Join the Most Relevant JEE Main 2025 Test Series & get 99+ percentile! Join Now
Search any question & find its solution
Question: Answered & Verified by Expert
If $2,7,9,5$ are subtracted respectively from four numbers forming a $\mathrm{GP}$, the resulting numbers are in $\mathrm{AP}$, then the smallest of the four numbers is
MathematicsSequences and SeriesCOMEDKCOMEDK 2017
Options:
  • A $-24$
  • B 12
  • C 6
  • D 3
Solution:
1381 Upvotes Verified Answer
The correct answer is: $-24$
Let the numbers be $a, a r, a r^{2}, a r^{3}$.
$\begin{array}{ll}
\Rightarrow & a-2, a r-7, a r^{2}-9 \text { are in A.P. } \\
\Rightarrow & a-2+a r^{2}-9=2(a r-7) \\
\Rightarrow & a\left(r^{2}+1\right)-11=2 a r-14 \\
\Rightarrow & r^{2}+1=2 r-\frac{3}{a}...(i)
\end{array}$
Further, $a r-7+a r^{3}-5=2\left(a r^{2}-9\right)$
$\Rightarrow \quad a r\left(r^{2}+1\right)-12=2 a r^{2}-18$
$\Rightarrow \quad r^{2}+1=2 r-\frac{6}{a r}...(ii)$
Solving Eqs. (i) and (ii), we get $r=2, a=-3$
The number are $-3,-6-12,-24$

Looking for more such questions to practice?

Download the MARKS App - The ultimate prep app for IIT JEE & NEET with chapter-wise PYQs, revision notes, formula sheets, custom tests & much more.