ARITHMETIC
PROGRESSION
DONE BY: MUHAMMED SINAN P.T
10-A
If various terms of a sequence are formed by
adding a fixed number to the previous term
or the difference between two successive
terms is a fixed number, then the sequence
is called AP.
For example : 5, 10, 15, 20, 25…..
In this each term is obtained by adding 5 to
the preceding term except first term
The general form of an Arithmetic
Progression is
a , a +d , a + 2d , a + 3d ………………, a + (n-1)d
Where,
‘a’ is first term and
‘d’ is called common difference.
Common Difference - The fixed number
which is obtained by subtracting any
term of AP from its succeeding term.
If we take first term of an AP as a
and Common Difference as d,
Then, nth term of that AP will be
an = a + (n-1)d
To check that a given term is in A.P.
or not.
2, 6, 10, 14….
Here first term a = 2,
Now, find differences in the next terms
a2-a1 = 6 – 2 = 4
a3-a2 = 10 –6 = 4
a4-a3 = 14 – 10 = 4
Since the differences are common.
Hence the given terms are in A.P.
Problem : Find the value of k for which the
given series is in A.P. 4, k –1 , 12
Solution : Given A.P. is 4, k –1 , 12…..
If series is A.P. then the differences will be
common.
a2 – a 1 = a3 – a 2
⇒ k – 1 – 4 = 12 – (k – 1)
⇒k – 5 = 12 – k + 1
⇒ k + k = 12 + 1 + 5
⇒2 k = 18 or k=9
SUM OF n TERMS OF AN
ARITHMETIC PROGRESSION
Its formula is
Sn = ½ n [ 2a + (n - 1)d ]
It can also be written as
Sn = ½ n [ a + a n ]
