Q.The sum of two numbers is 6 times their geometric mean, show that numbers are in the ratio .
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Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →Using the inequality of means and the given condition, we set up a quadratic in the ratio and solve to get , which are reciprocals — hence the required ratio.
Let the two numbers be and , with (since we talk about a ratio, both are positive). Their geometric mean is . The problem states:
We need to find the ratio .
Why the Inequality of Means helps here
The Arithmetic Mean–Geometric Mean (AM–GM) inequality says that for positive numbers, , with equality only when . Here, the sum is , so the AM is — that's three times the GM. That’s far from equality, so and are far apart. The ratio will be something extreme, and the algebra will confirm that.
Step-by-step solution
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Set up the ratio.
Let , where (since ). Then the ratio .
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Substitute into the given equation.
The condition becomes:
- Cancel (positive, so safe).
- Square both sides carefully.
A common mistake: forgetting the middle term when squaring , or mishandling the term. Always expand fully.
- Solve the quadratic.
Simplify :
So:
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Recognise the perfect square form.
Notice that and .
Check: . Yes.
Since , we take .
But the problem asks for the ratio , which is . That is . …
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