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Let $a_1, a_2, a_3,\dots$ be an arithmetic sequence. If $a_1 + a_3 + a_5 = -12$ and $a_1a_3a_5 = 80$, find all possible values of $a_{10}$.

 Apr 30, 2023
 #1
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Let the common difference of the arithmetic sequence be d. Then [a_1 + a_3 + a_5 = 3a_2 = 3 \left( a_1 + d \right) = -12]and [a_1 a_3 a_5 = a_2^3 = \left( a_1 + d \right)^3 = a_1^3 + 3a_1^2 d + 3a_1 d^2 + d^3 = 80.]We can solve the first equation for d to get d=−4. Substituting this into the second equation, we get [a_1^3 - 48a_1 - 64 = 80]or [a_1^3 - 48a_1 - 144 = 0.]This factors as [(a_1 - 8)(a_1 + 18)(a_1 + 2) = 0,]so a1​=8, a1​=−18, or a1​=−2. The corresponding values of a10​ are -16​,-10, and 4.

 Apr 30, 2023
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That's not correct

amogusmathhelp  Apr 30, 2023
 #3
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Since a1​+a3​+a5​=−12, we can write

$a_1 + a_3 + a_5 = 3 \cdot \frac{a_1 + a_3 + a_5}{3} = 3 \cdot \frac{a_1 + (a_1 + d) + (a_1 + 2d)}{3} = 3a_1 + d^2 = -12$.

Then d2=−36, so d=±6. If d=6, then a1​+a3​+a5​=0, which is a contradiction, so d=−6. Then

a_{10} = a_1 + 9d = a_1 - 54 = -12 - 54 = -66.

 Apr 30, 2023

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