Q84 of 84 Page 5

The sum of four consecutive numbers in an AP is 32, and the ratio of the product of the first and the last term to the product of two middle terms is 7: 15. Find the numbers. (CBSE 2018)

Let the numbers be : (a – 3d), (a – d), (a + d), (a + 3d)

(Note the common difference is “2d”)


According to Question,

Sum of four consecutive terms in A.P = 32

• (a – 3d) + (a – d) + (a + d) + (a + 3d) = 32

⇒ 4a = 32
⇒ a = 32/4
a = 8


So, the numbers are: (8 – 3d), (8 – d), (8 + d), (8 + 3d)


Also,

The ratio of the product of the first and the last term to the product of two middle terms is 7: 15. Therefore,



(Using (a + b)(a – b) = a2 – b2)


960 - 135d2 = 448 - 7d2

128d2 = 512


d2 = 4


d = ±2


So, putting d = 2, numbers are: 2, 6, 10, 14


(Note: putting d = – 2 gives the same numbers but in reverse order)


Numbers are 2, 6, 10, 14

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