SSC CPO 2019 PYQ — Question 148

SSC CPO Tier I - 12th December 2019 - Shift 2 • Quantitative Aptitude • Q148

If a + b + c = 9 and ab + bc + ca = 18, then the value of a3 + b3 + c3 - 3abc is :

Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A

Explanation

The correct answer is Option 1 i.e. 243

Understanding Application
Tricks

We know

⇒ a3 + b3 + c3 - 3abc = (a + b + c)(a2 + b2 + c2 - ab - bc - ca)

⇒ a3 + b3 + c3 - 3abc = (a + b + c){a2 + b2 + c2 - (ab + bc + ca)} .....i)

Now

a + b + c = 9

Squaring both sides

⇒ (a + b + c)2 = 92

⇒ a2 + b2 + c2 + 2(ab + bc + ca) = 81

⇒ a2 + b2 + c2 + 2(18) = 81

⇒ a2 + b2 + c2 = 81 - 36

⇒ a2 + b2 + c2 = 45 ....ii)

Here

Put the value of eq ii) in eq i)

So

⇒ a3 + b3 + c3 - 3abc = (a + b + c){a2 + b2 + c2 - (ab + bc + ca)

⇒ a3 + b3 + c3 - 3abc = 9{45 - (18)}

⇒ a3 + b3 + c3 - 3abc = 9{27}

Hence ⇒ a3 + b3 + c3 - 3abc = 243