Important Questions for Class 10 Maths Chapter 5: Arithmetic Progression

Class 10 Maths important questions for Chapter 5, Arithmetic Progression, are provided for students to prepare for board exam 2020-2021. The questions here are based on the NCERT book and are as per the CBSE syllabus. These important questions are created after in-depth research on the exam pattern, previous year papers, exam trends and latest released sample papers of 2021-22. By solving these questions, students can score high marks in the Maths exam. They can cross-check their answers with the solutions provided here. So, students are advised to solve these questions and practise them well. It will boost their confidence level and give them good practice.

Arithmetic progression deals with the concept of a sequence that appears in a pattern, such that there is a common difference between each term of the given series. In this chapter, you will come across finding the nth term of AP, the sum of n terms of AP using the relevant formulas.

Check important questions for all the chapters for Class 10 Maths here.

Students can practice all the questions provided at the end of this page to improve their problem-solving skills on arithmetic progression. These additional questions cover the variety of questions that can be asked in the Class 10 Maths board exam 2021-22.

Also, access: Class 10 Maths Chapter 4 Arithmetic Progression MCQs

Important Questions For Class 10 Chapter 5 With Solutions

Q.1: Write first four terms of the A.P. when the first term a and the common difference d are given as follows:

(i) a = 10, d = 10
(ii) a = -2, d = 0
(iii) a = 4, d = – 3

Solution:

(i) a = 10, d = 10

Let us consider, the Arithmetic Progression series be a₁, a₂, a₃, a₄, a₅ …
a₁ = a = 10
a₂ = a₁ + d = 10 + 10 = 20
a₃ = a₂ + d = 20 + 10 = 30
a₄ = a₃ + d = 30 + 10 = 40
a₅ = a₄ + d = 40 + 10 = 50
And so on…

Therefore, the A.P. series will be 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 …
And First four terms of this A.P. will be 10, 20, 30, and 40.

(ii) a = – 2, d = 0

Let us consider, the Arithmetic Progression series be a₁, a₂, a₃, a₄, a₅ …

a₁ = a = -2
a₂ = a₁ + d = – 2 + 0 = – 2
a₃ = a₂ + d = – 2 + 0 = – 2
a₄ = a₃ + d = – 2 + 0 = – 2
Therefore, the A.P. series will be – 2, – 2, – 2, – 2 …
And, First four terms of this A.P. will be – 2, – 2, – 2 and – 2.

(iii) a = 4, d = – 3

Let us consider, the Arithmetic Progression series be a₁, a₂, a₃, a₄, a₅ …
a₁ = a = 4
a₂ = a₁ + d = 4 – 3 = 1
a₃ = a₂ + d = 1 – 3 = – 2
a₄ = a₃ + d = – 2 – 3 = – 5

Therefore, the A.P. series will be 4, 1,- 2, – 5 …
And, the first four terms of this A.P. will be 4, 1, – 2 and – 5.

Q.2: Which term of the AP: 21, 18, 15, . . . is – 81? Also, is any term 0? Give reason for your answer.

Solution:

Given AP: 21, 18, 15,…

Here, a = 21,

d = 18 – 21 = – 3

and

a_n = – 81, and we have to find n.
As a_n = a + ( n – 1) d,
we have;

– 81 = 21 + (n – 1)(– 3)
– 81 = 24 – 3n
– 105 = – 3n
So, n = 35
Therefore, the 35th term of the given AP is – 81.
Next, we want to know if there is any n for which a_n = 0.

If such an n is there, then;
21 + (n – 1) (–3) = 0,
3(n – 1) = 21
n = 8

Therefore, the eighth term is 0.

Q.3: Check whether – 150 is a term of the AP: 11, 8, 5, 2 . . .

Solution:

Given A.P: 11, 8, 5, 2, …
First term, a = 11
Common difference, d = a₂ − a₁ = 8 − 11 = −3

Let −150 be the nth term of this A.P.
As we know, for an A.P.,
a_n = a + (n − 1) d

-150 = 11 + (n – 1)(-3)
-150 = 11 – 3n + 3
-164 = -3n
n = 164/3

Clearly, n is not an integer but a fraction.
Therefore, – 150 is not a term of this A.P.

