Problem: Let 3x, 4y, 5z form a geometric sequence while x1, y1, z1 form an arithmetic sequence. Find the value of zx+xz.
Solution
Solution: Let 3x, 4y, 5z be in geometric progression. Then there exists a common ratio r such that:
4y=3x⋅r,5z=4y⋅r
From the first equation: 4y=3xr⟹y=43xr From the second equation: 5z=4yr⟹z=54yr Substitute y from above: z=54⋅43xr⋅r=53xr2
Now, x1, y1, z1 are in arithmetic progression. So: 2⋅y1=x1+z1 Substitute y and z in terms of x and r: 2⋅y1=x1+z1 2⋅43xr1=x1+53xr21 2⋅3xr4=x1+3xr25 3xr8=x1+3xr25 Multiply both sides by 3xr2: 8r=3r2+5 3r2−8r+5=0 Solve this quadratic equation for r: r=68±64−60=68±2 So r=610=35 or r=66=1
If r=1, then 3x=4y=5z, which would make x, y, z all proportional, but then x1, y1, z1 would also be in geometric progression, not necessarily arithmetic unless all are equal. Let's check r=35.