Arithmetic Progression Arithmetic Progression (A.P) is a sequence of numbers where difference between the two consecutive numbers is same.

For example, In an Arithmetic Progression: 1, 4, 7, 10, 13, ..... the difference between the all two consecutive numbers is same. 4 -1 = 3 7-4=3 10 - 7 = 3 and so on Arithmetic Progression is also called Arithmetic Sequence. nth term of an Arithmetic Progression If a1 is the first term and d is the common difference, then nth term of an Arithmetic Progression can be found by using the formula

In the above Arithmetic Progression: 1, 4, 7, 10, 13, ..... the second, third, fourth, ....., and nth term can be found as, a2 = a1 + d a2 = 1 + 3 = 4 a3 = a1 + 2 d a3 = 1 + 2 ( 3 ) = 7 a4 = a1 + 3 d a4 = 1 + 3 ( 3 ) = 10 a5 = a1 + 4 d a5 = 1 + 4 ( 3 ) = 13 . . . a10 = a1 + 9 d a9 = 1 + 8 ( 3 ) = 25 a11 = a1 + 10 d a10 = 1 + 9 ( 3 ) = 28 a12 = a1 + 11 d a11 = 1 + 10 ( 3 ) = 31

Practice Problems Example 1. 3, 9, 15, 21, ........, a17 = ? Solution Here, a1 = 3 and d = 6 a17 = a1 + 16 d a17 = 3 + 16 ( 6 ) = 3 + 96 = 99 Answer

Example 2. If the 5th term of an A.P is 16 and the 20th term is 46. What is its 12th term ? Solution a5 = 16 a5 = a1 + 4 d 16 = a1 + 4 d -------->(1) a20 = 46 a20 = a1 + 19 d 46 = a1 + 19 d -------->(2) Subtract (1) from (2)

d=2 Put d = 2 in (1) 16 = a1 + 4 ( 2 ) 16 = a1 + 8 a1 = 8 Now, a12 = a1 + 11 ( d ) a12 = 8 + 11 ( 2 ) a12 = 8 + 22

a12 = 30 Answer

Example 3. Find the 13th term of the sequence x, 1, 2 - x, 3 - 2x Solution Here, a1 = x d = 1 - x [second term - first term] a13 = a1 + 12 d a13 = x + 12 ( 1 - x ) a13 = x + 12 - 12x a13 = 12 - 11x Answer

Arithmetic Series The sum of an Arithmetic Progression is called an Arithmetic Series. For example, 1, 3, 5, 7, ........., 99 is an Arithmetic Progression, and 1 + 3 + 5 + 7 + ..... + 99 is an Arithmetic Series.

Sum of an Arithmetic Sequence Formula for finding Sum of an Arithmetic Progression is

Example 4. Find sum of the arithmetic series: 2, 6, 10, 14, ....., a12 Solution Here, a = 2, n = 12 and d = 6 - 2 = 4

By using formula for sum of an arithmetic series

We have,

Answer

A-Level Math November 2011 - 9709/11 Example 5. The sixth term of an arithmetic progression is 23 and the sum of the first ten terms is 200. Find the seventh term. Solution Here,

Subtract (4) from (3)

Put d = 6 in (3)

Now, a7 = a + 6 d = -7 + 6 ( 6 ) = -7 + 36 = 29 Answer RELATED PAGES GRE Mathematics FPSC Mathematics Lecturer Test GAT Mathematics