Q.4: If the 3rd and the 9th terms of an A.P. are 4 and − 8 respectively, then which term of this A.P is zero.

Solution:

Given that,

3rd term, a₃ = 4
and 9th term, a₉ = −8

We know that, the nth term of AP is;
a_n = a + (n − 1) d

Therefore,
a₃ = a + (3 − 1) d
4 = a + 2d ……………………………………… (i)

a₉ = a + (9 − 1) d
−8 = a + 8d ………………………………………………… (ii)

On subtracting equation (i) from (ii), we will get here,
−12 = 6d
d = −2

From equation (i), we can write,
4 = a + 2 (−2)
4 = a − 4
a = 8

Let nth term of this A.P. be zero.
a_n = a + (n − 1) d
0 = 8 + (n − 1) (−2)
0 = 8 − 2n + 2
2n = 10
n = 5

Hence, 5th term of this A.P. is 0.

Q.5: Which term of the A.P. 3, 15, 27, 39, … will be 132 more than its 54th term?

Solution:

Given A.P. is 3, 15, 27, 39, …
first term, a = 3
common difference, d = a₂ − a₁ = 15 − 3 = 12

We know that,
a_n = a + (n − 1) d

Therefore,

a₅₄ = a + (54 − 1) d
= 3 + (53) (12)
= 3 + 636 = 639
a₅₄ = 639

We have to find the term of this A.P. which is 132 more than a₅₄, i.e. 771.
Let nth term be 771.
a_n = a + (n − 1) d
771 = 3 + (n − 1) 12
768 = (n − 1) 12
(n − 1) = 64
n = 65

Therefore, 65th term was 132 more than 54th term.

Alternate Method:

Let nth term be 132 more than 54th term.
n = 54 + 132/12

= 54 + 11

= 65th term

Q. 6: How many multiples of 4 lie between 10 and 250?

Solution:

The first multiple of 4 that is greater than 10 is 12.

The next multiple will be 16.
Therefore, the series formed as;

12, 16, 20, 24, …

All these are divisible by 4 and thus, all these are terms of an A.P. with the first term as 12 and common difference as 4.

When we divide 250 by 4, the remainder will be 2. Therefore, 250 − 2 = 248 is divisible by 4.

The series is as follows, now;
12, 16, 20, 24, …, 248

Let 248 be the nth term of this A.P.
first term, a = 12
common difference, d = 4
a_n = 248

As we know,
a_n = a + (n – 1) d
248 = 12 + (n – 1) × 4
236/4 = n – 1
59 = n – 1
n = 60

Therefore, there are 60 multiples of 4 between 10 and 250.

Q.7: The sum of 4th and 8th terms of an A.P. is 24 and the sum of the 6th and 10th terms is 44. Find the first three terms of the A.P.

Solution:

We know, the nth term of the AP is;
a_n = a + (n − 1) d
a₄ = a + (4 − 1) d
a₄ = a + 3d

Thus, we can write,
a₈ = a + 7d
a₆ = a + 5d
a₁₀ = a + 9d

Given in the question;

a₄ + a₈ = 24
a + 3d + a + 7d = 24
2a + 10d = 24
a + 5d = 12 …………………………………………………… (i)
a₆ + a₁₀ = 44
a + 5d + a + 9d = 44
2a + 14d = 44
a + 7d = 22 …………………………………….. (ii)

On subtracting equation (i) from (ii), we get,
2d = 22 − 12
2d = 10
d = 5

From equation (i), we get,

a + 5d = 12
a + 5 (5) = 12
a + 25 = 12
a = −13
a₂ = a + d = − 13 + 5 = −8
a₃ = a2 + d = − 8 + 5 = −3

Therefore, the first three terms of this A.P. are −13, −8, and −3.

Q.8: Ramkali saved Rs 5 in the first week of a year and then increased her weekly saving by Rs 1.75. If in the nth week, her weekly savings become Rs 20.75, find n.

Solution:

Given that, Ramkali saved Rs.5 in the first week and then started increasing her savings each week by Rs.1.75.

Hence,

First term, a = 5
and common difference, d = 1.75

Also given,
a_n = 20.75
Find, n = ?

