1

NOTE
M A T H E M A T I C S

SEQUENCE AND SERIES

HARMONIC PROGRESSION AND RELATION
BETWEEN A.M., G.M. AND H.M.

What you already know

• Arithmetic Progression and Geometric • Properties of A.P and G.P

Progression • Arithmetic Mean (A.M) and Insertion of n
• nth term and Sum of first n terms of an A.P A.M.'s between two numbers
and a G.P
• Properties of A.M.
• Sum of infinite terms of a G.P

What you will learn

• Geometric mean • Finding nth term of H.P

• Insertion of n G.M’s between two numbers • Harmonic mean (H.M)
• Properties of G.M’s • Insertion of n H.M’s between two numbers
• Introduction to harmonic progression (H.P) • Relation between means

Geometric Mean (G.M)

When G is inserted between two non-zero numbers a and b such that a, G, b are in G.P, then G is
ab   3  12
known as the Geometric mean of a and b.
Geometric mean (G) = square root of product of a and b
= ab  6 

Example

G.M of 2, 8 G.M of -2, - 8 Let us consider three terms 3, 6, 12. To check if

As both the numbers they are in G.P or not, we can follow the below
G.M = 2×8
have negative signs, let steps:
⇒ G.M = 16 us ignore the negative Let a = 3, b = 12
⇒ G.M = 4 sign for both and
ab = 3×12
calculate the G.M.
We can observe that ab   3  12
G.M = - (- 2)×(- 8) ⇒ ab = 6
2, 4, 8 are in G.P with
common ratio 2. We observe that G
= ab =66
⇒ G.M = - 16
⇒ G.M = - 4 We observe that the middle term 6 is the G.M
We can observe that -2, of the extreme terms 3, 12.
-4, -8 are in G.P with a Therefore, we can say that 3, 6, 12 are in G.P.
common ratio as 2.

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 2

Note
ab   3  12
Geometric mean (G)= ab is6 valid only when both a and b have same sign. When both a, b have
negative signs, we can ignore the negative signs to calculate G.M. However, the G.M between
two negative numbers has to be negative. Hence, we insert a negative symbol after calculation.
Therefore, G.M of two negative numbers -a, -b will be -G
a, G, b are in G.P if G = G.M of a and b.

Insertion of n G.M’s between two numbers

If a, b are any two numbers, there exist n (n ∈ N) G.M’s G1 , G2 , G3 , G4 ,........Gn that can be inserted
between a and b such that the resulting sequence is a G.P i.e, a, G1 , G2 , G3 ,........Gn, b is a G.P. for n ∈ N

Finding n G.M’s

Here for the G.P a, G1 , G2 , G3 ,........Gn, b 1

 b  n 1
First term = a, Last term = b and Number of  r   
terms = n + 2 ( n G.M’s and 2 terms a, b) a
1
We know that tn = ar n - 1  b  n 1
 t 2  ar  a   G 1
Here t1 = a, tn+2 = b a
2
⇒ tn+2 = ar n+1  b  n 1
 t 3  ar 2  a   G 2
⇒ b = ar n+1 a
n
 b  n 1
 tn 1  ar  a   Gn
n

a

Note

If G k is the k th G.M between two numbers a and b

k
1
 b  n1  b  n 1
then G k = a  , where common ratio (r) =  
a a

Properties of Geometric Means

Product of n G.M’s between two numbers is equal to n th power of single G.M of these two numbers.
Proof
Let us consider the G.P a, G1, G2, G3, . . . . . . . ., Gn, b
t1 = a
t2 = ar = G1
t3 = ar2 = G2
tn+1 = arn = Gn
.
.t = arn+1 = b
n+2

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 3

ab   3  12
G = G.M of a and b= ab  6 
1
 b  n 1
=  
r 
a
n
 n

 G i  Gn  where  G i representproduct
 of G i fori
= 1toi = n 
i 1  i 1 
Consider G1 × G2 × G3 × ...... × Gn
G1 × G2 × G3 × ...... × Gn = ar × ar2 × ar3 × ...... × arn
⟹ G1 × G2 × G3 × ...... × Gn = anr (1 + 2 +3 + .... + n)
 nn 1 

n  2 

 n(n  1) 
 G 1  G 2  G 3    Gn  a r  Sumof first n natural numbers  
 2 
 n( n  1 ) 
 
