The sum of the first three terms of a $G.P.$ is $\frac{13}{12}$ and their product is $-1$. Find the common ratio and the terms.

Vedclass pdf generator app on play store
Vedclass iOS app on app store
Let the first three terms of the $G.P.$ be $\frac{a}{r}, a, ar$.
Given the product is $-1$:
$\left(\frac{a}{r}\right)(a)(ar) = -1$
$a^3 = -1 \implies a = -1$.
Given the sum is $\frac{13}{12}$:
$\frac{a}{r} + a + ar = \frac{13}{12}$
Substituting $a = -1$:
$-\frac{1}{r} - 1 - r = \frac{13}{12}$
$-\frac{1+r+r^2}{r} = \frac{13}{12}$
$-12 - 12r - 12r^2 = 13r$
$12r^2 + 25r + 12 = 0$
Solving the quadratic equation:
$12r^2 + 16r + 9r + 12 = 0$
$4r(3r + 4) + 3(3r + 4) = 0$
$(4r + 3)(3r + 4) = 0$
$r = -\frac{3}{4}$ or $r = -\frac{4}{3}$.
For $r = -\frac{3}{4}$,the terms are $\frac{4}{3}, -1, \frac{3}{4}$.
For $r = -\frac{4}{3}$,the terms are $\frac{3}{4}, -1, \frac{4}{3}$.

Explore More

Similar Questions

If the ratio of the sum of the first three terms and the sum of the first six terms of a $G.P.$ is $125 : 152$,then the common ratio $r$ is:

Let $a_1, a_2, a_3, \ldots$ be a $G.P.$ of increasing positive terms. If $a_1 a_5 = 28$ and $a_2 + a_4 = 29$,then $a_6$ is equal to

If the first term of a $G.P.$ $a_1, a_2, a_3, \dots$ is unity such that $4a_2 + 5a_3$ is least,then the common ratio of the $G.P.$ is

Difficult
View Solution

If the $p^{th}$,$q^{th}$,and $r^{th}$ terms of a $G.P.$ are $a$,$b$,and $c$ respectively,then the value of $a^{q - r} b^{r - p} c^{p - q}$ is equal to

Insert three numbers between $1$ and $256$ so that the resulting sequence is a $G.P.$

Vedclass Products

For Students

Vedclass Test Series

Mock tests in real JEE/NEET style with performance analysis. 5-day free trial.

Start Free Trial
For Teachers

Exam Paper Generator

Generate Set A/B/C/D exam papers from 7.5L+ questions in 2 minutes. 3 chapters free.

Try Free
For Institutes

Online Exam Module

Live online exams with unlimited students, 360° analytics & white-label branding.

See Demo