November 25, 2025
Overview: Algebra is one of the important topics of the quantitative aptitude section. Practising CAT Algebra questions can help you ace the exam with a high percentile. Continue reading to get all these questions.
Algebra includes key topics such as progressions, equations, functions, maxima and minima, and logarithms.
Around 10-12 questions are asked from this section in the main CAT exam. So, to make it easy for you all, we have provided 25+ Algebra CAT questions divided into three difficulty levels, like easy, medium and hard.
Please continue reading to know the types of CAT Algebra Questions that are commonly found on the CAT exam, essential strategies for answering them, and practice tips that will help you succeed will all be covered in this article. Let's explore CAT algebra and the previous year's CAT algebra questions PDF together and give you the resources you need to succeed.
Read more: VARC Syllabus for CAT 2026
Read More: How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT Exam
CAT Algebra questions are a part of the Quantitative Ability section in the CAT exam and assess a candidate’s understanding of fundamental algebraic concepts. These include topics such as linear and quadratic equations, inequalities, functions, and expressions. Mastery of these algebra CAT questions is essential for improving overall quant scores and enhancing problem-solving speed.
| CAT Linear Questions PDF | |
| CAT Quadratic Questions PDF | |
| CAT Inequalities Questions PDF | |
| CAT Logarithm Questions PDF | |
1. If the sum of a number and its reciprocal is 5, i.e., x+1x=5x + \frac{1}{x} = 5x+x1=5, what is the value of x2+1x2x^2 + \frac{1}{x^2}x2+x21?
a) 21
b) 23
c) 25
d) 19
Answer: a) 21
2. The product of two numbers is 12 and their sum is 7. What is the value of the sum of their squares?
a) 37
b) 49
c) 25
d) 61
Answer: a) 37
3. If x2−6x+8=0x^2 - 6x + 8 = 0x2−6x+8=0, find the sum of the roots of the equation.
a) -6
b) 6
c) 8
d) -8
Answer: b) 6
Practice with: CAT Trigonometry Question with Solutions
4. The roots of the quadratic equation x2+px+q=0x^2 + px + q = 0x2+px+q=0 are 3 and 4. What is the value of p?
a) -7
b) 7
c) -12
d) 12
Answer: a) -7
5. If x+1x=2x + \frac{1}{x} = 2x+x1=2, find x3+1x3x^3 + \frac{1}{x^3}x3+x31.
a) 0
b) 2
c) 6
d) 8
Answer: a) 0
Read more: CAT Geometry Formulas with Explanation
6. If one root of the quadratic equation x2+7x+10=0x^2 + 7x + 10 = 0x2+7x+10=0 is -2, what is the other root?
a) -5
b) 5
c) 2
d) -3
Answer: a) -5
7. The sum of the roots of a quadratic equation is 9 and the product is 20. What is the equation?
a) x2+9x+20=0x^2 + 9x + 20 = 0x2+9x+20=0
b) x2−9x+20=0x^2 - 9x + 20 = 0x2−9x+20=0
c) x2−9x+20=0x^2 - 9x + 20 = 0x2−9x+20=0
d) x2−9x−20=0x^2 - 9x - 20 = 0x2−9x−20=0
Answer: c) x2−9x+20=0x^2 - 9x + 20 = 0x2−9x+20=0
8. If x=2+3x = 2 + \sqrt{3}x=2+3, then find the value of 1x\frac{1}{x}x1.
a) 2−32 - \sqrt{3}2−3
b) 2+37\frac{2 + \sqrt{3}}{7}72+3
c) 12−3\frac{1}{2 - \sqrt{3}}2−31
d) 2−31\frac{2 - \sqrt{3}}{1}12−3
Answer: a) 2−32 - \sqrt{3}2−3
9. If a+b=10a + b = 10a+b=10 and ab=24ab = 24ab=24, find the value of a2+b2a^2 + b^2a2+b2.
a) 100
b) 76
c) 52
d) 50
Answer: c) 52
Check: CAT Syllabus for 3 Sections
11. If a−b=3a - b = 3a−b=3 and ab=10ab = 10ab=10, find the value of a2+b2a^2 + b^2a2+b2.
a) 19
b) 29
c) 39
d) 49
Answer: b) 29
12. Find the value of xxx if x2−9x+20=0x^2 - 9x + 20 = 0x2−9x+20=0.
a) 4, 5
b) 2, 10
c) 3, 6
d) 1, 20
Answer: a) 4, 5
13. If x+1x=4x + \frac{1}{x} = 4x+x1=4, then find x3+1x3x^3 + \frac{1}{x^3}x3+x31.
a) 64
b) 52
c) 58
d) 60
Answer: b) 52
Know More | How Many Times CAT Exam is Conducted in a Year
14. If x2+y2=34x^2 + y^2 = 34x2+y2=34 and xy=12xy = 12xy=12, find (x+y)2(x + y)^2(x+y)2.
a) 49
b) 34
c) 58
d) 64
Answer: a) 49
15. If f(x)=x2−4x+7f(x) = x^2 - 4x + 7f(x)=x2−4x+7, what is the minimum value of f(x)f(x)f(x)?
a) 3
b) 4
c) 2
d) 5
Answer: a) 3
16. Find the number of integer solutions for the equation x2−4x+3=0x^2 - 4x + 3 = 0x2−4x+3=0.
