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ExamsGATEEngineering Mathematics

Spheres of unit diameter are centered at (l,m,n) where l, m, and n take every possible integer values. The distance between two spheres is computed from the center of one sphere to the center of the other sphere. For a given sphere, x is the distance to its nearest sphere and y is the distance to its next nearest sphere. The value of y/x is:

  1. 2√2
  2. 1/√2
  3. √2
  4. 2

Correct answer: √2

Solution

The distance between the centers of two adjacent spheres is 2 units, while the distance to the next nearest sphere, which is diagonally adjacent, is √2 units. Therefore, the ratio y/x, where y is the distance to the next nearest sphere and x is the distance to the nearest sphere, simplifies to √2.

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