5.2-nth Term of an AP

5.2-nth Term of an AP Important Formulae

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An arithmetic progression (AP) is a sequence of numbers in which the difference between consecutive terms is constant. This difference is called the common difference and is denoted by $d$. The study of the nth term of an AP is crucial for understanding the sequence and its properties.

1. Definition of Arithmetic Progression

An arithmetic progression can be defined as a sequence of the form:

$$a, a + d, a + 2d, a + 3d, \ldots$$

where:

  • $a$ is the first term of the sequence.
  • $d$ is the common difference between consecutive terms.
2. General Formula for the nth Term

The formula for the nth term of an arithmetic progression can be expressed as:

$$a_n = a + (n - 1)d$$

Where:

  • $a_n$ is the nth term.
  • $n$ is the term number (1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.).
3. Derivation of the Formula

To derive the formula for the nth term, consider the first term $a$. The second term is $a + d$, the third term is $a + 2d$, and so on. For the nth term, we add the common difference $(n - 1)$ times:

$$a_n = a + (n - 1)d$$

4. Examples

Let's consider some examples to illustrate the application of this formula:

  • Example 1: Find the 10th term of the AP where the first term $a = 5$ and the common difference $d = 3$.
  • Using the formula:

    $$a_{10} = 5 + (10 - 1) \cdot 3 = 5 + 27 = 32$$

  • Example 2: Determine the 5th term of the AP where $a = 2$ and $d = 4$.
  • Using the formula:

    $$a_5 = 2 + (5 - 1) \cdot 4 = 2 + 16 = 18$$

5. Special Cases

In certain scenarios, the first term or the common difference may be zero:

  • If $d = 0$, all terms in the AP are equal to the first term $a$.
  • If $a = 0$, the sequence becomes $0, d, 2d, 3d, \ldots$, which still remains an arithmetic progression.
6. Finding the Common Difference

If the first term and the nth term are known, the common difference can be calculated as follows:

$$d = \frac{a_n - a}{n - 1}$$

7. Applications of the nth Term Formula

The formula for the nth term of an arithmetic progression has various applications, such as:

  • Solving real-life problems: It helps in determining future values in a sequence.
  • Mathematical modeling: It aids in modeling scenarios where a quantity increases or decreases consistently.
  • Financial calculations: It can be used in calculating the total payments in a loan amortization schedule.
8. Practice Problems

To enhance your understanding, try solving the following problems:

  • 1. Find the 15th term of the AP where $a = 10$ and $d = -2$.
  • 2. If the 8th term of an AP is 20 and the first term is 5, find the common difference.
  • 3. Determine the 12th term of the AP defined by $a = 4$ and $d = 7$.

Working through these examples and problems will solidify your grasp of the nth term of an arithmetic progression.

Fill in the blanks in the following table, given that a is the first term, d the common difference and an the nth term of the AP:

(i)a=7 d=3 n=8 a$_n$=??
(ii)a=-18 d=?? n=10 a$_n$=0
(iii)a=?? d=-3 n=18 a$_n$=-5
(iv)a=-18.9 d=2.5 n=?? a$_n$=3.6
(v)a=3.5 d=0 n=105 a$_n$=??

Solution:

Arithmetic Progression Table

Fill in the blanks in the following table, given that a is the first term, d the common difference, and $a_n$ the nth term of the AP:

(i) $a=7$, $d=3$, $n=8$, $a_n = 7 + (8-1) \times 3 = 7 + 21 = 28$
(ii) $a=-18$, $d = \frac{0 - (-18)}{10 - 1} = 2$
(iii) $-5 = a + (18-1) \times (-3) \Rightarrow a = 46$
(iv) $3.6 = (-18.9) + (n-1) \times 2.5 \Rightarrow n = 10$
(v) $a=3.5$, $d=0$, $n=105$, $a_n = 3.5$

Which term of the AP: 3, 8, 13, 18,..., is 78?

