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Answer: (D) Only I
Explanation
Statement I involves the expression 100² - 99² + 98² - 97² + … + 2² - 1². Using the algebraic identity a² - b² = (a - b)(a + b), each consecutive pair can be simplified. For instance, 100² - 99² = (100 - 99)(100 + 99) = 1 × 199. Similarly, 98² - 97² = 1 × 195. Applying this to all pairs, the series becomes 100 + 99 + 98 + 97 + … + 2 + 1. The sum of the first n natural numbers is calculated using the formula S = (n(n + 1))/(2). For n = 100, the sum is (100 × 101)/(2) = 50 × 101 = 5050. Thus, Statement I is correct.
Statement II provides the equation 8x + x = 16, which simplifies to 9x = 16, resulting in x = ¹⁶⁄₉. This value is positive, which contradicts the given condition x < 0. Additionally, for any x ≠ 1, the expression xⁿ + x⁻ⁿ will not equal 2 unless x = 1. If x were negative, such as x = -1, the value of x¹⁹⁷ + x⁻¹⁹⁷ would be (-1)¹⁹⁷ + (-1)⁻¹⁹⁷ = -1 - 1 = -2. Since the result is not 2 and the condition x < 0 is not met by the solution of the equation, Statement II is incorrect. Therefore, only Statement I is correct.