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)?
A.None
B.One
C.Three✓ Correct
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.
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