The first and second terms of an arithmetic progression are 161 and 154 respectively. The sum of the first m terms is zero. Find the value of m.
Solution
The first term of the arithmetic progression is 161, and the second term is 154. The common difference, d, is given by:
\(d = 154 - 161 = -7\)
The sum of the first m terms of an arithmetic progression is given by the formula:
\(S_m = \frac{m}{2} (2a + (m-1)d)\)
Substituting the given values, we have:
\(S_m = \frac{m}{2} (2 \times 161 + (m-1)(-7)) = 0\)
Simplifying inside the brackets:
\(2 \times 161 = 322\)
Thus, the equation becomes:
\(\frac{m}{2} (322 + (m-1)(-7)) = 0\)
Solving for m:
\(322 + (m-1)(-7) = 0\)
\(322 - 7m + 7 = 0\)
\(329 - 7m = 0\)
\(7m = 329\)
\(m = \frac{329}{7} = 47\)
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