The Formula for the Sum of the First n Terms of an AP

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 91 views

Introduction

In mathematics, an arithmetic progression (AP) is a sequence of numbers in which the difference between consecutive terms is constant. The sum of the first n terms of an AP is a fundamental concept in mathematics, with numerous applications in various fields, including finance, engineering, and computer science. In this article, we will explore the formula for finding the sum of the first n terms of an AP, where the first term is ${$ \log 15$}$.

What is an Arithmetic Progression (AP)?

An AP is a sequence of numbers in which the difference between consecutive terms is constant. For example, the sequence 2, 5, 8, 11, 14 is an AP with a common difference of 3. The general form of an AP is:

a, a + d, a + 2d, a + 3d, ...

where a is the first term and d is the common difference.

The Formula for the Sum of the First n Terms of an AP

The formula for the sum of the first n terms of an AP is given by:

S_n = n/2 ${2a + (n-1)d}$

where S_n is the sum of the first n terms, a is the first term, d is the common difference, and n is the number of terms.

Finding the Sum of the First n Terms of an AP with a First Term of ${$ \log 15$}$

To find the sum of the first n terms of an AP with a first term of ${$ \log 15$}$, we need to find the common difference d. Since the first term is ${$ \log 15$}$, we can write:

a = ${$ \log 15$}$

To find the common difference d, we need to find the difference between consecutive terms. Let's assume the second term is ${$ \log 16$}$. Then, we can write:

a + d = ${$ \log 16$}$

Substituting the value of a, we get:

${$ \log 15$}$ + d = ${$ \log 16$}$

Simplifying, we get:

d = ${$ \log 16$}$ - ${$ \log 15$}$

Using the logarithmic identity ${$ \log a - \log b = \log \frac{a}{b}$], we can simplify further:

d = [$\log \frac{16}{15}$]

Now that we have found the common difference d, we can use the formula for the sum of the first n terms of an AP to find the sum:

S_n = n/2 [2a + (n-1)d}$

Substituting the values of a and d, we get:

S_n = n/2 ${2\[$ \log 15$}$ + (n-1) ${$ \log \frac{16}{15}$]}$

Simplifying, we get:

S_n = n/2 ${2\[$ \log 15$}$ + (n-1) ${$ \log \frac{16}{15}$]}$

Example

Let's find the sum of the first 5 terms of an AP with a first term of ${$ \log 15$}$ and a common difference of ${$ \log \frac{16}{15}$].

Using the formula for the sum of the first n terms of an AP, we get:

S_5 = 5/2 [2[ $\log 15\$}$ + (5-1) ${$ \log \frac{16}{15}$]}$

Simplifying, we get:

S_5 = 5/2 ${2\[$ \log 15$}$ + 4 ${$ \log \frac{16}{15}$]}$

Using a calculator to evaluate the expression, we get:

S_5 ≈ 5.47

Conclusion

In this article, we have explored the formula for finding the sum of the first n terms of an AP, where the first term is ${$ \log 15$}$. We have also found the common difference d and used the formula to find the sum of the first 5 terms of an AP with a first term of ${$ \log 15$}$ and a common difference of ${$ \log \frac{16}{15}$]. The formula for the sum of the first n terms of an AP is a fundamental concept in mathematics, with numerous applications in various fields.

References

[1] "Arithmetic Progression" by Khan Academy
[2] "Sum of an Arithmetic Progression" by Math Open Reference
[3] "Logarithms" by Wolfram MathWorld

Q: What is an arithmetic progression (AP)?

A: An AP is a sequence of numbers in which the difference between consecutive terms is constant. For example, the sequence 2, 5, 8, 11, 14 is an AP with a common difference of 3.

Q: What is the formula for the sum of the first n terms of an AP?

A: The formula for the sum of the first n terms of an AP is given by:

S_n = n/2 [2a + (n-1)d}$

where S_n is the sum of the first n terms, a is the first term, d is the common difference, and n is the number of terms.

Q: How do I find the common difference d in an AP?

A: To find the common difference d, you need to find the difference between consecutive terms. Let's assume the second term is a + d. Then, you can write:

a + d = a + d