PHYSICS IITJAM & M.

SC EXAMS 1

ElevateClasses
ASSIGNMENT

VECTOR ALGEBRA & VECTOR CALCULUS

MATRIX ALGEBRA

DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS & SPECIAL FUNCTIONS

FOURIER SERIES, FOURIER & LAPLACE TRANSFORM

PROBABILITY

COMPLEX ANALYSIS

MISCELLANEOUS TOPICS
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 2

VECTOR ALGEBRA & VECTOR CALCULUS

PHYSICS IIT JAM PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS
Q1. The work done by a force in moving particle of mass 'm' from any point (x, y) to a neighboring
point (𝑥 + 𝑑𝑥, 𝑦 + 𝑑𝑦) is given by 𝑑𝑊 = 2𝑥𝑦𝑑𝑥 + 𝑥 2 𝑑𝑦. The work done for a complete cycle
around a unit circle is:
(a) 0 (b) 1
(c) 3 (d) 2π
3 3
Q2. The equation of a surface of revolution is 𝑧 = ±√2 𝑥 2 + 2 𝑦 2. The unit normal to the surface at
2
the point 𝐴 (√3 , 0,1)is:

3 2 3 2
(a) √5 𝑖 + 𝑘̂ (b) √5 𝑖 − 𝑘̂
√10 √10

3 2 3 2
(c) √5 𝑖 + 𝑘̂ (d) √10 𝑖 + 𝑗̂
√5 √10
𝐵 𝑥 𝑦
Q3. The line integral ∫𝐴 𝐹 ⋅ ⃗⃗⃗
𝑑𝑙 , where 𝐹 = 2 𝑥̂ + 𝑦̂, along the semi-circular path as
√𝑥 +𝑦 2 √𝑥 2 +𝑦 2
shown in the figure below is:

(a) –2 (b) 0
(c) 2 (d) 4
Q4. If 𝐹 is a constant vector and 𝑟 is the position vector then 𝛻⃗ (𝐹 ⋅ 𝑟) would be
(a) (𝛻⃗ ⋅ 𝑟)𝐹 (b) 𝐹
(c) (𝛻⃗ ⋅ 𝐹 )𝑟 (d) |𝑟|𝐹
Q5. For vectors 𝑎 = 𝑗̂ + 𝑘̂ , 𝑏⃗ = 2𝑖̂ + 3𝑗̂ − 5𝑘̂ and 𝑐 = 𝑗̂ − 𝑘̂, the vector product 𝑎 × (𝑏⃗ × 𝑐 ) is
(a) in the same direction as 𝑐
(b) in the direction opposite to 𝑐
(c) in the same direction as 𝑏⃗
(d) in the direction opposite to 𝑏⃗
Q6. If the surface integral of the field 𝐴(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) = 2𝛼𝑥𝑖̂ + 𝛽𝑦𝑗̂ − 3𝛾𝑧𝑘̂ over the closed surface of an
arbitrary unit sphere is to be zero, then the relationship between 𝛼, 𝛽 and 𝛾 is
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 3

(a) 𝛼 + 𝛽/6 − 𝛾 = 0
(b) 𝛼/3 + 𝛽/6 − 𝛾/2 = 0
(c) 𝛼/2 + 𝛽 − 𝛾/3 = 0
(d) 2/𝛼 + 1/𝛽 − 3/𝛾 = 0
1
Q7. The line integral ∮ 𝐴 ⋅ 𝑑𝑙of a vector field 𝐴(𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝑟 2 (−𝑦𝑖̂ + 𝑥𝑗̂), where 𝑟 2 = 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 , is
1
taken around a square (see figure) of side unit length and centered at (𝑥0 , 𝑦0 ) with |𝑥0 | > 2 and
1
|𝑦0 | > . If the value of the integral is L, then
2

(a) L depends on (𝑥0 , 𝑦0 )

(b) L is independent of (𝑥0 , 𝑦0 ) and its value is –1
(c) L is independent of (𝑥0 , 𝑦0 ) and its value is 0
(d) L is independent of (𝑥0 , 𝑦0 ) and its value is 2
Q8. Consider a vector field 𝐹 = 𝑦𝑖̂ + 𝑥𝑧 3 𝑗̂ − 𝑧𝑦𝑘̂. Let C be the circle 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 4 on the plane 𝑧 =
2, oriented counter-clockwise. The value of contour integral ∮𝐶 𝐹 ⋅ 𝑑𝑟 is
(a) 28π (b) 4π
(c) –4π (d) –28π
Q9. A particle of mass m is moving in 𝑥 − 𝑦 plane. At any given time t, its position vector is given
by 𝑟(𝑡) = 𝐴cos𝜔𝑡𝑖̂ + 𝐵sin𝜔𝑡𝑗̂, where A, B and ω are constants with𝐴 ≠ 𝐵. Which of the
following statements are true?
(a) orbit of the particle is an ellipse
(b) speed of the particle is constant
(c) at any given time t, the particle experiences a force towards origin
(d) the angular momentum of the particle is 𝑚𝜔𝐴𝐵𝑘
Q10. The tangent line to the curve 𝑥 2 + 𝑥𝑦 + 5 = 0 at (1, 1) is represented by
(a) 𝑦 = 3𝑥 − 2 (b) 𝑦 = −3𝑥 + 4
(c) 𝑥 = 3𝑦 − 2 (d) 𝑥 = −3𝑦 + 4
Q11. Consider a closed triangular contour traversed in counter-clockwise direction, as shown in the
figure below.
The value of the integral, ∮ 𝐹 ⋅ 𝑑ℓ ⃗ evaluated along this contour, for a vector field, 𝐹 = 𝑦𝑒̂𝑥 −
𝑥𝑒̂𝑦 is________. (𝑒̂𝑥 , 𝑒̂𝑦 and 𝑒̂𝑧 are unit vectors in Cartesian-coordinate system).
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 4

Q12. A hemispherical shell is placed on the xy-plane centered at the origin. For a vector field 𝐸⃗ =
(−𝑦𝑒̂𝑥 + 𝑥𝑒̂𝑦 )/(𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 ), the value of the integral ∫𝑆 (𝛻⃗ × 𝐸⃗ ) ⋅ 𝑑𝑎 over the hemispherical
surface is__________ π.
(𝑑𝑎 is the elemental surface area, 𝑒̂𝑥 , 𝑒̂𝑦 , and 𝑒̂𝑧 are unit vectors in Cartesian-coordinate system).
Q13. A particle moves in a circular path in xy-plane centered at the origin. If the speed of the particle
is constnat, then its angular momentum.
(a) about the origin is constant both in magnitude and direction
(b) about (0, 0, 1) is constant in magnitude but not in direction
(c) about (0, 0, 1) varies both in magnitude and direction
(d) about (0, 0, 1) is constant in direction but not in magnitude.
40
Q14. The integral of the vector 𝐴(𝜌, 𝜑, 𝑧) = cos𝜑𝑝̂ (standard notation for cylindrical coordinates is
𝜌
used) over the volume of a cylinder of height L and radius 𝑅0 is
(a) 20𝜋𝑅0 𝐿(𝑖̂ + 𝑗̂)
(b) 0
(c) 40𝜋𝑅0 𝐿𝑗̂
(d) 40𝜋𝑅0 𝐿𝑖̂
Q15. The volume integral of the function 𝑓(𝑟, 𝜃, 𝜑) = 𝑟 2 cos𝜃 over the region (0 ≤ 𝑟 ≤ 2,0 ≤ 𝜃 ≤
𝜋/3 and 0 ≤ 𝜑 ≤ 2𝜋) is_________
(Specify your answer to two digits after the decimal point)
Q16. Let 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝑥 3 − 2𝑦 3 . The curve along which 𝛻 2 𝑓 = 0 is IIT JAM 2018
(a) 𝑥 = √2𝑦 (b) 𝑥 = 2𝑦
𝑦
(c) 𝑥 = √6𝑦 (d) 𝑥 = −
2

Q17. A curve is given by 𝑟(𝑡) = 𝑡𝑖̂ + 𝑡 2 𝑗̂ + 𝑡 3 𝑘̂. The unit vector of the tangent to the curve at t = 1 is
IIT JAM 2018
̂
𝑖̂+𝑗̂ +𝑘 ̂
𝑖̂+𝑗̂ +2𝑘
(a) (b)
√3 √6
̂
𝑖̂+2𝑗̂ +2𝑘 ̂
𝑖̂+2𝑗̂ +3𝑘
(c) (d)
3 √14
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 5

Q18. If 𝜙(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) is a scalar function which satisfies the Laplace equation, then the gradient of 𝜙 is
IIT JAM 2019
(a) Solenoidal and irrotational
(b) Solenoidal but not irrotational
(c) Irrotational but not solenoidal
(d) Neither solenoidal nor irrotational
Q19. The gradient of a scalar field 𝑆(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) has the following characteristic(s). IIT JAM 2019
(a) Line integral of a gradient is path-independent
(b) Closed line integral of a gradient is zero
(c) Gradient of S is a measure of the maximum rate of change in the field 𝑆
(d) Gradient of S is a scalar quantity
Q20. The flux of the function 𝐹 = (𝑦 2 )𝑥̂ + (3𝑥𝑦 − 𝑧 2 )𝑦̂ + (4𝑦𝑧)𝑧̂ passing through the surface
ABCD along 𝑛̂ is__________ (Round off to 2 decimal places) IIT JAM 2019

2
r
rˆ
Q21. The volume integral e R
2
d 3r , where V is the volume of a sphere of radius R centered
V
r
at the origin, is equal to IIT JAM 2020
4 3
(a) 4π (b) 0 (c) πR (d) 1
3
Q22. The line integral of the vector function u ( x, y ) 2 yiˆ xjˆ along the straight line from (0, 0) to (2,
4) is _________ IIT JAM 2020
Q23 A time independent conservative force 𝐹 has the form, 𝐹 = 3𝑦𝑖̂ + 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦)𝑗̂. Its magnitude at 𝑥 =
𝑦 = 0 is 8. The allowed form(s) of 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) is(are) IIT JAM 2021
(a) 3𝑥 + 8 (b) 2𝑥 + 8(𝑦 − 1)2
2
(c) 3𝑥 + 8𝑒 −𝑦 (d) 2𝑥 + 8cos𝑦
Q24. Consider a two-dimensional force field
𝐹 (𝑥, 𝑦) = (5𝑥 2 + 𝑎𝑦 2 + 𝑏𝑥𝑦)𝑥̂ + (4𝑥 2 + 4𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦 2 )𝑦̂.
If the force field is conservative, then the values of a and b are IIT JAM 2022
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 6

(a) 𝑎 = 2 and 𝑏 = 4 (b) 𝑎 = 2 and 𝑏 = 8

(c) 𝑎 = 4 and 𝑏 = 2 (d) 𝑎 = 8 and 𝑏 = 2
Q25. Consider a unit circle C in the xy plane, centered at the origin. The value of the integral
∮ [(sin 𝑥 − 𝑦)𝑑𝑥 − (sin 𝑦 − 𝑥)𝑑𝑦] over the circle C, traversed anticlockwise, is
IIT JAM 2022
(a) 0 (b) 2𝜋
(c) 3𝜋 (d) 4𝜋
Q26. The integral ∬(𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 )𝑑𝑥𝑑𝑦 over the area of a disk of radius 2 in the 𝑥𝑦 plane is
_________ 𝜋 IIT JAM 2022
Q27. Consider a unit circle C in the xy plane with center at the origin. The line integral of the vector
field, 𝐹 (𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) = −2𝑦𝑥̂ − 3𝑧𝑦̂ + 𝑥𝑧̂ , taken anticlockwise over C is_________π
IIT JAM 2022
Q28. Which of the following fields has non-zero curl? IIT JAM 2023
(a) 𝑥𝑖ˆ + 𝑦𝑗ˆ + 𝑧𝑘ˆ
(b) (𝑦 + 𝑧)𝑖ˆ + (𝑥 + 𝑧)𝑗ˆ + (𝑥 + 𝑦)𝑘ˆ
(c) 𝑦 2 𝑖ˆ + (2𝑥𝑦 + 𝑧 2 )𝑗ˆ + 2𝑦𝑧𝑘ˆ
(d) 𝑥𝑦𝑖ˆ + 2𝑦𝑧𝑗ˆ + 3𝑥𝑧𝑘ˆ
Q29. For a given vector 𝐹 = −𝑦𝑖ˆ + 𝑧𝑗ˆ + 𝑥 2 𝑘ˆ , the surface integral ∫𝑆 (∇
⃗ × 𝐹 ) ⋅ 𝑟ˆ𝑑𝑆 over the surface
𝑆 of a hemisphere of radius 𝑅 with the centre of the base at the origin is IIT JAM 2023

2𝜋𝑅 2
(a) 𝜋𝑅 2 (b) 3
2𝜋𝑅 2
(c) −𝜋𝑅 2 (d) − 3

Q30. Unit vector normal to the equipotential surface of 𝑉(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) = 4𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 at (1,2,1) is

given by (𝑎𝑖ˆ + 𝑏𝑗ˆ + 𝑐𝑘ˆ). The value of |𝑏| is__________ (rounded off to two decimal places).
IIT JAM 2023
𝑟ˆ
Q31. The divergence of a 3-dimensional vector 𝑟 3 (𝑟ˆ is the unit radial vector) is: IIT JAM 2024
1 1 3
(a) − 𝑟 4 (b) Zero (c) 𝑟 3 (d) − 𝑟 4
Q32. The value of the line integral for the vector,
𝑣 = 2𝑥ˆ + 𝑦𝑧 2 𝑦ˆ + (3𝑦 + 𝑧 2 )𝑧ˆ
along the closed path OABO (as shown in the figure) is:
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 7

(Path AB is the arc of a circle of unit radius) IIT JAM 2024

1 1 3𝜋
(a) 4 (3𝜋 − 1) (b) 3𝜋 − 4 (c) −1 (d) 3𝜋 − 1
4

Q33. In the 𝑥 − 𝑦 plane, a vector is given by

−𝑦𝑥ˆ + 𝑥𝑦ˆ
𝐹 (𝑥, 𝑦) =
𝑥2 + 𝑦2
⃗ × 𝐹 , through a circular loop of radius 2 , centered at the origin,
The magnitude of the flux of ∇
is: IIT JAM 2024
(a) 𝜋 (b) 2𝜋 (c) 4𝜋 (d) 0
Q34. Two sides of a triangle OAB are given by: IIT JAM 2024
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ = 𝑥ˆ + 2𝑦ˆ + 𝑧ˆ
𝑂𝐴
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ = 2𝑥ˆ − 𝑦ˆ + 3𝑧ˆ
𝑂𝐵
The area of the triangle is_________ (Rounded off to one decimal place)
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 8

ANSWER KEYS

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

6. (b) 7. (c) 8. (a) 9. (a, c, d) 10. (b)

11. (-2) 12. (2) 13. (b) 14. (d) 15. (15.08)

16. (b) 17. (d) 18. (a) 19. (a,b,c) 20. (1.16 to
1.17)

21. (a) 22. (12 to 12) 23. (a,c) 24. (b) 25. (b)

26. (8) 27. (2) 28. (d) 29. (a) 30. (0.43 to
0.45)

31. (a) 32. (a) 33. (b) 34. (4.2 to 4.4)

PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 9

TIFR PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q1. A two-dimensional vector 𝐴̄(𝑡) is given by 𝐴̄(𝑡) = 𝑖̂sin2𝑡 + 𝑗̂cos3𝑡

Which of the following graphs best describes the locus of the tip of the vector, as t is varied from
0 to 2π ?

Q2. Consider the surface corresponding to the equation 4𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 = 0. A possible unit tangent
to this surface at the point (1,2, −8) is
1 2 1 4
(a) 𝑖̂ − 𝑗̂ (b) 5 𝑗̂ − 5 𝑘̂
√5 √5
4 8 1 1 3 4
(c) 9 𝑖̂ − 9 𝑗̂ + 9 𝑘̂ (d) − 𝑖̂ + 𝑗̂ − 𝑘̂
√5 √5 √5

Q3. Which of the following vectors is parallel to the surface 𝑥 2 𝑦 + 2𝑥𝑧 = 4 at the point (2, −2,3) ?
(a) −6𝑖̂ − 2𝑗̂ + 5𝑘̂ (b) 6𝑖̂ + 2𝑗̂ + 5𝑘̂
(c) 6𝑖̂ − 2𝑗̂ + 5𝑘̂ (d) 6𝑖̂ − 2𝑗̂ − 5𝑘̂
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 10

ANSWER KEYS

1. (c) 2. (a) 3. (c)

PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 11

JEST PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q1. The vector field 𝑥𝑧𝑖̂ + 𝑦𝑗̂ in cylindrical polar coordinates is
(a) 𝜌(𝑧cos2 𝜙 + sin2 𝜙)𝑒̂𝜌 + 𝜌sinϕcosϕ(1 − 𝑧)𝑒̂𝜙
(b) 𝜌(𝑧cos2 𝜙 + sin2 𝜙)𝑒̂𝜌 + 𝜌sinϕcosϕ(1 + 𝑧)𝑒̂𝜙
(c) 𝜌(𝑧sin2 𝜙 + cos2 𝜙)𝑒̂𝜌 + 𝜌sinϕcosϕ(1 + 𝑧)𝑒̂𝜙
(d) 𝜌(𝑧sin2 𝜙 + cos2 𝜙)𝑒̂𝜌 + 𝜌sinϕcosϕ(1 − 𝑧)𝑒̂𝜙
Q2. What is the equation of the plane which is tangent to the surface 𝑥𝑦𝑧 = 4 at the point (1, 2, 2) ?
(a) 𝑥 + 2𝑦 + 4𝑧 = 12
(b) 4𝑥 + 2𝑦 + 𝑧 = 12
(c) 𝑥 + 4𝑦 + 𝑧 = 0
(d) 2𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧 = 6
Q3. Let 𝑟 be the position vector of a point on a closed contour C. What is the value of the line integral
∮ 𝑟 ⋅ 𝑑𝑟 ? JEST 2019
1
(a) 0 (b) 2 (c) 1 (d) π

Q4. Suppose 𝜓𝐴 is a conservative vector, 𝐴 is a non-conservative vector and 𝜓 is non-zero scalar

everywhere. Which one of the following is true? JEST 2019
(a) (𝛻 × 𝐴) ⋅ 𝐴 = 0 (b) 𝐴 × 𝛻𝜓 = ⃗0
(c) 𝐴 ⋅ 𝛻𝜓 = 0 (d) (𝛻 × 𝐴) × 𝐴 = ⃗0
Q5. Which one of the following vectors lie along the line of intersection of the two planes
𝑥 + 3𝑦 − 𝑧 = 5 and 2𝑥 − 2𝑦 + 4𝑧 = 3 ? JEST 2019
(a) 10𝑖̂ − 2𝑗̂ + 5𝑘̂ (b) 10𝑖̂ − 6𝑗̂ − 8𝑘̂
(c) 10𝑖̂ + 2𝑗̂ + 5𝑘̂ (d) 10𝑖̂ − 2𝑗̂ − 5𝑘̂
Q6. What is the angle (in degrees) between the surfaces 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 = 2 and 𝑦 2 − 𝑥 2 = 0 at the point
(1, −1,1)? JEST 2019

Q7. Let ABCDEF be a regular hexagon. The vector AB + AC + AD + AE + AF will be JEST 2021

(a) 0 (b) AD

(c) 2AD (d) 3AD

Q8. If θ and  are respectively the polar and azimuthal angles on the unit sphere, what is
cos 2 ( ) sin 2 ( ) O
and , where denotes the average of O ? JEST 2022
cos 2 ( ) = 2 / 3 sin 2 ( ) = 1/ 3
(a) and
cos 2 ( ) = 1/ 2 sin 2 ( ) = 1/ 2
(b) and
cos 2 ( ) = 3 / 4 sin 2 ( ) = 1/ 4
(c) and
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 12

cos 2 ( ) = 1/ 3 sin 2 ( ) = 2 / 3
(d) and

ANSWER KEYS

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

6. (60◦) 7. (d) 8. (a)

PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 13

JNU PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q1. The position vector of a particle moving in two dimensions, as a function of time t, is given as
𝑟(𝑡) = (𝑖̂𝑡 + 𝑗̂√𝑡)𝑒 −𝑡 for 𝑡 ≥ 0. Starting at 𝑡 = 0, the distance of the particle from the origin
reaches its maximum value at 𝑡 = 𝑡𝑚 , and at this instạnt, the velocity vector 𝑣 makes an angle α
with 𝑟. The values of 𝑡𝑚 and α are
1 𝜋 1
(a) 𝑡𝑚 = 2 and 𝛼 = (b) 𝑡𝑚 = and 𝛼 = 𝜋
2 √2
1 1 𝜋
(c) 𝑡𝑚 = 2 and 𝛼 = 0 (d) 𝑡𝑚 = and 𝛼 =
√2 2

(e) 𝑡𝑚 = 1 and 𝛼 = 𝜋
Q2. Consider a vector field 𝐹 = 𝑥𝑦 4 𝑖̂ + 𝑦𝑧 2 𝑗̂. Its outward flux ∮ 𝐹 ⋅ 𝑑𝑆 over the surface of a cube
bounded by the planes |𝑥| = 2, |𝑦| = 2 and |𝑧| = 2 is nearest to
(a) 410 (b) –273
(c) 290 (d) –300
(e) 0
Q3. Which of the following vector field can represents an electrostatic field?
(a) (2𝑥𝑧 − 𝑦 2 )𝑖̂ + (2𝑥𝑦 − 𝑧 2 )𝑗̂ + (2𝑦𝑧 − 𝑥 2 )𝑘̂
(b) 𝑥𝑦𝑖̂ + 2𝑦𝑧𝑗̂ + 3𝑥𝑧𝑘̂
(c) 𝑦𝑧𝑖̂ − 𝑥𝑧𝑗̂ + 𝑥𝑦𝑘̂
(d) 𝑦 2 𝑖̂ + (2𝑥𝑦 + 𝑧 2 )𝑗̂ + (2𝑦𝑧 + 𝑥 2 )𝑘̂
(e) 𝑦 2 𝑖̂ + (2𝑥𝑦 + 𝑧 2 )𝑗̂ + 2𝑦𝑧𝑘̂
Q4. Define I to be the value of the surface integral (∫ 𝑬 ⋅ 𝑑𝑺, where 𝑑𝑺points outwards from the
domain on integration) of a vector field 𝑬(𝑬 = (𝑥 + 𝑦 2 )𝒊 + (𝑧 3 + 𝑦 3 )𝒋 + (𝑥 + 𝑧 4 )𝒌) over the
entire surface of a cube which bounds the region {0 < 𝑥 < 2, −1 < 𝑦 < 1,0 < 𝑧 < 2}. The
value of I is
(a) 0 (b) 16
(c) 72 (d) 80
(e) 32
Q5. Which of the following force fields is/are conservative?
I. (4𝑥 3 𝑦 + 3𝑥 2 𝑧 2 )𝒊 + (𝑥 4 + 3𝑦 2 𝑧 2 )𝒋 + 2𝑧(𝑥 3 + 𝑦 3 )𝒌
II. (𝑦𝑧 4 + 𝑥 5 )𝒊 + (𝑥 4 𝑧 + 𝑥 2 𝑦 3 )𝒋 + (𝑥 4 𝑦 + 𝑧 5 )𝒌
III. 𝑥(3𝑥𝑦 2 + 4𝑧 2 )𝒊 + (𝑧 4 + 2𝑥 3 𝑦)𝒋 + 2𝑧 2 (2𝑦𝑧 + 3𝑥 2 )𝒌
(a) II and III only
(b) I, II and III
(c) I and III only
(d) I and II only
(e) I only
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 14

Q6. The line integral 𝐼 = ∫𝛤 𝐹 ⋅ 𝑑𝑟 of the vector field 𝐹 = 𝑦𝑧𝑖 + 𝑧𝑥𝑗 + 𝑥𝑦𝑘 is evaluated along the
curve 𝛤 parametrized by (𝑥 = 𝑎sin 𝑡, 𝑦 = 𝑏cos𝑡, 𝑧 = 𝑐), where a, b and c and c are constant.
𝜋 3𝜋
The value of I for 4 ≤ 𝑡 ≤ 4 is
(a) abc (b) ab
(c) bc (d) ac

ANSWER KEYS

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

6. (a)
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 15

DU PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q1. A vector field is given by 𝐴 = 𝑦𝑖̂ + 𝑧𝑗̂ + 𝑥𝑘̂. The curl of the vector is:
(a) 𝑖̂ + 𝑗̂ − 𝑘̂ (b) −𝑖̂ − 𝑗̂ − 𝑘̂
(c) −𝑖̂ − 𝑗̂ + 𝑘̂ (d) 𝑖̂ + 𝑗̂ + 𝑘̂
Q2. The magnitude of the cross product of two vectors AB and AC is equal to:
(a) The area of the triangle
(b) The area of the parallelogram with adjacent sides AB and AC
(c) Twice the area of the rectangle with adjacent sides AB and AC
(d) The area of the circle passing through A, B and C
Q3. Consider a set of surfaces 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) = 𝑐. Different values of c will generate different surfaces.
The gradient of f at a point P has a direction:
(a) Tangential to the surface at point P
(b) At 45 degrees to the surface at point P
(c) Normal to the surface at the point P in the direction of increasing value of f
(d) Normal to the surface at the point P in the direction of decreasing value of f
𝑑𝑟
Q4. Let 𝑟 = 𝑥̂𝑟cos𝜔𝑡 + 𝑦̂𝑟sin𝜔𝑡. For constant r and ω, calculate 𝑟 × 𝑑𝑡 .
(a) 𝑟 2 𝜔𝑥̂ (b) 𝑟 2 𝜔𝑦̂
(c) 𝑟 2 𝜔𝑧̂ (d) 𝑟 2 𝜔 𝑐𝑜𝑠( 2𝜔𝑡)𝑧̂
Q5. The magnitude of ∮ 𝑟 × 𝑑𝑟 over the perimeter of an ellipse described by𝑟 = 𝑥̂𝑎cos𝜃 + 𝑦̂𝑏sin𝜃,
is
(a) 𝜋𝑎𝑏/2 (b) 𝜋𝑎𝑏
(c) 2𝜋𝑎𝑏 (d) ab
Q6. Which of the following sets of vectors constitute a basis for the plan
(𝑖) (0,1), (1,1) (ii) (1,1), (1, −1)
(iii) (1,0), (0, −1)
(a) all three sets of vector
(b) only (iii)
(c) only (i) and (iii)
(d) only (ii) and (iii)
Q7. Given the position vector 𝑟 = 𝑥𝑥̂ + 𝑦𝑦̂ + 𝑧𝑧̂ and 𝑟 2 = 𝑟 ⋅ 𝑟, the value of 𝛻⃗ ⋅ (𝑟 2 𝑟) is given by:
(a) 6r2 (b) 5r2
(c) 4r2 (d) 3r2
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 16

