JEE MAIN - Mathematics (2016 (Offline) - No. 15)
Explanation
The terms of an Arithmetic Progression (A.P.) are given by $a$, $a + d$, $a + 2d$, ..., where $a$ is the first term and $d$ is the common difference.
Given that the 2nd, 5th and 9th terms of an A.P. are in Geometric Progression (G.P.), we can denote them as follows :
2nd term = $a + d$
5th term = $a + 4d$
9th term = $a + 8d$
For three numbers to be in G.P., the square of the middle term must be equal to the product of the other two terms. So,
$(a + 4d)^2 = (a + d)(a + 8d)$
Expanding and simplifying :
$a^2 + 8ad + 16d^2 = a^2 + 9ad + 8d^2$
$8ad + 16d^2 = a^2 + 9ad + 8d^2$
$8ad - 9ad = 8d^2 - 16d^2$
$-ad = -8d^2$
$a = 8d$
The common ratio of the G.P. is the ratio of the 5th term to the 2nd term, or $(a + 4d) / (a + d)$. Substituting $a = 8d$ gives :
$(8d + 4d) / (8d + d) = 12d / 9d = 4 / 3$
So, the common ratio of the G.P. is $4 / 3$. The answer is option D.
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