NCERT Maths : Class 10

1. Find the sum of the following APs:

(i) 2, 7, 12, ... to 10 terms.
(ii) -37, -33, -29, ... to 12 terms.
(iii) 0.6, 1.7, 2.8, ... to 100 terms.
(iv) 1/15, 1/12, 1/10, ... to 11 terms.

Sol.
(i) a = 2, d = 5
S10 = (10/2)(2a + 9d)
(Since Sn = (n/2)[2a + (n-1)d])
S10 = 5 × (2 × 2 + 9 × 5) = 5 × 49 = 245

(ii) a = -37, d = 4
S12 = (12/2)(2a + 11d)
= 6 × [2(-37) + 11 × 4]
= 6 × (-74 + 44) = -180

(iii) a = 0.6
d = a2 - a1 = 1.7 - 0.6 = 1.1
n = 100
S100 = (100/2)[2(0.6) + (100-1)1.1]
= 50[1.2 + (99) × (1.1)]
= 50(110.1)
= 5505

(iv) a = 1/15
n = 11
d = a2 - a1 = 1/12 - 1/15 = (5-4)/60 = 1/60
We know that,
Sn = (n/2)[2a + (n-1)d]
S11 = (11/2)[2(1/15) + (11-1)(1/60)]
= (11/2)[2/15 + 10/60]
= (11/2)[2/15 + 1/6] = (11/2)[(4+5)/30]
= (11/2)(9/30) = 33/20

2. Find the sums given below:

(i) 7 + 10 1/2 + 14 + ... + 84

(ii) 34 + 32 + 30 + ... + 10
(iii) (-5) + (-8) + (-11) + ... + (-230)
NCERT Maths : Class 10

Sol. (i) a = 7, d = 10 1/2 - 7 = 7/2

l = tn = 84 => a + (n - 1)d = 84
=> 7 + (n - 1) × 7/2 = 84
=> (n - 1) × 7/2 = 77
=> n - 1 = 77 × 2/7 = 22
=> n = 23

The sum = (n/2)(a + tn) = (23/2)(7 + 84)

= (23/2) × 91 = 2093/2 = 1046 1/2

(ii) 34 + 32 + 30 + ... + 10
a = 34
d = a2 - a1 = 32 - 34 = -2
l = 10
Let 10 be the nth term of this AP.
l = a + (n - 1)d
10 = 34 + (n - 1)(-2)
-24 = (n - 1)(-2)
12 = n - 1
n = 13
Sn = (n/2)(a + l)
= (13/2)(34 + 10)
= (13 × 44)/2 = 13 × 22 = 286

(iii) (-5) + (-8) + (-11) + ... + (-230)

For this AP,
a = -5
l = -230
d = a2 - a1 = (-8) - (-5)
= -8 + 5 = -3
Let -230 be the nth term of this AP.
l = a + (n - 1)d
-230 = -5 + (n - 1)(-3)
-225 = (n - 1)(-3)
(n - 1) = 75
n = 76
And, Sn = (n/2)(a + l)
= (76/2)[(-5) + (-230)]
= 38(-235) = -8930

3. In an AP:

(i) Given a = 5, d = 3, an = 50, find n and S_n.

(ii) Given a = 7, a13 = 35, find d and S13.
NCERT Maths : Class 10

(iii) Given a12 = 37, d = 3, find a and S12.

(iv) Given a3 = 15, S10 = 125, find d and a10.
(v) Given d = 5, S9 = 75, find a and a9.
(vi) Given a = 2, d = 8, S_n = 90, find n and an.
(vii) Given a = 8, an = 62, Sn = 210, find n and d.
(viii) Given an = 4, d = 2, Sn = -14, find n and a.
(ix) Given a = 3, n = 8, Sn = 192, find d.
(x) Given l = 28, Sn = 144, and there are a total of 9 terms. Find a.

