Monday, 16 April 2012

ABSTRACT

(1) What are SOPA and PIPA?

SOFA and PIPA are dominating global media space. The provisions of the two proposed bills have outraged advocates of the free flow of information. Here's a link-fest on the provisions of the two bills and their impact.
BBC (Basic Understanding) http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-16596577
PC World (Detailed Note) http://www.pcworld.in/features/sopa-and-pipa-just-facts-61482012Al-Jazeera on SOPA on how this law will impact
http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2012/01/20121169929629872.html
Joi Ito and Ethan Zuckerman on why the SOPA and PIPA bills need to be stopped. http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2012/01/2012115121928594335.html


(2 )Gendercide: Our ugly underbelly

Gendercide is an ugly fact of life. More than 99 per cent of gendercide cases relate to the killing of the female child. The birth of a girl child is seen as a curse in most parts of South Asia, especially in India, and Far East, including in China. Here's a review of this most deplorable practice. http://blogs.independent.co.uk/2012/01/16/it%E2%80%99s-a-girl-the-three-deadliest-words-in-the-world/


(3)The Rushdie Affair

Salman Rushdie is arguably one of the finest living writers in the world. He faced death threats from radical Islamists, who were unhappy with his portrayal of Islam in his 1989 book, The Satanic Verses. Now radicals are asking for a ban on his entry into India where he is scheduled to visit a literary festival. Here's a short linkfest on the gathering controversy surrounding Rushdie's visit.
The Times of India Edit (http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-01-11/edit-page/30612231_1_secularism-congress-law-and-order )
TIME magazine (http://globalspin.blogs.time.com/2012/01/10/what-the-controversy-behind-salman-rushdies-india-visit-says-about-the-authors-country-of-origin/:)
The Hindu short note (http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/article2791861.ece)


(4)The Belief of an Agnostic

Is the lack of a belief a kind of belief? Is worship all about representation? Get a perspective on this issue here. http://www.indianexpress.com/news/an-agnostics-grasp/263746/


(5) Does Change Change?

Most of us believe in the dictum that "change is the only constant". But does anything really change? Read this article which challenges the age-old adage.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Opinion/Nothing_changes_That_it_does_is_illusion/articleshow/3919963.cms


(6)Our Society's Ugly Underbelly

In India, mental illness is seen as nothing short of a stigma. There are dark spaces in the recesses of our souls where we hide the ugly realities of our social existence.http://www.telegraphindia.com/1090331/jsp/opinion/story_10749666.jsp


(7)Economists: What good do they serve?
The world is in the midst of a severe economic downturn. Why is it that the Economists, those practitioners of the Dismal Science, could not anticipate the global crisis? http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/09_17/b4128026997269.htm?chan=top+news_top+news+index+-+temp_top+story


(8)NRNM's World View

N. R. Narayana Murthy, co-founder and co-chairman of Infosys Technologies, is an icon of modern India. Not known to mince words, NRNM brings a refreshing world view. Here's an interview with the author of A Better India: A Better World.http://www.tehelka.com/story_main41.asp?filename=Bu250409the_rich.asp


(9)World History in 100 Objects
Man creates objects to satisfy his needs. These objects tell stories, about people and their deep urges. http://www.economist.com/node/15172496?story_id=15172496&source=hptextfeature


(10)God and Natural Disasters

Where is God when Nature wreaks havoc, like in the form of ground-shaking earthquakes and catastrophic hurricanes? Here's a thoughtful take on this age-old question. Also read the comments, all varied and diverse. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/8467755.stm


(11)The Futility of War (Audio / Visual)
War is rarely good, even when it is fought for peace. Death and misery stalk every inch of the land where war has made its home, of course, an unwanted presence. Let me share with you the work of ace war photographer, Don McCullin, whose images have captured the ravages of war in different parts of the world.Pl note that this is an audio slideshow.http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_8492000/8492777.stm


(12)The Paranoia of Kim Jong-il
North Korea is an international basket case. Its leader, Kim jong-Il, is seen as an obsessive paranoid who's unleashed an unparalled personality cult. Read this article on how dangerous is Kim's North Korea. http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/fighting_words/2010/02/a_nation_of_racist_dwarfs.html?obref=obinsite


(13)Remedis Amoris, anyone?

