The pth p^{\text {th }} term of an A.P. is aa and qth q^{\text {th }} term is bb. Prove that the sum of its (p+q)(p+q) terms is p+q2[a+b+a−bp−q].\frac{p+q}{2}\left[a+b+\frac{a-b}{p-q}\right] .

Answer: The sum of its (p+q)(p+q) terms is p+q2[a+b+a−bp−q]\frac{p+q}{2}\left[a+b+\frac{a-b}{p-q}\right].

Step-by-step solution

Step 1: Define terms of an A.P.

Let AA be the first term and DD be the common difference of the Arithmetic Progression (A.P.). The nthn^{\text{th}} term of an A.P. is given by the formula tn=A+(n−1)Dt_n = A + (n-1)D.

Step 2: Formulate equations from given information

According to the problem statement, the pthp^{\text{th}} term is aa and the qthq^{\text{th}} term is bb. We can write these as two equations using the formula for the nthn^{\text{th}} term.

Step 3: Solve for common difference D

Subtract equation (2) from equation (1) to eliminate AA. This allows us to solve for the common difference DD in terms of aa, bb, pp, and qq.

Step 4: Solve for the first term A

Substitute the value of DD back into equation (1) to find the first term AA. This expresses AA in terms of aa, bb, pp, and qq.

Step 5: Apply sum formula for (p+q) terms

The sum of the first nn terms of an A.P. is given by Sn=n2[2A+(n−1)D]S_n = \frac{n}{2}[2A + (n-1)D]. We need to find the sum of (p+q)(p+q) terms, so we substitute n=p+qn = p+q into this formula.

Step 6: Substitute A and D and simplify

Substitute the expressions for AA and DD into the sum formula. Then, simplify the terms inside the square brackets. Combine the terms involving a−bp−q\frac{a-b}{p-q} and rearrange to match the required form.

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