Key Concept: Units Digit of Perfect Squares

b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is NOT the correct explanation of Assertion.
[Solution Description]
The assertion states that 144 is a perfect square because its units digit is 4. The reason states that a number is a perfect square only if its units digit is 0, 1, 4, 5, 6, or 9.
Checking the assertion: $12^2 = 144$, so 144 is indeed a perfect square.
Evaluating the reason: According to the syllabus, perfect squares can only have 0, 1, 4, 5, 6, or 9 as their units digit. However, having such a unit digit does not guarantee that the number is a perfect square — it is a necessary but not sufficient condition. For example, 24 has a units digit of 4 but is not a perfect square.
Thus, both the assertion and reason are true, but the reason does not fully explain why 144 is a perfect square (it just provides a necessary condition).

Key Concept: Square Numbers - Properties of Perfect Squares

b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is NOT the correct explanation of Assertion.
[Solution Description]
The assertion states that 144 is a perfect square. Calculating $12 \times 12 = 144$, we confirm this is true. The reason states that a number ending with digit 4 can be a perfect square. Examples include $2^2 = 4$ and $8^2 = 64$. While both are true, the reason does not explain why 144 is a perfect square; it merely supports the possibility. Hence, they are independently true but not causally related.

Key Concept: Perfect Squares

c) 64
[Solution Description]
To find the square of 8, we multiply 8 by itself: $8 \times 8 = 64$. Thus, the square of 8 is 64.

Key Concept: Sum of Successive Odd Numbers

c) 8
[Solution Description]
Perfect squares can be expressed as the sum of successive odd numbers starting from 1. Since $64 = 8^2$, we need to add the first 8 odd numbers: $1 + 3 + 5 + 7 + 9 + 11 + 13 + 15 = 64$.

Key Concept: Perfect Squares, Sum of Odd Numbers

d) 50
[Solution Description]
To determine which number is not a perfect square, we check each option by verifying if it can be written as the sum of consecutive odd numbers starting from 1 or by confirming its non-membership in the list of perfect squares.
- $1 + 3 + 5 = 9$ (valid, so 9 is a perfect square).
- $1 + 3 + 5 + 7 = 16$ (valid, so 16 is a perfect square).
- The sum $1 + 3 + 5 + 7 + 9 + 11 + 13 = 49$ (valid, so 49 is a perfect square).
- The number 50 cannot be expressed as the sum of consecutive odd numbers starting from 1, nor is it listed among perfect squares.

Key Concept: Perfect Squares and Units Digit

c) Assertion is true, but Reason is false.
[Solution Description]
To verify the assertion, we check if 625 is a perfect square. Calculating $25 \times 25 = 625$, so 625 is indeed a perfect square. The reason states that all numbers ending with 5 are perfect squares, which is false. For example, 35 ends with 5 but is not a perfect square since $\sqrt{35}$ is not an integer. Therefore, the assertion is true, but the reason is false.

Key Concept: Prime Factorisation and Perfect Squares

c) Yes, because its prime factors can be paired identically.
[Solution Description]
The prime factorisation of 1156 is $2 \times 2 \times 17 \times 17$. Since these factors can be grouped into two identical groups ($2 \times 17$ and $2 \times 17$), 1156 is a perfect square. Specifically, $(2 \times 17)^2 = 34^2 = 1156$.

Key Concept: Perfect Squares and Units Place

d) 273
[Solution Description]
According to the syllabus, perfect squares can only end with 0, 1, 4, 5, 6, or 9 in their units place. We need to find the number that does not end with any of these digits. Looking at the options:
1. 324 ends with 4.
2. 841 ends with 1.
3. 576 ends with 6.
4. 273 ends with 3, which is not in the list of possible unit digits for perfect squares. Thus, 273 cannot be a perfect square.

Key Concept: Prime Factorisation, Estimating Square Roots

c) 6
[Solution Description]
We first list the squares of numbers from 21 to 29:
- $21^2 = 441$ → Prime factors: $3^2 \times 7^2$ → Sum of exponents = $2 + 2 = 4$
- $22^2 = 484$ → Prime factors: $2^2 \times 11^2$ → Sum of exponents = $2 + 2 = 4$
- $23^2 = 529$ → Prime factors: $23^2$ → Sum of exponents = $2$
- $24^2 = 576$ → Prime factors: $2^6 \times 3^2$ → Sum of exponents = $6 + 2 = 8$
- $25^2 = 625$ → Prime factors: $5^4$ → Sum of exponents = $4$
- $26^2 = 676$ → Prime factors: $2^2 \times 13^2$ → Sum of exponents = $2 + 2 = 4$
- $27^2 = 729$ → Prime factors: $3^6$ → Sum of exponents = $6$
- $28^2 = 784$ → Prime factors: $2^4 \times 7^2$ → Sum of exponents = $4 + 2 = 6$
- $29^2 = 841$ → Prime factors: $29^2$ → Sum of exponents = $2$
From above, possible sums of exponents are: 2, 4, 6, 8. The correct option is 6.

Key Concept: Perfect Squares and Units Digit

c) 338
[Solution Description]
Perfect squares can only end with 0, 1, 4, 5, 6, or 9. Numbers ending with 2, 3, 7, or 8 cannot be perfect squares.

