-
Every friend of Bharatan is an acquaintance of Amudha, and every acquaintance of Amudha is a friend of Bharatan.
Who are Gowtham's acquaintances?
Who are Gowtham's acquaintances?
Amudha, Bharatan and Fani
Dhinesh, Ezhil and Fani
Amudha, Dhinesh and Fani
Bharatan, Dhinesh and Ezhil
Which of these pairs share the same type of relationship?
Which of these pairs share the same type of relationship?
(Bharatan, Chandran) and (Dhinesh, Ezhil)
(Chandran, Ezhil) and (Dhinesh, Gowtham)
(Amudha, Gowtham) and (Ezhil, Fani)
(Bharatan, Ezhil) and (Fani, Gowtham)
Who is an acquaintance of Amudha?
Who is an acquaintance of Amudha?
Dhinesh
Fani
Ezhil
Gowtham
Who is an acquaintance of Chandran?
Who is an acquaintance of Chandran?
Ezhil
Bharatan
Fani
Dhinesh
How many friends does Ezhil have?
How many friends does Ezhil have?
How many people are either a friend or a friend-of-a-friend of Ezhil?
How many people are either a friend or a friend-of-a-friend of Ezhil?
Question 2
Slot-2
Ten objects o1, o2, ..., o10 were distributed among Amar, Barat, Charles, Disha, and Elise. Each item went to exactly one person. Each person got exactly two of the items, and this pair of objects is called her/his bundle.
The following table shows how each person values each object.

The value of any bundle by a person is the sum of that person's values of the objects in that bundle. A person X envies another person if values 's bundle more than 's own bundle.
For example, hypothetically suppose Amar's bundle consists of 01 and 02 , and Barat's bundle consists of 03 and o4. Then Amar values his own bundle at and Barat's bundle at . Hence Amar does not envy Barat. On the other hand, Barat values his own bundle at and Amar's bundle at . Hence Barat envies Amar.
The following facts are known about the actual distribution of the objects among the five people.
- If someone's value for an object is 10 , then she/he received that object.
- Objects o1, o2, and o3 were given to three different people.
- Objects o1 and o8 were given to different people.
- Three people value their own bundles at 16 . No one values her/his own bundle at a number higher than 16 .
- Disha values her own bundle at an odd number. All others value their own bundles at an even number.
- Some people who value their own bundles less than 16 envy some other people who value their own bundle at 16. No one else envies others.
Ten objects o1, o2, ..., o10 were distributed among Amar, Barat, Charles, Disha, and Elise. Each item went to exactly one person. Each person got exactly two of the items, and this pair of objects is called her/his bundle.
The following table shows how each person values each object.

The value of any bundle by a person is the sum of that person's values of the objects in that bundle. A person X envies another person if values 's bundle more than 's own bundle.
For example, hypothetically suppose Amar's bundle consists of 01 and 02 , and Barat's bundle consists of 03 and o4. Then Amar values his own bundle at and Barat's bundle at . Hence Amar does not envy Barat. On the other hand, Barat values his own bundle at and Amar's bundle at . Hence Barat envies Amar.
The following facts are known about the actual distribution of the objects among the five people.
- If someone's value for an object is 10 , then she/he received that object.
- Objects o1, o2, and o3 were given to three different people.
- Objects o1 and o8 were given to different people.
- Three people value their own bundles at 16 . No one values her/his own bundle at a number higher than 16 .
- Disha values her own bundle at an odd number. All others value their own bundles at an even number.
- Some people who value their own bundles less than 16 envy some other people who value their own bundle at 16. No one else envies others.
What BEST can be said about object o8?
What BEST can be said about object o8?
08 was given to Amar, Charles, or Disha
08 was given to Disha
08 was given to Charles
08 was given to Charles or Disha
Who among the following envies someone else?
Who among the following envies someone else?
Barat
Charles
Amar
Elise
What is Amar's value for his own bundle?
What is Amar's value for his own bundle?
Object o4 was given to
Object o4 was given to
Elise
Barat
Charles
Disha
Object o5 was given to
Object o5 was given to
Disha
Elise
Amar
Charles
What BEST can be said about the distribution of object o1?
What BEST can be said about the distribution of object o1?
o1 was given to Disha
o1 was given to Charles
o1 was given to Charles, Disha, or Elise
o1 was given to Charles or Disha
CAT 2020 Distribution questions
Question 1
Slot-1
In a certain board examination, students were to appear for examination in five subjects: English, Hindi, Mathematics, Science and Social Science. Due to a certain emergency situation, a few of the examinations could not be conducted for some students. Hence, some students missed one examination and some others missed two examinations. Nobody missed more than two examinations.
