Skip to content
Question of 31

Q.If p-th, q-th and r-th terms of an AP as well as those of a GP are a, b, c respectively, then prove that a^(b-c) . b^(c-a) . c^(a-b) = 1.

West Bengal WbchseWest Bengal HS First Year (WBCHSE Class XI) Annual Examination 2018Subjective· 4mImportance★★★★★
0% · 0/31 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 →

Express b−c, c−a, a−bb-c,\ c-a,\ a-b using the AP formula, and a,b,ca,b,c using the GP formula; the exponents of both the GP's first term and common ratio collapse to 00.

Let the AP have first term AA, common difference DD; the pp-th, qq-th, rr-th terms are a,b,ca,b,c:

a=A+(p−1)D, b=A+(q−1)D, c=A+(r−1)D.a=A+(p-1)D,\ b=A+(q-1)D,\ c=A+(r-1)D.

So b−c=(q−r)D, c−a=(r−p)D, a−b=(p−q)D.b-c=(q-r)D,\ c-a=(r-p)D,\ a-b=(p-q)D.

Let the GP have first term GG, common ratio RR; the same pp-th, qq-th, rr-th terms are a,b,ca,b,c:

a=GRp−1, b=GRq−1, c=GRr−1.a=GR^{p-1},\ b=GR^{q-1},\ c=GR^{r-1}.

Now compute the product using these GP forms and the AP exponents:

ab−cbc−aca−b=(GRp−1)(q−r)D(GRq−1)(r−p)D(GRr−1)(p−q)D.a^{b-c}b^{c-a}c^{a-b}=\left(GR^{p-1}\right)^{(q-r)D}\left(GR^{q-1}\right)^{(r-p)D}\left(GR^{r-1}\right)^{(p-q)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.