Quans - 5

Quans - 5



Miss Dean wants to renovate her house. She hires a plumber, a carpenter, a painter, an electrician and an interior decorator. The work to be finished in a
working week (Monday - Friday). Each worker will work the full day to do his job. Miss Dean permits only one person to work each day.
I. The painter can work only after the plumber and the carpenter have finished
their jobs
II. The interior decorator must do his job before the electrician.
III. The carpenter cannot work on Monday or Tuesday

1. If the painter work on Thursday, which one of the following alternatives is possible?
(a) The electrician works on Tuesday.
(b) The electrician works on Friday.
(c) The interior decorator works after the painter does.
(d) The painter works on consecutive days.
(e) Miss Dean cannot fit all of the workers in the schedule

Ans: (b)

2. If the painter works on Friday which of the following must be false?
(a) The carpenter may works on Wednesday
(b) The carpenter and the electrician may work on consecutive days
(c) If the carpenter works on Thursday, the electrician has to work on
Wednesday
(d) The plumber may work before the electrician does
(e) The electrician may work on Tuesday

Ans: (c)

3. Which argument is possible?
(a) The electrician will works on Tuesday and the interior decorator on Friday
(b) The painter will work on Wednesday and plumber on Thursday
(c) The carpenter will works on Tuesday and the painter on Friday
(d) The painter will work on Monday and the carpenter on Thursday
(e) The carpenter will work on Wednesday and the plumber on Thursday

Ans: (e)

4. There are two circles. One circle is inscribed and another circle is
circumscribed over a square. What is the ratio of area of inner to outer circle?

Ans: 1 : 2

5. City A's population is 68000, decreasing at a rate of 80 people per year.
City B having population 42000 is increasing at a rate of 120 people per year.
In how many years both the cities will have same population?

Ans: 130 years

Intellectual Property

I take pleasure in posting an interesting article that I had come across.


Tips for Protecting Your Intellectual Property
by Leo Sun

Every great business starts with a “perfect” idea. In the fast moving, dog-eat-dog world of corporate business, however, ideas are stolen, duplicated and imitated as soon as they are conceived. If you have that million dollar idea, how can you go about protecting it while still attracting the attention of prospective investors?

Your first step, before presenting your idea to any companies or investors, is to hire a lawyer experienced in patent laws for your industry. Have this lawyer help you patent your idea, if applicable, which is a time consuming and expensive process. Depending on the complexity of the idea, it can cost you $1,000 to $100,000. Patents generally take over two years to clear and last approximately 20 years once in effect. As your patent clears, instruct your lawyer to write a nondisclosure agreement, which forces companies to promise they won’t copy your idea, under penalty of litigation. Penalties should be strict but fair, as to not frighten off investors. Penalties in nondisclosure agreements are usually monetary.
Be aware, however, that companies often have their own teams of lawyers whose sole purpose is to circumvent nondisclosure agreements and patent laws, modifying your design just enough to avoid litigation. In this case, your lawyers can first serve a cease-and-desist letter, followed by a lawsuit, if the company does not cease production. Taking on an alleged copycat in court can be extremely costly and time consuming. In many cases, the court will not rule in your favor unless you can prove monetary damages as a result of the copycat’s actions, which can be difficult if your product’s sales have been rising. This can also be difficult to prove if your idea is still in the nascent phase, and has still yet to turn a profit.
There are three questions to always remember when sharing an idea: whom, when and how much.

Remember who you’re speaking to about your idea – is it a partner whose business would be aided by its success, or an employee who can steal your idea and make it his or her own?

Record when you disclosed information. If the meetings are documented clearly, with an attendance record, then they are admissible in court to prove the theft of intellectual property.

Entrepreneurs often don’t know how much information to disclose. It is a good rule of thumb to disclose the minimal amount of information of the production phase when presenting your idea. In some cases it may be beneficial to mislead investors about the production process, as to detract any potential copycats. It is important, however, to get across the specific need your product fills, and its production margins. These are important factors that investors and companies will pay attention to.

In the corporate world, ideas are more valuable than cash. Major legal wars are fought over ideas, and a sub-culture of corporate espionage has even emerged to steal valuable trade secrets from competitors. Keep your valuable ideas clutched close to your chest and tread softly, when negotiating, but carry a big stick – in case those investors turn out to be copycats.