"The pursuit of love is often the most tortuous and painful journey life can make us undertake." On eve of the Valentine's Day, here's some food for (the) thought of love (or the lack of it).http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2010-02-13/news/27599109_1_marzipan-ancient-remedies-alternative


(14)Unity in Diversity

India is often described as the land of diversity. Despite our vast diversity, we have remained united. Says Mythili Bhusnurmath: "The true celebration of diversity is when no one notices the 'diversity'". http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2010-02-21/news/28406847_1_top-appointments-sikh-community


(15)Is Google making us stupid?
The Internet has emerged as one of the greatest technological boons of our times. While it has its advantages, it is also being blamed for putting our thinking in a coma-like state. Nicholas Carr elucidates on this idea in his brilliant article, What the Internet is doing to our brains.http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2008/07/is-google-making-us-stupid/6868/


(16)The Culture of Tolerance & Intolerance

The acceptance of Qatari citizenship by M. F. Husain has left a bad taste in the mouths of those who rallied behind him when he found himself in deep trouble. By doing this, he switched from being the citizen of a secular democracy to a deeply flawed theocracy. Read more on the Husain saga here. http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100305/jsp/opinion/story_12176524.jsphttp://www.telegraphindia.com/1100305/jsp/opinion/story_12176524.jsp


 (17)Killing Baby Girls

We live in a country where most of us worship female deities and treat the country as motherland; unfortunately it is also a country where we kill baby girls just because, we believe, they are born with the 'wrong' sex. Is this cruelty peculiar to Indians only? Not really. To find out who else around the world is, unfortunately, like us, click here.
Do not forget to read the comments.
http://www.economist.com/node/15606229?story_id=15606229&source=most_commented


 (18)Women Missing from Top Management

While women have made sterling progress over the last few decades, there still seems to be a prejudice that is preventing them from sitting on the boards of companies.

Also read the WEF's Global Gender Gap Index 2009.http://www.businessweek.com/globalbiz/content/mar2010/gb2010039_514157.htm?link_position=link12


(18)Ghettoization of Women's Concerns

The Women's Reservation Bill, passed by the Rajya Sabha recently, has sparked off a nation-wide debate. Says Swapan Dasgupta, "One danger is that women’s issues will become ghetto concerns." Why is the fear of ghettoization of women's concerns so palpable?http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100319/jsp/opinion/story_12227388.jsp


(19) India's Snow White Syndrome

For most Indians, possessing fair skin is important, at least that is what the business revenue figures for 'skin whitening creams' reflect. Why are we obsessed with the idea of 'fair skin'? Here's a BBC take on this colourful issue.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8546183.stm


(20)The Politics of Riots
The recent unsavory controversy involving Narendra Modi, Amitabh Bachchan, the Congress (I), and the BJP has once again brought to the fore the ugly underbelly of the Indian political system. Read Siddharth Varadarajan for his incisive article on the politics of riots.http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/columns/siddharth-varadarajan/article329486.ece?homepage=true


(21)The U.S. and the Hindu Way of Life

For thousands of years, we have been fighting over religion, for religion, and sometimes, against religion. In the U.S. there has been a perceptible change in the way religion and its attendant beliefs are perceived. Find the changing perspective here.http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2009/08/14/we-are-all-hindus-now.html


(22)Eyjafjallajokull and Disaster Management
The Eyjafjallajokull eruption and subsequent chaos have had a global effect. What does it reflect about human power (and its fallacy)? Are there any lessons to be learnt from this disaster episode?http://www.economist.com/node/15951696?story_id=15951696&source=hptextfeature


(23)The Truth about Narco Tests

The Supreme Court of India has lambasted narco tests as illegal and a violation of personal freedom. Here's a link-fest on important articles on the controversial issue.
The Telegraph India (http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100506/jsp/frontpage/story_12418021.jsp )
The Hindustan Times (http://www.hindustantimes.com/editorial-views-on/BigIdea/No-to-mind-games/Article1-539835.aspx )
The Indian Express (http://www.indianexpress.com/news/truth-to-power/615800/ )


(24)V. Anand: World's Envy, India's Pride

Viswanathan Anand has won the World Chess Championship, for a record fourth time. Arguably India's greatest sporting hero, Anand has is the indisputed world champion in all three formats of the game.
Here are two edits that celebrate Anand's latest glorious victory.
The Telegraph (http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100513/jsp/opinion/story_12441398.jsp)
The Hindu ((http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/article428365.ece)


(25)Khap Panchayats: Extra-judicial & extra-constitutional?

