Sequence and SeriesMCQMTP May 20Question 1879 of 212
All Questions

Three numbers are in AP and their sum is 21\displaystyle 21. If 1,5,15\displaystyle 1, 5, 15 are added to them respectively, they form a G.P. The numbers are

Options

A5,7,9\displaystyle 5, 7, 9
B9,5,7\displaystyle 9, 5, 7
C7,5,9\displaystyle 7, 5, 9
DNone of these
For any discrepancies in this question, email contact@cadada.in

Correct Answer

Option a5,7,9\displaystyle 5, 7, 9

All Options:

  • A5,7,9\displaystyle 5, 7, 9
  • B9,5,7\displaystyle 9, 5, 7
  • C7,5,9\displaystyle 7, 5, 9
  • DNone of these

Ad

Detailed Solution & Explanation

Let the three numbers in A.P. be ad,a,a+d\displaystyle a-d, a, a+d.
Since their sum is 21\displaystyle 21:
(ad)+a+(a+d)=21    3a=21    a=7(a-d) + a + (a+d) = 21 \implies 3a = 21 \implies a = 7
So the numbers are 7d,7,7+d\displaystyle 7-d, 7, 7+d.

Adding 1,5,15\displaystyle 1, 5, 15 to the terms respectively:
8d, 12, 22+d8-d, \ 12, \ 22+d
These are in G.P. so the middle term squared is the product of the extremes:
122=(8d)(22+d)12^2 = (8-d)(22+d)
144=17614dd2144 = 176 - 14d - d^2
d2+14d32=0d^2 + 14d - 32 = 0
Factorizing:
(d+16)(d2)=0    d=2 or d=16(d+16)(d-2) = 0 \implies d = 2 \text{ or } d = -16

If d=2\displaystyle d = 2, the numbers are 5,7,9\displaystyle 5, 7, 9.
Hence, **Option A** is the correct answer.

About This Chapter: Sequence and Series

Paper

Paper 3: Quantitative Aptitude

Weightage

4-6 Marks

Key Topics

Arithmetic & Geometric Progressions

This chapter covers Arithmetic Progressions (AP) and Geometric Progressions (GP). Students learn how to find the nth term, sum of n terms, arithmetic/geometric means, and sum to infinity of a GP.

View Official ICAI Syllabus

Exam Strategy Tip

For complex 'sum of series' questions, a great hack is to substitute n = 1 and n = 2 into the question and the options to see which one matches, completely bypassing the formula.

Related Comparison Tables

More Questions from Sequence and Series

Ready to Master Sequence and Series?

Practice all 212 questions with instant feedback, earn XP, track your streaks, and ace your CA Foundation exam.

Start Practicing — It's Free