For all n >=3

Algebra Level 4

Also try No. of solutions

The series is not specifically A.P


The answer is 179.

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2 solutions

I will first prove that a n = a 3 a_{n} = a_{3} for n 3 n \ge 3 using induction.

Clearly a 3 = a 3 a_{3} = a_{3} , establishing the base case.

Now assume that a k = a 3 a_{k} = a_{3} for some k 3 k \ge 3 .

We have that a k + 1 = a 1 + a 2 + . . . . + a k 1 + a k k a_{k+1} = \dfrac{a_{1} + a_{2} + .... + a_{k-1} + a_{k}}{k} , ( A ) (A) .

But a k = a 1 + a 2 + . . . + a k 1 k 1 a_{k} = \dfrac{a_{1} + a_{2} + ... + a_{k-1}}{k - 1} , and thus

a 1 + a 2 + . . . . + a k 1 = ( k 1 ) a k a_{1} + a_{2} + .... + a_{k-1} = (k - 1)a_{k} .

Substituting this result into equation ( A ) (A) we see that

a k + 1 = ( k 1 ) a k + a k k = a k a_{k+1} = \dfrac{(k - 1)a_{k} + a_{k}}{k} = a_{k} ,

and so by the induction hypothesis a k + 1 = a 3 a_{k+1} = a_{3} , thus completing the proof by induction.

Thus a 3 = a 9 = 99 a_{3} = a_{9} = 99 . But a 3 = a 1 + a 2 2 a_{3} = \dfrac{a_{1} + a_{2}}{2} , so

99 = 19 + a 2 2 a 2 = 2 99 19 = 179 99 = \dfrac{19 + a_{2}}{2} \Longrightarrow a_{2} = 2*99 - 19 = \boxed{179} .

@Parth Lohomi since you have been taking the questions from various good books. So I think you should try and mention the source of the problem because if the question is from a book then the credit of the question should be given to the book not to you.

Shubhendra Singh - 6 years, 8 months ago

a 3 = a 4 = a 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . = a 9 a_{3}=a_{4}=a_{5}..................=a_{9} = 19 + a 2 2 \frac{19+a_{2}}{2} By this a 2 = 179 a_{2}=179 . @brian charlesworth nice solution.

And how this problem got on to level 5!!!!.

Shubhendra Singh - 6 years, 8 months ago

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Thanks. Yes, I would put this question at level 3; I've seen some level 3 questions that really should be at level 5, but for the most part the algorithm that determines the levels works reasonably well.

Brian Charlesworth - 6 years, 8 months ago

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@brian charlesworth This question is highly rated because ,the main part was that not taking it as an A.P.If you take it as A.P then your answer gets incorrect! Okay now it will be clear how this question reached on level 5 ,

Parth Lohomi - 6 years, 8 months ago

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@Parth Lohomi I would still rate this problem as level 3

Shubhendra Singh - 6 years, 8 months ago

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@Shubhendra Singh That's your opinion !! :(

Parth Lohomi - 6 years, 8 months ago

@Parth Lohomi Fair enough. It's a good question, anyway, whatever the level. :)

Brian Charlesworth - 6 years, 8 months ago
Chew-Seong Cheong
Nov 26, 2014

Let S n = a 1 + a 2 + a 3 + . . . + a n S_n = a_1+a_2+a_3+...+a_n , then a n = S n 1 n 1 a_n = \dfrac {S_{n-1}}{n-1} for n 3 n \ge 3 .

Now a 3 = S 2 2 = a 1 + a 2 2 a 1 + a 2 = 2 a 3 S 3 = a 1 + a 2 + a 3 = 3 a 3 a_3 = \dfrac {S_2}{2} = \dfrac {a_1+a_2}{2} \quad \Rightarrow a_1+a_2 = 2a_3 \quad \Rightarrow S_3 = a_1+a_2+a_3 = 3a_3

a 4 = S 3 3 = 3 a 3 3 = a 3 S 4 = S 3 + a 4 = 3 a 3 + a 3 = 4 a 3 a_4 = \dfrac {S_3}{3} = \dfrac {3a_3}{3} = a_3\quad \Rightarrow S_4 = S_3 + a_4 = 3a_3 + a_3 = 4a_3

Similarly, a 5 = a 3 a_5 = a_3 and S 5 = 5 a 3 . . . a n = a 3 S_5 = 5a_3... \quad \Rightarrow a_n = a_3 for n 3 n \ge 3

a 3 = a 9 = 99 a 3 = a 1 + a 2 2 = 19 + a 2 2 = 99 a 2 = 179 \quad \Rightarrow a_3 = a_9 = 99 \quad \Rightarrow a_3 = \dfrac {a_1+a_2}{2} = \dfrac {19+a_2}{2} = 99 \quad \Rightarrow a_2 = \boxed {179}

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