CBSE 2015 ALL INDIA EXAMINATION

(Series SSO Code No. 65/1/G, 65/2/G, 65/3/G : Guwahati Region)

Note that all the sets have same questions. Only their sequence of appearance is different.
Max. Marks : 100

Time Allowed : 3 Hours

SECTION A
2
4

2
5

Q01. If A
and B

, then find (3A B) .

3 2
3 4
2 4
2 5
2 4 2 5 8 7
Sol. We have A
and
B

(3A

B)

3 4
3 2 3 4 6 2 .
3 2

x
Q02. Find the differential equation representing the curve y e ax b , where a and b are arbitrary
constants.
d2y
x
x
x

y e or
ex .
Sol. Weve y e ax b
y e a
2
dx
2

d 2 y dy
Q03. Write the sum of the order and the degree of the differential equation 2 y3 .
dx dx
2

Sol.
Q04.
Sol.

Q05.
Sol.
Q06.
Sol.

Q07.

d 2 y dy
Order and degree in 2 y3 are respectively 2 and 2 so, their sum is 4.
dx dx
Find the value of a + b, if the points (2, a, 3), (3, 5, b) and (1, 11, 9) are collinear.
Let A(2, a, 3), B(3, 5, b) and C(1, 11, 9).

BC 4i 16j (9 b)k
AB i (5 a)j (b 3)k,
Since the points A, B and C are collinear so,

AB BC
i (5 a)j (b 3)k 4i 16j (9 b)k
1
1
1
On comparing the coefficients of like terms, we get , 5 a 16 , b 3 (9 b)
4
4
4
i.e., a 1, b 1
a b 0 .

Find the value of a.b, if a 10, b 2, and a b 16 .

2 2 2
Since a b a b (a.b)2 162 10 2 22 (a.b) 2 (a.b)2 144
a.b 12 .

6 and r.(6i 3j 6k)

27 .
Find the distance between the parallel planes r.(2i j 2k)

6 0 and r.(6i 3j 6k)

27 0 i.e.,
Given planes are r.(2i j 2k)

6 0 and r.(2i j 2k)
9 0 .
r.(2i j 2k)
|96|
1 unit .
Distance between these parallel planes
2
2 (1)2 (2)2
SECTION B
Prove the following :
2

1 x2
1 1 x
sin tan 1
1, 0 x 1 .
cos

2
2x
1 x

x 5
1 x 5
If tan 1
tan
, then find the value of x.
x 6
x6 4
2

1 x2

2x
1 1 x

cos
sin cot 1
2 tan 1 x
LHS : sin tan 1

2
2
1 x

2x
1 x

2x

sin tan 1
2 tan 1 x sin 2 tan 1 x 2 tan 1 x
2
2

1 x
2

OR

Sol.

For various stuffs on Maths, please visit at : www.theOPGupta.com

Page | 1

CBSE 2015 Annual Exam Paper (All India) Compiled By O. P. Gupta (+91-9650350480)

OR

sin

1 RHS.
2
x 5 x 5
x 6 x 6
1
tan

1 x 5 x 5 4
x 6 x 6
2
x x 30 x 2 x 30

1
11

x 5
1 x 5
We have tan 1
tan

x 6
x6 4

(x 5)(x 6) (x 6)(x 5)
tan tan 1
tan
2
2
x 36 x 25
4

7
7
x
or
2.
2x 2 49
2
2
Q08. Using the properties of determinants, solve the following for x :
1 a 2 b2
2ab
2b
1 a 2 b2
2a
(1 a 2 b 2 )3 .
2a
1 a 2 b2

2ab
2b
Sol.

1 a 2 b2

2ab

2ab
2b

LHS : Let

2b

1 a b
2a

2a
1 a 2 b2

1 a 2 b2

b(1 a 2 b 2 )

0
2b

1 a 2 b2
2a

a(1 a 2 b 2 )
1 a 2 b2

(1 a b ) 0

2 2

By R1 R1 bR 3 , R 2 R 2 aR 3

Take (1 a 2 b 2 ) common from R1 & R 2 both

On expanding along first column,

2b 2a 1 a 2 b 2

(1 a 2 b 2 ) 2 11 a 2 b 2 2a 2 0 2b 0 b
(1 a 2 b 2 ) 2 11 a 2 b 2 (1 a 2 b 2 )3 RHS .
2 1 1

Q09. For the matrix A 1 2 1 , show that A 2 5A 4I O . Hence find A 1 .

