Find four numbers forming a geometric progression in which the third term is greater than the first term by 9, and the second term is greater than the 4th by 18.

Given: a3 = a1 + 9 and a2 = a4 + 18


Let a1 = a, a2 = ar, a3 = ar2, a4 = ar3


Here,


a3 = a1 + 9


ar2 = a + 9


ar2 – a = 9


a(r2 – 1) = 9 – 1


and,


a2 = a4 + 18


ar= ar3 + 18


ar – ar3 = 18


ar(1 – r2) = 18 – 2


Divide eq –2 by eq –1





r = – 2


Substitute r in eq—1


a × ((-2)2 – 1) = 9


a × (4 – 1) = 9


a × (3) = 9


a = = 3


G.P is : 3 , 3(– 2), 3(– 2)2, 3(– 2)3


3, —6 , 12 , —16


G.P is 3, —6, 12, —16


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