Key Concept: Prime Factorisation and Perfect Squares

a) 144
[Solution Description]
A perfect square has its prime factors grouped into two identical sets. Let's check each option:
1. 144: $12^2 = 144$ and its prime factors are $2 \times 2 \times 2 \times 2 \times 3 \times 3$, which can be grouped as $(2 \times 2 \times 3) \times (2 \times 2 \times 3)$, so it is a perfect square.
2. 99: Its prime factors are $3 \times 3 \times 11$, which cannot be grouped equally.
3. 50: Its prime factors are $2 \times 5 \times 5$, which cannot be grouped equally.
4. 72: Its prime factors are $2 \times 2 \times 2 \times 3 \times 3$, which cannot be grouped equally.
Therefore, only 144 is a perfect square.

Key Concept: Perfect Squares and Odd Numbers

a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation of Assertion.
[Solution Description]
The sum of the first 5 odd numbers (1, 3, 5, 7, 9) is calculated as $1 + 3 + 5 + 7 + 9 = 25$. This matches the assertion since $5^2 = 25$. The reason states that every square can be expressed as the sum of consecutive odd numbers starting from 1, which is a property of perfect squares and explains why the sum is equal to the square of the count of odd numbers. Therefore, both the assertion and reason are true, and the reason correctly explains the assertion.

Key Concept: Square Numbers Ending with 6, Patterns in Units Place

d) 2
[Solution Description]

If a perfect square ends in 6, then the number being squared must end in 4 or 6. The possible last two digits of such perfect squares are:

$16,\ 36,\ 56,\ 76,\ 96$

So, the possible tens digits are:

$1,\ 3,\ 5,\ 7,\ 9$

Therefore, the digit 2 cannot be the tens digit of a perfect square ending in 6.

Correct Option: D. 2

Key Concept: Patterns in Units Place

c) 537
[Solution Description]
The units digit of a perfect square can only be $0, 1, 4, 5, 6,$ or $9$. Numbers ending with $2, 3, 7,$ or $8$ are not perfect squares. Among the options, only the number ending with $7$ does not fit this pattern.

Key Concept: Difference Between Consecutive Squares

c) 9
[Solution Description]
The next perfect square after $16$ ($4^2$) is $25$ ($5^2$). The difference is $25 - 16 = 9$, which matches one of the options.

Key Concept: Perfect Squares

c) 49
[Solution Description]
A perfect square is the square of a natural number. From the options, only 49 can be written as $7^2 = 49$.

Key Concept: Zeros in Perfect Squares

d) 6
[Solution Description]
According to the properties, if a number has 3 zeros at the end, its square will have 6 zeros. Since 5000 has 3 zeros ($5000 = 5 \times 10^3$), squaring it gives $(5 \times 10^3)^2 = 25 \times 10^6 = 25,000,000$. Thus, the square of 5000 has 6 zeros at the end.

Key Concept: Units Place Property

c) 198
[Solution Description]
Perfect squares can only end with digits 0, 1, 4, 5, 6, or 9. The number ending with 8 is not a perfect square.

Key Concept: Difference Between Consecutive Squares

b) 25
[Solution Description]
Difference between $(k+1)^2$ and $k^2$ is $2k + 1$. Given $2k + 1 = 11$, solving gives $k = 5$. Thus, smaller square is $5^2 = 25$.

Key Concept: Sum of Odd Numbers

c) 25
[Solution Description]
Sum of first $n$ odd natural numbers equals $n^2$. Here, $n = 5$, so sum $= 5^2 = 25$.

Key Concept: Square Numbers, Units Place Digits

c) Assertion is true, but Reason is false.
[Solution Description]
To verify if 2025 is a perfect square, let's analyze its properties:
1. **Units Place Digit:** The number 2025 ends with 5, which is one of the digits (0, 1, 4, 5, 6, 9) that perfect squares can end with. However, not all numbers ending with these digits are perfect squares. For example, 35 ends with 5 but is not a perfect square. Thus, ending with 5 does not guarantee that a number is a perfect square.
2. **Checking for Perfect Square:** Calculate the square root of 2025.
$45^2 = 2025$
Since $45^2$ equals 2025, 2025 is indeed a perfect square. Therefore, the Assertion is true.
3. **Reason Analysis:** The Reason states that a number ending with 5 is always a perfect square. This is false because numbers like 15 or 35 end with 5 but are not perfect squares. Hence, the Reason is incorrect.
Conclusion: The Assertion is true, but the Reason is false.

Key Concept: Differences Between Consecutive Squares, Largest Square Below 1000

b) 100
[Solution Description]
The difference between consecutive squares is given by $(n+1)^2 - n^2 = 2n + 1$.
Given $2n + 1 = 19$, solve for $n$:
$2n = 18 \Rightarrow n = 9$.
Thus, the larger square is $(9 + 1)^2 = 10^2 = 100$.

Key Concept: Sum of Odd Numbers

d) 16
[Solution Description]
The sum of the first $n$ odd numbers is equal to $n^2$. Here, $n = 4$.
Step 1: Calculate $n^2 = 4^2 = 16$.
Therefore, the sum of the first 4 odd numbers is $16$.

Key Concept: Difference Between Consecutive Squares

c) 11
[Solution Description]
The difference between consecutive squares is an odd number. Specifically, the difference between $(n+1)^2$ and $n^2$ is $2n + 1$.
Step 1: Calculate $6^2 = 36$ and $5^2 = 25$.
Step 2: Compute the difference: $36 - 25 = 11$.
Therefore, the difference is $11$.

