Comparison. between.

A
Mean. and aeometric M

OBJECTIVE______
To demonstrate that the Arithmetic mean of two different positive numbers is always greater
than the Geometric mean.

PRE-REQUISITE KNOWLEDGE_ __
• Arithmetic Mean: If three or more than_three numbers are in AP., then the numbers lying
between the first and the last numbers are called the arithmetic means between them.

• The arithmetic mean between a. and b is a 2+ b .

· · means between a an db are a + -

• The n arithmetic - , a + 2(b-a)
b-a - - , ... , a + n (b-a)
-- .
n+l n+l n+l
• Geom~tdc M~~J): If three and more than three positive numbers are in G.P., then the
numbers lying between the first and the last numbers will be the geometric mean between
them.
• The G.M. between a and b is Jab .

• Then G.M.s between a and bare a ; (b)n~l ,a (b; )n!1 ,a(b; )n!1 , .. .,a (b;Jf:1
MATERIALS REQUIRED_ __
• Coloured chart pap~r • Scale
• Sketch pens
• Ruler
• Cutter etc.
 PROCEDURE·- - - -
1. From chart paper, cut off four rectangular pieces of dimension a x b (a > b), (ref. Fig. 15. l)

----a---+ r
a

I L--1_ _

l
(i) (ii) (iii) (iv)

Fig. 15.1

2. Arrange the four rectangular pieces as shown in figure 15.2.

f,..;_---a-=--- - - ~ +-_b__,-+r
b I
!IVP a •

s R

DL
+-- b-=:;~::.::.::.-=.-=.-:...- :..:::..:::.:::.:::.::::;'c
Fig. 15.2

DEMON STRATION _ __
1. ABCD is a square of side (a + b) units.
2. Area ABCD = (a + b)2 sq. units.
3. Area of four rectangular pieces = 4ab sq. units.
4. PQRS is a square of side (a - b) units.
5. Area ABCD = Sum of the areas of four ·rectangular pieces + area of square PQRS
Area ABCD > sum of the areas of four rectangular pieces

i.e., (a+ b)2 >4ab or (a;bJ > ab

a+b
-2- >J;b, i.e., AM.> G.M.
-
ossERVATIONS_ _ __
Take?-= 5 cm, b = 3 cm
:. AB= a .+ b = ............. units.
Area of ABCD = (a + b) 2 = ........ ... .. sq. units.
Area of each rectangle = ab = ............. sq. units.
Area of square PQRS = (a - b) 2 = ........... .. sq. um·ts. .
Area ABCD = 4(area of rectangular piece) + Area of square PQRS ............. = 4 (. ••••· ·· · ·.) + (. ·········.)
············· > 4(... ....... ... )

i.e., (a+ b) 2 >4ab or (a;bJ >ab

a +b r-.: AM>GM
or - - > "'ab
2

PRACTICAL IMPORTANCE_ __

This activity can be used to prove that AM of two positive numbers is greater than the G.M
between the same two numbers.

RESULT _ _ __

We have proved that the Arithmetic mean of two different positive numbers is always greater
than their geometric mean.