Attitude

ATTITUDE – A brief note

The Oxford Dictionary describes ATTITUDE as:

A way of thinking or feeling about someone or something

A position of the body

Informal,

Self-confident or uncooperative behaviour.

Attitude comes into play at home, college, with friends and strangers. This brief note is to help students develop and improve their attitude. Attitude at times is transitory and this note is to ensure that good and right attitude is always maintained.

The six most important words                        : I admit I made a mistake

                                                                        : I appreciate what you are saying

The five most important words                       : YOU did a good job

                                                                        : You made a wise decision   

The four most important words                      : What is YOUR opinion?

                                                                        : I appreciate your opinion

The three most important words                     : If YOU please

                                                                        : You are right

The two most important words                       : Thank you

                                                                        : Yes, and

Single most important word                            : YOU

The next most important single word             : We

The least important single word                      : I

A close look at the above would reflect the person’s interaction with others. The more and more the above words are used by a person would lead him to an unassailable winning position in whatever he does. This takes us to look who is a winner.

The WINNER is always a part of the answer,

The Loser is always a part of the problem.

The WINNER always has a reason to do what needs to be done,

The Loser always has an excuse for not doing what is to be done.

The Winner says “ Let me help you do it “,

The Loser says, ‘Can you do it for me’.

The Winner seeks an answer to every problem,

The Loser sees a problem in every answer.

Winners are part of the team,

Losers are apart from the team.

Winners choose what they say;            ( Wise men talk as they have something to say,

Losers say what they choose.                And the fool talk as he want to say something

                                                                ------ Plato -----)

Winners make it happen; Losers let it happen.

Winners make commitments; Losers make promises.

The Winner says, “ it may be difficult, but it is possible”

The loser says, “ it may be possible, but it is too difficult”.

           

Attitude also reflects on body language and behaviour. The behaviour of a person stems from two consequential feelings.

The positive oriented and the negative oriented. This can be summarised as under:

i.              Those who make things happen.

ii.             Those who watch things happen.

iii.            Those who wonder what happened.

iv.           Those who don’t know that anything had happened.

The first two categories have positive orientation but with difference. The third category though falls under the negative orientation can be moulded and changed into a positive orientated person. The last category is the extreme negative oriented person and any amount of efforts cannot change their attitude. Their being in the midst of a group or a team is disastrous.

The positive oriented person exhibits the following traits:

i.              Enthusiasm

ii.             Purpose

iii.            Discipline

iv.           Determination

v.            Willingness to work

vi.           Appreciation of others

vii.          Serve and learn.

The three major traits that affect a negative oriented person are:

i.              Physical

ii.             Emotional

iii.            Personal

To identify whether one is a positive oriented person or negative oriented person, it would be nice to make one’s own SWOT analysis.

Some of the strengths exhibited are:

i.              Trusting own ability and keeping emotions under control

ii.             Feeling at home in new situations and respecting others irrespective of age

iii.            Accepting responsibility and discharging satisfactorily.

iv.           Exhibiting a confidence, that, I CAN DO IT.

As against the above some of the weaknesses exhibited are:

i.              Feeling depressed at the slightest failure and giving up the task at the first difficulty

ii.             Feeling uncomfortable in the midst of others and refusing to accept any responsibility.

iii.            Depending on others and putting the blame for any failure on other persons

iv.           Being diffident in familiar situations and developing a feeling that others are avoiding him.

The opportunity doesn’t come on its own, and one has to create his own and seize the same.

“Opportunity comes but once in a life time; the wise man grabs it, the fool lets it go”

Making friends and not enemies, and seeing the good in other people rather than the bad would go a long way in creating opportunities.

The major threats that affect one’s behaviour are:

i.              Avarice

ii.             Ambition

iii.            Envy

iv.           Anger

v.            Pride

The behaviour of a person can again be grouped under three different categories:

Aggressive: The three reasons for aggressive behaviour are:

i.              Physical factors

ii.             Emotional factors

iii.            Environmental factors

Aggressive behaviour may be the main character of the person, or at many times a sudden individual act provoked by circumstances like the ‘last straw that broke the camel’s back’. Aggression leads to fear, lack of self-esteem, and inability to control a situation in any other different way.

