CAT 2018 Question Paper | CAT LR DI

CAT Questions

This set from CAT 2018 question paper is pretty interesting owing to the minimal data and its heavy dependance of numbers. The grids almost remind us of Rubix Cube and Japanese puzzles! This very question particularly is almost in the lines of Sudoku and turns out like the game itself. Solve this amazing DILR question from CAT previous year paper - CAT 2018 DILR and ace your CAT online Preparation. For the best CAT Online Coaching in the country, Register now at online.2iim.com!

CAT DILR : CAT 2018 Question Paper Slot 1

Set 3 : N x N Square Matrix

You are given an n×n square matrix to be filled with numerals so that no two adjacent cells have the same numeral. Two cells are called adjacent if they touch each other horizontally, vertically or diagonally. So a cell in one of the four corners has three cells adjacent to it, and a cell in the first or last row or column which is not in the corner has five cells adjacent to it. Any other cell has eight cells adjacent to it.

Question 3 : Suppose you are allowed to make one mistake, that is, one pair of adjacent cells can have the same numeral. What is the minimum number of different numerals required to fill a 5×5 matrix?

1. 4
2. 16
3. 9
4. 25

---

---

Video Explanation

---

---

Explanatory Answer

Method of solving this CAT Question on CAT DILR

We can fill the 5 x 5 with 4 numerals. None of the choices is less than 4. We know that even with 1 mistake allowed, filling with just 3 numerals is impossible. So, choice A it is.

The question is "Suppose you are allowed to make one mistake, that is, one pair of adjacent cells can have the same numeral. What is the minimum number of different numerals required to fill a 5×5 matrix?"

Hence, the answer is 4

Choice A is the correct answer