MHB Arithmetic Progression: Expressing d in Terms of x,y,z,n

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In the discussion, participants explore how to express the common difference \( d \) of an arithmetic progression in terms of the variables \( x, y, z, \) and \( n \). The equations provided relate the sums of squares of odd and even indexed terms to \( x \) and \( y \), respectively, while \( z \) connects the middle terms of the sequence. The challenge lies in manipulating these relationships to isolate \( d \). Through algebraic manipulation, the participants aim to derive a formula that accurately represents \( d \). The focus remains on finding a clear and concise expression for \( d \) based on the given parameters.
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Let $a_1,a_2,\,\cdots,\,a_{2n}$ be an arithmetic progression of positive real numbers with common difference $d$. Let
(1) $a_1^2+a_3^2+\cdots+a_{2n-1}^2=x$
(2) $a_2^2+a_4^2+\cdots+a_{2n}^2=y$
(3) $a_n+a_{n+1}=z$
Express $d$ in terms of $x,\,y,\,z,\,n$.
 
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We are given

$\sum_{k=1}^{n} a_{2k-1}^2 = x\cdots(1)$

$\sum_{k=1}^{n} a_{2k}^2 = y\cdots(2)$

Subtract (1) from (2) to get

$\sum_{k=1}^{n} (a_{2k}^2- a_{2k-1}^2) = y-x$

Or $\sum_{k=1}^{n} (a_{2k}- a_{2k-1})(a_{2k} + a_{2k-1}) = y-x$

But $(a_{2k}- a_{2k-1}= d)$ common difference so we get

$\sum_{k=1}^{n} d(a_{2k} + a_{2k-1}) = y-x$Or $d \sum_{k=1}^{n} (a_{2k} + a_{2k-1}) = y-x$Or $d \sum_{k=1}^{2n} (a_{k}) = y-x\cdots(3)$As $a_k = a_1 + (k-1) d$ for any k so we have$a_k + a_{2n+1-k} = a_1 + (k-1)d + a_1 + (2n+1-k-1)d = 2a_1 + (2n-1) d = = a_1 + a_1 + (2n-1) d = a_1 + a_{2n}$So $a_n + a_{n+1}d = a_1 + a_{2n} = z$So $a_k + a_{2n+1-k} = z$So$d \sum_{k=1}^{2n} (a_{k}) $
$= d \sum_{k=1}^{n} (a_{k} + a_{2n+1-k})$
$= d \sum_{k=1}^{n} z$
= dnz

So $dnz = y-x$

Or $d = \frac{y-x}{nz}$
 
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Here is a little puzzle from the book 100 Geometric Games by Pierre Berloquin. The side of a small square is one meter long and the side of a larger square one and a half meters long. One vertex of the large square is at the center of the small square. The side of the large square cuts two sides of the small square into one- third parts and two-thirds parts. What is the area where the squares overlap?

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