Skip to content
EXERCISE 2.1 · Q13

Q.Find three numbers in G.P. such that their sum is 21 and sum of their squares is 189.

Maharashtra MsbshseTextbookSubjectiveImportance★★★★★
10% · 13/136 Questions
🔒 Locked · start free trial →

You're viewing a preview — the full solution, concept, methods & PYQ mapping are locked.

Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →

Let the numbers be ar,a,ar\dfrac ar, a, ar. Sum: a(1r+1+r)=21a\left(\dfrac1r+1+r\right)=21. Sum of squares: a2(1r2+1+r2)=189a^2\left(\dfrac1{r^2}+1+r^2\right)=189. Using (1r+1+r)2=(1r2+1+r2)+2(1r+1+r)\left(\dfrac1r+1+r\right)^2=\left(\dfrac1{r^2}+1+r^2\right)+2\left(\dfrac1r+1+r\right), let S=1r+1+r=21aS=\dfrac1r+1+r=\dfrac{21}a; then S2=189a2+2S⇒441a2=189a2+42a⇒252a2=42a⇒a=6S^2=\dfrac{189}{a^2}+2S \Rightarrow \dfrac{441}{a^2}=\dfrac{189}{a^2}+\dfrac{42}a \Rightarrow \dfrac{252}{a^2}=\dfrac{42}a \Rightarrow a=6. Then $S=\d …

Unlock everything free for 14 days

  • Full step-by-step solutions
  • Concept-first explanations
  • Methods, shortcuts & mistakes
  • PYQ mapping + timed mock tests

Full access for 14 days. No credit card required.