Sequences and Series – Method of Differences – JEE Main 03 April 2025 Shift 1

Question ID: #1110
JEE Main3 April Shift 1, 2025Algebra

The sum $1+3+11+25+45+71+\dots$ upto 20 terms, is equal to

  • (1) 7240
  • (2) 7130
  • (3) 6982
  • (4) 8124

Solution:

$$S_n = 1 + 3 + 11 + 25 + 45 + 71 + \dots + T_n$$

$$T_2 – T_1 = 3 – 1 = 2$$

$$T_3 – T_2 = 11 – 3 = 8$$

$$T_4 – T_3 = 25 – 11 = 14$$

The first order differences $(2, 8, 14, 20, \dots)$ are in Arithmetic Progression.

$$T_n = an^2 + bn + c$$

$$T_1 = a + b + c = 1$$

$$T_2 = 4a + 2b + c = 3$$

$$T_3 = 9a + 3b + c = 11$$

$$(4a + 2b + c) – (a + b + c) = 3 – 1 \Rightarrow 3a + b = 2$$

$$(9a + 3b + c) – (4a + 2b + c) = 11 – 3 \Rightarrow 5a + b = 8$$

$$(5a + b) – (3a + b) = 8 – 2 \Rightarrow 2a = 6 \Rightarrow a = 3$$

$$3(3) + b = 2 \Rightarrow b = -7$$

$$3 – 7 + c = 1 \Rightarrow c = 5$$

$$T_n = 3n^2 – 7n + 5$$

$$S_{20} = \sum_{n=1}^{20} (3n^2 – 7n + 5)$$

$$S_{20} = 3\sum_{n=1}^{20} n^2 – 7\sum_{n=1}^{20} n + \sum_{n=1}^{20} 5$$

$$S_{20} = 3 \left( \frac{20 \cdot 21 \cdot 41}{6} \right) – 7 \left( \frac{20 \cdot 21}{2} \right) + 5(20)$$

$$S_{20} = 3(2870) – 7(210) + 100$$

$$S_{20} = 8610 – 1470 + 100$$

$$S_{20} = 7240$$

Ans. (1)

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