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JEE Mathematics 2025 Question with Solution

Let f:R{0}Rf : \mathbb{R} - \{0\} \to \mathbb{R} be a function such that

f(x)6f(1x)=353x52.f(x) - 6f\left(\frac{1}{x}\right) = \frac{35}{3x} - \frac{5}{2}.

If limx0(1αx+f(x))=β\lim_{x \to 0} \left( \frac{1}{\alpha x} + f(x) \right) = \beta, then α,βR\alpha, \beta \in \mathbb{R}, and α+2β\alpha + 2\beta is equal to:

  • A

    33

  • B

    55

  • C

    44

  • D

    66

Answer

Correct answer:C

Step-by-step solution

Standard Method

Given:

f(x)6f(1x)=353x52f(x) - 6f\left(\frac{1}{x}\right) = \frac{35}{3x} - \frac{5}{2}

and

limx0(1αx+f(x))=β\lim_{x \to 0} \left( \frac{1}{\alpha x} + f(x) \right) = \beta

Find: α+2β\alpha + 2\beta

Replace xx by 1x\frac{1}{x} in the given functional equation:

f(1x)6f(x)=35x352f\left(\frac{1}{x}\right) - 6f(x) = \frac{35x}{3} - \frac{5}{2}

Now use the two linear equations

f(x)6f(1x)=353x52f(x) - 6f\left(\frac{1}{x}\right) = \frac{35}{3x} - \frac{5}{2} f(1x)6f(x)=35x352f\left(\frac{1}{x}\right) - 6f(x) = \frac{35x}{3} - \frac{5}{2}

Multiply the second equation by 66 and add to the first:

6f(1x)36f(x)=70x156f\left(\frac{1}{x}\right) - 36f(x) = 70x - 15 f(x)6f(1x)=353x52f(x) - 6f\left(\frac{1}{x}\right) = \frac{35}{3x} - \frac{5}{2}

So,

35f(x)=353x+70x352-35f(x) = \frac{35}{3x} + 70x - \frac{35}{2}

Hence,

f(x)=13x2x+12f(x) = -\frac{1}{3x} - 2x + \frac{1}{2}

Substitute this into the limit expression:

1αx+f(x)=1αx13x2x+12\frac{1}{\alpha x} + f(x) = \frac{1}{\alpha x} - \frac{1}{3x} - 2x + \frac{1}{2}

For the limit as x0x \to 0 to exist, the coefficient of 1x\frac{1}{x} must be zero:

1α13=0\frac{1}{\alpha} - \frac{1}{3} = 0

Therefore,

α=3\alpha = 3

Then the limit becomes

limx0(2x+12)=12\lim_{x \to 0} \left( -2x + \frac{1}{2} \right) = \frac{1}{2}

So,

β=12\beta = \frac{1}{2}

Finally,

α+2β=3+2(12)=4\alpha + 2\beta = 3 + 2\left(\frac{1}{2}\right) = 4

Therefore, the correct option is C.

Using simultaneous equations carefully

Given: the function satisfies a pair of linear equations in the two unknowns f(x)f(x) and f(1x)f\left(\frac{1}{x}\right).

Find: the values of α\alpha and β\beta needed to compute α+2β\alpha + 2\beta.

Write the two equations explicitly:

f(x)6f(1x)=353x52f(1x)6f(x)=35x352\begin{aligned} f(x) - 6f\left(\frac{1}{x}\right) &= \frac{35}{3x} - \frac{5}{2} \\ f\left(\frac{1}{x}\right) - 6f(x) &= \frac{35x}{3} - \frac{5}{2} \end{aligned}

Multiply the second equation by 66:

6f(1x)36f(x)=70x156f\left(\frac{1}{x}\right) - 36f(x) = 70x - 15

Now add it to the first equation:

[f(x)6f(1x)]+[6f(1x)36f(x)]=(353x52)+(70x15)\left[f(x) - 6f\left(\frac{1}{x}\right)\right] + \left[6f\left(\frac{1}{x}\right) - 36f(x)\right] = \left(\frac{35}{3x} - \frac{5}{2}\right) + (70x - 15) 35f(x)=353x+70x352-35f(x) = \frac{35}{3x} + 70x - \frac{35}{2}

Divide by 35-35:

f(x)=13x2x+12f(x) = -\frac{1}{3x} - 2x + \frac{1}{2}

Now evaluate the limit condition:

limx0(1αx+f(x))=β\lim_{x \to 0} \left( \frac{1}{\alpha x} + f(x) \right) = \beta

Substitute f(x)f(x):

limx0(1αx13x2x+12)=β\lim_{x \to 0} \left( \frac{1}{\alpha x} - \frac{1}{3x} - 2x + \frac{1}{2} \right) = \beta

Group the singular terms:

limx0(1x(1α13)2x+12)=β\lim_{x \to 0} \left( \frac{1}{x}\left(\frac{1}{\alpha} - \frac{1}{3}\right) - 2x + \frac{1}{2} \right) = \beta

For this limit to be finite, the coefficient of 1x\frac{1}{x} must vanish.

Thus,

1α13=0\frac{1}{\alpha} - \frac{1}{3} = 0

which gives

α=3\alpha = 3

Then

β=limx0(2x+12)=12\beta = \lim_{x \to 0} \left( -2x + \frac{1}{2} \right) = \frac{1}{2}

Hence,

α+2β=3+1=4\alpha + 2\beta = 3 + 1 = 4

Therefore, the answer is 44.

Common mistakes

  • A common mistake is adding the two functional equations directly and trying to isolate f(x)f(x) immediately. That leaves both f(x)f(x) and f(1x)f\left(\frac{1}{x}\right) together. Instead, multiply one equation suitably, such as multiplying the second by 66, so that one variable cancels.

  • Another mistake is substituting x1xx \mapsto \frac{1}{x} incorrectly and writing the right-hand side as 353/x=353x\frac{35}{3/x} = \frac{35}{3x}. This is wrong because 353/(x)=35x3\frac{35}{3/(x)} = \frac{35x}{3}. Simplify that term carefully before solving.

  • Students often force the limit to exist by setting the whole expression equal to 00. The limit only needs to be finite, not zero. The correct step is to make the coefficient of 1x\frac{1}{x} equal to zero, and then evaluate the remaining finite part to get β\beta.

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