The board adopted the following policy for awarding marks to students. If a student appeared in all five examinations, then the marks awarded in each of the examinations were on the basis of the scores obtained by them in those examinations.
If a student missed only one examination, then the marks awarded in that examination was the average of the best three among the four scores in the examinations they appeared for.
If a student missed two examinations, then the marks awarded in each of these examinations was the average of the best two among the three scores in the examinations they appeared for.
The marks obtained by six students in the examination are given in the table below. Each of them missed either one or two examinations.
English Hindi Mathematics Science Social Science Alva 80 75 70 75 60 Bithi 90 80 55 85 85 Carl 75 80 90 100 90 Deep 70 90 100 90 80 Esha 80 85 95 60 55 Foni 83 72 78 88 83
The following facts are also known.
I. Four of these students appeared in each of the English, Hindi, Science, and Social Science examinations.
II. The student who missed the Mathematics examination did not miss any other examination.
III. One of the students who missed the Hindi examination did not miss any other examination. The other student who missed the Hindi examination also missed the Science examination.
In a certain board examination, students were to appear for examination in five subjects: English, Hindi, Mathematics, Science and Social Science. Due to a certain emergency situation, a few of the examinations could not be conducted for some students. Hence, some students missed one examination and some others missed two examinations. Nobody missed more than two examinations.
The board adopted the following policy for awarding marks to students. If a student appeared in all five examinations, then the marks awarded in each of the examinations were on the basis of the scores obtained by them in those examinations.
If a student missed only one examination, then the marks awarded in that examination was the average of the best three among the four scores in the examinations they appeared for.
If a student missed two examinations, then the marks awarded in each of these examinations was the average of the best two among the three scores in the examinations they appeared for.
The marks obtained by six students in the examination are given in the table below. Each of them missed either one or two examinations.
| English | Hindi | Mathematics | Science | Social Science | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alva | 80 | 75 | 70 | 75 | 60 |
| Bithi | 90 | 80 | 55 | 85 | 85 |
| Carl | 75 | 80 | 90 | 100 | 90 |
| Deep | 70 | 90 | 100 | 90 | 80 |
| Esha | 80 | 85 | 95 | 60 | 55 |
| Foni | 83 | 72 | 78 | 88 | 83 |
The following facts are also known.
I. Four of these students appeared in each of the English, Hindi, Science, and Social Science examinations.
II. The student who missed the Mathematics examination did not miss any other examination.
III. One of the students who missed the Hindi examination did not miss any other examination. The other student who missed the Hindi examination also missed the Science examination.
Who among the following did not appear for the Mathematics examination?
Who among the following did not appear for the Mathematics examination?
Alva
Carl
Foni
Esha
Which students did not appear for the English examination?
Which students did not appear for the English examination?
Carl and Deep
Cannot be determined
Alva and Bithi
Esha and Foni
What BEST can be concluded about the students who did not appear for the Hindi examination?
What BEST can be concluded about the students who did not appear for the Hindi examination?
Deep and Esha
Alva and Deep
Alva and Esha
Two among Alva, Deep and Esha
What BEST can be concluded about the students who missed the Science examination?
What BEST can be concluded about the students who missed the Science examination?
Bithi and one out of Alva and Deep
Alva and Bithi
Deep and Bithi
Alva and Deep
How many out of these six students missed exactly one examination?
How many out of these six students missed exactly one examination?
For how many students can we be definite about which examinations they missed?
For how many students can we be definite about which examinations they missed?
CAT 2019 Distribution questions
Question 1
Slot-1
A new game show on TV has 100 boxes numbered in a row, each containing a mystery prize. The prizes are items of different types, , in decreasing order of value. The most expensive item is of type a, a diamond ring, and there is exactly one of these. You are told that the number of items at least doubles as you move to the next type. For example, there would be at least twice as many items of type b as of type a, at least twice as many items of type c as of type b and so on. There is no particular order in which the prizes are placed in the boxes.
A new game show on TV has 100 boxes numbered in a row, each containing a mystery prize. The prizes are items of different types, , in decreasing order of value. The most expensive item is of type a, a diamond ring, and there is exactly one of these. You are told that the number of items at least doubles as you move to the next type. For example, there would be at least twice as many items of type b as of type a, at least twice as many items of type c as of type b and so on. There is no particular order in which the prizes are placed in the boxes.
