Sn =(2a1 + (n-1)d) < 1000 Sn = [2*7 + (n-1)12] < 1000 Multiply both sides by 2 n[2*7 + (n-1)12] < 2000 n[14 + 12n - 12] < 2000 n[2 + 12n] < 2000 2n + 12n² < 2000 12n² + 2n - 2000 < 0 Divide through by 2 6n² + n - 1000 < 0 Use the quadratic formula to determine the zeros of f(n) = 6n² + n - 1000 They are approximately 12.82688011 and -12.99354678 We know n cannot be a negative number. We think therefore the answer will be the greatest integer less than 12.82688011 which is 12. To prove it we substitute n = 12 Sn = [2*7 + (n-1)12] S12 = [14 + (12-1)12] S12 = 6[14 + 11×12] S12 = 6[14 + 132] S12 = 6[146] S12 = 876 Then we substitute n = 13 to see if that runs over 1000. To prove it we substitute n = 12 Sn = [2*7 + (n-1)12] S13 = [14 + (13-1)12] S13 = [14 + 12×12] S13 = [14 + 144] S13 = [158] S13 = 1027 This runs over 1000, so we now have proved that the answer is 12. --------------- For the second part of the problem, it is done exactly the same way, just use 2000 instead of 1000. The answer is 18. Edwin