Three numbers are in A.P. If the sum of these numbers be 27 and the product 648, find the numbers.
In the given problem, the sum of three terms of an A.P is 27 and the product of the three terms is 648. We need to find the three terms.
Here,
Let the three terms be where a is the first term and d is the common difference of the A.P
So,
$(a-d)+a+(a+d)=27$
$3 a=27$
$a=9$.......(1)
Also,
$(a-d) a(a+d)=a+6$
$a\left(a^{2}-d^{2}\right)=648$ $\left[\right.$ Using $\left.a^{2}-b^{2}=(a+b)(a-b)\right]$
$9\left(9^{2}-d^{2}\right)=648$
$81-d^{2}=72$
Further solving for d,
$81-d^{2}=72$
$81-72=d^{2}$
$d=\sqrt{9}$
$d=3 \ldots \ldots(2)$
Now, substituting (1) and (2) in three terms
First term $=a-d$
So,
$a-d=9-3$
$=6$
Also,
Second term = a
So,
$a=9$
Also,
Third term $=a+d$
So,
$a+d=9+3$
$=12$
Therefore, the three terms are 6,9 and 12 .