What is the minimum possible number of different types of prizes?
What is the minimum possible number of different types of prizes?
What is the maximum possible number of different types of prizes?
What is the maximum possible number of different types of prizes?
Which of the following is not possible?
Which of the following is not possible?
There are exactly 75 items of type e.
There are exactly 30 items of type b.
There are exactly 45 items of type c.
There are exactly 60 items of type d.
You ask for the type of item in box 45. Instead of being given a direct answer, you are told that there are 31 items of the same type as box 45 in boxes 1 to 44 and 43 items of the same type as box 45 in boxes 46 to 100. What is the maximum possible number of different types of items?
You ask for the type of item in box 45. Instead of being given a direct answer, you are told that there are 31 items of the same type as box 45 in boxes 1 to 44 and 43 items of the same type as box 45 in boxes 46 to 100. What is the maximum possible number of different types of items?
5
6
4
3
Question 2
Slot-2
The first year students in a business school are split into six sections. In 2019 the Business Statistics course was taught in these six sections by Annie, Beti, Chetan, Dave, Esha, and Fakir. All six sections had a common midterm (MT) and a common endterm (ET) worth 100 marks each. ET contained more questions than MT. Questions for MT and ET were prepared collectively by the six faculty members. Considering MT and ET together, each faculty member prepared the same number of questions.
Each of MT and ET had at least four questions that were worth 5 marks, at least three questions that were worth 10 marks, and at least two questions that were worth 15 marks. In both MT and ET, all the 5-mark questions preceded the 10-mark questions, and all the 15- mark questions followed the 10-mark questions.
The following additional facts are known.
i. Annie prepared the fifth question for both MT and ET. For MT, this question carried 5 marks.
ii. Annie prepared one question for MT. Every other faculty member prepared more than one questions for MT.
iii. All questions prepared by a faculty member appeared consecutively in MT as well as ET.
iv. Chetan prepared the third question in both MT and ET; and Esha prepared the eighth question in both.
v. Fakir prepared the first question of MT and the last one in ET. Dave prepared the last question of MT and the first one in ET.
The first year students in a business school are split into six sections. In 2019 the Business Statistics course was taught in these six sections by Annie, Beti, Chetan, Dave, Esha, and Fakir. All six sections had a common midterm (MT) and a common endterm (ET) worth 100 marks each. ET contained more questions than MT. Questions for MT and ET were prepared collectively by the six faculty members. Considering MT and ET together, each faculty member prepared the same number of questions.
Each of MT and ET had at least four questions that were worth 5 marks, at least three questions that were worth 10 marks, and at least two questions that were worth 15 marks. In both MT and ET, all the 5-mark questions preceded the 10-mark questions, and all the 15- mark questions followed the 10-mark questions.
The following additional facts are known.
i. Annie prepared the fifth question for both MT and ET. For MT, this question carried 5 marks.
ii. Annie prepared one question for MT. Every other faculty member prepared more than one questions for MT.
iii. All questions prepared by a faculty member appeared consecutively in MT as well as ET.
iv. Chetan prepared the third question in both MT and ET; and Esha prepared the eighth question in both.
v. Fakir prepared the first question of MT and the last one in ET. Dave prepared the last question of MT and the first one in ET.
The second question in ET was prepared by:
The second question in ET was prepared by:
Chetan
Beti
Esha
Dave
How many 5-mark questions were there in MT and ET combined?
How many 5-mark questions were there in MT and ET combined?
13
12
10
Cannot be determined
Who prepared 15 -mark questions for MT and ET ?
Who prepared 15 -mark questions for MT and ET ?
Only Beti, Dave, Esha and Fakir
Only Dave and Fakir c Only Esha and Fakir
Only Dave, Esha and Fakir
Which of the following questions did Beti prepare in ET?
Which of the following questions did Beti prepare in ET?
Seventh question
Fourth question
Ninth question
Tenth question
CAT 2018 Distribution questions
Question 1
Slot-1
Adriana, Bandita, Chitra, and Daisy are four female students, and Amit, Barun, Chetan, and Deb are four male students. Each of them studies in one of three institutes - X, Y, and Z. Each student majors in one subject among Marketing, Operations, and Finance, and minors in a different one among these three subjects. The following facts are known about the eight students:
-
- Three students are from , three are from , and the remaining two students, both female, are from .