Key Concept: Perfect Squares and Odd Numbers, Verification Method

a) 49
[Solution Description]
We apply the verification method to each option:
1) For 49: $49 - 1 = 48$, $48 - 3 = 45$, $45 - 5 = 40$, $40 - 7 = 33$, $33 - 9 = 24$, $24 - 11 = 13$, $13 - 13 = 0$. Since it reaches zero, 49 is a perfect square.
2) For 50: The process does not reach zero.
3) For 64: It also reaches zero after successive subtractions.
4) For 72: The process does not reach zero.
Both 49 and 64 are perfect squares, but since only one option is correct, we choose 49 as the primary example.

Key Concept: Perfect Square Check

d) 25
[Solution Description]
A number is a perfect square if it can be expressed as the sum of consecutive odd numbers starting from 1.
For option 25:
25 - 1 = 24,
24 - 3 = 21,
21 - 5 = 16,
16 - 7 = 9,
9 - 9 = 0.
Since subtraction results in zero after five steps, $25$ is a perfect square ($5^2$).

Key Concept: Difference Between Consecutive Squares

b) 25
[Solution Description]
The difference between consecutive squares is an odd number. The general pattern shows that the difference between $n^2$ and $(n+1)^2$ is given by $(2n + 1)$.
Here, $n = 12$.
So, the difference is $2(12) + 1 = 25$.

Key Concept: Perfect Squares and Units Digit

c) 87654
[Solution Description]
A perfect square can only end with digits 0, 1, 4, 5, 6, or 9. Therefore, any number ending with 2, 3, 7, or 8 cannot be a perfect square.

Key Concept: Triangular Numbers and Perfect Squares

b) $T_4$ and $T_5$
[Solution Description]
Triangular numbers follow the pattern $T_n = \frac{n(n+1)}{2}$. The sum of consecutive triangular numbers $T_{n-1} + T_n = n^2$. For example, $T_2 + T_3 = 3 + 6 = 9 = 3^2$. Thus, the correct pair must satisfy this relationship.

Key Concept: Perfect Square Units Digit

c) 7
[Solution Description]
A perfect square can only end with 0, 1, 4, 5, 6, or 9 in its units place. Thus, 7 is not a possible units digit for a perfect square.

Key Concept: Perfect Squares

a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation of Assertion.
[Solution Description]
The assertion states that 144 is a perfect square, which is true since $12 \times 12 = 144$. The reason states that a perfect square can be expressed as the sum of consecutive odd numbers starting from 1, which is also true. For example, $1 + 3 + 5 + 7 + 9 + 11 + 13 + 15 + 17 + 19 + 21 + 23 = 144$. Moreover, the reason correctly explains why 144 is a perfect square by illustrating the property of perfect squares being sums of consecutive odd numbers.

Key Concept: Difference Between Perfect Squares

b) 23
[Solution Description]
Calculate $12^2 = 144$ and $11^2 = 121$.
Difference: $144 - 121 = 23$.
According to the pattern, differences between consecutive squares are odd numbers. Here, $23$ is indeed an odd number.

Key Concept: Sum of Consecutive Triangular Numbers

b) 49
[Solution Description]
The 6th triangular number is $T_6 = 1 + 2 + 3 + \cdots + 6 = 21$.
The 7th triangular number is $T_7 = 1 + 2 + 3 + \cdots + 7 = 28$.
Sum: $T_6 + T_7 = 21 + 28 = 49$.
Since $49 = 7^2$, it is a perfect square.

Key Concept: Identifying Perfect Squares

b) 1764
[Solution Description]
A number is a perfect square if all exponents in its prime factorization are even. Let's check each option by prime factorisation:
$2800 = 2^4 \times 5^2 \times 7^1$
The exponent of 7 is 1 (odd), so 2800 is not a perfect square.
$1764 = 2^2 \times 3^2 \times 7^2$
All exponents are even, so 1764 is a perfect square.

Key Concept: Perfect Square Identification

a) 100
[Solution Description]
A perfect square is obtained by multiplying an integer by itself. Checking each option:
- 100: $10 \times 10 = 100$ (perfect square).
- 110: No integer multiplied by itself gives 110.
- 120: No integer multiplied by itself gives 120.
- 130: No integer multiplied by itself gives 130.
Thus, 100 is the only perfect square in the options.

Key Concept: Assertion-Reason

a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation of Assertion.
[Solution Description]
The assertion states that the square root of 144 is 12, which is correct since $12^2 = 144$. The reason given is $12 \times 12 = 144$, which is also true and correctly explains why 12 is the square root of 144.

Key Concept: Square Roots and Perfect Squares

a) 441
[Solution Description]
To find if a number is a perfect square using prime factorisation, we need to ensure all prime factors can be paired into two identical groups.
Let's check each option:
Option a) 441: Prime factorisation is $3 \times 3 \times 7 \times 7 = (3 \times 7)^2 = 21^2$. Hence, it is a perfect square.
Option b) 200: Prime factorisation is $2 \times 2 \times 2 \times 5 \times 5$. The prime factor 2 does not have a pair (three 2s). Hence, it is not a perfect square.
Option c) 500: Prime factorisation is $2 \times 2 \times 5 \times 5 \times 5$. The prime factor 5 does not have a pair (three 5s). Hence, it is not a perfect square.
Option d) 300: Prime factorisation is $2 \times 2 \times 3 \times 5 \times 5$. The prime factors 3 and 5 do not form pairs. Hence, it is not a perfect square.
Therefore, the correct answer is option a) 441.