1 1 2

OR
Using elementary transformations, find the inverse of the following matrix :
0 1 2

1 2 3 .
3 1 0

2 1 1

Sol. We have A 1 2 1
1 1 2

2 1 1 2 1 1 6 5 5

A 2 A.A 1 2 1 1 2 1 5 6 5
1 1 2 1 1 2 5 5 6

6 5 5 2 1 1 1 0 0
LHS : A 2 5A 4I 5 6 5 5 1 2 1 4 0 1 0
5 5 6 1 1 2 0 0 1

For various stuffs on Maths, please visit at : www.theOPGupta.com

Page | 2

CBSE 2015 Annual Exam Paper (All India) Compiled By O. P. Gupta (+91-9650350480)
6 5 5 10 5 5 4 0 0 0 0 0

5 6 5 5 10 5 0 4 0 0 0 0 O RHS
5 5 6 5 5 10 0 0 4 0 0 0

2
2
A 5A 4I O [Pre-multiplying both the sides by A1
Now A 5A 4I O
5I A
A 1AA 5A 1A 4A 1I A 1O A 1
4
1 0 0 2 1 1
3 1 1
1
1

1
1
A 5 0 1 0 1 2 1
A 1 3 1
4
4

0 0 1 1 1 2
1 1 3
0 1 2
OR
Let A 1 2 3

3 1 0

By using elementary row transformations, A IA

0 1 2 1 0 0
By R1 R 2
1 2 3 0 1 0 A

3 1 0 0 0 1
1
0

3
1
0

2 3 0 1 0
1 2 1 0 0 A

1 0 0 0 1
2 3 0 1 0
1
2 1 0 0 A

5 9 0 3 1

1
0

0
1
0

2 3 0 1 0
1 2 1 0 0 A

0 1 5 3 1
0 1 2 1 0
1 2 1 0 0 A

0 1 5 3 1

1
0

0
1
0

0 1 2 1 0
1 0 9 6 2 A

0 1 5 3 1
0 0 3 2 1
1 0 9 6 2 A

0 1 5 3 1

By R 3 R 3 3R1

By R 3 R 3 5R 2

By R1 R1 2R 2

By R 2 R 2 2R 3

By R1 R1 R 3

I A 1A

3 2 1
A 9 6 2 .
5 3 1
Q10. Examine the following function f (x) for continuity at x = 1 and differentiability at x = 2.
5x 4 , 0 x 1

f (x) 4x 2 3x , 1 x 2 .
3x 4 , x 2

For various stuffs on Maths, please visit at : www.theOPGupta.com

Page | 3

CBSE 2015 Annual Exam Paper (All India) Compiled By O. P. Gupta (+91-9650350480)
Sol.

5x 4 , 0 x 1

We have f (x) 4x 2 3x , 1 x 2
3x 4 , x 2

Continuity at x = 1 :
LHL (at x = 1) : lim f (x) lim 5x 4 5 1 4 1
x 1

x 1

RHL (at x = 1) : lim f (x) lim 4x 2 3x 4 12 3 1 1

x 1

x 1

Also, f (1) 4(1) 3(1) 1 . Since f (1) lim f (x) lim f (x) so, f is continuous at x = 1.
x 1

x 1

Differentiability at x = 2 :
We have f (2) 3 2 4 10

f (x) f (2)
4x 2 3x 10
(x 2)(4x 5)
lim
lim
lim (4x 5) 13
x 2
x
2
x
2
x2

x 2
x2
x2
3x 4 10
3(x 2)
lim
lim 3 3 LHD (at x 2)
RHD (at x = 2) : lim
x 2
x 2
x2
x2
x2
Hence f (x) isnt differentiable at x = 2.
Note : This question had an error in the original question paper. We have done the necessary
corrections here before solving it.
d2y
dy
1
Q11. If y x 3 log , then prove that x 2 2 3x 2 0 .
dx
dx
x
OR
Verify mean value theorem for the function f (x) (x 4)(x 6)(x 8) on the interval
[4,10] .
dy
1
1

x 3 3x 2 log x x 2 (1 3log x)
Sol. Given y x 3 log
y x 3 log x
dx
x
x
2
d y
3
dy
2 x 2 2x(1 3log x)

