Chapter 11: Problem 18
Find \(S_{n}\) for each arithmetic series described. $$ a_{1}=7, d=-2, n=9 $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The sum of the series \( S_9 \) is \(-9\).
Step by step solution
01
Understanding the formula for arithmetic series sum
The sum of the first \( n \) terms of an arithmetic series can be found using the formula: \[ S_n = \frac{n}{2} \times (2a_1 + (n-1)d) \] where \( a_1 \) is the first term, \( d \) is the common difference, and \( n \) is the number of terms.
02
Substitute given values into the formula
We substitute \( a_1 = 7 \), \( d = -2 \), and \( n = 9 \) into the formula:\[ S_9 = \frac{9}{2} \times (2 \times 7 + (9-1)(-2)) \] This translates to finding the values inside the parentheses first.
03
Calculating inside the parentheses
Calculate inside the parentheses:\[ 2 \times 7 = 14 \] For the second part:\[ (9 - 1)(-2) = 8 \times (-2) = -16 \] Add these results together:\[ 14 + (-16) = -2 \]
04
Complete the formula substitution and solve for the sum
Now substitute the result from the parentheses back into the formula:\[ S_9 = \frac{9}{2} \times (-2) \] Calculate:\[ S_9 = \frac{9 \times (-2)}{2} = \frac{-18}{2} = -9 \] Thus, the sum of the series \( S_9 \) is \(-9\).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Sum of Arithmetic Series
To find the sum of an arithmetic series, we use a specific formula that makes the calculation straightforward. The formula is given by:\[ S_n = \frac{n}{2} \times (2a_1 + (n-1)d) \]Let's break this down:
- \( S_n \): Represents the sum of the first \( n \) terms in the arithmetic series.
- \( a_1 \): Is the first term of the series.
- \( d \): Stands for the common difference, which we'll explore more soon.
Common Difference
The common difference, denoted by \( d \), is a vital component of an arithmetic series. It tells us how much each term increases or decreases from the previous one. For example, if you have a series starting with 7, and the common difference is -2, then the sequence looks like: 7, 5, 3, 1, etc. Here's how to find it:
- Subtract the first term from the second term.
- Example: In the sequence 7, 5, 3, the common difference \( d = 5 - 7 = -2 \).
First Term
Identifying the first term, \( a_1 \) is straightforward but essential as it serves as the starting point for the entire series to unfold. In our arithmetic series, the first term \( a_1 \) is 7. This means the series begins at 7 before the common difference starts to affect it.
- The first term is the term from which the entire series calculations initiate.
- It anchors the calculations for the sum and helps determine subsequent terms.
Number of Terms
The number of terms, denoted by \( n \), indicates how many terms in the series are summed. In our problem, \( n = 9 \), which means we're adding up the first 9 terms of the series.Understanding \( n \) is crucial because:
- It tells us the sequence's length that we need to consider.
- Helps in deciding how long the constant increase or decrease (by the common difference \( d \)) will be applied.