Let the first term of the sequence be a.
The second term is a+d.
The fourth term is a+3d.
Their product is (a+d)(a+3d)=−d2.
We are to find the product of the third and fifth terms:
Third term: a+2d
Fifth term: a+4d
Their product is (a+2d)(a+4d).
Let us expand (a+d)(a+3d):
(a+d)(a+3d)=a2+3ad+ad+3d2=a2+4ad+3d2=−d2
So:
a2+4ad+3d2=−d2
a2+4ad+4d2=0
Now, (a+2d)(a+4d)=a2+4ad+2ad+8d2=a2+6ad+8d2
From above, a2+4ad+4d2=0, so a2+4ad=−4d2
Therefore:
(a+2d)(a+4d)=(a2+4ad)+2ad+8d2=(−4d2)+2ad+8d2=2ad+4d2
But a2+4ad+4d2=0
Let us solve for a:
a2+4ad+4d2=0
a2+4ad=−4d2
So a2+4ad=−4d2
Now, 2ad+4d2=2ad+4d2
But we can express a in terms of d:
a2+4ad+4d2=0
(a+2d)2=0
So a+2d=0
Thus, a=−2d
Now, third term: a+2d=−2d+2d=0
Fifth term: a+4d=−2d+4d=2d
Their product: 0×2d=0
Answer: 0