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Question 121

National Defence Academy (NDA) 2025• Mathematics

The sum of the first k terms of a series S is 3k2+5k. Which one of the following is correct?

  1. AOption (a)

    The terms of S form an arithmetic progression with common difference 14.

  2. BOption (b)

    The terms of S form an arithmetic progression with common difference 6.

  3. COption (c)

    The terms of S form a geometric progression with common ratio 10/7.

  4. DOption (d)

    The terms of S form a geometric progression with common ratio 11/4.

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (b)B.

The terms of S form an arithmetic progression with common difference 6.

Why this answer is correct

Given:

The sum of the first k terms of a series S is given as Sk = 3k2 + 5k.

Concept:

To find the nth term of a series, we use the formula:

an = Sn - Sn-1

If the nth term forms an arithmetic progression (AP), the common difference (d) is given by:

d = an+1 - an

Calculation:

We are given Sk = 3k2 + 5k.

⇒ an = Sn - Sn-1

Also Sn = 3n2 + 5n and Sn-1 = 3(n-1)2 + 5(n-1)

⇒ an = [3n2 + 5n] - [3(n-1)2 + 5(n-1)]

⇒ an = [3n2 + 5n] - [3(n2 - 2n + 1) + 5n - 5]

⇒ an = [3n2 + 5n] - [3n2 - 6n + 3 + 5n - 5]

⇒ an = 3n2 + 5n - 3n2 + 6n - 3 - 5n + 5

⇒ an = 6n + 2

The series is an arithmetic progression (AP) if the difference between consecutive terms is constant.

⇒ Common difference d = an+1 - an

⇒ an+1 = 6(n+1) + 2 = 6n + 6 + 2 = 6n + 8

⇒ d = (6n + 8) - (6n + 2) = 6

∴ The terms of the series form an arithmetic progression with a common difference of 6.

Hence, the correct answer is Option B.

Question 122

National Defence Academy (NDA) 2025• Mathematics

The sum of the first 8 terms of a GP is five times the sum of its first 4 terms. If r≠1 is the common ratio, then what is the number of possible real values of r?

  1. AOption (a)

    One 

  2. BOption (b)

    Two 

  3. COption (c)

    Three

  4. DOption (d)

    More than three 

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (c)C.

Three

Why this answer is correct

Concept:

Geometric Progression (GP) sums:

  • First term = a.
  • Common ratio = r (r ≠ 1).
  • Sum of first n terms: Sn = a × (1 − rn) / (1 − r).
  • Key idea: use formula for n = 8 and n = 4.
  • Algebra trick: substitute y = r4 to simplify.

 

Calculation:

Given relation between sums

⇒ S8 = 5 × S4

Using sum formula for r ≠ 1

⇒ a(1 − r8)/(1 − r)

⇒ = 5 × a(1 − r4)/(1 − r)

Cancel a and (1 − r)

⇒ 1 − r8 = 5(1 − r4)

Bring all terms to one side

⇒ r8 − 5r4 + 4 = 0

Put y = r4 (so y ≥ 0 for real r)

⇒ y2 − 5y + 4 = 0

Factor the quadratic

⇒ (y − 1)(y − 4) = 0

So y = 1 or y = 4

Case 1: y = 1 ⇒ r4 = 1

⇒ real r are 1 or −1

⇒ but r ≠ 1 (given), so keep r = −1

Case 2: y = 4 ⇒ r4 = 4

⇒ real r are √2 and −√2

Collect real values (excluding r = 1)

⇒ r = −1, r = √2, r = −√2

∴ Number of possible real values of r = 3.

Question 123

National Defence Academy (NDA) 2025• Mathematics

If one root of the equation x2−kx+k=0 exceeds the other by 232\sqrt{3} then which one of the following is a value of k?

  1. AOption (a)

    3

  2. BOption (b)

    6

  3. COption (c)

    9

  4. DOption (d)

    12

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (b)B.

6

Why this answer is correct

Given:

The quadratic equation is x2 - kx + k = 0.

One root exceeds the other by 2√3.

⇒ α - β = 2√3.

Also, 

Sum of roots: α + β = k

Product of roots: α × β = k

Calculation:

We know the following identity 

(α+β)2=(α−β)2+4αβ(\alpha + \beta )^2 = (\alpha - \beta)^2 + 4\alpha\beta

⇒ k2 = (2√3)2 - 4k 

⇒ k2 - 12 - 4k = 0

⇒ k2 - 6k + 2k -12 = 0

⇒ k(k - 6) + 2 ( k - 6) = 0

⇒ (k - 6) (k + 2) = 0

⇒ k = 6 and k = -2

Thus, the possible values of k are 6 and -2

Hence, the correct answer is Option 2.

Question 124

National Defence Academy (NDA) 2025• Mathematics

If 

x+5y=4x+\frac{5}{y}=4, and then y+5x=−4y+\frac{5}{x}= -4  what is (x + y) equal to?