The recent surge in dictats of Khap panchayats and honour killings is threatening to turn into an ugly pow-wow between all involved. Here's a take by eminent advocate, Pinky Anand.
http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/article432445.ece


(26)The Thin Good-Bad Line
What is good? What is bad? Is bad always bad? When does bad become good? Since the dawn of civilization, these questions have troubled mankind. As they say, there is a thin line between good and bad.
http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2011-01-06/news/28432035_1_dust-snowstorm-garbage


(27)Whither Microfinance?

The recent expose of the unsavory scandal involving Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus, global pioneer in microfinance and founder of Grameen Bank, has brought to the fore the vulnerability of a system centered around an individual.
Also, read here about a new law enacted by the state of Andhra Pradesh in India that threatens the very future of microfinance in India.
http://www.economist.com/blogs/newsbook/2011/01/microfinance_under_attack


(28)A World without Planes

Ever since the first flight took to the skies, airplanes have revolutionized travel by shrinking time taken to move between places. What would happen if all planes disappeared? Imagine a world without planes.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_8626000/8626927.stm


(29)Knowledge Dissemination

Learning at school plays a crucial role in generating curiosity and the zest for knowledge in the life of a student. However, the media in India has shown a discerning lack of interest in becoming an instrument of dissemination of knowledge to the public at large.
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110111/jsp/opinion/story_13420540.jsp


(30)The Joy of Reading to Learn

For many people, reading brings unparalleled joy. No, it is not the act of reading that makes people happy; rather it is the fact of learning (about things and ideas or just about anything) that makes one happy. However, the importance of reading can hardly be overstated, what's disconcerting is the education system's appalling lack of interest in spreading the good word about the habit of reading.
http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/article1103118.ece?homepage=true


(31)The Great Indian Crab Syndrome

It is often said that the biggest enemies of Indians are their compatriots. The most talented are pulled down by the envious, greedy, and intolerant. Here is a good read with loads of instances on the Great Indian Crab Syndrome.
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-01-16/special-report/28375885_1_ivf-technique-test-tube-baby-doctor


(32)The Niira Radia Tapes & the Issue of Privacy
The publication of the Niira Radia tapes have opened a can of worms: intense corporate lobbying, political back-stabbing, character assassination, and much more vice. The publication has thrown up larger issues like the invasion of privacy and the fine line between morality and its flip side.
http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/india/article.cfm?articleid=4555


(33) Euthanasia: The Right to Die?

A recent petition in the Supreme Court of India has once again revived the debate on the controversial issue of euthanasia. Do the living have a right to die just as they have the right to life?
The Aruna Shanbaug Mercy Killing Petition (http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110125/jsp/nation/story_13489325.jsp)
Who should have the right to die?(http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/2949451.stm)
Assisted Suicide: Around the World (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8270516.stm)


(34)The WikiLeaks Link-fest

WikiLeaks, a whistleblower Web site, riled the U.S. and embarrassed governments around the world when it published classified cables and other documents. Here's a link-fest on WikiLeaks.

Diplomatic Cables (BBC)(http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-11879998)
Most Important Revelations (BBC)(http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-11914040)
The U.S. Embassy Cables (The Guardian)(http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/the-us-embassy-cables)
NYT Editor on Publishing WikiLeaks (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-11863274)


(35)Economics as an Exact Science
From arm-chair philosophers to the best economists, everyone is capable of making predictions. While it is pretty normal for a layman to get economic predictions wrong, what's intriguing is the fact that the best economists also get them wrong. Says Prof Raghuram Rajan of Booth Business School: "We always failed to predict the economic turning point."
 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-12294332


(36)The Invisible Force

Nations across North Africa and Middle East are seeing massive protests against 'the system'. Most protests have been non-violent imbued with a passion for democracy. The ideas of Dr Gene Sharp are seen as the invisible force behind the recent upheavals in the Arab World.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12522848


(37)The Thomas CVC Affair

The Supreme Court has held the appointment of P. J. Thomas as the Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC) as illegal. While the UPA govt has been left with an egg on its face, there are important lessons to be learnt from the affair.
http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/article1509995.ece?homepage=true


(38) Euthanasia in India
In a landmark verdict in the Aruna Shanbaug Mercy Killing Case, the Supreme Court of India has allowed passive euthanasia but under controlled conditions. You can read the complete verdict
The verdict has put India in the small club of nations and territories which allow euthanasia.
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article1516973.ece


(39)Euthanasia: Interesting reads

The SC has allowed passive euthanasia. However, the path-breaking verdict has raised several questions, especially of the ethical and moral type. Find below three interesting articles on the SC verdict in the controversial case and what it means for the society at large.

