SJS MEGA TRIALS, 2025

CONTEST 3

ROUND ONE

FUNDAMENTALS

PREAMBLE: The line x + 5y = 10 cuts the x- axis at P and the y – axis at Q. Find the
equation of the
− 𝒙𝒙
1. Median from P to OQ Ans: y = 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏
+ 𝟏𝟏 or 10 y + x = 10

−𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐
2. Median from Q to OP Ans: y = 𝟓𝟓
+ 𝟐𝟐 or 5y = - 2x + 10

𝟏𝟏
3. Median from the origin to PQ Ans: y = 𝟓𝟓 𝒙𝒙 or 5y = x

4. Median from the point R (4, 3) in the plane to PQ Ans: y = -2x + 11

PREAMBLE: Find the Amplitude A, the period T, and range R, of the given trigonometric
function
1. 𝑦𝑦 = 14 − 11 sin(2𝑥𝑥 + 𝜋𝜋)
Ans: A = 11, T = 𝝅𝝅 𝒓𝒓𝒓𝒓𝒓𝒓𝒓𝒓𝒓𝒓𝒓𝒓𝒓𝒓, R = {𝒚𝒚 ∶ 𝟑𝟑 ≤ 𝒚𝒚 ≤ 𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐}

2. 1.𝑦𝑦 = 6 tan 3𝑥𝑥 − 11

𝝅𝝅
Ans: A = ∞, T = 𝟑𝟑 𝒓𝒓𝒓𝒓𝒓𝒓𝒓𝒓𝒓𝒓𝒓𝒓𝒓𝒓, R = {𝒚𝒚 ∶ − ∞ < 𝒚𝒚 < ∞}

𝜋𝜋
3. 𝑦𝑦 = 21𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 4 + 3
Ans: A = 𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐, T = 8𝝅𝝅 𝒓𝒓𝒓𝒓𝒓𝒓𝒓𝒓𝒓𝒓𝒓𝒓𝒓𝒓, R = {𝒚𝒚 ∶ −𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏 ≤ 𝒚𝒚 ≤ 𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐}

4. 𝑦𝑦 = 12 + 7𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐4𝑥𝑥
𝝅𝝅
Ans: A = 7, T = 𝟐𝟐 𝒓𝒓𝒓𝒓𝒓𝒓𝒓𝒓𝒓𝒓𝒓𝒓𝒓𝒓, R = {𝒚𝒚 ∶ 𝟓𝟓 ≤ 𝒚𝒚 ≤ 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏}

PREAMBLE: An ambulance transporting wounded accident victim broadcasts a 512 𝐻𝐻𝐻𝐻 tone
from its siren when the speed of sound in still air is 315 𝑚𝑚 𝑠𝑠 −1.

1. What is the frequency perceived by an observer who is receding at 3.0 𝑚𝑚 𝑠𝑠 −1 when the
vehicle is approaching at 15.0 𝑚𝑚 𝑠𝑠 −1 ? Ans: 532 𝑯𝑯𝑯𝑯

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 2. What is the frequency perceived by a stationary observer when the vehicle is receding
at 5.00 𝑚𝑚 𝑠𝑠 −1 ? Ans: 504 𝑯𝑯𝑯𝑯

3. What is the frequency perceived by an observer who is approaching at 3.00 𝑚𝑚 𝑠𝑠 −1

when the vehicle is approaching at 15.0 𝑚𝑚 𝑠𝑠 −1 ? Ans: 543 𝑯𝑯𝑯𝑯

4. What is the frequency perceived by a stationary observer when the vehicle is receding
at 15.0 𝑚𝑚 𝑠𝑠 −1 ? Ans: 489 𝐻𝐻𝐻𝐻

PREAMBLE: Find the neutral point for the given configuration of point charges. Leave your
answer as a surd where appropriate.

