The number of terms of an A.P. is even; the sum of all the odd terms is 24, the sum of all the even terms is 30 and the last term exceeds the first by 212. Then the number of terms which are integers in the A.P. is :
- 6
- 4
- 8
- 10
Answer
(2) 4
Solution
Let the A.P. have 2n terms, first term a and common difference d.
Each even term exceeds the odd term just before it by d, and there are n such pairs:
Seven - Sodd = nd
nd = 30 - 24 = 6 ...(i)
Last term − first term = (2n - 1)d = 212
2nd - d = 212
12 - d = 212 d = 32
From (i): n = 4, so the A.P. has 8 terms.
Sum of all terms = 24 + 30 = 54
82 [2a + 7 32 ] = 54
2a + 212 = 272 a = 32
∴ Terms: 32, 3, 92, 6, 152, 9, 212, 12
Integer terms: 3, 6, 9, 12, i.e. 4 terms.
Answer: (2)