Solution
Related Formula
Sum of first n terms of an Arithmetic Progression:
Sₙ = (n)/(2)[2a + (n-1)d]Core Logic
Set up linear expressions for the given sums :
S₄₀ = (40)/(2)[2a + 39d] = 1030 ⇒ 2a + 39d = 51.5 S₁₂ = (12)/(2)[2a + 11d] = 57 ⇒ 2a + 11d = 9.5Step 1: Solve for a and d
Subtract the second equation from the first :
(2a + 39d) - (2a + 11d) = 51.5 - 9.5 28d = 42 ⇒ d = (42)/(28) = (3)/(2) = 1.5Substitute d = 1.5 back to find a:
2a + 11(1.5) = 9.5 ⇒ 2a + 16.5 = 9.5 ⇒ 2a = -7 ⇒ a = -3.5Step 2: Evaluate S₃₀ - S₁₀
Write out the formula for the target subtraction :
S₃₀ - S₁₀ = (30)/(2)[2a + 29d] - (10)/(2)[2a + 9d] = 15(2a + 29d) - 5(2a + 9d) = 30a + 435d - 10a - 45d = 20a + 390dSubstitute the values of a and d :
= 20(-3.5) + 390(1.5) = -70 + 585 = 515Pattern Recognition
Notice that S₃₀ - S₁₀ represents the sum of terms from T₁₁ to T₃₀, which can also be formulated as 20 × A20.5, saving algebraic steps if calculated symmetrically.
Chapter Mix
Class 11 Mathematics: Sequences and Series