Key Concept: Square Roots and Estimation

c) 55
[Solution Description]
To estimate $\sqrt{3025}$:
Step 1: Identify the range. We know $50^2 = 2500$ and $60^2 = 3600$, so $50 < \sqrt{3025} < 60$. Step 2: Check the last digit. 3025 ends with 5, so $\sqrt{3025}$ must end with 5 (since $5^2 = 25$). So possible candidates are 55. Step 3: Verify $55^2 = (50 + 5)^2 = 50^2 + 2 \times 50 \times 5 + 5^2 = 2500 + 500 + 25 = 3025$. Thus, $\sqrt{3025} = 55$.

Key Concept: Prime Factorisation, Perfect Cubes

a) 216
[Solution Description]
To determine if a number is a perfect cube, its prime factors must form identical triplets. Let's analyze the options:
Option A: 216 = $2^3 \times 3^3$ → Perfect cube ($6^3$).
Option B: 500 = $2^2 \times 5^3$ → Not a perfect cube (exponent of 2 is not a multiple of 3).
Option C: 1000 = $2^3 \times 5^3$ → Perfect cube ($10^3$).
Option D: 800 = $2^5 \times 5^2$ → Not a perfect cube (exponents are not multiples of 3).
Thus, both A and C are correct, but since only one option can be chosen, we select the smallest valid choice.

Key Concept: Cube Roots

c) 7
[Solution Description]
The cube root of a number $y$ is a number $x$ such that $x^3 = y$. Here, we need to find $\sqrt[3]{343}$.
We know that $7 \times 7 \times 7 = 343$, so:
$\sqrt[3]{343} = 7.$
Therefore, the correct answer is 7.

Key Concept: Perfect Cubes, Taxicab Numbers

b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is NOT the correct explanation of Assertion.
[Solution Description]
The assertion states that 4104 is the second smallest taxicab number. This is true because the smallest taxicab number is 1729, followed by 4104.
The reason claims that 4104 can be expressed as the sum of two cubes in two different ways: $15^3 + 9^3 = 3375 + 729 = 4104$ and $16^3 + 2^3 = 4096 + 8 = 4104$. This is also correct.
However, the reason does not explain why 4104 is the second smallest taxicab number; it only verifies that 4104 is a taxicab number. Thus, both statements are true, but the reason is not the correct explanation of the assertion.

Key Concept: Prime Factorisation of Cubes

c) $2^3 \times 3^3 \times 5^3 \times 7^3$
[Solution Description]
When cubing a number, each prime factor appears three times in the prime factorization of the cube. Given the prime factors $2 \times 3 \times 5 \times 7$, the cube will have:
$2^3 \times 3^3 \times 5^3 \times 7^3.$
Hence, the correct answer is $2^3 \times 3^3 \times 5^3 \times 7^3$.

Key Concept: Definition of Cubic Numbers

c) 64
[Solution Description]
To find the cube of 4, multiply 4 by itself three times: $4 \times 4 \times 4 = 64$. Thus, the cube of 4 is 64.

Key Concept: Cubic Numbers

a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation of Assertion.
[Solution Description]
27 can be expressed as $3^3$, which means it is a perfect cube. The reason correctly defines a perfect cube as a number that can be written in the form $n^3$ where $n$ is an integer. Therefore, both the assertion and reason are true, and the reason correctly explains the assertion.

Key Concept: Perfect Cubes

c) 64
[Solution Description]
To find the cube of 4, multiply 4 by itself three times: $4 \times 4 \times 4 = 64$. Thus, the cube of 4 is 64.

Key Concept: Prime Factorisation

c) 8
[Solution Description]
A number is a perfect cube if its prime factors can be grouped into triplets. For example, 8 can be written as $2 \times 2 \times 2 = 2^3$, making it a perfect cube.

Key Concept: Taxicab numbers, Sum of two cubes

b) 4104
[Solution Description]
A taxicab number can be expressed as the sum of two cubes in two distinct ways. Among the options, $4104$ is known to satisfy this property: $4104 = 2^3 + 16^3 = 9^3 + 15^3$. We verify: $2^3 = 8$, $16^3 = 4096$, $8 + 4096 = 4104$; similarly, $9^3 = 729$, $15^3 = 3375$, $729 + 3375 = 4104$.

Key Concept: Perfect Cubes, Prime Factorisation

a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation of Assertion.
[Solution Description]
To determine if 5832 is a perfect cube, we first find its prime factorisation:
$5832 = 2 \times 2 \times 2 \times 3 \times 3 \times 3 \times 3 \times 3 \times 3 = 2^3 \times 3^6$
Since both prime factors ($2$ and $3$) appear in multiples of three, 5832 is indeed a perfect cube. Further, $(2 \times 3^2)^3 = 2^3 \times 3^6 = 5832$, so $\sqrt[3]{5832} = 18$.
Therefore, both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, and Reason correctly explains why 5832 is a perfect cube.

Key Concept: Perfect Cubes

a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation of Assertion.
[Solution Description]
64 can be factorized as $2 \times 2 \times 2 \times 2 \times 2 \times 2 = 2^6$. Since all the exponents are multiples of 3, they can be grouped into triplets ($2^3 \times 2^3$). Hence, 64 is a perfect cube and the Reason correctly explains the Assertion.

Key Concept: Properties of Cube Numbers

b) 125
[Solution Description]
The cube of a number $n$ is given by $n^3$. Here, $n = 5$.
Step 1: Multiply 5 by itself three times:
$5^3 = 5 \times 5 \times 5$
Step 2: Calculate step-by-step:
$5 \times 5 = 25$
$25 \times 5 = 125$
So, $5^3 = 125$.

