JEE Main 2022MathematicsSequences and SeriesHardNumerical

JEE Main 2022Sequences and Series Question with Solution

JEE Main 2022 (28 Jul Shift 1)

Question

For p,qR, consider the real valued function fx=x-p2-q,xR and q>0. Let a1,a2,a3 and a4 be in an arithmetic progression with mean p and positive common difference. If fai=500 for all i=1,2,3,4, then the absolute difference between the roots of fx=0 is

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Show full solutionCorrect answer: 50
Correct answer
50

Step-by-step explanation

Given,

fx=0x-p2-q=0

So, roots are p+q,p-q

Now absolute difference between roots will be 2q.

Now given a1,a2,a3,a4 are in A.P and its mean is p

Now let a1,a2,a3,a4  be  a1=p-3d, a2=p-d, a3=p+d & a4=p+3d

Now given fai=500

So, fa4=500

a4-p2-q=500

a4-p2-q=500

9d2-q=500     ....1

And using fai=500  i=1,2,3,4

We get fa42=fa32

a4-p2-q2=a3-p2-q2

9d2-q+d2-q=0

So, 2q=10d2q=5d2

d2=q5

From equation 1 we get,

9q5-q=500

4q5=500

q=500×54

Now absolute difference is 2q=2×500×54=2×502=50

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About this question

This is a previous-year question from JEE Main 2022, covering the Sequences and Series chapter of Mathematics. PrepSharp catalogues every PYQ from JEE Main with a verified answer key and step-by-step solution prepared by IIT alumni — so you can search by chapter, topic or year and revise efficiently.