Math Problem Statement

A four-term sequence is formed by adding each term of a four-term arithmetic sequence of positive integers to the corresponding term of a four-term geometric sequence of positive integers. The first three terms of the resulting four-term sequence are 21, 39, and 63. What is the fourth term of this sequence?

Solution

To solve this problem, let's denote the four terms of the arithmetic sequence as a,a+d,a+2d,a+3da, a + d, a + 2d, a + 3d and the four terms of the geometric sequence as b,br,br2,br3b, br, br^2, br^3.

The four-term sequence we’re asked to find is formed by adding each term of the arithmetic sequence to the corresponding term of the geometric sequence:

  1. First term: a+ba + b
  2. Second term: a+d+bra + d + br
  3. Third term: a+2d+br2a + 2d + br^2
  4. Fourth term: a+3d+br3a + 3d + br^3

We know:

  • The first term of this resulting sequence is 21.
  • The second term is 39.
  • The third term is 63.

We can set up the following equations based on these values:

a+b=21a + b = 21 a+d+br=39a + d + br = 39 a+2d+br2=63a + 2d + br^2 = 63

We need to find the fourth term, a+3d+br3a + 3d + br^3.

Step 1: Solve for aa and bb

Let's work with the given equations:

From the first equation: a+b=21a + b = 21

Step 2: Use the Other Equations

Substituting into the next equations will help us determine aa, dd, bb, and rr.

After finding these values, we can calculate the fourth term

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Arithmetic Sequences
Geometric Sequences
Algebra

Formulas

General form of an arithmetic sequence: a, a + d, a + 2d, a + 3d
General form of a geometric sequence: b, br, br^2, br^3

Theorems

Properties of Arithmetic and Geometric Sequences

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 9-11