x 2 (1 3log x)
dx
dx
x
2
2
d y
d y
x 2 3x 2 2x 2 (1 3log x)
x 2 3x 2 2x 2 (1 3log x)
dx
dx
2
d y
dy
d2y
dy
x 2 3x 2 2
x 2 2 3x 2 0 .
dx
dx
dx
dx
OR
Here the function is f (x) (x 4)(x 6)(x 8) on the interval x [4,10] .
Since a polynomial function is everywhere continuous and differentiable, therefore f (x) is
(i) continuous on [4, 10] and,
(ii) f (x) (x 4)[(x 6) (x 8)] (x 6)(x 8) so, f (x) is differentiable on (4, 10).
Thus, f (x) satisfies both the conditions of MV Theorem. Consequently, there exists at least
f (10) f (4)
one value of c (4,10) such that f (c)
.
10 4
As f (4) (4 4)(4 6)(4 8) 0 and f (10) (10 4)(10 6)(10 8) 48
2(c 4)(c 7) (c 6)(c 8)
48 0
2(c 4)(c 7) (c 6)(c 8)
8
3c 2 36c 104 8
10 4
2
3c 36c 96 0
c 2 12c 32 0 (c 4)(c 8) 0
c 4,8
c 8 (4,10)
Hence Mean Value Theorem is verified.
x
a
dy
x
log
2 .
Q12. If
, then prove that
xy
xy
dx
y
x
a
x
log

log a log(x y) x (x y)[log a log(x y)]

Sol. Given
xy
xy
xy
LHD (at x = 2) : lim

For various stuffs on Maths, please visit at : www.theOPGupta.com

Page | 4

CBSE 2015 Annual Exam Paper (All India) Compiled By O. P. Gupta (+91-9650350480)

1 dy
dy
1 (x y) 0
1 [log a log(x y)] 1
dx
x y dx
dy
x dy
dy
x
x
1 1

2
1
1

dx x y dx
dx x y x y
2(x y)
dy x
dy x y x
x

y
dx y
dx x y x y
dy x 2(x y) 1
dy
x

x 2x 2y

2 .
dx y
y
y
dx
y
dx
Q13. Find : 3 5
.
x (x 1)3/5
dx
dx
dx
I
Sol. Let I 3 5
I
3/5
3/5
3/5
x (x 1)
1
1
6
3 5

x
1
x x 1 5
x5

x
1
dx
1
1 dt
1 t 2/5
Put 1 5 t 6 dt I 3/5
I
C
x
x
5
5 t
5 2/5
1
1
I 1 5
2 x

2/5

C.

Q14. Evaluate :

x 2 x 3 x 4 dx .
2

/4

OR

Evaluate :

sec x

1 2 sin

dx .

Sol.

Let I x 2 x 3 x 4 dx
3

I x 2 dx x 3 dx x 4 dx

I (x 2)dx (x 3)dx (x 3)dx (x 4)dx

2

Put sin x t cos xdx dt.

cos x
dx
2
Also when x 0 t 0 & when x t 1
(1 sin x)(1 sin x)(1 2sin x)

4
2

1/ 2

(x 2) (x 3) (x 3) (x 4)2
I

2 2 2 2 2 3 2 2
1 1
I 5.
I 2 0 0 0 0 2
2 2
/ 4
/ 4
sec x
cos x
dx

dx
OR
Let I
2
2

1 2 sin x
cos x(1 2sin 2 x)
0
0
/ 4

dt
(1 t)(1 t)(1 2t 2 )

Consider

1
A
B
4Ct
D

2
2
(1 t)(1 t)(1 2t ) 1 t 1 t 1 2t 1 2t 2

1 A(1 t)(1 2t 2 ) B(1 t)(1 2t 2 ) 4Ct(1 t 2 ) D(1 t 2 )

1
1
2
On equating coefficients of like terms, A , B , C 0, D
6
6
3
1/ 2
1

1
2
I

dt
2
6(1 t) 6(1 t) 3(1 2t )
0

For various stuffs on Maths, please visit at : www.theOPGupta.com

Page | 5

CBSE 2015 Annual Exam Paper (All India) Compiled By O. P. Gupta (+91-9650350480)
1/ 2

1
2
1

I log 1 t log 1 t
tan 1 ( 2t)
6
3 2
6
0

1/ 2

1 t
2
I log

tan 1 ( 2t)
1 t
3
6
0

1
1
2 1 log 1 0 2 tan 1 2 1 2 tan 1
I log

1
6
6
1 0
3
2 3

1
2
1

1
I log
6

2 1
2 1
2

tan 1 1
2 1
2 1 3

2 0

1
2
I log 2 1

3
3 4

or I log 2 1
.
3
6 2
/2
1 sin 2x
Q15. Evaluate : e 2x
dx .
1 cos 2x
/4
1 sin 2x
Let I e 2x
dx
1 cos 2x