 1
 2 
n  b 
n 1
 G 1  G 2  G 3    Gn  a   
 a  
 
n
 b 2
 G 1  G 2  G 3    Gn  an  
a
n n
 G 1  G 2  G 3    Gn  a b 2 2

 
n
 G 1  G 2  G 3    Gn  ab
 G 1  G 2  G 3    Gn  Gn

n+ 1 n+ 1
If a + b is the G.M of a and b (a ≠ b), then what is the value of n?
an + bn

(a) 0 (b) -1 (c) -2 (d) - 1

2

Solution

Step 1: Step 2:
an 1  bn 1 Given a ≠ b
Given is theG.Mof aandb
an  bn  an  a  bn  b
an 1  bn 1 1 1
 n  ab  an  a2  bn  b 2
a  bn
1 1
n n
 an 1  bn 1  ab (an  bn ) a 2
b 2

 a  a  b  b  ab  a  ab  b
n n n n
n
1
0
a 2 a
 a  an  ab  an  ab  bn  b  bn   1 
b b
 a  a  an  ab  an  ab  bn  b  b  bn 1
 n  0
 an  a  
a  b  bn  b  a b  2
1
n 
2

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 4

Concept Check 1

If 4 G.M’s are inserted between 2 and 486, then what is their sum?
(a) 250 (b) 240 (c) 256 (d) 243

Concept Check 2

If 2n+1 G.M’s are inserted between 4 and 2916, then what is the (n+1)th G.M?
(a) 128 (b) 64 (c) 256 (d) 108

Note

A.Mof a1 , a2 , a3 ,......., an 

 a1  a2  a3  .......  an 
n
G.Mof a1 , a2 , a3 ,......., an  n  a1  a2  a3  .......  an 

Introduction to Harmonic Progression (H.P)

A sequence of non-zero terms is said to be in H.P, if the sequence of reciprocal of its terms is in
A.P i.e,
1 1 1 1
a1 , a2 , a3 ,...., an areinH
  .Piff
  , , ,......., formanA
  .P
a1 a2 a3 an
wherea  i  0i  1, 2,...., n

Example

1 1 1
To check if , , is an H.P or not,
3 6 9
we can check if 3, 6, 9 are in A.P or not.
We observe that 3, 6, 9 is an A.P with common difference 3.
1 1 1
Therefore , , is a H.P.
3 6 9

Finding nth term of a H.P

Let a1 , a2 ,........., an be in H.P

1 1 1 1
, , ,......., is in A.P.
a1 a2 a3 an
Let the common difference of A.P be d

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 1 1  an 1 d
   
5 an an 1
a
 an  n 1
1  an 1 d
a
Consider, n 1
1  an 1 d
1 Dividenumerator and denominator byan 1
 A.P  
First termof
a1 an 1 1
  
1 1  an 1 d 1
 A.P    (n  1) d
nth termof d
a1 an 1
an 1 1
 1   1    
d      1  an 1 d  1 
 an 1   an    nd   d
1 1  a1 
    d an 1 1
an an 1   
1  an 1 d 1  n  1 d
1 1  an 1 d  
    a1
an an 1
1
an 1  an  
 an  1
1  an 1 d  n  1  d
a1
a
Consider, n 1
1  an 1 d
Dividenumerator and denominator byan 1
an 1 1
  
