If a,b and c are in G.P and the equations ax^2+2bx+c=0 and dx^2+2ex+f=0 have a common root,can you prove that d/a,e/b and f/c are in A.P?

1 Answer
Jan 10, 2018

Please see below.

Explanation:

Consider #ax^2+2bx+c=0#

As #a,b# and #c# are in G.P., let #b=ar# and #c=ar^2#

then the above becomes #ax^2+2arx+ar^2=0#

or #a(x^2+2rx+r^2)=0# i.e. #a(x+r)^2=0# and hence #x=-r# is the only root of #ax^2+2bx+c=0#.

i.e. #-r# is also the root of #dx^2+2ex+f=0#

and we have #dr^2-2er+f=0# and dividing this by #ar^2# we get

#d/a-(2e)/(ar)+f/(ar^2)=0#

or ##d/a-(2e)/b+f/c=0#

or #d/a-e/b=e/b-f/c#

Hence, #d/a,e/b# and #f/c# are in A.P.