Arithmetic Progressions (AP) are a fundamental mathematical concept that forms the basis for understanding various real-world applications, ranging from financial planning to engineering design. In this chapter of the 10th-grade NCERT syllabus, we delve into sequences where the difference between consecutive terms remains constant. This simple yet powerful concept helps students recognize patterns and solve problems involving future predictions, geometric designs, and even natural phenomena.
An arithmetic progression represented as a sequence of numbers like a, a+d, a+2d, and so on, is defined by the first term (a) and the common difference (d). This progression opens up a range of possibilities for solving complex problems by understanding the behavior of numbers in a linear format.
In this blog, we’ll explore the key concepts of AP, including its general form, the formula for the nth term, and the sum of n terms. We’ll also solve various problems from the new NCERT syllabus, making it easier for students to grasp the concept and excel in their exams.
an = a + (n – 1) d.
am represents the last term which is sometimes also denoted by l.
EXERCISE 5.3
(i) 2, 7, 12, . . ., to 10 terms. (ii) –37, –33, –29, . . ., to 12 terms.
(iii) 0.6, 1.7, 2.8, . . ., to 100 terms. (iv) 1/15, 1/12, 1/10, . . ., to 11 terms.
Explanation:
by an = a + (n – 1) d.
S = (n/2)[2a + (n – 1) d]
S = (n/2)[2a + (n – 1) d]
S = (n/2)[a + (a + (n – 1) d)]
S = (n/2)[a + an]
S = (n/2)[a + l].
Solution:
S = (n/2)[2a + (n – 1) d]
S = (10/2)[2(2) + (10 – 1) (5)]
S = (5)[4 + 5(9)]3) Therefore, the sum of the given AP is 245.
S = (5)[4 + 45]
S = (5)(49)
S = 245
S = (n/2)[2a + (n – 1) d]
S = (12/2)[2(– 37) + (12 – 1) (4)]
S = (6)[– 74 + 4(11)]3) Therefore, the sum of the given AP is – 180.
S = (6)[– 74 + 44]
S = (6)(– 30)
S = – 180
S = (n/2)[2a + (n – 1) d]
S = (100/2)[2(0.6) + (100 – 1) (1.1)]
S = (50)[1.2 + 1.1(99)]3) Therefore, the sum of the given AP is 5505.
S = (50)[1.2 + 108.9]
S = (50)(110.1)
S = 5505
d = 1/12 – 1/15
d = (15 – 12)/(12x15)d = (3)/(12x15)
d = 1/(4x15)
d = 1/60 and n = 11.
S = (n/2)[2a + (n – 1) d]
S = (11/2)[2(1/15) + (11 – 1) (1/60)]
S = (11/2)[2/15 + 10/60]
S = (11/2)[2/15 + 1/6]
S = (11/2)/[(4/30) + (5/30)]
S = (11/2)/(4 + 5)/30
S = (11/2)/(9/30)
S = (11/2)/(3/10)
S = 33/20
(i) 7 + 10½ + 14 + . . . + 84(ii) 34 + 32 + 30 + . . . + 10(iii) –5 + (–8) + (–11) + . . . + (–230)
Solution:
an = a + (n – 1) d
84 = 7 + (n – 1) (7/2)
(n – 1) (7/2) = 84 – 7
(n – 1) (7/2) = 77
(n – 1) = 77(2/7)
(n – 1) = 11(2)
(n – 1) = 22
n = 22 + 1
n = 23
S = (n/2)[a + l]
S = (23/2)[7 + 84]
S = (23/2)[91]4) Therefore, the sum of the given AP is 1046.5.