Sol. (i) a = 5, d = 3, an = 50
=> a + (n - 1)d = 50
=> 5 + (n - 1)(3) = 50
=> 5 + 3n - 3 = 50 or 3n = 48 or n = 16
Now, S16 = (16/2)(2a + 15d)
= 8(10 + 15 × 3) = 440

(ii) a = 7, a_13 = 35
∴ a13 = a + (13 - 1)d
=> 35 = 7 + 12d
=> 35 - 7 = 12d
=> 28 = 12d
=> d = 7/3
S13 = (n/2)(a + a13)
= (13/2)(7 + 35)
= (13 × 42)/2 = 13 × 21
= 273

(iii) a12 = 37, d = 3

So, a12 = a + (12 - 1)3
=> 37 = a + 33
a=4
=> Sn = (n/2)(a + a_n)
=> S12 = (12/2)(4 + 37)
=> S12 = 6(41)
=> S12 = 246

(iv) a3 = 15, S_10 = 125

So, a3 = a + (3 - 1)d
15 = a + 2d ...(i)
S_n = (n/2)[2a + (n - 1)d]
S_10 = (10/2)[2a + (n - 1)d]
=> 125 = 5(2a + 9d)
25 = 2a + 9d ...(ii)
On multiplying equation (i) by 2, we obtain
NCERT Maths : Class 10

30 = 2a + 4d ...(iii)
On subtracting equation (iii) from (ii), we obtain
-5 = 5d
=> d = -1
From equation (i),
15 = a + 2(-1)
=> 15 = a - 2
=> a = 17
Now, a10 = a + (10 - 1)d
=> a10 = 17 + (9)(-1)
=> a10 = 17 - 9 = 8

(v) d = 5, S_9 = 75
S9 = (9/2)[2a + (9 - 1)5]
=> 75 = (9/2)(2a + 40)
=> 25 = 3(a + 20)
=> 25 = 3a + 60
=> 3a = 25 - 60
=> a = -35/3
a9 = a + (9 - 1)(5)
= -35/3 + 8(5)
= -35/3 + 40
= (-35 + 120)/3 = 85/3

(vi) a = 2, d = 8, S_n = 90
=> (n/2)[2a + (n - 1)d] = 90
=> (n/2)[4 + (n - 1) × 8] = 90
=> (n/2) × [8n - 4] = 90
=> 4n² - 2n - 90 = 0
=> 2n² - n - 45 = 0
=> 2n² - 10n + 9n - 45 = 0
=> 2n(n - 5) + 9(n - 5) = 0
=> (n - 5)(2n + 9) = 0
=> n - 5 = 0 (∵ 2n + 9 ≠ 0)
=> n = 5
an = a5 = a + 4d = 2 + 4 × 8 = 34
=> an = 34

(vii) a = 8, a_n = 62, S_n = 210

So, 210 = (n/2)(8 + 62)
=> 210 = (n/2)(70)
=> n = 6
Now, an = a + (n - 1)d
=> 62 = 8 + (6 - 1)d
NCERT Maths : Class 10

=> 62 - 8 = 5d
=> 54 = 5d
d = 54/5

(viii) a_n = 4, d = 2, S_n = -14

Now, a_n = 4 => a + (n - 1)d = 4
=> a + (n - 1)(2) = 4
=> a = 6 - 2n
Given that, S_n = -14
=> (n/2){2a + (n - 1)d} = -14
=> (n/2)[2(6 - 2n) + (n - 1)(2)] = -14 [By (i)]
=> (n/2)(12 - 4n + 2n - 2) = -14
=> (n/2)(10 - 2n) = -14
=> n(n - 5) = 14
=> n^2 - 5n - 14 = 0
=> n^2 - 7n + 2n - 14 = 0
=> n(n - 7) + 2(n - 7) = 0
=> (n - 7)(n + 2) = 0
=> n = 7 (n ≠ -2)
From (i), a = 6 - 2 × 7 = -8
a = -8

(ix) a = 3, n = 8, S = 192
192 = (8/2)[2 × 3 + (8 - 1)d]
192 = 4(6 + 7d)
48 = 6 + 7d
42 = 7d
d=6

(x) l = 28, i.e., t_n = 28

=> t9 = 28 => a + 8d = 28
Sn = 144, i.e., S9 = 144
Now, S_n = (n/2)(a + l)
=> (9/2)(t1 + t9) = 144 => (9/2)(a + 28) = 144
=> a + 28 = 32 => a = 4

4. The first term of an AP is 5, the last term is 45 and the sum is 400. Find the number of
terms and the common difference.

