Question
upstudy study bank question image url

11 The sum to \( n \) terms of an arithmetic sequence is given by: \( S_{n}=63 n-3 n^{2} \) a Calculate the 4th term. b Determine the value(s) of \( n \) if the sum of \( n \) terms is -300 .

Ask by Munoz French. in South Africa
Jan 23,2025

Real Tutor Solution

Tutor-Verified Answer

Answer

**Part a:** The 4th term is **42**. **Part b:** The value of \( n \) is **25**.

Solution

Let's solve the problem step-by-step. **Given:** The sum of the first \( n \) terms of an arithmetic sequence is: \[ S_{n} = 63n - 3n^{2} \] ### Part a: Calculate the 4th Term (\( t_4 \)) **Step 1: Understand the Relationship** For an arithmetic sequence: \[ S_{n} = \frac{n}{2} [2a + (n-1)d] \] where: - \( a \) is the first term. - \( d \) is the common difference. - \( t_n = a + (n-1)d \) is the \( n^{th} \) term. **Step 2: Equate the Given Sum to the Arithmetic Sum Formula** \[ \frac{n}{2} [2a + (n-1)d] = 63n - 3n^{2} \] **Step 3: Simplify the Equation** Divide both sides by \( n \) (assuming \( n \neq 0 \)): \[ \frac{1}{2} [2a + (n-1)d] = 63 - 3n \] Multiply both sides by 2: \[ 2a + (n - 1)d = 126 - 6n \] \[ 2a + dn - d = 126 - 6n \] **Step 4: Equate Coefficients** For the equation to hold for all \( n \), the coefficients of like terms must be equal: - Coefficient of \( n \): \[ d = -6 \] - Constant term: \[ 2a - d = 126 \] Substitute \( d = -6 \): \[ 2a - (-6) = 126 \\ 2a + 6 = 126 \\ 2a = 120 \\ a = 60 \] **Step 5: Find the 4th Term** \[ t_4 = a + (4-1)d = 60 + 3(-6) = 60 - 18 = 42 \] **Answer to Part a:** The 4th term is **42**. --- ### Part b: Determine the Value(s) of \( n \) if \( S_n = -300 \) **Step 1: Set Up the Equation** \[ 63n - 3n^{2} = -300 \] \[ -3n^{2} + 63n + 300 = 0 \] **Step 2: Simplify the Equation** Divide the entire equation by -3 to simplify: \[ n^{2} - 21n - 100 = 0 \] **Step 3: Solve the Quadratic Equation** Use the quadratic formula: \[ n = \frac{21 \pm \sqrt{(-21)^2 - 4 \cdot 1 \cdot (-100)}}{2 \cdot 1} \\ n = \frac{21 \pm \sqrt{441 + 400}}{2} \\ n = \frac{21 \pm \sqrt{841}}{2} \\ n = \frac{21 \pm 29}{2} \] This gives two solutions: 1. \( n = \frac{21 + 29}{2} = \frac{50}{2} = 25 \) 2. \( n = \frac{21 - 29}{2} = \frac{-8}{2} = -4 \) **Step 4: Determine Validity** Since \( n \) represents the number of terms, it must be a positive integer. **Answer to Part b:** The valid value of \( n \) is **25**.

Reviewed and approved by the UpStudy tutoring team

error msg
Explain
Simplify this solution

Bonus Knowledge

To calculate the 4th term of the arithmetic sequence, we can use the formula for the sum of \( n \) terms, \( S_n = 63n - 3n^2 \). The \( n \)th term, \( a_n \), can be found using the relation \( a_n = S_n - S_{n-1} \). First, calculate \( S_4 \): \[ S_4 = 63(4) - 3(4^2) = 252 - 48 = 204. \] Next, calculate \( S_3 \): \[ S_3 = 63(3) - 3(3^2) = 189 - 27 = 162. \] Now, find the 4th term: \[ a_4 = S_4 - S_3 = 204 - 162 = 42. \] So the 4th term is \( 42 \). Next, to find \( n \) when \( S_n = -300 \): Set up the equation: \[ 63n - 3n^2 = -300. \] Rearranging gives: \[ 3n^2 - 63n - 300 = 0. \] Dividing by 3: \[ n^2 - 21n - 100 = 0. \] Now, apply the quadratic formula \( n = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a} \): \[ n = \frac{21 \pm \sqrt{(-21)^2 - 4(1)(-100)}}{2(1)} = \frac{21 \pm \sqrt{441 + 400}}{2} = \frac{21 \pm \sqrt{841}}{2} = \frac{21 \pm 29}{2}. \] This results in: \[ n = \frac{50}{2} = 25 \quad \text{and} \quad n = \frac{-8}{2} = -4. \] Since \( n \) must be a positive integer, the valid value is \( n = 25 \). Summarizing: a) The 4th term is \( 42 \). b) The value of \( n \) for which the sum of \( n \) terms is -300 is \( n = 25 \).

Related Questions

Try Premium now!
Try Premium and ask Thoth AI unlimited math questions now!
Maybe later Go Premium
Study can be a real struggle
Why not UpStudy it?
Select your plan below
Premium

You can enjoy

Start now
  • Step-by-step explanations
  • 24/7 expert live tutors
  • Unlimited number of questions
  • No interruptions
  • Full access to Answer and Solution
  • Full Access to PDF Chat, UpStudy Chat, Browsing Chat
Basic

Totally free but limited

  • Limited Solution
Welcome to UpStudy!
Please sign in to continue the Thoth AI Chat journey
Continue with Email
Or continue with
By clicking “Sign in”, you agree to our Terms of Use & Privacy Policy