As we know, by the nth term formula,
a_n = a + (n − 1) d

Therefore,
20.75 = 5 + (n – 1) × 1.75
15.75 = (n – 1) × 1.75
(n – 1) = 15.75/1.75 = 1575/175
= 63/7 = 9
n – 1 = 9
n = 10
Hence, n is 10.

Q.9: How many terms of the AP : 24, 21, 18, . . . must be taken so that their sum is 78?

Solution:

Given AP: 24, 21, 18,…

Here, a = 24, d = 21 – 24 = –3, S_n = 78. We need to find n.
We know that;

S_n = n/2[2a+(n-1)d]

So, 78 = n/2 [48+(n-1)(-3)]

78 = n/2 [51 – 3n]

156 = 51n – 3n²

3n² – 51n +156 = 0

n² – 17n + 52 = 0

n² – 13n – 4n + 52 = 0

n(n – 13) – 4(n – 13) = 0

(n-4) (n-13) = 0

n = 4 or 13
Both values of n are admissible. So, the number of terms is either 4 or 13.

Q. 10: The first term of an AP is 5, the last term is 45 and the sum is 400. Find the number of terms and the common difference.

Solution:

Given that,
first term, a = 5
last term, l = 45
Sum of the AP, S_n = 400

As we know, the sum of AP formula is;
S_n = n/2 (a + l)
400 = n/2 (5 + 45)

400 = n/2 (50)
Number of terms, n = 16

As we know, the last term of AP can be written as;
Last term, l = a + (n − 1) d
45 = 5 + (16 − 1) d
40 = 15d
Therefore, the Common difference is d = 40/15 = 8/3.

Q.11:  Find the sum of the first 22 terms of an AP in which d = 7 and 22^nd term is 149.

Solution:

Given,
Common difference, d = 7
22^nd term, a₂₂ = 149
To find: Sum of first 22 term, S₂₂

By the formula of nth term, we know;
a_n = a + (n − 1)d
a₂₂ = a + (22 − 1)d
149 = a + 21 × 7
149 = a + 147
a = 2 = First term

Sum of nth term is given by the formula;
S_n = n/2 (a + a_n)
S₂₂ = 22/2 (2 + 149)
= 11 × 151
= 1661

Q.12: If the sum of the first n terms of an AP is 4n − n², what is the first term (that is S₁)? What is the sum of the first two terms? What is the second term? Similarly find the 3rd, the 10th and the nth terms.

Solution:

Given that,
S_n = 4n − n²
First term, a = S₁ = 4(1) − (1)² = 4 − 1 = 3
Sum of first two terms = S₂= 4(2) − (2)² = 8 − 4 = 4
Second term, a₂ = S₂ − S₁ = 4 − 3 = 1
Common difference, d = a₂ − a = 1 − 3 = −2

nth term is given by,
a_n = a + (n − 1)d
= 3 + (n − 1) (−2)

= 3 − 2n + 2
= 5 − 2n

Therefore, a₃ = 5 − 2(3) = 5 − 6 = −1
a₁₀ = 5 − 2(10) = 5 − 20 = −15

Hence, the sum of first two terms is 4. The second term is 1.

The 3rd, 10th, and nth terms are −1, −15, and 5 − 2n respectively.

Q.13: A sum of Rs 700 is to be used to give seven cash prizes to students of a school for their overall academic performance. If each prize is Rs 20 less than its preceding prize, find the value of each of the prizes.

Solution:

Let the cost of 1st prize be Rs.P.
Cost of 2nd prize = Rs.P − 20
And cost of 3rd prize = Rs.P − 40
We can see that the cost of these prizes is in the form of A.P., having a common difference as −20 and first term as P.
Thus, a = P and d = −20

Given that, S₇ = 700

By the formula of sum of nth term, we know,

S_n = n/2 [2a + (n – 1)d]

7/2 [2a + (7 – 1)d] = 700

a + 3(−20) = 100
a − 60 = 100
a = 160
Therefore, the value of each of the prizes was Rs 160, Rs 140, Rs 120, Rs 100, Rs 80, Rs 60, and Rs 40.

Q.14: The sum of the third and the seventh terms of an AP is 6 and their product is 8. Find the sum of the first sixteen terms of the AP.