1. A 10 𝐶𝐶 charge located at the origin and a 6 𝐶𝐶 charge located on the 𝑥𝑥-axis at 𝑥𝑥 = 4 𝑚𝑚.
Ans: On the 𝑥𝑥-axis at 𝑥𝑥 = �10 − 2√15� 𝑚𝑚

2. A 4 𝐶𝐶 charge located at the origin and a 9 𝐶𝐶 charge located on the 𝑥𝑥-axis at 𝑥𝑥 = 5 𝑚𝑚.
Ans: On the 𝑥𝑥-axis at 𝑥𝑥 = 2 𝑚𝑚

3. A 4 𝐶𝐶 charge located at the origin and a 12 𝐶𝐶 charge located on the 𝑥𝑥-axis at 𝑥𝑥 = 4 𝑚𝑚.
Ans: On the 𝑥𝑥-axis at 𝑥𝑥 = �2√3 − 2� 𝑚𝑚

4. A 8 𝐶𝐶 charge located at the origin and a 14 𝐶𝐶 charge located on the 𝑥𝑥-axis at 𝑥𝑥 = 3 𝑚𝑚

Ans: On the 𝑥𝑥-axis at 𝑥𝑥 = �2√7 − 4� 𝑚𝑚

PREAMBLE: Sulfur and its compounds are widely used in various industries.

Each school should provide only one distinct application.

Suggested Answers

i. Manufacture of fertilizers – Sulfuric acid is used to make phosphate fertilizers like

superphosphate and ammonium sulfate.
ii. Food preservation – Sulfur dioxide (SO₂) is used to preserve dried fruits and wines.
iii. Bleaching – SO₂ is used to bleach paper and textiles.
iv. vulcanization of rubber – Elemental sulfur is used to harden rubber.
v. Manufacture of detergents – Sulfonic acids, derived from sulfur, are used in making
cleaning agents.
vi. Battery acid – Sulfuric acid is the electrolyte in car batteries.
vii. Production of explosives – Sulfur is a component in gunpowder and some explosives.
viii. Manufacture of paints and pigments – Some sulfur compounds are used as pigments
and in dyes.
ix. Petroleum refining – Sulfur compounds help remove impurities from crude oil.
x. Medicine – Sulfur-based drugs (sulfa drugs) are used as antibiotics.

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PREAMBLE: Give the term to which the following descriptions refer

1. Two atoms whose neutron to proton difference is the same Ans: Isodiaphers

2. The theoretical concept that explains the delocalization of electrons in conjugated

systems using resonance structures. Ans: Resonance Hybrid

3. The temperature and pressure at which the three phases of a substance coexist in
equilibrium. Ans: Triple point

4. Effect observed when the addition of a common ion decreases the solubility of a salt in
solution. Ans: Common Ion Effect

QUESTION TO ALL SCHOOLS: Mention one essential nutrient found in maize (corn)

i. Carbohydrates
ii. Fiber
iii. Vitamins (especially B vitamins like thiamine, folate, and vitamin B6)
iv. Minerals (like phosphorus, magnesium, and potassium)
v. Antioxidants (like carotenoids)

PREAMBLE: To school 1 and 2;

A woman who is a carrier for the gene that causes colour blindness is married to a normal
man. Determine;
1. The phenotypic ratio Ans: 3:1
2. The genotypic ratio Ans: 2:1:1

PREAMBLE: For school 3 and 4;

A woman who is a carrier for the gene that causes haemophilia is married to a haemophiliac
man. Determine;
3. The probability that they reproduce a normal female offspring Ans: 0
4. The probability that they reproduce a haemophiliac male Ans: ½

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 ROUND TWO

SPEEDRACE

1. A real Atwood machine has a light inextensible string running over a disc of radius
0.30 𝑚𝑚 and a mass of 1.2𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘. If the Atwood machine is operated with a 14 𝑁𝑁 object and
26 𝑁𝑁 counter weight. Find the tension in the string in the portion of the string attached
to the heavier object, when the Atwood machine is at work. Ans: 19 𝑁𝑁

2. Find the impedance of an 𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅 circuit whose reactance is 105 𝛺𝛺 and whose resistance is
208 𝛺𝛺. Ans: 233 𝛺𝛺

3. The thermal efficiency of a heat engine is 0.20. Find the heat the engine rejects to its
cold reservoir when it does 850 𝐽𝐽 of work. Ans: 3400 𝑱𝑱

1. Name any method of separating a metal from its ore

Ans:
a. By electrolysis
b. By reduction using a reducing agent
c. By concentrating the ore

2. A hydrocarbon contains 14.29% of hydrogen, what is the empirical formula of the

hydrocarbon Ans: CH2

3. A chemical reaction is of 4th order with respect to its only reactant, determine the units
of its rate constant. Ans: mol-3dm9s-1

