Question 39509
a2 = -6, a5 = -18
(a5 - a2) = -18 - (-6) = -18 + 6 = -12
difference between any two consectutive terms in an AP is d.
a5 - a2 = 3d
.: 3d = -12
d = -4
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since d = -4 and a2 = -6,
then,
a1 = a2 - d = -6 - (-4) = -2
a0 = a1 - d = -2 - (-4) = 2
a0 = 2
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For an AP, the sum of the 1st n terms is,
Sn = (n/2)[2a0 + (n-1)d]
Using n = 8, d = -4 and a0 = 2,
S8 = (8/2)[2*2 + (8-1)*(-4)]
S8 = 4[4 - 7*4]
S8 = 4[-24]
S8 = -96
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