The 7th and 9th terms of an arithmetic progression are 10 and 11, respectively. Find the 15th term.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → 14
To find the 15th term of the Arithmetic Progression (A.P.), we use the general formula for the $n^{th}$ term:
$a_n = a + (n - 1)d$
where $a$ is the first term and $d$ is the common difference.
1. Set up the equations
We are given the 7th and 9th terms:
- 7th term ($a_7$): $a + 6d = 10$
- 9th term ($a_9$): $a + 8d = 11$
2. Solve for the common difference ($d$)
Subtract the first equation from the second:
$(a + 8d) - (a + 6d) = 11 - 10$
$2d = 1$
$d = \frac{1}{2} = 0.5$
3. Solve for the first term ($a$)
Substitute $d = 0.5$ into the first equation:
$a + 6(0.5) = 10$
$a + 3 = 10$
$a = 7$
4. Find the 15th term ($a_{15}$)
Now, substitute $a = 7$, $d = 0.5$, and $n = 15$ into the general formula:
$a_{15} = 7 + (15 - 1)(0.5)$
$a_{15} = 7 + 14(0.5)$
$a_{15} = 7 + 7$
$a_{15} = 14$