Key Concept: Properties of Cube Numbers

b) 3
[Solution Description]
Observing the last digit pattern for cubes, numbers ending with 7 have cubes ending with 3 because $7^3 = 343$. Thus, the cube of any number ending with 7 will also end with 3.

Key Concept: Properties of Cube Numbers

d) Assertion is false, but Reason is true.
[Solution Description]
To check if a perfect cube can end with exactly two zeros (00), we need to analyze the prime factorization of such a number. A number ending with two zeros must be divisible by 100. The prime factorization of 100 is $2^2 \times 5^2$. For a number to be a perfect cube, each prime factor must appear in multiples of three. However, 100 has $2^2$ and $5^2$, which are not multiples of three. Therefore, a perfect cube cannot end with exactly two zeros. The Reason states that a number is a perfect cube if its prime factors appear in triplets, which is true. However, this does not explain why a perfect cube cannot end with two zeros, as the assertion is false.

Key Concept: Taxicab Numbers

c) 1729
[Solution Description]
The smallest such number is called a taxicab number. From the syllabus, the first taxicab number is 1729, which can be written as $1^3 + 12^3$ and $9^3 + 10^3$.

Key Concept: Prime Factorisation of Cubes, Cube Roots

b) 90
[Solution Description]
To find the cube root of $N^3$, we first express $N$ in terms of its prime factors:
$N = 2 \times 3^2 \times 5$.
The cube of $N$ is:
$N^3 = (2 \times 3^2 \times 5)^3 = 2^3 \times 3^6 \times 5^3.$
Taking the cube root of $N^3$ gives:
$\sqrt[3]{N^3} = N = 2 \times 3^2 \times 5 = 90.$

Key Concept: Prime Factorization, Cube Roots

b) 18
[Solution Description]
To make the number a perfect cube after multiplying by 7, the exponents in its prime factorization must all be multiples of 3. The given prime factorization is $2^2 \times 3^1 \times 7^2$. Multiplying by 7 gives $2^2 \times 3^1 \times 7^3$. To make all exponents divisible by 3:
- For 2: $2^2$ needs another $2^1$ to become $2^3$.
- For 3: $3^1$ needs another $3^2$ to become $3^3$.
Thus, the smallest number to multiply is $2^1 \times 3^2 = 2 \times 9 = 18$.

Key Concept: Perfect Cube Verification

b) 125
[Solution Description]
A number is a perfect cube if its prime factors can be split into three identical groups. Let's check each option:
- $125$: $5 \times 5 \times 5 = 5^3$, so it is a perfect cube.
- $100$: $2 \times 2 \times 5 \times 5$, not a perfect cube.
- $144$: $2 \times 2 \times 2 \times 2 \times 3 \times 3$, not a perfect cube.
- $200$: $2 \times 2 \times 2 \times 5 \times 5$, not a perfect cube.
Hence, only $125$ is a perfect cube.

Key Concept: Cube Root Calculation

c) 5
[Solution Description]
To find the cube root of 125, we look for a number that, when multiplied by itself three times, gives 125. We know that $5 \times 5 \times 5 = 125$. Therefore, $\sqrt[3]{125} = 5$.

Key Concept: Perfect Cube Identification

c) 64
[Solution Description]
A perfect cube is a number that can be expressed as the cube of an integer. Checking each option:
$64 = 4 \times 4 \times 4 = 4^3$
64 is a perfect cube.

Key Concept: Cube Root and Prime Factorization

a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation of Assertion.
[Solution Description]
To determine if the assertion is true, let's find the prime factorization of 2744:
$2744 \div 2 = 1372$
$1372 \div 2 = 686$
$686 \div 2 = 343$
$343 \div 7 = 49$
$49 \div 7 = 7$
$7 \div 7 = 1$
So, the prime factorization is $2^3 \times 7^3$. Each prime factor appears three times, meaning they can indeed be split into three identical groups ($2^3$ and $7^3$). Therefore, 2744 is a perfect cube. The reason correctly explains the assertion.

Key Concept: Cube Roots, Taxicab Numbers

c) Assertion is true, but Reason is false.
[Solution Description]
To verify if 4104 is a taxicab number, we check if it can be expressed as the sum of two cubes in two different ways. First, find the prime factorisation of 4104:
$4104 = 2^3 \times 3^3 \times 19$.
Now, express 4104 as sums of cubes:
1. $15^3 + 9^3 = 3375 + 729 = 4104$
2. $16^3 + 2^3 = 4096 + 8 = 4104$
Thus, 4104 is indeed a taxicab number. However, the Reason states that a taxicab number must have at least three distinct prime factors. While 4104 has three distinct prime factors (2, 3, 19), this is not a necessary condition for a taxicab number. For example, 1729 (another taxicab number) has only two distinct prime factors: $7 \times 13 \times 19$.
Therefore, Assertion is true, but Reason is false.

Key Concept: Taxicab Numbers, Sum of Two Cubes

a) 1729
[Solution Description]
The smallest such $k$ is 1729, which has two pairs: $(1, 12)$ and $(9, 10)$. This makes 1729 the smallest taxicab number.

Key Concept: Taxicab Numbers

b) 2
[Solution Description]
There are exactly two pairs of positive integers $(a, b)$ that satisfy $a^3 + b^3 = 1729$. These are $(1, 12)$ and $(9, 10)$, since $1^3 + 12^3 = 1729$ and $9^3 + 10^3 = 1729$.