ANSWER KEYS

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

6. (c) 7. (b)
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 17

HCU PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q1. If 𝑟 is a position vector, then 𝛻⃗ × 𝑟 is given by
(a) 𝑟 3/2 (b) 𝑟 1/2
(c) 0 (d) 3
Q2. For a given vector 𝐴 = 𝑥 2 𝑖̂ + 𝑦 2 𝑗̂ + 𝑧 2 𝑘̂, the value of the integral ∬𝑆 𝐴 ⋅ 𝑑𝑆, over the cube
defined by 0 ≤ 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧 ≤ 1 is given by
(a) 0 (b) 2
(c) 3 (d) 4
Q3. Which of the following can represent a conservative force? (𝑖̂, 𝑗̂, 𝑘̂ are unit vectors)
(a) 𝐶(𝑖̂𝑦 + 𝑗̂𝑧 + 𝑘̂𝑧) (b) 𝐶(𝑖̂𝑥 + 𝑗̂𝑦 + 𝑘̂𝑦)
(c) 𝐶 ⋅ 𝑥𝑦𝑧(𝑖̂ + 𝑗̂ + 𝑘̂) (d) 𝐶(𝑖̂𝑥 + 𝑗̂𝑦 + 𝑘̂𝑧)
Q4. What should be the value of a such that the straight line 𝑥 + 𝑦 = 𝑎 will be a tangent to the circle
𝑥2 + 𝑦2 = 4 ?
1
(a) (b) √2
√2

(c) 2√2 (d) 4

Q5. 𝛻 2 (ln𝑟) is equal to
1 1
(a) 𝑟 (b) 𝑟 2
1 1 1
(c) 𝑟 3 (d) 𝑟 + 𝑟 2

Q6. If two sides of triangle are represented by 𝑎 = 𝑖̂ + 𝑗̂ + 𝑘̂ and 𝑏⃗ = 2𝑗̂ + 3𝑘̂ , then the third side is
represented by
(a) 𝑖̂ − 3𝑗̂ + 2𝑘̂ (b) 𝑖̂ + 3𝑗̂ + 2𝑘̂
(c) −𝑖̂ + 𝑗̂ − 2𝑘̂ (d) −𝑖̂ + 𝑗̂ + 2𝑘̂
Q7. A unit vector normal to the surface 𝑧 = 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 at the point (1, 2, 5) is given by
̂
𝑖̂+2𝑗̂ −𝑘 ̂
2𝑖̂+2𝑗̂ −2𝑘
(a) ± (b) ±
√6 √12
̂
2𝑖̂+4𝑗̂ −𝑘 ̂
2𝑖̂+4𝑗̂ −2𝑘
(c) ± (d) ±
√21 √24

Q8. The area of the shaded region between the straight line and parabola as shown in the figure is
given by
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 18

1 𝑥 1 𝑥
(a) ∫0 𝑑𝑦∫𝑥 2 𝑑𝑥 (b) ∫0 𝑑𝑥∫𝑥 2 𝑑𝑦
1 𝑥 1 𝑥2
(c) ∫0 𝑑𝑥∫0 𝑑𝑦 (d) ∫0 𝑑𝑦∫0 𝑑𝑥
⃗ is
Q9. The number of vectors orthogonal to 𝑖 + 2𝑗 − 𝑘
(a) One (b) Two
(c) Three (d) Infinite
⃗ × 𝐶 ) = 0 implies that
Q10. 𝐴 ⋅ (𝐵
(a) All the three vectors are parallel.
(b) All the three vectors are mutually perpendicular.
(c) Two of the three vectors are perpendicular
(d) The vectors lie in a plane.
Q11. For a unit sphere, with center at the origin the equation of the tangent plane at the point
1 1 1
( , − , ) is
√3 √3 √3
1 1
(a) 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧 = (b) 𝑥 − 𝑦 + 𝑧 =
√3 √3
1 1
(c) 𝑥 − 𝑦 − 𝑧 = (d) 𝑥 + 𝑦 − 𝑧 =
√3 √3

Q12. The divergence of 𝑐 × (𝑟 × 𝑐) where 𝑐 is a numerical vector is given by

(a) zero (b) |𝑐 |2
(c) 2|𝑐|2 (d) −2|𝑐|2
Q13. The value of the line integral ∫ (𝑦 2 + 𝑥𝑦)𝑑𝑥 + (𝑥 2 − 𝑥𝑦)𝑑𝑦 taken along the straight line joining
(0, 0) to (2, 1) is
(a) 64/3 (b) 32/3
(c) 16/3 (d) 8/3
1 𝑥
Q14. The value of the integral, ∫0 𝑑𝑥 ∫0 𝑑𝑦𝑥𝑦 is
1
(a) 1 (b) 4
1 1
(c) 8 (d) 2
1
Q15. 𝐹 = 𝑖̂ + 2𝑦𝑗̂, then 𝐹 is a gradient of the following function
𝑥
1
(a) 𝑓 = − 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑐 (b) 𝑓 = 𝑦 2 + 𝑐
(c) 𝑓 = log𝑥 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑐 (d) 𝑓 = 2𝑥𝑦 + 𝑐
Q16. The unit vector parallel to the resultant of the vectors 𝑟1 = 2𝑖̂ + 4𝑗̂ − 5𝑘̂ and 𝑟2 = 𝑖̂ + 2𝑗̂ + 3𝑘̂
is given by
1 1 1 3 6 2
(a) 3 𝑖̂ + 6 𝑗̂ − 2 𝑘̂ (b) 7 𝑖̂ + 7 𝑗̂ − 7 𝑘̂
2 3 6
(c) 7 𝑖̂ − 7 𝑗̂ + 7 𝑘̂ (d) 3𝑖̂ + 6𝑗̂ − 2𝑘̂
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 19

Q17. If 𝑇 = sin 𝑥sin 𝑦sin 𝑧, ∇2 𝑇 is given by

(a) 0 (b) −2sin 𝑥sin 𝑦sin𝑧
(c) 3sin𝑥sin𝑦sin𝑧 (d) −3sin 𝑥sin 𝑦sin𝑧
Q18. A force 𝐹 = −𝐴(𝑥 2 𝑖 + 𝑦𝑗) is rotational. The potential energy function associated with it is given
by
𝑥3 𝑦2 𝑥 𝑦2
(a) 𝑈 = 𝐴 ( 3 + ) (b) 𝑈 = 𝐴 (3 + )
2 2
𝑥3 𝑦 𝑥 𝑦3
(c) 𝑈 = 𝐴 ( 3 + 2) (d) 𝑈 = 𝐴 (3 + )
2

Q19. The value of the integral of the function 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 integrated along a straight line from
(1, 0) to (0, 1) to (0, 1) as shown in figure is

2 2
(a) − 3 (b) + 3
1 1
(c) (d) −
2 2

Q20. The vector 𝐴 = 5𝑖̂ + 6𝑗̂ is rotated through an angle 45° about the z-axis in the anticlockwise
direction. The resultant vector is
(a) 11𝑖̂ + 1𝑗̂ (b) 1𝑖̂ + 11𝑗̂
11 1 1 11
(c) 𝑖̂ + 𝑗̂ (d) 𝑖̂ + 𝑗̂
√2 √2 √2 √2

Q21. Two vectors in Cartesian coordinates are defined as

𝑎 = sin(𝑡)𝑖̂ + 𝑗̂ + cos(𝑡)𝑘̂ and 𝑏⃗ = sin(𝑡)𝑖̂ − 𝑗̂ + cos(𝑡)𝑘̂
for some paramater t. Then these two vectors are said to be
(a) parallel to each other
(b) perpendicular to each other
(c) make an angle t between them
(d) not related to each other
1 𝑥
Q22. The value of the integral ∫0 𝑑𝑥 ∫0 𝑦𝑑𝑦 is
1 1
(a) 2 (b) 4
1 1
(c) 6 (d) 8
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 20

Q23. Two vectors on a plane are given as 𝑎 = 3𝑖̂ + 5𝑗̂ and 𝑏⃗ = 4𝑖̂ + 10𝑗̂. The plane is then defined
by the vector
(a) 50𝑘̂ (b) 10𝑘̂
(c) 0𝑘̂ (d) 15𝑘̂
⃗ = −𝑘̂, then the vector 𝐴 will be given by
⃗ = 𝛻⃗ × 𝐴 and given that 𝑉
Q24. If 𝑉
(a) −𝑖̂ − 𝑦𝑗̂ + 𝑘̂ (b) 𝑖̂ + 𝑗̂ − 𝑘̂
(c) 5𝑖̂ + 𝑗̂ − 2𝑘̂ (d) −𝑦𝑖̂ + 𝑗̂ + 5𝑘̂
Q25. The value of the surface integral ∫𝑆 (𝛻⃗ × 𝐴) ⋅ 𝑑𝑆, where 𝐴 = 𝑖̂𝑦 + 𝑗̂𝑧 + 𝑘̂ and S is the surface
defined by the paraboloid 𝑧 = 1 − 𝑥 2 − 𝑦 2 , with 𝑧 ≥ 0 is given by
(a) −𝜋 (b) 𝜋
(c) 1 (d) −1
Q26. In plane polar coordinates, which of the following relation are true ?
𝑑𝑟̂ ̂
𝑑𝜃
(a) 𝑑𝜃 = 𝜃̂, 𝑑𝜃 = −𝑟̂
𝑑𝑟̂ ̂
𝑑𝜃
(b) 𝑑𝜃 = −𝜃̂, 𝑑𝜃 = 𝑟̂
𝑑𝑟̂ ̂
𝑑𝜃
(c) 𝑑𝜃 = 𝑟̂ , 𝑑𝜃 = −𝜃̂
𝑑𝑟̂ ̂
𝑑𝜃
(d) 𝑑𝜃 = −𝑟̂ , 𝑑𝜃 = 𝜃̂
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 21

ANSWER KEYS

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

6. (d) 7. (c) 8. (d) 9. (d) 10. (d)

11. (a) 12. (a) 13. (d) 14. (b) 15. (c)

16. (b) 17. (d) 18. (a) 19. (c) 20. (c)

21. (b) 22. (c) 23. (b) 24. (d) 25. (a)

26. (a)
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 22

BHU PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q1. In order to determine uniquely a vector field, it is necessary to specify

(a) its divergence only
(b) its curl only
(c) curl of its curl
(d) its divergence and curl both
Q2. A vector field 𝐴 is said to be non-conservative if
(a) ∮ 𝐴 ⋅ ⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑑𝑡 = 0 (b) 𝛻⃗ × 𝐴 = 0
(c) 𝐴 × 𝛻⃗ 𝑓 (d) 𝛻⃗ ⋅ 𝐴 = 0
⃗ are such that |𝐴 + 𝐵
Q3. If two non-null vectors 𝐴 and 𝐵 ⃗ |=|𝐴 − 𝐵
⃗ |, then the angle between the two
vectors is
𝜋
(a) 0∘ (b) 2
𝜋
(c) 𝜋 (d) 3

Q4. A vector field 𝐴 is said to be non-conservative if

⃗ =0
(a) ∮ 𝐴 ⋅ 𝑑ℓ (b) 𝛻⃗ × 𝐴 = 0
(c) 𝐴 = 𝛻⃗𝑓 (d) 𝛻⃗ ⋅ 𝐴 = 0
Q5. For an incompressible fluid 𝛻⃗(𝜌𝑣 ), where 𝜌 is the density and 𝑣 is the velocity, is
(a) always positive
(b) always negative
(c) always zero
(d) sometimes positive and sometimes negative
Q6. The vector 𝑟 is directed from the point 𝑝′ (𝑥 ′ , 𝑦 ′ , 𝑧 ′ ) to the point 𝑃(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧). The point 𝑃′ is fixed
and 𝑃 is allowed to move. If 𝑟̂ is a unit vector in the direction of r, then
1 𝑟̂ 1 𝑟̂
(a) 𝛻⃗ (𝑟 ) = − 𝑟 2 (b) 𝛻⃗ (𝑟 ) = 𝑟 2
1 𝑟̂ 1 𝑟̂
(c) 𝛻⃗ ′ ( ) = − (d) 𝛻⃗ ′ ( ) =
𝑟 𝑟2 𝑟 𝑟2
𝑟
Q7. If for a scalar function 𝜙, 𝛻⃗𝜙 = 𝑟 2, then 𝜙 is equal to
1 1
(a) 𝑟 (b) 𝑟 2
(c) ln(|𝑟|) (d) ln(𝑟)
Q8. Line integral of the vector 𝐴 = (𝑥 + 𝑦)𝑖̂ + (2𝑥 − 𝑧)𝑗̂ + (𝑦 + 𝑧)𝑘̂ along the sides of the triangle
cut from the plane 3𝑥 + 2𝑦 + 𝑧 = 6 by the coordinate axes is
(a) 21 (b) 36
(c) –16 (d) 1
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 23

Q9. The following vector is orthogonal to the vector 𝑎𝑖̂ + 𝑏𝑗̂ (with 𝑎 ≠ 𝑏)
(a) 𝑎𝑖̂ − 𝑏𝑗̂ (b) −𝑎𝑖̂ − 𝑏𝑗̂
(c) −𝑏𝑖̂ + 𝑎𝑗̂ (d) −𝑏𝑖̂ − 𝑎𝑗̂
Q10. If 𝑟 is a position vector, the value of 𝛻⃗ 2 (𝑟 ⋅ 𝑟) = 𝛻⃗ 2 𝑟 2 is equal to
(a) 6 (b) 0
(c) 3 (d) –3
Q11. 𝑟 𝑛 𝑟 is solenoidal for
(a) 𝑛 = 3 (b) 𝑛 = −3
(c) 𝑛 = 2 (d) 𝑛 = −2

ANSWER KEYS

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

6. (a) 7. (d) 8. (b) 9. (c) 10. (a)

11. (b)
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 24

MISCELLANEOUS QUESTIONS

Q1. Given that the co-ordinates of a particle are 𝑦(𝑡) = 𝐴cos(2𝜔𝑡) and 𝑥(𝑡) = sin(𝜔𝑡) the trajectory
of the particle is a
(a) Circle (b) Ellipse
(c) Hyperbola (d) Parabola
Q2. A point particle is moving in the (𝑥, 𝑦) plane on a trajectory given in polar coordinates by the
𝜋
equation 𝑟sin (𝜃 + 4 ) = 5. The trajectory of the particle is:
(a) a parabola (b) a straight line
(c) a circle (d) a hyperbola
Q3. A point particle is moving the (𝑥, 𝑦) plane on a trajectory given in polar coordinates by the
equation
𝜋
𝑟 2 − 2𝑟sin (𝜃 + ) − 3 = 0
4
The trajectory of the particle is
(a) a parabola (b) a straight line
(c) a circle (d) a hyperbola
𝜋
Q4. The normal to the surface given by the equation 𝑧 = cos𝑥cosh𝑦 at the point 𝑥 = and 𝑦 = 0
2
lies in
(a) (𝑥, 𝑦) plane
(b) (𝑥, 𝑧) plane
(c) (𝑦, 𝑧) plane
𝜋
(d) On the plane given by the equation 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧 = 2 + 1
Q5. A particle is moved quasi-statically from the point (−3,0) to (3,0), along a path 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 − 9 in
an external force field given by 𝐹 = 𝑦𝑖 + 3𝑦𝑗. Give that all physical quantities are in SI units,
the magnitude of the work done on the particle is given by
(a) 36 J (b) 18 J
(c) 9 J (d) 0
Q6. A point particle is moving in the (𝑥, 𝑦) plane on a trajectory given in polar coordinates by the
equation
25 + 𝑟 2 cos2𝜃 = 0
The trajectory of the particle is a
(a) parabola (b) circle
(c) ellipse (d) hyperbola
Q7. The value of the line integral
𝑥𝑑𝑦−𝑦𝑑𝑥
∮ 𝑥 2 +𝑦 2
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 25

along a circle of radius 3 centered at the origin in the counter clockwise direction is given by
3
(a) 0 (b) 2𝜋
(c) 2𝜋 (d) 6𝜋
1
Q8. 𝛻 2 (𝑟 ) is:
(a) 0 (b) −𝛿(𝑟)
(c) −4𝜋𝛿(𝑟) (d) 4𝜋𝛿(𝑟)
1
Q9. ∭ 𝛻 2 (𝑟 ) 𝑑𝑉 𝑟 ≠ 0 is:
(a) 0 (b) −4𝜋
(c) 4𝜋 (d) 1
Q10. The value of t for which three vevtors
[(1 − 𝑡), 0,0], [1, (1 − 𝑡), 0]&[1,1, (1 − 𝑡)] are linearly dependent is
(a) 1 (b) 0
(c) 2 (d) −1
⃗⃗⃗⃗ along a square loop of side L in a uniform field 𝐴 is:
Q11. The value of ∮ 𝐴 ⋅ 𝑑ℓ
(a) 0 (b) 2LA
(c) 4LA (d) 𝐿2 A
⃗
𝑟 ⋅dS
Q12. The value of ∮𝑆 , where 𝑟 is the position vector and S is a closed surface enclosing the origin,
𝑟3
is:
(a) 0 (b) 𝜋
(c) 4𝜋 (d) 8𝜋

Q13. If 𝐴(𝑡) is a vector of constant magnitude, which of the following is true?

⃗⃗
dA 𝑑2 𝐴
(a) =0 (b) =0
dt dt2
⃗⃗
dA ⃗⃗
dA
(c) ⋅𝐴 =0 (d) ×𝐴=0
dt dt

Q14. The function 𝑟 𝑛 𝑟̂ (𝑟 > 0), where r refers to spherical coordinate system, is:
(a) an irrotational vector for 𝑛 − 2
(b) a solenoidal vector for 𝑛 = −2
(c) an irrotational vector for 𝑛 = −3
(d) a solenoidal vector for 𝑛 = −3
Q15. Two sets of vectors, one with m elements and the other with n elements ( m < n) span the same
linear vector space. If k is the dimension of the vector space, then:
(a) 𝑘 ≤ 𝑚 (b) 𝑘 ≥ 𝑚
(c) 𝑘 = 𝑚 + 𝑛 (d) 𝑘 = 𝑛
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 26

Q16. Identify the vector field given below which has a finite curl

⃗ and 𝐶 , their triple product 𝐴 ⋅ (𝐵

Q17. Given any three non-zero vectors 𝐴, 𝐵 ⃗ × 𝐶 ) vanishes if
(a) They are perpendicular to each other.
(b) Any two of them are perpendicular
(c) Any two of them are parallel.
(d) They are non-coplanar.
Q18. The necessary and sufficient condition that ∮𝑐𝐴 ⋅ 𝑑𝑟 = 0, for any closed curve C is

(a) 𝛻⃗ ⋅ 𝐴 = 0 (b) 𝛻⃗ × 𝐴 = 0
(c) 𝛻⃗ ⋅ 𝛻⃗ × 𝐴 = 0 (d) 𝛻⃗ × 𝛻⃗ × 𝐴 = 0
Q19. Any arbitrary vector in a three dimensional Cartesian space can be expressed as a linear
combination of the following number of linearly independent vectors:
(a) Arbitrary number (b) 1
(c) 2 (d) 3
Q20. The line integral of 𝐴 vanishes about every closed path. Then 𝐴 must be equal to
(a) Curl of a vector function
(b) Gradient of a scalar function
(c) Gradient of a vector function
(d) Zero
𝜕𝜌
Q21. When the fluid is incompressible, the equation of continuity can be reduced to 𝜕𝑡 = 0 =
𝜌(𝛻⃗ ⋅ 𝑣). Since the density 𝜌 is constant in this case. Here 𝑣 is the velocity of a typical particle
of the fluid. Further, if the flow is irrotational, then the equation can be rewritten as
(a) 𝛻⃗ ⋅ 𝛻⃗ 𝜙 = 0 (b) 𝛻⃗ × 𝛻⃗𝜙 = 0
⬚
(c) 𝛻⃗ 𝜙 = 0 (d) 𝑣 =constant
Q22. Given the vector 𝐴(𝑦, −𝑥, 0), the line integral ∮ 𝑐 𝐴 ⋅ ⃗⃗⃗𝑑𝑙 , where C is a circle of radius 5 units
with its centre at the origin, (correct to the first decimal place) is
(a) 172.8 (b) 157.1
(c) –146.3 (d) 62.8
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 27

Q23. (a) Consider a constant vector field 𝑣 = 𝑣0 𝑘̂. Find any one of the many possible vectors 𝑢
⃗,
for which 𝛻⃗ × 𝑢⃗ =𝑣
(b) Using Stoke's theorem, evaluate the flux associated with the field 𝜈 through the curved
hemispherical surface defined by 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 = 𝑟 2 , 𝑧 > 0.
Q24. (a) Determine whether the force represented by 𝐹 (𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝑘[(𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 )𝑖̂ + 2𝑥𝑦𝑗̂] is
conservative or not. Here 𝑘 = 1Nm−2.
(b) Calculate the work done by this force in moving a particle from the origin 𝑂(0,0,0) to
the point 𝐷(1,1,0) on the 𝑧 = 0 plane along the paths OABD and OD as shown in figure,
where the coordinates are measured in metres.

⃗ = 𝑥𝑧 2 𝑖̂ − 𝑦𝑧 2 𝑗̂ + 𝑧(𝑥 2 − 𝑦 2 )𝑘̂
Q25. For the vector field 𝑉
⃗ over the region defined
(a) Calculate the volume integral of the divergence of 𝑉 by −𝑎 ≤
𝑥 ≤ 𝑎, −𝑏 ≤ 𝑦 ≤ 𝑏 and 0 ≤ 𝑧 ≤ 𝑐.
⃗ out of region through the surface at 𝑧 = 𝑐. Hence
(b) Calculate the flux of 𝑉 deduce the
net flux through the rest of the boundary of the region.
Q26. How many work is done when an object from 𝑂 → 𝑃 → 𝑄 → 𝑅 → 𝑂 in a force field given by
𝐹(𝑥, 𝑦) = (𝑥 2 − 𝑦 2 )𝑖̂ + 2𝑥𝑦𝑗̂
along the rectangular path shown. Find the answer by evaluating the line integral and also by
using the Stoke's to theorem.

Q27. A vector field is given by,

𝛼(𝑥𝑗̂ − 𝑦𝑖̂) for (𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 ) ≤ 𝑟02 (region-I )
𝐹 (𝑟) = { 2 (𝑥𝑗̂ − 𝑦𝑖̂)
𝛼𝑟0 2 for (𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 ) > 𝑟02 ( region − II )
(𝑥 + 𝑦 2 )
Here 𝛼 and 𝑟0 are two constants.
(a) Find the curl of this field both the regions.
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 28

⃗ along the closed semicircle path of radius 2𝑟0

(b) Find the line integral ∮ 𝐹 ⋅ 𝑑ℓ as shown in
the figure below.