  1. AOption (a)

    0

  2. BOption (b)

    1

  3. COption (c)

    4

  4. DOption (d)

    5

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

0

Why this answer is correct

Calculation:

x+5y=4x+\frac{5}{y}=4

xy+5=4y.....(1)xy + 5 = 4y .....(1)

y+5x=−4y+\frac{5}{x}= -4

xy+5=−4x....(2)xy + 5 = -4x .... (2)

Subtracting 1 and 2

(xy+5)−(xy+5)=(4y)−(−4x)(xy+5)−(xy+5)=(4y)−(−4x)

0=4y+4x0=4y+4x

x+y=0.x+y=0.

Hence, the correct answer is Option 1.

Question 125

National Defence Academy (NDA) 2025• Mathematics

If 5th, 7th and 13th terms of an AP are in GP, then what is the ratio of its first term to its common difference?

  1. AOption (a)

    -3

  2. BOption (b)

    -2

  3. COption (c)

    2

  4. DOption (d)

    3

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

-3

Why this answer is correct

Concept:

In an AP, the nth term is given by:

Tn = a + (n - 1)d

In a GP, terms satisfy the relation:

Tm2 = Tn × Tp

Calculation:

Let the 5th, 7th, and 13th terms of the AP be T5, T7, and T13 respectively.

⇒ T5 = a + 4d

⇒ T7 = a + 6d

⇒ T13 = a + 12d

Since the terms are in GP:

⇒ T72 = T5 × T13

⇒ (a + 6d)2 = (a + 4d) × (a + 12d)

Expanding both sides:

⇒ (a + 6d)2 = a2 + 12ad + 48d2

⇒ a2 + 12ad + 36d2 = a2 + 16ad + 48d2

Cancel out common terms:

⇒ 36d2 = 48d2 + 4ad

⇒ -12d2 - 4ad = 0

⇒ -4d( 3d + a) = 0

Since d ≠ 0

⇒ a = -3d

Conclusion:

∴ Ratio of the first term to the common difference is:

⇒ a/d = -3

Hence, the correct answer is Option 1.

Question 126

National Defence Academy (NDA) 2025• Mathematics

If p, 1, q are in AP and p, 2, q are in GP, then which of the following statements is/are correct?

I. p, 4, q are in HP.

II. (1/p), (1/4), (1/q) are in AP.

Select the answer using the code given below.

  1. AOption (a)

    I only

  2. BOption (b)

    II only

  3. COption (c)

    Both I and II

  4. DOption (d)

    Neither I nor II

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (c)C.

Both I and II

Why this answer is correct

Concept:

  1. Arithmetic Progression (AP): The difference between consecutive terms is constant.

⇒ If p, a, q are in AP, then 2a = p + q.

  1. Geometric Progression (GP): The ratio of consecutive terms is constant.

⇒ If p, b, q are in GP, then b2 = pq.

  1. Harmonic Progression (HP): Reciprocal of terms are in AP.

⇒ If p, c, q are in HP, then (1/p), (1/c), (1/q) are in AP.

Calculation:

Using AP condition: p, 1, q are in AP.

⇒ 2(1) = p + q

⇒ p + q = 2 ............(1)

Using GP condition: p, 2, q are in GP.

⇒ 22 = p × q

⇒ 4 = pq ............(2)

Now,

2pqp+q=82=4\frac{2pq}{p + q} = \frac{8}{2} = 4

and 

p+q2pq=14\frac{p + q}{2pq} = \frac{1}{4}

∴  (1/p), (1/4), (1/q) are in AP and 

 p, 4 and q are in H.P.

Thus, both statements are true.

Hence, the correct answer is Option 3.

Question 127

National Defence Academy (NDA) 2025• Mathematics

If x=(1111)2​, y=(1001)2​ and z=(110)2​, then what is x3−y3−z3−3xyz equal to?

  1. AOption (a)

    (111001)2

  2. BOption (b)

    (100111)2

  3. COption (c)

    (1)2

  4. DOption (d)

    (0)2

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (d)D.

(0)2

Why this answer is correct

Calculation:

Convert x, y, and z from binary to decimal:

⇒ x = (1111)2 = 1⋅23+1⋅22+1⋅21+1⋅20=151\cdot2^{3}+1\cdot2^{2}+1\cdot2^{1}+1\cdot2^{0}=15

⇒ y = (1001)2 = 1⋅23+0⋅22+0⋅21+1⋅20=91\cdot2^{3}+0\cdot2^{2}+0\cdot2^{1}+1\cdot2^{0}=9

⇒ z = (110)2 = 1⋅22+1⋅21+0⋅20=61\cdot2^{2}+1\cdot2^{1}+0\cdot2^{0}=6

Now evaluate  x3−y3−z3−3xyzx^{3}-y^{3}-z^{3}-3xyz

153−93−63−3!×!15!×!9!×!6=3375−729−216−2430=015^{3}-9^{3}-6^{3}-3!\times!15!\times!9!\times!6 = 3375-729-216-2430 = 0

The result of the expression is 0. In binary, 0 is simply (0)2.

Hence, the correct answer is Option 4.

