Related Formula
Standard 4-term A.P. representation: a-3d, a-d, a+d, a+3d$$\text{Standard 4-term A.P. representation: } a-3d, a-d, a+d, a+3d$$
Common difference here is 2d = l$$\text{Common difference here is } 2d = l$$
Core Logic
Let the terms α₁, α₂, α₃, α₄$\alpha_{1}, \alpha_{2}, \alpha_{3}, \alpha_{4}$ be a - 3d, a - d, a + d, a + 3d$a - 3d, a - d, a + d, a + 3d$.
Sum of terms = 48$48$:
4a = 48 a = 12$$4a = 48 \implies a = 12$$
Step 1: Product Condition
We are given α₁α₂α₃α₄ + l⁴ = 361$\alpha_{1}\alpha_{2}\alpha_{3}\alpha_{4} + l^{4} = 361$. Since the common difference is l = 2d$l = 2d$, l⁴ = 16d⁴$l^4 = 16d^4$.
(a - 3d)(a - d)(a + d)(a + 3d) + 16d⁴ = 361$$(a - 3d)(a - d)(a + d)(a + 3d) + 16d^4 = 361$$
(a² - 9d²)(a² - d²) + 16d⁴ = 361$$(a^{2} - 9d^{2})(a^{2} - d^{2}) + 16d^{4} = 361$$
Substitute a = 12$a = 12$ (a² = 144$a^2 = 144$):
(144 - 9d²)(144 - d²) + 16d⁴ = 361$$(144 - 9d^{2})(144 - d^{2}) + 16d^{4} = 361$$
20736 - 144d² - 1296d² + 9d⁴ + 16d⁴ = 361$$20736 - 144d^{2} - 1296d^{2} + 9d^{4} + 16d^{4} = 361$$
25d⁴ - 1440d² + 20736 = 361$$25d^{4} - 1440d^{2} + 20736 = 361$$
Step 2: Factoring the Quartic
Notice that 25d⁴ - 1440d² + 20736 = (5d² - 144)²$25d^4 - 1440d^2 + 20736 = (5d^2 - 144)^2$.
(5d² - 144)² = 361 = 19²$$(5d^2 - 144)^2 = 361 = 19^2$$
5d² - 144 = ± 19$$5d^2 - 144 = \pm 19$$
Case 1: 5d² = 144 + 19 = 163 d² = (163)/(5)$5d^2 = 144 + 19 = 163 \implies d^2 = \frac{163}{5}$ (Rejected, as d$d$ would not yield integer common differences).
Case 2: 5d² = 144 - 19 = 125 d² = 25 d = ± 5$5d^2 = 144 - 19 = 125 \implies d^2 = 25 \implies d = \pm 5$.
This gives common difference l = 2d = 10$l = 2d = 10$, which is an integer. Thus, d=5$d=5$ is valid.
Step 3: Calculating the Largest Term
The largest term of the A.P. is a + 3d$a + 3d$:
α₄ = 12 + 3(5) = 12 + 15 = 27$$\alpha_4 = 12 + 3(5) = 12 + 15 = 27$$
Pattern Recognition
The product of four symmetrically spaced A.P. terms (a-3d)(a-d)(a+d)(a+3d) + (2d)⁴$(a-3d)(a-d)(a+d)(a+3d) + (2d)^4$ strictly simplifies to a perfect square: (a² - 5d²)²$(a^2 - 5d^2)^2$. Knowing this identity instantly skips the heavy expansion algebra.
Chapter Mix
Class 11 Maths: Sequences and Series