8 Identical Balls Problem

Question: You are given 8 identical looking balls. One of them is heavier than the rest of the 7 (all the others weigh exactly the same). You a provided with a simple mechanical balance and you are restricted to only 2 uses. Find the heavier ball.


Answer: For convenience sake, let’s name the balls 1-8. First we weigh {1,2,3} on the left and {4,5,6} on the right. There are three scenarios which can arise from this.
If the left side is heavier, then we know that one of 1, 2 or 3 is the heavier ball. Weigh {1} on the left and {2} on the right. By doing this, we will know if 1 or 2 is heavier. If they balance out, then 3 is the heavier one.
If the right side is heavier, then we know that either 4, 5 or 6 is the heavier ball. Weigh {4} on the left and {5} on the right. By doing this we will know if 4 or 5 is heavier. If they balance out, then 6 is the heavier one.
If {1,2,3} and {4,5,6} balance out, then we know either 7 or 8 is the heavier one. Weigh both of them to find out which one is heavier.

A Box of Defective Balls

Question: You have 10 boxes of balls (each ball weighing exactly10 gm) with one box with defective balls (each one of the defective balls weigh 9 gm). You are given an electronic weighing machine and only one chance at it. How will find out which box has the defective balls?


Answer: For convenience sake, let’s name the boxes from 1 to 10. In order to solve this problem, you have to leverage the fact that you know exactly what each good ball is supposed to weigh and what each defective ball is supposed to weigh. Many of us instinctively will take one ball out of each box and try to find a way to make it work but the trick to take different number of balls from each box.
The number of balls you pick from each bag is equal to the box number. For example, pick 1 ball from box 1, 2 balls from box 2 and so on. In total you will have 55 balls. If all of the boxes have good balls, then the total weight of these balls would be 550gm.
If box 1 has defective balls, then the total weight should be 1gm less than expected (only one ball weighing 9 gm). If box 2 has defective balls, then the total weight should be 2gm less than expected (two balls weighing 9 gm). So once you weigh the set of chosen balls, find out the difference between the total weight and the expected weight. That number represents the box number which contains the defective balls.

APPSC Group I - Prelims

For Group-1 Prelims preparation follow the syllubus strictly and prepare your own notes from the textbooks of Telugu Academy or NCERT.

Recommended Competetive Books for Complete Study of Prelims:
1.Vijetha Competetions Group-1 Complete Guide.
2. Udhyoga Sopanam Group-1 Guide
If you prepare daily 10 – 12 hours and follow current affairs you can complete the syllubus for prelims in 2 – 3 months and you can crack the exam easily.
Earlier the Cut-Off For Group-1 Prelims is 86 this year it may be around 90 -92 so prepare carefully.
For TELUGU Medium You can Get so many materials and guides but difficult to find the material in ENGLISH Medium.
The Pattern Of Exam And Details Are As Follow:
Group-1 posts are the apex cadres in the state level..which are recruited by the APPSC.Basically Qualification for the Group-1,2 are Graduation(10+2+3 or 10+2+4) in any course like BA,B.com,B.sc..B.tech..,not consider the percentages..just required to pass the Graduation.
Perviously(2004) APPSC has conducted the groups exams with Optional subjects like Civil Services..
Last year APPSC has changed the Syllabus for the Group-1,2 exams respectively..according to the new syllabus ..there is no optionals…in place of the optionals they introduce the comman syllabus for all the aspirants..,Basically Group-1 exam contains the 3 levels..
1.Prilimis(only for screening)
2.Mains
3.Interview

In the Prilims.,which is the only screening test to filter the candidates..,in this level contains 150 marks (General Studies(GS) + GK + Aptitude +Reasoning).
GS includes basic topics of Scince,social,history,geography,culture (SSC level).
According to previous results..if U will get 85-90..U shld be in the Mains level..,According to APPSC Rules ..they will select the candidates for mains …1:50 Ration(50 members for 1 post)Next Round was Mains…this is the key exam in the Groups.Mains contains the 5 papers and one General English paper..which is only qualifying paper..,
Total Duration of the Exam was : 3 hours
Paper 1: General Essay (150 Marks..,15 Questions each 10 marks)
Paper 2: History & Culture (150 Marks..,15 Questions each 10 marks)
Paper 3: Econamy (150 Marks..,15 Questions each 10 marks)
Paper 4: Science & Technology(150 Marks..,15 Questions each 10 marks)
Paper 5: Data appreciation and interpretation (150 Marks..,15 Questions each 10 marks)
According to APPSC rules…appsc ppl will select the candidates for interview in 1:2 ratio with respective to the reservations..Final Round of the Group-1 exams was Interview which contains the 75 marks …APPSC board will test candidates attitude,decision making ….etc
The Total Marks for the Group-1 exam….Prelims: 150 markksMains: 5*150=750 marks,English: 150 marks(only qualifying)Interview: 75 marks