Q28. Consider a vector 𝐴 = −4𝑦𝑥 2 𝑥̂ − 3𝑦 2 𝑦̂

(a) Calculate the line integral ∫ 𝐴 ⋅ 𝑑̄ ℓ from point 𝑃 → 𝑂 along the path 𝑃→𝑄→𝑅→𝑂
as shown in the figure.
(b) Using Stoke's theorem appropriately. Calculate ∫ 𝐴 ⋅ 𝑑̄ℓ for the same path 𝑃→𝑄→
𝑅 → 𝑂.
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 29

ANSWER KEYS

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

6. (d) 7. (c) 8. (c) 9. (a) 10. (a)

11. (a) 12. (c) 13. (c) 14. (b) 15. (b)

16. (c) 17. (c) 18. (b) 19. (d) 20. (b)

21. (b) 22. (b)

PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 30

MATRIX ALGEBRA
IIT JAM PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS
0 1
Q1. Which of the following is INCORRECT for the matrix 𝑀 = ( )?
1 0
(a) It is its own inverse
(b) It is its own trạnspose
(c) It is non-orthogonal
(d) It has eigen values ±1.
𝑎
Q2. The symmetric pair of 𝑃 = ( ) (𝑎 − 2𝑏) is:
𝑏
2
(a) ( 𝑎 − 2 𝑏𝑎2 − 1)
𝑏𝑎 − 1 𝑏 − 2
𝑎(𝑎 − 1) 𝑏
(b) ( )
𝑏 𝑏2
𝑎(𝑎 − 1) 𝑏(𝑎 − 1)
(c) ( )
𝑏(𝑎 − 1) 𝑏2
𝑎(𝑎 − 2) 𝑏(𝑎 − 1)
(d) ( )
𝑏(𝑎 − 1) 𝑏2
5 −7 𝑥
Q3. (𝑥𝑦) ( ) (𝑦) = 15
7 3
The matrix equation above represents.
(a) A circle of radius √15
(b) An ellipse of semi major axis √5
(c) An ellipse of semi major axis 5
(d) A hyperbola
Q4. The product PQ of any two real, symmetric matrices P and Q is:
(a) Symmetric for all P and Q
(b) Never symmetric
(c) Symmetric if PQ = QP
(d) Antisymmetric for all P and Q
1 𝑖 1
Q5. A matrix is given by 𝑀 = ( ). The eigenvalues of the M are
√2 1 𝑖
(a) Real and positive
(b) Purely imaginary with modulus 1
(c) Complex with modulus 1
(d) Real and negative.
Q6. Given two (𝑛 × 𝑛) matrices 𝑃̂ and 𝑄̂ such that 𝑃̂ is hermitian and 𝑄̂ is skew (anti)-hermitian.
Which one of the following combintations of 𝑃̂ and 𝑄̂ is necessarily a Hermitian matrix?
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 31

(a) 𝑃̂𝑄̂ (b) 𝑖𝑃̂𝑄̂

(c) 𝑃̂ + 𝑖𝑄̂ (d) 𝑃̂ + 𝑄̂
0 1 1
Q7. The inverse of the matrix 𝑀 = (0 0 1) is
1 0 0
(a) 𝑀 − 1 (b) 𝑀2 − 1
(c) 1 − 𝑀2 (d) 1 − 𝑀
where 1 is the identity matrix.
Q8. The trace of a 2 × 2 matrix is 4 and its determinant is 8. If one of the eigenvalue is2(1 + 𝑖), the
other eigenvalue is
(a) 2(1 − 𝑖) (b) 2(1 + 𝑖)
(c) (1 + 2𝑖) (d) (1 − 2𝑖)
Q9. The eigenvalues of the matrix representing the following pair of linear equations
(a) 1 + 𝑖, 1 + 𝑖 (b) 1 − 𝑖, 1 − 𝑖
(c) 1, 𝑖 (d) 1 + 𝑖, 1 − 𝑖
Q10. For the given set of equations:
𝑥 + 𝑦 = 1; 𝑦 + 𝑧 = 1; 𝑥 + 𝑧 = 1,
which one of the following statements is correct?
(a) Equations are inconsistent
(b) Equations are consistent and a single non-trivial solution exists
(c) Equations are consistent and many solutions exist
(d) Equations are consistent and only a trivial solution exists
4 𝑥
Q11. Let matrix 𝑀 = ( ). If det(𝑀) = 0 , then IIT JAM 2018
6 9
(a) M is symmetric
(b) M is invertible
(c) One eigenvalue is 13
(d) Its eigenvectors are orthogonal.
3 𝑖 0
Q12. The eigenvalues of (−𝑖 3 0) are IIT JAM 2019
0 0 6
(a) 2, 4 and 6 (b) 2i, 4i and 6
(c) 2i, 4 and 8 (d) 0, 4 and 8
Q.13 Let M be a 2 × 2 matrix. Its trace is 6 and its determinant has value 8. Its eigenvalues are
IIT JAM 2021
(a) 2 and 4 (b) 3 and 3 (c) 2 and 6 (d) –2 and –3
0 𝑎
Q14. Consider the 2 × 2 matrix 𝑀 = ( ), where 𝑎, 𝑏 > 0. Then, IIT JAM 2022
𝑎 𝑏
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 32

(a) M is a real symmetric matrix

(b) One of the eigenvalues of M is greater than b
(c) One of the eigenvalues of M is negative
(d) Product of eigenvalues of M is b
1 1 0
Q15. Inverse of the matrix [2 3 0] is IIT JAM 2023
1 0 1
1 −2 1 3 −1 0
(a) [−1 3 0] (b) [−2 1 0]
0 0 1 −3 1 1
−1 −1 0 3 −2 −3
(c) [ 2 3 0] (d) [−2 1 1]
1 0 1 0 0 1
2 1
Q16. The sum of the eigenvalues 𝜆1 and 𝜆2 of matrix 𝐵 = 𝐼 + 𝐴 + 𝐴2 , where 𝐴 = [ ]
−0.5 0.5
is__________ (rounded off to two decimal places). IIT JAM 2023
Q17. Which of the following matrices is Hermitian as well as unitary? IIT JAM 2024
0 −𝑖 0 𝑖 1 −𝑖 0 1+𝑖
(a) ( ) (b) ( ) (c) ( ) (d) ( )
𝑖 0 𝑖 0 𝑖 1 1−𝑖 0
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 33

ANSWER KEYS

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

6. (c) 7. (b) 8. (a) 9. (d) 10. (b)

11. (a, c, d) 12. (a) 13. (a) 14. (a, b, c) 15. (b)

16. (7.70 to 17. (a)

7.80)
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 34

TIFR PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

1 1 0
Q1. The matrix (1 1 1)
0 1 1
can be relateed by a similarity transformation to the matrix.
1 1 1 2 1 0
(a) (1 −1 1) (b) (1 −1 −1)
1 1 0 0 −1 2
1 −1 0 1 −1 0
(c) (−1 1 1) (d) (−1 1 1)
0 1 −1 0 1 1
1 0 0
Q2. Consider the matrix, 𝑀 = (0 0 −1)
0 −1 0
A 3-dimensional basis formed by eigenvectors of M is
2 1 0
(a) ( 1 ) , (−1) and ( 1 )
−1 1 −1
1 0 0
(b) ( 1 ) , (1) and ( 1 )
−1 1 −1
0 0 0
(c) (0) , (−1) and ( 1 )
0 1 −1
2 0 −1
(d) ( 1 ) , (1) and ( 1 )
−1 1 1
0 0 0 𝜋/4
0 0 −𝜋/4 0
Q3. The trace of the real 4 × 4 matrix 𝑈 = exp(𝐴), where 𝐴 = ( )is
0 𝜋/4 0 0
−𝜋/4 0 0 0
equal to
(a) 2√2
(b) 𝜋/4
(c) exp(𝑖𝜑) for 𝜑 = 0, 𝜋
(d) zero
Q4. Two different 2 × 2 matrices A and B are found to have the same eigenvalues. It is then correct
to state that 𝐴 = 𝑆𝐵𝑆 −1 where S can be a
(a) traceless 2 × 2 matrix
(b) Hermitian 2 × 2 matrix
(c) unitary 2 × 2 matrix
(d) arbitrary 2 × 2 matrix
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 35

Q5. The product MN of two Hermitian matrices M and N is anti-Hermitian. It follows that
(a) {𝑀, 𝑁} = 0 (b) [𝑀, 𝑁] = 0
(c) 𝑀† = 𝑁 (d) 𝑀† = 𝑁 −1
Q6. If the eigenvalues of a symmetric 3 × 3 matrix A are 0, 1, 3 and the corresponding eigenvectors
can be written as
1 1 1
[1] , [ 0 ] , [−2]
1 −1 1
respectively, then the matrix 𝐴4 is
41 −81 40 −82 −81 79
(a) [−81 0 −81] (b) [−81 81 −81]
40 −81 41 79 −81 83
14 −27 13 14 −13 27
(c) [−27 54 −27] (d) [−13 54 −13]
13 −27 14 27 −13 14
Q7. Denote the commutator of two matrices A and B by [𝐴, 𝐵] = 𝐴𝐵 − 𝐵𝐴 and the anti-commutator
by {𝐴, 𝐵} = 𝐴𝐵 + 𝐵𝐴. If {𝐴, 𝐵} = 0, we can write [𝐴, 𝐵𝐶] =
(a) −𝐵[𝐴, 𝐶] (b) 𝐵{𝐴, 𝐶}
(c) −𝐵{𝐴, 𝐶} (d) [𝐴, 𝐶]𝐵
100√2 𝑥 0
Q8. The matrix ( −𝑥 0 −𝑥 ), when
0 𝑥 100√2
where 𝑥 > 0, is known to have two equal eigenvalues. Find the value of x.
Q9. A unitary matrix U is expanded in terms of a Hermitian matrix H, such that 𝑈 = 𝑒 𝑖𝜋𝐻/2 . If we
know that
1 √3
0
2 2
𝐻= 0 1 0
√3 1
(2 0 − )
2
the U must be
1 √3
𝑖 𝑖
0
𝑖√3
2 2
1 1 2 2
(a) 2
𝑖 2
(b) 0 𝑖 0
𝑖√3 𝑖
√3 1
𝑖) ( 0 − 2)
2
(2 2
√3
1 0 √3 2𝑖 1 2
(c) ( 0 2 0) (d) 1 2𝑖 0
√3 0 −1 √3
(2 0 2𝑖 )
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 36

Q10. If a 2 × 2 matrix M is given by

1(1 − 𝑖)/√2
𝑀=( )
(1 + 𝑖)/√20
Then Det(expM) =
(a) e
(b) 𝑒 2
(c) 2𝑖sin√2
(d) exp(−2√2)

ANSWER KEYS

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

6. (c) 7. (c) 8. (50) 9. (b) 10. (a)

PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 37

JEST PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q1. For an 𝑁 × 𝑁 matrix consisting of all ones,

(a) all eigenvalues = 1
(b) all eigenvalues = 0
(c) the eigenvalues are 1,2, … . . , 𝑁
(d) one eigenvalue = N, the others = 0
Q2. The coordinate transformation
𝑥 ′ = 0.8𝑥 + 0.6𝑦, 𝑦 ′ = 0.6𝑥 − 0.8𝑦
represents
(a) a translation
(b) a proper rotation
(c) a reflection
(d) none of the above.
2 1
Q3. Given a matrix 𝑀 = ( ), which of the following represents cos(𝜋𝑀/6)?
1 2
1 2
1
(a) 2 ( )
2 1
√3 1 −1
(b) 4 ( )
−1 1
√3 1 1
(c) 4 ( )
1 1
1 1 √3)
(d) 2 (
√3 1
1 0 10 3𝑖
Q4. Let 𝛬 = [ ] and 𝑀 = [ ]. Similarity transformation from M to 𝛬 can be performed
0 11 −3𝑖 2
by
1 3𝑖
1
(a) (
)
√10 3𝑖 1
1 1 −3𝑖
(b) ( )
√9 3𝑖 11
1 1 3𝑖
(c) ( )
√10 −3𝑖 11
1 1 3𝑖
(d) ( )
√9 −3𝑖 1
Q5. Two of the eigenvalues of the matrix
𝑎 3 0
𝐴 = (3 2 0)
0 0 1
are 1 and −1. What is the third eigenvalue?
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 38

(a) 2 (b) 5
(c) −2 (d) −5
Q6. Consider two 𝑛 × 𝑛 matrices, A and B such that A + B is invertible. Define two matrices, 𝐶 =
𝐴(𝐴 + 𝐵)−1 𝐵 and 𝐷 = 𝐵(𝐴 + 𝐵)−1 𝐴. Which of the following relations always hold true?
JEST 2019
(a) 𝐶 = 𝐷 (b) 𝐶 −1 = 𝐷
(c) 𝐵𝐶𝐴 = 𝐴𝐷𝐵 (d) 𝐶 ≠ 𝐷
Q7. Let A be a hermitian matrix, and C and D be the unitary matrices. Which one of the following
matrices is unitary? JEST 2019
(a) 𝐶 −1 𝐴𝐶 (b) 𝐶 −1 𝐷𝐶 (c) 𝐶 −1 𝐴𝐷 (d) 𝐴−1 𝐶𝐷
1 13
Q8. Consider a 2 × 2 matrix 𝐴 = ( ) what is 𝐴27 ? JEST 2019
0 1
1 13 27
(a) ( ) (b) (1 13 )
0 1 0 1
1 27 1 351
(c) ( ) (d) ( )
0 1 0 1
Q9. An n × n Hermitian matrix A is not a multiple of the identity matrix. Which one of the following
statements is always true? JEST 2020
(a) 𝑛𝑇𝑟(𝐴2 ) = (𝑇𝑟𝐴)2 (b) 𝑛𝑇𝑟(𝐴2 ) < (𝑇𝑟𝐴)2
(c) 𝑛𝑇𝑟(𝐴2 ) > (𝑇𝑟𝐴)2 (d) 𝑇𝑟(𝐴2 ) = 𝑛(𝑇𝑟𝐴)2
1 0 0 1
 
0 −2 0 0
A=
 0 0 −3 0
 
Q10. Consider the matrix 1 0 0 4

What is the determinant of the matrix exp(A)?

(a) 1 (b) exp(24)
(c) 24 (d) 0
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 39

ANSWER KEYS

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

6. (a) 7. (b) 8. (d) 9. (c) 10. (a)

PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 40

JNU PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

0 1 1
Q1. The eigenvalues of the matrix (1 0 1) are
1 1 0
(a) −1, −1 and 2
(b) −1,1 and 2
(c) −1, −2 and 2
(d) −1,2 and 2
0 0 0 1
0 0 1 0
Q2. The eigenvalues of matrix ( ) are
0 1 0 0
1 0 0 0
(a) +1, +1, +1 and +1
(b) +1, +1, −1 and −1
(c) 0,0, √2 and −√2
(d) +√2, −√2, +1/√2 and −1/√2
Q3. You are given the following transformation of the coordinates (𝑥, 𝑦) of a point in the two-
dimensional plane :
𝑥 1 −1 𝑥
(𝑦) → ( ) (𝑦 )
1 1
Which of the following statements describes the transformation ?
(a) Rotation by an angle of 45∘ about the z-axis followed by translation by one unit along
both x-and y-axes
(b) Rotation by an angle of 45∘ about the z-axis followed by an expansion of both the x-and
y-coordinates by a factor of √2
(c) Translation by one unit along both x-and y-axes followed by an expansion of both the x-
and y-coordinates by a factor of √2
(d) Only a rotation by an angle 45∘ about the z-axis.
Q4. For which of the following matrices both the eigenvalues are positive?
−7 2 1 2
(a) ( ) (b) ( )
2 −2 2 1
4 −3 −1 4
(c) ( ) (d) ( )
−3 5 4 −1
Q5. A homogeneous linear transformation takes the point (1, 1) in the xy-plane to the point (3, 3)
and keeps the point (1, −1) fixed (i.e., it remains (1, −1) after the transformation). The matrix
corresponding to this transformation is
1 2 3 0
(a) ( ) (b) ( )
2 1 0 2
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 41

2 1 2 −1
(c) ( ) (d) ( )
1 2 −1 2
Q6. Let 𝜆𝑖 (𝑖 = 1,2,3) be the eigenvalues of the matrix. The sum ∑3𝑖=1 𝜆2𝑖 is equal to
2−1−3
[−112 ]
−323
(a) 14 (b) 42
(c) 6 (d) 0
Q7. The exponential of a 2 × 2 matrix A is defined by the power series expansion exp (𝐴) =
1 𝑛 1 2 1 1 0
∑∞ 0
𝑛=0 𝑛! 𝐴 , 𝐴 being the 2 × 2 identify matrix. If 𝑆 = √5 ( ) and𝑆𝐴𝑆 −1 = ( ), then the
1 2 0 1
4
determinant of the matrix 𝑒 is
(a) 1 (b) e
1 1
(c) 𝑒 (d) 𝑒 + 𝑒
(e) −1
Q8. The trace and the determinant of a 3 × 3 matrix A satisfy Tr𝐴 = 2 det 𝐴 = 2. Further, the sum
of two of the eigenvalues of A is equal to the third eigenvalue. Then the trace and the
determination of the matrix 𝐴2 are, respectively
(a) 2 and 1 (b) 0 and 1
(c) 4 and 1 (d) 4 and 2
(e) 4 and 4

ANSWER KEYS

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

6. (b) 7. (*) 8. (*)

PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 42

DU PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q1. If the trace and the determinant of a 2 × 2 matrix are both zero; then,
(a) Only one of eigenvalues needs to be zero
(b) Both the eigenvalues need to be zero
(c) Both the eigenvalues are non-zero but finite
(d) At least one of the eigenvalues should be infinite
Q2. The matrix given by:
3 2𝑖 1
(−2𝑖 4 1 + 2𝑖 )
1 1 − 2𝑖 5
(a) Has one real and one complex eigenvalues
(b) Has two real and one complex eigenvalues
(c) Has three real eigenvalues
(d) Has three complex eigenvalues
Q3. The trace of a 4 × 4 matrix is 8 and its determinant is −24. If two of its eigenvalues are 3 and 4,
the other two eigenvalues are:
(a) −2 and 1 (b) 2 and −1
(c) 2 and 1 (d) −2 and −1
Q4. Which of the following statements is true for a square matrix A ?
(a) If 𝐴2 = 0, it necessarily implies that 𝐴 = 0.
(b) If A is real and orthogonal, its eigenvalues will always be real
(c) If A is hermitian, its diagonal entries are always real
(d) If A is anti-hermitian (skew-hermitian), its diagonal entries are always zero
Q5. Under a rotation by an angle 𝜃 about the x-axis, the vector that remains invariant is
(a) 2𝑥̂ − 𝑦̂ + 𝑧̂ (b) 3𝑧̂
(c) 5√2𝑥̂ (d) √3𝑦̂
Q6. Consider the matrix
2 2
𝐴=( )
2 5
If 𝐵 = 2𝑒 𝐴 , the determinant of B is
(a) 4𝑒 7 (b) 4(𝑒 7 − 𝑒 4 )
(c) 𝑒 7 (d) 𝑒 7 − 𝑒 4
1 1
Q7. If 𝐴 = ( ) and I is a 2 × 2 identity matrix, then 𝑒 𝐴 is :
1 1
𝑒 2 −1 𝑒−1
(a) 𝐼 + ( )𝐴 (b) 𝐼 + ( )𝐴
2 2
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 43

𝑒 2 +1 𝑒+1
(c) 𝐼 + ( )𝐴 (d) 𝐼 + ( )𝐴
2 2

ANSWER KEYS

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

6. (a) 7. (a)
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 44

HCU PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q1. The rank of the following matrix is

2 −2 0 6
4 2 0 2
( )
1 −1 0 3
1 −2 1 2
(a) 2 (b) 3
(c) 1 (d) 4
Q2. It is given that the matrix
1 0 0
(0 𝛼 −𝛼 )
0 𝛼 𝛼
is orthogonal. The value of 𝛼 must be equal to
(a) 1 (b) 0
1
(c) √2 (d)
√2

Q3. If A and B are 𝑛 × 𝑛 matrices, which of the following does not equal (𝐴 + 𝐵)2 ?
(a) 𝐴2 + 2𝐴𝐵 + 𝐵 2
(b) 𝐴2 + 𝐴𝐵 + 𝐵𝐴 + 𝐵 2
(c) (𝐴 + 𝐵)𝐴 + (𝐴 + 𝐵)𝐵
(d) (𝐵 + 𝐴)2
1 0 0
Q4. What should be the value of α so that the matrix (0 𝛼 −𝛼) can become orthogonal ?
0 𝛼 𝛼
1
(a) 1 (b) 2
1
(c) (d) √2
√2
1 0 1
Q5. The eigenvalues of the matrix (0 0 0) are given by
1 0 1
(a) 1, 0, 1 (b) 0, 1, 2
(c) 1, 2, 1 (d) 1, 1, 1
Q6. Which one of the following statements is true for the matrix given below ?
0 1
𝐴=( )
−1 𝑖
(a) A is symmetric
(b) A is Hermitian
(c) A is anti-symmetric
(d) A is skew-Hermitian
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 45

Q7. Which of the following cannot possibly be the eigenvalues of a real 3 × 3 matrix?
(a) 1,2, −1 (b) 1,1 + 𝑖, 1 − 𝑖
(c) 1,0, −1 (d) −1,1 + 𝑖, −1 + 𝑖
Q8. The system of linear equations
4 9 3 𝑥 6
(2 3 1) (𝑦 ) = ( 2)
2 6 2 𝑧 7
(a) has infinite number of solutions
(b) has only trivial solution
(c) has a unique solution
(d) is inconsistent and has no solution
2 𝑖
Q9. Which of the following are eigenvalues of the matrix ( )
−𝑖 2
(a) 1, 0 (b) 𝑖, −𝑖
(c) 1 + 𝑖, 1 − 𝑖 (d) 1, 3
1 0 0
Q10. What value of α will make the matrix (0 𝛼 −𝛼 ) orthogonal
0 𝛼 𝛼
(a) √2 (b) 1
1 1
(c) (d) 2
√2
𝑎 𝑏 𝑐
Q11. If 𝑎𝑏𝑐 = 𝑃 and 𝐴 = [ 𝑐 𝑎 𝑏 ], where A is an orthogonal matrix, then the value of 𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐
𝑏 𝑐 𝑎
is
(a) 2 (b) P
(c) 2P (d) ±1
Q12. The eigenvalues of the matrix
5−2
𝐴=( ) are
00
(a) 0, 0 (b) 5, 0
(c) 0, 6 (d) 5, 6
𝑖𝜋
Q13. The determinant of the matrix 𝐴 = (𝑒 −1) is
1 1
(a) 1 (b) π
(c) iπ (d) 0
cos𝜃 −sin𝜃
Q14. The eigenvalues of the matrix 𝐴 = [ ] are
sin𝜃 cos𝜃
(a) 𝑒 ±𝑖𝜃 (b) 𝑒 ±2𝑖𝜃
(c) 𝑒 ±3𝑖𝜃 (d) 𝑒 ±𝑖𝜃/2
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 46

2 −1
Q15. The eigenvectors of the matrix 𝐴 = [ ] are
−1 2
1 −1
(a) 𝑎1 = [ ] , 𝑎2 = [ ]
0 0
1 1
(b) 𝑎1 = [ ] , 𝑎2 = [ ]
1 −1
2 0
(c) 𝑎1 = [ ] , 𝑎2 = [ ]
0 2
1 0
(d) 𝑎1 = [ ] , 𝑎2 = [ ]
0 1

ANSWER KEYS

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

6. (d) 7. (d) 8. (c) 9. (d) 10. (c)

11. (d) 12. (b) 13. (d) 14. (a) 15. (b)
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 47

BHU PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

1 3
Q1. If a matrix is 𝐴 = ( ), then 𝐴−1 will be
2 1
1 1 −3
(a) − 5 ( )
−2 1
1 1 3
(b) 5 ( )
2 1
1 1 1
(c) 4 ( )
1 1
1 −1 3
(d) − 3 ( )
2 −1
3 1
Q2. If a matrix is 𝐴 = ( ), its eigenvalues are
2 2
(a) 1 and 2 (b) 2 and 4
(c) 1 and 3 (d) 1 and 4
Q3. The matrix
𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃 𝑖 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃
𝐴=[ ] is
𝑖 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃
(a) Hermitian (b) unitary
(c) symmetric (d) symmetric
Q4. Indicate the statement which is not true
(a) the diagonalizing matrix of a unitary matrix is Hermitian
(b) the diagonalizing matrix of a real symmetric matrix is orthogonal
(c) the non-zero elements of a diagonal matrix are its eigenvalues
(d) the diagonalizing matrix of a Hermitian matrix is unitary
5 −1
Q5. A matrix 𝐶 = ( ) has
1 3
(a) no independent eigenvectors
(b) 1 independent eigenvector
(c) 2 independent eigenvectors
(d) 3 independent eigenvectors
1 1
Q6. The eigenvalues of the matrix ( ) are
1 1
(a) 1, 0 (b) 1, 1
(c) 1, 2 (d) 0, 2
2 2 1
Q7. Eigenvalues of the matrix (1 3 1) are
1 2 2
(a) 1,0, −1 (b) 1, 1, 0
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 48

(c) 2,0, −2 (d) 2, 0, 2

0 1 0
Q8. Which of the following vectors is not an eigenvector of the matrix (1 0 0) ?
0 0 0
1 1
(a) 𝑟 = ( ,− , 0)
√2 √2

(b) 𝑟 = (0,0,1)
1 1
(c) 𝑟 = ( , , 0)
√2 √2

(d) 𝑟 = (1,0, −1)

Q9. For any square matrix A, which of the following matrices is not Hermitian ?
(a) 𝐴 + 𝐴+ (b) 𝐴𝐴+
(c) 𝐴+ 𝐴 (d) 𝐴+ − 𝐴
Q10. A 2 × 2 matrix has determinant 1 and trace 2. Its eigen values are :
(a) ±1 (b) 0, 1
(c) 1, 1 (d) 0, 2
1 0 1
Q11. Eigenvalues of (0 1 0) are
1 0 1
(a) −1,0,2 (b) 0,1,2
(c) −1,1,2 (d) −3,1,5
Q12. If A is 3 × 3 matrix with Tr(𝐴) = 3, detA = 0 and one of the eigenyalue 1 , the other two
eigenvalues are
(a) 2 and 0 (b) 1 and 1
(c) 0 and 1 (d) 3 and -1
Q13. If A is a skew-symmetric matrix and R is its rank then.
(a) 𝑅 = 1 (b) 𝑅 ≤ 1
(c) 𝑅 > 1 (d) 𝑅 ≥ 1
Q14. If I and O are (2 × 2) identity and null matrices in 𝐼 = 𝑝𝐴 + 𝑞𝐴2 = 0 then, p and q values for
1 2
the matrix. 𝐴 = ( ) are one of the following:
−2 1
2 1
(a) 𝑝 = 5 , 𝑞 = 5
2 1
(b) 𝑝 = − 5 , 𝑞 = 5
2 1
(c) 𝑝 = 5 , 𝑞 = − 5
2 1
(d) 𝑝 = − 5 , 𝑞 = − 5
cos𝜃 −sin𝜃
Q15. The eigenvectors of the matrix 𝐴 = ( ) are as follows:
sin𝜃 cos𝜃
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 49

1 1 1 −1
(a) ( ) and ( ) (b) ( ) and ( )
𝑖 −𝑖 𝑖 𝑖
𝑖 −𝑖 𝑖 𝑖
(c) ( ) and ( ) (d) ( ) and ( )
1 1 1 −1
Q16. Transpose conjugate of two matrices A and B i.e., (𝐴𝐵)+ equals
(a) 𝐴+ 𝐵 + (b) 𝐵 + 𝐴+
(c) 𝐵 ′ 𝐴′ (d) AB
Q17. The product of a singular matrix with its adjoint gives
(a) a unitary matrix
(b) a null matrix
(c) a diagonal matrix
(d) None of these
0 1
Q18. Given 𝐴 = ( ), then (𝑎𝐼 + 𝑏𝐴)𝑛 is (where I is 2 × 2 unit vector)
0 0
(a) 𝑎𝑛 𝐼 + 𝑏 𝑛 𝐴
(b) 𝑎𝑛 𝐼 + 𝑛𝑎𝑏 𝑛−1 𝐴
(c) 𝑎𝑛 𝐼 + 𝑛𝑎𝑏𝐴
(d) 𝑎𝑛 𝐼 + 𝑛𝑎𝑛−1 𝑏𝐴
0 𝑖
Q19. Eigenvectors of the matrix ( ) are
−𝑖 0
1 0
(a) ( ) , ( )
0 1
1 1 1 1
(b) ( ) , ( )
√2 −𝑖 √2 𝑖
1 1 1 1
(c) ( ) , ( )
√2 1 √2 1
1 𝑖 1 −𝑖
(d) ( ) , ( )
√2 1 √2 1
−2 2 −3
Q20. Given the matrix ( 2 1 −6) with one of the eigenvalues equal to −3, the other two
−1 −2 0
eigenvalues are
(a) 0, 1 (b) 0, −1
(c) 0, 2 (d) −3,5
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 50

