The 3rd ,14th and 69th terms of an arithmetic progression form three distinct and consecutive terms of a geometric progression. If the next term of the geometric progression is the nth term of the arithmetic progression, then n equals ________.
Explanation:
Let the 3rd term of AP = T3 = a [Here, a is not the first term of the AP]
14th term of AP = T14 = ar and 69th term of AP = T69 = ar2
Now, T14 - T3 = 11d [d is the common difference of the AP] Also, T69 - T14 = 55d
⇒ 5(T14 - T3) = T69 - T14 ⇒ 5(ar - a) = ar2 - ar ⇒ r2 - 6r + 5 = 0 ⇒ (r - 1)(r - 5) = 0 ⇒ r = 1 or 5 [r = 1 is rejected as the given terms are distinct.]
∴ T3 = a T14 = 5a T69 = 25a
⇒ d = (5a - a)/11 = 4a/11
Now, next term of geometric progression will be 125a = T3 + (n - 3)d ⇒ 125a = a + (n - 3) × 4a/11 ⇒ 341 = n - 3 ⇒ n = 344.
∴ The next term of the geometric progression is the 344th term of the GP.
Hence, 344.
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