Question

the sum of the three terms consecutive terms of an ap is -6 and the product is 64, find the terms. using a, a + d, a + 2d​

Answer 1

-8, -2 and 4

Explanation:

Let the terms of the AP be a-d, a and a+d

If the sum is 6, then;

a-d+a+a+d = -6

3a = -6

a = -6/3

a = -2

Hence the first term is 6

If the product is 64

(a-d)(a)(a+d) = 64

-2(a²-d²) = 64

-2(4-d²) = 64

4-d² = -64/2

4-d² = -32

-d² = -32-4

-d² = -36

d² = 36

d = 6 or -6

The first term is a-d = -2-6 = -8

second term is a = -2

third term is a+d = -2+6 = 4

Hence the required AP is -8, -2 and 4