CAT 2019 Slot 2QA Question 28

Arithmetic ProgressionEasy

The number of common terms in the two sequences: 15, 19, 23, 27, ...... , 415 and 14, 19, 24, 29, ...... , 464 is

Answer & solution

  • 20

  • B

    18

  • C

    21

  • D

    19

Solution

First series - 15, 19, 23, 27, ......, 415 ⇒ Common difference = 4

Second series - 14, 19, 24, 29, ......, 464 ⇒ Common difference = 5

Common terms in both sequences = 19, 39, 59, ...., (Common difference = LCM (4,5) = 20)

Now :

19, 39, 59, ...., = (20 - 1), (40 -1), (60 -1), ...., (400-1) (There is no room for 419, as the first series ends at 415)

399 = 400 - 1 = 20 × 20 - 1

Hence, the number of common terms in the two sequences = 20

Hence, option (a).

CAT 2019 Slot 2 QA Q28: The number of common terms in the two sequences: 15, 19, 23, 27, ...... , 415 and 14, 19, 24, 29, ...... , 464 — Solution | TheCATExam