Find four numbers forming a geometric progression in which the third term is greater than the first term by $\mathbf{9}$, and the second term is greater than the ${{\mathbf{4}}^{\mathbf{th}}}$ by $\mathbf{18}$.
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Ans:
Suppose that the first term and the common ratio of the geometric progression respectively are $a$ and $r$.
Then the first four terms of the sequence are $a,\,ar,\,a{{r}^{2}},\,a{{r}^{3}}$.
Now, according to the condition provided,
$a{{r}^{2}}=a+9$ …… (i)
$ar=a{{r}^{3}}+18$ …… (ii)
Therefore, rewriting the equations, give
$a\left( {{r}^{2}}-1 \right)=9$ …… (iii)
$ar\left( 1-{{r}^{2}} \right)=18$ …… (iv)
Now, divide the equation (iv) by the equation (iii). Then, it gives
$\dfrac{ar\left( 1-{{r}^{2}} \right)}{-a\left( 1-{{r}^{2}} \right)}=\dfrac{18}{9}$
$\Rightarrow r=-2$ …… (v)
Now, using the equation (v) into the equation (i) gives
$\begin{align} & 4a=a+9 \\ & \Rightarrow 3a=9 \\ & \Rightarrow a=3 \\ \end{align}$
Hence, the first four numbers that forms a geometric progression are $3,\,3\left( -2 \right),\,3{{\left( -2 \right)}^{2}},$ and $3{{\left( -2 \right)}^{3}}$, that is $3,\,-6,\,\,12,\,$ and $-24$.