Solution:

To find which term of the arithmetic progression (AP) 3, 8, 13, 18,... is equal to 78, we can use the formula for the \(n\)th term of an AP:

\[a_n = a + (n - 1)d\]

where:
- \(a\) is the first term,
- \(d\) is the common difference,
- \(n\) is the term number.

1. Identify the first term and common difference:

- First term \(a = 3\)
- Common difference \(d = 8 - 3 = 5\)



2. Set up the equation:

We want to find \(n\) such that:

\[a_n = 78\] \[78 = 3 + (n - 1) \cdot 5\]

3. Solve for \(n\):
\[78 - 3 = (n - 1) \cdot 5\] \[75 = (n - 1) \cdot 5\] \[n - 1 = \frac{75}{5}\] \[n - 1 = 15\] \[n = 15 + 1 = 16\]

Thus, the term 78 is the 16th term of the AP.

Check whether –150 is a term of the AP: 11, 8, 5,2...

Solution:

Check whether –150 is a term of the AP: 11, 8, 5, 2...
First Term (a):
11
Common Difference (d):
8 - 11 = -3
Formula for the n-th term of an AP:
a_n = a + (n - 1)d
Setting up the equation:
–150 = 11 + (n - 1)(-3)
Solving for n:
–150 - 11 = (n - 1)(-3)
–161 = (n - 1)(-3)
n - 1 = –161 / –3
n - 1 = 53.67
n = 54.67
Conclusion:
Since n is not a whole number, –150 is not a term of the AP.

Find the 31st term of an AP whose 11th term is 38 and the 16th term is 73.

Solution:

Find the 31st term of an AP whose 11th term is 38 and the 16th term is 73.
Let:
\[a_n = a + (n - 1)d\]
Given:

a$_{11}$ = 38
a$_{16}$ = 73

Setting up the equations:
a + 10d = 38 (1)
a + 15d = 73 (2)
Subtracting equation (1) from (2):
(a + 15d) - (a + 10d) = 73 - 38
5d = 35
d = 7
Substituting d back into equation (1):
a + 10(7) = 38
a + 70 = 38
a = 38 - 70
a = -32
Finding the 31st term:

a$_{31}$ = a + 30d
a$_{31}$ = -32 + 30(7)
a$_{31}$ = -32 + 210
a$_{31}$ = 178

Thus, the 31st term is:
178

An AP consists of 50 terms of which 3rd term is 12 and the last term is 106. Find the 29th term.

Solution:

An AP consists of 50 terms of which 3rd term is 12 and the last term is 106. Find the 29th term.
Let:
\[a_n = a + (n - 1)d\]
Given:

a$_3$ = 12
a$_{50}$ = 106

Setting up the equations:
a + 2d = 12 (1)
a + 49d = 106 (2)
Subtracting equation (1) from (2):
(a + 49d) - (a + 2d) = 106 - 12
47d = 94
d = 2
Substituting d back into equation (1):
a + 2(2) = 12
a + 4 = 12
a = 12 - 4
a = 8
Finding the 29th term:

a$_{29}$ = a + 28d
a$_{29}$ = 8 + 28(2)
a$_{29}$ = 8 + 56
a$_{29}$ = 64

Thus, the 29th term is:
64

If the 3rd and the 9th terms of an AP are 4 and – 8 respectively, which term of this AP is zero?

Solution:

If the 3rd and the 9th terms of an AP are 4 and –8 respectively, which term of this AP is zero?
Let:
a_n = a + (n - 1)d
Given:
a_3 = 4
a_9 = -8
Setting up the equations:
a + 2d = 4 (1)
a + 8d = -8 (2)
Subtracting equation (1) from (2):
(a + 8d) - (a + 2d) = -8 - 4
6d = -12
d = -2
Substituting d back into equation (1):
a + 2(-2) = 4
a - 4 = 4
a = 8
Finding which term is zero:
a_n = 0
8 + (n - 1)(-2) = 0
8 - 2(n - 1) = 0
8 - 2n + 2 = 0
10 - 2n = 0
2n = 10
n = 5
Thus, the term of this AP that is zero is:
5th term

The 17th term of an AP exceeds its 10th term by 7. Find the common difference.

