Question

Show that the sum of (m + n)^th and (m – n)^th terms of an A.P. is equal to twice the m^th term.

Answer 1

Let a and d be the first term and the common difference of the A.P. respectively.

It is known that the k^th term of an A. P. is given by

a_k = a + (k –1) d

∴ a_{m + n} = a + (m + n –1) d

a_{m – n} = a + (m – n –1) d

a_m = a + (m –1) d

∴ a_{m + n} + a_{m – n} = a + (m + n –1) d + a + (m – n –1) d

= 2a + (m + n –1 + m – n –1) d

= 2a + (2m – 2) d

= 2a + 2 (m – 1) d

=2 [a + (m – 1) d]

= 2a_m

Thus, the sum of (m + n)^th and (m – n)^th terms of an A.P. is equal to twice the m^th term.