Avoidance: The three factors that are responsible for the behaviour of avoidance are:

i.              Social

ii.             Genetic

iii.            Psychological

iv.           Shyness

This behaviour is to evade confrontation and avoid uncomfortable situations. The behaviour is also sometimes used as an escape mechanism during feelings of anxiety and pain. This behaviour exhibits the following traits in a person.

i.              Apologetic

ii.             Feel guilty while saying no and keeping quiet for the sake of peace

iii.            Creating stress for self and ending unhappy not knowing how to express self.

iv.           Indecisive.

Assertive: Assertive behaviour exhibits a sense of involvement with others and appreciating their efforts. While asserting the rights and beliefs, it opens up a nice communication channel to resolve problems and to communicate both the positive and negative in a cordial atmosphere. The major advantages of an assertive behaviour are:

i.              Development of mutual respect with others.

ii.             Increase of self esteem

iii.            Helps in achieving goals

iv.           Minimize hurting and alienating people

v.            Reduces anxiety

vi.           Prevent others from taking undue advantage

vii.          Helps to express both verbally and non-verbally wide range of thoughts and feelings both positive and negative.

The following are the factors that contribute to assertiveness:

i.              Eye contact

ii.             Body language

iii.            Gestures

iv.           Voice

v.            Timing

vi.           Content

Body Language:  Some of the essentials of body language that play an active role in a person’s attitude are:

Not to cross arms and legs – This shows a defensive or guarded approach

Have eye contact without staring – Giving no eye contact would make you seem insecure

Take up some space and relax your shoulders but don’t slouch – In other words sit erect and comfortable with loosened up shoulders

Nod when others are talking – This conveys that you are listening. Don’t overdo like a Woodpecker

Smile and Laugh – Smile when something funny is said. But, don’t laugh at your own jokes that would show you as nervous and needy. Smile when somebody is introduced to you, but don’t keep the smile always plastered on your face; that would make you insincere.

Don’t fidget – All types of fidgeting would expose you as a nervous person.

Don’t stand too close – Allow people to have their personal space. Don’t make them feel that you are invading

Keep a good attitude – Finally keep always a positive, relaxed and open attitude.

                                           

                                                      ---- x ---- x ---- x ----

Quans - 4

Quote for the day

I count him braver who overcomes his desires, than him who conquers his enemies; for the hardest victory is over self.

                                                                                         --- Aristotle ---

Quans – 4

Please study the following arrangement and then answer the questions that follow:

6 4 2 5 2 8 5 2 6 4 1 3 9 1 8 1 2 5 8 6 3 5 1 4 9 4 7 3 2 7 2 5 9

1. How many 4s are there in the arrangement that are immediately preceded by a digit in value more than four?

(a) One    (b) Two     (c) Three       (d) More than three     (e) none

2. The digit seventh to the left of the twentieth counted from the left end in the above arrangement is:

(a) 3         (b) 9           (c) 2               (d) 7                 (e) 1

3. If all the even digits are deleted from the above arrangement, then the tenth digit from the right end will be:

(a) 9         (b) 5          (c) 1                (d) 3                 (e) 7

4. How many 5s are there that are immediately preceded by an odd digit and followed by an even digit?

(a) None        (b) One         (c) Two          (d) Three           (e) more than three

5. How many 1s are there immediately preceded by a perfect square?

(a) None       (b) One          (c) Two         (d) Three            (e) more than three

Answers:

1. (c)             2. (b)             3. (b)                4. (a)              5. (c)

Credit Card

CREDIT CARD – BOON or BANE

 

Credit Cards referred as plastic money, is steadily replacing the real money in commercial transactions. They offer a way of convenience in carrying and enable one complete the transactions without the hassles of taking real money. In times of need, the credit card also provides one with real money at selected places through the ATMs. Both the issuer and the holder are benefited through the credit card and for this reason almost all banks issue their credit cards either directly or under branded names. The number of persons using the credit cards also is growing phenomenally across the globe.