ANSWER KEYS

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

6. (d) 7. (*) 8. (d) 9. (d) 10. (c)

11. (b) 12. (a) 13. (c) 14. (c) 15. (d)

16. (a) 17. (d) 18. (d) 19. (b) 20. (d)
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 51

MISCELLANEOUS QUESTIONS

0 16
Q1. The eigenvalues of the matrix [ ] are:
16 0
(a) 1 and −1 (b) 16 and 16
(c) 16 and −16 (d) 1 and 256
0 1 0 0
0 0 1 0
Q2. Consider the matrix, 𝐴 = ( )
0 0 0 1
1 0 0 0
the eigenvalues of A are, (𝑖 = √−1)
(a) {1, −𝑖, −1, 𝑖}
(b) {1, −1,0,0}
(c) {1,1,1,1}
(d) {1,1, 𝑖, −𝑖}
Q3. Let P be a 𝑛 × 𝑛 diagonalizable matrix which satisfies the equations
𝑃2 = 𝑃,Tr(𝑃) = 𝑛 − 1
Det(P) is :
(a) n (b) 0
(c) 1 (d) 𝑛 − 1
Q4. Let M be a 3 × 3 Hermitian matrix which satisfies the matrix equation
𝑀2 − 5𝑀 + 6𝐼 = 0
Where I refers to the identity matrix. Which of the following are possible eigenvalues of M
(a) {1,2,3} (b) {2,2,3}
(c) {2,3,5} (d) {5,5,6}
Q5. Given the three matrices
0 1 0 −𝑖 1 0
𝜎1 ( ) , 𝜎2 = ( ) , 𝜎3 = ( ) and [𝜎𝑖 , 𝜎𝑗 ] ≡ 𝜎𝑖 𝜎𝑗 − 𝜎𝑗 𝜎𝑖 ,
1 0 𝑖 0 0 −1
then [𝜎1 , [𝜎2 , 𝜎3 ]] + [𝜎2: , [𝜎3 , 𝜎1 ]] + [𝜎3 , [𝜎1 , 𝜎2 ]] is
(a) 𝜎12 + 𝜎22 + 𝜎32
(b) 𝜎1 + 𝜎2 + 𝜎3
(c) 0
(d) Identity
Q6. Given the three matrices
0 𝑖 0 𝑖 1 0
𝜎1 = (
) , 𝜎2 = ( ) , 𝜎3 = ( )
1 0 −𝑖 0 0 −1
Which of the following statements is true for all positive integers n and i = 1, 2, 3 ?
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 52

(a) 𝜎𝑖𝑛 = 𝐼 (b) 𝜎𝑖𝑛 = 𝜎𝑖

(c) 𝜎𝑖2𝑛 = 𝐼 (d) 𝜎𝑖2𝑛 = 𝜎𝑖
Q7. The trace of a 2 × 2 matrix is 1 and its determinate is 1. Which of the following has to be true ?
(a) One of the eigenvalues is 0
(c) Both of the eigenvalues are 1
(b) One of the eigenvalue is 1
(d) Neither of the eigenvalues is 1
Q8. Let M by a 3 × 3 Hermitain matrix which satisfies the matrix equation
𝑀2 − 7𝑀 + 12𝐼 = 0
where I refers to the identity matrix. What is the determinant of the matrix M given that the trace
is 10 ?
(a) 27 (b) 36
(c) 48 (d) 64
Q9. Consider a 3 × 3 matrix of the form:
𝑎12 𝑎1 𝑎2 𝑎1 𝑎3
(𝑎1 𝑎2 𝑎22 𝑎2 𝑎3 )
𝑎1 𝑎3 𝑎2 𝑎3 𝑎32
The number of zero eigenvalues for this matrix is
(a) 0 (b) 1 (c) 2 (d) 3
Q10. Which one of the following is not hermitian?
1 0 0 −𝑖
(a) [ ] (b) [ ]
0 −1 𝑖 0
0 1 𝑖 0
(c) [ ] (d) [ ]
1 0 0 1
Q11. If A is an antisymmetric matrix and 𝐴𝑇 be the transpose of this matrix, then which one of the
following relations does not hold good?
(a) 𝐴𝑇 = −𝐴
(b) 𝐴𝐴𝑇 = 𝐴𝑇 𝐴
(c) 𝐴2 is an antisymmetric matrix
(d) 𝐴2 is a symmetirc matrix
0 1 0
Q12. The eigenvalues of the matrix (0 0 1) are given by 𝜆𝑙 , 𝜆2 and 𝜆3 . Which one of the following
1 0 0
statement is NOT TRUE?
(a) 𝜆1 + 𝜆2 + 𝜆3 = 0
(b) 𝜆1 𝜆2 + 𝜆2 𝜆3 + 𝜆3 𝜆1 = 0
(c) All eigenvalues are real
(d) Product of the eigenvalues is 1
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 53

0 −1 0
Q13. The matrix (1 0 0) is:
0 0 1
(a) orthogonal
(b) Hermitian
(c) symmetric
(d) anti-symmetric
Q14. A given (𝑛 × 𝑛) nilpotent matrix A satisfies the equation 𝐴𝑘 = 0 for 1 < 𝑘 < 𝑛. Therefore,
(a) Exactly k eigenvalues of A must be zero.
(b) Exactly (𝑛 − 𝑘) eigenvalue of A must be zero.
(c) Every eigenvalue of A is zero.
(d) A can have (n−1) non-zero eigenvalues.
Q15. If 𝐿(𝑥) is a linear differential operator and 𝑦1 (𝑥), 𝑦2 (𝑥) are two arbitrary functions. Then
(a) 𝐿(𝑥)(𝑦1 + 𝑦2 ) = 𝐿𝑦1 + 𝐿𝑦2
(b) 𝐿(𝑥)(𝑦1 + 𝑦2 ) = 𝑦1 𝐿𝑦2 + 𝑦2 𝐿𝑦1
(c) 𝐿(𝑥)(𝑦1 𝑦2 ) = 𝐿𝑦1 + 𝐿𝑦2
(d) 𝐿(𝑥)(𝑦1 − 𝑦2 ) = 𝐿𝑦1 + 𝐿𝑦2
0 1 −1
Q16. For which of the following values of a, the inverse of the matrix, 𝑀 = (1 3 5 ), does not
0 4 𝑎
exist?
(a) −4 (b) 4
(c) 0 (d) 1
Q17. Which one of the following matrices is orthogonal?
cos𝜃 sin𝜃 cos𝜃 −sin𝜃
(a) ( ) (b) ( )
sin𝜃 cos𝜃 sin𝜃 cos𝜃
−cos𝜃 sin𝜃 cos𝜃 sin𝜃
(c) ( ) (d) ( )
−sin𝜃 cos𝜃 −sin𝜃 −cos𝜃
Q18. The number of independent real parameters of a most general hermitian matrix of order 4 is:
(a) 4 (b) 8
(c) 16 (d) 32
0 0 −𝑖
Q19. The eigen values of the matrix, [0 2 0 ] are
𝑖 0 0
(a) Purely imaginary
(b) Complex
(c) Real
(d) Zero
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 54

Q20. If a matrix A satisfies the condition 𝐴2 = 𝐼 and Tr(𝐴) = 0 (where I is a 𝑛 × 𝑛 identity matrix),
then
(a) The determinant of A must be 0
(b) The determinant of A must be +1
(c) A must be odd dimensional
(d) A must be even dimensional
1 0 0
Q21. The matrix A, defined by 𝐴 = (0 𝑎 𝑏 ) is orthogonal if
0 −𝑏 𝑎
(a) 𝑎 = 1, 𝑏 = −1
(b) 𝑎 = 1/√2, 𝑏 = −1/√2
(c) 𝑎 = 1/√2, 𝑏 = −𝑖/√2
(d) 𝑎 = 1, 𝑏 = 1
Q22. If A and B are two 𝑛 × 𝑛 matrices, then the trace of 𝐶 = [𝐴, 𝐵] is
(a) 𝑇𝑟(𝐴𝐵)
(b) 𝑇𝑟(𝐴)𝑇𝑟(𝐵)
(c) 0
(d) 𝑇𝑟(𝐴) + 𝑇𝑟(𝐵)
𝑎 𝑏
Q23. Consider the matrix 𝑀 = ( ) where a and c are real and b may be complex. If M can be
𝑏 𝑐
điagonalized by a matrix S, then S is
(a) diagonal (b) symmetric
(c) orthogonal (d) unitary
0 1
Q24. (a) Find the normalized eigenvector 𝛼 of the matrix 𝑀 = [ ], corresponding to its
1 0
positive eigenvalue.
0 −𝑖
(b) The normalized eigenvectors of the matrix 𝑁 = [ ] are 𝛽1 and 𝛽2 with the eigenvalues
𝑖 0
𝜆1 and 𝜆2 respectively and 𝜆1 > 𝜆2 . If the eigenvector 𝛼 obtained in part (a) is expressed as 𝛼 =
𝑃𝛽1 + 𝑄𝛽2. Find the constants P and Q.
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 55

ANSWER KEYS

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

6. (c) 7. (d) 8. (b) 9. (c) 10. (d)

11. (c) 12. (c) 13. (a) 14. (c) 15. (a)

16. (b) 17. (b) 18. (a) 19. (c) 20. (d)

21. (b) 22. (c) 23. (d) 24. (*)

PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 56

DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS & SPECIAL FUNCTIONS

IIT JAM PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q1. The solution of the differential equation 𝑑𝑧(𝑥, 𝑦) + 𝑥𝑧(𝑥, 𝑦)𝑑𝑥 + 𝑦𝑧(𝑥, 𝑦)𝑑𝑦 = 0
𝑑𝑦 𝑦2
Q2. Consider the equation 𝑑𝑥 = 𝑥 with the boundary condition 𝑦(1) = 1. Out of the following, the
range of x in which y is real and finite, is
(a) −∞ ≤ 𝑥 ≤ −3 (b) −3 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 0
(c) 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 3 (d) 3 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ ∞
Q3. Consider the differential equation 𝑦 ′ + 2𝑦 ′ + 𝑦 = 0. If 𝑦(0) = 0 and 𝑦 ′ (0) = 1, then the value
of 𝑦(2) is__________
(Specify your answer to two digits after the decimal point)
𝑑𝑦
Q4. Solve the differential equation 𝑥𝑦 𝑑𝑥 = 3𝑦 2 + 𝑥 2 with the initial condition 𝑦 = 2 when 𝑥 = 1.
𝑑2 𝑦 𝑑𝑦
Q5. Find the solution of the differential equation 𝑑𝑥 2 + 5 𝑑𝑥 = 0 with the boundary condition 𝑦(0) =
𝑑𝑦
2 and 𝑑𝑥 | = 2 giving all steps clearly.
𝑥=0

Q6. Which one of the following curves correctly represents (schematically) the solution for the
equation IIT JAM 2018
𝑑𝑓
+ 2𝑓 = 3; 𝑓(0) = 0 ?
𝑑𝑥

d2y dy
Q7. If a function y ( x) is described by the initial-value problem, 2
5 6 y 0 , with initial
dx dx
dy
conditions y (0) 2 , and 0 , then the value of y at x 1 is_________
dx x 0

(Round off to 2 decimal places)

𝑑𝑦
Q8. The solution 𝑦(𝑥) of the differential equation 𝑦 𝑑𝑥 + 3𝑥 = 0, 𝑦(1) = 0, is described by
IIT JAM 2021
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 57

(a) an ellipse (b) a circle

(c) a parabola (d) a straight line
Q9. Consider the second order ordinary differential equation, 𝑦" + 4𝑦 ′ + 5𝑦 = 0. If 𝑦(0) = 0 and
𝑦 ′ (0) = 1, then the value of 𝑦(𝜋/2) is__________ to 3 decimal places).
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 58

ANSWER KEYS

1. 𝐶exp[−(𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 )/2] 2. (d) 3. (0.27) 4. (b) 5.

6. (b) 7. (0.60 to 8. (a) 9. (0.041 to

0.62) 0.045)
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 59

TIFR PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

𝑑2 𝑦 𝑑𝑦
Q1. The differential equation − 2 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑦 = 0 has the complete solution, in terms of arbitrary
𝑑𝑥 2
constants A and B as
(a) 𝐴exp𝑥 + 𝐵𝑥exp𝑥
(b) 𝐴exp𝑥 + 𝐵exp(−𝑥)
(c) 𝐴exp𝑥 + 𝐵𝑥exp(−𝑥)
(d) 𝑥{𝐴exp𝑥 + 𝐵exp(−𝑥)}
𝑥
Q2. The solution of the integral equation 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 − ∫0 𝑑𝑡𝑓(𝑡) has the graphical form

𝑑2 𝑦 𝑑𝑦
Q3. Consider the differential equation 𝑑𝑥 2 = −4 (𝑦 + 𝑑𝑥 ) with the boundary conditions that 𝑦(𝑥) =
1
0 at 𝑥 = 5. When plotted as a function of x, for 𝑥 ≥ 0, we can say with certainity that the value
of y
(a) first increases, then decreases to zero.
(b) first decreases, then increases to zero.
(c) has an extremum in the range 0 < 𝑥 < 1.
(d) oscillates from positive to neagtive with amplitude decreasing to zero.
𝑑𝑦
Q4. The function 𝑦(𝑥)satisfies the differential equation 𝑥 𝑑𝑥 = 𝑦(ln 𝑦 − ln 𝑥 + 1) with the initial
condition 𝑦(1) = 3. What will be the value of 𝑦(3)?
Q5. Write down 𝑥(𝑡), where 𝑥(𝑡) is the solution of the following differential equation
𝑑 𝑑
( + 2) ( + 1) 𝑥 = 1,
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡
𝑑𝑥 1
with the boundary conditions 𝑑𝑡
| = 0, 𝑥(𝑡)|𝑡=0 = − 2.
𝑡=0
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 60

Q6. If 𝑦(𝑥) satisfies the differential equation 𝑦 ″ − 4𝑦 ′ + 4𝑦 = 0 with boundary conditions 𝑦(0) =
1
1, 𝑦 ′ (0) = 0, then 𝑦 (− 2) =
2 1 1
(a) 𝑒 (b) 2 (𝑒 + 𝑒)
1 𝑒
(c) 𝑒 (d) − 2

ANSWER KEYS

1. (a) 2. (b) 3. (a) 4. (81) 5. (*)

6. (*)
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 61

JEST PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

𝑑𝐺(𝑥)
Q1. Consider the differential equation + 𝑘𝐺(𝑥) = 𝛿(𝑥) where k is a constant. Which of the
𝑑𝑥
following statement is true?
(a) Both 𝐺(𝑥) and 𝐺 ′ (𝑥) are continuous at 𝑥 = 0
(b) 𝐺(𝑥) is continuous at 𝑥 = 0 but 𝐺 ′ (𝑥) is not.
(c) 𝐺(𝑥) is discontinuous at 𝑥 = 0
(d) The continuity properties of 𝐺(𝑥) and 𝐺′(𝑥) at 𝑥 = 0 depend on the value of k.
Q2. What are the solutions to 𝑓′′(𝑥) = 2𝑓′(𝑥) + 𝑓(𝑥) = 0 ?
(a) 𝑐1 𝑒 𝑥 /𝑥 (b) 𝑐1 𝑥 + 𝑐2 /𝑥
(c) 𝑐1 𝑥𝑒 𝑥 + 𝑐2 (d) 𝑐1 𝑒 𝑥 + 𝑐2 𝑥𝑒 𝑥
1
Q3. For which of the following conditions does the integral ∫0 𝑃𝑚 (𝑥)𝑃𝑛 (𝑥)𝑑𝑥 vanish for 𝑚 ≠ 𝑛,
where 𝑃𝑚 (𝑥) and 𝑃𝑛 (𝑥) are the Legendre polynomials of order m and n respectively?
(a) all 𝑚, 𝑚 ≠ 𝑛
(b) 𝑚 − 𝑛 is an odd integer
(c) 𝑚 − 𝑛 is a non-zero even integer
(d) 𝑛 = 𝑚 ± 1
Q4. If 𝑦(𝑥) satisfies
𝑑𝑦 𝜋
= 𝑦[1 + (log𝑦)2 ] and 𝑦(0) = 1 for 𝑥 ≥ 0, then 𝑦 (2 ) is
𝑑𝑥

(a) 0 (b) 1
𝜋
(c) 2 (d) infinity

dxδ x 2 π 2 cos x
Q5. What is the value of the integral ? JEST 2019
1 1
(a) π (b) − 2𝜋 (c) − 𝜋 (d) 0
Q6. The solution of the differential equation 𝑦" − 2𝑦′ − 3𝑦 = 𝑒 𝑢 is given as𝐶1 𝑒 −𝑡 + 𝐶2 𝑒 2𝑡 +
𝐶3 𝑒 3𝑡 . The values of the coefficients 𝐶1 , 𝐶2 and 𝐶3 are: JEST 2020
(a) 𝐶1 , 𝐶2 and 𝐶3 are arbitrary
−1
(b) 𝐶1 , 𝐶3 are arbitrary and 𝐶2 = 3
−1
(c) 𝐶2 , 𝐶3 are arbitrary and 𝐶1 = 3
−1
(d) 𝐶1 , 𝐶2 are arbitrary and 𝐶3 = 3

Q7. A particle moving in two dimensions satisfies the equations of motion

𝑥̇ (𝑡) = 𝑥(𝑡) + 𝑦(𝑡)
𝑦̇ (𝑡) = 𝑥(𝑡) − 𝑦(𝑡)
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 62

𝑥(∞)
with 𝑥̇ (0) = 0. What is the ratio of 𝑦(∞) ? JEST 2020
1 1
(a) 1 − (b) 1 +
√2 √2

(c) √2 − 1 (d) √2 + 1

ANSWER KEYS

1. (c) 2. (d) 3. (*) 4. (c) 5. (c)

6. (b) 7. (d)
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 63

JNU PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

𝑑2 𝑦 𝑑𝑦
Q1. The general solution of the differential equation, 𝑥 2 𝑑𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 𝑑𝑥 + 2𝑦 = 0 in terms of two
arbitrary constants A and B, is
1 1
(a) 𝑒 1/𝑥 (𝐴cos (𝑥) + 𝐵sin (𝑥))
𝐵
(b) 𝐴𝑥 + 𝑥
(c) 𝐴𝑥 + 𝐵𝑥𝑒 𝑥
(d) 𝐴𝑥 + 𝐵𝑥 2
Q2. For 𝑥 > 0, the solution of the differential equation
𝑑𝑦 1 2
+ 2𝑥𝑦 − 𝑒 −𝑥 = 0
𝑑𝑥 𝑥
2 𝑥 2
(with the condition that 𝑦 = 0 at 𝑥 = 1) is (In the following: 𝐸𝑟𝑓(𝑥) = ∫ 𝑒 −𝜁 𝑑𝜁 )
√𝜋 0
2
(a) 𝑒 −𝑥 ln 𝑥
(b) ln 𝑥, 𝐸𝑟𝑓(𝑥)
2
(c) (𝑥 − 1)𝑒 −𝑥
1
(d) 1 − 𝑥
𝑑3 𝑦 𝑑2 𝑦 𝑑𝑦 𝑑2 𝑦
Q3. Consider the following differential equation − 3 𝑑𝑥 2 + 2 𝑑𝑥 = 0. It is given that =
𝑑𝑥 3 𝑑𝑥 2
𝑑𝑦
1, 𝑑𝑥 = 0 and 𝑦 = 1 at 𝑥 = 0. Then the value of y at 𝑥 = 2 is nearest to
(a) 30 (b) 42
(c) 21 (d) 63
(e) 12
𝑑2 𝑦
Q4. The general solution of the ondinary differential equation + 𝑦 + 1 = 0 is (A and B being
𝑑𝑥 2
constants).
(a) 𝑥 2 + 𝐴𝑥 + 𝐵 (b) 𝐴(𝑥 − 1)3 + 𝐵
(c) 𝐴 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥 (d) 𝐴sin(𝑥 + 𝐵)
(e) 𝐴cos𝑥 + 𝐵sin𝑥 − 1

ANSWER KEYS

1. (d) 2. (a) 3. (*) 4. (e)

PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 64

DU PREVIOUSYEAR QUESTIONS

𝑑3 𝑦 1 𝑑2 𝑦 1 dy
Q1. The general solution of the differential equation +𝑥 + 𝑥 2 dx = 0 can be expressed as
dx3 dx2
(𝐶1 , 𝐶2 and 𝐶3 are constants):
(a) 𝐶1 + 𝐶2 𝑥1+𝑖 + 𝐶3 𝑥 1−𝑖
(b) 𝐶1 + 𝐶2 𝑥 + 𝐶3 𝑥 𝑖
(c) 𝐶1 𝑥 + 𝐶2 𝑥 2 + 𝐶3 𝑥 3
(d) 𝐶1 𝑥 + 𝐶2 𝑥1+𝑖 + 𝐶3 𝑥1−𝑖
𝑑2 𝑦 4𝑑𝑦
Q2. The most general solution of the differential equation 2 + + 4𝑦 = 0 is (here 'a' and 'b' are
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
constants)
(a) 𝑎𝑒 −2𝑥 + 𝑏𝑒 2𝑥
(b) 𝑎𝑒 −2𝑥 + 𝑏𝑒 −2𝑥
(c) 𝑎𝑒 −2𝑥 + 𝑏𝑥𝑒 −2𝑥
(d) 𝑎𝑒 2𝑥 + 𝑏𝑥𝑒 2𝑥
𝑑𝑦
Q3. The solution to the differential equation 𝑑𝑥 + 2𝑥𝑦 = 𝑥 given that 𝑦(𝑥 = 0) = 0 is
3
(a) 𝑦 = (1 − 𝑒 −𝑥 )
1 2
(b) 𝑦 = 4 (1 − 𝑒 −𝑥 )
1 2
(c) 𝑦 = 2 (1 − 𝑒 −𝑥 )
1
(d) 𝑦 = 2 (1 − 𝑒 −𝑥 )

ANSWER KEYS

1. (a) 2. (c) 3. (c)

PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 65

HCU PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

𝑑2 𝑥
Q1. The most general solution of the equation + 𝜔2 𝑥 = 𝑐𝑒 −𝛼𝑡 can be written as
𝑑𝑡 2

(a) 𝐴sin𝜔𝑡 + 𝐵cos𝜔𝑡

(b) 𝐴sin𝜔𝑡 + 𝐵cos𝜔𝑡 + 𝐶𝑒 −𝛼𝑡
(c) 𝐴sin𝜔𝑡 + 𝐵cos𝜔𝑡 + 𝐶(𝛼 2 + 𝜔2 )𝑒 −𝛼𝑡
(d) 𝐴sin𝜔𝑡 + 𝐵cos𝜔𝑡 + 𝐶𝑒 −𝛼𝑡 /(𝛼 2 + 𝜔2 )
𝑑𝑦
Q2. The solution of the differential equation 𝑑𝑥 = 𝑥 + 𝑥𝑦 is to be obtained under the condition that
𝑦 = 0 at 𝑥 = 0. The solution is given by
𝑥2
(a) 𝑦 = 2
2 /2
(b) 𝑦 = 𝑒 −𝑥 −1
2 /2
(c) 𝑦 = 𝑒 𝑥 −1
𝑒𝑥
(d) 𝑦 = −1
2

Q3. Complete solution of the differential equation

𝑑2𝑦 𝑑𝑦
− 7 + 6𝑦 = 𝑒 2𝑥
𝑑𝑥 2 𝑑𝑥
is given by (where 𝑐1 and 𝑐2 are arbitrary constants)
(a) 𝑐1 𝑒 𝑥 + 𝑐2 𝑒 3𝑥 − 𝑒 2𝑥
(b) 𝑐1 𝑒 𝑥 + 𝑐2 𝑒 6𝑥 − 𝑒 2𝑥
1
(c) 𝑐1 𝑒 𝑥 + 𝑐2 𝑒 6𝑥 − 4 𝑒 2𝑥
1
(d) 𝑐1 𝑒 𝑥 + 𝑐2 𝑒 3𝑥 − 4 𝑒 2𝑥
Q4. Two independent solutions of the differential equation
𝑑2 𝑦 𝑑𝑦
+ 3 + 2𝑦 = 0
𝑑𝑥 2 𝑑𝑥
may be chosen to be
(a) 𝑒 −2𝑥 + 𝑒 −𝑥 , 2(𝑒 −2𝑥 − 𝑒 −𝑥 )
(b) 𝑒 −2𝑥 + 𝑒 −𝑥 , 2(𝑒 −2𝑥 + 𝑒 −𝑥 )
(c) 𝑒 −2𝑥 + 𝑒 −𝑥 , 𝑥(𝑒 −2𝑥 − 𝑒 −𝑥 )
(d) 𝑒 −2𝑥 , 𝑒 𝑥
Q5. Consider the differential equation 𝑦 ′ = 𝑦cot(𝑥) + sin(𝑥). The corresponding homogeneous
linear equation has a general solution with C as the integration constant
(a) 𝑦 = cos(𝐶𝑥) (b) 𝑦 = sin(𝐶𝑥)
(c) 𝑦 = 𝐶cos(𝑥) (d) 𝑦 = 𝐶sin(𝑥)
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 66

𝑑2 𝑥
Q6. The solution to the differential equation = 𝑡 2 is given by
𝑑𝑡 2
𝑡3
(a) 𝑥 = +𝐴
3
𝑡3
(b) 𝑥 = + 𝐴𝑡 + 𝐵
3
𝑡4
(c) 𝑥 = 12 + 𝐴𝑡 + 𝐵
𝑡4 𝑡2
(d) 𝑥 = + +𝐴
3 2

where A and B are constants.

