document.write( "Question 1199685: Find P if p-3,3p+5 and 18p-5 are three consecutive terms of a geometric progression \n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #833638 by ikleyn(52793) $\"\"$ $\"About$

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document.write( "Since the three terms form a geometric progression (GP), you have this equation\r\n" );
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document.write( "     = .\r\n" );
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document.write( "saying that the ratio of the 2nd term to the 1st one is the same as the ratio of the 3rd term to the 2nd\r\n" );
document.write( "(which is the basic definition of a GP).\r\n" );
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document.write( "To find \"p\" from this equation, cross-multiply first, and then simplify to get \r\n" );
document.write( "a standard form quadratic equation\r\n" );
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document.write( "     = (18p-5)*(p-3)\r\n" );
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document.write( "    9p^2 - 89p - 120 = 0.\r\n" );
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document.write( "Use the quadratic formula to find the solutions to this quadratic equation.\r\n" );
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document.write( "They are p= 10 and p = .\r\n" );
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document.write( "ANSWER.  Possible values of \"p\" are 10 or .\r\n" );
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