S = 2093/2
S = 1046.5
an = a + (n – 1) d
10 = 34 + (n – 1) (– 2)
(n – 1) (– 2) = 10 – 34
(n – 1) (– 2) = – 24
(n – 1) = (– 24)/(– 2)
(n – 1) = 12
n = 12 + 1
n = 13
S = (n/2)[a + l]
S = (13/2)[34 + 10]
S = (13/2)[44]
S = (13)[22]
S = 286
an = a + (n – 1) d
– 230 = – 5 + (n – 1) (– 3)
(n – 1) (– 3) = 5 – 230
(n – 1) (– 3) = – 225
(n – 1) = (– 225)/(– 3)
(n – 1) = 75
n = 75 + 1
n = 76
S = (n/2)[a + l]
S = (76/2)[– 5 + (– 230)]
S = (38)[– 235]
S = – 8930
(i) given a = 5, d = 3, an = 50, find n and Sn.(ii) given a = 7, a13 = 35, find d and S13.(iii) given a12 = 37, d = 3, find a and S12.(iv) given a3 = 15, S10 = 125, find d and a10.(v) given d = 5, Sn = 75, find a and a9.(vi) given a = 2, d = 8, Sn = 90, find n and an.(vii) given a = 8, an = 62, Sn = 210, find n and d.(viii) given an = 4, d = 2, Sn = – 14, find n and a.(ix) given a = 3, n = 8, S = 192, find d.(x) given l = 28, S = 144, and there are total 9 terms. Find a.
Solution:
an = a + (n – 1) d
50 = 5 + (n – 1) (3)
(n – 1) (3) = 50 – 5
(n – 1) (3) = 45
(n – 1) = 45/3
(n – 1) = 15
n = 15 + 1
n = 16
S = (n/2)[a + l]
S = (16/2)[5 + 50]
S = (8)[55]
S = 440
an = a + (n – 1) d
a13 = 7 + (13 – 1) (d)
a13 = 7 + 12d
35 = 7 + 12d
12d = 35 – 7
12d = 28
d = 28/12
d = 7/3 --------- equation 1
Sn = (n/2)[a + l]
S13 = (13/2)[7 + 35]
S13 = (13/2)[42]
S13 = (13)[21]
S13 = 273
an = a + (n – 1) d
a12 = a + (12 – 1) (3)
37 = a + 3(11)
37 = a + 33
a = 37 – 33
a = 4 --------- equation 1
Sn = (n/2)[a + l]
S12 = (12/2)[4 + 37]
S12 = (6)[41]
S12 = 246
an = a + (n – 1) d
a3 = a + (3 – 1) (d)
15 = a + 2d
a + 2d = 15 --------- equation 1
Sn = (n/2)[2a + (n – 1) d]
S10 = (10/2)[2(a) + (10 – 1) d]
125 = (5)[2(a) + 9d]
[2(a) + 9d] = 125/5
[2(a) + 9d] = 25
2a + 9d = 25 --------- equation 2
2a + 9d = 25
2a + 4d = 30
5d = – 5
d = – 5/5
d = – 1 --------- equation 3
a + 2d = 15
a + 2(– 1) = 15
a – 2 = 15
a = 15 + 2
a = 17 --------- equation 4
an = a + (n – 1) d
a10 = 17 + (10 – 1) (– 1)
a10 = 17 + 9 (– 1)
a10 = 17 – 9
a10 = 8
Sn = (n/2)[2a + (n – 1) d]
S9 = (9/2)[2a + (9 – 1) (5)]
75 = (9/2)[2a + 8 (5)]
75 = (9/2)[2a + 40]
75 = 9[a + 20]
