JEE Challenger
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Invariance of Geometric Mean under AM-HM Iteration

Comprehension Passage

Let A1,G1,H1A_1, G_1, H_1 denote the arithmetic, geometric, and harmonic means, respectively, of two distinct positive numbers. For n≥2n \ge 2, let An−1A_{n-1} and Hn−1H_{n-1} have arithmetic, geometric, and harmonic means as An,Gn,HnA_n, G_n, H_n, respectively.

Which one of the following statements is correct?

Options

A

G1>G2>G3>…G_1 > G_2 > G_3 > \dots

B

G1<G2<G3<…G_1 < G_2 < G_3 < \dots

C

G1=G2=G3=…G_1 = G_2 = G_3 = \dots

Correct
D

G1<G3<G5<…G_1 < G_3 < G_5 < \dots and G2>G4>G6>…G_2 > G_4 > G_6 > \dots

Step-by-Step Solution

Let the two initial positive numbers be aa and bb (a≠ba \neq b).
Then A1=a+b2A_1 = \frac{a+b}{2}, G1=abG_1 = \sqrt{ab}, and H1=2aba+bH_1 = \frac{2ab}{a+b}.
Notice that A1H1=(a+b2)(2aba+b)=ab=G12A_1 H_1 = \left(\frac{a+b}{2}\right)\left(\frac{2ab}{a+b}\right) = ab = G_1^2.

For n≥2n \ge 2, GnG_n is the geometric mean of An−1A_{n-1} and Hn−1H_{n-1}:
Gn=An−1Hn−1G_n = \sqrt{A_{n-1} H_{n-1}}

Also, by definition of arithmetic and harmonic means of two quantities x,yx, y, their product is always equal to the square of their geometric mean (xy=G2xy = G^2). Thus:
An−1Hn−1=Gn−12  ⟹  Gn=Gn−12=Gn−1A_{n-1} H_{n-1} = G_{n-1}^2 \implies G_n = \sqrt{G_{n-1}^2} = G_{n-1}

By mathematical induction:
G1=G2=G3=⋯=abG_1 = G_2 = G_3 = \dots = \sqrt{ab}

Correct Answer: C