arthham

JEE Advanced 2026 · Sequences and Series

Let aa, bb, cc be positive integers in arithmetic progression such that the equation ax2+bx+c=0ax^{2} + bx + c = 0 has only integer solutions. Then which of the following statements is (are) TRUE ?

Answers: A. c−bc - b is an integer multiple of aa · B. Both the roots of the equation ax2+bx+c=0ax^{2} + bx + c = 0 are odd integers · C. If c=15c = 15, then ab=8ab = 8

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Written solution

a, b, c positive integers in AP  ⟹  2b=a+ca,\ b,\ c\ \text{positive integers in AP} \implies 2b = a + c ax2+bx+c=0 has only integer rootsax^{2}+bx+c=0\ \text{has only integer roots} (1) c−b multiple of a,(2) both roots odd integers(1)\ c-b\ \text{multiple of } a,\qquad (2)\ \text{both roots odd integers} (3) c=15  ⟹  ab=8,(4) b=8  ⟹  x=3 root(3)\ c=15 \implies ab=8,\qquad (4)\ b=8 \implies x=3\ \text{root} 1. roots=−m,−n(m,n∈Z+)1.\ \text{roots} = -m, -n \quad (m, n \in \mathbb{Z}^{+}) 2. ax2+bx+c=a(x+m)(x+n)⇒b, c2.\ ax^2+bx+c = a(x+m)(x+n) \Rightarrow b,\ c 3. apply AP, then check all options3.\ \text{apply AP, then check all options} x≥0: ax2+bx+c>0⇒no non-negative rootx \ge 0:\ ax^2+bx+c > 0 \Rightarrow \text{no non-negative root} x1x2=ca>0,x1+x2=−ba<0x_1 x_2 = \dfrac{c}{a} > 0, \quad x_1 + x_2 = -\dfrac{b}{a} < 0 ∴x1,x2 both negative\therefore x_1, x_2 \text{ both negative} Let roots be −m, −n,m,n∈Z+\text{Let roots be } -m,\ -n, \quad m, n \in \mathbb{Z}^{+} ax2+bx+c=a(x+m)(x+n)ax^2+bx+c = a(x+m)(x+n) =ax2+a(m+n)x+amn= ax^2 + a(m+n)x + amn ⇒b=a(m+n),c=amn\Rightarrow b = a(m+n), \quad c = amn c−b=b−ac - b = b - a amn−a(m+n)=a(m+n)−aamn - a(m+n) = a(m+n) - a mn−(m+n)=(m+n)−1mn - (m+n) = (m+n) - 1 ⇒mn−2m−2n+1=0\Rightarrow mn - 2m - 2n + 1 = 0 mn−2m−2n+4=3mn - 2m - 2n + 4 = 3 (m−2)(n−2)=3(m-2)(n-2) = 3 (m−2,n−2)=(1,3) or (3,1)(m-2, n-2) = (1, 3) \ \text{or}\ (3, 1) ⇒{m,n}={3,5}\Rightarrow \{m, n\} = \{3, 5\} roots=−3,−5\text{roots} = -3, -5 b=a(3+5)=8a,c=a⋅3⋅5=15ab = a(3+5) = 8a, \quad c = a\cdot 3\cdot 5 = 15a (a,b,c)=(a,8a,15a)(a, b, c) = (a, 8a, 15a) (1) c−b=15a−8a=7a⇒multiple of a ✓(1)\ c-b = 15a - 8a = 7a \Rightarrow \text{multiple of } a \ \checkmark (2) roots −3,−5 are both odd integers ✓(2)\ \text{roots } -3, -5 \text{ are both odd integers} \ \checkmark (3) c=15⇒15a=15⇒a=1(3)\ c = 15 \Rightarrow 15a = 15 \Rightarrow a = 1 b=8,ab=8 ✓b = 8, \quad ab = 8 \ \checkmark (4) b=8⇒8a=8⇒a=1,c=15(4)\ b = 8 \Rightarrow 8a = 8 \Rightarrow a = 1, \quad c = 15 x2+8x+15=(x+3)(x+5);x=3: 48≠0 ×x^2+8x+15 = (x+3)(x+5); \quad x = 3:\ 48 \neq 0 \ \times (1), (2), (3) are TRUE\boxed{(1),\ (2),\ (3) \text{ are TRUE}}

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