(a) The third and sixth terms of a Geometric Progression (G.P) are and \(\frac{1}{4}\) and \(\frac{1}{32}\) respectively. Find: (i) the first term and the c...

(a) The third and sixth terms of a Geometric Progression (G.P) are and \(\frac{1}{4}\) and \(\frac{1}{32}\) respectively.

Find:

(i) the first term and the common ratio;

(ii) the seventh term.

(b) Given that 2 and -3 are the roots of the equation ax\(^2\) ± bx + c = 0, find the values of a, b and c. 

Answer Details

(a) (i) The first term and the common ratio of a Geometric Progression (G.P) can be found using the formula for the nth term of a G.P:

a_n = a * r^(n-1)

where a is the first term, r is the common ratio, and n is the term number.

We are given that the third term is 1/4 and the sixth term is 1/32. We can use these values to solve for a and r:

a * r^(3-1) = 1/4

a * r^(6-1) = 1/32

Dividing the second equation by the first:

a * r^(6-1) / a * r^(3-1) = 1/32 / 1/4

r³ = 1/32 / 1/4

r³ = (1/32) * (4)

r³ = 1

Taking the cube root of both sides:

r = 1^(1/3) = 1

Substituting r = 1 back into the first equation:

a * 1^(3-1) = 1/4

a = 1/4

So, the first term is 1/4 and the common ratio is 1.

(ii) To find the seventh term, we can use the formula for the nth term of a G.P:

a_n = a * r^(n-1)

where a is the first term (1/4), r is the common ratio (1), and n is the term number (7).

a₇ = 1/4 * 1^(7-1) = 1/4 * 1⁶ = 1/4 * 64 = 16

So, the seventh term is 16.

(b) Given that 2 and -3 are the roots of the equation ax² + bx + c = 0, we can use the sum and product of the roots formula to find the values of a, b, and c:

The sum of the roots = -b/a

The product of the roots = c/a

Since we are given that the roots are 2 and -3, we can substitute:

The sum of the roots = 2 + (-3) = -1

The product of the roots = 2 * (-3) = -6

So:

-b/a = -1

c/a = -6

Multiplying both equations by a:

-b = -a

c = -6a

Since a is non-zero, we can divide both equations by -1 to simplify:

b = a

c = -6