Feb/Mar 2016 p12 q3
840
The 12th term of an arithmetic progression is 17 and the sum of the first 31 terms is 1023. Find the 31st term.
Solution
Let the first term be \(a\) and the common difference be \(d\).
The 12th term is given by:
\(a + 11d = 17\)
The sum of the first 31 terms is given by:
\(\frac{31}{2} (2a + 30d) = 1023\)
Solving the first equation for \(a\):
\(a = 17 - 11d\)
Substitute \(a\) in the second equation:
\(\frac{31}{2} (2(17 - 11d) + 30d) = 1023\)
\(\frac{31}{2} (34 - 22d + 30d) = 1023\)
\(\frac{31}{2} (34 + 8d) = 1023\)
\(31(34 + 8d) = 2046\)
\(34 + 8d = 66\)
\(8d = 32\)
\(d = 4\)
Substitute \(d = 4\) back into \(a = 17 - 11d\):
\(a = 17 - 44 = -27\)
The 31st term is given by:
\(a + 30d = -27 + 30 \times 4 = 93\)
Log in to record attempts.