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Quantitative Aptitude

GATE CSE 2025 Set 2 · Q3

MCQ1 markEasy

Time

If Pex=Qe−xP e^{x} = Q e^{-x} for all real values of xx, which one of the following statements is true?

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Solution

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Official answer: A) P = Q = 0

Quantitative Aptitude

Given that the identity holds for all real values of xx:

Pex=Qe−xP e^{x} = Q e^{-x}
  1. Substitute x=0x = 0:

    Pe0=Qe0  ⟹  P=QP e^0 = Q e^0 \implies P = Q
  2. Now, substitute Q=PQ = P back into the original equation:

    Pex=Pe−x  ⟹  P(ex−e−x)=0P e^{x} = P e^{-x} \implies P(e^x - e^{-x}) = 0
  3. Since this must hold for all x∈Rx \in \mathbb{R}, choose any non-zero value, for instance x=1x = 1:

    P(e1−e−1)=0P(e^1 - e^{-1}) = 0

Since e−e−1≈2.718−0.368≠0e - e^{-1} \approx 2.718 - 0.368 \neq 0, it follows that:

P=0P = 0

Since P=QP = Q, we also have Q=0Q = 0.

Therefore, the only statement that is true is P=Q=0P = Q = 0 (Option A).

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This Quantitative Aptitude previous year question is Q3 of the GATE CSE 2025 Set 2 paper. Find more GATE CSE PYQs on Quantitative Aptitude in General Aptitude, or browse all GATE CSE PYQs.

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Quantitative Aptitude in GATE CSE

Quantitative Aptitude has 53 GATE CSE PYQs across 13 papers from 2011 to 2026. 26 of them are 1-mark MCQs like this one, and GATE CSE 2025 Set 2 has 4.

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GateAI solution cardGATE CSE 2025 Set 2 · Q3 · MCQ

If P ex = Q e-x for all real values of x, which one of the following statements is true?

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Independent practice explanation verified by the GateAI team. GATE is conducted by the IITs; question text follows the official paper.