Arithmetic progression 
 
The chapter 'Arithmetic progression' is a highly scoring and important topic for the board exams, because it reinforces fundamental concepts and problem-solving skills. It carries 4-6 marks in the examination. It covers concepts like, finding common difference, check whether given sequence is an A.P., problems based on \(n^{th}\) terms and sum of \(n^{th}\) terms.
 
Most possible variation of question types that we can expect in board exam as per previous year question paper are discussed below.
 
Total Marks \(4\) - \(6\)
Variation \(1\) Variation \(2\)
  • \(1\) Sec A
  • \(1\) Sec B
  • \(1\) Sec C
Total Mark \(= 6\)
  • \(1\) Sec E
Total Mark \(= 4\)
 
To prepare well for the board examination, it is necessary to understand the following concepts clearly.
  • Common differences - based on some common difference or finding common difference
  • Checking as an A.P - checking whether given sequence/situation forms an A.P sequence or not
  • \(n^{th}\) term of an A.P - finding \(n^{th}\) term and number of terms of an A.P.
  • Sum of \(n^{th}\) term of an A.P. - finding the sum of first n terms of an A.P. 
 
Important Concept (Learning Outcomes) Expected Question Type Concept dealt with
  • Common differences - based on some common difference or finding common differenec
Sec A -MCQ,
Sec B
  • \(n^{th}\) term of an A.P - finding \(n^{th}\) term and number of terms of an A.P.
 Sec A, Sec C
  • Sum of \(n^{th}\) term of an A.P. - finding the sum of first n terms of an A.P. 
 Sec D, Sec E
 
Let us recall the important concpets/formulas involved in Arithmetic progression:
TO FIND FORMULAS
1. \(n^{th}\) term \(a_{n} = a +(n-1)d\)
2. No of terms
\(n=(\frac{l-a}{d})+1\), \(l= a_{n}\)
3. Common difference \(d= a_{2}-a_{1} = a_{3}-a_{2} = a_{4}-a_{3}=...\)
4. General term of an AP \(a, a+d, a+2d, a+3d,...\)

\(a_{1}=a , a_{2} = a+d, a_{3}=a+2d, ...\)
5. \(3\) consecutive terms in AP \(a-d,a,a+d\)
6. \(4\) consecutive terms in AP \(a-3d,a-d,a+d,a+3d\)
7. Sum of \(n\) terms of an AP \(S_{n}= \frac{n}{2}(2a+(n-1)d)\) where \(n,d,a\) given
8. Sum of \(n\) terms of an AP \(S_{n}= \frac{n}{2}(a+l)\) where \(n,l,a\) given
9. \(a_{n}\) if \(s_{n}\) is given
\(a_{n} = S_{n}-S_{n-1}\)