Q4. How many terms of the A.P. -6, -11/2, -5, … are needed to give the sum -25?​

Q4. How many terms of the A.P. -6, -11/2, -5, … are needed to give the sum -25?​

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Caroline

2 thoughts on “Q4. How many terms of the A.P. -6, -11/2, -5, … are needed to give the sum -25?​”

  1. Step-by-step explanation:

    Given :

    -6, -11/2, -5, …

    To find :

    How many terms of the A.P. -6, -11/2, -5, … are needed to give the sum -25?

    Solution:

    Given that :

    -6 , -11/2 , -5 , … are in the AP

    First term = (a) = -6

    Common difference = (d)= an – a(n-1)

    = (-11/2)-(-6)

    =(-11/2)+6

    =(-11+12)/2

    d = 1/2

    Let the number of terms are needed to give the sum -25 be “n”

    We know that

    Sum of first n terms in an AP = Sn

    = (n/2)[2a+(n-1)d]

    = Sn = -25

    => (n/2)[2(-6)+(n-1)(1/2)] = -25

    => (n/2)[-12+(n-1)(1/2)] = -25

    => (n/2)[{-24+n-1}/2] = -25

    => (n/2)[-25+n]/2 = -25

    => (n)(n-25)/4 = -25

    => n(n-25) = -25×4

    => n(n-25) = -100

    => n^2-25n = -100

    => n^2-25n+100 = 0

    => n^2-5n-20n+100 = 0

    => n(n-5)-20(n-5) = 0

    => (n-5)(n-20) = 0

    => n-5 = 0 or n-20 = 0

    = > n = 5 or n=20

    Therefore,n= 5 or 20

    Answer:

    Required number of terms in the AP is 5 and 20

    Check:

    If n = 5 then

    S5 = (5/2)[2(-6)+(5-1)](1/2)

    => (5/2)[-12+(4/2)]

    => (5/2)[-12+2]

    => (5/2)(-10)

    => -50/2

    => -25

    S5 = -25

    If n = 20 then

    S20 = (20/2)[2(-6)+(20-1)(1/2)]

    => (10)[-12+19(1/2)]

    => (10)(-24+19)/2

    => (10)(-5/2)

    => -50/2

    => -25

    Verified the given relations in the problem

    They are true for n = 5 and 20

    Used formulae:

    • Sum of first n terms in an AP =
    • Sn= (n/2)[2a+(n-1)d]
    • a = First term
    • d = Common difference
    • d = an-a(n-1)
    • an = nth term
    • a(n-1)= (n-1)th term
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