Related Formula
For a geometric progression, the terms can be set as a, ar, ar², ar³$a, ar, ar^2, ar^3$.
For three terms A, B, C$A, B, C$ to be in arithmetic progression, they must satisfy:
2B = A + C$2B = A + C$
Core Logic
Let the elements be x₁ = a, x₂ = ar, x₃ = ar², x₄ = ar³$x_1 = a, x_2 = ar, x_3 = ar^2, x_4 = ar^3$.
After the specified subtractions, the sequence becomes:
a - 2, ar - 7, ar² - 9, ar³ - 5$$a - 2, \quad ar - 7, \quad ar^2 - 9, \quad ar^3 - 5$$
Since this sequence is in AP, we form two separate common difference linear linkages:
2(ar - 7) = (a - 2) + (ar² - 9) 2ar - 14 = ar² + a - 11 ar² - 2ar + a + 3 = 0 (1)$$2(ar - 7) = (a - 2) + (ar^2 - 9) \implies 2ar - 14 = ar^2 + a - 11 \implies ar^2 - 2ar + a + 3 = 0 \quad \dots (1)$$
2(ar² - 9) = (ar - 7) + (ar³ - 5) 2ar² - 18 = ar³ + ar - 12 ar³ - 2ar² + ar + 6 = 0 (2)$$2(ar^2 - 9) = (ar - 7) + (ar^3 - 5) \implies 2ar^2 - 18 = ar^3 + ar - 12 \implies ar^3 - 2ar^2 + ar + 6 = 0 \quad \dots (2)$$
Step 1: Solve the Simultaneous Polynomials
Multiply equation (1) by r$r$:
ar³ - 2ar² + ar + 3r = 0 (3)$$ar^3 - 2ar^2 + ar + 3r = 0 \quad \dots (3)$$
Subtract equation (3) from equation (2):
(ar³ - 2ar² + ar + 6) - (ar³ - 2ar² + ar + 3r) = 0$$(ar^3 - 2ar^2 + ar + 6) - (ar^3 - 2ar^2 + ar + 3r) = 0$$
6 - 3r = 0 3r = 6 r = 2$$6 - 3r = 0 \implies 3r = 6 \implies r = 2$$
Substitute r = 2$r = 2$ back into equation (1):
a(2)² - 2a(2) + a + 3 = 0$$a(2)^2 - 2a(2) + a + 3 = 0$$
4a - 4a + a + 3 = 0 a = -3$$4a - 4a + a + 3 = 0 \implies a = -3$$
Step 2: Find the Continuous Product Value
The continuous product term is:
x₁x₂x₃x₄ = a · ar · ar² · ar³ = a⁴ r⁶$$\mathbf{x}_1\mathbf{x}_2\mathbf{x}_3\mathbf{x}_4 = a \cdot ar \cdot ar^2 \cdot ar^3 = a^4 r^6$$
x₁x₂x₃x₄ = (-3)⁴ · (2)⁶ = 81 × 64 = 5184$$\mathbf{x}_1\mathbf{x}_2\mathbf{x}_3\mathbf{x}_4 = (-3)^4 \cdot (2)^6 = 81 \times 64 = 5184$$
Now divide by 24 as required:
(1)/(24)(5184) = 216$$\frac{1}{24}(5184) = 216$$
Pattern Recognition
Notice that multiplying the first AP condition equation by r$r$ perfectly mimics the structure of the second condition equation except for the absolute scalar value, allowing direct elimination of all polynomial variable indices simultaneously.
Chapter Mix
Class 11 Mathematics: Sequences and Series