All Exams Test series for 1 year @ ₹349 only
Question

If g is the geometric mean of 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, 256, 512, 1024, then which one of the following is correct?

This question was previously asked in
NDA I 2021 GAT Previous Year Paper (18-Apr-2021)
The correct answer is

32 < g < 64

Let's find the geometric mean (g) of the given numbers: 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, 256, 512, 1024.

The geometric mean of a set of n positive numbers is the n-th root of their product.

The given sequence is a geometric progression where the first term is 2 and the common ratio is 2. The terms are $2^1, 2^2, 2^3, \dots, 2^{10}$.

There are 10 numbers in the sequence (from $2^1$ to $2^{10}$). So, n = 10.

The geometric mean (g) is given by the formula:

$$g = \sqrt[n]{a_1 \times a_2 \times \dots \times a_n}$$

In this case, n = 10 and the numbers are 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, 256, 512, 1024.

$$g = \sqrt[10]{2 \times 4 \times 8 \times 16 \times 32 \times 64 \times 128 \times 256 \times 512 \times 1024}$$

We can write each number as a power of 2:

$$g = \sqrt[10]{2^1 \times 2^2 \times 2^3 \times 2^4 \times 2^5 \times 2^6 \times 2^7 \times 2^8 \times 2^9 \times 2^{10}}$$

Using the property of exponents ($a^m \times a^n = a^{m+n}$), we can add the powers of 2:

The sum of the exponents is $1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 7 + 8 + 9 + 10$.

This is the sum of the first 10 natural numbers, which can be calculated using the formula $\frac{n(n+1)}{2}$ where n=10.

Sum of exponents $= \frac{10(10+1)}{2} = \frac{10 \times 11}{2} = \frac{110}{2} = 55$.

So, the product of the numbers is $2^{55}$.

Now, substitute this back into the geometric mean formula:

$$g = \sqrt[10]{2^{55}}$$

Using the property of roots and exponents ($\sqrt[n]{a^m} = a^{m/n}$):

$$g = 2^{55/10} = 2^{5.5}$$

We need to determine which range this value falls into. We can rewrite $2^{5.5}$ as $2^5 \times 2^{0.5}$.

$$g = 2^5 \times \sqrt{2}$$

We know that $2^5 = 32$.

So, $g = 32 \times \sqrt{2}$.

We know that the value of $\sqrt{2}$ is approximately 1.414.

Let's estimate the value of g:

$$g \approx 32 \times 1.414$$

Calculating the product:

  • $32 \times 1 = 32$
  • $32 \times 0.4 = 12.8$
  • $32 \times 0.01 = 0.32$
  • $32 \times 0.004 = 0.128$

Adding these values: $32 + 12.8 + 0.32 + 0.128 = 45.248$.

So, $g \approx 45.248$.

Now let's compare this value with the given ranges:

  1. $8 < g < 16$: $8 < 45.248 < 16$. This is false.
  2. $16 < g < 32$: $16 < 45.248 < 32$. This is false.
  3. $32 < g < 64$: $32 < 45.248 < 64$. This is true.
  4. $g > 64$: $45.248 > 64$. This is false.

Alternatively, consider the range bounds: $32 = 2^5$ and $64 = 2^6$. The geometric mean is $g = 2^{5.5}$. Since $5 < 5.5 < 6$, it follows that $2^5 < 2^{5.5} < 2^6$, which means $32 < g < 64$. This confirms our estimate.

Therefore, the correct range for the geometric mean g is $32 < g < 64$.

Geometric Mean Calculation Summary

Concept Value/Formula
Given Sequence 2, 4, 8, ..., 1024
Number of terms (n) 10
Sequence in powers of 2 $2^1, 2^2, \dots, 2^{10}$
Product of terms $2^1 \times 2^2 \times \dots \times 2^{10} = 2^{1+2+\dots+10} = 2^{55}$
Geometric Mean (g) Formula $g = \sqrt[n]{\text{Product}}$
Calculated Geometric Mean (g) $g = \sqrt[10]{2^{55}} = 2^{55/10} = 2^{5.5}$
Approximate Value of g $g = 2^5 \times \sqrt{2} \approx 32 \times 1.414 \approx 45.248$

Understanding the Geometric Mean

The geometric mean is a type of average that is often used for sets of positive numbers that are interpreted in terms of their products or compounded values, or for data that follows a geometric progression.

  • It is calculated by multiplying all the numbers in the set and then taking the nth root of the product, where n is the count of numbers in the set.
  • It is particularly useful for calculating average rates of growth or change.

