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Question 1

National Defence Academy (NDA) 2025• Mathematics• Mathematics

If \(p ^ x = q ^ y = r ^ z\) where x, y and z are in GP, then consider the following statements:

I. p, q and rare in AP.

II. In p, In q and Inrare in GP.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  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: (b)B.

II only

Why this answer is correct

Calculation:

Given: \( p^x = q^y = r^z = k \) and \( x, y, z \) are in GP.

Taking logs: \( \ln(p^x) = \ln(q^y) = \ln(r^z) = \ln k \Rightarrow x\ln p = y\ln q = z\ln r = A \)

Thus: \( \ln p = \frac{A}{x},\quad \ln q = \frac{A}{y},\quad \ln r = \frac{A}{z} \)

Let \( x, y, z \) be GP: \( x=a,\ y=ar,\ z=ar^2 \)

Then: \( \ln p = \frac{A}{a},\quad \ln q = \frac{A}{ar},\quad \ln r = \frac{A}{ar^2} \)

So \( \ln p,, \ln q,, \ln r \) are in GP (reciprocals of a GP form a GP).

Hence Statement II is true.

For Statement I (whether \( p, q, r \) are in AP):

from \( \ln p = \frac{A}{x},\ \ln q = \frac{A}{y},\ \ln r = \frac{A}{z} \), there is no general condition implying \( q = \frac{p+r}{2} \);

logarithms of reciprocals of a GP do not enforce an AP on the original bases. Hence Statement I is false.

Hence the correct answer is II only.

Question 2

National Defence Academy (NDA) 2025• Mathematics• Mathematics

If A and B are non-empty subsets of a set, and \(A ^ c\) and \( B ^ c\) represent their complements, then which of the following is/are correct?

I. A - B = \(B ^ c - A ^ c\)

II. \(A - B ^ c = A ^ c - B\)

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: (a)A.

I only

Why this answer is correct

Calculation:

Statement I:

\( \text{L.H.S.} = A - B = A \cap B^{c} \)

\( \text{R.H.S.} = B^{c} - A^{c} = B^{c} \cap (A^{c})^{c} = B^{c} \cap A \)

\( \therefore ; \text{L.H.S.} = \text{R.H.S.} \)

So, Statement I is correct.

Statement II:

\( \text{L.H.S.} = A - B^{c} = A \cap (B^{c})^{c} = A \cap B \)

\( \text{R.H.S.} = A^{c} - B = A^{c} \cap B^{c} = U - (A \cup B) \)

\( \therefore ; \text{L.H.S.} \ne \text{R.H.S.} \)

So, Statement II is incorrect.

Hence, the correct answer is Option 1.

Question 3

National Defence Academy (NDA) 2025• Mathematics• Mathematics

Let y=x! and z = (2x)! If (z / y) = 120 then what is the value of (3x)!?

  1. AOption (a)

    362880

  2. BOption (b)

    181440

  3. COption (c)

    90720

  4. DOption (d)

    45360

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

362880

Why this answer is correct

Calculation:

Given: \(y=x!,; z=(2x)!\) and \(\dfrac{z}{y}=120\)

⇒ \(\dfrac{(2x)!}{x!}=120\)

Check small integer values of \(x\):

For \(x=3\), \(\dfrac{(2\cdot 3)!}{3!}=\dfrac{6!}{3!}=\dfrac{720}{6}=120\)

So, \(x=3\).

Now, \((3x)!=(3\cdot 3)!=9!=362880\)

Hence the correct answer is 362880.

Question 4

National Defence Academy (NDA) 2025• Mathematics• Mathematics

Let n be a natural number. The number of consecutive zeros at the end of the expansion of n! is exactly 2. How many values of n are possible?

  1. AOption (a)

    3

  2. BOption (b)

    4

  3. COption (c)

    5

  4. DOption (d)

    More than 5

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (c)C.

5

Why this answer is correct

Calculation:

The number of trailing zeros in \( n! \) depends on the number of factors of 5 in its prime factorization.

Number of trailing zeros \( = \left\lfloor \frac{n}{5} \right\rfloor + \left\lfloor \frac{n}{25} \right\rfloor + \left\lfloor \frac{n}{125} \right\rfloor + \cdots \)

We are given that the number of trailing zeros is exactly 2.

Checking possible values of n :

For \( n = 10 \):

⇒ \( \left\lfloor \frac{10}{5} \right\rfloor = 2,; \left\lfloor \frac{10}{25} \right\rfloor = 0 \Rightarrow 2 \)

For \( n = 11, 12, 13, 14 \):

⇒ \( \left\lfloor \frac{n}{5} \right\rfloor = 2,; \left\lfloor \frac{n}{25} \right\rfloor = 0 \Rightarrow 2 \)

For \( n = 15 \):

\( \left\lfloor \frac{15}{5} \right\rfloor = 3 \Rightarrow \) 3 zeros (exceeds)

Hence, the valid values of \( n \) are:

\( n = 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 \)

Therefore, the number of possible values of n  is 5.