Bhanu Pratap Mehta in the Indian Express (http://www.indianexpress.com/news/right-to-die/759754/)
The Hindu Edit (Please read the comments too.)(http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/article1520640.ece)
The Hindustan Times Edit(http://www.hindustantimes.com/editorial-views-on/edits/The-last-rights-of-staying-alive/Article1-671057.aspx)



(40)Video Link-fest

Find below a link-fest on some inspiring videos on positive ideas.
Billionaire and philanthropist Warren Buffett and entertainer Jay-Z on the Power of Luck.(http://video.forbes.com/fvn/forbes400-10/jay-z-buffett-on-power-of-luck)
Billionaire businessman Donald Trump on work ethic and life.(http://video.forbes.com/fvn/billionaires-2011/donald-trump-work-ethic-life-lessons)
Google executive and the face of Egypt's Revolution Woel Ghonim on people power and Egyptian Revolution.(Note: These videos require audio-visual aides.(http://www.ted.com/talks/wael_ghonim_inside_the_egyptian_revolution.html)



(41)Make way for the youth?
The political system in India is peopled in majority by politicians aged 40 and above. The world over polities are moving towards the youth, with more young people making it to the legislatures. Why are we so fascinated with the idea of old age standing for experience and wisdom?http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110401/jsp/opinion/story_13781525.jsp



(42)India's Captain Cool as Inspiration

Mahender Singh Dhoni is often described as Captain Cool. Under his leadership, India's has won the T20 World Cup, 2011 (ODI) World Cup, and scaled the peak of the Test Cricket rankings. Sachin Tendulkar says that Mr Dhoni is the best captain he has played under.
Here's an article that analyses Mr Dhoni's inspirational leadership.(http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2011-04-04/news/29380166_1_mahendra-singh-dhoni-ms-dhoni-hunger)



(43)The 'R' Word: Religion & Revolution

The turmoil in the Arab World is increasingly being permeated by religion, i.e. Islam. Will Islam be a force for ushering in democracy? Get insight here(http://www.economist.com/node/18488344) and here.(http://www.economist.com/node/18486089)
As for Pakistan it is turning out to be a force for its ruin.(http://www.economist.com/node/18486089)



(44)France's Burqa Ban

France has banned the wearing of the Islamic veil, more popularly known as the Burqa, in public places. How far does the ban go?http://www.economist.com/blogs/newsbook/2011/04/frances_burqa_ban


(45)Should we worry about the future?

Should we live in the present or worry about the future? By the way, people worry about the future because it is uncertain!http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-16245250



(46)News Media in India: Free and unbiased?
It is open secret that various news media - both print and electronic - are not unbiased and that they serve their political and economic interests. Here is Amartya Sen on the controversial issue.
http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/article2781128.ece?homepage=true



(47)The Rushdie Affair
Salman Rushdie is arguably one of the finest living writers in the world. He faced death threats from radical Islamists, who were unhappy with his portrayal of Islam in his 1989 book, The Satanic Verses. Now radicals are asking for a ban on his entry into India where he is scheduled to visit a literary festival. Here's a short linkfest on the gathering controversy surrounding Rushdie's visit.
The Times of India Edit(http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-01-11/edit-page/30612231_1_secularism-congress-law-and-order)
TIME magazine(http://globalspin.blogs.time.com/2012/01/10/what-the-controversy-behind-salman-rushdies-india-visit-says-about-the-authors-country-of-origin/
The Hindu short note (http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/article2791861.ece)