-
- Both the male students from minor in Finance, while the female student from majors in Operations.
-
- Only one male student majors in Operations, while three female students minor in Marketing.
-
- One female and two male students major in Finance.
-
- Adriana and Deb are from the same institute. Daisy and Amit are from the same institute.
-
- Barun is from and majors in Operations. Chetan is from and majors in Finance.
-
- Daisy minors in Operations.
Adriana, Bandita, Chitra, and Daisy are four female students, and Amit, Barun, Chetan, and Deb are four male students. Each of them studies in one of three institutes - X, Y, and Z. Each student majors in one subject among Marketing, Operations, and Finance, and minors in a different one among these three subjects. The following facts are known about the eight students:
-
- Three students are from , three are from , and the remaining two students, both female, are from .
-
- Both the male students from minor in Finance, while the female student from majors in Operations.
-
- Only one male student majors in Operations, while three female students minor in Marketing.
-
- One female and two male students major in Finance.
-
- Adriana and Deb are from the same institute. Daisy and Amit are from the same institute.
-
- Barun is from and majors in Operations. Chetan is from and majors in Finance.
-
- Daisy minors in Operations.
Who are the students from the institute ?
Who are the students from the institute ?
Chitra and Daisy
Adriana and Bandita
Bandita and Chitra
Adriana and Daisy
Which subject does Deb minor in?
Which subject does Deb minor in?
Operations
Finance
Marketing
Cannot be determined uniquely from the given information
Which subject does Amit major in?
Which subject does Amit major in?
Marketing
Operations
Cannot be determined uniquely from the given information
Finance
If Chitra majors in Finance, which subject does Bandita major in?
If Chitra majors in Finance, which subject does Bandita major in?
Finance
Cannot be determined uniquely from the given information
Operations
Marketing ## Instructions [39-42] An ATM dispenses exactly Rs. 5000 per withdrawal using 100, 200 and 500 rupee notes. The ATM requires every customer to give her preference for one of the three denominations of notes. It then dispenses notes such that the number of notes of the customer's preferred denomination exceeds the total number of notes of other denominations dispensed to her.
Question 2
Slot-1
You are given an square matrix to be filled with numerals so that no two adjacent cells have the same numeral. Two cells are called adjacent if they touch each other horizontally, vertically or diagonally. So a cell in one of the four corners has three cells adjacent to it, and a cell in the first or last row or column which is not in the corner has five cells adjacent to it. Any other cell has eight cells adjacent to it.
You are given an square matrix to be filled with numerals so that no two adjacent cells have the same numeral. Two cells are called adjacent if they touch each other horizontally, vertically or diagonally. So a cell in one of the four corners has three cells adjacent to it, and a cell in the first or last row or column which is not in the corner has five cells adjacent to it. Any other cell has eight cells adjacent to it.
What is the minimum number of different numerals needed to fill a square matrix?
What is the minimum number of different numerals needed to fill a square matrix?
What is the minimum number of different numerals needed to fill a square matrix?
What is the minimum number of different numerals needed to fill a square matrix?
Suppose you are allowed to make one mistake, that is, one pair of adjacent cells can have the same numeral. What is the minimum number of different numerals required to fill a matrix?
Suppose you are allowed to make one mistake, that is, one pair of adjacent cells can have the same numeral. What is the minimum number of different numerals required to fill a matrix?
4
16
9
25
Suppose that all the cells adjacent to any particular cell must have different numerals. What is the minimum number of different numerals needed to fill a square matrix?
Suppose that all the cells adjacent to any particular cell must have different numerals. What is the minimum number of different numerals needed to fill a square matrix?
25
4
16
9
Question 3
Slot-1
An ATM dispenses exactly Rs. 5000 per withdrawal using 100, 200 and 500 rupee notes. The ATM requires every customer to give her preference for one of the three denominations of notes. It then dispenses notes such that the number of notes of the customer's preferred denomination exceeds the total number of notes of other denominations dispensed to her.
An ATM dispenses exactly Rs. 5000 per withdrawal using 100, 200 and 500 rupee notes. The ATM requires every customer to give her preference for one of the three denominations of notes. It then dispenses notes such that the number of notes of the customer's preferred denomination exceeds the total number of notes of other denominations dispensed to her.
In how many different ways can the ATM serve a customer who gives 500 rupee notes as her preference?
In how many different ways can the ATM serve a customer who gives 500 rupee notes as her preference?
