

InterviewSolution
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If the 10th term of an A.P. is 21 and the sum of its first 10 terms is 120, find its nth term. |
Answer» Let’s consider a to be the first term and d be the common difference. And we know that, sum of first n terms is: Sn = \(\frac{n}{2}\)(2a + (n − 1)d) and nth term is given by: an = a + (n – 1)d Now, from the question we have S10 = 120 ⟹ 120 = \(\frac{10}{2}\)(2a + (10 − 1)d) ⟹ 120 = 5(2a + 9d) ⟹ 24 = 2a + 9d …. (1) Also given that, a10 = 21 ⟹ 21 = a + (10 – 1)d ⟹ 21 = a + 9d …. (2) Subtracting (2) from (1), we get 24 – 21 = 2a + 9d – a – 9d ⟹a = 3 Now, on putting a = 3 in equation (2), we get 3 + 9d = 21 9d = 18 d = 2 Thus, we have the first term(a) = 3 and the common difference(d) = 2 Therefore, the nth term is given by an = a + (n – 1)d = 3 + (n – 1)2 = 3 + 2n -2 = 2n + 1 Hence, the nth term of the A.P is (an) = 2n + 1. |
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