Comparing Geometric Mean with Other Means

For a set of positive numbers (not all equal), the harmonic mean, geometric mean, and arithmetic mean have the following relationship:

Harmonic Mean $\le$ Geometric Mean $\le$ Arithmetic Mean

Let's quickly calculate the arithmetic mean (AM) for the given sequence to compare.

The sequence is 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, 256, 512, 1024.

Sum $= 2 + 4 + \dots + 1024$. This is a geometric series with $a=2$, $r=2$, $n=10$.

Sum $= a \frac{r^n - 1}{r - 1} = 2 \frac{2^{10} - 1}{2 - 1} = 2 \frac{1024 - 1}{1} = 2 \times 1023 = 2046$.

AM $= \frac{\text{Sum}}{\text{n}} = \frac{2046}{10} = 204.6$.

We found the geometric mean $g \approx 45.248$. As expected, $g < AM$ (45.248 < 204.6).

Conclusion on the Geometric Mean Range

Based on the calculation $g = 2^{5.5} \approx 45.248$, we confirmed that g falls within the range specified by $32 < g < 64$. This is because $32 = 2^5$ and $64 = 2^6$, and $5 < 5.5 < 6$.

Revision Table: Key Concepts

Term Definition/Formula Application in this problem
Geometric Mean (g) $\sqrt[n]{a_1 \times a_2 \times \dots \times a_n}$ Calculated for the given sequence of 10 numbers.
Geometric Progression A sequence where each term after the first is found by multiplying the previous one by a fixed, non-zero number called the common ratio. The given sequence 2, 4, ..., 1024 is a geometric progression with common ratio 2.
Exponent Properties $a^m \times a^n = a^{m+n}$, $(a^m)^n = a^{mn}$ Used to simplify the product of terms and the n-th root calculation.

Additional Information: Geometric Mean Properties

  • The geometric mean is always less than or equal to the arithmetic mean (Equality holds only if all numbers are identical).
  • It is sensitive to small values; a single zero value makes the geometric mean zero, regardless of the other values. This is why it's typically defined for positive numbers.
  • It is used in finance (e.g., calculating average investment returns over multiple periods), biology (e.g., averaging growth rates), and other fields.
Was this answer helpful?

Similar Questions

  1. If G is the geometric mean of numbers 1, 2, 22, 23,.....2n-1, then what is the value of 1 + 2log2G ?

  2. Let t1, t2, t3 ... be in GP. What is \(\rm \left(t_1 t_3 \ldots t_{21}\right)^{\frac{1}{11}}\) equal to ?

  3. If a, b, c are in GP where a > 0, b > 0, c > 0, then which of the following are correct?

    1. a 2, b 2, c 2are in GP

    2.  \(\frac{1}{a}, \frac{1}{b}, \frac{1}{c}\)  are in GP

    3.  \(\sqrt {a}, \sqrt{b}, \sqrt{c} \)  are in GP

    Select the correct answer using the code given below :

  4. If \(\frac{a+b}{2}, b, \frac{b+c}{2}\)  are in HP, then which one of the following is correct?

  5. Consider the following statements:

    1. If each term of a GP is multiplied by same non-zero number, then the resulting sequence is also a GP.

    2. If each term of a GP is divided by same non-zero number, then the resulting sequence is also a GP.

    Which of the above statements is/are correct?

  6. If p = (1111 ... up to n digits), then what is the value of 9p 2+ p?

  7. The numbers 1, 5 and 25 can be three terms (not necessarily consecutive) of

  8. What is the n th term of the sequence 25, -125, 625, -3125, …….?

  9. If the second term of a GP is 2 and the sum of its infinite terms is 8, then the GP is

  10. What is the sum of the series 0.3 + 0.33 + 0.333 + …n terms?


Important Questions from Geometric Progressions

  1. The minimum value of the sum of real numbers a-5, a-4, 3a-3, 1, a8 and a10 with a > 0 is:

  2. What is the geometric mean of the numbers $2$, $8$, $18$, and $27$?

  3. The terms of a G.P. are all positive and each term of it is equal to the sum of the next two following terms. Find its common ratio.

  4. What is the 8th term of the G.P. 3, 6, 12, 24, …?

  5. If p, q, r, s are in G.P., then \(\frac{1}{{{p^2} + {q^2}}}\)\(\frac{1}{{{q^2} + {r^2}}}\)\(\frac{1}{{{r^2} + {s^2}}}\) are in

Need Expert Advice?
Upcoming Exams
NDA
September 13, 2026
CDS
September 13, 2026
Test Series
NDA img
Defence
NDA 2026 Mock Test Series (Latest Pattern)
501 Tests 1 Tests Free
664 Attempts
4.6(121)
English, Hindi

Start Your Preparation with Prepp Mobile App

Download the app from Google Play & App Store
Download the app from Google Play & App Store
Prepp Mobile App