When the same constant is added to the numbers a, b, and c, a three-term geometric sequence arises. If a=60, b=100, and c=140, what is the common ratio of the resulting sequence?
First, we can write a handy equation to solve for the constant and find the 3 terms.
Let's let the constant added to every number be x.
Since the three terms for a geometric series, we have the equation
100+x60+x=140+x100+x
Now, when we crossmultiply and then expand everything out, we get
(x+100)(100+x)=(x+60)(140+x)200x+x2+10000=140x+x2+8400+60x200x+x2+10000=200x+x2+8400
Now, we bring all terms to one side of the equation. We have
200x+x2+10000−x2−200x−8400=0200x+1600−200x=01600=0
However, this statement is obviously not true, meaning that x is invalid.
This also means that there are NO solutions to this given problem.
*Note, I may have made a mistake. Not sure.
Thanks! :)