Core Logic
Let the 3 elements of set A$A$ in A.P. be a-d, a, a+d$a-d, a, a+d$.
Their sum is 3a = 36 a = 12$3a = 36 \implies a = 12$.
Their product is p = a(a² - d²) = 12(144 - d²)$p = a(a^2 - d^2) = 12(144 - d^2)$.
Similarly, let the 3 elements of set B$B$ be b-D, b, b+D$b-D, b, b+D$.
Their sum is 3b = 36 b = 12$3b = 36 \implies b = 12$.
Their product is q = b(b² - D²) = 12(144 - D²)$q = b(b^2 - D^2) = 12(144 - D^2)$.
Step 1: Using the Ratio Condition
We are given the relation:
(p + q)/(p - q) = (19)/(5)$$\frac{p + q}{p - q} = \frac{19}{5}$$
Using componendo and dividendo:
(p)/(q) = (19 + 5)/(19 - 5) = (24)/(14) = (12)/(7)$$\frac{p}{q} = \frac{19 + 5}{19 - 5} = \frac{24}{14} = \frac{12}{7}$$
Substitute the expression blocks for p$p$ and q$q$:
(12(144 - d²))/(12(144 - D²)) = (12)/(7) (144 - d²)/(144 - D²) = (12)/(7)$$\frac{12(144 - d^2)}{12(144 - D^2)} = \frac{12}{7} \implies \frac{144 - d^2}{144 - D^2} = \frac{12}{7}$$
7(144 - d²) = 12(144 - D²)$$7(144 - d^2) = 12(144 - D^2)$$
Step 2: Substituting D in terms of d
We are given D = d + 3$D = d + 3$:
7(144 - d²) = 12(144 - (d + 3)²)$$7(144 - d^2) = 12\big(144 - (d + 3)^2\big)$$
1008 - 7d² = 12(144 - (d² + 6d + 9))$$1008 - 7d^2 = 12\big(144 - (d^2 + 6d + 9)\big)$$
1008 - 7d² = 12(135 - d² - 6d) = 1620 - 12d² - 72d$$1008 - 7d^2 = 12\big(135 - d^2 - 6d\big) = 1620 - 12d^2 - 72d$$
5d² + 72d - 612 = 0$$5d^2 + 72d - 612 = 0$$
Solving this quadratic equation:
(d - 6)(5d + 102) = 0$$(d - 6)(5d + 102) = 0$$
Since d > 0$d > 0$, we choose d = 6$d = 6$. This implies D = 6 + 3 = 9$D = 6 + 3 = 9$.
Step 3: Finding p - q
Now calculate the targeted metric:
p - q = 12(144 - d²) - 12(144 - D²) = 12(D² - d²)$$p - q = 12(144 - d^2) - 12(144 - D^2) = 12(D^2 - d^2)$$
p - q = 12(9² - 6²) = 12(81 - 36) = 12(45) = 540$$p - q = 12(9^2 - 6^2) = 12(81 - 36) = 12(45) = 540$$
Pattern Recognition
For 3-element symmetric AP sequences, choosing terms as x-d, x, x+d$x-d, x, x+d$ ensures the sum isolates the middle term instantly (3x = S$3x = S$). This drastically drops algebraic variables from the start.
Chapter Mix
Class 11 Mathematics: Sequences and Series