Thursday, 12 April 2012

In a crisp:
  • Adopting free-market reforms and dispensing the rigid communist policies.
  • China stole the title of the biggest automotive market in the world from the US last year.
  • The second largest importer of goods.
  • The world’s biggest buyer of iron ore and copper.
  • The biggest crude oil consumer.
In Brief:
The 30 years of free-market reforms were able to make China a superpower, where in the second quarter of 2010 the 1.3 billion people communist country was able to surpass Japan and become the second largest economy in the world.
  • China recorded a nominal gross domestic product of 1.337 trillion dollars in this year’s second quarter
  • Which is more than the 1.288 trillion dollars that Japan
  • However, Japan maintained its second largest economy in the world title the first half of 2010.
China’s fast expansion and increased role in the global economy were able to make this developing country lead the global economic growth in 2009 while many other superpowers were trying to drag themselves out of recession.
“The resilience of China’s growth during the crisis enabled a number of other countries, particularly commodity-exporting economies, to ride on its coattails”, said Eswar Prased, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution.
  • Since 1978 when leader Deng Xiaoping took command and started adopting free-market reforms and dispensing the rigid communist policies.
  • China grew more than 90 times and now became the second largest trading nation in the world.
  • Last year this fastest growing major economy in the world surpassed Germany
  • Become the third largest economy in the world
  • If it keeps growing at the current pace, China will take the throne as the world’s biggest economic power by 2027.
With an average growth rate of about 10% for the past 30 years, this country, which became the largest exporter in the world, might surpass the US (with an annual nominal GDP of about 14 trillion dollars) in less than 30 years.
China stole the title of the biggest automotive market in the world from the US last year, and is also considered the second largest importer of goods, the world’s biggest buyer of iron ore and copper and the biggest crude oil consumer.
China’s rising role in the global economy can’t be ignored, especially since four of the 10 biggest companies by market capitalization in the world are in China, and they are PetroChina Co., Industrial & Commercial Bank of China Ltd., China Mobile Ltd. and China Construction Bank Corp.
“Japan had a huge impact on the global commodities market and foreign direct investment flows in the 1980s, as China is doing now”, said head of China’s statistics bureau, Ma Jiantang.
Adding, “The major difference is that China’s population is 10-times bigger than Japan’s, its economy is still growing at above 9% per year, and Chinese investors are just beginning to invest abroad. You can imagine that China’s impact will be so much bigger.”

Monday, 9 April 2012

GDEI (ABSTRACT 4)

Our Society's Ugly Underbelly

In India, mental illness is seen as nothing short of a stigma. There are dark spaces in the recesses of our souls where we hide the ugly realities of our social existence.
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1090331/jsp/opinion/story_10749666.jsp

GDEI (ABSTRACT)

Attitude determines Altitude

What we can conceive and believe, we can achieve. We have choices, the greatest of which is the choice of attitude.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Opinion/The-right-attitude-can-lead-to-empowerment/articleshow/4154834.cms

GDEI (ABSTRACT )

Does Change Change?

Most of us believe in the dictum that "change is the only constant". But does anything really change? Read this article which challenges the age-old adage.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Opinion/Nothing_changes_That_it_does_is_illusion/articleshow/3919963.cms

Saturday, 7 April 2012

Understanding Remainder based problems for CAT 2012

After an extensive tutorial on graph modification in the second part of a long series on CAT 2012 preparation we look at Remainder theory. .

Here, I will try to cover various concepts related to the questions based on finding the remainders with the help of some examples.

Before moving ahead, let's quickly understand the basic remainder principles first.

When the product of any two or more natural numbers is divided by any natural number then it leaves the same remainder as the product of the individual remainders i.e. if a, b , c and d are integers and k is a positive integer such that,
a = c (mod k)
And, b = d (mod k)
Then, a*b = c*d (mod k)

The same holds true for the other operations as well such as addition, subtraction and division.
i.e. a+b = c+d (mod k)
a-b = c-d (mod k)
(a/b) = (c/d) (mod k)

For example, 75 (= 15*5) which when divided by 4 leaves the remainder of -1 (or 3). And if we consider the product of individual remainders for 15 and 5 with 4, i.e. (-1)*1 which is same when 75 is directly divided by 4.

Euler's Totient Function- usually denoted by Φ(n), gives the number of positive integers less than n, which are co-prime to n.

For any number n (= p^a*q^b*r^c*_____, where p, q, r,____ are prime numbers), Euler's Totient Function is determined as, Φ(n) = n*(1 – 1/p)*(1 – 1/q)*(1 – 1/r)*____

For example, for n = 12 (= 2^2*3), Φ(n) will be 12*(1 – 1/2)*(1 – 1/3) i.e. 4 which means 12 has 4 numbers (1, 5, 7 and 11) less than itself which are co-prime to it.

Euler's Theorem- If two numbers N and K are co-prime to each other,then K^Φ(n) = 1modN
where Φ(n) is the Euler's Totient Function of N.

For example 1), 37^4 when divided by 12, will leave a remainder of 1 as Euler's Totient Function of 12 is 4.

2) In order to find the remainder when 41^97 is divided by 12,
41^97 = 41*41^96
Now as 41^96 = (41^4)^24 = 1mod12 (as 41^4 = 1mod12)
And 41 = 5mod12
=> From the basic remainder principle, 41^97 = (41mod12)*(41^96mod12) = 5*1mod12 = 5mod12.