Sol. a = 5, last term tn = 45 and Sn = 400

Sn = 400 => (n/2)(t1 + tn) = 400
=> (n/2)(5 + 45) = 400
=> (n/2) × 50 = 400
=> n = 16
NCERT Maths : Class 10

Now, tn = 45 => t16 = 45

=> a + 15d = 45 => 5 + 15d = 45
=> 15d = 40 => d = 8/3

5. The first and the last terms of an AP are 17 and 350 respectively. If the common
difference is 9, how many terms are there and what is their sum?

Sol. Given that,

a = 17
l = 350
d=9
Let there be n terms in the AP.
l = a + (n - 1)d
=> 350 = 17 + (n - 1)9
=> 333 = (n - 1)9
=> (n - 1) = 37
=> n = 38
Now, Sn = (n/2)(a + l)
=> Sn = (38/2)(17 + 350)
= 19(367) = 6973
Thus, this AP contains 38 terms and the sum of the terms of this AP is 6973.

6. Find the sum of first 22 terms of an AP in which d = 7 and 22nd term is 149.

Sol. d = 7
a22 = 149
S22 = ?
a22 = a + (22 - 1)d
149 = a + 21 × 7
149 = a + 147
a=2
Sn = (n/2)(a + an)
= (22/2)(2 + 149) = 11(151) = 1661

7. Find the sum of the first 51 terms of an AP whose second and third terms are 14 and 18
respectively.

Sol. t2 = 14, t3 = 18
d = t3 - t2 = 18 - 14 = 4, i.e., d = 4
Now t2 = 14
=> a + d = 14
=> a + 4 = 14
=> a = 10
S51 = (51/2)(2a + 50d)
NCERT Maths : Class 10

= (51/2)(2 × 10 + 50 × 4)
= (51/2) × 220 = 51 × 110 = 5610

8. If the sum of 7 terms of an AP is 49 and that of 17 terms is 289, find the sum of n terms.

Sol. S7 = 49
=> (7/2)(2a + 6d) = 49
=> a + 3d = 7 ...(i)
S17 = 289
=> (17/2)(2a + 16d) = 289
=> a + 8d = 17 ...(ii)
Subtracting (i) from (ii), we get
5d = 17 - 7 = 10
=> d = 2
From (i),
a+3×2=7
=> a = 1
So, Sn = (n/2)[2a + (n - 1)d]
= (n/2)[2 × 1 + (n - 1) × 2]
= (n/2)(2n) = n²
Hence, Sn = n²

9. Show that a1, a2, ... an, ... form an AP where an is defined as below:
(i) an = 3 + 4n
(ii) an = 9 - 5n
Also find the sum of the first 15 terms in each case.

Sol. (i) an = 3 + 4n
Putting n = 1, 2, 3, 4, ... in (i), we get
a1 = 3 + 4 = 7, a2 = 3 + 8 = 11,
a3 = 3 + 12 = 15, a4 = 3 + 16 = 19, ...
Thus, the sequence (list of numbers) 7, 11, 15, 19, ...
Here, a2 - a1 = 11 - 7 = 4
a3 - a2 = 15 - 11 = 4,
a4 - a3 = 19 - 15 = 4
Therefore, the sequence forms an AP in which a = 7 and d = 4.
S15 = (15/2)(2a + 14d)
= (15/2)(2 × 7 + 14 × 4)
= (15/2) × 70 = 15 × 35 = 525

(ii) an = 9 - 5n
So, a1 = 9 - 5 × 1 = 9 - 5 = 4
a2 = 9 - 5 × 2 = 9 - 10 = -1
a3 = 9 - 5 × 3 = 9 - 15 = -6
NCERT Maths : Class 10

and a4 = 9 - 5 × 4 = 9 - 20 = -11
It can be observed that
a2 - a1 = -1 - 4 = -5
a3 - a2 = -6 - (-1) = -5
a4 - a3 = -11 - (-6) = -5
Therefore, this is an AP with a common difference as -5 and first term as 4.
S15 = (15/2)[2a + (n - 1)d]
= (15/2)[8 + 14(-5)]
= (15/2)(8 - 70)
= (15/2)(-62) = 15(-31) = -465

10. If the sum of the first n terms of an AP is 4n - n², what is the first term (that is S₁)?
What is the sum of the first two terms? What is the second term? Similarly, find the 3rd,
the 10th and the nth terms.