1  an 1 d 1
Note d
an 1
a 1
nth
termn 1of an   H.P is reciprocal of nth term of corresponding A.P.
1  an 1 d  1 
  nd   d
 a1 
an 1 1
   the first two terms of a H.P, then what is the nth term?
If a,b are
1  an 1 d 1  n  1 d
 
a1
1
Solution
an  
1
 n  1  d
Step 1: a1 Step 2:
Given a and b are the first two terms of H.P 1
Weknow
  .P an  
,for aH
1 1 1
⇒ , are the first two terms of corresponding A.P  (n  1) d
a b a1
Let the common difference of the A.P be d 1
 an  
1 1 1  ab
For A.P,t 1   , t 2    (n  1)  
a b a  ab 
We know for anA.P tn  a  n  1 d  an  
ab
1 1 b  (n  1)(a  b)
 t 2    d 
a b
1 1
 d   
b a
ab
 d 
ab

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 6

Concept Check 3

1 1
If the 7th and 12th terms of a H.P are and respectively then, its 20th term is
10 25
1 1 1 1
(a) (b) (c) (d)
15 34 20 49

Concept Check 4

If a : (a - b) = (a + c):(a - c), then a, b, c are in

(a) A.P (b) G.P (c) H.P (d) None

Harmonic Mean (H.M)

When H is inserted between two numbers a and b such that a, H, b are in H.P, then H is known as
1 1 1
the Harmonic mean of a and b.1  , 1, are  1 in A.P
Here 2  a H b   
H a b
 1   1an  21  a  b
 A.P  1 1 1
We
Hereknow
 2 that for   a, b, c ⇒ 2b = a + c Here 2        
 
 H   a  H b  ab H a b
2 ab 2ab 2 ab
    H    
H ab ab H ab
2ab 2ab 2ab
 H 
Harmonic Mean (H) of a and b = a + b  H 
ab ab

Example

H.M of 2, 4 1 1 1
Let us consider a H.P , ,
Let a = 2, b = 4 3 6 9
2ab 1 1 1
H.M  Let a   ,H  ,b  
ab 3 6 9
2 (2)( 4 ) 2ab
 H.M  Weknow
 ,H.Mof a, b  
24 ab
8  1  1   2 
 H.M  2     
3 2ab  3  9   3 9  1
       H
8 ab 1 1 4 6
2, , 4 is a H.P. We observe that     
3 3 9 9
1 3 1 1
, , is an A.P with common difference as −
2 8 4 8

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 7

Note

2ab
a, H, b are in H.P if H is the H.M of a,b i.e, H = a + b

Insertion of n H.M’s between two numbers

If a and b are any two numbers, there exist n H.M’s H1, H2, H3, ....., Hn that can be inserted between
a and b such that the resulting sequence is a H.P i.e, a, H1, H2, H3, ....., Hn, b

11 11
Insert 4 H.M’s between and
 and
 and   
22 22 22

Solution
Step 1: Step 2:
11 11 1
Let H1, H2, H3, H4 be 4 H.M’s between and
and
and  Here, t1 = a = 2, t2 = ,
22 2222 �1
1 1 11 1 1 1 1 1 1
⇒ 2, ,and
H,, H2, H3,,and
H4, ,22 areinA.P t3 = , t = ,
2 H1 1 H22 H 2 22 �2 4 �3
2 3 H4
1 1 1 1 1
⇒ 2, , , , , 22 areinA.P t5 = and t6 = 22
H1 H2 H3 H4 �4
Let the common difference be d. We know for an A.P tn = a + (n - 1) d
1 1 1 1
⇒ t26, = a, + 5d, = 22
, , 22 areinA.P
H11 H12 H13 H14
⇒ 2 ,+ 5d , = 22, , , 22 areinA.P
H11 H12 H13 H14
⇒ 5d
2, = 20, , , , 22 areinA.P
H11 H12 H13 H14
⇒ d2,= 4 , , , , 22 areinA.P
H1 H2 H3 H4
Step 3:
1 1
 t2   a  d  2  4  6  H1 
H1 6
1 1
 t3   a  2d  2  8  10  H2 
H2 10
1 1
 t4   a  3d  2  12  14  H3 
H3 14
1 1
 t5   a  4d  2  16  18  H4 
H4 18

Concept Check 5

3 3
If 4 H.M’s areinserted
 between and then3rd H.Mis 
4 19
3 3 3 3
(a) (b) (c ) (d)
11 13 12 16

