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Question 97

If the square of the 7th term of an arithmetic progression with positive common difference equals the product of the 3rd and 17th terms, then the ratio of the first term to the common difference is

The seventh term of an AP = a + 6d. Third term will be aΒ + 2d and second term will be aΒ + 16d. We are given that
$$ (a + 6d)^2 = (a + 2d)(a + 16d)$$
=> $$ a^2 $$ + $$36d^2$$ +Β 12ad = $$ a^2 + 18ad + 32d^2 $$
=> $$4d^2 = 6ad$$
=> $$ d:a = 3:2$$
We have been asked about a:d. Hence, it would be 2:3

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