The 10th and 15th term of an arithmetic progression are -5 and minus 7 whole number 1 over 2 what is the sum of the 1st 20 term

1 answer

To find the sum of the first 20 terms of an arithmetic progression, we need to know the first term and the common difference.

Let's say the first term is a and the common difference is d.

We are given that the 10th term is -5 and the 15th term is -7 1/2.

Using the formula for the nth term of an arithmetic progression:

nth term = a + (n-1)d

We can set up two equations using the given information:

-5 = a + (10-1)d
-7 1/2 = a + (15-1)d

Simplifying the equations:

-5 = a + 9d
-7 1/2 = a + 14d

We can multiply the second equation by 2 to get rid of the fraction:

-15 = 2a + 28d

Now we have a system of three equations:

-5 = a + 9d
-7 1/2 = a + 14d
-15 = 2a + 28d

Solving this system of equations, we find that a = -57/2 and d = 5/2.

Now we have the first term a = -57/2 and the common difference d = 5/2.

The sum of the first 20 terms can be calculated using the formula for the sum of an arithmetic progression:

Sum = (n/2)(2a + (n-1)d)

Substituting n = 20, a = -57/2, and d = 5/2:

Sum = (20/2)(2(-57/2) + (20-1)(5/2))
= 10(-57 + 19(5/2))
= 10(-57 + 95/2)
= 10(-57 + 47.5)
= 10(-9.5)
= -95

Therefore, the sum of the first 20 terms of the arithmetic progression is -95.