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.