3) Find the remainder when 12^107 is divided by 37?
Solution- 12^108=12*12^107=1mod37, which means a final remainder of 1 or -36 but as 12 leaves a remainder of 12 when divided by 37, so 12^107 must leave a remainder of -3 (coz -3*12=-36).

Fermat's Theorem- For a prime number P, the Euler's Totient Function will be P(1- 1/P) i.e.equal to (P-1).
So from Euler's theorem, K^(P – 1) = 1modP.

For example 1), 33^12 will leave a remainder of 1 when divided by 13.

2) In order to find the remainder when 43^37 is divided by 13,
43^37 = 43*43^36
Now 43^36 = (33^12)^3 = 1mod13
And 43 = 4mod13.
So, from basic remainder principle, 43^37 = 4*1mod13 = 4mod13.

Wilson's Theorem-

(p – 1)! + 1 is divisible by p if p is a prime number. We can say this also that the remainder when (p-1)! is divided by p, will be -1 or (p-1).
Remember, If p is an integer greater than one then p is prime if and only if (p-1)! = -1 (mod p).

Example- What will be the remainder when 28! is divided by 29?

Solution- As 29 is a prime number. So from Wilson's theorem we can say that 28!+1 will be divisible by 29 or 28! will leave a remainder of -1 (i.e. 28)when divided by 29.

Rem (p-2)!/p = 1, where p is a prime number.

For example Rem(15!)/17 = 1

Remainder Theory for Polynomials- Say, q(x) and r(x) are the quotient and remainder, respectively, when the polynomial f (x) (= a + bx + cx^2 + dx^3 +..) is divided by x − a,

then f (x) = (x − a)q(x) + r(x).

The degree of the remainder will be less than that of the divisor, hence remainder must be constant
So, f (x) = (x − a)q(x) + k.

Substituting x = a in the above equation,

f(a) = k.

Hence, when a polynomial f(x) is divided by (x – a), then the remainder is equal to f (a).

For example 1) When 5x^3 + 7x – 9 is divided by x – 2 will leave a remainder of 5*(2)^3 + 7*2 – 9 i.e. equal to 45.

2) What is the remainder when (81)^21 + (27)^21 + (9)^21 + (3)^21 + 1 is divided by 3^20 + 1?

Solution) Let 3^20 = x
=> We have to find the remainder when f(x) = 81x^4 + 27x^3 + 9x^2 + 3^x + 1 is divided by x + 1.
=> f(-1) = 81 - 27 + 9 - 3 + 1 = 61.

3) What will be the remainder when f(x) = x^71 + x^50 + x^25 + x^9 is divided by x^3 − x ?

Solution) As the degree of the divisor is 3, degree of the remainder will be less than or equal to 2.
=> Say, the remainder is ax^2 + bx + c.

Now, x^71 + x^50 + x^25 + x^9 = q(x)*(x^3 – x) + ax^2 + bx + c = x*(x – 1)*(x + 1)*q(x) + (ax^2 + bx + c).
=> f(0) = 0 = c
f(1) = 4 = a + b + c => a + b = 4
And f(-1) = -1 + 1 -1 -1 = -2 => a – b = -2
=> a = 1 and b = 3
Hence the remainder will be (x^2 + 3x).

With this I will wrap up this post on remainders. For any doubts or queries related to questions based on remainders, feel free to shoot them here.

Friday, 6 April 2012

QUANT FUNDA

Certain nos. to be remembered
2^10 = 4^5 = 32^2 = 1024


3^8 =9^4 = 81^2 = 6561


7 * 11 * 13 = 1001

11 * 13 * 17 = 2431

13 * 17 * 19 = 4199

19 * 21 * 23 = 9177

19 * 23 * 29 = 12673
The remainder obtained when 12345678987654321 is divided by 1001
a)10
b)309
c)692
d)995

Hint : Dont use complex remainder theorems iff u have read them.It does not help every time.
Sol:-

The trick to doing this problem is to see that

1000 = -1 mod 1001
1000^2 = 1 mod 1001 (because 1000^2 = (1001-1)^2 and so on)
1000^3 = -1 mod 1001
and so on

Thus 12345678987654321 = (12*1000^5 + 345*1000^4 + 678*1000^3+ 987*1000^2 + 654*1000 + 321)...making groups of three digits from rightmost digit

Thus using the above rules, this expression is equal to

(321 - 654 + 987 - 678 + 345 - 12) mod 1001

= 309 mod 1001
= 309