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 8

a  b Relation Between Means

A  
Let A, G, H be thea A.M, 2
 b G.M, H.M of two positive numbers a and b
We know, A   G   ab
2
ab 2ab
A   G   ab H 
2 ab
2ab
G   ab H 
Property I ab
2ab
H 
A ≥ aG≥bH

Proof

Consider, A - G
ab
 AG  
 2 
  ab 
 a   b   a  b 
2 2
a  b  2 ab 2
 AG  
2 2
 
2
a b
 AG   0 (Square of any real number is non-negative)
2
 AG  0
AG
Consider, G  H

 G H   
 2ab 
ab  
ab


 G H 
ab (a  b)  2ab

ab  a  b   2 ab   ab 
ab ab

 G H 

ab a  b  2 ab 
ab

ab   a   b   a  b 
2 2
2

 G H 
ab

 a  b
2
ab
 G H  0 (a, b>0 and Square of any real number is non-negative)
ab a ab b 
2

GG -H
a  b 
H ≥ 0 ab a  b 0
2

GG≥ H
H 0
ab
Therefore, A ≥ G ≥ H
Example

Let us consider two positive numbers 2 and 4

ab 24
A      3
2 2
G   ab   2  4  2 2
2ab
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All rights 2 4 8
H     
 9 ab 24
A      3
2 2
G   ab   2  4  2 2
2ab 2  2  4 8
H     
ab 24 3
8
3 2 2 
3
Therefore,A  G  H

Note

A = G = H holds true when a = b

Property II

A, G, H form a G.P i.e, G2 = AH Consider AH

Proof a  b 2ab
 AH  
2 ab
Consider AH
 
2
a + b 2+ 8  AH ab   ab
a  b 2ab A= = = 5
 AH   2 2  AH G 2
2 ab
G = ab = 2× 8 = 4 ⇒Th
Gerefore
2
= 16 ,G 2  AH
 
2
 Example
AH ab   ab
2ab 2× 2× 8 16
H= = =
 AH
Let usconsider
G 2
two numbers 2 and 8.a + b 2+ 8 5
16
2+
2
Therefore
a + b ,G 8AH ⇒ AH = 5 × = 16
A= = = 5 5
2 2
16 4
G = ab = 2× 8 = 4 ⇒ G2 = 16 Therefore, G2 = AH.Hence 5, 4, are in G.P with common ratio
5 5
2ab 2× 2× 8 16
H= = =
a+b 2+ 8 5
16
⇒ AH = 5 × = 16
5
16
1
If x > 0,2 then what is the minimum value of
Therefore, G = AH.Hence 5, 4, are in G.P with common x  ? ratio 4
5 x 5
(a) 1 (b) 2 (c) 1.5 (d) 10

Solution
Step 1: Step 2:
1 1
Letusconsider
  a x,b   x x
x
Weknow
 that,   1
2
1 1
x  x   2
ab x x
A    
2 2 1
x 
Therefore, theminimumvalueof
is 2
2
1 x
G   ( x )    (Attained when A.M.=G.M. i.e. x=1)
x
 G  1 Option b is the correct answer.

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 10

Concept Check 6

If x,y,z are positive real and xy+yz+xz = 12 then what is the greatest value of xyz?
(a) 8 (b) 64 (c) 4 (d) 16

Concept Check 7

The A.M of two numbers exceeds G.M by 3 and the G.M exceeds the H.M by 6 ,then what are the
2 5
two numbers?
(a) 4,8 (b) 3,9 (c) 3,12 (d) 4,12

