Question:
The sum of three numbers in AP is 3 their product is −35. Find the numbers.
Solution:
Let the required numbers be (a - d), a and (a + d).
Then (a - d) + a + (a + d) = 3
⇒ 3a = 3
⇒ a = 1
Also, (a - d).a.(a + d) = -35
$\Rightarrow a\left(a^{2}-d^{2}\right)=-35$
$\Rightarrow 1 \cdot\left(1-d^{2}\right)=-35$
$\Rightarrow d^{2}=36$
$\Rightarrow d=\pm 6$
Thus, $a=1$ and $d=\pm 6$
Hence, the required numbers are ( -5, 1 and 7) or ( 7, 1 and -5).