If 5 ,   5 r ,   5 r 2 are the lengths of the sides of a triangle, then r can not be equal to:

If 5, 5r, 5r2 are the lengths of the sides of a triangle, then r can not be equal to:
  1. 34
  2. 32
  3. 54
  4. 74

Solution

Given, 5, 5r, 5r2 are the length of sides of triangle, then we know that the sum of two sides of a triangle is more than the third side i.e.

5+5r>5r2   ...1

5+5r2>5r   ...2

5r+5r2>5    ...3

From 1,

r2-r-1<0

r-1+52 r-1-52 <0

r1-52,1+52    ...4

from 2,

r2-r+1>0 

The discriminant of the quadratic is D=-12-4×1×1=-3 and we know that if the discriminant of a quadratic is negative and its leading coefficient is positive then the quadratic is positive for all real numbers. 

rR    ...5

from 3,

r2+r-1>0

 r+1+52r+1-5 2>0

So, r-, -1+52-1-52,        ...6

Now, taking intersection of 4, 5, 6, we get r-1+52, 1+52.

Out of the given options only 74 is not in the interval obtained.

Asked in: JEE Main 2019 (10 Jan Shift 1)

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