𝑑2 𝑦 2𝑑𝑦
Q7. The general solution to the differential equation − + 2𝑦 = 0, is
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥

(a) 𝑒 𝑥 [𝐴cos𝑥 + 𝑖𝐵sin𝑥]

(b) 𝑒 𝑖𝑥 [𝐴cos𝑥 + 𝑖𝐵sin𝑥]
(c) 𝑒 𝑖𝑥 [𝐴cos𝑥 − 𝑖𝐵sin𝑥]
(d) 𝑒 𝑥 [𝐴cos𝑥 − 𝑖𝐵sin𝑥]
where A and B are arbitrary constants.
𝑑2 𝑦 𝑑𝑦
Q8. On changing variable from x to t where 𝑡 = log𝑥, the differential equation 𝑥 2 𝑑𝑥 2 + 𝛼𝑥 𝑑𝑥 +
𝛽𝑥 = 0 becomes
𝑑2 𝑦 𝑑𝑦
(a) 𝑒 2𝑡 𝑑𝑥 2 + 𝛼𝑒 𝑡 𝑑𝑥 + 𝛽𝑦 = 0
𝑑2 𝑦 𝑑𝑦
(b) 𝑑𝑥 2 + 𝛼 𝑑𝑥 + 𝛽𝑦 = 0
𝑑2 𝑦 𝑑𝑦
(c) 𝑑𝑥 2 + 𝛼 𝑑𝑥 + (𝛼 + 𝛽)𝑦 = 0
𝑑2 𝑦 𝑑𝑦
(d) 𝑑𝑥 2 + (𝛼 − 1) 𝑑𝑥 + 𝛽𝑦 = 0
Q9. For 𝜆 > 0 and 𝜆 ∈ ℝ; what are the eigenfunctions of the following differential equation 𝑦 ″ +
𝜆𝑦 = 0, for the boundary conditions 𝑦(0) = 0, 𝑦 ′ (𝜋) = 0?
2𝑛−1
(a) 𝐶1 cos ( 𝑥)
2
2𝑛−1
(b) 𝐶2 sin ( 𝑥)
2

(c) 𝐶1 cos(𝑛𝑥) + 𝐶2 sin(𝑛𝑥)

(d) 𝐶1 cos(2𝑛 − 1)𝑥 + 𝐶2 sin(2𝑛 − 1)𝑥
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 67

ANSWER KEYS

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

6. (c) 7. (a) 8. (a) 9. (b)

PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 68

BHU PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q1. Consider the solution 𝑦(𝑡) of the equation

𝑑2 𝑦 𝑑𝑦
2
+ 2𝑘 + 𝑘 2 𝑦 = exp(−𝑘𝑡)
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡
where k is a constant and whose value and derivative with respect to t are zero at𝑡 = 0. Then
𝑦(𝑡) is
1 1
(a) 2 exp(−𝑘𝑡) (b) 2 𝑡 𝑒𝑥𝑝(−𝑘𝑡)
1 1
(c) 2 𝑡 2 𝑒𝑥𝑝(−𝑘𝑡) (d) 2 𝑒𝑥𝑝(−𝑘𝑡 2 )
Q2. The generating function for Legendre polynomial 𝑃𝑛 (𝑥) is
(a) (1 − 2𝑥𝑡 + 𝑡 2 )−1/2
(b) (1 + 2𝑥𝑡 − 𝑡 2 )−1/2
(c) (1 − 2𝑥𝑡 + 𝑡 2 )1/2
(d) (1 + 2𝑥𝑡 − 𝑡 2 )1/2
𝑑
Q3. The value of 𝑑𝑥 [𝑥 𝑛 𝐽𝑛 (𝑥)] is
(a) 𝑥 𝑛 𝐽𝑛+1 (𝑥) (b) −𝑥 −𝑛 𝐽𝑛+1 (𝑥)
(c) 𝑥 𝑛 𝐽𝑛−1 (𝑥) (d) 𝑥 𝑛−1 𝐽𝑛−1 (𝑥)
Q4. If the Rodrigue's formula for a polynomial is
𝑛 𝑥2
𝑑𝑛 2
(−1) 𝑒 𝑛
(𝑒 −𝑥 )
𝑑𝑥
then the polynomial is
(a) Legendre (b) Hermite
(c) Lagure (d) Bessel
1
Q5. 𝑎1 = 1 and 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑛(1 + 𝑎𝑛−1 ) for 𝑛 = 2,3. Define 𝑃𝑛 = ∏𝑛𝑘=1 ⬚ (1 + 𝑎 ). Then 𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑃𝑛 is
𝑘 𝑥→∞

(a) 1 (b) ∞
(c) e (d) 1 + 𝑒

𝑑2 𝑦 𝑑𝑦
Q6. The differential equation 𝑥 2 𝑑𝑥 2 + 𝑥 𝑑𝑥 + (𝑥 2 − 𝑛2 )𝑦 = 0 has solution as
(a) Bessel function 𝐽𝑛 (𝑥)
(b) Hermite polynomial 𝐻𝑛 (𝑥)
(c) Legendre polynomial 𝑃𝑛 (𝑥)
(d) Laguerre polynomial 𝐿𝑛 (𝑥)
Q7. The spherical Bessel function 𝑗𝑛 (𝑥) is related to the Bessel function 𝐽𝑛 (𝑥) by the relation
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 69

𝜋
(a) 𝑗𝑛 (𝑥) = √2𝑥 𝐽𝑛+1 (𝑥)
2

𝜋
(b) 𝑗𝑛 (𝑥) = √2𝑥 𝐽𝑛 (𝑥)

2𝑥
(c) 𝑗𝑛 (𝑥) = √ 𝜋 𝐽 (𝑥)
1
𝑛+
2

2𝑥
(d) 𝑗𝑛 (𝑥) = √ 𝜋 𝐽𝑛 (𝑥)

Q8. The value of 𝐽0 (𝑥) at 𝑥 = 0 is given by

(a) 1 (b) 0
(c) ∞ (d) √𝜋
𝜃
Q9. The Legendre series expansion for the function 𝑓(𝜃) = sin2 ( 2) can be given as :
1
(a) 2 [𝑃0 (cos𝜃) − 𝑃1 (cos𝜃)]
1
(b) 2 [𝑃2 (cos𝜃) − 𝑃3 (cos𝜃)]
(c) [𝑃1 (cos𝜃) − 𝑃2 (cos𝜃)]
(d) [𝑃0 (cos𝜃) + 𝑃1 (cos𝜃)]
Q10. The generating function for Hermite polynomial is𝑔(𝑡, 𝑥) = 𝑒 −𝑡2+2𝑡𝑥 . The zero of the Hermie
polynomial 𝐻2 (𝑥) on the positive x-axis is
1 1
(a) 2 (b)
√2
1 √3
(c) 4 (d) 2
𝑥(𝑡2 −1)
Q11. The function 𝑒 2𝑡 is a generating function of
(a) Hermite polynomials
(b) Legendre polynomials
(c) Laguerre polynomials
(d) Bessel functions
Q12. The value of 𝐽1/2 (𝑥) is
2 2
(a) √𝜋𝑥 cos 𝑥 (b) √𝜋𝑥 sin 𝑥

𝜋𝑥 𝜋𝑥
(c) √ 2 cos 𝑥 (d) √ 2 sin 𝑥

Q13. Which of the following is true ?

3
(a) 𝐽5/2 (𝑥) = 𝑥 𝐽3/2 (𝑥) − 𝐽1/2 (𝑥)
𝑥
(b) 𝐽5/2 (𝑥) = 3 𝐽3/2 (𝑥) − 𝐽1/2 (𝑥)
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 70

3
(c) 𝐽5/2 (𝑥) = 𝑥 𝐽3/2 (𝑥) + 𝐽1/2 (𝑥)
𝑥
(d) 𝐽5/2 (𝑥) = 3 𝐽3/2 (𝑥) + 𝐽1/2 (𝑥)
Q14. Legendre polynomial 𝑃𝑛 (𝑥) for order 𝑛 = 0 has, for any value of x, value
(a) 0 (b) ∞
(c) 1 (d) none of these
Q15. For 𝑃𝑛 (𝑥), which of the following is true ?
1 𝑑𝑛
(a) 𝑃𝑛 (𝑥) = 2𝑛𝑛! 𝑑𝑥 𝑛 (𝑥 2 + 1)𝑛
1 𝑑𝑛
(b) 𝑃𝑛 (𝑥) = 2𝑛𝑛! 𝑑𝑥 𝑛 (1 − 𝑥 2 )𝑛
1 𝑑𝑛
(c) 𝑃𝑛 (𝑥) = 2𝑛𝑛! 𝑑𝑥 𝑛 (𝑥 2 − 1)𝑛
1 𝑑𝑛
(d) 𝑃𝑛 (𝑥) = 2𝑛𝑛! 𝑑𝑥 𝑛 (𝑥 − 1)𝑛
Q16. The value of the Legendre polynomial 𝑃𝑛 (𝑥) for 𝑛 = 3, is
5𝑥 3 +3𝑥 5𝑥 3 +3𝑥
(a) ( ) (b) ( )
2 1
5𝑥 3 −3𝑥 5𝑥 3 −3𝑥
(c) ( ) (d) ( )
2 1

Q17. One of the following recurrence relations is correct for the Hermite polynomial 𝐻𝑛 (𝑥) :
(a) 𝐻𝑛′ (𝑥) = 2(𝑛 + 1)𝐻𝑛+1 (𝑥)
(b) 𝐻𝑛′ (𝑥) = 2(𝑛 − 1)𝐻𝑛−1 (𝑥)
(c) 𝐻𝑛′ (𝑥) = 2𝑛𝐻𝑛+1 (𝑥)
(d) 𝐻𝑛′ (𝑥) = 2𝑛𝐻𝑛−1 (𝑥)
2 2
Q18. The value of the Bessal functions [𝐽1/2 (𝑥)] + [𝐽−1/2 (𝑥)] is one of the following:
2 𝜋𝑥
(a) 𝜋𝑥 (b) 2

2 𝜋𝑥
(c) √𝜋𝑥 (d) √ 2

Q19. The generating functional for the Bessel function is:

−1 )
(a) 𝑒 𝑥(𝑧+𝑧 = ∑+∞
𝑛=−∞ 𝐽𝑛 (𝑥)𝑧
𝑛

−1 )
(b) 𝑒 𝑥(𝑧−𝑧 = ∑+∞
𝑛=−∞ 𝐽𝑛 (𝑥)𝑧
𝑛

𝑥(𝑧+𝑧−1 )
(c) 𝑒 2 = ∑+∞
𝑛=−∞ 𝐽𝑛 (𝑥)𝑧
𝑛

𝑥(𝑧−𝑧−1 )
(d) 𝑒 2 = ∑+∞
𝑛=−∞ 𝐽𝑛 (𝑥)𝑧
𝑛

Q20. One of the following is true :

𝑑
(a) 𝑑𝑥 [𝑥 𝑛 𝐽𝑛 (𝑥)] = 𝑥 𝑛−1 𝐽𝑛−1 (𝑥)
𝑑
(b) 𝑑𝑥 [𝑥 𝑛 𝐽𝑛 (𝑥)] = 𝑥 𝑛+1 𝐽𝑛−1 (𝑥)
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 71

𝑑
(c) 𝑑𝑥 [𝑥 𝑛 𝐽𝑛 (𝑥)] = 𝑥 𝑛 𝐽𝑛+1 (𝑥)
𝑑
(d) 𝑑𝑥 [𝑥 𝑛 𝐽𝑛 (𝑥)] = 𝑥 𝑛 𝐽𝑛−1 (𝑥)
𝑑2 𝑦 𝑑𝑦
Q21. In the Bessel equation 𝑥 2 𝑑𝑥 2 + (𝑥 2 − 𝑛2 )𝑦 + 𝑥 𝑑𝑥 = 0
(a) 𝑥 = 1 is a regular singular point
(b) 𝑥 = 1 is an irregular singular point
(c) 𝑥 = 0 is a regular singular point
(d) 𝑥 = 0 is an irregular singular point
Q22. The Wronskian 𝑊(𝑦1 , 𝑦2 ) for the two solutions 𝑦1 (𝑥) and 𝑦2 (𝑥) of the second order differential
equation is
𝑑𝑦1
(a) 𝑊 = 𝑦1 𝑦2′ − 𝑦2 𝑦1′ (𝑦1′ = )
𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑦2
(b) 𝑊 = 𝑦1 𝑦2′ + 𝑦2 𝑦1′ (𝑦2′ = )
𝑑𝑥

(c) 𝑊 = 𝑦1 𝑦2′ 𝑎 − 𝑦1′ 𝑦2′

(d) 𝑊 = 𝑦1 𝑦2′ + 𝑦1′ 𝑦2′
𝑥 1
Q23. The coefficient of 𝑡 𝑛 in the expansion of the function 𝑒 2(𝑡− 𝑡 ) is called
(a) The Legendre function
(b) The Bessel function of first kind of order n
(c) Laugurre function
(d) Hermite polynomial of order n
Q24. 𝐻𝑛−1 (𝑥) + 𝐻𝑛+1 (𝑥) equals (where terms have their usual meaning)
2𝑛
(a) 𝐻𝑛 (𝑥) (b) 2𝑛𝐻𝑛 (𝑥)
𝑥

(c) 2𝐻𝑛′ (𝑥) (d) 𝐻𝑛+2 (𝑥)

𝑑2 𝑦 𝑑𝑦
Q25. In the equation 𝑥 2 𝑑𝑥 2 + 𝑥 𝑑𝑥 + (𝑞 2 𝑥 2 − 𝑚2 )𝑦 = 0
(a) 𝑥 = 0 and 𝑥 = ∞ are ordinary points
(b) 𝑥 = 0 and 𝑥 = ∞ are regular singular points
(c) 𝑥 = 0 is a regular singular point and 𝑥 = ∞ is an irregular singular point
(d) 𝑥 = 0 and 𝑥 = ∞ are irregular singular points
𝑑2 𝑦 𝑑𝑦
Q26. One of the solutions of the equation (1 − 𝑥 2 ) 𝑑𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 𝑑𝑥 + 12𝑦 = 0 is
(a) 𝐻4 (𝑥) (b) 𝑃3 (𝑥)
(c) 𝐿4 (𝑥) (d) 𝐽4 (𝑥)
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 72

ANSWER KEYS

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

6. (a) 7. (a) 8. (a) 9. (a) 10. (b)

11. (d) 12. (b) 13. (a) 14. (c) 15. (c)

16. (c) 17. (d) 18. (a) 19. (d) 20. (d)

21. (c) 22. (a) 23. (b) 24. (a) 25. (c)

26. (b)
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 73

MISCELLANEOUS QUESTIONS
Q1. Given the equations 𝐻 ′ = −𝑎𝐺 and 𝐺 ′ = 𝑏𝐻, 𝐺 can have oscillatory solutions
(a) ∀𝑎, 𝑏
(b) for no choice of a,b
(c) If 𝑎 < 0 and 𝑏 > 0
(d) 𝑎 < 0 and 𝑏 < 0
𝑑2 𝑦
Q2. Consider a forced harmonic oscillator which obeys the differential equation, 𝑑𝑡 2 + 𝑦 = sin𝑡.
Which one of the following is the solution of the differential equation with initial condition
𝑦(0) = 0 ?
(a) 𝑦(𝑡) = 6sin𝑡
𝑡
(b) 𝑦(𝑡) = 12sin𝑡 + 2 cos𝑡
𝑡
(c) 𝑦(𝑡) = 12sin𝑡 − 2 cos𝑡
𝑡
(d) 𝑦(𝑡) = 6cos𝑡 − 2 cos𝑡
Q3. The solution of the differential equation
𝑑𝑦 2 𝑦
+ =0
𝑑𝑥 3 𝑥
with the condition 𝑦 = 2 when 𝑥 = 3 is given by
(a) 𝑥 2 𝑦 3 = 72 (b) 𝑥 2 𝑦 3 = 108
(c) 𝑥 3 𝑦 2 = 108 (d) 𝑥 3 𝑦 2 = 72
𝑑𝑦 1
Q4. From the solution of the differential equation: = 1+𝑥 2 what can you regarding the following
𝑑𝑥
series?
1 1 1 1
1− + − + +⋯
3 5 7 9
(a) The series is divergent
(b) The series is absolutely convergent
𝜋
(c) The series converges to 4
(d) The series converges to 0
Q5. Consider the system of differential equations
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦
= −𝑦, =𝑥
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡
Plotting the various solutions in the 𝑥, 𝑦 -plane one obtains
(a) Hyperbola
(b) Parabola
(c) Circles
(d) Straight lines
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 74

𝑑2 𝑥 𝑑𝑥
Q6. In order to obtain the solution of the initial value problem of the equation of motion, 𝑑𝑡 2 + 5 𝑑𝑡 +
16𝑥 = 0.
How many initial conditions are required?
(a) 0 (b) 1
(c) 2 (c) 3
𝑑4 𝑢
Q7. The general solution of the linear differential equation, 𝑑𝑥 4 = 0 is, 𝑢(𝑥) equal to
(a) 0
(b) 𝑐3 𝑡 + 𝑐4
(c) 𝑐2 𝑡 2 + 𝑐3 𝑡 + 𝑐4
(d) 𝑐1 𝑡 3 + 𝑐2 𝑡 2 + 𝑐3 𝑡 + 𝑐4
Q8. The regular singular points of the associated Legendre differential equation in the finite domain
are
(a) 1, −1 (b) 0
(c) ∞ (d) 2
𝑑2 𝑦
Q9. The Wronskian of the linearly independent solutions of the differential equation + 4𝑦 = 0
𝑑𝑥 2
is:
(a) Constant (b) 0
(c) ∞ (d) Undetermined
𝑑𝑦
Q10. The solution of the differential equation 𝑥 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑦 = 1, given the condition 𝑦 = 0 at 𝑥 = 1 is
(a) 𝑦 = (1 − 𝑥 2 )ℓ𝑛𝑥
𝑥 2 −1 −𝑥
(b) 𝑦 = 𝑒
𝑥
𝑥−1
(c) 𝑦 = 𝑥

(d) 𝑦 = sinh(𝑥)
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 75

ANSWER KEYS

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

6. (c) 7. (d) 8. (a) 9. (a) 10. (c)

PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 76

FOURIER SERIES, FOURIER & LAPLACE TRANSFORM

IIT JAM PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q1. A periodic function can be expressed I a Fourier series of the form, 𝑓(𝑥) =
∑∞
𝑛=0(𝑎𝑛 𝑐𝑜𝑠( 𝑛𝑥) + 𝑏𝑛 𝑠𝑖𝑛( 𝑛𝑥)).

The functions 𝑓1 (𝑥) = cos2 𝑥 and 𝑓2 (𝑥) = sin2 𝑥 are expanded in their respective Fourier series.
(1) (1)
If the coefficients for the first series are 𝑎𝑛 and 𝑏𝑛 , and the coefficients for the second series
(2) (2)
are 𝑎𝑛 and 𝑏𝑛 , respectively, then which of the following is correct?
(1) 1 (2) −1
(a) 𝑎2 = 2 and 𝑏2 = 2
(1) 1 (2) −1
(b) 𝑏2 = 2 and 𝑎2 = 2
(1) 1 (2) −1
(c) 𝑎2 = 2 and 𝑎2 = 2
(1) 1 (2) −1
(d) 𝑏2 = 2 and 𝑏2 = 2

Q2. 𝑓(𝑥) is a periodic function of x with a period of 2𝜋. In the interval −𝜋 < 𝑥 < 𝜋, 𝑓(𝑥) is given
by
0, −𝜋 < 𝑥 < 0
𝑓(𝑥) = {
sin𝑥, 0<𝑥<𝜋
In the expansion of 𝑓(𝑥) as a Fourier series of sine and cosine functions, the coefficients of
cos(2𝑥) is:
2 1
(a) 3𝜋 (b) 𝜋
2
(c) 0 (d) − 3𝜋
Q3. In the Fourier series of the periodic function (shown in the figure)

𝑓(𝑥) = |sin𝑥| = ∑[𝛼𝑛 cos 𝑛𝑥 + 𝛽𝑛 sin 𝑛𝑥]

𝑛=0

Which of the following coefficients are nonzero?

(a) 𝛼𝑛 for odd n (b) 𝛼𝑛 for even n
(c) 𝛽𝑛 for odd n (d) 𝛽𝑛 for even n
𝑎0
Q4. The Fourier series for an arbitrary periodic function with period 2L is given by𝑓(𝑥) = +
2
𝑛𝜋𝑥 𝑛𝜋𝑥
∑∞ ∞
𝑛=1 𝑎𝑛 cos 𝐿 + ∑𝑛=1 𝑏𝑛 sin . For the particular periodic function shown in the figure, the
𝐿
value of 𝑎0 is
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 77

(a) 0 (b) 0.5

(c) 1 (d) 2
Q5. Fourier series of a given function 𝑓(𝑥) in the interval 0 to L is
∞ ∞
𝑎0 2𝜋𝑛𝑥 2𝜋𝑛𝑥
𝑓(𝑥) = + ∑ ⬚ 𝑎𝑛 cos ( ) + ∑ ⬚ 𝑏𝑛 sin ( )
2 𝐿 𝐿
𝑛=1 𝑛=1

If 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 in the region (0, 𝜋), 𝑏2 =_________

Q6. For the Fourier series of the following function of period 2𝜋
0 −𝜋 < 𝑥 < 0
𝑓(𝑥) = {
1 0<𝑥<𝜋
the ratio (to the nearest integer) of the Fourier coefficients of the first and the third harmonic is
(a) 1 (b) 2
(c) 3 (d) 6
Q7. Consider a periodic function 𝑓(𝑥), with periodicity 2𝜋
𝑐 0≤𝑥<𝜋
𝑓(𝑥) = {
0 𝜋 ≤ 𝑥 < 2𝜋
where 'c' is a constant.
(a) Expand 𝑓(𝑥) in a Fourier series.
(b) From the result obtained in (a). Show that
𝑥, −𝜋 < 𝑥 < 0
Q8. A 2𝜋 periodic function 𝑓(𝑥) = { is expanded as a Fourier series of the form
−𝜋, 0 < 𝑥 < 𝜋
∞ ∞

𝑎0 + ∑ 𝑎𝑛 cos(𝑛𝑥) + ∑ 𝑏𝑛 sin(𝑛𝑥)
𝑛=1 𝑛=1

Which of the following is TRUE?