Solution:

The 17th term of an AP exceeds its 10th term by 7. Find the common difference.
Let:
a_n = a + (n - 1)d
Given:
a_{17} - a_{10} = 7
Setting up the equations:
a + 16d - (a + 9d) = 7
16d - 9d = 7
7d = 7
Solving for d:
d = 1
Thus, the common difference is:
1

Which term of the AP: 3, 15, 27, 39,...will be 132 more than its 54th term?

Solution:

Which term of the AP: 3, 15, 27, 39,... will be 132 more than its 54th term?
Let:
a_n = a + (n - 1)d
Given:
First term (a) = 3
Common difference (d) = 15 - 3 = 12
Finding the 54th term:

a$_{54}$ = a + (54 - 1)d
a$_{54}$ = 3 + 53(12)
a$_{54}$ = 3 + 636
a$_{54}$ = 639

Setting up the equation for the term that is 132 more than the 54th term:
Let the term be a_n:

a$_n$ = a_{54} + 132
a$_n$ = 639 + 132
a$_n$ = 771

Setting up the equation for a_n:
771 = 3 + (n - 1)(12)
Solving for n:
771 - 3 = (n - 1)(12)
768 = (n - 1)(12)
n - 1 = 768 / 12
n - 1 = 64
n = 65
Thus, the term of the AP that will be 132 more than its 54th term is:
65th term

Two APs have the same common difference. The difference between their 100th terms is 100, what is the difference between their 1000th terms?

Solution:

Two APs have the same common difference. The difference between their 100th terms is 100, what is the difference between their 1000th terms?
Let:
a_1 and a_2 be the first terms of the two APs.
d be the common difference.
Given:
a_{1,100} - a_{2,100} = 100
Using the formula for the n-th term:
a_{1,100} = a_1 + 99d
a_{2,100} = a_2 + 99d
Setting up the equation:
(a_1 + 99d) - (a_2 + 99d) = 100
a_1 - a_2 = 100 (1)
Finding the difference between the 1000th terms:
a_{1,1000} = a_1 + 999d
a_{2,1000} = a_2 + 999d
Setting up the equation for the 1000th terms:
a_{1,1000} - a_{2,1000} = (a_1 + 999d) - (a_2 + 999d)
= a_1 - a_2
Using equation (1):
a_{1,1000} - a_{2,1000} = 100
Thus, the difference between their 1000th terms is:
100

How many three-digit numbers are divisible by 7?

Solution:

How many three-digit numbers are divisible by 7?
Finding the smallest three-digit number:
The smallest three-digit number is 100.
To find the smallest three-digit number divisible by 7, we calculate:
100 ÷ 7 = 14.2857 (approximately)
The smallest integer greater than 14.2857 is 15.
Thus, the smallest three-digit number divisible by 7 is:
15 × 7 = 105
Finding the largest three-digit number:
The largest three-digit number is 999.
To find the largest three-digit number divisible by 7, we calculate:
999 ÷ 7 = 142.7143 (approximately)
The largest integer less than 142.7143 is 142.
Thus, the largest three-digit number divisible by 7 is:
142 × 7 = 994
Finding the total count of three-digit numbers divisible by 7:
Let the number of terms be n.
We have an arithmetic progression where:
First term (a) = 105
Last term (l) = 994
Common difference (d) = 7
Using the formula for the n-th term of an AP:
l = a + (n - 1)d
994 = 105 + (n - 1)7
Solving for n:
994 - 105 = (n - 1)7
889 = (n - 1)7
n - 1 = 889 / 7
n - 1 = 127
n = 127 + 1
n = 128
Thus, the number of three-digit numbers divisible by 7 is:
128

How many multiples of 4 lie between 10 and 250?

