Mathematics · Quantitative Aptitude

Surds and Indices

408 Questions

Surds and indices questions focus on evaluating square roots, cube roots, and fractional exponents. These topics are a core part of the quantitative aptitude section in many competitive exams. Practicing these problems builds speed and accuracy for solving numerical equations.

Square roots evaluationCube roots calculationExponents and powersFractional exponentsSurds multiplication

Surds and Indices Questions

Multiple choice general knowledge math & puzzles
  1. Col A is greater

  2. Col B is greater

  3. Both are same

  4. Can't be determined.

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Column A simplifies to sqrt((z²-4)²) = |z²-4|, which is the absolute value of Column B. When z²-4 ≥ 0 (i.e., |z| ≥ 2), both columns are equal. When z²-4 < 0 (i.e., -2 < z < 2), Column A equals 4-z² which is positive, while Column B is negative. Since the relationship changes based on z's value, it cannot be determined universally.

Multiple choice general knowledge math & puzzles
  1. 493

  2. 393

  3. 293

  4. 233

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The cube root of 60698457 is 393, since 393 × 393 × 393 = 60698457. This is a numerical computation question requiring you to identify which option cubed equals the given number. Note the grammar issue in the question.

Multiple choice general knowledge science & technology
  1. 19

  2. 17

  3. 13

  4. 28.9

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The square root of 289 is 17 because 17 × 17 = 289. Option B is correct. Option A (19) gives 361. Option C (13) gives 169. Option D (28.9) is not an integer and seems to be a decimal approximation error. Memorizing perfect squares up to 20×20 helps with quick mental math.

Multiple choice general knowledge math & puzzles
  1. 2 * (the square root of 2)

  2. 8

  3. 4 * (the square root of 2)

  4. 8 * (the square root of 2)

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

If A = √8, then A^2 = (√8)^2 = 8. This is a fundamental property of square roots: squaring a square root returns the original number (for non-negative numbers). The square of √8 cannot involve √2 because it cancels out completely.

Multiple choice general knowledge math & puzzles
  1. 9 * (the square root of 2)

  2. 3 * (the square root of 2)

  3. 2 * (the square root of 3)

  4. 6 * (the square root of 3)

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

√18 = √(9 × 2) = √9 × √2 = 3√2. This simplification uses the property √(ab) = √a × √b. We look for the largest perfect square factor of 18, which is 9, leaving 2 inside the radical. The answer is 3√2, not 2√3, 6√3, or 9√2.

Multiple choice general knowledge math & puzzles
  1. 10 * (the square root of 3)

  2. 30

  3. 15 * (the square root of 2)

  4. 90

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

ABC = √6 × √10 × √15 = √(6 × 10 × 15) = √900 = 30. When multiplying square roots, multiply the numbers under the radical signs first, then take the square root of the product.

Multiple choice general knowledge math & puzzles
  1. (1/4) + (the square root of 15)/15

  2. 4 - (the square root of 15)

  3. (1/4) - (the square root of 15)/15

  4. 1/4) + (the square root of 15)/4

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

1/(4 + √15) rationalizes by multiplying numerator and denominator by the conjugate (4 - √15): [1 × (4 - √15)] / [(4 + √15)(4 - √15)] = (4 - √15) / (16 - 15) = (4 - √15) / 1 = 4 - √15. Rationalizing denominators eliminates radicals from fractions.

Multiple choice general knowledge math & puzzles
  1. 4

  2. 1 + 3 * (the square root of 3)

  3. 4 + (the square root of 3)

  4. 4 + 2 * (the square root of 3)

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

a² = (1 + √3)² = 1² + 2(1)(√3) + (√3)² = 1 + 2√3 + 3 = 4 + 2√3. Use the perfect square formula (a + b)² = a² + 2ab + b². Don't forget the middle term 2ab - that's where the 2√3 comes from.

Multiple choice general knowledge math & puzzles
  1. 2 + (the square root of 5)

  2. 9 + 2 * (the square root of 5)

  3. 3 + 2 * (the square root of 5)

  4. 3 + (the square root of 5)

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The question gives us (2 + √5)² = 9 + 4√5 and asks for √(9 + 4√5). Since we're taking the square root of a perfect square, we get back the original expression: √(9 + 4√5) = 2 + √5. This is a reverse operation question.

Multiple choice general knowledge
  1. 0.72

  2. 0.61

  3. 0.636

  4. 0.2

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

√0.4 ≈ 0.6325. Among the options, 0.636 is closest: 0.636² = 0.4045 ≈ 0.4. Option B (0.61) gives 0.61² = 0.3721, which is less accurate.