Sarkari RiseLogin
UPSC CSE 2025 · PYQ · Number System / Unit Fractions · medium

How many possible values of (p + q + r) are there satisfying 1/p + 1/q + 1/r = 1, where p, q and r are natural numbers (not necessarily distinct)?

  1. A.None
  2. B.One
  3. C.Three✓ Correct
  4. D.More than three

Explanation

We need natural numbers p, q, r with 1/p + 1/q + 1/r = 1. The well-known solutions (unordered) are: (3,3,3) giving sum 9; (2,4,4) giving sum 10; (2,3,6) giving sum 11. These are the only three solutions in positive integers. So there are exactly 3 distinct possible values of (p+q+r): 9, 10, and 11.
💡 Practice unlimited UPSC CSE PYQs + AI-tracked progress on each topic. Sign up free →

Want more UPSC CSE practice?

Free daily 10-Q quiz · adaptive mocks · 4,000+ verified PYQs · AI doubt solver in Hindi + English

Sign up freeMore Number System / Unit Fractions practice