Summary Sheet

Key Takeaways

• a, G, b are in G.P iff G = G.M of a and b

If Gk is the k th G.M betweentwo numbers a, b
• If a and b are any two numbers, there exist n G.M’s G1, G2, G3, ....., Gn that can be inserted between
k
a and b such that the resulting sequence  b  n +1 is a G.P
then Gk = a  
• IfIfGGk kisisthe
the kk G
th
th G.M between two
.M betweentwo numbers
a  a, ba and b
numbers
k 1
 b  n +1  b  n +1
then Gk = a   where wherecommon
common ratio (r ) =  
a a
• Product of n G.M’s between two 1
numbers is equal to nth power of single G.M of these two
 b  n +1
numbers.
where common ratio (r ) =  
a
• nth term of a H.P is reciprocal of nth term of corresponding A.P
2ab
• a, H, b are in H.P iff H is the H.M of a,b i.e, H = a + b
• If a,b are any two numbers, there exist n H.M’s H1, H2, H3, ....., Hn that can be inserted between a
and b, such that the resulting sequence is a H.P

Key Definitions

• W
 hen G is inserted between two numbers a,b such that a, G, b are in G.P, then G is known as the
ab   3  12
Geometric mean of a and b.
Geometric mean (G) = square root of product of a and b = ab  6 
1 1 1
• A
 sequence of non-zero terms is said to be in H.P if the sequence a1 , of
a2 ,reciprocal
a3 ,...., an are
ofinits
H.terms
P iff  is, in , ,......
a1 a2 a3
1 1 1 1
A.P i.e, a1 , a2 , a3 ,...., an are inH.P iff  , , ,......., formanA.P where ai  0i = 1, 2,...., n
a1 a2 a3 an
• When Hwhere
is inserted
ai  0between two
i  1, 2,...., n numbers a, b such that a, H, b are in H.P, then H is known as
2ab
the Harmonic mean of a and b. Harmonic Mean (H) of a and b = a + b

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 11

• A, G, H be the A.M, G.M, H.M of two positive numbers a,b then A ≥ G ≥ H

• A, G, H form a G.P i.e, G2 = AH

Key Formulae

A.M of a1 , a2 , a3 ,......., an 

 a1  a2  a3  .......  an 
n
G.Mof a1 , a2 , a3 ,......., an  n  a1  a2  a3  .......  an 

Key Results ab   3  12
• Geometric mean (G)= ab is
 6valid
 only when both a and b have the same sign.
• The relation between A, G, H holds true only for positive real numbers.

Mind map

Insertion of n A.M’s
A.P A.M Property of A.M’s
between two numbers

Insertion of n G.M’s
G.P G.M Property of G.M’s
between two numbers

Types of progression Relation between means

Finding nth term

H.P

H.M Insertion of n H.M.'s

between two numbers

A.G.P

Self-Assessment 1

If A.M and G.M of roots of a quadratic equation are 8 and 5 respectively, then what is the quadratic
equation?

(a) x2 - 16x + 25 = 0 (b) x2 + 16x + 25 = 0 (c) x2 + 16x - 25 = 0 (b) x2 - 16x - 25 = 0

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 12

Self-Assessment 2

Let x, y be positive real numbers and m, n be positive integers.

xmyn
What is the maximum value of ?
( 1 + x 2m )( 1 + y2n )
m+n m+n m1 + n 1 1m + n 1 1 1 1 1
(a) (
(a) b) 1(
(
(ac))b) (
1(
(
d)c(a) b
) ) (
1(
d( ) 1(
) c ) b( d) c ) (d)
6mn 6mn 6
2mn 4 26mn 4 2 4 2 4

Self-Assessment 3

If x,y,z are positive and x+y+z = 7, then what is the greatest value of x2y3z2?
(a) 423 (b) 432 (c) 342 (d) 324

Answers

Concept Check 1

Step 1: Step 2:
Let the 4 G.M’s be G1, G2, G3, G4, that
k
 b  n1
are inserted between 2 and 486 Weknow
 that Gk  a    ark
a
⟹ 2, G1, G2, G3, G4, 486 are in G.P  G 1  2 ( 3)1  6
1
 G 2  2 ( 3)2  18
 b  n 1
We know that r   
a  G 3  2 ( 3)3  54
1
1  G 4  2 ( 3)4  162
 486 
 
41 1
  243     3 
5 5
 r    5
Therefore, G 1  G 2  G 3  G 4  6  18  54  162 240
 2 
 r  3 Option b is the correct answer.

