Difference between revisions of "2022 AMC 10B Problems/Problem 15"
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− | Suppose that the first number of the arithmetic sequence is <math>a</math>. We will try to compute the value of <math>S_{n}</math>. First, note that the sum of an arithmetic sequence is equal to the number of terms multiplied by the median of the sequence. The median of this sequence is equal to <math>a + n - 1</math>. Thus, the value of <math>S_{n}</math> is <math>n(a + n - 1) = n^2 + n(a - 1)</math>. Then, <cmath>\frac{S_{3n}}{S_{n}} = \frac{9n^2 + 3n(a - 1)}{n^2 + n(a - 1)} = 9 - \frac{6n(a-1)}{n^2 + n(a-1)}.</cmath> Of course, for this value to be constant, <math> | + | Suppose that the first number of the arithmetic sequence is <math>a</math>. We will try to compute the value of <math>S_{n}</math>. First, note that the sum of an arithmetic sequence is equal to the number of terms multiplied by the median of the sequence. The median of this sequence is equal to <math>a + n - 1</math>. Thus, the value of <math>S_{n}</math> is <math>n(a + n - 1) = n^2 + n(a - 1)</math>. Then, <cmath>\frac{S_{3n}}{S_{n}} = \frac{9n^2 + 3n(a - 1)}{n^2 + n(a - 1)} = 9 - \frac{6n(a-1)}{n^2 + n(a-1)}.</cmath> Of course, for this value to be constant, <math>6n(a-1)</math> must be <math>0</math> for all values of <math>n</math>, and thus <math>a = 1</math>. Finally, we have <math>S_{20} = 20^2 = \boxed{\textbf{(D) } 400}</math>. |
~mathboy100 | ~mathboy100 |
Revision as of 14:55, 20 May 2023
Contents
Problem
Let be the sum of the first term of an arithmetic sequence that has a common difference of . The quotient does not depend on . What is ?
Solution 1
Suppose that the first number of the arithmetic sequence is . We will try to compute the value of . First, note that the sum of an arithmetic sequence is equal to the number of terms multiplied by the median of the sequence. The median of this sequence is equal to . Thus, the value of is . Then, Of course, for this value to be constant, must be for all values of , and thus . Finally, we have .
~mathboy100
Solution 2
Let's say that our sequence is Then, since the value of n doesn't matter in the quotient , we can say that Simplifying, we get , from which Solving for , we get that .
Now, we proceed similar to Solution 1 and get that .
Solution 3 (Quick Insight)
Recall that the sum of the first odd numbers is .
Since , we have .
~numerophile
Video Solution 1
~Education, the Study of Everything
Video Solution by Interstigation
See Also
2022 AMC 10B (Problems • Answer Key • Resources) | ||
Preceded by Problem 14 |
Followed by Problem 16 | |
1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8 • 9 • 10 • 11 • 12 • 13 • 14 • 15 • 16 • 17 • 18 • 19 • 20 • 21 • 22 • 23 • 24 • 25 | ||
All AMC 10 Problems and Solutions |
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