Q12 of 69 Page 78

If the sum of first p terms of an A.P. is equal to the sum of first q terms then show that the sum of its first (p + q) terms is zero. (p ≠ q)

We know that, sum of nth term of an A.P. we will find it’s

sum



Where, n = no. of terms


a = first term


d = common difference


Sn = sum of n terms


Now, Sum of p terms is



And, Sum of q terms is



Given: Sp = Sq



Multiply by 2 on both sides, we get,


p[ 2a + (p – 1)d] = q[ 2a + (q – 1)d]


2ap + p(p – 1)d = 2aq + q(q – 1)d


2ap – 2aq + p(p – 1)d – q(q – 1)d = 0


2a(p – q) + d[p2 – p– q2 + q] = 0


2a(p – q) + d[(p2– q2 ) – p + q] = 0


2a(p – q) + d[(p– q )(p + q) – (p – q)] = 0


(since, (a – b)(a + b) = a2 – b2)


2a(p – q) + d(p – q) [p + q – 1 ] = 0


(p – q)[2a + d (p + q – 1) ] = 0


Since, p ≠ q


p – q ≠ 0


2a + d (p + q – 1) = 0


Multiply both side by



Sp + q = 0


Hence proved


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