Sol. Sn = 4n - n²
Putting n = 1, we get S₁ = 4 - 1 = 3
i.e., t₁ = 3
S₂ = 4(2) - (2)² = 8 - 4 = 4, i.e., S₂ = 4
=> t₁ + t₂ = 4 => 3 + t₂ = 4 => t₂ = 1
t₂ - t₁ = 1 - 3 = -2 => d = -2
Then t₃ = t₂ + d = 1 - 2 = -1, i.e., t₃ = -1
t₁₀ = t₁ + 9d = 3 + 9(-2) (∵ t₁ = a)
=> t₁₀ = -15
tn = t₁ + (n - 1)d = 3 + (n - 1) × (-2)
i.e., tn = 5 - 2n

11. Find the sum of the first 40 positive integers divisible by 6.

Sol. The positive integers that are divisible by 6 are 6, 12, 18, 24...
It can be observed that these are making an AP whose first term is 6 and common difference is
6.
So, a = 6
And d = 6
S₄₀ = ?
Sn = (n/2)[2a + (n - 1)d]
S₄₀ = (40/2)[2(6) + (40 - 1)6]
= 20[12 + (39)(6)]
= 20(12 + 234)
= 20 × 246
= 4920

12. Find the sum of the first 15 multiples of 8.

NCERT Maths : Class 10

Sol. The multiples of 8 are 8, 16, 24, 32...

These are in an AP, having first term as 8 and common difference as 8.
Therefore, a = 8
d=8
S₁₅ = ?
Sn = (n/2)[2a + (n - 1)d]
= (15/2)[2(8) + (15 - 1)8]
= (15/2)[16 + 14(8)]
= (15/2)(16 + 112)
= (15(128))/2 = 15 × 64 = 960

13. Find the sum of the odd numbers between 0 and 50.

Sol. 1, 3, 5, 7 ..., 49
a = 1, d = 2
l = tn = 49
=> a + (n - 1)d = 49
=> 1 + (n - 1)(2) = 49
=> 1 + 2n - 2 = 49
=> 2n = 50 or n = 25
The sum = (25/2)(a + l) = (25/2)(1 + 49) = (25/2) × 50 = 625

14. A contract on construction job specifies a penalty for delay of completion beyond a
certain date as follows: ₹ 200 for the first day, ₹ 250 for the second day, ₹ 300 for the third
day, etc., the penalty for each succeeding day being ₹ 50 more than for the preceding
day. How much money does the contractor have to pay as penalty, if he has delayed the
work by 30 days?

Sol. It can be observed that these penalties are in an AP having first term as 200 and common
difference as 50.
So, a = 200
d = 50
Penalty that has to be paid if he has delayed the work by 30 days = S₃₀
S₃₀ = (30/2)[2(200) + (30 - 1)50]
= 15[400 + 1450]
= 15(1850)
= 27750
So, the contractor has to pay Rs. 27750.

15. A sum of ₹700 is to be used to give seven cash prizes to students of a school for their
overall academic performance. If each prize is ₹ 20 less than its preceding prize, find the
value of each of the prizes.

Sol. Let the 1st prize be of ₹ a.

NCERT Maths : Class 10

Then, the 2nd prize will be of ₹ (a-20).

Then the 3rd prize will be of ₹ [(a-20)-20], i.e., ₹ (a-40).
Thus, the seven prizes are of ₹ a, ₹ (a-20), ₹ (a-40), ... (This forms an AP)
Then a + (a-20) + (a-40) + ... to 7 terms = 700
=> (7/2)[2a + 6 × (-20)] = 700 (∵ d = -20)
=> (7/2) × (2a - 120) = 700
=> a - 60 = 100
=> a = 160
Thus, the 7 prizes are of ₹ 160, ₹ 140, ₹ 120, ₹ 100, ₹ 80, ₹ 60, ₹ 40.