Solution:

How many multiples of 4 lie between 10 and 250?
Finding the smallest multiple of 4 greater than 10:
The smallest multiple of 4 greater than 10 is:
12 (since 4 × 3 = 12)
Finding the largest multiple of 4 less than 250:
The largest multiple of 4 less than 250 is:
248 (since 4 × 62 = 248)
Finding the total count of multiples of 4 between 12 and 248:
Let the number of terms be n.
This forms an arithmetic progression where:
First term (a) = 12
Last term (l) = 248
Common difference (d) = 4
Using the formula for the n-th term of an AP:
l = a + (n - 1)d
248 = 12 + (n - 1)4
Solving for n:
248 - 12 = (n - 1)4
236 = (n - 1)4
n - 1 = 236 / 4
n - 1 = 59
n = 59 + 1
n = 60
Thus, the number of multiples of 4 between 10 and 250 is:
60

For what value of n, are the nth terms of two APs: 63, 65, 67,...and 3, 10, 17,...equal?

Solution:

Finding the Value of n for Equal nth Terms of Two APs

The first AP is given as: 63, 65, 67,...

Here, the first term (a1) = 63 and the common difference (d1) = 2.

The nth term (Tn) of this AP can be expressed as:

Tn = a1 + (n-1)d1 = 63 + (n-1) × 2.

The second AP is given as: 3, 10, 17,...

Here, the first term (a2) = 3 and the common difference (d2) = 7.

The nth term (Sn) of this AP can be expressed as:

Sn = a2 + (n-1)d2 = 3 + (n-1) × 7.

To find the value of n for which Tn = Sn, we equate:

63 + (n-1) × 2 = 3 + (n-1) × 7.

Expanding both sides:

63 + 2n - 2 = 3 + 7n - 7.

Now simplifying:

61 + 2n = -4 + 7n.

Rearranging gives:

61 + 4 = 7n - 2n.

Thus, we have:

65 = 5n.

Finally, solving for n:

n = 65 / 5 = 13.

Determine the AP whose third term is 16 and the 7th term exceeds the 5th term by 12.

Solution:

Determining the Arithmetic Progression (AP)

Let the first term of the AP be a and the common difference be d.

The third term (T3) is given by:

T3 = a + 2d = 16.

The seventh term (T7) is:

T7 = a + 6d.

The fifth term (T5) is:

T5 = a + 4d.

According to the problem, T7 exceeds T5 by 12:

T7 - T5 = 12.

Substituting the terms:

(a + 6d) - (a + 4d) = 12.

Simplifying gives:

2d = 12.

Thus, we find:

d = 6.

Now substituting d back into the equation for T3:

a + 2(6) = 16.

This simplifies to:

a + 12 = 16.

Thus:

a = 16 - 12.

So, we have:

a = 4.

The AP can now be expressed as:

4, (4 + 6), (4 + 12),...

Find the 20th term from the last term of the AP: 3, 8, 13,..., 253.

Solution:

Given AP: 3, 8, 13, ..., 253
The nth term of an AP is given by the formula: $ a_n = a_1 + (n - 1) \cdot d $ Where: - $ a_1 = 3 $ (First term) - $ d = 8 - 3 = 5 $ (Common difference) - The last term $ a_n = 253 $ We need to find the value of $ n $ for which $ a_n = 253 $. Using the formula: $ 253 = 3 + (n - 1) \cdot 5 $ Solving for $ n $: $ 253 - 3 = (n - 1) \cdot 5 $ $ 250 = (n - 1) \cdot 5 $ $ n - 1 = \frac{250}{5} = 50 $ $ n = 50 + 1 = 51 $ Thus, the total number of terms in the AP is 51. Now, to find the 20th term from the last term, we need to find the term at position $ 51 - 20 + 1 = 32 $. So, we need to find the 32nd term. Using the formula for the nth term: $ a_{32} = 3 + (32 - 1) \cdot 5 $ $ a_{32} = 3 + 31 \cdot 5 $ $ a_{32} = 3 + 155 $ $ a_{32} = 158 $ Therefore, the 20th term from the last term is 158.