Note: Friends Mains Exams are CONVENTIONAL TYPE and Prelims Exams are of Objective Type

APPSC Group II - Paper II & III

paper II
Section -I

History & culture of AP (English medium) — P Raghunadha rao

(or)

Adhunika andhra pradesh charithra (ఆధునిక ఆంధ్రప్రదేశ చరిత్ర TM) — P Raghunadha rao

Another good book on AP history.please download here

Section -II

Indian polity — M Laxmikanth

paper III
Section -I

Indian Economy —-Dutt& sundaram

Bharata ardhika vyavastha- samasyalu (భారత ఆర్ధిక వ్యవస్త – సమస్యలు ) –Telugu academy competitive exam book

Section -II

Andhra pradesh ardhika vyavastha- Abivriddhi( ఆంధ్రప్రదేశ ఆర్ధిక వ్యవస్త- అభివ్రిద్ధి) –Telugu academy competitive exam book.

APPSC Group II - Paper 1 (General Studies)

1.General Science

This is studied under physics, chemistry, biology

Physics:

Force & pressure,Friction,gravitation,solar system,mechanics(newton laws, centripetal,centrifugal forces,projectiles,angle of banking,potential & kinetic energy),liquids(capillarity,surface tension, viscosity),Sound,Heat,light,Electricity, Magnetism,satellites, modern physics (atomic energy, radio activity,cosmic, x rays, visible spectrum),Nuclear,space technology in India(latest happening in these areas)

Biology:

Cell structure,living organisms classification,life processes of plants and animals (nutrition,digestion, respiration, circulatory system,blood, excretion), control &coordination(nervous system, eyes,ears),endocrine system & reproduction,digestive enzymes,hormones,vitamins,infectious diseases,natural resources management(air, water, soil pollution,wetlands, forestry, wildlife)applications of biology(plant breeding, animal breeding, pesticides, bio fertilisers, biotechnology,stem cells),Institutions of National importance

Chemistry:

Physical & chemical changes,Atoms &molecules,Acids,bases & salts,metals &non metals,fibres,periodic table classification,carbon compounds(hydrocarbons, polymers),biomolecules(carbohydrates,proteins,fats),nuclear fission, nuclear fusion,breeder reactors, metallurgy.

All the above topics are the areas one need to look into but the scope of questions in exam may or may not be limited to above topics.

Suggested Reading:

NCERT Text books : class 6 to 10 (Science).There are 3 to 4 books for every class,so please download all the books.
Science section in India Year Book latest.
AP State Syllabus: class 6 to 10 (These books are also good ,you can use them in place of NCERT books)

General Studies Manual by Tata McgrawHill (For those who want all material in a single book)

2.Indian and World Geography

Physical features of India & AP,landforms & their evolution,drainage basins,climate,soils,natural vegetation and wild life,population(growth,density,migration,sex ratio, occupation structure),economic activity in(agriculture,industry,tourism,trade,transportation,services)

In case of world geography focus on major drainage basins,industrial centres(manufacturing & minerals),agricultural producers,trade centres.

Suggested Reading:

NCERT Text books :Class 6 to 10 (Social Science) and Class 11 and 12 (Geography)
Good School Atlas:Please make sure AP information is mentioned in it.
AP State Syllabus: class 6 to 10 Social sciences (These books are good ,refer them for AP relevant content in geography and economics)

3.History of India and Indian National Movement

History of india includes history especially cultural (arts, language & literature,architecture) from ancient,medieval and up to 1857 revolt.Indian national movement includes the personalities who shaped social reforms and freedom movement

Suggested Reading:

NCERT Text books :Social Sciences (class 6 to 10) and History(11 and 12th class)
Ancient India , Medieval india (NCERT reference books for class 11 and 12): R.S. Sharma (you need to buy in bookshop)
Modern India : Bipin Chandra

Download history study material from http://www.jeywin.com/study-material/

4.Mental Ability
This part will test the candidate ability in analytical and reasoning abilities.This includes, analogies, algebra, synonyms & antonyms,series,inferences etc.

