Arithmetic progression problem

• January 8th 2010, 06:02 PM
mastermin346
Arithmetic progression problem
How many terms at least of the arithmetic progression 1,4,7,10,.............are needed to give a sum greater than 590,starting from the first term of the arithmetic progression?

• January 8th 2010, 06:29 PM
skeeter
Quote:

Originally Posted by mastermin346
How many terms at least of the arithmetic progression 1,4,7,10,.............are needed to give a sum greater than 590,starting from the first term of the arithmetic progression?

$S_n = \frac{n}{2}(t_1 + t_n) > 590
$

where $t_n = t_1 + d(n-1)$

solve for the least value of $n$ that makes the sum greater than 590
• January 8th 2010, 09:41 PM
mastermin346
Quote:

Originally Posted by skeeter
$S_n = \frac{n}{2}(t_1 + t_n) > 590
$

where $t_n = t_1 + d(n-1)$

solve for the least value of $n$ that makes the sum greater than 590

how?? i dont know how to do..
• January 8th 2010, 10:14 PM
Prove It
Do as you have been instructed.

$S_n = \frac{n}{2}(t_1 + t_n)$

$= \frac{n}{2}[t_1 + t_1 + (n - 1)d]$

$= \frac{n}{2}[2t_1 + (n - 1)d]$

You should be able to see that $t_1 = 1$ and $d = 3$

So $S_n = \frac{n}{2}[2(1) + 3(n - 1)]$

$= \frac{n}{2}(2 + 3n - 3)$

$= \frac{n}{2}(3n - 1)$

$= \frac{3n^2}{2} - \frac{n}{2}$.

You know that $S_n > 590$

So $\frac{3n^2}{2} - \frac{n}{2} > 590$

Solve for $n$.

Choose the first whole value of $n$ that is greater than what you found...
• January 8th 2010, 11:00 PM
mastermin346
Quote:

Originally Posted by Prove It
Do as you have been instructed.

$S_n = \frac{n}{2}(t_1 + t_n)$

$= \frac{n}{2}[t_1 + t_1 + (n - 1)d]$

$= \frac{n}{2}[2t_1 + (n - 1)d]$

You should be able to see that $t_1 = 1$ and $d = 3$

So $S_n = \frac{n}{2}[2(1) + 3(n - 1)]$

$= \frac{n}{2}(2 + 3n - 3)$

$= \frac{n}{2}(3n - 1)$

$= \frac{3n^2}{2} - \frac{n}{2}$.

You know that $S_n > 590$

So $\frac{3n^2}{2} - \frac{n}{2} > 590$

Solve for $n$.

Choose the first whole value of $n$ that is greater than what you found...

what do you mean by "Choose the first whole value of http://www.mathhelpforum.com/math-he...b31363a1-1.gif that is greater than what you found"???
• January 8th 2010, 11:23 PM
mr fantastic
Quote:

Originally Posted by mastermin346
what do you mean by "Choose the first whole value of http://www.mathhelpforum.com/math-he...b31363a1-1.gif that is greater than what you found"???

You have been given almost the entire solution. Your job is to read and process what you've been told and then finish off the problem.

Solve $\frac{3n^2}{2} - \frac{n}{2} = 590 \Rightarrow \frac{3n^2}{2} - \frac{n}{2} - 590 = 0$ for n. Choose the value of n that is positive and satisfies $\frac{3n^2}{2} - \frac{n}{2} - 590 \geq 0$.