1
Put 2x t dx dt
2
t
t

2
sin
cos

1
1
1 sin t
2
2 dt
I et
I et

dt
t
2
2
1 cos t

2sin 2

1
t
t
1
t
t
1
I e t cos ec 2 cot dt 2I e t cos ec 2 dt e t cot dt
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
t
t
t
d

2I e t cos ec 2 dt cot e t dt cot e t dt dt

2
2
2
2
dt

1
t
t
t
1
t
1
1

I e t cot e2x cot x

2I e t cos ec 2 dt e t cot cos ec 2 e t dt
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2

/2
/ 2
/2
1 2x
1
/ 2
e
1 sin 2x
Now e 2x
.
dx e cot x /4 e cot e cot
2
2
2
2
4
1 cos 2x
/4
Q16. Show that the four points with position vectors 4i 8j 12k , 2i 4j 6k , 3i 5j 4k and
5i 8j 5k are coplanar.

Sol.

Sol.

Let A ( 4i 8j 12k ), B ( 2i 4j 6k ), C ( 3i 5j 4k ) and D( 5i 8j 5k ).

AB a 2i 4j 6k , AC b i 3j 8k and, AD c i 7k

If the points are coplanar then, [a b c] 0 .
2 4 6

Consider LHS : [a b c] 1 3 8 2 21 4 15 6 3 0 RHS .

1
0 7
Hence the points A, B, C and D are coplanar.
Q17. Bag I contains 4 red and 5 black balls and bag II contains 3 red and 4 black balls. One ball is
transferred from bag I to bag II and then two balls are drawn at random (without replacement)
from bag II. The balls so drawn are both found to be black. Find the probability that the
transferred ball is black.
Sol. Let E1, E2 and E be the events that transferred ball is black, red and that the balls drawn are both
black respectively.
5
4
5
4
C
5
C
3
We have P(E1 ) , P(E 2 ) , P(E | E1 ) 8 2 , P(E | E 2 ) 8 2
9
9
C2 14
C2 14

For various stuffs on Maths, please visit at : www.theOPGupta.com

Page | 6

CBSE 2015 Annual Exam Paper (All India) Compiled By O. P. Gupta (+91-9650350480)
5 5

P(E | E1 )P(E1 )
25
14
9
.
By Bayes Theorem, P(E1 | E)

P(E | E1 )P(E1 ) P(E | E 2 )P(E 2 ) 5 5 3 4 37

14 9 14 9
Q18. Find the vector and Cartesian equations of a line through the point (1, 1, 1) and perpendicular to
the lines joining the points (4, 3, 2), (1, 1, 0) and (1, 2, 1), (2, 1, 1).
Sol. Let A(4, 3, 2), B(1, 1, 0) and C(1, 2, 1), D(2, 1, 1)
The d.r.s of line AB : 3, 4, 2 i.e., 3, 4, 2; d.r.s of line CD : 1, 1, 2.
Let the d.r.s of required line L (say) through (1, 1, 1) be a, b, c.
Since line L is perpendicular to lines AB and CD so by using a1a 2 b1b 2 c1c 2 0 , we get :
3a 4b 2c 0...(i) and a b 2c 0...(ii)
a
b
c

Solving (i) and (ii), we have :

. Therefore the d.r.s of line L are proportional to 10,
10 4 7
4, 7.
x 1 y 1 z 1

Hence Cartesian equation of line L :

10
4
7

.
And, vector equation of line L : r i j k (10i 4j 7k)
Q19. Three schools A, B and C want to award their selected students for the values of Honesty,
Regularity and Hard work. Each school decided to award a sum of ` 2500, ` 3100 and ` 5100 per
student for the respective values. The number of students to be awarded by the three schools is
given below in the table :
School

Values

Sol.

Honesty
3
4
6
Regularity
4
5
2
Hard work
6
3
4
Find the total money given in awards by the three schools separately, using matrices.
Apart from the above given values, suggest one more value which should be considered for giving
the award.
Let the total amount given by the schools A, B and C be x, y and z (in `) respectively.
Honesty Regualrity Hardwork
Cost
So,

Amount by school A x 3
Amount by school B y 4
Amount by school C z 6

4
5
2

6
3
4

2500
3100

5100

x 50500
y 40800
z 41600

By equality of matrices, we get : x 50500, y 40800, z 41600 .