Key Concept: Taxicab Numbers

a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation of Assertion.
[Solution Description]
The assertion states that 1729 is the smallest number expressible as the sum of two cubes in two different ways, which is true as proven by Ramanujan. The reason provides the two valid cube pairs $(1^3 + 12^3)$ and $(9^3 + 10^3)$ that sum to 1729, correctly explaining why the assertion is true.

Key Concept: Taxicab Numbers, Sum of Cubes

d) 87539319
[Solution Description]
The smallest taxicab number expressible as a sum of two cubes in three distinct ways is 87539319. It can be written as:
$87539319 = 167^3 + 436^3 = 228^3 + 423^3 = 255^3 + 414^3$.

Key Concept: Taxicab Numbers

c) 4104
[Solution Description]
The next two taxicab numbers after 1729 are 4104 and 13832. Here, 4104 can be expressed as:
$4104 = 2^3 + 16^3$ and $4104 = 9^3 + 15^3$.

Key Concept: Perfect Cubes and Consecutive Odd Numbers

b) $31 + 33 + 35 + 37 + 39 + 41$
[Solution Description]
To find the sequence of consecutive odd numbers whose sum is $216$, we refer to the pattern given in the syllabus. The sum of $n$ consecutive odd numbers starting from the appropriate term will be $n^3$. Here, $216 = 6^3$, so $n = 6$.
The first term of the sequence can be found using the formula for the first term of the $k^{th}$ group of consecutive odd numbers:
$\text{First term} = k^2 - k + 1$
For $k = 6$:
$\text{First term} = 6^2 - 6 + 1 = 36 - 6 + 1 = 31$
Thus, the sequence is $31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41$.

Key Concept: Perfect Cubes and Consecutive Odd Numbers, Taxicab Numbers

c) Assertion is true, but Reason is false.
[Solution Description]
Let's verify the assertion first:
The given sequence is:
$91 + 93 + 95 + 97 + 99 + 101 + 103 + 105 + 107 + 109$.
Step 1: Count the number of terms. There are $10$ consecutive odd numbers here.
Step 2: Find the average of the first and last term to determine the median value or central tendency.
$\text{Average} = \frac{91 + 109}{2} = 100$.
Step 3: Multiply the average by the number of terms to find the sum.
$\text{Sum} = 100 \times 10 = 1000$.
Now check if $1000$ is a perfect cube:
$1000 = 10^3$, so it is indeed a perfect cube. Therefore, the Assertion (A) is true.
Now let's evaluate the Reason (R):
The reason states that the sum of any set of consecutive odd numbers will always result in a perfect cube. However, this is not necessarily true.
For example, consider the sum of two consecutive odd numbers: $1 + 3 = 4$, which is $2^2$ (a perfect square, not a cube).
Thus, Reason (R) is false.
Hence, Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false.

Key Concept: Cube Roots, Prime Factorisation

b) The cube root of $1728$ is $12$.
[Solution Description]
To determine the cube root of $1728$, we perform prime factorisation:
$1728 = 2 \times 2 \times 2 \times 2 \times 2 \times 2 \times 3 \times 3 \times 3$
Grouping into triplets:
$1728 = (2 \times 2 \times 2) \times (2 \times 2 \times 2) \times (3 \times 3 \times 3) = 2^3 \times 2^3 \times 3^3$
Simplifying:
$1728 = (2 \times 2 \times 3)^3 = 12^3$
Therefore, $\sqrt[3]{1728} = 12$.

Key Concept: Perfect Cubes and Consecutive Odd Numbers

c) 1000
[Solution Description]
The given series is a set of 10 consecutive odd numbers starting from 91. Following the pattern, the sum of the first $n$ consecutive odd numbers equals $n^3$. Here, $n = 10$. Thus, the sum is $10^3 = 1000$.

Key Concept: Perfect Cubes via Prime Factorisation

b) Yes, because it can be written as $6^3$.
[Solution Description]
Prime factorize the number 216:
$216 = 6 \times 6 \times 6 = (2 \times 3) \times (2 \times 3) \times (2 \times 3) = 2^3 \times 3^3 = (2 \times 3)^3 = 6^3$
Since the factors can be grouped into three identical groups, 216 is a perfect cube.

Key Concept: Cubic Numbers: Successive Differences, Prime Factorisation

b) 48
[Solution Description]
First, calculate the cubes:
$7^3 = 343$, $8^3 = 512$, $9^3 = 729$, $10^3 = 1000$.
First differences:
$512 - 343 = 169$,
$729 - 512 = 217$,
$1000 - 729 = 271$.
Second differences:
$217 - 169 = 48$,
$271 - 217 = 54$.
The second-level differences are $48$ and $54$.

Key Concept: Prime Factorisation of a Number and Its Cube

a) $2^6 \times 5^3 \times 7^3$
[Solution Description]
Given $N = 2^2 \times 5 \times 7$, then:
$N^3 = (2^2 \times 5 \times 7)^3 = 2^{6} \times 5^3 \times 7^3$.
Each exponent in the prime factorisation is multiplied by $3$.

Key Concept: Successive Differences for Cubic Numbers

c) 7
[Solution Description]
The first level difference is calculated by subtracting the previous term from the next term. Here, subtract $1$ from $8$: $8 - 1 = 7$.

Key Concept: Cubic Numbers: Successive Differences

a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation of Assertion.
[Solution Description]
The assertion states that for perfect cubes, the third differences are always constant. This is true as demonstrated in the syllabus example where the third differences were all 6 for the sequence $1, 8, 27, 64, 125, 216, \ldots$.
The reason claims that this property is unique to cubic sequences and helps identify them. This is also true because, unlike squares or higher powers, only cubic numbers exhibit this specific pattern of constant third differences.
Since both the assertion and reason are true, and the reason correctly explains why perfect cubes have constant third differences, the correct option is the one where both are true and the reason is the correct explanation.

