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jmc

algebra junior

Problem

Find given that is nonzero and the numbers and form an arithmetic sequence in that order. (We define )
Solution
We must have or, simplifying the right-hand side, Thus, Since the left-hand side is an integer, must be an integer. We know that so either or If then so which is impossible because we are given that is nonzero. So we must have so and
Final answer
\tfrac32