 

Credit Cards

 

Benefits and inherent risks for the holder

 

Credit card has dispensed with the need of carrying hard cash and thus helps everybody from the fear of losing the same. In the event of the credit card getting lost immediate information to the issuing authority would help them block the card and thus prevent its further usage. The holder will be provided with a new card. In times of need, when hard cash is required the credit card enable one to draw cash up to a prescribed limit through various Automatic Teller Machines that are installed in many vantage locations and in the premises of the issuer of the card, normally banks. These ATM’s function 24/7 and is very convenient for taking cash at any time of the day.  

 

Credit card provides the holder with the freedom to indulge in acquiring products and services and to pay for the same over a period either in full or in parts. Care must be exercised in the event of part payments, as this is an unknown debt trap landing the card users in great trouble and litigations over a period. Credit card users are given the option of paying the billed amount in three ways, namely i) in full, ii) in part, a percentage of the billed amount or iii) the minimum amount normally 5% of the billed amount. The last type of payment is the root cause for all the evils of credit card usage.

 

The holders are tempted to utilize the full credit allotted on the card thinking that paying minimum amount of 5% every month would be convenient and not taxing. They make their biggest mistake in this assumption. The carried over outstanding in a card attracts a financial charge, that runs as high as 3.5% per month in some instances. This is an exorbitant rate of interest and in very quick time the card holder finds it difficult to meet the minimum commitment every month thus drawing unwanted attention and legal action.

 

Paying part amount of the outstanding, enable the card holder further usage of the card up to the sanctioned limit as the credit limit sanctioned, is per se, a revolving one. Here again, the interest burden will be heavy as the financial charges are levied not only on the outstanding dues, but also on further usages of the card. The holder do not enjoy any free credit period.

 

Hence, the credit card is to be used judiciously to derive the maximum benefit. Save for periods of emergency it is advised to pay in full every month the outstanding on the card.        

 

Benefits for the issuer (Banks)

 

The credit cards are normally issued to persons of standing and credit worthy at a nominal annual charge. This is a source of non funded income for the issuer and is sourced to the maximum. Every time the card is used for any commercial transactions, the issuer reimburses the merchant establishment with the amount less a percentage of commission varying between 1.5% and 3.0%. This again is a source of income to the bank and can be equated as interest for the money reimbursed. This money is received back from the user of the credit card when he pays the card bill amount on the due date. The commission charged by the issuer works out to be on the higher side of the normal lending rates in this instance.

 

The card holder is generally tempted to pay only a portion of the billed amount namely minimum of 5%, and is suggested to carry the balance forward. When part of the billed amount is carried forward by the user then he is charged financial charges for the carried forward amount that ranges anything between 2.5% to 3.5% per month. The financial charges are levied on any further usage of the card and thus continue till such time the entire outstanding amount on the card is paid in full. This brings in substantial income to the issuing bank as the financial charges are far high when compared to the normal lending rates of the institution.

 

While the issuers of credit cards do derive benefits, they also incur losses in the form of unrealized outstanding. However, many issuers do take insurance cover for these unrealized dues and are thus protected. Even otherwise, it is noted that the unrealized dues that the issuers are compelled to write off, amounts to just 2 to 3 percent of the total volume of business and is considered insignificant.

 

Conclusion

 

Despite the good and bad of the credit card both for the issuer and the user, it has come to occupy the center stage in the retail commercial segment of the society. The credit card has provided an opening to acquire things on credit payable over a period though at a cost, without going through any lengthy procedural formalities. The issuer also is benefited in the form of earnings of non funded income and financial charges. In normal lending activities the interest charged is linked to various monetary conditions and these shackles are absent in the credit extended through credit cards.

 

It is said, that the American public have already used two years of their future earnings through credit card purchases and no wonder the legal fraternity in that country has taken special interest in representing the card holders in litigation processes and is helping them secure certain concessions and write off and an extended period of time for settling the dues.

 

 

 

 

Credit Score

Term of the Day

ethics

The basic concepts and fundamental principles of decent human conduct. It includes study of universal values such as the essential equality of all men and women, human or natural rights, obedience to the law ofland, concern for health and safety and, increasingly, also for the natural environment. See also morality.

How Credit Scores Help Consumers

by Business Dictionary

For consumers, a credit score helps determine how much you pay for certain products and services.  In some cases, it may even have an effect on your chances in obtaining employment.  A credit score gives lenders an idea of your credit risk and worthiness.  Before credit score was developed, consumers looking to obtain credit went through a process that was deemed unfair and inconsistent.  A credit score in today’s society helps consumers understand where they are financially in several ways.

