or, 2Sn n ap [number of terms of the series is n]
? ( )
2
a p iii
n
Sn
Again,nth term p a(n 1 )d. Putting this value of p in (iii) we get,
[ { ( 1 ) }]
2
a a n d
n
Sn
i.e., ^` 2 1 ( )
2
a n d iv
n
Sn
If the first term of arithmetic series a, last term p and number of terms n are
known, the sum of the series can be determined by the formula (iii). But if first term
thea, common difference d,number of terms n are known, the sum of the series are
determined by the formula (iv).
Determination of the sum of first n terms of natural numbers
Let Snbe the sum of n-numbers of natural numbers i.e.
Sn 1 2 3 (n 1 )n (i)
Writing from the first term and conversely fr om the last term of the series we get,
Sn 1 2 3 n 2 (n 1 )n (i)
and Sn n n 1 n 2 3 2 1 (ii)
Adding, 2 Sn (n 1 )(n 1 )(n 1 )(n 1 )[n-number of terms]
or, 2 Sn n(n 1 )
? ( )
2
( 1 )
iii
nn
Sn
Example 2. Find the sum total of first 5 0 terms of natural numbers.
Solution : Using formula ( iii) we get,
25 51 1275
2
50 ( 50 1 )
50 u^
S
? The sum total of first 50 natural numbers is 1275.
Example 3. 1 2 3 4 99 what?
Solution : The first term of the series a 1 , common difference d 2 1 1 and
the last termp = 99.
? It is an arithmetic series.
Let the nth term of the series = 99
We know, nth term of an arithmetic
progression =a(n 1 )d
? a(n 1 )d 99
or, 1 (n 1 ) 1 99
or, 1 n 1 99
Alternative method :
Since
,
2
a p
n
Sn
? 1 99
2
99
S 99