(a) 𝑎0 ≠ 0, 𝑏𝑛 = 0 (b) 𝑎0 ≠ 0, 𝑏𝑛 ≠ 0
(c) 𝑎0 = 0, 𝑏𝑛 = 0 (d) 𝑎0 = 0, 𝑏𝑛 ≠ 0
Q9. The function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑒 sin 𝑥 is expanded as a Taylor series in x, around𝑥 = 0, in the form
f ( x) a xn
n 0 n . The value of 𝑎0 + 𝑎1 + 𝑎2 is IIT JAM 2022
3
(a) 0 (b) 2
5
(c) 2 (d) 5
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 78

Q10. A periodic function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 for −𝜋 < 𝑥 < 𝜋 is expanded in a Fourier series. IIT JAM 2023
Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct?
(a) Coefficients of all the sine terms are zero
𝜋2
(b) The first term in the series is 3

(c) The second term in the series is −4cos 𝑥

(d) Coefficients of all the cosine terms are zero

ANSWER KEYS

1. (c) 2. (d) 3. (b) 4. (c) 5. (-0.5)

6. (c) 8. (a) 9. (c) 10. (a, b, c)

PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 79

TIFR PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q1. A function 𝑓(𝑥) is defined in the range −1 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 1 by

1 − 𝑥 for 𝑥 ≥ 0
𝑓(𝑥) = {
1 + 𝑥 for 𝑥 < 0
The first few terms in the Fourier series approximating this function are
1 4 4
(a) 2 + 𝜋2 cos𝜋𝑥 + 9𝜋2 cos3𝜋𝑥 + ⋯
1 4 4
(b) 2 + 𝜋2 sin𝜋𝑥 + 9𝜋2 sin3𝜋𝑥 + ⋯
4 4
(c) 𝜋2 cos𝜋𝑥 + 9𝜋2 cos3𝜋𝑥 + ⋯
1 4 4
(d) 2 − 𝜋2 cos𝜋𝑥 + 9𝜋2 cos3𝜋𝑥 − ⋯
Q2. A student is asked to find a series approximation for the function 𝑓(𝑥) in the domain −1 ≤ 𝑥 ≤
+1, as indicated by the thick line in the figure below.
The student represents the function by a sum of three terms
𝜋𝑥 𝜋𝑥
𝑓(𝑥) ≈ 𝑎0 + 𝑎1 cos + 𝑎2 sin
2 2
Which of the following would be the best choices for the coefficients 𝑎0 , 𝑎1 and 𝑎2 ?
1
(a) 𝑎0 = 1, 𝑎1 = − 3 , 𝑎2 = 0
2 2
(b) 𝑎0 = , 𝑎1 = − , 𝑎2 = 0
3 3
2 2
(c) 𝑎0 = 3 , 𝑎1 = 0, 𝑎2 = − 3
1
(d) 𝑎0 = − 3 , 𝑎1 = 0, 𝑎2 = −1
Q3. Consider the waveform 𝑥(𝑡) shown in the diagram below

The Fourier series for 𝑥(𝑡) which gives the closest approximation to this waveform is
2 𝜋𝑡 1 4𝜋𝑡 1 3𝜋𝑡
(a) 𝑥(𝑡) = 𝜋 [cos − 2 cos + 3 cos +⋯]
𝑇 𝑇 𝑇
2 𝜋𝑡 1 2𝜋𝑡 1 3𝜋𝑡
(b) 𝑥(𝑡) = 𝜋 [−sin + 2 sin − 3 sin +⋯]
𝑇 𝑇 𝑇
2 𝜋𝑡 1 2𝜋𝑡 1 3𝜋𝑡
(c) 𝑥(𝑡) = 𝜋 [sin − 2 sin + 3 sin +⋯]
𝑇 𝑇 𝑇
2 2𝜋𝑡 1 4𝜋𝑡 1 6𝜋𝑡
(d) 𝑥(𝑡) = 𝜋 [−cos + 2 cos − 3 cos +⋯]
𝑇 𝑇 𝑇
∞
Q4. Evaluate the integral: ∫−∞ exp(−𝑥 2 )cos(√2𝑥)𝑑𝑥
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 80

ANSWER KEYS

1. (a) 2. (b) 3. (*) 4. (*)

PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 81

JEST PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q1. The Laplace transformation of 𝑒 −2𝑡 sin4𝑡 is

4 4
(a) 𝑠2 +4𝑠+25 (b) 𝑠2 +4𝑠+20
4𝑠 4𝑠
(c) 𝑠2 +4𝑠+20 (d) 2𝑠2 +4𝑠+20
Q2. The output intensity I of radiation from a single mode of resonant cavity obeys
𝑑 𝜔0
𝐼=− 𝐼
𝑑𝑡 𝑄
where Q is the quality factor of the cavity and 𝜔0 is the resonant frequency. The form of the
frequency spectrum of the output is
(a) Delta function (b) Gaussian
(c) Lorentzian (d) Exponential
1
Q3. The Fourier transform of the function 𝑥 4+3𝑥 2 +2 up to a proportionality constant is

(a) √2exp(−𝑘 2 ) − exp(−2𝑘 2 )

(b) √2exp(−|𝑘|) − exp(−√2|𝑘|)

(c) √2exp (−√|𝑘|) − exp (−√2|𝑘|)

(d) √2exp(−√2𝑘 2 ) − exp(−2𝑘 2 )

Q4. The function 𝑓(𝑥) = cosh𝑥 which exists in the range −𝜋 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 𝜋, is periodically repeated
between 𝑥 = (2𝑚 − 1)𝜋 and (2𝑚 + 1)𝜋 where 𝑚 = −∞ to ∞. Using Fourier series, undicate
the correct relation a 𝑥 = 0.
(−1)𝑛 1 𝜋
(a) ∑∞
𝑛=−∞ 1−𝑛2 = 2 (cosh𝜋 − 1)

(−1)𝑛 𝜋
(b) ∑∞
𝑛=−∞ 1−𝑛2 = 2 cosh𝜋

(−1)𝑛 𝜋
(c) ∑∞
𝑛=−∞ 1+𝑛2 = 2 sinh𝜋

(−1)𝑛 1 𝜋
(d) ∑∞
𝑛=1 1+𝑛2 = 2 (sinh𝜋 − 1)

Q5. The Laplace transform of (sin(𝑎𝑡) − 𝑎𝑡cos(𝑎𝑡))/(2𝑎3 ) is

2𝑎𝑠 𝑠2 −𝑎2
(a) (𝑠2 +𝑎2)2 (b) (𝑠2+𝑎2 )2
1 1
(c) (𝑠+𝑎)2 (d) (𝑠2+𝑎2 )2

Q6. If 𝑓(𝑡) is a real and even function of t, which one of the following statements is true about its
Fourier transform 𝐹(𝜔) (here * indicates complex conjugation)? JEST 2020
(a) 𝐹 ∗ (𝜔) = −𝐹(𝜔) (b) 𝐹 ∗ (𝜔) = 𝐹(𝜔)
(c) 𝐹(−𝜔) = 𝐹(𝜔) (d) 𝐹(−𝜔) = 𝐹 ∗ (𝜔)
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 82

Q7. Evaluate the integral to the nearest integer JEST 2021

 dt
I = 100 exp ( −t ) − exp ( −10t ) 
0 t

ANSWER KEYS

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

6. (b) 7. (0230)
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 83

DU PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q1. A periodic function can be expressed in the form

𝑓(𝑥) = ∑[𝑎2𝑛 cos(𝑥) + 𝑎2𝑛+1 sin(𝑥)]

𝑛=0

If this function is given to be 𝑓(𝑥) = |sin(𝑥)|, which of the following statement is correct?
(a) 𝑎2𝑛 = 0 for all n
(b) 𝑎2𝑛+1 = 0 for all n
(c) 𝑎𝑛 = 0 for all n
(d) 𝑎𝑛 = 0 for all n other than 𝑛 = 1
Q2. The Fourier transform of a function 𝑓(𝑡) is denoted by 𝐹̃ (𝜔). Let the complex conjugate of 𝐹̃ (𝜔)
be denoted by 𝐹̃ ′∗′ (𝜔). If 𝑓(𝑡) is real, then:
(a) 𝐹̃ (𝜔) = 𝐹̃ ′∗′ (−𝜔)
(b) 𝐹̃ (𝜔) = 𝐹̃ ′∗′ (𝜔)
1
(c) 𝐹̃ (𝜔) = 𝐹̃ ′∗′ (𝜔)
−1
(d) 𝐹̃ (𝜔) = 𝐹̃ ′∗′ ( 𝜔 )
Q3. Let 𝐹(𝜔) be the Fourier transform of 𝑓(𝑡) and 𝐺(𝜔) be the Fourier transform of 𝑔(𝑡) =
𝑓(𝑡 + 𝑎). The 𝐺(𝜔) and 𝐹(𝜔) are related, with one another as
(a) 𝐺(𝜔) = 𝑒 −𝑖(𝑎+1)𝜔 𝐹(𝜔)
(b) 𝐺(𝜔) = 𝑒 −𝑖𝑎𝜔 𝐹(𝜔)
(c) 𝐺(𝜔) = 𝑒 +𝑖𝜔𝑡 𝐹(𝜔)
(d) 𝐺(𝜔) = 𝑒 +𝑖𝜔(𝑡+𝑎) 𝐹(𝜔)
∞
Q4. The Laplace transforms 𝐿{𝑓(𝑡)} = ∫0 𝑒 −𝑠𝑡 𝑓(𝑡)𝑑𝑡 of cosh(𝑘𝑡) and sinh(𝑘𝑡) are given as
𝑘 𝑠
(a) 𝐿{cos h 𝑘𝑡} = 𝑠2 +𝑘 2 and 𝐿{sin h 𝑘𝑡} = 𝑠2 +𝑘 2
𝑠 𝑘
(b) 𝐿{cos h 𝑘𝑡} = and 𝐿{sin h 𝑘𝑡} =
𝑠2 +𝑘 2 𝑠2 +𝑘 2
𝑘 𝑠
(c) 𝐿{cos h 𝑘𝑡} = 𝑠2 −𝑘 2 and 𝐿{sin h 𝑘𝑡} = 𝑠2 −𝑘 2
𝑠 𝑘
(d) 𝐿{cos h 𝑘𝑡} = 𝑠2 −𝑘 2 and 𝐿{sin h 𝑘𝑡} = 𝑠2 −𝑘 2
Q5. The Fourier series of a periodic function (with period 2𝜋) is given by
𝑎0
𝑓(𝑥) = + ∑∞
𝑛=1(𝑎𝑛 cos 𝑛𝑥 + 𝑏𝑛 sin 𝑛𝑥)
2

If 𝑓(𝑥) is defined by
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 84

𝜋 𝜋
𝑥 if − <𝑥<
2 2
𝑓(𝑥) = { 𝜋 3𝜋
𝜋−𝑥 if <𝑥<
2 2
then 𝑎0 is equal to
(a) 0 (b) 2𝜋
(c) 1 (d) −2𝜋

ANSWER KEYS

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

PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 85

HCU PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q1. The Fourier series of the functions

−1, −𝜋/𝜔 < 𝑡 < 0
𝐹(𝑡) = {
+1, 0 < 𝑡 < 𝜋/𝜔
in the interval −𝜋/𝜔 < 𝑡 < 𝜋/𝜔 can be written as
4 sin(𝑛𝜔𝑡)
(a) 𝜋 ∑∞
𝑛=1 𝑛
4 cos(𝑛𝜔𝑡)
(b) 𝜋 ∑∞
𝑛=1 𝑛
4 sin(𝑛𝜔𝑡) 4 cos(𝑛𝜔𝑡)
(c) ∑∞
𝑛=1 + ∑∞
𝑛=1
𝜋 𝑛 𝜋 𝑛
4 sin(𝑛𝜔𝑡)
(d) ∑∞
𝑛=1,3,5
𝜋 𝑛

ANSWER KEYS

1. (d)
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 86

BHU PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

(𝜋−𝑥)2
Q1. The first term in the Fourier series of 𝑓(𝑥) = , in the range (−𝜋 < 𝑥 < 𝜋), is
4
𝜋 𝜋2
(a) 12 (b) 6
𝜋 𝜋2
(c) 6 (d) 12
Q2. Consider the following triangular periodic wave of period T.
The first term in the Fourier series of this triangular periodic wave is

𝑎
(a) a (b) 2
𝑎
(c) −𝑎 (d) − 2
Q3. The Fourier coefficients of the function
0 for −𝐿 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 0
𝑓(𝑥) = {
1 for 0≤𝑥≤𝐿
expanded in Fourier series are
1
(a) 𝑎0 = 1, 𝑎𝑛 = 0, 𝑏𝑛 = 𝑛𝜋 [1 − (−1)𝑛 ]
(b) 𝑎0 = 1, 𝑎𝑛 = [1 − (−1)𝑛 ], 𝑏𝑛 = 0
(c) 𝑎0 = −1, 𝑎𝑛 = 0, 𝑏𝑛 = 0
1
(d) 𝑎0 = 1, 𝑎𝑛 = 1, 𝑏𝑛 = 𝑛𝜋 [1 − (−1)𝑛 ]

ANSWER KEYS

1. (d) 2. (d) 3. (a)

PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 87

MISCELLANEOUS QUESTIONS

Q1. Consider the periodic function 𝑓(𝑡) with time period T as shown in the figure below:

1
The spikes are located at 𝑡 = 2 (2𝑛 − 1), where 𝑛 = 0, ±1, ±2 …, are Dirac delta functions of
strength ±1. The amplitudes 𝑎𝑛 in the Fourier expansion 𝑓(𝑡) = ∑∞ 𝑛=−∞ 𝑎𝑛 𝑒
𝑖2𝜋𝑛𝑡/𝑇
are given
by
1 𝑛𝜋
(a) (−1)𝑛 (b) 𝑛𝜋 sin 2
𝑛𝜋
(c) 𝑖sin (d) 𝑛𝜋
2

Q2. 𝑓(𝑥) symmetric periodic function of x i.e. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓(−𝑥). Then, in general, the Fourier series of
the function 𝑓(𝑥) will be of the form
(a) 𝑓(𝑥) = ∑∞
𝑛=1(𝑎𝑛 cos 𝑛𝑘𝑥 + 𝑏𝑛 sin 𝑛𝑘𝑥)

(b) 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎0 + ∑∞
𝑛=1(𝑎𝑛 cos 𝑛𝑘𝑥)

(c) 𝑓(𝑥) = ∑∞
𝑛=1(𝑏𝑛 sin 𝑛𝑘𝑥)

(d) 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎0 + ∑∞
𝑛=1(𝑏𝑛 sin 𝑛𝑘𝑥)

Q3. A periodic function 𝑓(𝑥) of period 2𝜋 is defined in the interval (−𝜋 < 𝑥 < 𝜋) as:
−1 for − 𝜋 < 𝑥 < 0
𝑓(𝑥) = {
1 for 0 < 𝑥 < 𝜋
The approximate Fourier series expansion for 𝑓(𝑥) is
4 1 1
(a) 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝜋 [sin 𝑥 + 3 sin 3𝑥 + 5 sin 5𝑥+. . . . . . . . ]
4 1 1
(b) 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝜋 [sin 𝑥 − 3 sin 3𝑥 + 5 sin 5𝑥 − ⋯ … … ]
4 1 1
(c) 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝜋 [cos 𝑥 + 3 cos 3𝑥 + 5 cos 5𝑥 + ⋯ … . . ]
4 1 1
(d) 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝜋 [cos 𝑥 − 3 cos 3𝑥 + 5 cos 5𝑥 − ⋯ … … ]

ANSWER KEYS

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

PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 88

PROBABILITY
TIFR PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q1. A 100 page book is known to have 200 printing errors distributed randomly through the pages.
The probability that one of the pages will be found to be completely free of errors is closest to
(a) 67% (b) 50%
(c) 25% (d) 13%
Q2. The probability function for a variable x which assumes only positive values is
𝑥
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥exp (− )
𝜆
where 𝜆 > 0. The ratio ⟨𝑥⟩/𝑥̂, where 𝑥̂ is the most probable value and ⟨𝑥⟩ is the mean value of
the variable x, is
1+𝜆
(a) 2 (b) 1−𝜆
1
(c) 𝜆 (d) 1
Q3. A random number generator outputs +1 or −1 with equal probability every time it is run. After
it is run 6 times, what is the probability that the sum of the answers generated is zero? Assume
that the individual runs are independent of each other.
(a) 1/2 (b) 5/6
(c) 5/16 (d) 15/32
Q4. In a triangular lattice a particle moves from a lattice point to any of its 6 neighbouring points
with equal probability, as shown in the figure on the right.

The probability that the particle is back at its starting point after 3 moves is
(a) 5/18 (b) 1/6
(c) 1/18 (d) 1/36
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 89

ANSWER KEYS

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

PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 90

JEST PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q1. An unbiased die is cast twice. The probability that the positive difference (bigger-smaller)
between the two numbers is 2 is
(a) 1/9 (b) 2/9
(c) 1/6 (d) 1/3
Q2. A box contains 100 coins out of which 99 fair coins and 1 is a double-headed coin. Suppose you
choose a coin at random and toss it 3 times. It turns out that the results of all 3 tosses are heads.
What is the probability that the coin you have drawn is the double-headed one?
(a) 0.99 (b) 0.925
(c) 0.075 (d) 0.01
Q3. There are on average 20 buses per hour at a point, but at random times. The probability that there
are no buses in five minutes is closest to
(a) 0.07 (b) 0.60
(c) 0.36 (d) 0.19
Q4. Two drunks start out together at the origin, each having equal probability of making a step
simultaneously to the left or right along the x-axis. The probability that they meet after n step is
1 2𝑛! 1 2𝑛!
(a) 4𝑛 𝑛!2 (b) 2𝑛 𝑛!2
1 1
(c) 2𝑛 2𝑛! (d) 4𝑛 𝑛!

Q5. If the distribution function of x is 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥𝑒 −𝑥/𝜆 over the interval 0 < 𝑥 < ∞, then mean value
of x is
(a) 𝜆 (b) 2𝜆
(c) 𝜆/2 (d) 0
Q6. If two ideal dice are rolled once, what is the probability of getting at least one '6'?
(a) 11/36 (b) 1/36
(c) 10/36 (d) 5/36
Q7. You receive on average 5 emairs per day during a 365-days year. The number of days on average
on which you do not receive any emails in that year are
(a) More than 5 (b) More than 2
(c) 1 (d) None of the above
1
Q8. The mean value of random variable x with probability density𝑝(𝑥) = 𝜎√2𝜋 exp[−(𝑥 2 + 𝜇𝑥)/
2𝜎 2 ], is
(a) 0 (b) 𝜇/2
(c) −𝜇/2 (d) 𝜎
Q9. Suppose that we toss two fair coins hundred times each. The probability that the same number
of heads occur for both coins at the end of the experiment is
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 91

1 100 100
(a) (4) ∑100
𝑛=0 ( )
𝑛
2
1 100 100
(b) 2 (4) ∑100
𝑛=0 ( )
𝑛
2
1 1 100 100
(c) 2 (4) ∑100
𝑛=0 ( )
𝑛
2
1 100 100
(d) (4) ∑100
𝑛=0 ( )
𝑛
Q10. The persons named A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J have come for an interview. They are being called
one by one to the interview panel at random. What is the probability that C gives interview before
A and A gives before F ? JEST 2020
1 1 1 1
(a) 6 (b) 10 (c) 8 (d) 4
3
Q11. If x and y have the joint probability distribution 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) = 4 + 𝑥𝑦 for 0 < 𝑥, 𝑦 < 1, and
1
𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) = 0 otherwise. What is the probability that y assumes a value greater than 2, given that
1
x is equal to 2 ? JEST 2020
6 7 8 9
(a) 16 (b) 16 (c) 16 (d) 16
Q12. The six faces of a cube are painted violet, blue, red, green, yellow and orange. If the cube is
rolled 4 times, what is the probability that the green face appears exactly 3 times? JEST 2021
3 5
(a) 24 (b) 124
5 15
(c) 324 (d) 222
P
Q13. The probability that you get a sum m from a throw of two identical fair dice is m . If the dice
have 6 (six) faces labeled by 1,2,…6, which of the following statements is correct ?
P9 = P5 P9 = P4
(a) (b)
P9 = P3 P9 = P6
(c) (d)
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 92

ANSWER KEYS

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

6. (a) 7. (b) 8. (c) 9. (*) 10. (a)

11. (d) 12. (c) 13. (a)

PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 93

JNU PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q1. Three dics with faces marked 1,2, … … … .6 are thrown together. Assuming that they are
unbiased, what is the probability that the sum of the numbers that turn is 15 ?
(a) 1/108 (b) 3/108
(c) 5/108 (d) 7/108

ANSWER KEYS

1. (c)
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 94

HCU PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q1. If one person speaks the truth in 70% of the cases and another in 80% of the cases, then the
probability that they will contradict each other in describing a single event is
(a) 0.36 (b) 0.38
(c) 0.40 (d) 0.42
Q2. A number is choosen at random from the set of integers {1,2, … ,1000}. What is the probability
that it is divisible by 3 or 5 ? [i.e., either 3 or 5 or both]
(a) 0.333 (b) 0.2
(c) 0.1 (d) 0.467
Q3. If a bag contains blue, green and red marbles, all but 15 are blue, all but 13 are red and all by
How many are red?
(a) 13 (b) 7
(c) 8 (d) 20

ANSWER KEYS

1. (b) 2. (d) 3. (b)

PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 95

BHU PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q1. The probability of drawing two aces in succession from a pack of 52 cards is
2 2
(a) 26 (b) 13
1 1
(c) 221 (d) 169
Q2. Two non-interacting particles are distributed in three distinct states. Let 𝑃𝑐 be the probability for
both of them in the same state in case particles are distinguishable and 𝑃𝑏 the probability for
them to be in the same state in case they are indistinguishable bosons. The ratio 𝑃𝑐 /𝑃𝑏 is
3
(a) 2 (b) 1
2 1
(c) 3 (d) 3
Q3. A card is drawn a pack containing 52 cards with 4 aces and another card is drawn from a pack
of 48 cards with 8 aces. What is the probability that both are aces?
4 8
(a) 52 (b) 48
32 1
(c) 52×48 (d) 78
Q4. In a coded telegram, the letters are arranged in groups of 5 letters called 'words'. How many
different such words are there which contains each letter at most once ?
26! 26!
(a) {26−5}! (b) 5!
26!
(c) 5!{26−5}! (d) {26 − 5}!

Q5. In a random walk problem, if the probability that a particle is found between x to 𝑥 + 𝑑𝑥 is given
2
as 𝑃(𝑥) = 𝑒 −𝜋𝑥 , the mean 𝑥(𝑥̄ ) is
(a) 0 (b) 1
(c) 𝜋 (d) none of these
Q6. If the probability in a total number of N steps making 𝑛1 steps to the right and 𝑛2 steps to the left
is described by a binomial distribution, the mean number (𝑛1 ) is proportional to
(a) N (b) 𝑁 −1
(c) 𝑁1/2 (d) none of these
Q7. The probability distribution of a variable x in the range −∞ and +∞ is given by𝑃(𝑥) =
2
10𝑒 −(2𝑥 −4𝑥−6) . The maximum probability will correspond to
(a) 𝑥 = 1 (b) 𝑥 = 0
(c) 𝑥 = 3 (d) 𝑥 = −1
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 96

ANSWER KEYS

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

6. (a) 7. (a)
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 97

COMPLEX ANALYSIS
IIT JAM PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q1. The value of √𝑖 + √−𝑖, where 𝑖 = √−1, is

1
(a) 0 (b)
√2

(c) √2 (d) −√2

Q2. The phase of the complex number (1 + 𝑖)𝑖 in the polar representation is
𝜋 𝜋
(a) 4 (b) 2
3𝜋 5𝜋
(c) (d)
4 4
1
Q3. Which one of the following points represent the complex number = 1−𝑖 ?

3+𝑖 2
Q4. The value of |∫0 (𝑧̄ )2 𝑑𝑧| , along the line 3𝑦 = 𝑥, where 𝑧 = 𝑥 + 𝑖𝑦 is__________.
(Round off to 1 decimal place)
Q5. The equation 𝑧 2 + 𝑧̄ 2 = 4 in the complex plane (where 𝑧̄ is the complex conjugate of z)
represents IIT JAM 2022
(a) Ellipse (b) Hyperbola
(c) Circle of radius 2 (d) Circle of radius 4
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 98

Q6. The roots of the polynomial, 𝑓(𝑧) = 𝑧 4 − 8𝑧 3 + 27𝑧 2 − 38𝑧 + 26, are 𝑧1 , 𝑧2 , 𝑧3 , & 𝑧4, where
𝑧 is a complex variable. Which of the following statements is correct? IIT JAM 2024
𝑧1 +𝑧2 +𝑧3 +𝑧4 4 𝑧1 +𝑧2 +𝑧3 +𝑧4 4
(a) = − 19 (b) = 13
𝑧1 𝑧2 𝑧3 𝑧4 𝑧1 𝑧2 𝑧3 𝑧4
𝑧1 𝑧2 𝑧3 𝑧4 26 𝑧1 𝑧2 𝑧3 𝑧4 13
(c) 𝑧 = − 27 (d) 𝑧 = 19
1 +𝑧2 +𝑧3 +𝑧4 1 +𝑧2 +𝑧3 +𝑧4

ANSWER KEYS

1. (c) 2. (c) 3. (a) 4. (111.0 to 111.2)

5. (b) 6. (b)
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 99

TIFR PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q1. If 𝑧 = 𝑥 + 𝑖𝑦 then the function 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) = (1 + 𝑥 + 𝑦)(1 + 𝑥 − 𝑦) + 𝑎(𝑥 2 − 𝑦 2 ) − 1 +

2𝑖𝑦(1 − 𝑥 − 𝑎𝑥) where a is a real parameter, is analytic in the complex z plane if a is equal to
(a) −1 (b) +1
(c) 0 (d) i
∞ 𝑑𝑥
Q2. The integral ∫0 4+𝑥 4 evaluates to
𝜋
(a) 𝜋 (b) 2
𝜋 𝜋
(c) 4 (d) 8
2𝜋 𝑑𝜃
Q3. The integral ∫0 where 0 < 𝑎 < 1, evaluates to
1−2𝑎cos𝜃+𝑎2
2𝜋 2𝜋
(a) 1−𝑎2 (b) 1+𝑎2
4𝜋
(c) 2𝜋 (d) 1−𝑎2
Sin𝑧
Q4. The value of the integral ∮𝐶 𝑑𝑧, where C is the circle with centre 𝑧 = 0 and radius 1 unit
𝑧6
𝑖𝜋
(a) 𝑖𝜋 (b) 120
𝑖𝜋 𝑖𝜋
(c) 60 (d) − 6
∞ 𝑑𝑥
Q5. The value of the integral ∫0 , is
𝑥 4 +4
𝜋
(a) 𝜋 (b) 2
𝜋 𝜋
(c) 4 (d) 8
1 ∞ cos 𝑥
Q6. The value of the integral 𝜋 ∫−∞ 𝑥 2 +𝑎2 𝑑𝑥 is
1 1
(a) 2𝑎 (b) 2𝜋𝑎
(c) 𝜋𝑎 𝑒𝑥𝑝( − 𝑎) (d) 𝑒𝑥𝑝( − 𝑎)/𝑎

ANSWER KEYS

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

6. (*)
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 100

JEST PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

∞ ln 𝑥
Q1. The value of integral ∫0 (𝑥 2 +1)2
𝑑𝑥 is
𝜋
(a) 0 (b) − 4
𝜋 𝜋
(c) − 2 (d) 2
Re(𝑧 2 )+Im(𝑧 2 )
Q2. Compute lim ⬚
𝑧→0 𝑧2

(a) the limit does not exist

(b) 1
(c) −𝑖
(d) −1
sin𝑧
Q3. The value of integral 𝐼 = ∮ 𝑐 2𝑧−𝜋 𝑑𝑧 with c a is circle |𝑧| = 2, is
(a) 0 (b) 2𝜋
(c) 𝜋𝑖 (d) −𝜋𝑖
𝑧 10 +1
Q4. The value of limit lim is equal to
𝑧→𝑖 𝑧 6 +1

(a) 1 (b) 0
(c) −10/3 (d) 5/3
Q5. Given an analytic function 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝜙(𝑥, 𝑦) + 𝑖. 𝜓(𝑥, 𝑦) where𝜙(𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 − 𝑦 2 + 2𝑦.
If C is a constant, then which of the following relations is true?
(a) 𝜓(𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝑥 2 𝑦 + 4𝑦 + 𝐶
(b) 𝜓(𝑥, 𝑦) = 2𝑥𝑦 − 2𝑥 + 𝐶
(c) 𝜓(𝑥, 𝑦) = 2𝑥𝑦 + 4𝑦 − 2𝑥 + 𝐶
(d) 𝜓(𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝑥 2 𝑦 − 2𝑥 + 𝐶
∞ ln 𝑥
Q6. The value of the integral ∫0 (𝑥 2 +1)
𝑑𝑥 is
𝜋2 𝜋2
(a) (b)
4 2

(c) 𝜋 2 (d) 0
Q7. Which one is the image of the complex domain {𝑧 ∣ 𝑥𝑦 ≥ 1, 𝑥 + 𝑦 > 0}. under the mapping
𝑓(𝑧) = 𝑧 2 , if 𝑧 = 𝑥 + 𝑖𝑦?
(a) {𝑧 ∣ 𝑥𝑦 ≥ 1, 𝑥 + 𝑦 > 0}
(b) {𝑧 ∣ 𝑥 ≥ 2, 𝑥 + 𝑦 > 0}
(c) {𝑧 ∣ 𝑦 ≥ 2∀𝑥}
(d) {𝑧 ∣ 𝑦 ≥ 1∀𝑥}
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 101