Solution: From the given statements, we can write,

a_{3 +} a₇ = 6 …………………………….(i)

And

a_{3 ×} a₇ = 8 ……………………………..(ii)

By the nth term formula,
a_n = a + (n − 1)d

Third term, a₃ = a + (3 -1)d

a₃ = a + 2d………………………………(iii)

And Seventh term, a₇ = a + (7 -1)d

a₇ = a + 6d ………………………………..(iv)

From equation (iii) and (iv), putting in equation(i), we get,

a + 2d + a + 6d = 6

2a + 8d = 6

a+4d=3

or

a = 3 – 4d …………………………………(v)

Again putting the eq. (iii) and (iv), in eq. (ii), we get,

(a + 2d) × (a + 6d) = 8

Putting the value of a from equation (v), we get,

(3 – 4d + 2d) × (3 – 4d + 6d) = 8

(3 – 2d) × (3 + 2d) = 8

3² – 2d² = 8

9 – 4d² = 8

4d² = 1

d = 1/2 or -1/2

Now, by putting both the values of d, we get,

a = 3 – 4d = 3 – 4(1/2) = 3 – 2 = 1, when d = ½

a = 3 – 4d = 3 – 4(-1/2) = 3+2 = 5, when d = -1/2

We know, the sum of nth term of AP is;

S_n = n/2 [2a + (n – 1)d]

So, when a = 1 and d=1/2

Then, the sum of first 16 terms are;

S₁₆ = 16/2 [2 + (16 – 1)1/2] = 8(2+15/2) = 76

And when a = 5 and d= -1/2

Then, the sum of first 16 terms are;

S₁₆ = 16/2 [2(5)+ (16 – 1)(-1/2)] = 8(5/2)=20

Q.15: The houses of a row are numbered consecutively from 1 to 49. Show that there is a value of x such that the sum of the numbers of the houses preceding the house numbered x is equal to the sum of the numbers of the houses following it. Find this value of x. [Hint : S_x-1 = S₄₉ – S_x ]

Solution: Given,

Row houses are numbers from 1,2,3,4,5…….49.

Thus we can see the houses numbered in a row are in the form of AP.

So,

First term, a = 1

Common difference, d=1

Let us say the number of xth houses can be represented as;

Sum of preceding the numbers of x = sum of following numbers of x

i.e. Sum of ( 1,2,3,….x-1) = sum of [(x+1), (x+2) ,….48,49]

That is 1 + 2 + 3 + …… + ( x-1) = ( x+1) + ( x+2) …… + 49

=> (x-1)/2[1+x-1] = (49-x)/2[x+1+49]

=> (x-1)x=(49-x)(x+50)

=> x²-x=49x+2450-x²-50x

=> x²-x =2450-x²-x

=> 2x²=2450

=> x²=1225

x=√1225

x = 35

Therefore, the value of x is 35.

Class 10 Maths Chapter 5 Arithmetic Progression Questions for Practice

1. Show that (a – b)², (a² + b²) and (a + b)² are in AP.
2. Find the common difference of the Arithmetic Progression (A.P.)
   (1/a), (3 – a)/3a, (3 – 2a)/3a,… (a ≠ 0)
3. Which term of the Arithmetic Progression -7, -12, -17, -22,… will be -82? Is -100 any term of the A.P.? Give a reason for your answer.
4. How many terms of the Arithmetic Progression 45, 39, 33,… must be taken so that their sum is 180? Explain the double answer.
5. In an AP, if the common difference (d) = -4, and the seventh term (a₇) is 4, then find the first term.
6. The sum of four consecutive numbers in an AP is 32 and the ratio of the product of the first and the last term to the product of two middle terms is 7 : 15. Find the numbers.
7. What is the common difference of an A.P. in which a₂₁ – a₇ = 84?
8. Which term of the progression 20, 19 ¼, 18 ½, 17 ¾,… is the first negative term?
9. If the ratio of the sum of the first n terms of two A.Ps is (7n + 1) : (4n + 27), then find the ratio of their 9th terms.
10. The 4th term of an A.P. is zero. Prove that the 25th term of the A.P. is three times its 11th term.