Let $S_n$ denote the sum of the first $n$ terms of an arithmetic progression. If $S_{10}=390$ and the ratio of the tenth and the fifth terms is $15: 7$, then $\mathrm{S}_{15}-\mathrm{S}_5$ is equal to :
Solution
<p>To solve this problem, we will start by using the properties of an arithmetic progression (AP).</p>
<p>The sum of the first $n$ terms of an AP can be calculated using the formula:
$S_n = \frac{n}{2} (2a + (n-1)d)$
where $S_n$ is the sum of the first $n$ terms, $a$ is the first term, and $d$ is the common difference between the terms.</p>
<p>Given the information:
$S_{10} = 390$</p>
<p>We can plug $n=10$ into the sum formula to get:</p>
<p>$S_{10} = \frac{10}{2} (2a + (10-1)d)$</p>
<p>$390 = 5(2a + 9d)$</p>
<p>$390 = 10a + 45d$</p>
<p>$78 = 2a + 9d \quad .........\text{(1)}$</p>
<p>Next, we're given the ratio of the tenth term ($T_{10}$) to the fifth term ($T_5$):
$\frac{T_{10}}{T_5} = \frac{15}{7}$</p>
<p>The $n$th term of an AP is given by:
<br/><br/>$T_n = a + (n-1)d$</p>
<p>So, for the tenth term:
$T_{10} = a + (10-1)d = a + 9d$</p>
<p>And for the fifth term:
<br/><br/>$T_5 = a + (5-1)d = a + 4d$</p>
<p>Now we can write the ratio as:</p>
<p>$\frac{a + 9d}{a + 4d} = \frac{15}{7}$</p>
<p>$7(a + 9d) = 15(a + 4d)$</p>
<p>$7a + 63d = 15a + 60d$</p>
<p>$63d - 60d = 15a - 7a$</p>
<p>$3d = 8a \quad .........\text{(2)}$</p>
<p>Now we have two equations (1) and (2):</p>
<p>$78 = 2a + 9d \quad \text{(1)}$</p>
<p>$3d = 8a \quad \text{(2)}$</p>
<p>We can solve these equations simultaneously.</p>
<p>From equation (2):</p>
<p>$d = \frac{8}{3}a$</p>
<p>Plugging this back into (1):</p>
<p>$78 = 2a + 9\left(\frac{8}{3}a\right)$</p>
<p>$78 = 2a + 24a$</p>
<p>$78 = 26a$</p>
<p>$a = 3$</p>
<p>Now we can find $d$:</p>
<p>$d = \frac{8}{3}a$</p>
<p>$d = \frac{8}{3} \times 3$</p>
<p>$d = 8$</p>
<p>Now we can find $S_{15}$ and $S_5$ using the formula for the sum of an AP.</p>
<p>For $S_{15}$:</p>
<p>$S_{15} = \frac{15}{2} (2 \cdot 3 + (15-1) \cdot 8)$</p>
<p>$S_{15} = \frac{15}{2} (6 + 14 \cdot 8)$</p>
<p>$S_{15} = \frac{15}{2} (6 + 112)$</p>
<p>$S_{15} = \frac{15}{2} \cdot 118$</p>
<p>$S_{15} = 15 \cdot 59$</p>
<p>$S_{15} = 885$</p>
<p>For $S_5$:</p>
<p>$S_5 = \frac{5}{2} (2 \cdot 3 + (5-1) \cdot 8)$</p>
<p>$S_5 = \frac{5}{2} (6 + 4 \cdot 8)$</p>
<p>$S_5 = \frac{5}{2} (6 + 32)$</p>
<p>$S_5 = \frac{5}{2} \cdot 38$</p>
<p>$S_5 = 5 \cdot 19$</p>
<p>$S_5 = 95$</p>
<p>The difference $S_{15} - S_{5}$ is:</p>
<p>$S_{15} - S_{5} = 885 - 95$</p>
<p>$S_{15} - S_{5} = 790$</p>
<p>Therefore, the correct answer is Option C, which is 790.</p>
About this question
Subject: Mathematics · Chapter: Sequences and Series · Topic: Arithmetic Progression
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