Answer
**Problem (n):**
The three terms are **5, 12, and 19**.
**Problem (o):**
The general term is \( \mathbf{a_n = 4n^{2} + 6n - 8} \).
**Problem (p):**
The sum of the first 30 terms is **–795⁄2**.
Solution
Let's address each of your problems one by one:
---
### **Problem (n)**
**Given:**
- The sum of the first three terms of an arithmetic sequence is 36.
- The product of these three terms is 1140.
**Objective:** Determine the three terms.
**Solution:**
1. **Representation of Terms:**
Let the three consecutive terms of the arithmetic sequence be:
\[
a, \quad a + d, \quad a + 2d
\]
where:
- \( a \) = first term
- \( d \) = common difference
2. **Sum of the Terms:**
\[
a + (a + d) + (a + 2d) = 3a + 3d = 36 \\
\Rightarrow a + d = 12 \quad \text{(Equation 1)}
\]
3. **Product of the Terms:**
\[
a \times (a + d) \times (a + 2d) = 1140
\]
Substitute \( d = 12 - a \) from Equation 1:
\[
a \times 12 \times (24 - a) = 1140 \\
\Rightarrow a(24 - a) = \frac{1140}{12} = 95 \\
\Rightarrow a^2 - 24a + 95 = 0
\]
4. **Solving the Quadratic Equation:**
\[
a = \frac{24 \pm \sqrt{(24)^2 - 4 \times 1 \times 95}}{2} = \frac{24 \pm \sqrt{576 - 380}}{2} = \frac{24 \pm \sqrt{196}}{2}
\]
\[
a = \frac{24 \pm 14}{2}
\]
Thus, two possible values for \( a \):
- \( a = \frac{38}{2} = 19 \)
- \( a = \frac{10}{2} = 5 \)
5. **Determining the Terms:**
- **If \( a = 19 \):**
\[
d = 12 - 19 = -7 \\
\text{Terms: } 19, \quad 12, \quad 5
\]
- **If \( a = 5 \):**
\[
d = 12 - 5 = 7 \\
\text{Terms: } 5, \quad 12, \quad 19
\]
Both sequences are valid arithmetic sequences with the given sum and product.
**Answer:**
The three terms are **5, 12, and 19**.
---
### **Problem (o)**
**Given:**
- A sequence has a constant second difference of 8.
- The sixth term (\( a_6 \)) is 172.
- The tenth term (\( a_{10} \)) is 452.
**Objective:** Determine the general term of the sequence.
**Solution:**
1. **Understanding Second Differences:**
A constant second difference implies that the sequence is quadratic. The general form of a quadratic sequence is:
\[
a_n = An^2 + Bn + C
\]
The second difference (\( \Delta^2 \)) of a quadratic sequence is \( 2A \). Given \( \Delta^2 = 8 \):
\[
2A = 8 \quad \Rightarrow \quad A = 4
\]
So, the general term becomes:
\[
a_n = 4n^2 + Bn + C
\]
2. **Setting Up Equations:**
Use the given terms to create equations:
- For \( n = 6 \):
\[
4(6)^2 + B(6) + C = 172 \\
144 + 6B + C = 172 \\
6B + C = 28 \quad \text{(Equation 1)}
\]
- For \( n = 10 \):
\[
4(10)^2 + B(10) + C = 452 \\
400 + 10B + C = 452 \\
10B + C = 52 \quad \text{(Equation 2)}
\]
3. **Solving the System of Equations:**
Subtract Equation 1 from Equation 2:
\[
(10B + C) - (6B + C) = 52 - 28 \\
4B = 24 \\
B = 6
\]
Substitute \( B = 6 \) into Equation 1:
\[
6(6) + C = 28 \\
36 + C = 28 \\
C = -8
\]
4. **Final General Term:**
\[
a_n = 4n^2 + 6n - 8
\]
**Verification:**
- For \( n = 6 \):
\[
4(36) + 6(6) - 8 = 144 + 36 - 8 = 172 \quad \text{(Correct)}
\]
- For \( n = 10 \):
\[
4(100) + 6(10) - 8 = 400 + 60 - 8 = 452 \quad \text{(Correct)}
\]
**Answer:**
The general term is \( \mathbf{a_n = 4n^{2} + 6n - 8} \).
---
### **Problem (p)**
**Given:**
- The sum of the first \( n \) terms of a series is:
\[
S_n = \frac{n}{4}(7 - 2n)
\]
- Calculate the sum of the first 30 terms (\( S_{30} \)).
**Solution:**
1. **Substitute \( n = 30 \) into the sum formula:**
\[
S_{30} = \frac{30}{4}(7 - 2 \times 30) = \frac{30}{4}(7 - 60) = \frac{30}{4}(-53)
\]
2. **Simplify the Expression:**
\[
S_{30} = \frac{30}{4} \times (-53) = \frac{15}{2} \times (-53) = \frac{-795}{2} = -397.5
\]
Alternatively, it can be expressed as a fraction:
\[
S_{30} = -\frac{795}{2}
\]
**Answer:**
The sum of the first 30 terms is **–795⁄2** (that is, \( S_{30} = -\frac{795}{2} \)).
Reviewed and approved by the UpStudy tutoring team
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