July 21, 2026
Overview: If you're preparing for CAT 2026, mastering CAT Factorials Questions is essential for strengthening your Number System concepts. Although factorials may not appear as a standalone topic every year, they frequently form the basis of questions involving divisibility, trailing zeroes, highest powers, combinations, permutations, and remainders. A clear understanding of factorial properties can help you solve these questions quickly and accurately.
In this comprehensive guide, you'll learn everything about Factorials Questions, including important concepts, formulas, shortcuts, solved examples, preparation strategies, and practice questions. You'll also discover how a factorials questions PDF can help you revise efficiently before the exam.
Quick Answer: Factorials Questions assess your understanding of factorial notation, divisibility, trailing zeroes, highest powers of prime numbers, and Number System concepts. These questions are generally solved using logical reasoning and mathematical properties rather than lengthy calculations. Practising a CAT factorials questions PDF regularly is one of the best ways to improve speed and accuracy in CAT Quant.
The Factorials Questions are Number System problems based on the mathematical operation called a factorial, represented by the symbol !. The factorial of a positive integer is the product of all positive integers less than or equal to that number.
For example:
In CAT, factorials are rarely tested through direct computation. Instead, they are used in problems involving divisibility, highest powers, trailing zeroes, combinations, permutations, and remainders. Therefore, understanding the logic behind Factorials Questions for CAT is more important than memorising values.
Although the number of direct factorial questions in CAT exam 2026 is limited, the concepts are widely used across Number System and Modern Mathematics topics. Mastering Factorials Questions improves logical reasoning and helps solve several advanced Quant problems efficiently.
| Benefit | Importance for CAT Preparation |
|---|---|
| Strengthens Number System Concepts | Builds a strong mathematical foundation. |
| Improves Logical Thinking | Enhances analytical problem-solving skills. |
| Useful in Multiple Topics | Applicable in permutations, combinations, divisibility, and remainders. |
| Boosts Speed | Shortcut techniques reduce lengthy calculations. |
| High ROI Topic | A few concepts help solve several CAT-level questions. |
There is no separate chapter for factorials in the CAT syllabus. However, Factorials Questions in CAT 2026 are included under Number System and frequently appear alongside related mathematical concepts.
Aspirants should regularly practise Factorials Questions for CAT along with Number System topics to improve conceptual understanding and problem-solving speed.
Before solving Factorials Questions, you should understand the core concepts that frequently appear in CAT Quant. A strong grasp of these fundamentals will help you solve questions involving Number Systems, divisibility, permutations, and combinations with ease.
The factorial of a positive integer n is the product of all positive integers from 1 to n. It is represented using the symbol !.
Formula:
n! = n × (n − 1) × (n − 2) × ... × 2 × 1
Examples:
Special Case:
This concept forms the foundation of many Factorials Questions for CAT.
Understanding factorial properties makes calculations much faster during the exam.
| Property | Expression |
|---|---|
| Recursive Property | n! = n × (n − 1)! |
| Zero Factorial | 0! = 1 |
| Factorial Division | n! / (n − 1)! = n |
| Expansion | n! = n × (n − 1) × (n − 2)... |
This is one of the most frequently tested concepts in CAT Factorials Questions 2026.
To determine the highest power of a prime number p present in n!, use the following formula:
Highest Power = ⌊n/p⌋ + ⌊n/p²⌋ + ⌊n/p³⌋ + ...
Example:
Find the highest power of 5 in 100!.
Calculation:
Total = 20 + 4 = 24
Therefore, the highest power of 5 in 100! is 24.
Trailing zero questions are among the easiest scoring questions in Factorials Questions.
The number of trailing zeroes depends on the number of times the factor 10 = 2 × 5 appears. Since there are always more 2s than 5s in factorials, we simply count the powers of 5.
Formula:
Trailing Zeroes = ⌊n/5⌋ + ⌊n/25⌋ + ⌊n/125⌋ + ...
Example:
Find the number of trailing zeroes in 50!.
Total = 12 trailing zeroes.
Several Factorials Questions for CAT test whether one factorial divides another expression exactly.
