q: What is the maximum number of pieces of birthday cake of size 4" by 4" that can be cut from a cake 16" by 16"?
Options:
(A) 5
(B) 4
(C) 16
(D) 20
(E) 25
a: Stream of consciousness: The prompt is essentially asking for the maximum number of 4x 4 squares that can be cut from a larger 16 by 16 square. Since each 'row' and each 'column' of the larger square can be sub-divided into 4 'pieces' each, we have (4)(4) = 16 total smaller squares (at maximum). The answer is (C).

question: A card shop contains 5 birthday cards, 4 holiday cards, and 3 graduation cards. If three cards are purchased at random from the shop, what is the probability that the three cards will be graduation cards?
Options:
(A) 1/33
(B) 6/264
(C) 1/44
(D) 1/264
(E) 1/1320
answer: Stream of consciousness: It doesn't matter which type of card you choose, so:
Probability of choosing 1st card: 3/12
Probability of choosing 2nd card of the same type: 2/11
Probability of choosing 3rd card of the same type: 1/10
Multiply and you get 1/264 The answer is (D).

q: Two persons A and B can complete a piece of work in 18 days and 24 days respectively. If they work together, what part of the work will be completed in 2 days?
Options:
(A) 7/36
(B) 9/35
(C) 4/37
(D) 8/35
(E) 5/3
a: Stream of consciousness: A's one day's work = 1/18
B's one day's work = 1/24
(A + B)'s one day's work = 1/18 + 1/24 = 7/72
The part of the work completed in 3 days = 2 (7/72) = 7/36. The answer is (A).

question: Which one of the following is the least number of four digits divisible by 71?
Options:
(A) 1006
(B) 1065
(C) 1094
(D) 1056
(E) 1057
answer: Stream of consciousness: 1000/71 = 14 6/71
1000 + 71 6 = 1065 The answer is (B).

q: 100 is increased by 50%. Find the final number.
Options:
(A) 100
(B) 110
(C) 150
(D) 155
(E) 160
a: Stream of consciousness: Final number = Initial number + 50%(original number) = 100 + 50%(100) = 100 + 50 = 150. The answer is (C).

q: An seller earns an income of Re 3 on the first day of his business. On every subsequent day, he earns an income which is just thrice of that made on the previous day. On the 15th day of business, he earns an income of:
Options:
(A) 19
(B) 22
(C) 25
(D) 20
(E) 36
a:
Stream of consciousness: 2nd day he earns = 3(2 3)
3rd day he earns = 3(3 3)
On 15th day he earns 3(15 -3) = 36 rupees The answer is (E).