If the ATM could serve only 10 customers with a stock of fifty 500 rupee notes and a sufficient number of notes of other denominations, what is the maximum number of customers among these 10 who could have given 500 rupee notes as their preferences?
If the ATM could serve only 10 customers with a stock of fifty 500 rupee notes and a sufficient number of notes of other denominations, what is the maximum number of customers among these 10 who could have given 500 rupee notes as their preferences?
What is the maximum number of customers that the ATM can serve with a stock of fifty 500 rupee notes and a sufficient number of notes of other denominations, if all the customers are to be served with at most 20 notes per withdrawal?
What is the maximum number of customers that the ATM can serve with a stock of fifty 500 rupee notes and a sufficient number of notes of other denominations, if all the customers are to be served with at most 20 notes per withdrawal?
12
10
13
16
What is the number of 500 rupee notes required to serve 50 customers with 500 rupee notes as their preferences and another 50 customers with 100 rupee notes as their preferences, if the total number of notes to be dispensed is the smallest possible?
What is the number of 500 rupee notes required to serve 50 customers with 500 rupee notes as their preferences and another 50 customers with 100 rupee notes as their preferences, if the total number of notes to be dispensed is the smallest possible?
900
800
1400
750
CAT 2017 Distribution questions
Question 1
Slot-2
Funky Pizzeria was required to supply pizzas to three different parties. The total number of pizzas it had to deliver was 800, 70% of which were to be delivered to Party 3 and the rest equally divided between Party 1 and Party 2.
Pizzas could be of Thin Crust (T) or Deep Dish (D) variety and come in either Normal Cheese (NC) or Extra Cheese (EC) versions. Hence, there are four types of pizzas: T-NC, T-EC, D-NC and D-EC. Partial information about proportions of T and NC pizzas ordered by the three parties is given below:

Funky Pizzeria was required to supply pizzas to three different parties. The total number of pizzas it had to deliver was 800, 70% of which were to be delivered to Party 3 and the rest equally divided between Party 1 and Party 2.
Pizzas could be of Thin Crust (T) or Deep Dish (D) variety and come in either Normal Cheese (NC) or Extra Cheese (EC) versions. Hence, there are four types of pizzas: T-NC, T-EC, D-NC and D-EC. Partial information about proportions of T and NC pizzas ordered by the three parties is given below:

How many Thin Crust pizzas were to be delivered to Party 3?
How many Thin Crust pizzas were to be delivered to Party 3?
398
162
96
364
How many Normal Cheese pizzas were required to be delivered to Party 1 ?
How many Normal Cheese pizzas were required to be delivered to Party 1 ?
104
84
16
196
For Party 2, if 50% of the Normal Cheese pizzas were of Thin Crust variety, what was the difference between the numbers of T-EC and D-EC pizzas to be delivered to Party 2?
For Party 2, if 50% of the Normal Cheese pizzas were of Thin Crust variety, what was the difference between the numbers of T-EC and D-EC pizzas to be delivered to Party 2?
18
12
30
24
Suppose that a T-NC pizza cost as much as a D-NC pizza, but 3/5th of the price of a D-EC pizza.A D-EC pizza costs Rs. 50 more than a T-EC pizza, and the latter costs Rs. 500. If of the Normal Cheese pizzas delivered to Party 1 were of Deep Dish variety, what was the total bill for Party 1?
Suppose that a T-NC pizza cost as much as a D-NC pizza, but 3/5th of the price of a D-EC pizza.A D-EC pizza costs Rs. 50 more than a T-EC pizza, and the latter costs Rs. 500. If of the Normal Cheese pizzas delivered to Party 1 were of Deep Dish variety, what was the total bill for Party 1?
Rs. 59480
Rs. 59840
Rs. 42520
Rs. 45240
Question 2
Slot-2
An old woman had the following assets:
(a) Rs. 70 lakh in bank deposits
(b) 1 house worth Rs. 50 lakh
(c) 3 flats, each worth Rs. 30 lakh
(d) Certain number of gold coins, each worth Rs. 1 lakh
She wanted to distribute her assets among her three children; Neeta, Seeta and Geeta. The house, any of the flats or any of the coins were not to be split. That is, the house went entirely to one child; a flat went to one child and similarly, a gold coin went to one child.
Among the three, Neeta received the least amount in bank deposits, while Geeta received the highest. The value of the assets was distributed equally among the children, as were the gold coins.
