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Q11:
If the sum of the first $n$ terms of an AP is $4n – n^2$, what is the first term (that is $S_1$)? What is the sum of first two terms? What is the second term? Similarly, find the 3rd, the 10th and the $n$th terms.

Solution :

Given: The sum of the first $n$ terms of an Arithmetic Progression (AP) is given by the formula $S_n = 4n - n^2$.

To Find:
1. The first term ($a_1$ or $S_1$).
2. The sum of the first two terms ($S_2$).
3. The second term ($a_2$).
4. The third term ($a_3$).
5. The tenth term ($a_{10}$).
6. The $n$th term ($a_n$).

Step 1: Finding the first term ($a_1$)
By definition, the sum of the first term is the first term itself.
Given $S_n = 4n - n^2$.
For $n = 1$:
$S_1 = 4(1) - (1)^2$
$S_1 = 4 - 1 = 3$
Thus, the first term $a_1 = 3$.

Step 2: Finding the sum of the first two terms ($S_2$)
For $n = 2$:
$S_2 = 4(2) - (2)^2$
$S_2 = 8 - 4 = 4$
Thus, the sum of the first two terms is $4$.

Step 3: Finding the second term ($a_2$)
We know that the sum of the first two terms is the sum of the first term and the second term: $S_2 = a_1 + a_2$.
Substituting the known values:
$4 = 3 + a_2$
$a_2 = 4 - 3 = 1$
Thus, the second term $a_2 = 1$.

Step 4: Finding the third term ($a_3$)
First, calculate the sum of the first three terms ($S_3$):
$S_3 = 4(3) - (3)^2 = 12 - 9 = 3$
The $n$th term of an AP can be found using the relation $a_n = S_n - S_{n-1}$.
For $n = 3$:
$a_3 = S_3 - S_2$
$a_3 = 3 - 4 = -1$
Thus, the third term $a_3 = -1$.

Step 5: Finding the tenth term ($a_{10}$)
Using the relation $a_n = S_n - S_{n-1}$:
$a_{10} = S_{10} - S_9$
Calculate $S_{10}$: $S_{10} = 4(10) - (10)^2 = 40 - 100 = -60$
Calculate $S_9$: $S_9 = 4(9) - (9)^2 = 36 - 81 = -45$
$a_{10} = -60 - (-45)$
$a_{10} = -60 + 45 = -15$
Thus, the tenth term $a_{10} = -15$.

Step 6: Finding the $n$th term ($a_n$)
Using the relation $a_n = S_n - S_{n-1}$:
$S_n = 4n - n^2$
$S_{n-1} = 4(n-1) - (n-1)^2$
Expand $S_{n-1}$:
$S_{n-1} = 4n - 4 - (n^2 - 2n + 1)$
$S_{n-1} = 4n - 4 - n^2 + 2n - 1$
$S_{n-1} = -n^2 + 6n - 5$
Now, subtract $S_{n-1}$ from $S_n$:
$a_n = (4n - n^2) - (-n^2 + 6n - 5)$
$a_n = 4n - n^2 + n^2 - 6n + 5$
$a_n = 5 - 2n$

Final Answer:
The first term ($a_1$) is 3.
The sum of the first two terms ($S_2$) is 4.
The second term ($a_2$) is 1.
The third term ($a_3$) is -1.
The tenth term ($a_{10}$) is -15.
The $n$th term ($a_n$) is $5 - 2n$.


More Questions from Class 10 Mathematics Arithmetic Progression EXERCISE 5.3


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