Key Concept: Cube Roots, Patterns in Squares

a) 6
[Solution Description]
We need $n^3 \equiv 216 \ (\text{mod} \ 1000)$.
First, solve $n^3 \equiv 216 \ (\text{mod} \ 8)$:
$216 \equiv 0 \ (\text{mod} \ 8)$, so $n$ must be even.
Next, solve $n^3 \equiv 216 \ (\text{mod} \ 125)$:
$216 = 6^3$, so $n \equiv 6 \ (\text{mod} \ 5)$ (using Fermat's Little Theorem).
Combining, the smallest $n$ satisfying both is $6$ (since $6^3 = 216$, which ends with $216$).
However, checking higher candidates:
$16^3 = 4096$ (does not end with $216$),
$26^3 = 17576$ (ends with $576$),
$36^3 = 46656$ (ends with $656$),
$46^3 = 97336$ (ends with $336$),
$56^3 = 175616$ (ends with $616$),
$66^3 = 287496$ (ends with $496$),
$76^3 = 438976$ (ends with $976$),
$86^3 = 636056$ (ends with $056$),
$96^3 = 884736$ (ends with $736$),
$106^3 = 1191016$ (ends with $016$),
$116^3 = 1560896$ (ends with $896$),
$126^3 = 2000376$ (ends with $376$),
$136^3 = 2515456$ (ends with $456$),
$146^3 = 3112136$ (ends with $136$),
$156^3 = 3796416$ (ends with $416$),
$166^3 = 4574296$ (ends with $296$),
$176^3 = 5451776$ (ends with $776$),
$186^3 = 6434856$ (ends with $856$),
$196^3 = 7529536$ (ends with $536$).
The pattern repeats every $100$ units. The smallest such $n$ is $6 + 100k$ where $k$ is an integer. Here, $6$ is the smallest.

Key Concept: Etymology, Mathematical terminology evolution

b) Sanskrit "mula" → Arabic "jidhr" → Latin "radix" → English "root"
[Solution Description]
The syllabus explains:
1. Sanskrit "mula" (plant root) → mathematical root operations
2. This influenced Arabic "jidhr"
3. Which then influenced Latin "radix"
4. Finally evolving into English "root"
The path must show this progression through multiple languages while maintaining the plant root → mathematical root connection.

Key Concept: Sanskrit Terminology

b) Both the square figure and the square power
[Solution Description]
As per Aryabhata's description, *varga* refers to both the square figure (or its area) and the square power (product of two equal quantities).

Key Concept: Origin of the Term 'Root'

c) Because it represented the basis or origin of a square/cube
[Solution Description]
The term *mula* was used because it signified the basis or origin of a square or cube, similar to how roots are the basis of plants. This terminology influenced Arabic (*jidhr*) and Latin (*radix*).

Key Concept: Babylonian Contributions

a) Quickly finding square roots and cube roots for geometric problems
[Solution Description]
The Babylonian clay tablets contained lists of perfect squares and cubes, which were used for quick calculations in land measurement and architectural design.

Key Concept: Historical Context

b) Due to its symbolic meaning of origin or base
[Solution Description]
The word *mula* in Sanskrit means "root of a plant," which symbolically represents the origin or basis. This metaphorical usage was extended to mathematical roots, as they represent the base value from which powers (like squares or cubes) are derived.

Key Concept: Cube roots, Perfect cubes, Sanskrit terminology

c) ghana-mula of 10648 is 22
[Solution Description]
The problem involves finding the cube root of 10648 and understanding its representation in Sanskrit terms.
Step 1: Find prime factorization of 10648.
$10648 = 2 \times 2 \times 2 \times 11 \times 11 \times 11 = 2^3 \times 11^3$
Step 2: Calculate cube root:
$\sqrt[3]{10648} = 2 \times 11 = 22$
Step 3: In Sanskrit terminology:
- Cube is called "ghana"
- Cube root is called "ghana-mula"
Thus, 22 is the ghana-mula of 10648.

Key Concept: Cube Roots and Perfect Cubes

c) 30
[Solution Description] To find the cube root of 27000, we factorize it:
$27000 = 27 \times 1000 = 3^3 \times 10^3 = (3 \times 10)^3 = 30^3$
Thus, the cube root of 27000 is 30.

Key Concept: Perfect Cubes

b) 7
[Solution Description] First, factorize 1323:
$1323 = 3^3 \times 7^2$
To make it a perfect cube, the exponents of all prime factors must be multiples of 3. Here, 7 has an exponent of 2. We need to multiply by 7 to get $3^3 \times 7^3 = (3 \times 7)^3 = 21^3$. Hence, the required number is 7.

Key Concept: Properties of Cubes

d) All of the above are false.
[Solution Description] Let's evaluate each statement:
(i) The cube of any odd number is even - False, as the cube of an odd number remains odd.
(ii) There is no perfect cube that ends with 8 - False, as $2^3 = 8$ and $12^3 = 1728$, which end with 8.
(iii) The cube of a 2-digit number may be a 3-digit number - True, e.g., $4^3 = 64$ and $5^3 = 125$.
(iv) The cube of a 2-digit number may have seven or more digits - False, as the largest 2-digit number is 99 and $99^3 = 970299$, a 6-digit number.
(v) Cube numbers have an odd number of factors - True, as they are perfect squares of their cube roots.
The false statements are (i) and (ii).

