Here is a combined arithmetic and geometric series question –
The first, the tenth and the twentieth terms of an increasing
arithmetic sequence are also consecutive terms in an increasing geometric
sequence. Find the common ratio of the geometric sequence.[10 marks]
Here's what I have done so far,
$\Rightarrow\ U_1 = a = V_1$
$\Rightarrow\ U_{10} = a + 9d = V_2$
$\Rightarrow\ U_{20} = a + 19d = V_3$
Well, that's all I can derive from the question. I don't know where to go from here.
Best Answer
Call the common ratio $R$. Hence
$R= \frac{V_2}{V_1}$ and $R= \frac{V_3}{V_2}$.
This gives
$(a+9d)^2=a^2+19ad$, hence $a=81d.$
Therefore $R=1+9 \frac{d}{a}=\frac{10}{9}.$