[a + 20] = 75/9
[a + 20] = 25/3
a = (25/3) – 20
a = (25 – 60)/3
a = – 35/3
an = a + (n – 1) d
a9 = – 35/3 + (9 – 1) (5)
a9 = – 35/3 + (8)(5)
a9 = – 35/3 + 40
a9 = (– 35 + 120)/3
a9 = 85/3
Sn = (n/2)[2a + (n – 1) d]
Sn = (n/2)[2(2) + (n – 1)(8)]
90 = (n/2)[4 + 8(n – 1)]
90 = n[2 + 4(n – 1)]
90 = n(2 + 4n – 4)
90 = n(4n – 2)
90 = 4n2 – 2n
45 = 2n2 – n
2n2 – n – 45 = 0
2n2 – 10n + 9n – 45 = 0
2n(n – 5) + 9(n – 5) = 0
(n – 5)(2n + 9) = 0
(n – 5) = 0 or (2n + 9) = 0
n = 5 or 2n = – 9
n = 5 or n = – 9/2
an = a + (n – 1) da5 = 2 + (8)(4)a5 = 2 + 32
a5 = 2 + (5 – 1) (8)
a5 = 34
Sn = (n/2)[a + l]
210 = (n/2)[8 + 62]3) Now we will find d using the formula:
210 = (n/2)[70]
210 = 35n
35n = 210
n = 210/35
n = 6
an = a + (n – 1) d62 = 8 + 5d
62 = 8 + (6 – 1) (d)
5d = 62 – 8
5d = 54
d = 54/5
Sn = (n/2)[a + l]
– 14 = (n/2)[a + 4]
(n/2)[a + 4] = – 14
n[a + 4] = – 14(2)
n[a + 4] = – 28 --------- equation 1
an = a + (n – 1) d4 = a + 2n – 2a + 2n = 4 + 2
4 = a + (n – 1) (2)
a + 2n = 6
a = 6 – 2n --------- equation 2
n(a + 4) = – 28
n((6 – 2n) + 4) = – 28
n(6 – 2n + 4) = – 28
n(10 – 2n) = – 28
2n(5 – n) = – 28
n(5 – n) = – 14
5n – n2 = – 14
n2 – 5n – 14 = 0
n2 – 7n + 2n – 14 = 0
n(n – 7) + 2(n – 7) = 0
(n – 7)(n + 2) = 0
(n – 7) = 0 or (n + 2) = 0
n = 7 or n = – 2
a = 6 – 2na = 6 – 2(7)
a = 6 – 14
a = – 8
S = (n/2)[2a + (n – 1) d]
192 = (8/2)[2(3) + (8 – 1) d]
192 = 4[6 + 7d]
4[6 + 7d] = 192
[6 + 7d] = 192/4
[6 + 7d] = 48
7d = 48 – 6
7d = 42
d = 42/7
d = 6
Sn = (n/2)[a + l]
144 = (9/2)[a + 28]
(9/2)[a + 28] = 144
[a + 28] = 144(2/9)
[a + 28] = 16 (2)
a + 28 = 32
a = 32 – 28
a = 4
636?
Solution:
d = a2 – a1
d = 17 – 9
d = 8
S = (n/2)[2a + (n – 1) d]
636 = (n/2)[2(9) + (n – 1) (8)]
636 = (n/2)[18 + 8(n – 1)]
636 = n[9 + 4(n – 1)]
636 = n[9 + 4n – 4]
636 = n[4n + 5]
636 = 4n2 + 5n
4n2 + 5n – 636 = 0
4n2 + 53n – 48n – 636 = 0
n(4n + 53) – 12(4n + 53) = 0
(4n + 53)(n – 12) = 0
(4n + 53) = 0 or (n – 12) = 0
n = – 53/4 or n = 12
Solution:
S = (n/2)[a + l]
400 = (n/2)[(5) + 45]
400 = (n/2)[50]
400 = n[25]
n[25] = 400
n = 400/25
n = 163) Now we will find the value of d.
