Question:
If x + 1, 3x and 4x + 2 are in A.P., find the value of x.
Solution:
Here, we are given three terms which are in A.P.,
First term (a1) =
Second term (a2) =
Third term (a3) =
We need to find the value of x. So, in an A.P. the difference of two adjacent terms is always constant. So, we get,
$d=a_{2}-a_{1}$
$d=(3 x)-(x+1)$
$d=3 x-x-1$
$d=2 x-1 \quad \ldots \ldots(1)$
Also,
$d=a_{2}-a_{2}$
$d=(4 x+2)-(3 x)$
$d=4 x-3 x+2$
$d=x+2 \ldots \ldots(2)$
Now, on equating (1) and (2), we get,
$2 x-1=x+2$
$2 x-x=2+1$
$x=3$
Therefore, for $x=3$, these three terms will form an A.P.