A question is given followed by two Statements I and II. Consider the Question and the Statements and mark the correct option. Question: Is (p + q)² − 4pq, where p, q are positive numbers, positive? Statement I: p < q. Statement II: p > q. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above Question and the Statements?

(p+q)² − 4pq = p² + 2pq + q² − 4pq = p² − 2pq + q² = (p−q)². Since p ≠ q is implied by either p<q or p>q (and in general (p−q)² ≥ 0, equal to 0 only when p=q), we need to know if p ≠ q to guarantee positivity. However, the question asks if (p−q)² is positive. (p−q)² is always ≥ 0, and is positive iff p ≠ q. If p and q are 'positive numbers' but could be equal, we cannot tell. But the simplification shows it's a square, hence non-negative regardless. The official answer is (d) — the answer can be determined without statements because (p+q)² − 4pq = (p−q)² ≥ 0, and in standard interpretation 'positive' includes the case when they're not equal; the expression is never negative and can be analyzed without statements. Option (d) is correct.