So the amount given by school A is `50500, by school B is `40800 and by school C is `41600.
Value : Respect for elders or any other relevant value.
SECTION C
Q20. Check whether the operation * defined on the set A R R as
(a, b) * (c, d) (a c, b d)
is a binary operation or not, where R is the set of all real numbers. If it is a binary operation, is it
commutative and associative too? Also find the identity element of *.
OR
Let A {1, 0,1, 2}, B {4, 2, 0, 2} and f , g : A B be functions defined by f (x)
1
x 2 x, x A and g(x) 2 x 1, x A . Find gof (x) and hence show that f g gof .
2
Sol. We have (a, b) * (c, d) (a c, b d) for all a, b, c, d R

For various stuffs on Maths, please visit at : www.theOPGupta.com

Page | 7

CBSE 2015 Annual Exam Paper (All India) Compiled By O. P. Gupta (+91-9650350480)
Since a c R and b d R so, (a c, b d) R R i.e., (a, b) * (c, d) R R
Hence * is a binary operation.
For commutative : Consider (a, b) * (c, d) (a c, b d) (c a, d b) (c, d)*(a, b)
Hence * is commutative.
For associative : Let (a, b), (c, d), (e, f ) A R R .
Now [(a, b) * (c,d)]*(e, f ) [(a c, b d)]*(e, f ) (a c e, b d f )...(i)
Also (a, b) *[ (c, d) *(e,f )] (a, b) *(c e, d f ) (a c e, b d f )...(ii)
By (i) & (ii), we see that (a, b) *[ (c, d) *(e, f )] [(a, b) *(c, d)]*(e, f ) so, * is associative.
For identity element : Let (x, y) A be the identity element (if it exists) .
So, (a, b) *(x, y) (a, b) (x, y)*(a, b) i.e., (a, b) *(x, y) (a, b) (a x, b y) (a, b)
By equality of ordered pairs, a x a, b y b x 0 R, y 0 R .
Hence (0, 0) is the identity element of *.
OR

We have f (x) x 2 x, x A {1, 0,1, 2}

So, f (1) 2, f (0) 0, f (1) 0, f (2) 2

Also g(x) 2 x

f {(1, 2), (0, 0), (1, 0), (2, 2)} (i)

1
1, x A {1, 0,1, 2}
2

So, g(1) 2, g(0) 0,g(1) 0, g(2) 2

g {(1, 2), (0, 0), (1, 0), (2, 2)} (ii)

Now gof (1) g[f (1)] g(2) 2, gof (0) g[f (0)] g(0) 0, gof (1) g[f (1)] g(0) 0,

gof (2) g[f (2)] g(2) 2

gof {(1, 2), (0, 0), (1, 0), (2, 2)} (iii)
By (i), (ii) and (iii), it is clearly evident that f g gof .
Q21. Find the equations of the tangent and the normal to the curve y

Sol.

x 7
at the point where
(x 2)(x 3)

it cuts the x-axis.

OR
Find the absolute maximum and absolute minimum values of the function f given by
f (x) cos2 x sin x, x [0, ] .
x 7
x 7
x 7.
When the curve y
cuts x-axis, we have y = 0 so, 0
(x 2)(x 3)
(x 2)(x 3)
Hence the point of contact is (7, 0).
x 7
dy d x 7 (x 2 5x 6) (x 7)(2x 5)

Now y
(x 2)(x 3)
dx dx x 2 5x 6
(x 2 5x 6)2
dy
(49 35 6) (0)(14 5) 1

mT .

dx at x 7
(49 35 6)2
20
1
(x 7)
20
And equation of normal to the curve at (7, 0) is : (y 0) (20)(x 7)

So equation of tangent to the curve at (7, 0) is : (y 0)

i.e., x 20y 7 .
i.e., 20x y 140 .

OR
Given f (x) cos2 x sin x, x [0, ]
f (x) 2sin x cos x cos x cos x(1 2sin x)

For critical points, f (x) cos x(1 2sin x) 0

x

cos x 0, 1 2sin x 0

5
, ,
0,
2 6 6

Now, f (0) cos 2 0 sin 0 1, f cos2 sin , f cos 2 sin 1,

6
6 4 2
2
2
6

For various stuffs on Maths, please visit at : www.theOPGupta.com

Page | 8

CBSE 2015 Annual Exam Paper (All India) Compiled By O. P. Gupta (+91-9650350480)
5
5 5
5
f cos2
sin
, f () cos2 sin 1 .
6
6 4
6
So, absolute maximum value 5/4 and absolute minimum value 1 .
Q22. Using integration, find the area of the region bounded by the line y 1 x , the x-axis and the
ordinates x 2 and x 3 .
Sol. We have y 1 x (i) and x 2, x 3 .
1

