SN Arithmetic Progression 14
SN Arithmetic Progression 14
For Example:
Which of the following are A.P’s? If they form an A.P., find the common difference d and the next three
terms after last given term.
(i) 3, 6, 9, ... (ii) 12, 52, 72, 73, …
(i) 3, 6, 9, ...
a 2 − a1 = 6 − 3 = 3 ( 2 − 1)
a3 − a 2 = 9 − 6 = 3 ( 3 − 2 )
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As the common difference between any two consecutive terms is not the same
The given sequence is not an A.P.
(ii) 12 ,5 2 ,7 2 ,73,....
a2 − a1 = 5 2 − 1 = 25 − 1 = 24
a3 − a2 = 7 2 − 5 2 = 49 − 25 = 24
a 4 − a3 = 73 − 49 = 24
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As the common difference between any two consecutive terms is the same
The given sequence is an A.P.
Next three terms are:
a5 = 73 + 24 = 97 a6 = 97 + 24 = 121
a7 = 121 + 24 = 145
2. General Term.
General term or nth term of an A.P. is an = a + (n − 1)d, where a = first term, d = common difference.
• The formula an = a + (n − 1)d contains four quantities an , a, n and d. Three quantities being given, the
fourth can be found by using above relation.
For Example:
Find the 18th term and nth term for the sequence 7, 4, 1, −2, −5.
Here a=7
and d = a 2 − a1
=4−7=−3
n = 18
a n = a + (n − 1)d
a18 = 7 + (18 − 1) −3 = 7 + 17 −3
= 7 − 51 = −44
an = a + (n − 1)d
= 7 + (n − 1) (−3)
= 7 − 3n + 3
= 10 − 3n
• If only two quantities are given, two conditions (equations) in the problem should be given. Therefore,
to determine these two unknowns, we have to solve both the conditions (equations) linearly.
For Example:
The third term of an A.P. is 7 and the seventh term exceeds three times the third term by 2. Find the first
term, the common difference and the sum of first 20 terms.
a3 = 7
a7 = 3a3 + 2
a + 2d = 7 ..... (i)
a + 6d = 3 × 7 + 2
a + 6d = 23 ..... (ii)
Solving (i) and (ii)
4d = 16
d= 4
Putting the value of d in equation (i),
a+2×4= 7
a= –1
20
S20 = [(2 ( −1) + (20 − 1) 4]
2
= 10 [–2 + 76]
S20 = 10 (74)
So, S20 = 740
d= 4
a = –1
= −40 + 12 = −28
2nd method
Sequence can be written as −40, −37, …. 11, 14, 17
a = −40
d = −37 − ( −40) = −37 + 40 = 3
n=5
Using a n = a + (n − 1)d
= − 40 + (5 − 1) 3 = −40 + 4 3
= − 40 + 12 = −28
2 x + 20 = 5 x + 2
3 x = 18
x=6
d 2 = 9 d = 3
If d = 3 the numbers are − 4,−1, 2. If d = -3, the numbers are 2, -1, -4.
Thus, the numbers are − 4,−1, 2 or 2,−1,−4.
7. Sum of first n-terms of an A.P.
n
Sn = [2a + (n − 1)d ]
2
where a = first term, d = common difference.
Sn =
n
a + l
2
400 =
n
5 + 45 = 25n
2
400
n= = 16
25
Also l = 45
an = a + (n − 1)d = 45
5 + (16 − 1) d = 45 [ a = 5, n = 16]
15d = 45 − 5 = 40
40 8
d= =
15 3
8
Hence, number of terms(n) = 16, d =
3
9. If sum (S n ) of n terms of a sequence is given then nth term (a n ) of the sequence can be determined
by nth term a n = S n − S n −1 and common difference
d = an − an −1 = S n − 2S n −1 + S n − 2 .
For example:
If the sum of first n terms of an A.P. is 3n 2 − 2n, find the A.P. and its 19th term.
Sn = 3n 2 − 2n
Put n = 1 ; S1 = 3 − 2 = 1
a2 = S2 − S1 = 7
a3 = S3 − S2 = 21 − 8 = 13
= 1 + 18 × 6
= 1 + 108 = 109