Example:
Does 8! divide 10!?
Since:
10! = 10 × 9 × 8!
Therefore, 8! completely divides 10!.
Factorials are widely used in Modern Mathematics.
Permutation Formula:
nPr = n! / (n − r)!
Combination Formula:
nCr = n! / [r! × (n − r)!]
Although these topics are studied separately, factorial concepts are essential for solving them efficiently.
Remembering these formulas will help you solve Factorials Questions much faster during the exam.
| Concept | Formula |
|---|---|
| Factorial | n! = n × (n − 1)! |
| Zero Factorial | 0! = 1 |
| Trailing Zeroes | ⌊n/5⌋ + ⌊n/25⌋ + ... |
| Highest Power of Prime | ⌊n/p⌋ + ⌊n/p²⌋ + ... |
| Permutation | nPr = n! / (n − r)! |
| Combination | nCr = n! / [r! (n − r)!] |
Expert Tip: Instead of memorising large factorial values, focus on expanding and cancelling factorial terms. This approach saves time and reduces calculation errors in CAT exam pattern.
Factorials Questions can appear in multiple formats. Recognising the question type helps you apply the correct concept quickly.
These questions test your understanding of factorial notation and simple calculations.
Example:
Evaluate 7! / 5!
Solution:
7! / 5! = 7 × 6 = 42
These require finding the number of zeroes at the end of a factorial.
Example:
How many trailing zeroes are there in 75!?
Solution:
Total = 18
These questions ask for the highest exponent of a prime factor present in a factorial.
Example:
Find the highest power of 2 in 20!.
Apply the highest power formula to obtain the answer efficiently.
These questions determine whether one factorial completely divides another number or expression.
These involve finding the remainder after dividing factorial expressions by a given number using Number System concepts.
These problems require simplifying factorial expressions while solving permutations and combinations. Mastering factorial properties significantly reduces computation time.
Follow this systematic approach to solve Factorials Questions for CAT quickly and accurately.
With regular practice and revision using a CAT factorials questions PDF, you can solve these questions in under a minute during the CAT exam.
Practising a variety of Factorials Questions is the best way to improve conceptual clarity and speed. The questions below cover the most frequently tested concepts, including factorial expansion, trailing zeroes, divisibility, highest powers, and simplification. You can also revise these questions later using a CAT factorials questions PDF.
| No. | Question | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Find the value of 5!. | 120 |
| 2 | Evaluate 7! ÷ 5!. | 42 |
| 3 | What is 0!? | 1 |
| 4 | Evaluate 8! ÷ 6!. | 56 |
| 5 | Find 6! ÷ 3!. | 120 |
| 6 | Find the value of 9! ÷ 8!. | 9 |
| 7 | Evaluate 10! ÷ 9!. | 10 |
| 8 | What is the value of 4!? | 24 |
| 9 | Evaluate 11! ÷ 10!. | 11 |
| 10 | Find 12! ÷ 11!. | 12 |
Intermediate Level Questions
| No. | Question | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | How many trailing zeroes are there in 25!? | 6 |
| 12 | How many trailing zeroes are there in 50!? | 12 |
| 13 | Find the highest power of 5 in 100!. | 24 |
| 14 | Find the highest power of 2 in 10!. | 8 |
| 15 | Does 8! divide 10! exactly? | Yes |
| 16 | Find the number of trailing zeroes in 100!. | 24 |
| 17 | Evaluate 9! ÷ (7! × 2!). | 36 |
| 18 | Evaluate 10! ÷ (8! × 2!). | 45 |
| 19 | Find the highest power of 3 in 27!. | 13 |
| 20 | Find the highest power of 2 in 16!. | 15 |
CAT-Level Practice Questions
| No. | Question | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 21 | Find the remainder when 10! is divided by 9. | 0 |
| 22 | Find the number of digits in 10!. | 7 |
| 23 | Evaluate 12! ÷ (10! × 2!). | 66 |
| 24 | Evaluate 13! ÷ 12!. | 13 |
| 25 | Find the highest power of 5 in 125!. | 31 |
| 26 | How many trailing zeroes are there in 200!? | 49 |
| 27 | Evaluate 14! ÷ 13!. | 14 |
| 28 | Find the value of 15! ÷ 14!. | 15 |
| 29 | Find the highest power of 2 in 25!. | 22 |
| 30 | How many trailing zeroes are there in 75!? | 18 |
Quick Revision Tip: While practising these Factorials Questions, avoid calculating complete factorial values. Instead, expand only the required terms, cancel common factors, and apply formulas for trailing zeroes and highest powers. Regular revision through a factorials questions PDF will help you improve both speed and accuracy before the CAT exam.