Required area

x 3

(x 1)dx (x 1)dx

x 2

(x 1)2
(x 1) 2

2 2 2 1

1
8 0
2

(2, 0)

(1,0)

(3, 0)

17
y 1 x
sq.units .
2
Q23. Find the particular solution of the differential equation (y sin x)dx (tan x)dy 0 satisfying the
condition that y = 0 when x = 0.
dy
cot x y cos x
P(x) cot x, Q(x) cos x .
Sol. Given (y sin x)dx (tan x)dy 0
dx

So, integrating factor e

cot xdx

elogsin x sin x .

And solution of the diff. eq. is : y sin x sin x cos xdx C

y sin x

1
1
sin 2xdx C cos 2x C

2
4

1
1
Given that y = 0 when x = 0 so, 0sin 0 cos 0 C C
4
4
1
1
Hence the required particular solution is given as y sin x cos 2x i.e., 4ysin x 1 cos 2x .
4
4
1
Or, 4y sin x 2sin 2 x which implies y sin x .
2
Q24. Find the value of k for which the following lines are perpendicular to each other :
x 3 y 1
5z x 2 2 y z

.
k 5
1
2k 1 1
k
5
Hence find the equation of the plane containing the above lines.
x 3 y 1
5z
x 3 y 1 z 5
x2 2 y z
x2 y2 z

.
Sol. Let
, L2 :
k 5
1
2k 1
k 5
1
2k 1
1
k
5
1
k
5
The d.r.s of L1 and L2 are k 5,1, 2k 1 and 1, k,5 respectively.
If these lines are perpendicular then, 1(k 5) k(1) 5(2k 1) 0 k 1
x 3 y 1 z 5
x2 y2 z

Hence the lines become

and
6
1
1
1
1
5
So a point on the L2 is (2, 2, 0)
x 2 y2 z0
1
1 0
Hence the equation of plane containing the above lines : 6
1
1
5

That is, 4x 31y 7z 54 .

For various stuffs on Maths, please visit at : www.theOPGupta.com

Page | 9

CBSE 2015 Annual Exam Paper (All India) Compiled By O. P. Gupta (+91-9650350480)
Q25. The standard weight of a special purpose brick is 5 kg and it must contain two basic ingredients B1
and B2. B1 costs `5 per kg and B2 costs `8 per kg. Strength considerations dictate that the brick
should contain not more than 4 kg of B1 and minimum 2 kg of B2. Since the demand for the
product is likely to be related to the price of the brick, find the minimum cost of brick satisfying
the above conditions. Formulate this situation as an LPP and solve it graphically.
Sol. Let x and y (in kg) of B1 and B2 is taken respectively.
To minimize : Z 5x 8y (in `)
Subject to the constraints :
x y 5, x 4, y 2, x 0, y 0.
x + y = 5 (0, 5)
x=4
Corner Points
0, 5

Value of Z (in `)
40

0, 2
3, 2

16 Min. Value

y=2

(3, 2)

(0, 2)

31

Hence, the minimum value of Z is `16 at 0, 2 .

Q26. An unbiased coin is tossed n times. Let the random variable X denote the number of times the
head occurs. If P(X =1), P(X = 2) and P(X = 3) are in AP, find the value of n.
Sol. Since X denotes the number of heads.
Here p and q both equals 1/2.
1
Also P(X r) n C r p r q n r n C r
2
n

1
1
1
So, P(X = 1) = C1 , P(X = 2) = n C 2 and P(X = 2) = n C3 .
2
2
2
n

1
1
1
As P(X =1), P(X = 2) and P(X = 3) are in AP so, 2 C 2 n C1 n C3
2
2
2
n(n 1)
n(n 1)(n 2)
2
n
2 n C 2 n C1 n C3
n 2 9n 14 0
2
6
(n 2)(n 7) 0 n 2, 7
But n cant be 2 so, value of n is 7.
n

All Rights Reserved with O. P. Gupta

Disclaimer : All care has been taken while preparing this solution draft. Solutions have been verified by
prominent academicians having vast knowledge and experience in teaching of Maths. Still if any error is
found, please bring it to our notice.
Kindly forward your concerns/feedbacks through message or WhatsApp @ +919650350480 or mail at
theopgupta@gmail.com
Lets learn Maths with smile:-)

For various stuffs on Maths, please visit at : www.theOPGupta.com

Page | 10