The second, fourth and sixth terms of an Arithmetic Progression (AP.) are x - 1, x + 1 and 7 respectively. Find the: (a) common difference; (b) first term; ...

Answer Details

An Arithmetic Progression (AP) is a sequence of numbers where the difference between any two consecutive terms is always the same. If a, b, c are three terms of an AP, then b - a = c - b. This common difference is denoted by d.

In this problem, we are given the second, fourth, and sixth terms of the AP as x - 1, x + 1, and 7 respectively. We can use these terms to find the common difference d and the first term a.

Let's call the first term a. Then, the second term a + d = x - 1, the fourth term a + 3d = x + 1, and the sixth term a + 5d = 7. We can use these equations to find d and a.

From the equation a + d = x - 1, we get d = x - 1 - a.

Substituting this in a + 3d = x + 1, we get a + 3(x - 1 - a) = x + 1
Expanding the brackets, we get a + 3x - 3 - 3a = x + 1
Combining like terms, we get -2a + 3x - 2 = x + 1
Solving for x, we get x = (2a + 2)/2

Substituting this value of x in d = x - 1 - a, we get d = (2a + 2)/2 - 1 - a = (2 - 2a)/2

Finally, substituting this value of d in a + 5d = 7, we get a + 5(2 - 2a)/2 = 7
Expanding the brackets, we get a + 5 - 5a = 7
Combining like terms, we get -4a + 5 = 7
Solving for a, we get a = 2.

So, the common difference d is 2 - 2a = 2 - 2 * 2 = -2, and the first term a is 2.

The value of x can be found from x = (2a + 2)/2 = (2 * 2 + 2)/2 = (4 + 2)/2 = 6/2 = 3.

Hence, the common difference is -2, the first term is 2, and the value of x is 3.