A G.P. consists of an even number of terms. If the sum of all the terms is 5 times the sum of terms occupying odd places, then find its common ratio.
Let the G.P. be T₁, T₂, T₃, T₄, …, T₂ₙ.
Number of terms = 2n
According to the given condition,
T₁ + T₂ + T₃ + … + T₂ₙ = 5[T₁ + T₃ + … + T₂ₙ₋₁]
⇒ T₁ + T₂ + T₃ + … + T₂ₙ − 5[T₁ + T₃ + … + T₂ₙ₋₁] = 0
⇒ T₂ + T₄ + … + T₂ₙ = 4[T₁ + T₃ + … + T₂ₙ₋₁]
Let the G.P. be a, ar, ar², ar³, …
∴ (ar(rⁿ − 1)) / (r − 1) = (4 × a(rⁿ − 1)) / (r − 1)
⇒ ar = 4a
⇒ r = 4
Thus, the common ratio of the G.P. is 4.