an = a + (n – 1) d
45 = 5 + d (16 – 1)
15d = 45 – 5
15d = 40
d = 40/15
d = 8/3
Solution:
an = a + (n – 1) d
350 = 17 + 9(n – 1)
9(n – 1) = 350 – 17
9(n – 1) = 333
(n – 1) = 333/9
(n – 1) = 37
n = 37 + 1
n = 38
Sn = (n/2)[a + l]
Sn = (38/2)[(17) + 350]
Sn = 19[17 + 350]
Sn = 19(367)
Sn = 6973
Solution:
an = a + (n – 1) d
a22 = a + (22 – 1) (7)
149 = a + 7(22 – 1)
a = 149 – 7(21)
a = 149 – 147
a = 2
Sn = (n/2)[a + l]
S22 = (22/2)[(2) + 149]
S22 = (11)[151]
S22 = 1661
Solution:
d = a3 – a2
d = 18 – 14
d = 4
an = a + (n – 1) d
a2 = a + (2 – 1) (4)
14 = a + 4(1)
a = 14 – 4
a = 10
Sn = (n/2)[2a + (n – 1)d]
S51 = (51/2)[2(10) + (51 – 1)(4)]
S51 = (51/2)[20 + (50)(4)]
S51 = (51/2)[20 + 200]
S51 = (51/2)[220]
S51 = 51[110]
S51 = 5610
Solution:
difference be 'd'.
Sn = (n/2)[2a + (n – 1)d]
S7 = (7/2)[2a + (7 – 1)(d)]
49 = (7/2)[2a + (6)(d)]
49 = 7[a + 3d]
a + 3d = 49/7
a + 3d = 7 --------- equation 1
Sn = (n/2)[2a + (n – 1)d]
S17 = (17/2)[2a + (17 – 1)d]S17 = (17/2)[2a + (16)d]S17 = 17[a + 8d]
289 = 17[a + 8d]
17[a + 8d] = 289
a + 8d = 289/17
a + 8d = 17 --------- equation 2
a + 8d = 17
a + 3d = 7
5d = 10
d = 10/5
d = 2 --------- equation 3
a + 3d = 7
a + 3(2) = 7
a + 6 = 7
a = 7 – 6
a = 1
Sn = (n/2)[2a + (n – 1)d]
Sn = (n/2)[2(1) + (n – 1)(2)]
Sn = n[1 + (n – 1)]
Sn = n[n]
Sn = n2
(i) an = 3 + 4n (ii) an = 9 – 5n.
Also, find the sum of the first 15 terms in each case.
Solution:
a) Put n = 1,
an = 3 + 4n
a1 = 3 + 4(1)
a1 = 3 + 4a1 = 7
b) Put n = 2,an = 3 + 4na2 = 3 + 4(2)
a2 = 3 + 8a2 = 11
c) Put n = 3,an = 3 + 4na3 = 3 + 4(3)
a3 = 3 + 12
a3 = 15
a) First difference:
d = a2 – a1
d = 11 – 7
d = 4 --------- equation 1
b) Second difference:
d = a3 – a2
d = 15 – 11
d = 4 --------- equation 2
so the equation an = 3 + 4n form an AP and their terms are 7, 11, 15 . . .
Sn = (n/2)[2a + (n – 1) d]
S15 = (15/2)[2(7) + (15 – 1) (4)]
S15 = (15/2)[2(7) + 4(14)]
S15 = (15)[7 + 2(14)]
S15 = (15)[7 + 28]
S15 = (15)(35)
S15 = 525
a) Put n = 1,
an = 9 – 5n
a1 = 9 – 5(1)
a1 = 9 – 5a1 = 4
b) Put n = 2,an = 9 – 5na2 = 9 – 5(2)
a2 = 9 – 10a2 = – 1
c) Put n = 3,
an = 9 – 5na3 = 9 – 5(3)a3 = 9 – 15a3 = – 6
a) First difference:
d = a2 – a1
d = – 1 – 4
d = – 5 --------- equation 1
b) Second difference:
d = a3 – a2
d = – 6 – (– 1)
d = – 6 + 1
d = – 5 --------- equation 2
so the equation an = 9 – 5n form an AP and their terms are 4, – 1, – 6 . . .
Sn = (n/2)[2a + (n – 1) d]
S15 = (15/2)[2(4) + (15 – 1) (– 5)]
S15 = (15/2)[2(4) – 5(14)]
S15 = (15)[4 – 5(7)]
S15 = (15)[4 – 35]
S15 = (15)[– 31]
S15 = – 465
(that is S1)? What is the sum of the first two terms? What is the second term? Similarly, find the 3rd, the 10th, and the nth terms.
