The sum of the first four terms of an A.P. is 66. The sum of the last four terms is 112. If its first term is 11, then find the number of terms.

Question

Philoid · Accepted Answer

Let the A.P. be a, a + d, a + 2d, a + 3d, ... a + (n – 2) d, a + (n – 1)d.

Sum of first four terms = a + (a + d) + (a + 2d) + (a + 3d) = 4a + 6d

Sum of last four terms = [a + (n – 4) d] + [a + (n – 3) d] + [a + (n – 2) d] + [a + (n – 1) d] = 4a + (4n – 10) d

According to question -

4a + 6d = 66

⇒ 4(11) + 6d = 66 [∵ a = 11 (given)]

⇒ 6d = 12

⇒ d = 2

and,

4a + (4n –10) d = 112

⇒ 4(11) + (4n – 10)2 = 112

⇒ (4n – 10)2 = 68

⇒ 4n – 10 = 34

⇒ 4n = 44

⇒ n = 11

Thus, the number of terms of the A.P. is 11.