Let \(\mathrm{A}=\{1,2,3, \ldots, 10\}\) and R be a relation on A such that \(\mathrm{R}=\{(\mathrm{a}, \mathrm{b}): \mathrm{a}=2 \mathrm{~b}+1\}\). Let \(\left(\mathrm{a}_1, \mathrm{a}_2\right)\), \(\left(a_2, a_3\right),\left(a_3, a_4\right), \ldots .,\left(a_k, a_{k+1}\right)\) be a sequence of \(k\) elements of R such that the second entry of an ordered pair is equal to the first entry of the next ordered pair. Then the largest integer k , for which such a sequence exists, is equal to :

Apply the relevant identity from the chapter and substitute the values established in the previous step, keeping the original constraint in view.

Use the simplified expression to isolate the unknown, then plug the result back into the question setup to confirm the working is internally consistent.

Cross-check against a boundary or limiting case. Both the dimensional balance and the qualitative behaviour at the extreme should agree with the candidate answer.

Combine the steps above to identify the correct option. The remaining choices each fail at least one of the consistency, dimensional, or boundary checks.