The sum of the 4th and 8th terms of an AP is 24 and the sum of the 6th and 10th terms is 44. Find the first three terms of the AP.

Solution:

Given:

The sum of the 4th and 8th terms of an AP is 24 and the sum of the 6th and 10th terms is 44. We are required to find the first three terms of the AP.

Let the first term of the AP be $a$ and the common difference be $d$.
General formula for the nth term of an AP is:

$T_n = a + (n - 1) \cdot d$

Using this formula, the 4th term $T_4$ is:

$T_4 = a + (4 - 1) \cdot d = a + 3d$

The 8th term $T_8$ is:

$T_8 = a + (8 - 1) \cdot d = a + 7d$

According to the given information:

The sum of the 4th and 8th terms is 24:

$T_4 + T_8 = (a + 3d) + (a + 7d) = 24$

$2a + 10d = 24$

Or, $a + 5d = 12$ ...(1)

Similarly, the 6th term $T_6$ is:

$T_6 = a + (6 - 1) \cdot d = a + 5d$

The 10th term $T_{10}$ is:

$T_{10} = a + (10 - 1) \cdot d = a + 9d$

According to the given information:

The sum of the 6th and 10th terms is 44:

$T_6 + T_{10} = (a + 5d) + (a + 9d) = 44$

$2a + 14d = 44$

Or, $a + 7d = 22$ ...(2)

Now, subtract equation (1) from equation (2):

$(a + 7d) - (a + 5d) = 22 - 12$

$2d = 10$

$d = 5$

Substitute $d = 5$ in equation (1):

$a + 5 \cdot 5 = 12$

$a + 25 = 12$

$a = 12 - 25 = -13$

Thus, the first term $a = -13$ and the common difference $d = 5$.
The first three terms of the AP are:

First term: $a = -13$

Second term: $a + d = -13 + 5 = -8$

Third term: $a + 2d = -13 + 2 \cdot 5 = -3$

The first three terms of the AP are $-13, -8, -3$.

Subba Rao started work in 1995 at an annual salary of Rs. 5000 and received an increment of Rs. 200 each year. In which year did his income reach Rs. 7000?

Solution:

Subba Rao's Income Problem

Let the number of years after 1995 be represented by $n$. Subba Rao's salary in the $n$th year can be expressed as:

Salary in $n$th year = Initial salary + Annual increment $\times$ Number of years

Therefore, the salary in $n$th year = $5000 + 200 \times n$

We need to find the value of $n$ when the salary reaches Rs. 7000. So, we set the equation:

$5000 + 200 \times n = 7000$

Solve for $n$:

$200 \times n = 7000 - 5000$

$200 \times n = 2000$

$n = \frac{2000}{200}$

$n = 10$

This means that Subba Rao's salary will reach Rs. 7000 after 10 years from 1995, i.e., in the year $1995 + 10 = 2005$.

Ramkali saved Rs. 5 in the first week of a year and then increased her weekly savings by Rs. 1.75. If in the nth week, her weekly savings become Rs. 20.75, find n.

Solution:

Question:

Ramkali saved Rs. 5 in the first week of a year and then increased her weekly savings by Rs. 1.75. If in the nth week, her weekly savings become Rs. 20.75, find n.

Solution:

Let the weekly savings in the first week be denoted as $a_1 = 5$. The savings increase by Rs. 1.75 every week, so the common difference is $d = 1.75$.

The nth term of an arithmetic sequence is given by the formula:

$a_n = a_1 + (n - 1) \cdot d$

We are given that $a_n = 20.75$. Substituting the values into the formula:

$20.75 = 5 + (n - 1) \cdot 1.75$

Solving for $n$:

$20.75 - 5 = (n - 1) \cdot 1.75$

$15.75 = (n - 1) \cdot 1.75$

Divide both sides by 1.75:

$\frac{15.75}{1.75} = n - 1$

$9 = n - 1$

So, $n = 10$.