25 Inequalities PYQ (Solutions)
Master Inequalities for CAT 2026 with practice questions and detailed explanations
Inequalities (linear, quadratic, modulus, and AM–GM style reasoning) are a frequently tested part of CAT Algebra. They appear almost every year and often form an essential portion of the algebra segment.
- CAT 2017: Inequalities were explicitly highlighted as a major focus along with quadratic equations.
- CAT 2018: Included within the 9 Algebra questions, with at least 1–2 inequality-based problems.
- CAT 2019: Featured 2 clear inequality questions, making it a noticeable sub-topic that year.
- CAT 2020: Some slots had up to 4 inequality questions, one of the highest in recent years.
- CAT 2021: Continued the pattern with 2–3 inequality questions across slots.
- CAT 2022–2023: Maintained regular presence, often 1–2 per slot depending on distribution.
- CAT 2024: Kept inequalities as a steady algebra component.
Expected Weightage:
Typically 2 inequality questions per exam, sometimes more (especially in algebra-heavy years). From 2017–2024, inequalities are a consistently tested and high-importance algebra topic.
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Weightage Over Past Years
| Year | Q.NONumber of questions | Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 5 | Hard |
| 2023 | 3 | Medium |
| 2022 | 4 | Medium |
| 2021 | 5 | Medium |
| 2020 | 6 | Hard |
| 2018 | 1 | Medium |
| 2017 | 1 | Medium |
CAT 2024 Inequalities questions
Question 1
Slot-1
In the -plane, the area, in sq. units, of the region defined by the inequalities and is
In the -plane, the area, in sq. units, of the region defined by the inequalities and is
Question 2
Slot-2
If and satisfy the equations and , then equals
If and satisfy the equations and , then equals
Question 3
Slot-2
All the values of satisfying the inequality are
All the values of satisfying the inequality are
Question 4
Slot-3
The number of distinct real values of , satisfying the equation is:
The number of distinct real values of , satisfying the equation is:
Question 5
Slot-3
The number of distinct integer solutions of the equation is
The number of distinct integer solutions of the equation is
CAT 2023 Inequalities questions
Question 1
Slot-2
Any non-zero real numbers such that and will satisfy the condition.
Any non-zero real numbers such that and will satisfy the condition.
Question 2
Slot-3
Let be any natural number such that . Then, the least integer value of that satisfies for each such , is
Let be any natural number such that . Then, the least integer value of that satisfies for each such , is
Question 3
Slot-3
Let be any natural number such that . Then, the least integer value of that satisfies for each such , is
Let be any natural number such that . Then, the least integer value of that satisfies for each such , is
CAT 2022 Inequalities questions
Question 1
Slot-1
The largest real value of for which the equation has an infinite number of solutions for is
The largest real value of for which the equation has an infinite number of solutions for is
Question 2
Slot-2
In an examination, there were 75 questions. 3 marks were awarded for each correct answer, 1 mark was deducted for each wrong answer and 1 mark was awarded for each unattempted question. Rayan scored a total of 97 marks in the examination. If the number of unattempted questions was higher than the number of attempted questions, then the maximum number of correct answers that Rayan could have given in the examination is
In an examination, there were 75 questions. 3 marks were awarded for each correct answer, 1 mark was deducted for each wrong answer and 1 mark was awarded for each unattempted question. Rayan scored a total of 97 marks in the examination. If the number of unattempted questions was higher than the number of attempted questions, then the maximum number of correct answers that Rayan could have given in the examination is
Question 3
Slot-2
If and are non-negative real numbers such that , then the average of the maximum and minimum possible values of is
If and are non-negative real numbers such that , then the average of the maximum and minimum possible values of is
Question 4
Slot-3
If for some non-zero real numbers and , then cannot take the value
If for some non-zero real numbers and , then cannot take the value
CAT 2021 Inequalities questions
Question 1
Slot-1
The number of integers n that satisfy the inequalities |n - 60| < |n - 100| < |n - 20| is
The number of integers n that satisfy the inequalities |n - 60| < |n - 100| < |n - 20| is
Question 2
Slot-2
For all real numbers x the condition |3x - 20| + |3x - 40| = 20 necessarily holds if
For all real numbers x the condition |3x - 20| + |3x - 40| = 20 necessarily holds if
Question 3
Slot-2
For all possible integers satisfying , the number of integer values of is
For all possible integers satisfying , the number of integer values of is
Question 4
Slot-3
The number of distinct pairs of integers satisfying
is:
The number of distinct pairs of integers satisfying
is:
Question 5
Slot-3
If and , then is
If and , then is
CAT 2020 Inequalities questions
Question 1
Slot-1
The area of the region satisfying the inequalities |x| - y ≤ 1, y ≥ 0, and y ≤ 1 is
The area of the region satisfying the inequalities |x| - y ≤ 1, y ≥ 0, and y ≤ 1 is
Question 2
Slot-2
Given two positive numbers and such that their product . Find the minimum possible value of .
Given two positive numbers and such that their product . Find the minimum possible value of .
Question 3
Slot-2
If x and y are non-negative integers such that x + 9 = z, y + 1 = z and x + y < z + 5, then the maximum possible value of 2x + y equals
If x and y are non-negative integers such that x + 9 = z, y + 1 = z and x + y < z + 5, then the maximum possible value of 2x + y equals
Question 4
Slot-2
The number of integers that satisfy the equation
The number of integers that satisfy the equation
Question 5
Slot-2
The number of pairs of integers(x,y) satisfying x ≥ y ≥ -20 and 2x + 5y = 99 is
The number of pairs of integers(x,y) satisfying x ≥ y ≥ -20 and 2x + 5y = 99 is
Question 6
Slot-3
Let m and n be natural numbers such that n is even and 0.2 < , , < 0.5. Then m - 2n equals
Let m and n be natural numbers such that n is even and 0.2 < , , < 0.5. Then m - 2n equals
CAT 2018 Inequalities questions
Question 1
Slot-2
The smallest integer n such that n³ - 11n² + 32n - 28 > 0 is [TITA]
The smallest integer n such that n³ - 11n² + 32n - 28 > 0 is [TITA]
CAT 2017 Inequalities questions
Question 1
Slot-1
For how many integers n, will the inequality (n – 5) (n – 10) – 3(n – 2) ≤ 0 be satisfied?
For how many integers n, will the inequality (n – 5) (n – 10) – 3(n – 2) ≤ 0 be satisfied?
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