Problem:
In an arithmetic sequence, the third, fifth and eleventh terms are distinct and form a geometric sequence. If the fourth term of the arithmetic sequence is , what is its th term?
Problem:
In an arithmetic sequence, the third, fifth and eleventh terms are distinct and form a geometric sequence. If the fourth term of the arithmetic sequence is , what is its th term?
Solution:
6015
Let and be the first term and the common difference of the given arithmetic sequence. Since there are distinct terms of the sequence, it follows that . Since the third, fifth and eleventh terms form a geometric sequence, we have
Since the fourth term of the sequence is , we also have
Solving the system of equations involving and , we get and . Thus, the th term is .