Solution:
a) So, first term S1 will be,
Sn = 4n – n2
S1 = 4(1) – (1)2
S1 = 4 – 1S1 = 3 = a1 = a
b) To get sum of first two terms, put n = 2, in Sn = 4n – n2
Sn = 4n – n2S2 = 4(2) – (2)2S2 = 8 – 4S2 = 4
c) To get sum of first three terms, put n = 3, in Sn = 4n – n2
Sn = 4n – n2S3 = 4(3) – (3)2S3 = 12 – 9
S3 = 3
a2 = S2 – S1
a2 = 4 – 3
a2 = 1
d = a2 – a1
d = 1 – 3
d = – 2
an = a + (n – 1) d
a3 = 3 + (3 – 1) (– 2)
a3 = 3 + (2) (– 2)
a3 = 3 – 4
a3 = – 1
an = a + (n – 1) d
a10 = 3 + (10 – 1) (– 2)
a10 = 3 + (9) (– 2)
a10 = 3 – 18
a10 = – 15
an = a + (n – 1) d
an = 3 + (n – 1) (– 2)
an = 3 – 2n + 2
an = 5 – 2n
a) First term s1 = a = 3.
b) Sum of first two terms s2 = 4.
c) The second term a2 = s2 – s1 = 1.
d) Sum of first three terms s3 = 3.
e) The third term a3 = – 1.
f) The 10th term a10 = – 15.
g) The nth term an = 5 – 2n.
Solution:
So, now we will find sum of first 40 integers,
Sn = (n/2)[2a + (n – 1) d
S40 = (40/2)[2(6) + (40 – 1) (6)]
S40 = 20[12 + 6(39)]S40 = 20[12 + 234]
S40 = 20[246]
S40 = 4920
Solution:
So, now we will find sum of first 15 multiples of 8,
Sn = (n/2)[2a + (n – 1) d
S15 = (15/2)[2(8) + (15 – 1) (8)]
S15 = 15[8 + 4(14)]S15 = 15[8 + 56]
S15 = 15[64]
S15 = 960
Solution:
an = a + (n – 1) d
49 = 1 + 2(n – 1)
2(n – 1) = 49 – 1
2(n – 1) = 48(n – 1) = 48/2
(n – 1) = 24
n = 25
So, now we will find sum of odd numbers from 0 to 50.
Sn = (n/2)[a + l]
S25 = (25/2)[1 + 49]
S25 = (25/2)[50]S25 = 25[25]
S25 = 625
completion beyond a certain date as follows: Rs 200 for the first day, Rs 250 for the second day, Rs 300 for the third day, etc., the penalty for each succeeding day being Rs 50 more than for the preceding day. How much money does the contractor have to pay as a penalty if he has delayed the work by 30 days?
Solution:
So, now we will find total penalty for the delayed work by 30 days, so we will have to find Sn.
Sn = (n/2)[2a + (n – 1) d
S30 = (30/2)[2(200) + (30 – 1) (50)]
S30 = 15[400 + 50(29)]S30 = 15[400 + 1450]
S30 = 15[1850]
S30 = 27750
school for their overall academic performance. If each prize is Rs 20 less than its preceding prize, find the value of each of the prizes.
Solution:
So, now we will find total penalty for the delayed work by 30 days, so we will have to find Sn.
Sn = (n/2)[2a + (n – 1) d
S7 = (7/2)[2(x) + (7 – 1) (– 20)]
S7 = (7)[(x) + (6) (– 10)]700 = (7)[(x) – 60]
100 = x – 60
x = 100 + 60
x = 160
(iii) Rs 120, (iv) Rs 100, (v) Rs 80, (vi) Rs 60, and (vii) Rs 40.
to reduce air pollution. It was decided that the number of trees, that each section of each class will plant, will be the same as the class, in which they are studying, e.g., a section of Class I will plant 1 tree, a section of Class II will plant 2 trees and so on till Class XII. There are three sections of each class. How many trees will be planted by the students?
