Solutions: Top 25 Hard Math Questions - SSC CGL 2025
1. If a + 1/a = 5, find a^2 + 1/a^2.
Solution: (a + 1/a)^2 = 25 => a^2 + 1/a^2 + 2 = 25 => a^2 + 1/a^2 = 23
2. Solve for x: 1/x + 1/(x+2) = 3/4.
Solution: Take LCM, solve the quadratic: 4(x+2) + 4x = 3x(x+2) => 8x + 8 = 3x^2 + 6x => x^2 - 2x - 8
= 0 => x = 4 or -2
3. If sec(theta) + tan(theta) = 5, find sec(theta) - tan(theta).
Solution: (sec + tan)(sec - tan) = 1 => 5*(sec - tan) = 1 => sec - tan = 1/5
4. If sin A + cos A = 5/4, find sin^3 A + cos^3 A.
Solution: Use identity: a^3 + b^3 = (a + b)^3 - 3ab(a + b). Use sin^2 A + cos^2 A = 1 to get ab
5. Circle radius = 7, Area of square = (2r)^2 = 196, Area of circle = 154 => Remaining = 42 cm
Solution: Area of square = 14*14 = 196, Circle = 154 (approx), Remaining = 42
6. Ratio [Link], sides = 18, 24, 30, right triangle => Area = (1/2)*18*24 = 216 cm
Solution: Pythagorean triple, Area = 216 cm
7. Distance = sqrt((3+1)^2 + (4+2)^2) = sqrt(16 + 36) = sqrt(52) = 213
Solution: Use distance formula
8. Use tan(60) = 100/d => d = 100/3 57.74 m
Solution: Simple trigonometry
9. Volume = (1/3)**r^2*h = (1/3)**49*12 = 616 1935.2 cm
Solution: Cone volume formula
10. Volume of cone = Volume of cylinder => (1/3)rh = rH => H = h/3 = 24/3 = 8 cm
Solution: Volume conservation
11. LCM(8,9,12) = 72 => Required number = 72 + 3 = 75
Solution: Add remainder to LCM
12. LCM(15,20,24) = 120 => Required = 120 + 4 = 124
Solution: Add remainder to LCM
13. Let CP = x, then 1.2x + 40 = 1.4*(0.9x) => Solve: x = 500
Solution: Algebraic equation
14. Let B = 100 => A = 160 => Difference = 60 => % less = 60/160*100 = 37.5%
Solution: Use % formula
15. 3A = 4B => A/B = 4/3, 5B = 6C => B/C = 6/5 => A:C = 4/3 * 6/5 = 24:15 = 8:5
Solution: Combine ratios
16. SI = PRT/100 => 4320 = 12000*R*3/100 => R = 12%
Solution: Simple interest formula
17. CI = P[(1 + R/100)^T - 1] = 5000[(1.1)^2 - 1] = 5000[1.21 - 1] = 1050
Solution: Compound interest formula
18. Total distance = 180 + 120 = 300 m, Speed = 90 km/h = 25 m/s => Time = 12 sec
Solution: Use speed-distance-time
19. Total work = 180 man-days. After 6 days, 12*6 = 72 work done, Remaining = 108. New
team = 16 men => Days = 108/16 = 6.75
Solution: Work done calculation
20. 1/6 - 1/8 = 1/24 => Time = 24 hours
Solution: Net rate
21. Let ratio = x:y => (25x + 60y)/(x+y) = 40 => Solve => x:y = 4:3
Solution: Alligation method
22. Total = 5*72 = 360, 5th = 360 - 288 = 72
Solution: Simple average
23. Sum = 180 => C = 40 degrees
Solution: Triangle angle sum
24. Simplify inner fraction: 1/(2 + 1/(3 + 0.25)) = 1/(2 + 1/3.25) = approx 0.378
Solution: Continued fraction
25. x^4 - 1 = (x^2 - 1)(x^2 + 1) = (x-1)(x+1)(x^2+1)
Solution: Factor identity
