The sum of three numbers which are consecutive terms of an A.P. is 21.
The sum of three numbers which are consecutive terms of an A.P. is 21. If the second number is reduced by 1 and the third is increased by 1, we obtain three consecutive terms of a G.P. Find the numbers.
Let the first term of an A.P is a and its common difference be d.
$\therefore a_{1}+a_{2}+a_{3}=21$
$\Rightarrow a+(a+d)+(a+2 d)=21$
$\Rightarrow 3 a+3 d=21$
$\Rightarrow a+d=7$ ...(i)
Now, according to the question:
a , $a+d-1$ and $a+2 d+1$ are in $G . P .$
$\Rightarrow(\mathrm{a}+\mathrm{d}-1)^{2}=a(\mathrm{a}+2 \mathrm{~d}+1)$
$\Rightarrow(7+a-a-1)^{2}=a[a+2(7-a)+1]$
$\Rightarrow(6)^{2}=a(15-a)$
$\Rightarrow 36=15 a-a^{2}$
$\Rightarrow a^{2}-15 a+36=0$
$\Rightarrow(a-3)(a-12)=0$
$\Rightarrow a=3,12$
Now, putting $a=2,12$ in equation $($ i $)$, we get $d=5,-5$, respectively.
Thus, for $a=2$ and $d=5$, the numbers are 2,7 and 12 .
And, for $a=12$ and $d=-5$, the numbers are 12,7 and 2 .