Find the value of y so that y2+2y+1, 3y2+3y−1, y−1 are consecutive terms in the arithmetic progression.
Solution
If p,q,r are consecutive terms in the arithmetic progression, then p+r=2q. Because of this, we have y2+2y+1+y−1=23y2+3y−1 3((y+1)2+y−1)=2(y2+3y−1)
Since (y+1)2=∣y+1∣, we have 3(∣y+1∣+y−1)2y2+3y−3=2(y2+3y−1)=∣y+1∣+1=0 The last equation is equivalent with {y+1≥0y2+3y−3(y+1)+1=0 {y+1<0y2+3y+3(y+1)+1=0 {y≥−1y2−1=0 or {y<−1y2+3y+2=0 The solution of the first system is y=1 or y=−1, and for the second one is y=−2. Finally y∈{−2,−1,1}.
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Source: MathNet,
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