Although Factorials Questions are not asked as standalone questions every year, factorial concepts frequently appear in Number System, divisibility, and permutation-combination problems. A solid understanding of factorial properties enables candidates to solve these questions quickly.
| CAT Year | Question Type | Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|
| CAT 2025 | Number System with factorial concepts | Moderate |
| CAT 2024 | Highest power and divisibility | Moderate |
| CAT 2023 | Permutation and Combination using factorials | Moderate |
| CAT 2022 | Factorial simplification | Easy to Moderate |
| Earlier CAT Papers | Trailing zeroes and Number System | Easy |
Practising previous year questions along with a CAT factorials questions PDF will help you recognise recurring concepts and improve your exam readiness.
Many aspirants lose marks in Factorials Questions for CAT due to avoidable conceptual errors. Being aware of these mistakes can significantly improve your accuracy.
| Common Mistake | How to Avoid It |
|---|---|
| Calculating complete factorial values | Expand only the required terms instead of evaluating the entire factorial. |
| Incorrect trailing zero calculation | Always count powers of 5, not 10. |
| Ignoring factorial properties | Use cancellation techniques wherever possible. |
| Using incorrect highest power formula | Apply ⌊n/p⌋ + ⌊n/p²⌋ + ... correctly. |
| Making calculation mistakes | Verify intermediate steps before selecting the final answer. |
The following CAT books provide excellent conceptual explanations and practice exercises for Factorials Questions.
| Book | Why You Should Read It |
|---|---|
| How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for CAT by Arun Sharma | Detailed Number System theory with CAT-level practice questions. |
| Quantitative Aptitude for CAT by Nishit K. Sinha | Excellent conceptual explanations and advanced problems. |
| Quantitative Aptitude by Sarvesh K. Verma | Ideal for strengthening Number System fundamentals. |
| Previous Year CAT Papers | Understand actual CAT question trends and difficulty level. |
Online practice is equally important for mastering Factorials Questions. Along with books, candidates should solve topic-wise practice sheets and revise regularly using a CAT factorials questions PDF.
Recommended resources include:
Use these expert tips to improve your performance in Factorials Questions:
Expert Insight: CAT rarely rewards lengthy calculations. The quickest solution usually comes from recognising factorial identities, applying logical simplifications, and using Number System concepts effectively.
| Day | Preparation Goal |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Learn factorial notation and basic properties. |
| Day 2 | Practice trailing zeroes and highest power concepts. |
| Day 3 | Solve divisibility and factorial simplification problems. |
| Day 4 | Practice permutation and combination questions involving factorials. |
| Day 5 | Attempt a Number System sectional test. |
| Day 6 | Analyse mistakes and revise important formulas. |
| Day 7 | Revise using a CAT factorials questions PDF and solve previous year CAT questions. |
Factorials Questions in CAT form an important part of Number System preparation and frequently appear in questions involving divisibility, highest powers, permutations, combinations, and trailing zeroes. Instead of memorising large factorial values, aspirants should focus on understanding the underlying concepts, recognising patterns, and applying shortcut techniques.
Regular practice, mock tests, and revision through a CAT factorials questions PDF will strengthen your problem-solving skills and improve your performance in the Quantitative Aptitude section. With consistent CAT preparation and concept-based learning, solving Factorials Questions for CAT becomes significantly easier and more time-efficient.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Factorials Questions important for CAT 2026 preparation?

Is Calculus required to solve Factorials Questions?

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