(A) 6
(B) 15
(C) 12
(D) 18
Correct Answer: 12
Here $a,b,c,d \in \{1,2,3,4\}$. First, list all possible values of $2a+3b$.
For $(a,b)$ from the given set:
$$ \begin{aligned} (1,1)&:5,\quad (1,2):8,\quad (1,3):11,\quad (1,4):14\\ (2,1)&:7,\quad (2,2):10,\quad (2,3):13,\quad (2,4):16\\ (3,1)&:9,\quad (3,2):12,\quad (3,3):15,\quad (3,4):18\\ (4,1)&:11,\quad (4,2):14,\quad (4,3):17,\quad (4,4):20 \end{aligned} $$
Now list all possible values of $3c+4d$.
$$ \begin{aligned} (1,1)&:7,\quad (1,2):11,\quad (1,3):15,\quad (1,4):19\\ (2,1)&:10,\quad (2,2):14,\quad (2,3):18,\quad (2,4):22\\ (3,1)&:13,\quad (3,2):17,\quad (3,3):21,\quad (3,4):25\\ (4,1)&:16,\quad (4,2):20,\quad (4,3):24,\quad (4,4):28 \end{aligned} $$
Common values of $2a+3b$ and $3c+4d$ are:
$$ 7,\;10,\;11,\;13,\;14,\;15,\;16,\;18,\;20 $$
Counting valid ordered pairs $((a,b),(c,d))$ satisfying the equality gives a total of:
$$ \boxed{12} $$
Updated for JEE Main 2026: This PYQ is important for JEE Mains, JEE Advanced and other competitive exams. Practice more questions from this chapter.