Question

For the following A.P.s, write the first term and the common difference.

(i) 3, 1, − 1, − 3 …

(ii) − 5, − 1, 3, 7 …

(iii)

(iv) 0.6, 1.7, 2.8, 3.9 …

Answer 1

(i) 3, 1, −1, −3 …

Here, first term, a = 3

Common difference, d = Second term − First term

= 1 − 3 = −2

(ii) −5, −1, 3, 7 …

Here, first term, a = −5

Common difference, d = Second term − First term

= (−1) − (−5) = − 1 + 5 = 4

(iii)

Here, first term,

Common difference, d = Second term − First term

(iv) 0.6, 1.7, 2.8, 3.9 …

Here, first term, a = 0.6

Common difference, d = Second term − First term

= 1.7 − 0.6

= 1.1