A credit score helps consumers obtain a loan approval fairly quickly.  Whether you have a good or poor credit score, when you apply for credit you’ll learn your status instantly.  The concept is exercised with mortgage companies, retail stores and vehicle lenders to name a few.  Your credit score actually helps lenders make a fair decision, which is not based on sexual orientation or race.  Their decision is based on your history and details related to that only.  This may also help consumers focus on areas they need to improve to help increase their score.

A credit score has information from a consumer’s past and present, yet if you know you made some mistakes in the past your credit score doesn’t count it against you.  So when lenders look at activity related to your score, they can review details from your past and present.  As time goes on, poor activity from your past falls off your report, meaning it won’t be visible or relevant but it fades away.  A lender may decide to grant credit if they see recent payment patterns that are good.

Since credit scores help lenders understand the history and risk of the potential borrower, it also allows them to offer more credit.  Some consumers may apply for credit and be turned down, yet on the other hand you can go to another lender and be approved.  This is due to lenders having different standards when it comes to choosing borrowers.  In a way, this can be a good thing for consumers because it increases chances of being approved if you find the right lender.  A credit score may help you obtain a lower rate on a loan.  When this happens, lenders save because it allows them to save on lending costs and procedures.  Studies claim that mortgage rates in parts of Europe are higher than the United States; meaning the credit scoring system helps those in the U.S. in more ways than one.

Quans - 3

Quote for the day:

In prayer, it is better to have a heart without words, than words without a heart.

                                                                         ----- Mahatma Gandhi ----

Hi friends,

Here are few more sourced questions.


1. On sport’s day, if 12 children were made to stand in each column, 98 columns could be formed. If 24 children were made to stand in a column, how many columns could be formed? After certain music being played the plan was that the children have to stand in concentric circles such that the innermost circle will have one student, the next circle will have two students, the
a) 48      b) 20      c) 50      d) 29

Answer : a) 48

2. In a cinema hall for the matinee show which started at 2.30 pm and ended at 5.30 pm the vehicle parking lot had only three wheeler's (auto rickshaws) and four wheeler's. Today the wheels of the vehicles parked was counted and found to be 240. What could be the number of three wheeler's parked therein?
a) 41      b) 43      c) 45      d) 48

Answer : d) 48

3. Kaushik has some hens and some goats. If the total number of animals head is 90 and the total number of animals feet is 248, what is the total number of goats Kaushik has?
a) 32     b) 34      c) 36      d) 40

Answer : b) 34

4. In Chennai city there are four women named A,B,C and D. They always compare themselves in respect of richness and their age. A is the oldest but not the poorest. C is the richest but not the oldest. B is older than D but not than A or C. A is richer than B but not than D. The four women meet near Nandambakkam Industrial Estate. Their names are to be arranged (descending) in respect of age and richness, respectively as
a) ABCD, CADB    b) ACBD, CDAB      c) ACBD, CDBA        d) ACDB, CDAB

Answer : b) ACBD, CDAB

5. Read the following passage and say which of the following statements is true? There are three ladies in a meeting: Mrs. Yellow, Mrs. Green and Mrs. Brown. They are wearing yellow, green and brown saris. Mrs. Yellow says: “Did you notice that the colours of our saris are different from our names?” the person who is wearing the green sari says. “Yes, you are right!”

If the above information is true then which of the following statement is true?
a. Mrs. Yellow was wearing a brown sari
b. Mrs. Green was wearing a brown sari
c. Mrs. Brown was wearing the Yellow sari.

Answer : a) Mrs. Yellow was wearing a brown sari

6. Ramesh, Madhusudhan, Sanjeevan, Kannayiram and Keshav are sitting in a circle facing the center. Ramesh is immediate left of Sanjeevan. Kannayiram is between Sanjeevan and Keshav.

If the above information is true then which of the following is true?
a) Keshav is on the immediate left of Ramesh.
b) Kannayiram is on the immediate left of Ramesh.
c) Madhusudhan is on the immediate left of Ramesh.

Answer : c). Madhusudhan is on the immediate left of Ramesh.

