Classical Means

For any two numbers $a$ and $b$ three classical Pythagorean means are defined, the arithmetic mean $A$, the geometric mean $G$ and the harmonic mean $H$ such that:

$$\eqalign{

A &= \frac{1}{2}(a+b) \cr

G &= \sqrt {ab}\cr

H &= \frac{2}{\frac{1}{a}+\frac{1}{b}}.}$$

(i) Prove that $H=\frac{G^2}{A}$.

Image

(ii) In this diagram the semicircle has diameter $a+b$. Prove that the lengths $A$, $G$ and $H$ (shown in blue, red and green) are equal to the three means and deduce from the diagram the inequality $$A> G> H.$$

(iii) Prove from the diagram that the length $Q$ is equal to the quadratic mean (or root mean square) such that $$Q=\sqrt{\frac {a^2+b^2}{2}}.$$