Q155 / 269 · NDA 2025 (Phase 1) · 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. $\dfrac{1}{p}$, $\dfrac{1}{4}$, $\dfrac{1}{q}$ are in AP.
Select the answer using the code given below.
I. $p$, $4$, $q$ are in HP.
II. $\dfrac{1}{p}$, $\dfrac{1}{4}$, $\dfrac{1}{q}$ are in AP.
Select the answer using the code given below.
- AI only
- BII only
- Correct answerCBoth I and II
- DNeither I nor II
Solution
Since $p$, $1$, $q$ are in AP, we have $p + q = 2(1) = 2$.
Since $p$, $2$, $q$ are in GP, we have $pq = 2^2 = 4$.
For $p$, $4$, $q$ to be in HP, the middle term must be the harmonic mean of $p$ and $q$, which is given by $\dfrac{2pq}{p+q}$.
Substituting the values of $p+q$ and $pq$, we get $\dfrac{2(4)}{2} = 4$.
Thus, $p$, $4$, $q$ are in HP. Statement I is correct.
By the definition of harmonic progression, if $p$, $4$, $q$ are in HP, their reciprocals $\dfrac{1}{p}$, $\dfrac{1}{4}$, $\dfrac{1}{q}$ must be in AP.
Thus, Statement II is also correct.
Both statements I and II are correct.
Answer: Both I and II
Since $p$, $2$, $q$ are in GP, we have $pq = 2^2 = 4$.
For $p$, $4$, $q$ to be in HP, the middle term must be the harmonic mean of $p$ and $q$, which is given by $\dfrac{2pq}{p+q}$.
Substituting the values of $p+q$ and $pq$, we get $\dfrac{2(4)}{2} = 4$.
Thus, $p$, $4$, $q$ are in HP. Statement I is correct.
By the definition of harmonic progression, if $p$, $4$, $q$ are in HP, their reciprocals $\dfrac{1}{p}$, $\dfrac{1}{4}$, $\dfrac{1}{q}$ must be in AP.
Thus, Statement II is also correct.
Both statements I and II are correct.
Answer: Both I and II
Hence, the correct answer is option: 'C'.