Sequence And Series Question 6

Question: If $ a,\ b,\ c,\ d $ are in H.P., then $ ab+bc+cd $ is equal to

Options:

A) $ 3ad $

B) $ (a+b)(c+d) $

C) $ 3ac $

D) None of these

Show Answer

Answer:

Correct Answer: A

Solution:

Since $ a,\ b,\ c,\ d $ are in H.P., therefore $ b $ is the H.M. of $ a $ and $ c $ $ i.e. $ $ b=\frac{2ac}{a+c} $ and $ c $ is the H.M. of $ b $ and $ d $ $ i.e. $ $ c=\frac{2bd}{b+d} $ ,
$ \therefore $ $ (a+c)(b+d)=\frac{2ac}{b}.\frac{2bd}{c} $
$ \Rightarrow $ $ ab+ad+bc+cd=4ad $
$ \Rightarrow $ $ ab+bc+cd=3ad $ . Trick: Check for $ a=1,\ b=\frac{1}{2},\ c=\frac{1}{3},\ d=\frac{1}{4} $ .