√2𝑥𝑥−1 𝟏𝟏
1. Determine the domain of the function y = Ans: �𝒙𝒙 ∶ 𝒙𝒙 𝝐𝝐𝝐𝝐, 𝟐𝟐 ≤ 𝒙𝒙 < 𝟒𝟒 �
√4−𝑥𝑥
2. Find the quadratic equation given that it cuts the x – axis at x =6 and x = -1 and the y –
axis at y = - 18 Ans: y = 3 (𝒙𝒙 − 𝟔𝟔)(𝒙𝒙 + 𝟏𝟏)
3. Find the coordinates of the stationary point of the curve y = (x4 - 6)/(x4 + 6)
Ans: (0, -1)

1. Give the Latin word origin for the word flower Ans: flora
2. What is the scientific name of lion? Ans: Panthera leo
3. What is the ploidy of a sporophyte? Ans: diploid

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 ROUND THREE

TRUE OR FALSE

If a quadrilateral fits its outline in 4 positions and has 2 axes of symmetry, then it is a

1. Square False
2. Rhombus False
3. Rectangle False
4. An Isosceles Trapezium False

PREAMBLE: At any point in the curve y = f(x):

1. If d2y/dx2 > 0, then the point is a minimum point. False

2. If d2y/dx2 > 0, then the point is a point of inflexion. True
3. If d2y/dx2 > 0, and dy/dx = 0, then the point is a maximum point. True
4. If dy/dx > 0, then the curve is increasing at the point. True

1. Pascal’s principle is only applicable to incompressible fluid. False

2. Pascal’s principle is only applicable to incompressible liquids False
3. Pascal’s principle is the physical principle that explains floatation of wood on water
False
4. Pascal’s principle is the physical principle that governs the floatation of sea-going
vessels False

PREAMBLE: A simple harmonic oscillator is made up of a light spring. The spring-mass

system oscillates horizontally without any resistance:

1. The kinetic energy of the mass is greatest at the equilibrium position of the system:
True
2. The kinetic energy of the mass is negative at the extreme left False
3. The kinetic energy of the mass is zero at the extreme positions True
4. The kinetic energy of the mass is half its greatest value half way between an extreme
position and the equilibrium position False

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1. Sodium is more reactive than Potassium. False
2. Magnesium is more reactive than aluminium. True
3. Rubidium is more reactive than Cesium. False
4. Sodium is more reactive than Beryllium True

1. When an organic acid reacts with a base, an ester is formed. False

2. When an organic acid reacts with a base, a salt is formed. True
3. When an organic acid reacts with a base, heat is absorbed. False
4. When an organic acid reacts with a base, both salt and water are formed. True

1. The sternum is commonly called the breastbone. True

2. The radius is medial to the ulna in the anatomical position. False (Radius is lateral.)
3. The carpals are bones found in the ankle. False (Carpals = wrist; tarsals = ankle.)
4. Bone marrow produces red blood cells. True (In red marrow.)

1. Agama lizards belong to the reptile class and typically live in colonies with one
dominant male and multiple females. True
2. The external structure of the Agama lizard includes homodont dentition and a nuchal
crest on its neck. True
3. Agama lizards use their long tails exclusively for defense and do not regenerate lost
tails. False
4. The skin of Agama lizards is covered with moist scales to prevent dehydration.
False

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 ROUND FOUR

RIDDLES

1. I am a diagram
2. I consist of a series of horizontal or vertical bars of equal width
3. My bars rise in line with how often things appear
4. I am easy to read, clear and simple by name
5. I visually represent data using rectangle bars
Who am I? SIMPLE BAR CHART

1. I am a semiconductor device
2. I am composed of both p-type and n-type semiconductors
3. And I have a heavily doped pn junction
4. Upon reacting a defined voltage, I start conducting current in the revers direction
5. If my name honors a physicist’s quest
Who am I? ZENER DIODE

1. I am one of the orders of the class insecta

2. I contain several families that can be considered beneficial to humans and their
environment
3. First, and most important is the role of my members in guard and defense duties
4. I undergo an incomplete metamorphosis
5. In my members are known by entomologists as “equal wings”
Who am I? ORDER ISOPTERA

1. I am an inorganic solid with a giant covalent structure.

2. All my atoms are identical and bonded in a tetrahedral network.
3. I do not conduct electricity, even when molten.
4. I have an extremely high melting point and am used in cutting tools.
5. Despite my hardness, I am made entirely from the same element as graphite.
Who am I? DIAMOND