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The sum of an infinite G. P. with positive terms is 48 and sum of its first two terms is 36. Find the second term.
Correct answer is '12'. Can you explain this answer?
Most Upvoted Answer
The sum of an infinite G. P. with positive terms is 48 and sum of its...
Given:
- The sum of an infinite geometric progression (G.P.) with positive terms is 48.
- The sum of the first two terms is 36.

To find:
The second term of the G.P.

Approach:
Let's use the formula for the sum of an infinite G.P. to solve this problem.

Formula:
The sum of an infinite G.P. with first term 'a' and common ratio 'r' is given by the formula:
S = a / (1 - r), where S is the sum.

Solution:
Let's assume the first term of the G.P. as 'a' and the common ratio as 'r'.

Step 1: Write the given information as equations:
- The sum of the G.P. is 48: a / (1 - r) = 48
- The sum of the first two terms is 36: a + ar = 36

Step 2: Solve the equations simultaneously:
We have two equations with two variables. Let's solve them to find the values of 'a' and 'r'.

From the second equation, we can express 'a' in terms of 'r':
a = 36 - ar

Substitute this value of 'a' in the first equation:
(36 - ar) / (1 - r) = 48

Simplify the equation:
36 - ar = 48 - 48r
36 - ar = 48(1 - r)
36 - ar = 48 - 48r

Rearrange the equation:
12r - ar = 12

Factor out 'r' from the left side:
r(12 - a) = 12

Since 'r' is not equal to 0, we can divide both sides by (12 - a):
r = 12 / (12 - a)

Step 3: Substitute the value of 'r' in terms of 'a' into the second equation and solve for 'a':
a + a(12 / (12 - a)) = 36

Simplify the equation:
a(1 + 12 / (12 - a)) = 36

Combine the terms:
a((12 - a + 12) / (12 - a)) = 36
a(24 - a) / (12 - a) = 36

Cross-multiply:
a(24 - a) = 36(12 - a)

Expand and simplify:
24a - a^2 = 432 - 36a

Rearrange the equation:
a^2 + 24a - 432 = 0

Factorize the quadratic equation:
(a - 12)(a + 36) = 0

From the equation, we have two possible values for 'a':
a = 12 or a = -36

Step 4: Verify the value of 'a' using the first equation:
For the sum of the G.P. to be positive and finite, we must have 0 < r="" />< 1.="" since="" 'r'="" is="" positive,="" the="" common="" ratio="" cannot="" be="" negative.="" therefore,="" we="" discard="" the="" value="" a="" />

Step 5: Calculate the value of 'r':
Substitute a = 12 in
Community Answer
The sum of an infinite G. P. with positive terms is 48 and sum of its...
Let 'a' be the first term and 'r' be the common ratio of the G.P. We have
a /1 − r = 48 ⇒ a = 48(1 − r) ..(i)
Also it is given that a + ar = 36
⇒ a(1 + r) = 36
⇒ 48(1 − r)(1 + r) = 36 (from (i))
⇒ 1− r2 = 3/4 ⇒ r2 = 1/4 ⇒ r = ±1/2
when
r = 1/2, (i) ⇒ a = 48 × 1/2 = 24 and the second term = ar = 24 × 1/2 = 12
When
r = −1/ 2, the terms of the G.P. will become negative.
So the second term is 12.
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The sum of an infinite G. P. with positive terms is 48 and sum of its first two terms is 36. Find the second term.Correct answer is '12'. Can you explain this answer?
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The sum of an infinite G. P. with positive terms is 48 and sum of its first two terms is 36. Find the second term.Correct answer is '12'. Can you explain this answer? for CAT 2024 is part of CAT preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the CAT exam syllabus. Information about The sum of an infinite G. P. with positive terms is 48 and sum of its first two terms is 36. Find the second term.Correct answer is '12'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for CAT 2024 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for The sum of an infinite G. P. with positive terms is 48 and sum of its first two terms is 36. Find the second term.Correct answer is '12'. Can you explain this answer?.
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