Problem: The sum of the 10 term of an arithmetic sequence is 530.

What is the first term if the last

term is 80? What is the common difference?

Sum of arithmetic sequence:

Sn = n/2 (a₁ + an)

Where:

Sn = sum ⇒ 530
n = number of terms or the nth term/position of a value in the sequence; n=10
a₁ = first term ⇒ unknown
an = last term ⇒ 40

Solve for the first term, a₁: Find the common difference, d: Check:

530 = 10/2 (a₁ + 80) an = a₁ + (n-1)(d) ⇒ General rule Sn = n/2 [2a₁ + (n-1)(d)]

530 = 5(a₁ + 80) 80 = 26 + (10-1)(d) 530 = 10/2 [2(26) + (10-1)(6)]

530 = 5a₁ + 400 80 = 26 + 9d 530 = 5 [52 + (9)(6)]

5a₁ = 530 - 400 9d = 80 - 26 530 = 5 [52 + 54}

5a₁/5 = 130/5 9d/9 = 54/9 530 = 5(106)

a₁ = 26 d=6 530 = 530 (True)

The first term is 26. The common difference is 6.

Special Products and Factoring:

Binomial x Binomial or Square of Binomial:

Pattern: ( + ) ( + )( + )

1) Square the first term: ( )( ) =

2) 2 (first term) (second term): 2( )( ) =
3) Square the second or last term: ( )( ) =
4) Combine the results:
+ +

Example:

( )
1) Square the first term: (2 )(2 ) =
2) 2 (first term) (second term): 2(2 )( ) =
3) Square the second or last term: ( )( ) =
4) Combine the results:
+