Try it on paper first. A hint, the key idea and the worked solution are here when you need them.
A geometric progression has positive terms and is increasing. Its third term is 12, and the sum of its second and fourth terms is 30.
Have you tried it?
Work it out on paper first. It is fine to get stuck or make a mistake: that is how we learn. When you are ready, go through the solution one step at a time, and check each step against your own.
Plan. Two facts, two unknowns. Find first.
(a) gives , that is , so or . The progression is increasing, so .
(b) . The GP is ; check: .
(c) .
(d) needs . Since and , the least is . Check: and .
(e) The reciprocals form a GP with ratio : the sum is .
Check. Adding the eight terms, and then their eight reciprocals, one by one gives the same two sums. The other ratio, , gives the decreasing GP , which the question rules out.
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