7. If 40% of the people read newspaper X, 50% read newspaper Y and 10% read both the papers. What percentage of the people read neither newspaper?
a) 10%.      b) 15%.       c) 20%.       d) 25%.

Answer : c) 20%.

8. In a metropolitan city 25% neither watch TV news, nor read newspaper. 35% read only a newspaper and 20% read a newspaper and watch TV news also. What percent of people watch Television only?
a) 55%      b) 60%        c) 50%         d) 40%

Answer : b) 60%.

9. Out of the total of 200 musicians in Rehman Music club, 10% can play all the three instruments- guitar, violin and flute. The number of musicians who can play any two and only two of the above instruments is 70. The number of musicians who can play the guitar alone is 80. What is the total number of those who can play violin alone or flute alone?
a) 20         b) 30          c) 40           d) 50

Answer : b) 30

10. Mr. Balamurali spends 25% of his monthly salary on household expenditure, 20% of the remaining on children’s education, and the balance is equally invested in three different schemes. If the amount invested in each scheme is Rs.5600, what is the monthly salary of Balamurali?
a) Rs.28000       b) Rs.21000          c) Rs.24000             d) Rs.42000

Answer : a) Rs. 28000.

Time, Speed and Distance

 

Time Speed and Distance.

1. Deccan Queen started from Pune in the same direction, two hours after Sinhagad Express that left exactly at noon. Deccan Queen overtook Sihagad Express at 8.00 p.m. Find the average speed of the two trains over the distance they had covered if the sum of their average speeds is 70 km/hr.

(a) 34.28 km/hr. (b) 35 km/hr. (c) 50 km/hr. (d) 12 km/hr.

2. Calcutta Mail and Bombay Mail start at the same time from Calcutta and Bombay respectively towards each other. After their crossing they take 12 hours and 3 hours respectively to reach Bombay and Calcutta. If the speed of the Calcutta Mail is 48 km/hr. then what is the speed of the Bombay Mail?

(a) 24 km/hr. (b) 22 km/hr. (c) 96 km/hr. (d) 120 km/hr.

3. Driving at a speed of 60 km/hr. Sunit covers a distance in 40 minutes. At what speed he should drive so as to reduce the travel time by 25%.

(a) 60 km/hr. (b) 70 km/hr. (c) 80 km/hr. (d) 90 km/hr.

4. Two trains starting from A and B are travelling towards each other at speeds of 50 km/hr and 60 km/hr respectively. At the time of their meeting the faster train had travelled 120 kms more than the slower train. What is the distance between the stations A and B?

(a) 1200 kms (b) 1320 kms (c) 1420 kms (d) 1500 kms.

5. A plane left half an hour later than the schedule departure time, and in order to reach its destination 1500 kms away on time, it increased its normal speed by 33 1/3 %. What is its increased speed?

(a) 250 kmph (b) 500 kmph (c) 750 kmph (d) 1000 kmph.

Answers:

1. (a) 2. (c) 3. (d) 4. (b) 5. (d)

Trade Mark

Yet another one sourced recently.

trademark (™)  

Definition

Distinctive design, graphics, logo, symbols, words, or any combination thereof that uniquely identifies a firm and/or its goods or services, guarantees the item's genuineness, and gives it owner the legal rights to prevent the trademark's unauthorized use. A trademark must be (1) distinctive instead of descriptive, (2) affixed to the item sold, and (3) registered with the appropriate authority to obtain legal ownership and protection rights. Trademark rights are granted usually for 7 to 20 years and, unlike in case of patents, are renewable indefinitely. These rights are protected worldwide by international intellectual property treaties and may be assigned by their owner to other parties. Although a trademark has no limited term of existence, the rights to use it may be lost due to misuse or lack of use. Trademarks are divided into 42 international classes, each class representing similar goods or services. Whereas a trademark may be registered under multiple classes, it is protected only in the class(es) relevant to the business or trade area of the item. And, whereas the use of symbol 'TM' does not provide any legal benefit, it precludes the infringer's defence of lack of knowledge of a trademark claim. Costs incurred in design and registration of, and in defending, a trademark is usually amortized over the life the trademark or 40 years, whichever is shorter. In balance sheets, trademarks are identified as intangible assets and, in some cases such as Coca Cola Co., are far more valuable than the firm's all other assets. The term trademark includes the associated term service mark (SM).