Concept Check 2

Step 1:
Let the 2n + 1 G.M’s be G1, G2, G3, ........, G2n + 1 inserted between 4, 2916
⟹ 4, G1, G2, G3, ........, G2n + 1, 2916 are in G.P
For this G.P total number of terms are 2n + 3 (2n + 1 G.M's and 4, 2916)

( 2n + 3 ) + 1 = n + 2

where k is odd
 k +1
th

⇒    term will be the middle term 
2   2  
 2n  3th  1
 (n + 2) term isn the

2 middle
where term

k is odd 
k  1 
th

term will be the middle term 
  
2  th  2  
Here in the G.P the (n + 2) term is Gn + 1

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 13

Step 2:
⟹ Gn + 1 is equidistant from 4 and 2916
4, Gn + 1 , 2916 are ab
in G.P
  3  12
We know that G
= ab when
6  a, G, b are in G.P
⟹ Gn + 1 = 4 × 2916
⟹ Gn + 1 = 108
Option d is the correct answer.

Concept Check 3

Step 1:
1 1
Given, t7 = , t12 = for an H.P
10 25
⟹ t7 = 10, t12 = 25 for the corresponding A.P
Let the first term = a, common difference = d for this A.P
We know that tn = a + ( n-1 ) d for an A.P ⟹ t7 = a + 6d = 10 → (1) ⟹ t12 = a + 11d = 25 → (2)

Step 2:

Subtracting (1) from (2) ⟹ 5d = 15 ⟹ d = 3

Substituting d = 3 in (1) ⟹ a= -8 ⟹ t20 = a + 19d = -8 + 19(3) = 49
1
⟹ 20th term of the corresponding A.P is 49 Therefore, 20th term of H.P is
49
Option d is the correct answer.

Concept Check 4

Step 1: Step 2:
Given a : (a - b) = (a + c) : (a - c) Dividing both sides by abc
a ac
  2 1 1
ab ac      
b a c
⟹ a2 - ac = a2 - ab + ac - bc
⟹ a, b, c are in H.P
⟹ - ac = - ab + ac - bc
Option c is the correct answer.
⟹ 2 ac = ab + bc

Concept Check 5

Step 1:
3 3
Let the 4 H.M's be H1, H2, H3, H4 that are inserted between and
4 19
3 3 4 1 1 1 1 19
⇒ , H1 , H2 , H3 , H4 , are in H.P ⇒ , , , , , are in A.P
4 19 3 H1 H2 H3 H4 3
Let the common difference of this A.P be d

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 14

Step 2:
For the A.P,
4 1 1 1 1 19
=t1 = , t2 = , t3 = , t4 = , t5 = , t6
3 H1 H2 H3 H4 3
We know for an A.P tn = a + (n - 1) d
4 19 15
t6   5d   5d  d1
3 3 3
4 13 1 3
 t4   3  1    H3 
3 3 H3 13
Option b is the correct answer.

Concept Check 6

Step 1: Step 2:
Given xy + yz + zx = 12 We know that A ≥ G
Let a = xy, b = yz, c = zx 2
 4   xyz  3
For 3 terms a,b,c 3

a  b  c xy yz zx  12   xyz    22  2

A        4
3 3 3   xyz   8
2
G  3 abc  3 ( xy)(yz)(zx )  ( xyz) 3 Therefore, maximum value of xyz is 8
Option a is the correct answer.

