If $a, b, c$ are distinct and the roots of $(b-c) x^2+(c-a) x$ $+(a-b)=0$ are equal, then $a, b$ and $c$ are…

If $a, b, c$ are distinct and the roots of $(b-c) x^2+(c-a) x$ $+(a-b)=0$ are equal, then $a, b$ and $c$ are in
  1. arithmetic progression
  2. geometric progression
  3. harmonic progression
  4. arithmetico-geometric progression

Solution

Given that the roots of equation $(b-c) x^2+(c-a) x+$ $(a-b)=0$ are equal, so $\begin{aligned} & D=0 \\ & (c-a)^2-4(a-b)(b-c)=0 \\ & c^2+a^2-2 c a-4 a b+4 a c+4 b^2=0 \\ & c^2+a^2+2 a c+4 b^2-4 b(c+a)=0 \\ & (c+a)^2+(2 b)^2-2 \cdot 2 b(c+a)=0 \\ & {[(c+a)-(2 b)]^2=0} \\ & c+a-2 b=0 \\ & 2 b=a+c \end{aligned}$ Hence, we can conclude that $a, b$ and $c$ are in AP.

Asked in: AP EAMCET 2015

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