Question 5

National Defence Academy (NDA) 2025• Mathematics• Mathematics

If and \( (10+\log _{10}x), (10+\log _{10}y)\) are \((10 + log_{10}z)\) in AP, then consider  the following statements:

I. The GM of x and z is \(y ^ 2\)

II. The AM of \( \log _{10}x\) and \( \log _{10}z\) is \(log_{10} y \)

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  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: (b)B.

II only

Why this answer is correct

Calculation:

Given that:

\( (10+\log_{10}x),\ (10+\log_{10}y),\ (10+\log_{10}z) \text{ are in A.P.} \)

Using the condition of A.P.:

\( 2(10+\log_{10}y)=(10+\log_{10}x)+(10+\log_{10}z) \)

Simplifying:

\( 20+2\log_{10}y=20+\log_{10}x+\log_{10}z \)

\( 2\log_{10}y=\log_{10}x+\log_{10}z \)

This implies:

\( \log_{10}y=\frac{\log_{10}x+\log_{10}z}{2} \)

Hence, the A.M. of \( \log_{10}x \) and \( \log_{10}z \) is \( \log_{10}y \).

So, statement II is correct.

Now,

\( 2\log_{10}y=\log_{10}x+\log_{10}z \Rightarrow \log_{10}y^2=\log_{10}(xz) \)

\( \Rightarrow y^2=xz \)

Therefore, the G.M. of \(x\) and \(z\) is \(y\), not \(y^2\).

So, statement I is incorrect.

Hence, the correct answer is Option 2.

Question 6

National Defence Academy (NDA) 2025• Mathematics• Mathematics

How many terms of the series 1 + 3 + 5 + 7 +... amount to a sum equal to 12345678987654321?

  1. AOption (a)

    11111111

  2. BOption (b)

    110000011

  3. COption (c)

    111101111

  4. DOption (d)

    111111111

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (d)D.

111111111

Why this answer is correct

Calculation:

The sum of the first \( n \) odd natural numbers is given by:

\( 1 + 3 + 5 + \cdots + (2n-1) = n^2 \)

Given that the sum is:

\( n^2 = 12345678987654321 \)

Taking square root on both sides:

\( n = \sqrt{12345678987654321} \)

Now,

\( 111111111^2 = 12345678987654321 \)

\( \Rightarrow n = 111111111 \)

Hence, the correct answer is 111111111.

Question 7

National Defence Academy (NDA) 2025• Mathematics• Mathematics

How many terms are identical in the two APs 19, 21, 23,... up to 110 terms and 19, 22, 25, 28,... up to 75 terms?

  1. AOption (a)

    35

  2. BOption (b)

    36

  3. COption (c)

    37

  4. DOption (d)

    38

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (c)C.

37

Why this answer is correct

Calculation:

Given two Arithmetic Progressions (APs):

\(\text{AP}_1: 19, 21, 23, \)...... up to 110 terms

\( a_1 = 19, d_1 = 2, T_n = 19 + 2(n-1) = 2n + 17 \) (up to n = 110,where } T110 = 237

\(\text{AP}_2: 19, 22, 25, \)...... up to 75 terms

\( a_2 = 19, d_2 = 3, S_m = 19 + 3(m-1) = 3m + 16 \) up to m = 75 , where  S75 = 241

To find the common terms

\( 2n + 17 = 3m + 16 \Rightarrow 2n - 3m = -1 \Rightarrow 2n \equiv 2 \pmod 3 \Rightarrow n \equiv 1 \pmod 3 \)

\( n = 3k + 1 \), Now, we calculate the common terms

\( T_{3k+1} = 2(3k+1) + 17 = 6k + 19 \)

Now, to ensure the terms are within the limits, we use

\( 6k + 19 \le 237 \Rightarrow 6k \le 218 \Rightarrow k \le 36 \)

Values of k  from 0 to 36 give 37 common terms

Hence, the correct answer is 37.

Question 8

National Defence Academy (NDA) 2025• Mathematics• Mathematics

If \(\alpha =\frac{-1+\sqrt{-3}}{2}\) then what is the value of \((1+\alpha ^{19}-\alpha ^{35})^{100}-(1-3\alpha ^{25}+\alpha ^{38})^{50}? \)

  1. AOption (a)

    -2

  2. BOption (b)

    -1

  3. COption (c)

    0

  4. DOption (d)

    2

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (c)C.