Concept Check 7

Step 1:
3 3 3
Given, A.M exceeds G.M by  AG   � � 
→ (1)
2 2 2
6 6 6
Given, G.M exceeds H.M by  G H 
HG → (2)
5 5 5

Step 2:
According to Property II of Means: G2 = AH
Substituting (1) and (2) in above equation
 3  6 3 18
 G2   G    G    G2  G2  G  G6
 2  5 10 10

Step 3:
3 15
Substituting G in equation (1)  A  6  
2 2
ab
We know that for two positive numbers a,b: A  , G  ab
2
a  b 15
A   a  b  15  b  15  a  ( 3)  G  ab  6  ab  36  ( 4 )
2 2

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 15

Step 4: Step 5:
Substituting (3) in (4), Substituting value of a in (3),
a( 15 -ab
G a) = 36
6  ab  36  ( 4 ) When a = 3 ⟹ b = 12
a2 - 15a
G ab+ 36
6= 0ab  36  ( 4 ) When a = 12 ⟹ b = 3
(a - 3)ab
G (a -12)
6 = 0ab  36  ( 4 ) Therefore, the two numbers are 3 and 12.
G
a =3 or
aba=612
 ab  36  ( 4 ) Option c is the correct answer.

Self-Assessment 1

Step 1:
Let us consider the quadratic equation to be ax2 + bx + c = 0 ( a ≠ 0 )
and the roots of this equation to be x1, x2
x 1  x2
Given, A.M of roots = 8  A   8  x 1  x 2  16
2
Given, G.M of roots = 5  G  x 1 x 2  5  x 1 x 2  25

Step 2:
We know that for a quadratic equation ax2 + bx + c = 0 ( a ≠ 0) with roots x1 , x2
b c
Sum of the roots  x 1  x 2   and, Product of the roots
= x= 1x2
a a
b c
x 1  x 2    16  b  16a and,  x 1 x 2   25  c  25a
a a

Step 3:
Substituting b and c in ax2 + bx + c = 0
⟹ ax2 - 16ax + 25a = 0 ⟹ a(x2 - 16x + 25) = 0 ⟹ x2 - 16x + 25 = 0 (a≠0)
Option a is the correct answer.
Self-Assessment 2
Step 1:
xmyn
Consider
 1  x2m   1  y2n 
Divide numerator and denominator by xmyn
xmyn x1myn 1
 
 
2m 2n

m
  n

 1  x   1  y   11xx   11yy   1  xm   1  yn 
2m
2m 22nn

 m  n 
 x  y   x  y 
Step 2:
1
To find the maximum value of
 1 m  1 n
 m  x  n  y 
x  y 
1 1
we can find the minimum value of m + xm and n + yn
x y

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 16

Step 3:
1
Consider + xm  1 
x m G  ab   m  ( xm )
x 
1
=
Let us take a = , b xm ⟹ G.M = 1
xm
1
 xm
a  b xm
We know A  
2 2

Step 4: Step 5:
We know that A ≥ G Consider
1
+ yn
n
y
1
m
 xm
 x 1 Let us take
= a
1
= , b yn
2 y n

1 1
  xm  2  yn
x m
a  b yn
1 We know A  
The minimum value of m + xm is 2. 2 2
x
 1 
G  ab   n  yn 
y 
⟹ G.M = 1

Step 6: Step 7:
We know that A ≥ G xmyn 1 1
The minimum value of is 
1 1  x  1  y  2  2 4
2m 2n

 yn
yn Option d is the correct answer.
 1
2
1
 n
 yn  2
y
1
The minimum value of + yn is 2.
yn

Self-Assessment 3
Step 1:
Given x + y + z = 7, x, y, z are positive real numbers
x x y y y z z
We can re - write this condition as              7
2 2  3 3 3 2 2

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 17

Step 2:
x x x y y y z z
Let us consider a=
1 a=
2 ,      
7
2 A 2 2 3 3 3 2 2  1
y 7 7
a=
3 a=
4 a5 =
3 G = n a1 .a2 ......an
z
a=
6 a=
7
2 x x y y y z z 7 x 2y3z2
⇒G= × × × × × × =
7
We know that for a1, a2, a3,..............., an 2 2 3 3 3 2 2 432
a1  a2    an
A
n

Step 3:
We know that A ≥ G for positive real numbers

x 2y3z2
1 7
432
x 2y3z2
 1
432
⟹ x2y3z2 ≤ 432
Therefore, the maximum value of x2y3z2 is 432.
Option b is the correct answer.

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