Suggested Reading:
Quicker maths by M Tyra ( The questions in exam are of basic nature, entire content of book may not be relevant)

5.Current events of national and International importance

Indian economy

latest Economic survey, HDI report, poverty estimates,13th finance commission report,national income (base year changes), inflation, GDP estimates,Fiscal deficit, Union budget,Rail budget, various social and poverty alleviation programmes, Arogyasri, IKP, JNNURM, Income tax slabs, GST,financial,tax reforms,rupee convertibility,various committees on industrial development,FRBM act implementation,India’s biggest trading partners,current account, capital account etc.

Summits
BRICS,World economic Forum, SAARC, G20,climate summits, WTO ministerial meets, Free trade with Europe,ASEAN and others,Nuclear Suppliers group(NSG),APEC, OPEC, EU etc.Countries visited by president,vice president and PM and treaties signed in the last one year, Energy(nuclear, oil&gas) cooperation with other countries

Domestic & international Institutions (political, economic, judicial)
UN,UNESCO,World bank,WTO,International Court of Justice,Heads of (Army, navy,airforce,ISRO,DRDO,Atomic energy commission,UPSC, Supreme court,SC,ST,BC,Women,human rights,law commissions, US ambassadors to India/from India to US & china)

Events
Recent events in the last one to one and half-year like(japanese earthquake,laden death,Lokpal bill,Telangana struggle,Kashmir situation,wikileaks etc)

Science & Technology
Submarines, ISRO launches,DRDO tests,Antarctic/Arctic expeditions,super computers,science congress

Sports
cricket,tennis grand slam order & recent winners, commonwealth,FIFA games, Mascots, medals tally,asian games, olympics,chess,badminton,hockey,kabbadi,F1 tournaments etc

Prizes
Padmabhushan,jnanapith awards,Man Booker, Noble (all six),Alternate nobel awards,oscar awards winners(Indian entries 2010), Abel prize,Raman magsaysay, Indira gandhi peace, nehru awards,cannes film festival, children film festivals etc.

Diesel Car Vs Petrol(gasoline) Car

Firing The Engine
Petrol engines get fired up with a spark plug. Diesel engines use direct fuel injection method in which the highly compressed hot air is used to ignite the fuel. During harsh winter, when the air isn't hot enough to ignite the engine (unlike petrol which gets ignited with a spark) diesel vehicles of the past have had starting trouble. But a new generation of diesel engines takes care of this problem.

Fuel Efficiency
Diesel gives more km per unit than petrol - because it has higher energy density and hence produces more energy per given unit. Diesel engines also use lesser fuel when idle as against petrol, by some account, just 1/3rd.
Example: Skoda Octavia (petrol) gives 8.1 km/l in the city as against the diesel which gives 10.7 km/l

Performance
Reaction to accelerator pedal, pickup for a petrol engine is faster and smoother. Diesel cars (without a turbo) have a slight lag in responding to the demand from the accelerator. But the latest CRDi engines with turbo chargers puts it neck-to-neck with petrol.
Example: Skoda Octavia (petrol) does 0-100 km in 9 seconds but the diesel takes 13.6 seconds

Power Factor
Diesel engines have a higher torque or turning power vis-a-vis the petrol ones. So when driving uphill on a lower gear, a diesel car will take lesser effort to drive up due to diesel's higher thermal efficiency and higher torque. This is the reason why heavy vehicles typically have diesel engines. But petrol engines give a far smoother, peppier ride
Example: Skoda Octavia (petrol 1.8) gives a maximum speed of 215 kmph as against diesel (1.9) that gives 175 kmph

Weight & Wear-Tear
Due to high compression ratios and high cylinder pressure, diesel engines must be built to withstand more wear and tear than petrol. As a result, critical car/engine components like crankshaft, cylinders have to be thicker and heavier. This makes them heavier and pushes up the sticker price.
Example: Octavia (diesel) gross vehicle weight is 1,855 kg as against petrol variant 1,810 kg

Better Mileage
Latest diesel engines are at least 25% more fuel efficient than petrol

Cheaper Commute
Diesel cars, though costlier, make sense if it clocks 11,000 km plus annually

Costlier Upkeep
Maintenance costs per km of diesel engine is 14% against 8% of petrol

Less Polluting
Cleaner fuel, latest tech and catalytic converters means diesel is no longer dirty