0

Why this answer is correct

Calculation:

We are given that: \( \alpha = \frac{-1 + \sqrt{3}}{2} \), which is the cube root of unity.

Using the properties of cube roots of unity:

⇒ \( \alpha^3 = 1 \)

⇒ \( 1 + \alpha + \alpha^2 = 0 \)

⇒ \( \alpha^2 = \alpha - 1 \)

Now, the given expression is:

⇒ \( (1 + \alpha^{19} - \alpha^{35})^{100} - (1 - 3\alpha^{25} + \alpha^{38})^{50} \)

Simplifying \( \alpha^{19} \) and \( \alpha^{35} \)

⇒ \( \alpha^{19} = \alpha \) since  \(19 \mod 3 = 1 \)

⇒ \( \alpha^{35} = \alpha^2\) Since \(35 \mod 3 = 2 \)

Thus, \( 1 + \alpha^{19} - \alpha^{35} = 1 + \alpha - \alpha^2 \)

Using \( \alpha^2 = \alpha - 1 \), we get:

⇒ \( 1 + \alpha - (\alpha - 1) = 1 + \alpha - \alpha + 1 = 2 \)

So, \( (1 + \alpha^{19} - \alpha^{35})^{100} = 2^{100} \)

Simplifying \( \alpha^{25} \) and \( \alpha^{38} \)

⇒ \( \alpha^{25} = \alpha \) since \(25 \mod 3 = 1\)

⇒ \( \alpha^{38} = \alpha^2 \) Since \( 38 \mod 3 = 2 \)

Thus, \( 1 - 3\alpha^{25} + \alpha^{38} = 1 - 3\alpha + \alpha^2 \)

Using \( \alpha^2 = \alpha - 1 \), we get:

⇒ \( 1 - 3\alpha + (\alpha - 1) = 1 - 3\alpha + \alpha - 1 = -2\alpha \)

So, \( (1 - 3\alpha^{25} + \alpha^{38})^{50} = (-2\alpha)^{50} = 2^{50} \alpha^{50} \)

Since \( \alpha^3 = 1 \), we have \( \alpha^{50} = \alpha^2 \).

Thus, \( (1 - 3\alpha^{25} + \alpha^{38})^{50} = 2^{50} \alpha^2 \)

Subtracting the two terms

⇒ \( 2^{100} - 2^{50} \alpha^2 \)

Since \( \alpha^2 = \alpha - 1 \), we get:

⇒ \( 2^{100} - 2^{50} (\alpha - 1) = 2^{100} - 2^{50} \alpha + 2^{50} \)

The value of the expression is \( 0 \)

Hence, the correct answer is Option 3.

Question 9

National Defence Academy (NDA) 2025• Mathematics• Mathematics

What is the remainder when \(5 ^ {99}\) is divided by 13?

  1. AOption (a)

    10

  2. BOption (b)

    9

  3. COption (c)

    8

  4. DOption (d)

    6

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (c)C.

8

Why this answer is correct

Calculation:

We are asked to find the remainder when \( 5^{99} \) is divided by 13.

Let’s find the pattern of powers of 5 modulo 13:

\( 5^1 = 5 \mod 13 = 5 \)

\( 5^2 = 25 \mod 13 = 12 \)

\( 5^3 = 125 \mod 13 = 8 \)

\( 5^4 = 625 \mod 13 = 1 \)

So the powers repeat every 4 steps: \( 5^4 \equiv 1 \mod 13 \)

Now reduce the exponent modulo 4:

\( 99 \mod 4 = 3 \Rightarrow 5^{99} \equiv 5^3 \mod 13 \)

\( 5^3 = 125 \mod 13 = 8 \)

Hence, the remainder when \( 5^{99} \) is divided by 13 is 8.

Question 10

National Defence Academy (NDA) 2025• Mathematics• Mathematics

What is the value of the determinant of the inverse of the matrix \(\begin{bmatrix} -4 & -5 \ 2 & 2 \end{bmatrix} ?\)

  1. AOption (a)

    1/2

  2. BOption (b)

    1

  3. COption (c)

    2

  4. DOption (d)

    4

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

1/2

Why this answer is correct

Calculation:

We are asked to find the value of the determinant of the inverse of the matrix:

\(\begin{bmatrix} -4 & -5 \ 2 & 2 \end{bmatrix}\)

Compute the determinant of the original matrix:

⇒ \(\text{det}(A) = (-4)(2) - (-5)(2) = -8 + 10 = 2\)

Use the property of inverse determinant:

⇒ \(\text{det}(A^{-1}) = \frac{1}{\text{det}(A)} = \frac{1}{2}\)

Hence, the value of the determinant of the inverse is 1/2

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