question: Look at this series: 53, 53, 39, 39, 25, 25, ... What number should come next?
Options:
(A) A) 12
(B) B) 11
(C) C) 27
(D) D) 53
(E) E) 86
answer: Stream of consciousness: In this series, each number is repeated, then 14 is subtracted to arrive at the next number. The answer is (B).

q: When N is divided by 10 the remainder is 1 and when N is divided by 3 the remainder is 2. What is the remainder K when N is divided by 30?
Options:
(A) (a) 4
(B) (b) 7
(C) (c) 11
(D) (d) 13
(E) (e) 17
a: Stream of consciousness: N ends in the digit 1 because when N is divided by 10, the remainder is 1. Since N ends in 1, the remainder K when N is divided by 30 also ends in a 1. 11 is the only choice which ends in a 1. The answer is (C).

question: Ravi can do a piece of work in 20 days while Prakash can do it in 40 days. In how many days will they finish it together?
Options:
(A) 5 7/9 days
(B) 6 7/9 days
(C) 5 1/9 days
(D) 5 7/2 days
(E) 4 7/9 days
answer: Stream of consciousness: 1/20 + 1/40 = 3/40
40/7 = 5 7/9 days The answer is (A).

q: A certain debt will be paid in 52 installments from January 1 to December 31 of a certain year. Each of the first 25 payments is to be $500; each of the remaining payments is to be $100 more than each of the first 25 payments. What is the average (arithmetic mean) payment that will be made on the debt for the year?
Options:
(A) 500
(B) 450
(C) 552
(D) 600
(E) 400
a: Stream of consciousness: Total = 500(25) + 600(27)
Number of installments = 52
Average = Total/Number of installments = 552 approximately The answer is (C).

question: The salary of a worker is first increased by 30% and afterwards reduced by 30%. What is net change in his salary?
Options:
(A) 910% increase
(B) 10% increase
(C) 9% decrease
(D) 12% decrease
(E) 15% increase
answer: Stream of consciousness: (30 * 30)/100 = 9% decrease The answer is (C).

question: The average amount with a group of seven numbers is Rs. 20. If the newly joined member has Rs. 50 with him, what was the average amount with the group before his joining the group?
Options:
(A) Rs.17
(B) Rs.76
(C) Rs.15
(D) Rs.72
(E) Rs.71
answer:
Stream of consciousness: Total members in the group = 7
Average amount = Rs. 20
Total amount with them = 7 * 20 = Rs. 140
One number has Rs. 50. So, the amount with remaining 6 people = 140 - 50 = Rs. 90
The average amount with them = 90/6 = Rs. 15. The answer is (C).