Solution:
So, now we will find total penalty for the delayed work by 30 days, so we will have to find Sn.
Sn = (n/2)[2a + (n – 1) d
S12 = (12/2)[2(1) + (12 – 1) (1)]
S12 = 6[2 + 1(11)]S12 = 6[2 + 11]
S12 = 6[13]
S12 = 78
plant 78 x 3 = 234 plants.
A and B, starting with center at A, of radii 0.5 cm, 1.0 cm, 1.5 cm, 2.0 cm, . . . as shown in Fig. What is the total length of such a spiral made up of thirteen consecutive semicircles? (Take p = 22/7)
a) r = 0.5 so a1 = 0.5 𝞹 = 𝞹/2
b) r = 1 so a2 = 𝞹 = 𝞹
c) r = 1.5 so a3 = 1.5 𝞹 = 3𝞹/2
Sn = (n/2)[2a + (n – 1) d
S13 = (13/2)[2(𝞹/2) + (13 – 1) (𝞹/2)]
S13 = (13/2)(𝞹/2)[2 + 12]
S13 = (13/2)(𝞹/2)[14]
S13 = (13/2)(𝞹)[7]
S13 = (13/2)(22/7)[7]
S13 = (13/2)(22)
S13 = (13)(11)
S13 = 143
19 in the next row, 18 in the row next to it, and so on. In how many rows are the 200 logs placed and how many logs are in the top row?
Solution:
Sn = 200, so d = – 1,
Sn = (n/2)[2a + (n – 1) d
Sn = (n/2)[2(20) + (n – 1) (– 1)]
200 = (n/2)[40 – (n – 1)]
200 = (n/2)[40 – n + 1)]
400 = n(41 – n)
400 = 41n – n2
n2 – 41n + 400 = 0
n2 – 16n – 25n + 400 = 0
n(n – 16) – 25(n – 25) = 0
(n – 16)(n – 25) = 0
(n – 16) = 0 or (n – 25) = 04) Now we will find a16 and a25 using the formula an = a + (n – 1) d.
n = 16 or n = 25
a) First we will find a16
an = a + (n – 1) da16 = 20 + (– 1) (16 – 1)
a16 = 20 – (15)
a16 = 5
b) First we will find a25
an = a + (n – 1) da25 = 20 + (– 1) (25 – 1)a25 = 20 – (24)a25 = – 4
So 200 logs can be placed in 16 rows and there are 5 logs in the 16th log.
from the first potato, and the other potatoes are placed 3 m apart in a straight line. There are ten potatoes in the line.
A competitor starts from the bucket, picks up the nearest potato, runs back with it, drops it in the bucket, runs back to pick up the next potato, runs to the bucket to drop it in, and continues in the same way until all the potatoes are in the bucket. What is the total distance the competitor has to run?
[Hint: To pick up the first potato and the second potato, the total distance (in meters) run by a competitor is 2 × 5 + 2 × (5 + 3)]
Solution:
Sn = (n/2)[2a + (n – 1) d
S10 = (10/2)[2(10) + (10 – 1) (6)]
S10 = (10/2)(2)[10 + (9) (3)]
S10 = 10[10 + 27]
S10 = 10[37]
S10 = 370
Conclusion: The Power of Arithmetic Progressions
As we wrap up our journey through Arithmetic Progressions, we've seen how sequences unfold and reveal patterns in everyday life—from predicting future events to organizing data. The concept of common differences and the sum of terms gives us the ability to model various scenarios in both math and real-world situations. Whether you’re solving problems in exams or exploring the magic of number sequences, the knowledge of AP serves as a powerful tool. Keep practicing, and you’ll see how every sequence leads to new possibilities!