16. In a school, students thought of planting trees in and around the school to reduce air
pollution. It was decided that the number of trees, that each section of each class will
plant, will be the same as the class, in which they are studying, e.g., a section of class I
will plant 1 tree, a section of class II will plant 2 trees and so on till class XII. There are
three sections of each class. How many trees will be planted by the students?

Sol. Here, trees planted by the students form an AP.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, ..., 12
First term, a = 1
And Common difference, d = 2 - 1 = 1
Sn = (n/2)[2a + (n-1)d]
S12 = (12/2)[2(1) + (12-1)(1)]
= 6(2 + 11) = 6(13) = 78
Therefore, number of trees planted by 1 section of the classes = 78
Number of trees planted by 3 sections of the classes = 3 × 78 = 234
Therefore, 234 trees will be planted by the students.

17. A spiral is made up of successive semicircles, with centres alternately at A and B,

starting with centre at A, of radii 0.5 cm, 1.0 cm, 1.5 cm, 2.0 cm,... as shown in fig. What is
the total length of such a spiral made up of thirteen consecutive semicircles? (Take π =
22/7)

Sol. From the figure,

l1 = π × 0.5, l2 = π × 1, l3 = π × 1.5, l4 = π × 2, and so on.
i.e., l1 = (1/2)π, l2 = π, l3 = (3/2)π, l4 = 2π, ...
Thus, l1, l2, l3, l4, ... form an AP.
∵ l2 - l1 = l3 - l2 = l4 - l3 = ... = (1/2)π
Thus, a = π/2, d = π/2
Length of the spiral = l1 + l2 + ... + l13
= (13/2)(2a + 12d) = (13/2)(2 × π/2 + 12 × π/2)
= (91π/2) cm = (91/2) × (22/7) cm = 143 cm.
NCERT Maths : Class 10

18. 200 logs are stacked in the following manner: 20 logs in the bottom row, 19 in the
next row, 18 in the row next to it and so on (see figure). In how many rows are the 200
logs placed and how many logs are in the top row?

Sol. It can be observed that the numbers of logs in rows are in an AP: 20, 19, 18...
For this AP, a = 20, d = a2 - a1 = 19 - 20 = -1
Let a total of 200 logs be placed in n rows.
Sn = 200
Sn = n/2 [2a + (n - 1)d]
=> 200 = n/2 [2(20) + (n - 1)(-1)]
=> 400 = n(40 - n + 1)
=> 400 = n(41 - n)
=> 400 = 41n - n^2
=> n^2 - 41n + 400 = 0
=> n^2 - 16n - 25n + 400 = 0
=> n(n - 16) - 25(n - 16) = 0
=> (n - 16)(n - 25) = 0
Either (n - 16) = 0 or n - 25 = 0
=> n = 16 or n = 25
=> an = a + (n - 1)d
=> a16 = 20 + (16 - 1)(-1)
=> a16 = 20 - 15
=> a16 = 5
Similarly,
a25 = 20 + (25 - 1)(-1)
a25 = 20 - 24 = -4
Clearly, the number of logs in the 16th row is 5.
However, the number of logs in the 25th row is negative, which is not possible.
Therefore, 200 logs can be placed in 16 rows and the number of logs in the 16th row is 5.

19. In a potato race, a bucket is placed at the starting point, which is 5 m from the first
potato, and the other potatoes are placed 3 m apart in a straight line. There are ten
potatoes in the line (see fig.). A competitor starts from the bucket, picks up the nearest
potato, runs back with it, drops it in the bucket, runs back to pick up the next potato,
runs to the bucket to drop it in, and she continues in the same way until all the potatoes
are in the bucket. What is the total distance the competitor has to run?

Sol. Distance run to pick up the 1st potato = 2 x 5 = 10 m

Distance run to pick up the 2nd potato = 2 x (5 + 3) m = 16 m
Distance run to pick up the 3rd potato = 2 x (5 + 3 + 3) m = 22 m
Thus, the sequence becomes 10, 16, 22, ... to 10 terms. It forms an AP.
Here, a = 10, d = 6 and n = 10
Sum = S10 = 10/2 (2a + 9d)
= 5 x (2 x 10 + 9 x 6)
NCERT Maths : Class 10

= (5 x 74) m = 370 m
Hence, the total distance run by a competitor = 370 m.