∞ √𝑥−1
Q8. The integral 𝐼 = ∫1 𝑑𝑥 is
(1+𝑥)2
𝜋 𝜋
(a) (b) 2√2
√2

√𝜋 𝜋
(c) (d) √ 2
2
∞ cos 𝑥
Q9. The integral, ∫−∞ 𝑥 2 +1 𝑑𝑥 is
𝜋
(a) 𝑒 (b) 𝜋𝑒 −2
(c) 𝜋 (d) zero
Q10. Consider the function 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) = |𝑥| − 𝑖|𝑦|. In which domain of the complex plane is this
function analytic? JEST 2019
(a) First and second quadrants
(b) Second and third quadrants
(c) Second and fourth quadrants
(d) Nowhere
Q11. What is the value of the following contour integral I taken counterclockwise around the circle
|𝑧| = 2 ? JEST 2020
𝑑𝑧
𝐼=∮ 3
𝐶 𝑧 (𝑧 + 4)
𝜋𝑖 𝜋𝑖 𝜋𝑖 𝜋𝑖
(a) (b) 32 (c) 16 (d)
2 4

Q12. Consider a complex function

1
f ( z) =
6 z + 3z 2 + 2 z + 1
3

What is the sum of the residues at its poles? JEST 2022

i 3 4
(a) 7 (b) 7
2
(c) 7 (d) 0
cos ( z )
Q13. Consider a complex number z = x + iy . Where do all the zeros of lie? JEST 2022
(a) On the x = y line. (b) On the x = 0 line.
(c) On the y = 0 line. (d) On the x = –y line.
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 102

ANSWER KEYS

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

6. (d) 7. (c) 8. (b) 9. (a) 10. (c)

11. (b) 12. (a) 13. (a)

PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 103

JNU PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

1
Q1. The function cosh 𝑥 may be expressed around the point 𝑥 = 0 as a power series as
1 1 1
(a) 1 − 2 𝑥 2 + 24 𝑥 4 − 720 𝑥 6 + ⋯
1 5 61
(b) 1 − 2 𝑥 2 + 24 𝑥 4 − 720 𝑥 6 + ⋯
1 11 331
(c) 1 − 2 𝑥 2 + 24 𝑥 4 − 720 𝑥 6 + ⋯
1 1 1
(d) 1 − 2𝑥 2 + 24𝑥 4 − 720𝑥 6 + ⋯
Q2. The contour integral
𝑧𝑑𝑧
∮ 𝐶
(𝑧 − 1)2
where the contour C is a circle of radius 2, is obtained as
(a) 2𝜋𝑖 (b) 0
(c) 𝜋𝑖 (d) 4𝜋𝑖
Q3. What is the residue of the complex function 𝑓(𝑧) = exp(1/𝑧) at 𝑧 = 0 ?
(a) 1 (b) 0
(c) Undefined (d) e
(e) ∞

ANSWER KEYS

1. (b) 2. (a) 3. (a)

PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 104

DU PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q1. Consider the integral of the function 𝑓(𝑧) in the complex plane along the contour C as shown in
the figure. For 𝑓 = [𝑧 2 + 𝑎2 ]−1 , the value of the integral is:

𝜋 2𝜋
(a) 𝑎 (b) 𝑎
𝑖𝜋 𝑖𝜋
(c) 2𝑎 (d) 𝑎
(𝑧−2)
Q2. The function 𝑓(𝑧) = (𝑧 2−4)(𝑧+3)

(a) Has a simple pole at 𝑧 = 2 and a simple pole at 𝑧 = 3

(b) Has a simple pole at 𝑧 = −2 and a simple pole at 𝑧 = −3
(c) Has a pole of order 2 at 𝑧 = 2 and a simple pole at 𝑧 = −3
(d) Has a pole of order 2 at 𝑧 = −2 and a simple pole at 𝑧 = 3
Q3. The complex function 𝑓(𝑧) = 𝑧1/2
(a) Has a simple pole at 𝑧 = 0
(b) Has a pole of order 2 at 𝑧 = 0
(c) Has a branch point
(d) Is analytic in the entire complex plane
Q4. The imaginary part of an analytic function in Cartesian coordinate is 2𝑥𝑦. The real part is given
by
(a) 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 𝑎2
(b) 𝑥 2 − 𝑦 2 = 𝑎2
(c) −𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 𝑎2
(d) −𝑥 2 − 𝑦 2 = 𝑎2
Q5. The Laurent series of a function 𝑓(𝑧) about 𝑧 = 2 is given by
1 1 1 1 𝑧−2
𝑓(𝑧) = 2(𝑧−2)3 − 4(𝑧−2)2 + 8(𝑧−2) − 16 + − ⋯.
32

The order of the pole and the value of the residue are
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 105

1
(a) Order = 3 and Residue = 2
1
(b) Order = 2 and Residue = − 4
1
(c) Order = 1 and Residue = 8
1
(d) Order = 3 and Residue = 8
Q6. In which quadrants of the complex plane, is the function 𝑓(𝑧) = |𝑥| − 𝑖|𝑦| analytic?
(a) Only in the fourth quadrant
(b) Only in the first and third quadrants
(c) Only in the second and fourth quadrants
(d) In all the quadrants
Q7. If 𝑧 = 𝑥 + 𝑖𝑦, then the real part of cos(𝑧) is :
(a) cos(𝑥)cosh(𝑦)
(b) cos(𝑥)cos(𝑦)
(c) sin(𝑥)sinh(𝑦)
(d) −sin(𝑥)sinh(𝑦)
𝑑𝑧
Q8. If C is the unit circle traversed clockwise, then the integral ∫𝐶 𝑧 2−3𝑧 is
𝜋
(a) 0 (b) 3 𝑖
2𝜋 2𝜋
(c) 𝑖 (d) − 𝑖
3 3

ANSWER KEYS

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

6. () 7. (a) 8. (d)
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 106

HCU PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q1. The square roots of (−15 − 8𝑖) are

(a) 1 − 4𝑖, −1 + 4𝑖 (b) 1 + 4𝑖, 1 − 4𝑖
(c) √15 − √8𝑖 (d) 2√2 − √15𝑖
Q2. |𝑧| = 2, where 𝑧 = 𝑥 + 𝑖𝑦, represents a
(a) straight line (b) circle
(c) ellipse (d) parabola
1−𝑖 100
Q3. Given (1+𝑖) = 𝑎 + 𝑖𝑏, the values of a and b are
(a) 𝑎 = 2, 𝑏 = −1
(b) 𝑎 = 0, 𝑏 = 0
(c) 𝑎 = 0, 𝑏 = 1
(d) 𝑎 = −1, 𝑏 = 2
Q4. Let (1 − 2𝑖), (−3 + 4𝑖), (2 + 2𝑖) represent the three vertices A, B, C of a triangle ABC. the
length of the meridian from C to the side AB is
(a) √10 (b) √12
(c) 6 (d) 8
Q5. Which of the following numbers does not lie on the unit circle |𝑧| = 1 ?
1+𝑖 201 1+𝑖 57
(a) ( ) (b) (1−𝑖)
√2

3+4𝑖 1+2𝑖
(c) (2−√21𝑖) (d) √3+2𝑖

Q6. The coefficient of 𝑥 4 in the expansion of √1 + 2𝑥 2 is

(a) −1/2 (b) 15/32
(c) 65/28 (d) −21/128
Q7. The real and imaginary parts of the function 𝑓(𝑧) = 𝑧𝑒 𝑧 where 𝑧 = 𝑥 + 𝑖𝑦 respectively are
(a) 𝑥𝑒 𝑥 ; 𝑦𝑒 𝑦
(b) 𝑥𝑒 𝑦 ; 𝑦𝑒 𝑥
(c) 𝑥cos 𝑦; 𝑦sin 𝑦
(d) [𝑥cos 𝑦 − 𝑦sin 𝑦]𝑒 𝑥 ; [𝑦cos 𝑦 + 𝑥sin 𝑦]𝑒 𝑥
𝜋
Q8. The first three terms in the Taylor series expansion of sin 𝑥 around 𝑥 = are
2
𝜋 3 𝜋 5
𝜋 (𝑥− ) (𝑥− )
(a) (𝑥 − 2 ) − 2
+ 2
3! 5!
𝜋 3 𝜋 5
𝜋 (𝑥− ) (𝑥− )
(b) (𝑥 − 2 ) + 2
+ 4
3! 5!
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 107

𝜋 2 𝜋 4
(𝑥− ) (𝑥− )
(c) 1 − 2
+ 2
2! 4!
𝜋 1 𝜋 2
(d) 1 + (𝑥 − 2 ) + 2! (𝑥 − 2 )
Q9. In the complex z-plane, the equation |𝑧| = 2|𝑧 − 1| represents
(a) a circle of radius 2/3
(b) a circle of radius 1/2
(c) a circle of radius 3/2
(d) a straight line through (0, 0) and (1, 1)
Q10. Given, 𝑧 = 𝑥 + 𝑖𝑦, 𝑒 𝑖𝑧 reduces to
(a) (cos𝑥 + 𝑖sin𝑥)𝑒 −𝑦
(b) (cos𝑥 + 𝑖sin𝑥)𝑒 𝑦
(c) (cos𝑥 − 𝑖sin𝑥)(cos𝑦 − 𝑖sin𝑦)
(d) (cos𝑥 + 𝑖sin𝑥)(cos𝑦 − 𝑖sin𝑦)

ANSWER KEYS

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

6. (a) 7. (d) 8. (c) 9. (a) 10. (a)

PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 108

MISCELLANEOUS TOPICS
IIT JAM PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS
𝜕𝑓 ̇ df(𝑥,𝑡) dx
Q1. Given a function 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑡) of both position x and time t, the value of 𝜕𝑥̇ (where 𝑓̇ = dt , 𝑥̇ = dt )
is:
𝜕2𝑓 𝜕𝑓
(a) 𝜕𝑥 2 (b) 𝜕𝑥
𝑓̇ 𝑑𝑓
(c) 𝑥̇ (d) 𝑑𝑥
1
Q2. Given that 𝑓(1) = 1, 𝑓 ′ (1) = 1 and 𝑓 ′ (1) = 1, the value of 𝑓 (2) is________.
𝑥+𝑦 𝑥−𝑦
Q3. Consider the coordinate transformation 𝑥 ′ = , 𝑦′ = . The relation between the area
√2 √2
elements 𝑑𝑥 ′ 𝑑𝑦 ′ and 𝑑𝑥𝑑𝑦 is given by 𝑑𝑥 ′ 𝑑𝑦 ′ = 𝐽𝑑𝑥𝑑𝑦. The value of J is
(a) 2 (b) 1
(c) −1 (d) −2
Q4. Consider a function 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝑥 3 + 𝑦 3 , where y represents a parabolic curve 𝑥 2 + 1. The total
derivative of f with respect to x, at 𝑥 = 1 is__________.
Q5. A rectangular area (𝐴1 ) is formed by two vectors x and y as shown in figure (i). A new set of
vectors, representing the area (𝐴2 ) as shown in figure (ii), are given as : 𝑢 ⃗ 2 = 𝑘𝑥 + 𝑦,
⃗ 1 = 𝑥; 𝑢
where k is a dimensionless constant.

The Jacobian of the frame (𝑢 ⃗ 2 ) with respect to (𝑥, 𝑦) is__________

⃗ 1, 𝑢
Q6. Consider the transformation to a new set of coordinates (𝜉, 𝜂) from rectangular Cartesian
coordinates (𝑥, 𝑦), where 𝜉 = 2𝑥 + 3𝑦 and 𝜂 = 3𝑥 − 2𝑦. In the (𝜉, 𝜂) coordinates system, the
area element 𝑑𝑥𝑑𝑦 is IIT JAM 2018
1 2
(a) 𝑑𝜉𝑑𝜂 (b) − 𝑑𝜉𝑑𝜂
13 13
3
(c) 5𝑑𝜉𝑑𝜂 (d) 5 𝑑𝜉𝑑𝜂
Q7. Let 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 6 − 2𝑥 2 − 8. Which of the following statements is(are) true? IIT JAM 2018
(a) The sum of all its roots is zero
8
(b) The product of its roots is − 3
2
(c) the sum of all its roots is 3
(d) Complex roots are conjugates of each other
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 109

Q8. The coefficient of 𝑥 3 in the Taylor expansion of sin(sin𝑥) around 𝑥 = 0 is________

(Specify your answer upto two digits after the decimal point.) IIT JAM 2018
8𝑥
Q9. The function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 +9 is continuous everywhere except at IIT JAM 2019
(a) 𝑥 = 0 (b) 𝑥 = ±9
(c) 𝑥 = ±9𝑖 (d) 𝑥 = ±3𝑖
Q10. Which one of the following functions has a discontinuity in the second derivative at x 0 ,
where x is a real variable? IIT JAM 2020
3
(a) f ( x) | x | (b) f ( x) x|x|
2
(c) f ( x) cos(| x |) (d) f ( x) | x |
Q11. Which one of the following statements is correct? IIT JAM 2020
n n!
Given, is the binomial coefficient.
m m !(n m)!
n n
(a) cos nθ cos nθ cos n 2θ sin 2θ cos n 4θ sin 4θ
2 4
n n
(b) sin nθ cos n 1θ sin θ cos n 3θ sin 3θ
1 3
n n
(c) cos nθ cos nθ cos n 2θ sin 2θ cos n 4θ sin 4θ
2 4
n n
sin nθ cos nθ cos n 2θsin 2θ cos n 4θ sin 4θ
(d) 2 4

Q12. lim x x is equal to IIT JAM 2020

x 0

(a) 0 (b) ∞ (c) e (d) 1

Q13. The function 𝑒 cos𝑥 is Taylor expanded about 𝑥 = 0. The coefficient of 𝑥 2 is IIT JAM 2021
1 𝑒 𝑒
(a) − 2 (b) − 2 (c) 2 (d) Zero
Q14. Let (𝑥, 𝑦) denote the coordinates in a rectangular Cartesian coordinate system C. Let (𝑥 ′ , 𝑦 ′ )
denote the coordinates in another coordinate system C', defined by
𝑥′ = 2𝑥 + 3𝑦
𝑦′ = −3𝑥 + 4𝑦
The area element in C', is IIT JAM 2021
1
(a) 17 𝑑𝑥′𝑑𝑦′ (b) 12𝑑𝑥′𝑑𝑦′
(c) 𝑑𝑥′𝑑𝑦′ (d) 𝑥′𝑑𝑥′𝑑𝑦′
Q15. One of the roots of the equation, 𝑧 6 − 3𝑧 4 − 16 = 0 is given by 𝑧1 = 2. The value of the
product of the other five roots is_________ IIT JAM 2021
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 110

Q16. The absolute error in the value of sin 𝜃 if approximated up to two terms in the Taylor's series
for 𝜃 = 60∘ is_________ (rounded off to three decimal places). IIT JAM 2023

Q17. The co-ordinate system (𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) is transformed to the system (𝑢, 𝑣, 𝑤), as given by:
𝑢 = 2𝑥 + 3𝑦 − 𝑧
𝑣 = 𝑥 − 4𝑦 + 𝑧
𝑤 =𝑥+𝑦
The Jacobian of the above transformation is_________ IIT JAM 2024
Q18. In the Taylor expansion of function, 𝐹(𝑥) = 𝑒 sin 𝑥, around 𝑥 = 0, the coefficient of 𝑥 5
𝑥

is_________ . (Rounded off to three decimal places) IIT JAM 2024

PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 111

ANSWER KEYS

1. (b) 2. (0.625) 3. (c) 4. (27) 5. (1)

6. (a) 7. (a, b, d) 8. (-0.35 to - 9. (d) 10. (b)

0.30)

11. (a) 12. (d) 13. (b) 14. (a) 15. (-8)

16. (0.009 to 17. MTA 18. (-0.034 to -

0.011) 0.032)
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 112

TIFR PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q1. Consider a standard chess board with 8 × 8 squares. A piece starts from the lower left corner,
which we shall call Square (1, 1). A single move of this piece corresponds to either one step
right, i.e. to Square (1, 2) or one step forwards, i.e. to Square (2, 1). If it continues to move
according to these rules, the number of different paths by which the piece can reach the Square
(5, 5) starting from the Square (1, 1) is
(a) 120 (b) 72
(c) 70 (d) 45
Q2. The infinite series
𝑥3 𝑥5 𝑥7
𝑥+
+ + +⋯
3 5 7
where −1 < 𝑥 < +1, can be summed to the value
(a) tanhx
4
(b) ln (1 − 𝜋 tan−1 𝑥)
1 (1+𝑥)
(c) 2 ln [(1−𝑥)]
1 (1−𝑥)
(d) 2 ln [(1+𝑥)]

Q3. The function 𝑓(𝑥) represents the nearest integer less than x, e.g. 𝑓(3.14) = 3.
The derivative of this function (for arbitrary x) will be given in terms of the integers n as 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) =
(a) 0
(b) ∑𝑛 𝛿(𝑥 − 𝑛)
(c) ∑𝑛 |𝑥 − 𝑛|
(d) ∑𝑛 𝑓(𝑥 − 𝑛)
+𝑝2 𝑑𝑥
Q4. Consider the integral ∫−𝑝2
√𝑥 2 −𝑝2

where p is a constant. This integral has a real, nonsingular value if

(a) 𝑝 < −1 (b) 𝑝 > 1
(c) 𝑝 = 1 (d) 𝑝 → 0
(e) 𝑝 → ∞
∞
Q5. The value of the integral ∫0 𝑑𝑥𝑥 9 exp(−𝑥 2 ) is
(a) 20160 (b) 12
(c) 18 (d) 24
∞
Q6. The integral ∫0 𝑑𝑥𝛿(𝑥 2 − 𝜋 2 )cos𝑥, evaluates to
(a) −1 (b) 0
1 1
(c) 𝜋 (d) − 𝜋
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 113

Q7. In spherical polar coordinates 𝑟 = (𝑟, 𝜃, 𝜑) the delta function 𝛿(𝑟1 − 𝑟2 ) can be written as
(a) 𝛿(𝑟1 − 𝑟2 )𝛿(𝜃1 − 𝜃2 )𝛿(𝜑1 − 𝜑2 )
1
(b) 𝑟 2 𝛿(𝑟1 − 𝑟2 )𝛿(cos𝜃1 − cos𝜃2 )𝛿(𝜑1 − 𝜑2 )
1
1
(c) |𝑟 2
𝛿(𝑟1 − 𝑟2 )𝛿(cos𝜃1 − cos𝜃2 )𝛿(𝜑1 − 𝜑2 )
1 −𝑟2 |
1
(d) 𝑟 2cos𝜃 𝛿(𝑟1 − 𝑟2 )𝛿(𝜃1 − 𝜃2 )𝛿(𝜑1 − 𝜑2 )
1 1

(𝑛+1)(𝑛+2)
Q8. Given that infinite series 𝑦(𝑥) = 1 + 3𝑥 + 6𝑥 2 + 10𝑥 3 + ⋯ + 𝑥 𝑛 + ⋯, find the
2
value of 𝑦(𝑥) for 𝑥 = 6/7.
𝐴 𝑥 −1 𝑥 −2 𝑥 𝑥 𝑥
Q9. Evaluate the expression 𝑛! ∫0 𝑑𝑥𝑛−1 ∫0 𝑛 𝑑𝑥𝑛−2 ∫0 𝑛 𝑑𝑥𝑛−3 … ∫0 3 𝑑𝑥2 ∫0 2 𝑑𝑥1 ∫0 1 𝑑𝑥0
𝑥2 𝑦2
Q10. Consider the two equations 3 + = 1, 𝑥 3 − 𝑦 = 1. How many simultaneous real solutions
2
does the pair of equations have?

ANSWER KEYS

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

6. (d) 7. (b) 8. (343) 9. (*) 10. ()

PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 114

JEST PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q1. What is the value of the following series?

2 2
1 1 1 1
(1 − + − ⋯ … ) + (1 − + − ⋯ . . )
2! 4! 3! 5!
(a) 0 (b) e
(c) e2 (d) 1
∞
Q2. If [𝑥] denotes the greatest integer not exceeding x, then ∫0 [𝑥]𝑒 −𝑥 𝑑𝑥
1
(a) 𝑒−1 (b) 1
𝑒−1 𝑒
(c) (d) 𝑒 2−1
𝑒
1 1 1
Q3. As 𝑥 → 1, the infinite series 𝑥 − 3 𝑥 3 + 5 𝑥 4 − 7 𝑥 7 + ⋯.
(a) diverges
(b) converges to unity
𝜋
(c) converges to 4
(d) none of the above.
Q4. What is the value of the following series?
2 2
1 1 1 1
(1 + + + ⋯ . . ) − (1 + + + ⋯ . . )
2! 4! 3! 5!
(a) 0 (b) e
2
(c) e (d) 1
∞
Q5. The Dirac delta function 𝛿(𝑥) satisfies the relation ∫−∞ 𝑓(𝑥)𝛿(𝑥)𝑑𝑥 = 𝑓(0) for a well behaved
function 𝑓(𝑥). If x has the dimension of momentum then
(a) 𝛿(𝑥)has the dimension of momentum
(b) 𝛿(𝑥)has the dimension of (mometum)2
(c) 𝛿(𝑥)is dimensionless
(d) 𝛿(𝑥)has the dimension of (momentum)-1.
1
Q6. The sum ∑99
𝑚=1 is equal to
√𝑚+1+√𝑚

(a) 9 (b) √99 − 1

1
(c) ( (d) 11
√99−1)
∞
Q7. 𝜋 ∫−∞ exp(−|𝑥|)𝛿 (sin(𝜋𝑥))𝑑𝑥, where 𝛿(… . )is Dirac delta distribution, is
𝑒+1
(a) 1 (b) 𝑒−1
𝑒−1 𝑒
(c) 𝑒+1 (d) 𝑒+1
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 115

Q8. If an abelian group is constructed with two distinct elements a and b such that 𝑎2 = 𝑏 2 = 𝐼,
where I is the group identify. What is the order of the smallest abelian group containing a,b and
I?
Q9. If 𝐹(𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑥𝑦, its Legendre transformed function 𝐺(𝑢, 𝑣), upto a multiplicative
constant, is
(a) 𝑢2 + 𝑣 2 + 𝑢𝑣 (b) 𝑢2 + 𝑣 2 − 𝑢𝑣
(c) 𝑢2 + 𝑣 2 (d) (𝑢 + 𝑣)2
4 2
Q10. Consider a function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑃𝑘 (𝑥)𝑒 −(𝑥 +2𝑥 ) in the domain 𝑥 ∈ (−∞, ∞), where 𝑃𝑘 is any
polynomial of degree k. What is the maximum possible number of extrema of the function?
JEST 2019
(a) 𝑘 + 3 (b) 𝑘 − 3 (c) 𝑘 + 2 (d) 𝑘 + 1
Q11. The Euler polynomials are defined by
∞
2𝑒 𝑥𝑠 𝑥𝑛
= ∑ 𝐸𝑛 (𝑠)
𝑒𝑥 + 1 𝑛!
𝑛=0

What is the value of 𝐸5 (2) + 𝐸5 (3) ? JEST 2019

Q12. What is the value of the following integral? JEST 2020
100√2 𝜋/2
𝐼= ∫ 𝑥𝛿(2sin 𝑥 − √2)𝑑𝑥
𝜋 0

Q13. What value the following infinite series will converge to? JEST 2021

n2

n =1 2
n

2 1
(a) 6 (b) 2
(c) 3 (d) 6

Q14. An astrophysical observation measured the mass of a star as

(12.41  1.12 ) M , where M is the
mass of the Sun. Another independent observation measured the mass of the same star as
( 8.40  Δ ) M . Assuming the errors to have Gaussian distributions, one concluded that the two
measurements differed by 3 standard deviations. The value of ∆ was approximately
JEST 2021
(a) 0.22 (b) 0.73
(c) 1.04 (d) 1.55
Q15. A paper has been cut into the shape given in figure (ABCD is a square and the two hexagonal
flaps are regular) and placed on the table. The square base lies flat on the table. The hexagonal
flaps are then folded upwards along the edges AB and AD such that edges AE and AF of the
two hexagons coincide. What is the minimum angle (in degrees) made by the edge AE (or AF)
with the surface of the table? JEST 2021
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 116

(a) 120 (b) 85

(c) 60 (d) 45
Q16. Consider the infinite series
 x3
2
  x2 x4  
2

exp  x + +..  −  + +..  

 3   2 4  

Which one of the following represents this series? JEST 2021

ln (1− x )
(a) (1 + x)
exp sin 2 x − (cos x − 1) 2 
(b)
exp ( xe x )
(c)
− ln (1+ x )
(d) (1 − x)
Tijk
Q17. Consider a real tensor with i, j , k = 1, .,5 . It has the following properties:
Tijk = T jik = Tikj , T
i
iik =0

What is the number of independent real components of this tensor? JEST 2021
f ( x)
Q18. The function shown below has non-zero values only in the range 0  x  a .

Which of the following figure represents (3x) ? JEST 2022

PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 117

G = ( e, a, a 2 , b, ba, ba 2 )
Q19. is a group of order 6. e is the identity element and a is of order
3. What could be the order of the element b ? JEST 2022
(a) 3 (b) 2
(c) 1 (d) Can't be determine
Q20. Consider the differential operators given below:
d d
J + = x2 +  x, J 0 = x + 
dx dx

that act on the set of monomials

x  . Here, μ and ρ are constants. Which one the following is
m

equal to
( J 0 J + − J + J 0 ) xm ? JEST 2022
+ m + ( m −1)
(a) J x (b) mJ x
− ( m + 1) J + x(
m −1)
+ m
(c) (d) − J x
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 118

ANSWER KEYS

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

6. (a) 7. (c) 8. (5) 9. (b) 10. (a)

11. (64) 12. (0025) 13. (d) 14. (b) 15. (d)

16. (d) 17. (0030) 18. (a) 19. (b) 20. (a)
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 119

JNU PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

𝜋2 𝜋4 𝜋6
Q1. The sum of the infinite series 1 − 2!24 + 4!28 − 6!212 + ⋯.. Is
(a) convergent and equals zero
(b) convergent and equals 1/√2
(c) convergent and equals √2
(d) divergent
1
Q2. What is the value of definite integral ∫0 (𝑥ln 𝑥)2 𝑑𝑥?
(a) 1/27 (b) 2/27
(c) 1/9 (d) 2/9
Q3. Which of the following graphs gives the best representation of the real-valued function 𝑦 = 𝑥ln 𝑥
in the domain 𝑥 > 0 ?