a) 0
b) 1
c) 2
d) 3
Answer: c) 2
Check: Venn Diagram Practice Questions for CAT 2026
17. If (x−3)2=0(x - 3)^2 = 0(x−3)2=0, what is the value of x?
a) 3
b) -3
c) 0
d) No real root
Answer: a) 3
18. If x=2x = 2x=2 is a root of the equation x2−kx+4=0x^2 - kx + 4 = 0x2−kx+4=0, find the value of k.
a) 4
b) 5
c) 6
d) 3
Answer: c) 6
19. What is the remainder when x3−4x+5x^3 - 4x + 5x3−4x+5 is divided by x−2x - 2x−2?
a) 5
b) 1
c) 3
d) 9
Answer: d) 9
Check: How to prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for CAT exam
20. If the sum of squares of two numbers is 50 and their product is 24, what is the square of their sum?
a) 74
b) 98
c) 100
d) 122
Answer: b) 98
21. The quadratic equation x2+kx+9=0x^2 + kx + 9 = 0x2+kx+9=0 has equal roots. What is the value of k?
a) 3
b) 6
c) ±6
d) ±3
Answer: c) ±6
22. If x4+1x4=194x^4 + \frac{1}{x^4} = 194x4+x41=194 and x+1x=5x + \frac{1}{x} = 5x+x1=5, find the value of x2+1x2x^2 + \frac{1}{x^2}x2+x21.
a) 21
b) 23
c) 19
d) 25
Answer: b) 23
23. The value of (a+b)2−4ab(a + b)^2 - 4ab(a+b)2−4ab is equal to:
a) (a−b)2(a - b)^2(a−b)2
b) (a+b)2(a + b)^2(a+b)2
c) ababab
d) 2a2+2b22a^2 + 2b^22a2+2b2
Answer: a) (a−b)2(a - b)^2(a−b)2
24. If the roots of a quadratic equation differ by 3 and their sum is 7, what is the equation?
a) x2−7x+12=0x^2 - 7x + 12 = 0x2−7x+12=0
b) x2−7x−12=0x^2 - 7x - 12 = 0x2−7x−12=0
c) x2+7x+12=0x^2 + 7x + 12 = 0x2+7x+12=0
d) x2+7x−12=0x^2 + 7x - 12 = 0x2+7x−12=0
Answer: a) x2−7x+12=0x^2 - 7x + 12 = 0x2−7x+12=0
Read More: Supergrads CAT Toppers Interview
25. If x3−6x2+11x−6=0x^3 - 6x^2 + 11x - 6 = 0x3−6x2+11x−6=0, find the product of its roots.
a) 6
b) -6
c) 11
d) 1
Answer: a) 6
26. What is the maximum value of the function f(x)=−x2+6x+7f(x) = -x^2 + 6x + 7f(x)=−x2+6x+7?
a) 16
b) 9
c) 13
d) 14
Answer: c) 13
27. A quadratic has roots in the ratio 2:3. If their product is 54, find the quadratic equation.
a) x2−15x+54=0x^2 - 15x + 54 = 0x2−15x+54=0
b) x2−13x+54=0x^2 - 13x + 54 = 0x2−13x+54=0
c) x2−10x+54=0x^2 - 10x + 54 = 0x2−10x+54=0
d) x2−12x+54=0x^2 - 12x + 54 = 0x2−12x+54=0
Answer: a) x2−15x+54=0x^2 - 15x + 54 = 0x2−15x+54=0
28. If x+y=12x + y = 12x+y=12 and xy=27xy = 27xy=27, what is the value of x3+y3x^3 + y^3x3+y3?
a) 216
b) 648
c) 936
d) 1080
Answer: b) 648
29. If x−1x=3x - \frac{1}{x} = 3x−x1=3, find the value of x3−1x3x^3 - \frac{1}{x^3}x3−x31.
a) 27
b) 30
c) 35
d) 38
Answer: d) 38
30. If the roots of a quadratic are x=a±bx = a \pm \sqrt{b}x=a±b, and b = 0, what does it imply?
a) No real roots
b) Complex roots
c) Rational but equal roots
d) Rational and distinct roots
Answer: c) Rational but equal roots
Read more: CAT Mensuration Questions with Answers
Algebra in CAT can range from straightforward equations to more complex problems involving progressions, inequalities, and functions. Here are some types of important CAT Algebra questions you’ll come across:
Click Here: Download CAT Arithmetic questions PDF with Solutions
Find: DILR Topics in CAT 2026
Here you can find the Important CAT algebra questions 2026 specifically designed to boost your preparation level. It covers essential algebra topics like progressions, equations, functions, maxima/minima, and logarithms, which are frequently tested.
With over 25 questions divided into easy, medium, and hard levels, this resource aims to help CAT aspirants build their algebra skills and improve their performance in the quantitative aptitude section.
By practicing these Algebra CAT Questions, students can gain confidence and increase their chances of achieving a high percentile on the CAT exam.
Explore: Practice with CAT Previous Year Papers with Solutions
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of algebra questions appear on the CAT exam?

Where can I find algebra practice questions for CAT?

Are previous year algebra questions CAT important for preparation?

How many algebra questions can I expect in the CAT exam?

Do CAT Algebra questions require more computation or are they more conceptual?

SHARE