Question 998073
 The sum of the first eight terms of an A.P. is 4 and the sum of the first twelve terms is 78. Find the sum of the first 30 terms. 
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1st 8 terms:: 4[a(1)+a(1)+3d] = 8a(1) + 12d = 4
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1st 12 terms: 6[a(1)+a(1)+11d] = 12a(1)+ 66d = 78
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Multiply thru the 1st equation by (3/2) to get::
12a(1) + 18d = 6
12a(1) + 66d = 78
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48d = 72
d = 3/2
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Solve for "a(1)"::
8a(1) + 18d = 4
8a(1) + 27 = 4
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8a(1) = -23
a(1) = -23/8
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Ans: S(30) = 15[(-23/8) + [-23/8+19(3/2)]] = 
Do the arithmetic.
Cheers,
Stan H.
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