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Three positive numbers form an arithmetic progression; their sum is 18. If the first number is increased by 4, then the numbers will form a geometric progression. Find the original three numbers in arithmetic progression.

User NonowPoney
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1 Answer

3 votes

Answer:

{4+2√7, 6, 8-2√7}

Explanation:

The middle term of three of an arithmetic sequence is the average of the three numbers—their sum divided by 3. So, this arithmetic sequence has a middle term of 6.

If the common difference is x, then the numbers are ...

{6 -x, 6, 6+x}

When the first is increased by 4, to 10-x, then the ratios of adjacent terms are the same:

6/(10-x) = (6+x)/6

36 = 60 +4x -x^2 . . . . . . multiplying by 6(10-x)

x^2 -4x = 24 . . . . . in a form suitable for completing the square

(x -2)^2 = 28 . . . . . . after adding 4

x = 2-2√7 . . . . . the solution that makes the sequence be positive numbers

The arithmetic sequence is then ...

{4 +2√7, 6, 8 -2√7} ≈ {9.2915, 6, 2.7085}

User Athif Saheer
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