Sign in
12thPass logo
New chatPYQ LibraryDoubtsRank report
Sign in to see Recents

Your guest activity stays on this device

Sign in to save progress →
Sign in

Sequences and Series question

2019 · 9 Jan · Shift 1 · Q35
Guest · filters and generic practice availableBrowsing as a guest · PYQ filters and generic practice are available. Sign in only for personalised features and saved progress.
  1. PYQ Library
  2. /JEE Main
  3. /Mathematics
  4. /Sequences and Series
  5. /2019 · 9 Jan · Shift 1 · Q35

Sequences and Series question

2019 · 9 Jan · Shift 1 · Q35

JEE MainMathematicsSequences and SeriesMCQ+4 / −1
If a, b, c be three distinct real numbers in G.P. and a + b + c = xb , then x cannot be
  1. A
    2
  2. B
    -3
  3. C
    4
  4. D
    -2
View written solutionFree

Correct answer: A

  1. Let the three distinct real numbers in G.P. be a=br,b=b,c=br,a=\frac{b}{r},\quad b=b,\quad c=br,a=rb​,b=b,c=br, where r≠0r\neq 0r=0 is the common ratio.

Since the numbers are distinct, we must have r≠1.r\neq 1.r=1. Also, for real numbers in G.P., rrr is real.

  1. Given a+b+c=xb.a+b+c=xb.a+b+c=xb. Substitute a=bra=\frac{b}{r}a=rb​ and c=brc=brc=br: br+b+br=xb.\frac{b}{r}+b+br=xb.rb​+b+br=xb. Assuming b≠0b\neq 0b=0 (in a G.P. of distinct real numbers, b=0b=0b=0 would force all terms to be 000), divide by bbb: 1r+1+r=x.\frac{1}{r}+1+r=x.r1​+1+r=x. So, x=r+1+1r.x=r+1+\frac{1}{r}.x=r+1+r1​.

  2. We now test which given values of xxx are possible for real r≠0,1r\neq 0,1r=0,1.

Multiply by rrr: r2+(1−x)r+1=0.r^2+(1-x)r+1=0.r2+(1−x)r+1=0. For real rrr, the discriminant must be non-negative: Δ=(1−x)2−4≥0.\Delta=(1-x)^2-4\ge 0.Δ=(1−x)2−4≥0. Thus, ∣1−x∣≥2.|1-x|\ge 2.∣1−x∣≥2. So either 1−x≥2⇒x≤−1,1-x\ge 2 \Rightarrow x\le -1,1−x≥2⇒x≤−1, or 1−x≤−2⇒x≥3.1-x\le -2 \Rightarrow x\ge 3.1−x≤−2⇒x≥3.

Hence possible values of xxx are x∈(−∞,−1]∪[3,∞).x\in (-\infty,-1]\cup[3,\infty).x∈(−∞,−1]∪[3,∞). But note that x=3x=3x=3 occurs when r=1r=1r=1, which is not allowed because the terms must be distinct. Therefore, x∈(−∞,−1]∪(3,∞).x\in (-\infty,-1]\cup(3,\infty).x∈(−∞,−1]∪(3,∞).

  1. Check the options:
  • A: 222. Since 222 is not in (−∞,−1]∪(3,∞)(-\infty,-1]\cup(3,\infty)(−∞,−1]∪(3,∞), it is not possible.
  • B: −3-3−3. Possible.
  • C: 444. Possible.
  • D: −2-2−2. Possible.

Let us verify quickly:

  • For x=−3x=-3x=−3: r+1+1r=−3⇒r2+4r+1=0,r+1+\frac{1}{r}=-3 \Rightarrow r^2+4r+1=0,r+1+r1​=−3⇒r2+4r+1=0, which has real roots.
  • For x=4x=4x=4: r2−3r+1=0,r^2-3r+1=0,r2−3r+1=0, which has real roots.
  • For x=−2x=-2x=−2: r2+3r+1=0,r^2+3r+1=0,r2+3r+1=0, which has real roots.

Thus the only value xxx cannot be is 222.

  1. Therefore, the correct option is A.\boxed{A}.A​.
PreviousNext

More from Sequences and Series

  • Let a, b and c be the 7th, 11th and 13th terms respectively of a non-constant A.P. If these are also three consecutive terms of a G.P., then ca​ equal to :2019 · MCQ
  • If a1, a2, a3, ............... an are in A.P. and a1 + a4 + a7 + ........... + a16 = 114, then a1 + a6 + a11 + a16 is equal to :2019 · MCQ
  • Let a1, a2, a3,......be an A.P. with a6 = 2. Then the common difference of this A.P., which maximises the product a1a4a5, is :2019 · MCQ
  • Let a, b and c be in G.P. with common ratio r, where ae 0 and 0 < r ≤21​ . If 3 a, 7b and 15c are the first three terms of an A.P., then the 4th term of this A.P. is :2019 · MCQ
  • The sum of all two digit positive numbers which when divided by 7 yield 2 or 5 as remainder is -2019 · MCQ
  • Let a1, a2, a3, ..... a10 be in G.P. with ai > 0 for i = 1, 2, ….., 10 and S be the set of pairs (r, k), r, k ∈ N (the set of natural numbers) for which ​loge​a1​ra2​kloge​a4​ra5​kloge​a7​ra8​k​loge​a2​ra3​kloge​a5​ra6​kloge​a8​ra9​k​loge​a3​ra4​kloge​a6​ra7​kloge​a9​ra10​k​​…2019 · MCQ
  • The sum of an infinite geometric series with positive terms is 3 and the sum of the cubes of its terms is 1927​.Then the common ratio of this series is :2019 · MCQ
  • Let a1, a2, . . . . . ., a10 be a G.P. If a1​a3​​=25, then a5​a9​​ equals2019 · MCQ