Question 128

National Defence Academy (NDA) 2025• Mathematics

If Δ=∣abc def ghi∣\Delta = \begin{vmatrix} a & b & c \ d & e & f \ g & h & i \end{vmatrix}  

and A, B, C, D, G are the cofactors of the elements a, b, c, d, g respectively, then what is bB+cC−dD−gG equal to?

  1. AOption (a)

    0

  2. BOption (b)

    1

  3. COption (c)

    Δ

  4. DOption (d)

    −Δ

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

0

Why this answer is correct

Calculation:

Cofactors:

⇒ A = ei – hf

⇒ B = gf – di,

⇒ C = dh – ge

⇒ D = ch – bi and

⇒ G = bf – ec

Now, bB + cC – dD – gG 

= bgf – bdi + cdh – cge – cdh + bdi – gbf + gec = 0

Hence, the correct answer is Option 1.

Question 129

National Defence Academy (NDA) 2025• Mathematics

. Consider the following statements in respect of the determinant 

Δ=∣k(k+2)2k+11 2k+1k+21 331∣ \Delta = \begin{vmatrix} k(k+2) & 2k+1 & 1 \ 2k+1 & k+2 & 1 \ 3 & 3 & 1 \end{vmatrix}

I. Δ is positive if k>0.

II. Δ is negative if k<0.

III. Δ is zero if k=0.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

  1. AOption (a)

    None 

  2. BOption (b)

    One 

  3. COption (c)

    Two 

  4. DOption (d)

    All three

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (b)B.

One 

Why this answer is correct

Calculation:

Given,

Δ  =  ∣k(k+2)2k+11 2k+1k+21 331∣ \begin{vmatrix} k(k+2) & 2k+1 & 1\ 2k+1 & k+2 & 1\ 3 & 3 & 1 \end{vmatrix}

Simplify the determinant by the column operation  C1→C1−C2C_1 \rightarrow C_1 - C_2:

Δ=∣k2−12k+11 k−1k+21 031∣ \Delta = \begin{vmatrix} k^{2}-1 & 2k+1 & 1\ k-1 & k+2 & 1\ 0 & 3 & 1 \end{vmatrix}

Expanding along the third row,

Δ=−3∣k2−11 k−11∣;+;∣k2−12k+1 k−1k+2∣=(k−1)3. \Delta = -3 \begin{vmatrix} k^{2}-1 & 1\ k-1 & 1 \end{vmatrix} ;+; \begin{vmatrix} k^{2}-1 & 2k+1\ k-1 & k+2 \end{vmatrix} = (k-1)^{3}.

Thus  Δ=(k−1)3 \Delta = (k-1)^{3}.

Sign analysis

  • k>0k>0: if 0<k<10<k<1, Δ < 0; if k>1k>1, Δ > 0  ⇒ Statement I is false.
  • k<0k<0:  Δ<0\Delta<0  ⇒ Statement II is true.
  • k=0k=0:  Δ=(−1)3=−1≠0\Delta=(-1)^{3}=-1\neq0  ⇒ Statement III is false.

∴ Only Statement II is correct  ⇒  exactly one statement is true.

Hence, the correct answer is Option 2.

Question 130

National Defence Academy (NDA) 2025• Mathematics

If ∣23+i−1 3−i0i−1 −1−1−i1∣=A+iB \begin{vmatrix} 2 & 3+i & -1 \ 3-i & 0 & i -1 \ -1 &-1 -i & 1 \end{vmatrix} = A + iB

where i= −1\sqrt{-1} ,  then what is A+B equal to?

  1. AOption (a)

    -10

  2. BOption (b)

    -6

  3. COption (c)

    0

  4. DOption (d)

    6

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (b)B.

-6

Why this answer is correct

Calculation:

Determinant Δ = a(ei−fh)−b(di−fg)+c(dh−eg)a(ei−fh)−b(di−fg)+c(dh−eg)

Now, For our matrix, 

a=2,b=3+i,c=−1,d=3−i,e=0,f=i,g=−1,h=−i,i=1a=2,b=3+i,c=−1,d=3−i,e=0,f=i,g=−1,h=−i,i=1

calculate the subdeterminants

⇒ ei−fh=(0)(1)−(i)(−i)=0−(−1)=1 ei−fh=(0)(1)−(i)(−i)=0−(−1)=1

⇒ di−fg=(3−i)(1)−(i)(−1)=3−i+i=3di−fg=(3−i)(1)−(i)(−1)=3−i+i=3

⇒ dh−eg=(3−i)(−i)−(0)(−1)=−3i+i2=−3i−1=−1−3idh−eg=(3−i)(−i)−(0)(−1)=−3i+i 2=−3i−1=−1−3i

⇒ Δ = 2(1)−(3+i)(3)+(−1)(−1−3i)2(1)−(3+i)(3)+(−1)(−1−3i)

⇒ Δ = 2−9−3i+1+3i2−9−3i+1+3i

⇒ Δ=−6+0iΔ=−6+0i

Since we are given that Δ=A+iBΔ=A+iB comparing the real and imaginary parts, we find:

A  = -6 and B = 0

Thus A + B = -6 + 0 = - 6

Hence, the Correct answer is Option 2.