3
Q4. The elements of the infinite sequence 0,1,1, 2, .. satisfy the recursion relation 𝐹𝑛+1 = 𝐹𝑛 +
1
𝐹 , where 𝐹𝑛 denotes the nth element. what is the value of lim ⬚ 𝐹𝑛 /𝐹𝑛−1 ?
2 𝑛−1 𝑛→∞

(a) 1.366
(b) 1.575
(c) 1.618
(d) The limit does not exist
Q5. Which of the following graphs gives the best representation of the real-valued function 𝑦(𝑥) =
sin 𝑥
vs. x ?
𝑥
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 120

Q6. Which of the following graphs gives the best representation of the real-valued function 𝑦 =
2
𝑥 2 𝑒 −𝑥 ?

1
Q7. What is the value of the definite integral ∫0 (𝑥ln𝑥)4 𝑑𝑥?
4! 6!
(a) 55 (b) 54
2! 1
(c) 52 (d) 53
Q8. Which of the followng graphs gives the best qualitative representation of the real-valued function
2
(𝑥 + 𝑎)𝑒 −𝑏𝑥 , where. 'a' and 'b' are positive constants?
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 121

ANSWER KEYS

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

6. (c) 7. (a) 8. (c)

PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 122

DU PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

2
Q1. The value of the integral 2∫ 𝑥 4 𝑒 −𝑥 dxwith limits −∞ to +∞ is:
(a) 𝛤(5/2) (b) 𝛤(5)
(c) 𝛤(4) (d) 𝛤(3/2)
𝜕2 F 𝜕𝐹
Q2. Consider a partial differential equation given by = 2𝜕𝑡. An admissible solution will be:
𝜕𝑥 2

(a) 𝑒 kx+2√kt + 𝑒 kx-2√kt

(b) 𝑒 √𝑘𝑥+2kt + 𝑒 −√𝑘𝑥+2kt
(c) 𝑒 kx−2√kt
(d) 𝑒 kx+2√kt
Q3. Apply Newton-Raphson method to solve the equation (1/𝑥) − 𝑎 = 0. The resulting iterative
formula for the root of this equation is:
(a) 𝑥𝑛+1 = 2𝑥𝑛 + 𝑎𝑥𝑛2
(b) 𝑥𝑛+1 = 2𝑥𝑛 − 𝑎𝑥𝑛2
(c) 𝑥𝑛+1 = 𝑎𝑥𝑛2
(d) 𝑥𝑛+1 = −𝑎𝑥𝑛2
Q4. Which of the following is not an iterative method for solving equations?
(a) Fixed point method
(b) Newton - Raphson method
(c) Gauss elimination method
(d) Gauss - Seidel method
Q5. It is known that the root of the function 𝑓(𝑥) lies between 0 and 1. After 10 iterations of the
bisection method, the approximate accuracy of the root will be:
(a) Correct up to 2 places of decimal
(c) Correct up to 4 places of decimal
(b) Correct up to 3 places of decimal
(d) Correct up to 5 places of decimal
Q6. For the equation 𝑥 3 − 2𝑥 − 5 = 0 the solution by Newton Rapshon Method is about (Given
𝑥0 = 2)
(a) 2.09983 (b) 2.07065
(c) 2.09455 (d) 2.14122
Q7. The real root of the equation cos𝑥 − 3𝑥 + 1 = 0 corrected to four decimal places by the method
of iteration is about
(a) 0.8071 (b) 0.6024
(c) 0.7214 (d) 0.6071
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 123

Q8. It is known that the root of the function 𝑓(𝑥) lies between 0 and 1. After 10 iterations of the
bisection method, the approximate accuracy of the root will be
(a) correct up to 2 places of decimal
(b) correct up to 3 places of decimal
(c) correct up to 4 places of decimal
(d) correct up to 5 places of decimal
Q9. The order of truncation error in second-order Runge-Kutta method for finding the solution of
ordinary differential equations is
(a) 1 (b) 2
(c) 3 (d) 4
+∞ 2
Q10. The integral ∫−∞ 𝑥 2𝑛 𝑒 −𝑥 𝑑𝑥 is equal to
(a) 𝛤(𝑛 + 1) (b) 𝛤(𝑛 − 1)
1 1
(c) 𝛤 (𝑛 − 2) (d) 𝛤 (𝑛 + 2)
2 5 3 + 2𝑖
Q11. The value of the determinant | 9 2 5 − 4𝑖 | is
−20 −9 3 + 6𝑖
(a) 656 + 256𝑖 (b) −656 − 256𝑖
(c) 656 (d) −656
∞ 3
Q12. The value of the integral ∫1 𝑒 −(𝑥−1) (𝑥 − 1)5 𝑑𝑥is
1 2
(a) − 3 (b) − 3
1 2
(c) 3 (d) 3
Q13. The equation 𝑎2 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 2(𝑥 + 𝑦𝑏) is the equation of a
(a) parabola (b) hyperbola
(c) circle (d) ellipse
Q14. The metric tensor 𝑔𝑖𝑘 , defined by 𝑑𝑠 2 = 𝑔𝑖𝑗 𝑑𝑥 𝑖 𝑑𝑥 𝑗 . If 𝑑𝑠 2 = 𝑑𝑟 2 + 𝑟 2 (𝑑𝜃)2 + 𝑟 2 sin2 𝜃(𝑑𝜙)2 ,
1 𝜕𝑔 𝜕𝑔𝑗𝑘 𝜕𝑔
and 𝛤𝑖𝑗,𝑘 = 2 [ 𝜕𝑥𝑖𝑘𝑗 + − 𝜕𝑥𝑖𝑗𝑘 ], then 𝛤22,1 is
𝜕𝑥 𝑖

(a) −𝑟 (b) r
(c) r2 (d) 2r
𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑢
Q15. The solution of = 4 𝜕𝑥 is
𝜕𝑡
𝑥
(a) 𝐴𝑒 𝑘𝑥+𝑡 (b) 𝐴𝑒 𝑘(2+𝑡)
𝑥
(c) 𝐴𝑒 (𝑥+𝑡) (d) 𝐴𝑒 𝑘(4+𝑡)
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 124

ANSWER KEYS

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

6. () 7. () 8. (a) 9. () 10. (d)

11. (*) 12. (c) 13. (d) 14. (a) 15. (d)
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 125

HCU PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q1. The curve in the given figure is described by the equation

(a) 𝑦 = 𝑒 𝑥 − 1 (b) 𝑦 = 𝑒 −𝑥 − 1
1
(c) 𝑦 = 𝑥 (d) 𝑦 = 𝑥
1
Q2. The sum of the series ∑∞
1 𝑛(𝑛+1) is equal to

1 1
(a) 2 (b) 4
(c) 1 (d) ∞
∞ 2 𝜋 ∞ 2
Q3. It is given that ∫−∞ 𝑒 −𝛼𝑥 𝑑𝑥 = √𝛼. The value of ∫−∞ 𝑥 2 𝑒 −𝛼𝑥 𝑑𝑥 is given by

𝜕 𝜋
(a) − 𝜕𝛼 (√𝛼)

𝜕2 𝜋
(b) − 𝜕𝑥 2 (√𝛼)

𝜕 𝜋
(c) 𝜕𝛼 (√𝛼)

𝜕 𝜋
(d) − 𝜕𝛼 (𝛼)
Q4. The sqaure roots of (−15 − 8𝑖) are
(a) 1 − 4𝑖, −1 + 4𝑖 (b) 1 + 4𝑖, 1 − 4𝑖
(c) √15 − √8𝑖 (d) 2√2 − √15𝑖
sinh 𝑥−𝑥
Q5. lim ⬚ ( ) is equal to
𝑥→0 sin 𝑥−𝑥cos 𝑥
1
(a) 0 (b) − 2
1 1
(c) 2 (d) 3
1 2 /2𝐷𝑡
Q6. The function 𝑢(𝑥, 𝑡) = 𝑒 −𝑥 satisfies
√𝑡
𝜕2𝑢 1 𝜕2𝑢
(a) = 𝐷 𝜕𝑥 2
𝜕𝑡 2
𝜕𝑢 𝜕2𝑢
(b) 2 𝜕𝑡 = 𝐷 𝜕𝑥 2
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 126

𝜕𝑢 𝜕2 𝑢
(c) 𝜕𝑥 = 𝐷 𝜕𝑡 2
𝜕𝑢 𝜕2𝑢
(d) + 𝐷 𝜕𝑥 2 = 0
𝜕𝑡

Q7. If (log2 𝑥)(log4 𝑥)(log6 𝑥) = (log2 𝑥)(log4 𝑥) + (log4 𝑥)(log6 𝑥) + (log6 𝑥)(log2 𝑥) and 𝑥 ≠ 1,
then x is equal to
(a) 12 (b) 24
(c) 44 (d) 48
1 1
Q8. At very small x, the expression (2 − − ) behaves as
√1+𝑥 √1−𝑥
3 𝑥
(a) − 4 𝑥 2 (b) 1 + 2
𝑥
(c) 1 − 2 (d) x
Q9. Which of the following functions represents the graph shown below?

1 1
(a) 𝑦 = (b) 𝑦 = −
𝑥 𝑥
−𝑥
(c) 𝑦 = 𝑒 +1 (d) 𝑦 = −𝑥 2 + 1
1 2 /2𝐷𝑡
Q10. The function 𝑢(𝑥, 𝑡) = 𝑒 −𝑥 satisfies
√𝑡
𝜕2𝑢 1 𝜕2𝑢
(a) = 𝐷 𝜕𝑥 2
𝜕𝑡 2
𝜕𝑢 𝜕2𝑢
(b) 2 𝜕𝑡 = 𝐷 𝜕𝑥 2
𝜕𝑢 𝜕2 𝑢
(c) 𝜕𝑥 = 𝐷 𝜕𝑡 2
𝜕𝑢 𝜕2𝑢
(d) + 𝐷 𝜕𝑥 2 = 0
𝜕𝑡

Q11. Let m and n be positive integers with 𝑚 > 𝑛. When 8𝑚 + 7𝑛 is divided by 5, we get remainder
1 . When 7𝑚 + 8𝑛 is divided by 5, we get remainder 2 . If 𝑚 − 𝑛 is divided by 5, the remainder
has to be necessarily equal to
(a) 2 (b) 3
(c) 4 (d) 1
Q12. |𝑧| = 2, where 𝑧 = 𝑥 + 𝑖𝑦, represents a
(a) straight line (b) circle
(c) ellipse (d) parabola
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 127

Q13. A function 𝑓(𝑥) varies with x, as shown in the figure. Which of the following represents (𝑥) ?

1
(a) log10 (1 + 𝑥) (b) − 𝑒 𝑥 −1
1−𝑥
(c) (d) 𝑙𝑜𝑔10 𝑥
𝑥
1−𝑖 100
Q14. Given (1+𝑖) = 𝑎 + 𝑖𝑏, the values of a and b are
(a) 𝑎 = 2, 𝑏 = −1
(b) 𝑎 = 0, 𝑏 = 0
(c) 𝑎 = 0, 𝑏 = 1
(d) 𝑎 = −1, 𝑏 = 2
Q15. The straight line 𝑥 + 𝑦 = 𝑘 touches the parabola 𝑦 = 𝑥 − 𝑥 2 , if k is chosen as
(a) 𝑘 = 0
(b) 𝑘 = −1
(c) 𝑘 = +1
(d) 𝑘 = any integer
Q16. The power series ∑∞
𝑛=1 𝑛𝑥
𝑛−1
converges for
(a) −1 < 𝑥 < 1 (b) −1 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 1
(c) −1 < 𝑥 ≤ 1 (d) −1 ≤ 𝑥 < 1
1 1
Q17. lim (𝑥 2 − sin2𝑥) is given by
𝑥→0
1
(a) 0 (b) 3
1 2
(b) − 3 (d) − 3
10𝑥 −10−𝑥
Q18. The inverse of the function 𝑦 = is
10𝑥 +10−𝑥
1 1+𝑥
(a) log10 (2 − 𝑥) (b) 2 log10 1−𝑥
1 1 2𝑥
(c) 2 log10 (2𝑥 − 1) (d) 4 log 2−𝑥
1 1
Q19. The function 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) satisfying the condition 𝑓 (𝑥 + 𝑥) = 𝑥 2 + 𝑥 2 , 𝑥 ≠ 0, is given by
(a) 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 + 2 (b) 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 − 2
(c) 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 − 1 (d) 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 + 1
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 128

Q20. lim (√𝑥 + 25 − √𝑥 + 9) is

𝑥→∞

(a) ∞ (b) 16
(c) 2 (d) 0
Q21. Let (1 − 2𝑖), (−3 + 4𝑖), (2 + 2𝑖) represent the three vertices A, B, C of a triangle ABC. the
length of the meridian from C to the side AB is.
(a) √10 (b) √12
(c) 6 (d) 8
Q22. Which of the following numbers does not lie on the unit circle |𝑧| = 1 ?
1+𝑖 201 1+𝑖 37
(a) ( ) (b) (1−𝑖)
√2

3+4𝑖 1+2𝑖
(c) (2−√21𝑖) (d) √3+2𝑖

Q23. The coefficient of 𝑥 4 in the expansion of √1 + 2𝑥 2 is

(a) −1/2 (b) −15/32
(c) −65/28 (d) −21/128
1 𝑥
Q24. The derivative of the 𝑦 = (1 + 𝑥) is given by
1 𝑥 1 1
(a) (1 + 𝑥) [ln (1 + 𝑥) − 1+𝑥]
1
(b) 𝑥 (1 + )
𝑥
1 𝑥−1 −1
(c) 𝑥 (1 + 𝑥) ( 𝑥2 )
1 1
(d) ln (1 + 𝑥) = 1+𝑥

Q25. Given the functions 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 , 𝑔(𝑥) = √𝑥, the compositions 𝑓 ∘ 𝑔 and 𝑔 ∘ 𝑓 are given by
(a) 𝑓 ∘ 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 , 𝑔 ∘ 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 3/2
(b) 𝑓 ∘ 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 3/2 , 𝑔 ∘ 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 3/2
(c) 𝑓 ∘ 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥, 𝑔 ∘ 𝑓(𝑥) = |𝑥|
(d) 𝑓 ∘ 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥, 𝑔 ∘ 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥
Q26. The area of the surface obtained by rotating about the x-axis the are of the curve 𝑦 = 𝑥 3 /3 from
𝑥 = −1 to 𝑥 = 1 is
(a) 2𝜋(√2 − 1)/9
(b) 𝜋(√2 − 1)/9
(c) 2𝜋(2√2 − 1)/9
(d) 𝜋(2√2 − 1)/9
Q27. Which one of the following stright lines passes through the point (1, 1) ?
(a) 𝑦 = 2𝑥 + 3 (b) 2𝑦 = 𝑥 − 6
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 129

(c) 𝑥 = 1 (d) 𝑥 = 𝑦 + 1
Q28. The real and imaginary parts of the function 𝑓(𝑧) = 𝑧𝑒 𝑧 where 𝑧 ≡ 𝑥 + 𝑖𝑦 respectively are
(a) 𝑥𝑒 𝑥 ; 𝑦𝑒 𝑦
(b) 𝑥𝑒 𝑦 ; 𝑦𝑒 𝑥
(c) 𝑥cos𝑦; 𝑦sin𝑦
(d) [𝑥cos𝑦 − 𝑦sin𝑦]𝑒 𝑥 ; [𝑦cos𝑦 + 𝑥sin𝑦]𝑒 𝑥
𝑑𝑦
Q29. If 𝑥 = 𝑎𝑡 2 and 𝑦 = 3𝑏𝑡, 𝑑𝑥 is
𝑎 3𝑏
(a) 3𝑏 (b) 2𝑎𝑡
3𝑏 2𝑎𝑡
(c) (d)
𝑎 3𝑏
−1
Q30. The function, 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 +𝛼2 has
(a) a maximum at 𝑥 = 0
(b) a minimum at 𝑥 = 0
(c) has a maximum at 𝑥 = 𝛼 and a minimum at 𝑥 = −𝛼
(d) has a minimum at 𝑥 = 𝛼 and a maximum at 𝑥 = −𝛼
Q31. The lines ℓ1 and ℓ2 are given by
ℓ1 : (3 + 2𝑡)𝑥̂ + (5 − 𝑡)𝑦̂ + (7 + 3𝑡)𝑧̂
ℓ2 : (3 + 𝑡)𝑥̂ + (5 + 2𝑡)𝑦̂ + (7 + 2𝑡)𝑧̂
The point of intersection of these two lines is
(a) (0,0,0) (b) (5,4,10)
(c) (4,7,9) (d) (3,5,7)
𝑥2 𝑥3 𝑥4
Q32. The series, 𝑥 − + − . . . . . . . ..
2 3 4

corresponds to the expansion of

(a) 𝑒 𝑥 (b) sin(𝑥)
(c) log(1 + 𝑥) (d) (1 + 𝑥)𝑛
Q33. The integral ∫ 𝑥𝑒 𝑎𝑥 𝑑𝑥 is
𝑥2
(a) 𝑒 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑎𝑥𝑒 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑐
2
𝑒 𝑎𝑥 𝑒 𝑎𝑥
(b) 𝑥 − +𝑐
𝑎 𝑎2
𝑥 2 𝑒 𝑎𝑥 𝑥𝑒 𝑎𝑥
(c) − +𝑐
2𝑎 𝑎

(d) 𝑒 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑎𝑥𝑒 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑐
1
Q34. The integral ∫ 𝑑𝑥 is
𝑎2 −𝑥 2
1 𝑥
(a) 𝑎 tan (𝑎) + 𝑐
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 130

1 𝑥
(b) − 𝑎 log (cos (𝑎)) + 𝑐

1 𝑥
(c) 𝑎 log (tan (𝑎)) + 𝑐
1 𝑥
(d) 𝑎 tanh−1 (𝑎) + 𝑐
Q35. In three dimensions the equation 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧 = 1 represents
(a) a straight line through the origin
(b) a sphere of radius 1 with centre at the origin
(c) a plane passing through the origin
(d) a plane passing through (1, 0, 0)
𝜋
Q36. The first three terms in the Taylor series expansion of sin𝑥 around 𝑥 = are
2
𝜋 3 𝜋 5
𝜋 (𝑥− ) (𝑥− )
(a) (𝑥 − 2 ) − 2
+ 2
3! 5!
𝜋 3 𝜋 5
𝜋 (𝑥− ) (𝑥− )
(b) (𝑥 − 2 ) + 2
+ 4
3! 5!
𝜋 2 𝜋 4
(𝑥− ) (𝑥− )
(c) 1 − 2
+ 2
2! 4!
𝜋 1 𝜋 2
(d) 1 + (𝑥 − 2 ) + 2! (𝑥 − 2 )
𝑥 𝑥
Q37. The least period T for the function, 𝑓(𝑥) = tan − 2tan is
2 3

(a) 𝑇 = 2𝜋 (b) 𝑇 = 3𝜋
(c) 𝑇 = 5𝜋 (d) 𝑇 = 6𝜋
Q38. Given the function, 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 𝑔(𝑥) = √𝑥 the composition 𝑓 ∘ 𝑔 and 𝑔 ∘ 𝑓 are given by
(a) 𝑓 ∘ 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 , 𝑔 ∘ 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 3/2
(b) 𝑓 ∘ 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 3/2 , 𝑔 ∘ 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 3/2
(c) 𝑓 ∘ 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥, 𝑔 ∘ 𝑓(𝑥) = |𝑥|
(d) 𝑓 ∘ 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥, 𝑔 ∘ 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥
Q39. A sphere of radius 4 cm is carved from a homogeneous sphere of radius 8 cm and mass 160gm.
The mass of the smaller sphere is
(a) 80 gm (b) 60 gm
(c) 40 gm (d) 20 gm
Q40. In the complex z-plane, the equation |𝑧| = 2|𝑧 − 1| represents
(a) a circle of radius 2/3
(b) a circle of radius 1/2
(c) a circle of radius 3/2
(d) a straight line through (0, 0) and (1, 1)
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 131

Q41. The power series ∑∞ 𝑛 2 𝑛

𝑛=1(−1) 𝑛 𝑥 converges for

(a) −1 < 𝑥 < 1 (b) −1 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 1

(c) −1 < 𝑥 ≤ 1 (d) −1 ≤ 𝑥 < 1
Q42. Which one of the following is not an equation of a circle?
1 1
(a) 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 𝑎2

(b) 𝑦 2 = 𝑎2 − 𝑥 2
(c) 𝑦 = √(𝑎 + 𝑥)(𝑎 − 𝑥)
(d) 𝑥 = 𝑎 cos 𝜃, 𝑦 = 𝑎 sin 𝜃
Q43. The curve shown in the following figure is represented by

(a) 𝑦 = −4𝑎(𝑥 − 𝑏)2

(b) 𝑦 = −4𝑎𝑥 2 − 𝑏
(c) 𝑦 = −4𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏
(d) 𝑦 = −4𝑎𝑥 2
1
Q44. If a is a non-zero, positive constant, ∫ (𝑎𝑥) 𝑑𝑥 is
(a) 𝑎ln|𝑥| + 𝐶 (b) 𝑎ln|𝑥| + |𝑎| + 𝐶
1
(c) (𝑎) ln𝑥 + 𝐶 (d) ln|𝑎𝑥| + 𝐶

Q45. Given, 𝑧 = 𝑥 + 𝑖𝑦, 𝑒 𝑖𝑧 reduces to

(a) (cos𝑥 + 𝑖sin𝑥)𝑒 −𝑦
(b) (cos𝑥 + 𝑖sin𝑥)𝑒 𝑦
(c) (cos𝑥 − 𝑖sin𝑥)(cos𝑦 − 𝑖sin𝑦)
(d) (cos𝑥 + 𝑖sin𝑥)(cos𝑦 − 𝑖sin𝑦)
1 1 1 1
Q46. The series, 𝑆 = 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + ⋯ …. ,
(a) converges
(b) diverges
(c) oscillate
(d) convergence can not be tested
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 132

Q47. Which of the following is not a property of a general group

(a) closure
(b) associative law
(c) distributive law
(d) existance of inverse for every element
𝑎 𝑑𝑦
Q48. If 𝑥 = 𝑡 and 𝑦 = 3𝑏𝑡 2 , then 𝑑𝑥 is
3𝑏 6𝑏𝑡 3
(a) 2𝑎𝑡 (b) − 𝑎
3𝑏𝑡 −𝑎𝑡
(c) (d)
𝑎 6𝑏

Q49. The period of the function 𝑓(𝑡) = cos(𝑡/3) + cos(𝑡/4) is

(a) 6𝜋 (b) 8𝜋
(c) 2𝜋 (d) 24𝜋
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 133

ANSWER KEYS

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

6. (b) 7. (d) 8. (a) 9. (b) 10. (b)

11. (c) 12. (b) 13. (d) 14. (c) 15. (c)

16. (a) 17. (b) 18. (b) 19. (b) 20. (d)

21. (a) 22. (c) 23. (a) 24. (a) 25. (c)

26. () 27. (c) 28. (d) 29. (b) 30. (a)

31. (a) 32. (c) 33. (b) 34. (d) 35. (d)

36. (c) 37. (d) 38. (c) 39. (d) 40. (a)

41. (a) 42. (a) 43. (a) 44. (c) 45. (a)

46. (a) 47. (c) 48. (b) 49. (d)

PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 134

BHU PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q1. In the lim ln(𝑥) − 𝑥

𝑥→∞

(a) equals zero (b) equals 2

(c) equals −∞ (d) equals 1
Q2. lim √𝑥(√𝑥 + 4 − √𝑥) is
𝑥→∞

(a) 0 (b) 2
1
(c) 2 (d) does not exist
Q3. Let f be a function of a real variable such that 𝑓(𝛼 + 𝛽) = 𝑓(𝛼) + 𝑓(𝛽) for all α and β. Let m
𝑚
and n be integers. Then 𝑓 ( 𝑛 )equals
𝑚 𝑓(𝑚)
(a) (b)
𝑛 𝑓(𝑛)
𝑚 1
(c) 𝑓(1) × (d) 𝑓(𝑚) + 𝑓 (𝑛)
𝑛

Q4. If 𝛿(𝑥) is delta function then

(a) 𝑥𝛿(𝑥) = 𝑥 (b) 𝑥𝛿𝑥 = 𝛿𝑥
(c) 𝑥𝛿(𝑥) = 0 (d) 𝛿(𝑥) = ∞
Q5. The Delta function 𝛿(𝑥 2 − 𝑎2 ) is equal to
(a) 𝛿(𝑥 + 𝑎)𝛿(𝑥 − 𝑎)
(b) 𝛿(𝑥 + 𝑎) + 𝛿(𝑥 − 𝑎)
1
(c) 2|𝑎| [𝛿(𝑥 + 𝑎) + 𝛿(𝑥 − 𝑎)]

(d) 𝛿(𝑥 + 𝑎) − 𝛿(𝑥 − 𝑎)

Q6. The metric of spherical polar coordinates are
(a) ℎ11 = 𝑟, ℎ22 = 1, ℎ33 = 𝑟sin𝜃
(b) ℎ11 = 1, ℎ22 = 𝑟, ℎ33 = 𝑟sin𝜃
(c) ℎ11 = 𝑟, ℎ22 = 𝑟,sin𝜃, ℎ33 = 1
(d) ℎ11 = 𝑟 2 , ℎ22 = 𝑟 2 sin2 𝜃, ℎ33 = 𝑟 2 sin2 𝜃
PHYSICS IITJAM & [Link] EXAMS 135

ANSWER KEYS

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

6. (*)