Let a 1 ,   a 2 ,   a 3 . . . be an A . P . with a 6 = 2 . Then, the common difference of this A .…

Let a1, a2, a3... be an A.P. with a6=2. Then, the common difference of this A.P., which maximise the product a1·a4·a5,is :
  1. 23
  2. 32
  3. 65
  4. 85

Solution

Let, the first term of A.P. be a and common difference d, then we know that the nthterm of the A.P. is a+n-1d.

Then a6=a+5d=2

a=2-5d   ...i

Let =a1·a4·a5

=a·(a+3d)·(a+4d)

Put the value of a from equation i,

=2-5d·(2-5d+3d)·(2-5d+4d)

=2-5d·(2-2d)·(2-d)

=-2(5d3-17d2+16d-4)

For finding the maximum or minimum value of 

ddd=-2(15d2-34d+16)

ddd=-25d-8(3d-2)

Now, ddd=0

-25d-8(3d-2)=0

d=85 or d=23

And, d2dd2=-2(30d-34)

At d=85, d2dd2=-230×85-34=-28<0 and at d=23, d2dd2=-230×23-34=28>0

We know that if at any point the first derivative of a function is zero and the second derivative is negative, then it is the point of maxima of the function.

Hence, it is clear that  is maximum when d=85.

Asked in: JEE Main 2019 (10 Apr Shift 2)

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