An old woman had the following assets:
(a) Rs. 70 lakh in bank deposits
(b) 1 house worth Rs. 50 lakh
(c) 3 flats, each worth Rs. 30 lakh
(d) Certain number of gold coins, each worth Rs. 1 lakh
She wanted to distribute her assets among her three children; Neeta, Seeta and Geeta. The house, any of the flats or any of the coins were not to be split. That is, the house went entirely to one child; a flat went to one child and similarly, a gold coin went to one child.
Among the three, Neeta received the least amount in bank deposits, while Geeta received the highest. The value of the assets was distributed equally among the children, as were the gold coins.
How much did Seeta receive in bank deposits (in lakhs of rupees)?
How much did Seeta receive in bank deposits (in lakhs of rupees)?
30
40
20
10
How many flats did Neeta receive?
How many flats did Neeta receive?
The value of the assets distributed among Neeta, Seeta and Geeta was in the ratio of , while the gold coins were distributed among them in the ratio of . One child got all three flats and she did not get the house. One child, other than Geeta, got Rs. 30 lakh in bank deposits.
How many gold coins did the old woman have?
The value of the assets distributed among Neeta, Seeta and Geeta was in the ratio of , while the gold coins were distributed among them in the ratio of . One child got all three flats and she did not get the house. One child, other than Geeta, got Rs. 30 lakh in bank deposits.
How many gold coins did the old woman have?
72
90
180
216
The value of the assets distributed among Neeta, Seeta and Geeta was in the ratio of , while the gold coins were distributed among them in the ratio of . One child got all three flats and she did not get the house. One child, other than Geeta, got Rs. 30 lakh in. bank deposits.
How much did Geeta get in bank deposits (in lakhs of rupees)?
The value of the assets distributed among Neeta, Seeta and Geeta was in the ratio of , while the gold coins were distributed among them in the ratio of . One child got all three flats and she did not get the house. One child, other than Geeta, got Rs. 30 lakh in. bank deposits.
How much did Geeta get in bank deposits (in lakhs of rupees)?
Question 3
Slot-2
A tea taster was assigned to rate teas from six different locations - Munnar, Wayanad, Ooty, Darjeeling, Assam and Himachal: These teas were placed in six cups, numbered 1 to 6 , not necessarily in the same order. The tea taster was asked to rate these teas on the strength of their flavour on a scale of 1 to 10. He gave a unique integer rating to each tea.
Some other information is given below:
- Cup 6 contained tea from Himachal.
- Tea from Ooty got the highest rating, but it was not in Cup 3.
- The rating of tea in Cup 3 was double the rating of the tea in Cup 5.
- Only two cups got ratings in even numbers.
- Cup 2 got the minimum rating and this rating was an even number.
- Tea in Cup 3 got a higher rating than that in Cup 1.
- The rating of tea from Wayanad was more than the rating of tea from Munnar, but less than that from Assam.
A tea taster was assigned to rate teas from six different locations - Munnar, Wayanad, Ooty, Darjeeling, Assam and Himachal: These teas were placed in six cups, numbered 1 to 6 , not necessarily in the same order. The tea taster was asked to rate these teas on the strength of their flavour on a scale of 1 to 10. He gave a unique integer rating to each tea.
Some other information is given below:
- Cup 6 contained tea from Himachal.
- Tea from Ooty got the highest rating, but it was not in Cup 3.
- The rating of tea in Cup 3 was double the rating of the tea in Cup 5.
- Only two cups got ratings in even numbers.
- Cup 2 got the minimum rating and this rating was an even number.
- Tea in Cup 3 got a higher rating than that in Cup 1.
- The rating of tea from Wayanad was more than the rating of tea from Munnar, but less than that from Assam.
What was the second highest rating given?
What was the second highest rating given?
What was the number of the cup that contained tea from Ooty?
What was the number of the cup that contained tea from Ooty?
If the tea from Munnar did not get the minimum rating, what was the rating of the tea from Wayanad?
If the tea from Munnar did not get the minimum rating, what was the rating of the tea from Wayanad?
3
5
1
6
If cups containing teas from Wayanad and Ooty had consecutive numbers, which of the following statements may be true?
If cups containing teas from Wayanad and Ooty had consecutive numbers, which of the following statements may be true?
Cup 5 contains tea from Assam
Cup 1 contains tea from Darjeeling
Tea from Wayanad has got a rating of 6
Tea from Darjeeling got the minimum rating
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