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 #2
avatar+239 
+1
Feb 1, 2020
Jan 31, 2020
 #3
avatar+23248 
0

Let the first term of the progression be a and let the common difference be d.

Then the terms of the progression are:  a,  a + d,  a + 2d,  a + 3d

 

The ratio is:  [a · (a + 3d)] / [(a + d) · (a + 2d)]  =  7/15

 

Cross-multiplying:   [a · (a + 3d)] ·15  =  7 · [(a + d) · (a + 2d)] 

So:                                15a2 + 45ad  =  7a2 + 21ad + 14d2

                             8a2 + 24ad - 14d2  =  0

                              4a2 + 12ad - 7d2  =  0

 

Solving for a using the quadratic formula with a = 4, b = 12d, and c = -7d2

     a  =  [ -12d  +/-  sqrt{ (12d)2 - 4·(4)(-7d2) }  /  (2·4)

         =  [ -12d  +/-  sqrt{ 144d2 + 112d2 } / 8

         =  [ -12d  +/-  sqrt{ 256d2 } ] 8

         =  [ -12d  +/- 16d ] / 8

 

I'm only going to consider the "+" answer:

        =  [ -12d + 16d ] / 8

        =  4d/8

        =  d/2

 

Since the sum = 32:  a + (a + d) + (a + 2d) + (a + 3d)  =  32

                    (d/2) + (d/2 + d) + (d/2 + 2d) + (d/2 + 3d)  =  32

                                                                                8d  =  32

                                                                                  d  =  4

Since  a  =  d/2     --->     a  =  4/2  =  2

 

With  a = 2  and  d = 4:       2, 6, 10, 14

 

I'll let you see what happens if you were to select the "-" answer.

Jan 31, 2020

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