Key Concept: Use of *mula*

b) Because it represents the origin or basis of the square or cube
[Solution Description]
In Sanskrit, *mula* means the root of a plant, basis, cause, or origin. This term was adopted for mathematical roots (*varga-mula* for square root and *ghana-mula* for cube root) because it signifies the "origin" or "basis" of the square or cube. This terminology later influenced Arabic and Latin terms for roots.

Key Concept: Mathematical Term Origin

d) Originated from the Sanskrit word $mula$.
[Solution Description]
The term ‘root’ comes from the Sanskrit word $mula$, meaning the root of a plant, basis, or origin, which was used for operations involving roots in ancient India.

Key Concept: Indian Contributions

a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation of Assertion.
[Solution Description]
The assertion states that *varga-varga* was used for the fourth power, which is correct as per the syllabus. The reason explains that *varga* means square, and *varga-varga* is derived by applying the square operation twice (square of square), which correctly explains why it represents the fourth power. Thus, both are true, and the reason correctly explains the assertion.

Key Concept: Mathematical etymology, Root operations

b) Sanskrit through Arabic and Latin
[Solution Description]
The concept originated from Sanskrit 'mula' meaning plant root, which was adopted into Arabic as 'jidhr' and then Latin as 'radix'. These terms all referred both to plant roots and mathematical roots. The English term 'root' comes from this lineage via Latin influence on European mathematics during the Middle Ages.

Key Concept: Historical Mathematical Terms, Sanskrit Origins

b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is NOT the correct explanation of Assertion.
[Solution Description]
The assertion states that $\textit{varga-mula}$ denotes the square root as it signifies the origin/basis $(mula)$ of a square $(varga),$ which is true based on historical Sanskrit usage. The reason claims that the concept of roots originated from the graphical representation of squares/cubes in ancient Indian texts, which is also true but does not directly explain why $\textit{mula}$ (root) was specifically chosen for the mathematical operation. While the terms were indeed derived from geometric representations, the immediate explanation lies in the meaning of $\textit{mula}$ itself (basis/origin), not just the graphical connection. Hence, both statements are true, but the reason does not correctly explain the assertion.

Key Concept: Historical terms in mathematics, Square roots, Varga-mula

b) Basis of the square power
[Solution Description]
The term 'varga-mula' was used for square root in ancient India. It literally means "the basis/origin of the square" ('varga' = square, 'mula' = root/basis). This relates to finding the original number that was squared to obtain a given value. Aryabhata and Brahmagupta explained this concept where mula represents the root operation.

Key Concept: Taxicab Numbers

b) 1729
[Solution Description]
The smallest number expressible as the sum of two positive cubes in two distinct ways is 1729, known as the Taxicab Number. It can be written as:
$1729 = 1^3 + 12^3 = 9^3 + 10^3$

Key Concept: Perfect cubes, Taxicab numbers

d) 1729
[Solution Description]
The smallest number that can be expressed as the sum of two positive cubes in two different ways is 1729. This was famously stated by Ramanujan to Hardy. The two representations are:
$1729 = 1^3 + 12^3$ and $1729 = 9^3 + 10^3$.

Key Concept: Famous Mathematicians

a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation of Assertion.
[Solution Description]
The assertion states that 1729 is the smallest number expressible as the sum of two cubes in two different ways, which is true ($1729 = 1^3 + 12^3 = 9^3 + 10^3$). The reason explains Ramanujan's talent for recognizing numerical patterns, which is also true and directly explains why he identified this property of 1729. Therefore, both the assertion and reason are true, and the reason correctly explains the assertion.

Key Concept: Historical Context

d) Srinivasa Ramanujan
[Solution Description]
Srinivasa Ramanujan identified 1729 as the smallest number expressible as the sum of two cubes in two different ways:
$1729 = 1^3 + 12^3 = 9^3 + 10^3$
This discovery was made during his conversation with G.H. Hardy.

Key Concept: Cube Roots

c) 5
[Solution Description]
The cube root of a number $x$ is a number $y$ such that $y^3 = x$. Here,
$5^3 = 125$
So, the cube root of 125 is 5.

Key Concept: Square Roots

b) 21 meters
[Solution Description]
The area of a square is given by $\text{Side}^2$. To find the side length, take the square root of the area:
$\sqrt{441} = 21$ meters.

Key Concept: Basic Concept: Cube Root Application

b) 11
[Solution Description]
Since 1331 is known to be a perfect cube, and observing that $11^3 = 1331$, the cube root must be 11.

Key Concept: Varga, Ghana, Mula

b) The square of a square, representing the fourth power
[Solution Description]
The term varga-varga is derived from combining two varga terms. Since varga stands for square or second power, varga-varga represents the fourth power. This is because squaring a square gives the fourth power (e.g., $(x^2)^2 = x^4$).

Key Concept: Mula, Square Root

c) It symbolized the origin or basis of the number
[Solution Description]
The Sanskrit word 'mula' means the root of a plant, basis, cause, or origin. It was metaphorically extended to describe the mathematical operation of finding roots because it signifies the 'origin' or 'basis' of a number (e.g., the number that, when squared or cubed, gives the original number). For example, $\sqrt{x}$ finds the 'origin' of $x$ (the number which squared gives $x$).

Key Concept: Basic Concept: Varga and Ghana Definitions

b) The square figure or its area and the square power of a number
[Solution Description]
According to Aryabhata, the term *varga* refers to both the square figure or its area and the square power of a number.