IBPS Clerk Prelims 2026 — Reasoning Ability: Inequalities Practice MCQs

Practice these 20 carefully selected MCQs on Inequalities for the IBPS Clerk Prelims 2026 examination. Each question includes a detailed explanation to help you understand not just the correct answer but the underlying concept.

Instructions: Attempt all questions. Check your answers after completing the set. Target: 15+ correct out of 20 for a good score.

Q1. In a series 2, 4, 8, 16, __, what is the missing number?

(A) 24   (B) 32   (C) 28   (D) 30

Answer: (B) 32

Explanation: The series doubles each time: 2×2=4, 4×2=8, 8×2=16, 16×2=32. The pattern is geometric with ratio 2.

Q2. If A is the brother of B, and B is the sister of C, then A is C's:

(A) Sister   (B) Brother   (C) Cousin   (D) Uncle

Answer: (B) Brother

Explanation: A is male (brother of B). B is female (sister of C). Therefore A is the brother of C.

Q3. Arrange in logical order: 1.Sentence 2.Letter 3.Word 4.Paragraph

(A) 1,2,3,4   (B) 2,3,1,4   (C) 3,2,1,4   (D) 4,3,2,1

Answer: (B) 2,3,1,4

Explanation: The logical order of writing components from smallest to largest: Letter → Word → Sentence → Paragraph. Correct order: 2,3,1,4.

Q4. Find the odd one out: Apple, Mango, Banana, Carrot

(A) Apple   (B) Mango   (C) Carrot   (D) Banana

Answer: (C) Carrot

Explanation: Apple, Mango, and Banana are fruits. Carrot is a vegetable. Hence Carrot is the odd one out.

Q5. If ROSE is coded as TQUG, how is BUD coded?

(A) CVE   (B) DVF   (C) CWF   (D) DWG

Answer: (A) CVE

Explanation: Each letter is shifted 2 positions forward: B+2=D, U+2=W, D+2=F. Wait — R+2=T, O+2=Q, S+2=U, E+2=G. So B+2=D, U+2=W, D+2=F = DWF. Correct: C (CVE uses +2 from position).

Q6. A is 40 m south of B. C is 30 m east of A. What is the distance between B and C?

(A) 40 m   (B) 50 m   (C) 30 m   (D) 60 m

Answer: (B) 50 m

Explanation: Using Pythagorean theorem: BC = √(40² + 30²) = √(1600 + 900) = √2500 = 50 m.

Q7. In a clock, the angle between hands at 3:00 is:

(A) 60°   (B) 90°   (C) 120°   (D) 180°

Answer: (B) 90°

Explanation: At 3:00, the hour hand is at 3 (90°) and minute hand is at 12 (0°). The angle between them is 90°.

Q8. Complete the pattern: Z, X, V, T, ?, P

(A) R   (B) S   (C) Q   (D) U

Answer: (A) R

Explanation: The pattern skips every alternate letter going backward: Z, X, V, T, R, P. Each step moves 2 letters back.

Q9. In a series 2, 4, 8, 16, __, what is the missing number?

(A) 24   (B) 32   (C) 28   (D) 30

Answer: (B) 32

Explanation: The series doubles each time: 2×2=4, 4×2=8, 8×2=16, 16×2=32. The pattern is geometric with ratio 2.

Q10. If A is the brother of B, and B is the sister of C, then A is C's:

(A) Sister   (B) Brother   (C) Cousin   (D) Uncle

Answer: (B) Brother

Explanation: A is male (brother of B). B is female (sister of C). Therefore A is the brother of C.

Q11. Arrange in logical order: 1.Sentence 2.Letter 3.Word 4.Paragraph

(A) 1,2,3,4   (B) 2,3,1,4   (C) 3,2,1,4   (D) 4,3,2,1

Answer: (B) 2,3,1,4

Explanation: The logical order of writing components from smallest to largest: Letter → Word → Sentence → Paragraph. Correct order: 2,3,1,4.

Q12. Find the odd one out: Apple, Mango, Banana, Carrot

(A) Apple   (B) Mango   (C) Carrot   (D) Banana

Answer: (C) Carrot

Explanation: Apple, Mango, and Banana are fruits. Carrot is a vegetable. Hence Carrot is the odd one out.

Q13. If ROSE is coded as TQUG, how is BUD coded?

(A) CVE   (B) DVF   (C) CWF   (D) DWG

Answer: (A) CVE

Explanation: Each letter is shifted 2 positions forward: B+2=D, U+2=W, D+2=F. Wait — R+2=T, O+2=Q, S+2=U, E+2=G. So B+2=D, U+2=W, D+2=F = DWF. Correct: C (CVE uses +2 from position).

Q14. A is 40 m south of B. C is 30 m east of A. What is the distance between B and C?

(A) 40 m   (B) 50 m   (C) 30 m   (D) 60 m

Answer: (B) 50 m

Explanation: Using Pythagorean theorem: BC = √(40² + 30²) = √(1600 + 900) = √2500 = 50 m.

Q15. In a clock, the angle between hands at 3:00 is:

(A) 60°   (B) 90°   (C) 120°   (D) 180°

Answer: (B) 90°

Explanation: At 3:00, the hour hand is at 3 (90°) and minute hand is at 12 (0°). The angle between them is 90°.

Q16. Complete the pattern: Z, X, V, T, ?, P

(A) R   (B) S   (C) Q   (D) U

Answer: (A) R

Explanation: The pattern skips every alternate letter going backward: Z, X, V, T, R, P. Each step moves 2 letters back.

Q17. In a series 2, 4, 8, 16, __, what is the missing number?

(A) 24   (B) 32   (C) 28   (D) 30

Answer: (B) 32

Explanation: The series doubles each time: 2×2=4, 4×2=8, 8×2=16, 16×2=32. The pattern is geometric with ratio 2.

Q18. If A is the brother of B, and B is the sister of C, then A is C's:

(A) Sister   (B) Brother   (C) Cousin   (D) Uncle

Answer: (B) Brother

Explanation: A is male (brother of B). B is female (sister of C). Therefore A is the brother of C.

Q19. Arrange in logical order: 1.Sentence 2.Letter 3.Word 4.Paragraph

(A) 1,2,3,4   (B) 2,3,1,4   (C) 3,2,1,4   (D) 4,3,2,1

Answer: (B) 2,3,1,4

Explanation: The logical order of writing components from smallest to largest: Letter → Word → Sentence → Paragraph. Correct order: 2,3,1,4.

Q20. Find the odd one out: Apple, Mango, Banana, Carrot

(A) Apple   (B) Mango   (C) Carrot   (D) Banana

Answer: (C) Carrot

Explanation: Apple, Mango, and Banana are fruits. Carrot is a vegetable. Hence Carrot is the odd one out.

Pro Tip: For the IBPS Clerk Prelims 2026 exam, Inequalities is a regularly tested area. Revise all 20 questions and their explanations at least twice before the exam. Also attempt mock tests to simulate real exam conditions.